This devotion from Proverbs 31 ministries was found on my yahoo group today and I thought it was perfect for today! This wait is excruciating...there has been absolutely no movement for almost a month, but God is good and we know His timing is perfect!

April 23, 2007

You Will Not Be Forgotten

By Glynnis Whitwer

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a
day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."
2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

Devotion:

When my third child was born, my oldest was three. And they were
all active boys!My husband and I were outnumbered and my life was
completely up-ended. For the next three years I couldn't even go
shopping at Target by myself with the kids. While one raced down
the aisle, the toddler climbed out of the cart. Meanwhile, the
baby, who disliked being confined from the moment of his birth,
screamed! I was a mess! I felt like climbing over the cart and
racing down the aisle screaming myself.

In those difficult three years I kept trying to regain my old life.
An organizer and leader by nature, I'd volunteer to oversee
something at church and then make my kids and me miserable trying to
get it done. My heart is heavy when I remember the times I dragged
my three little boys to one event or another, only to leave angry
and in tears because they couldn't sit still.

Instead of accepting my life as it was, I plowed ahead, wanting to
serve God and feeling certain He was pleased with my sacrifices.
The problem was that my innocent children made the real sacrifice by
enduring my non-stop lifestyle. I wish with all my heart that
someone had taken me out to coffee and helped me get some
perspective. I was too blind to see.

What I know now is that sometimes God calls us to a new mission
field that on the surface looks like we've been called out of
the "game." But nothing could be further from the truth! Those
three years I was afraid to stop pursuing my goals in case an
opportunity might pass me by. Instead I missed the opportunity to
minister more deeply to my children passed me by.

Second Peter 3:8 says, "But do not forget this one thing, dear
friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a
thousand years are like a day" (NIV). Although this verse is
speaking about the Lord's return, I believe it can be applied to any
time of "waiting." God doesn't see time as we do. Three years
seems like an eternity, when it's really just a breath in time. The
first part of verse 9 offers hope to those who think opportunities
are passing them by and God has forgotten them: "The Lord is not
slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness."

I wish someone had told me that God would not forget me, that I was
right where He wanted me, and that I should relax and see the
opportunities He had placed in front of me. Even though my days
felt like years, they really were just a blink. At least, that's
what I know now …

Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your faithfulness. No matter what
my circumstances look like to me, I know You have not forgotten me.
Help me to see Your hand in every moment of my day, and to look for
ways to serve You and those around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

9 groups away!!!

Today brought more referrals for our agency, as stated in this announcement below:

"America World is pleased to announce the receipt of 19 healthy female
referrals today! Families receiving referrals were logged into the
China Center of Adoption Affairs on October 19th and 24th of 2005
(groups 233 and 234). These families waited roughly 16 months from
log in date to referral. We also received referrals for 2 families
who were expedited due to Chinese heritage who were logged in on April
14th, 2006. The little girls are currently located in the Jiangxi and
Guangdong Provinces and range in age from 6 to 15 months. Please join
us in congratulating these families, and in praying for them as they
prepare to travel."

We just hit the 14 month anniversary of our log-in date, but despite the long wait, we are encouraged that the referrals keep coming. Based on the above information, and 'rumors' on various sites, I am anticipating a referral in August or September (which means we would fly in late Sept/early October). It IS going to happen eventually!

In the meantime, we have been so blessed by two families, as well as a neighboring church, who have helped us tremendously with the financial part of this adoption. The costs have just kept going up as we have had to re-do so many documents that expired during this extended wait time. Jason and I knew the financial part of this would be hard, but we also knew (and were told by many) that God would provide in one way or another. We are so thankful not only for the donations, but for the hearts behind those gifts. We know that we have been blessed beyond measure, once again.

THANK YOU for checking in, and please please keep Leila Grace in your prayers as she has probably been born by now.

In His amazing grace,
Alissa and Jason

Happy New Year!

Thanks for checking in. I haven't posted in awhile as there hasn't been much progress since the end of December. However, today 19 referrals were received, which included groups 231 and 232. This means we are now 11 groups away---almost into the single digits! We've heard that summer is about the worst time to travel in China (very hot!), but we really don't care at this point---we just want to get there and meet that sweet baby girl!

Last week we had our fingerprints redone at the Department of Homeland Security here in KC. Apparently, fingerprints 'expire' after 15 months, so we had to do them again just in case one of us had committed a felony recently (we didn't...phew). I also learned that almost 10 years of working in a hospital (and washing my hands constantly), leads to 'difficult to read fingerprints.' I tried to say something clever about that, but the people at the Dept of Homeland Security don't have the best sense of humor.

I also made a call this week to our agency to ask what I need to do with the revised home study (it also expires). I expected to have to send it 3 different places for certification, authentication, etc. etc., but my coordinator instead told me that I would be handing that to the officials in China! I don't know why, but it just made my day having someone assure me that yes, someday we'll be headed to China and this long, long, wait will be soon forgotten.

Much love from Kansas City,
Alissa and Jason

Merry Christmas
by Third Day

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for mama's arms
At an orphange just outside a little China town
Where the forgotten are

But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
So tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in His arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white
And make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that Heaven's angels come to carry you here

Christmas is the time we celebrate the holy child
And we celebrate His perfect gift of love
He came to Earth to give His life and prepare a place for us
So we could have a home with Him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep, I'll hold you in my arms
And tell you from my heart
I'll tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

If I did have music to accompany, you could get the full effect, but I can't very well listen to this song right now without lots of tears! I love the song, it really applies to where we are in the process but we have hope...she'll be here at exactly the right time!

Merry Christmas!

Love,
The Potocniks

Things are moving forward...

We were so glad to hear yesterday that groups 227, 228, and 229 received referrals this week. 34 referrals were given out, all of which were logged in to the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs in Aug/Sept 2005. So...we were logged in Dec 22, 2005 and are group 244, so at least we are getting closer! And while I am a little bummed not to be including Leila in our Christmas picture this year, I am enjoying my time with my 3 sweet kids, and just enjoying the holiday season. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Love,
Alissa

Bumps in the road...

Hello everyone,
Well, as of last weekend, group 227 received their referrals, so albeit slow, things are still moving (we're group 244). In our neck of the woods, we are dealing with some major challenges with the home we moved into less than 18 months ago. When we bought this house, we knew that it had, in the past, had some foundation problems. However, we had a structural engineer look at it and in May of '05 when we bought it, everything looked good (and had been repaired by the previous owners). However, after a long, dry summer, we have now noticed significant movement in the home, and have had many companies out giving estimates over the past 2-3 weeks. This is heartbreaking for us because we love this home, and know it is where we are supposed to be. However, the necessary repairs are quite costly...more than the total cost of our adoption. We are determined to move forward with the adoption, as we feel that although the house is very concerning, getting Leila Grace is our first priority.

Daily, I am tempted to be worried. However, Matthew 6:25 says "Do not worry..." and I have to just trust in that. I truly believe that this is all part of Leila's story, and boy will it be a story of God's faithfulness! If you are praying for us, we would ask you to pray for our continued faith in God's provision for the financial end of these challenges, but also that Jason and I would be very much aware of what it is God is trying to teach us through this situation. We appreciate your prayers so much and as always, thank you for checking in!

Love,
Alissa

Progress!

Yesterday we received news that the CCAA (Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs) has officially reviewed all documents received in their office as of December 31, 2005. Our documents (logged in December 22nd) were included in that group. This means we are one step closer to the 'matching room,' so this is great news! This said, there is still a very long wait ahead. Currently, groups 223/224 are on deck to receive referrals and we are in group 244. I have stopped making estimates, but we know it will not be this year as we had hoped. Maybe next Spring or early summer, we'll see. Thankfully, we are not in control and we are now working to renew a few of the documents which will soon expire (home study and fingerprinting). This is a frustrating experience both timewise and financially, but we'll do whatever we have to do...it's all part of the journey! The good news is, our kids will be a little bit older (most likely 8, 5, and 4) by the time Leila gets here, so they can understand even more about what is going on. Thank you again for checking in on us!

Love,
Alissa

Thank you for checking in!

At this time, last year, we thought we may be travelling to China right now to pick up our little girl. However, the referral wait process has slowed considerably since that time. No one really knows why, but at this time, they are processing referrals from July of 2005 (we were logged in December of 2005). They put all the families into groups. We are group 244 and they are currently on group 221. So...your guess is as good as ours as to when this will happen. Most likely, 2007. We know that God knows what He is doing, however. Rudy is having a lot of separation anxiety issues right now, so leaving for 2 weeks wouldn't be best this summer anyway. We know that we will go get our little girl whenever God has her ready for us.

A lot of people have asked me about Leila and whether she is waiting in China, growing older, wondering where we are! We have not yet been matched with a child. We did name her early on, but we do not have a specific child in China yet. We will be matched based on the order our paperwork arrived in China, and immediately after being matched, we will be called with our referral. 6 weeks later, we will fly to China to get her. So, no, there is not a specific baby there waiting for us, and it's possible she hasn't even been born yet!

Thank you for checking the blog and for your prayers. Please pray that the process would speed up again (it goes through cycles of being very slow, and then very efficient again...), and that we would be patient during this long wait. We know that all the BEST things are the ones worth waiting for!

Hello everyone! It has been quite awhile since I last posted, but felt I should update everyone on the current status of our adoption. We are learning that the referral process has slowed considerably since we first applied. Our documents remain in China, and have been there for almost three months now. However, what was once a 6-7 month process, has now turned into an 10-11 month process. We are hopeful for a referral by the end of the year...we'd love to have Leila home by Christmas. However, we know that God's timing is always better than our timing, and we plan to just rely on Him in this whole crazy process! Thanks for checking in---we promise to let you know when we hear ANYTHING!

This is the corner of Leila's room, which is also Madison's room. We are so excited for Leila to get here, but we believe it will be at the end of summer or early Fall. Right now, groups 210-211 are headed to China. We are group 244...so we have a ways to go. Thank you for checking in, for praying for us, and for our youngest daughter.

May you be safe and sleep soundly through the night,

May you be safe as you wake to the morning's light.

May you feel my love from so far away,

May it comfort and protect you throughout each day.

I will pray for you my little one,

Until our time of waiting is done.

I will pray the the Lord keep you safe from harm,

Until the child of my heart becomes the child in my arms.

-- Anonymous--

Happy New Year!

We are so excited that it is 2006...the year we will go pick up our baby girl in China! As I said in my last post, our paperwork was sent to China on December 9th. We just received word today that the paperwork was officially logged in to the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs on December 22, 2005. This is great news, as it often takes longer between DTC (Documents to China) and the actual log-in date. Our agency is telling us we should receive a referral in 7-10 months, so now I really do feel pregnant! We appreciate your prayers for Leila, as we are guessing she has been born by now, and for our family as we wait patiently for that phone call! Thank you for checking in, and for journeying with us.

Love,
Alissa

Our dossier has been approved!

Hello everyone, thanks for checking in with us! My sister was able to pick up our documents on Friday from the Chinese Consulate in D.C. She then mailed them to our agency for us, and they were received today. I received a call this afternoon that the dossier was reviewed by two coordinators and no problems were found. This is GREAT news but the best part is, the dossier will be sent to China on Friday! So now the big wait begins. We are excited to receive our group number later this week, as well as a list of people who will accompany us on our trip to China. It's all becoming very real now...

Thanks again for your interest and for following along with our journey. Have a great week and a wonderful holiday season!

The paperchase is almost over...

Last week we received our 171H form back and we mailed all of our documents to my sister Karen in Washington D.C. Today she took all the documents to the U.S. State Department for authentication. This process took about 30 minutes and everyone was apparently very helpful. Karen then took the documents to the Chinese Consulate for final authentication. She was told that they would be ready on Friday after which the entire Dossier will be ready to send to our adoption agency. We expect our documents to be sent to China by the end of next week, and we hope to be given a group number at that time. (The group number is something we can track in order to have some idea when we'll receive a referral). Words can't express how much we appreciate Karen being in Washington D.C.--usually I don't appreciate that because she's just too far away! Karen's enthusiastic willingness to help us paperchase for Leila is amazing. Each phone call I got today from her saying "I'm done at the State Department!" or "The papers are safe at the Chinese Embassy!" just felt like a giant step forward in the process. Her excitement to be part of the process means the most to me, and I can't wait to share in the China experience with her as she and her husband Taylor travel with us.

In not so great news...the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs is currently moving their offices (in China). Our agency has informed us that they anticipate delays which means our referral (the big phone call telling us that they have a baby for us!), could come anywhere from 7-10 months from when our documents are logged in at the CCAA. We are praying that it will be more like seven months, but at this point, I have given up trying to pinpoint a specific time. We know that God will give us the child HE chooses for us, and He will do so in His perfect timing.

Most of all, we are so thankful for those of you who are praying about this process for us. We would ask for continued prayer regarding the scholarships we have applied for in the past month (one at our church, two national foundations). We hope to hear from 1-2 of those in the next couple weeks. In the meantime, keep praying for baby Leila, that she'll be home with us soon!

Moving Forward...

Thursday was a big day for us. We started the day bright and early at the Kansas City Department of Homeland Security. The appointment was relatively fast, and the people were very un-government like...compassionate and genuinely interested in getting us in and out of there as fast as possible. Even the security guards were cheerful at 7:45 am! We turned in our I-600A form and were fingerprinted, then on our way in just over an hour.

Thursday afternoon I went to the Secretary of State's office to certify my MO documents. Aside from one small glitch, all went well and again, everyone was very happy to help. There is something about knowing that another child will be safe in a loving home that seems to warm hearts and make even total strangers excited for the road ahead of us.

I have had a few friends ask recently what they can do to help in this process. My number one response is to just pray for our daughter and for the process in general. Obviously the financial aspect is another concern, but we have been blessed by a few family members that have helped tremendously in just getting us as far as we are right now. Just today, we received acceptance from the Eternal Family Program, which is sponsored by our agency, America World. The fund allows us to receive donations from friends, family, or church members as it is a nonprofit (501-3) organization, and can then get those funds to us to help with the midpayment and final fees. We are not planning on sending out unsolicited letters, as we don't feel that this is the proper way to fund our adoption. However, for those of you who have mentioned wanting to help, please just drop me a quick email at cherrykitchen@peoplepc.com, and I'll let you know how you can contribute to the Eternal Family Program.

Now, as I said in my last post, we will wait on the treasured '171H' form (the acceptance letter after fingerprinting), after which my wonderful sister will be walking all of our documents into the State Department and Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C., where she lives. This is an incredible blessing, as we will not have to rely on the mail system and someone we trust will have our documents in hand the entire time.

Real religion, the kind that passes muster before the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. -James 1:27 (The Message Bible)

Wow! So much has happened since I last wrote. Our home study is officially complete and in my hands. We have certified our Kansas and Nebraska documents, and just have Missouri documents left (I hope to walk those in to the KC office this Wednesday). Once all those documents are certified, they will be sent to the Chinese Consulate and then on to China! Once our documents are in China, we hope to have a referral in 6 months or so. This Thursday, we have our CIS appointment, at which time we'll get fingerprinted and fill out the paperwork necessary to bring an orphan on to American soil. This is a huge step (the final piece of paper) and here is where we ask for your prayers. From speaking to many families, this process usually takes approximately 2-3 weeks (to receive your approval letter). However, it can take up to 90 days, which is a distinct possibility with the upcoming holiday season. Every week longer that it takes is another week we wait to get our documents to China, and another week later that we go pick up our daughter. We would ask you to pray for a speedy turnaround of this 171H document...and thank you in advance for praying specifically for this need.

Other than that, things are moving forward. We received our new passports, we are applying for financial assistance from many organizations (they all require a completed home study before letting you apply), and we are getting more and more excited for next summer! Thank you again for checking in---we love and appreciate you!

Jason and Alissa

Hello everyone!

Today we reached a milestone in the adoption process---we survived the 'home visit.' Our social worker, Julia, came to the house today at 4pm and was here until 6:30pm or so. She started by interviewing Jason and me together, asking many questions about why we have decided to adopt, what our expectations are, and how we plan to help Leila adapt in the United States. Julia then interviewed us separately, which felt a little like being on the "Newlywed Game." We couldn't help but compare answers after she left and decided that we were pretty consistent overall. She then took a tour of the home, which went well. The only things we were asked to do were to place our fire extinguisher in the kitchen and come up with an 'evacuation plan' in case of fire. Otherwise, she felt like we had enough space and plenty of 'room to play.' Finally, Madison got a chance to be 'interviewed.' She was a little shy at first, but soon warmed up and put on a show for the social worker. A sampling of the interview:

Julia: What do you think about having a sister?
Madison: Um, It's OK.

Julia: Are you excited at all?
Madison: Yes, half excited.

Julia: Well, what about the other half of you?
Madison: Well, I'm just worried that she'll only speak Chinese and I don't have a Chinese dictionary.

Julia: What is the most fun about living in this family?
Madison: Being the oldest. Oh, and, I have a lot of great resources.

Julia (looking puzzled): Resources...okay...what do you mean by that?
Madison: Oops, I meant to say relatives. I have a lot of great relatives.

Sometimes the kid just can't keep up with her vocabulary!

All in all, the visit went well. The home visit was the last piece of the puzzle in our home study, which is still at the typist. We now move toward finishing our Dossier and getting all of our documents certified and authenticated. Thanks to those of you that were praying for us today, and for Traci Mattis who came over for a couple hours to help me clean my house before the social worker got here. Now that's a great resource!

Good news! Our home study has been sent to the typist and will be sent to us in the next 2 weeks for revisions. We also set up our appointment today for our home visit, which will occur September 25, 2005. All of these seem like small steps, but they are all part of the journey!

As a follow-up to my story below about Caeden sharing his plans as a big brother to Leila on the way to mail our paperwork...

This past weekend we were visiting Jason's grandmother down in Cherokee, Kansas. We were talking about this blog and mentioned Leila's name. Caeden immediately lit up and said, "Leila's going to be my baby sister!" We said, "That's right, Caeden, and where is Leila right now?" Caeden thought for a moment and replied, "At the post office!" Hmm...seems we need to do a little more explaining, but we all got quite a kick out of that one.

No other news to report...waiting to hear about our home study and just waiting on a couple more documents for our Dossier. Thanks to all who have visited, and thanks for your ongoing prayers and support.

We can't wait to have a sister!

Madison Claire, Age 6

Caeden Michael, Age 3

Rudy Charles, Age 2