Visa Application Sent In

I sent the visa application to a Chicago courier today.....so many details to take care of, but it's done now. I'm looking at an Oct 8-22 travel time to China. Pray for the travel approval to come quickly.....but not too quickly. If it comes before the 26th, my travel date moves up to September. As much as I want to get my baby girl NOW......it would greatly complicate so many things if I were to travel in September. So, I'm just praying for God's perfect timing for travel.

On Tuesday, I had one of those 'God moments.' I went to my office to do some much needed cleaning. I always end up with such a pile of stuff on my desk by the end of spring semester. Thinking back to February (or so) .......I decided to put away a wonderful calendar about China that was given to me by a former student. It is the kind of flip calendar that is not year-specific, but each day there is a description of a certain city or area of China....each page ends with a prayer. I have not looked at that calendar for about 4 or 5 months. So, Tuesday as I was cleaning I decided it was time to pull out the calendar and put it back on my desk. I opened the calendar to Tuesday's date - August 18. As I looked at that page I got chills.......it was a description and prayer about Shenzhen City, where my little Caroline is from......a definite God moment. With 365 pages on the calendar, and only one page dedicated to Shenzhen City......that was not a coincidence that I pulled that calendar out of my desk. God is good.....all the time.

Fingerprints Done - Homestudy Update Done

Today was a good day. Mom and I both received our fingerprint notice from the USCIS office in Indianapolis. Since the kind Officer Kreiger from USCIS told us to 'walk-in' for our fingerprinting appointment, that's what we did today. And, our prints were finished so quickly...I was amazed. So, here's hoping that the fingerprints are processed quickly.

Also, I was able to pick up the updated homestudy. So, I think I'm closer to being able to apply for my visa. I'm going to read up on what I need to do in the morning. I'm also confused about what airline to use to fly to China. But....those details will work themselves out.

One foot in front of the other....one step at a time....getting closer to Gotcha Day for Caroline.

Fingerprint Notices Arrive!

Praise the Lord! The USCIS fingerprint notices arrived today. The USCIS officer told us to 'walk-in' for our fingerprinting instead of waiting for our Sept 10 appointment.....so Mom and I will travel to Indy on Monday. I'm SO thankful that we received our notices SO quickly. Once again, I feel God's hand at work in this process. So amazing.

REFERRAL And SCL!!!!!!!!!!!

Bao Xin Lei....That's My Girl.

Bao = precious treasure
Xin = new
Lei = flower bud
Caroline Anne Xin Lei Lessly = my new, precious treasure...who's little lips are like rose buds.

I love you, Caroline. Can't wait to meet you in a matter of weeks.

Baby Shower!

This past weekend at the Coffman Family Reunion, I was surprised with a wonderful baby shower. It was organized by my cousin Ashley, who is more like a niece to me. Thank you, Ashley! I was presented with many wonderful gifts as well as money to purchase much needed items. I have a wonderful family. And I can't wait for my family to meet Caroline.

SCL, Referral Packet, and Fingerprints

I received a phone call yesterday from Tina at CHI telling me that my SCL (Seeking Confirmation Letter) and referral packet had arrived in St. Louis. YAY!!!!!! So, Tina said that the letter and packet would arrive today via UPS. So, you know what I did most of the day today? Yes, I put the camera by the front door and sat by a window watching for the UPS man. My plans were to take a picture of him (or her) handing me the referral packet. BUT.... no UPS truck today. I'm sure it will arrive tomorrow when I have to go out of town. That's OK....at least I know it is coming.

I also got an email from Doug, my social worker, who said that the report from my fingerprinting had arrived at his agency, but Mom's has not arrived yet. We figured that Mom's fingerprints were once again rejected by the FBI...no joke. Mom's fingerprints are 'not recognized'......so I called the Indiana State Patrol to find out the scoop. Yes, I was right....Mom's prints were rejected. Now the FBI is doing a 'name search' on her. This report is supposed to be completed sometime this week.

I'm getting close to a 'countdown' for travel. But I have to get my TA first. I better hold off on the countdown for a little while, but it's looking like an early to mid-October travel date. CAN'T WAIT!