Miracles

I am not good at keeping this blog updated, but so many of you are praying for us and Dottie....I wanted you to know about the miracle that we experienced this week.

Last week, I realized that my name was different of 2 very important documents:
I800 (we received this 1/17): Emily Cathryn Lesley
Passport and other documents: Emily Kemp Lesley
Seems like a minor issue, but in the adoption paperwork process, every piece of paper must match and be filled out correctly.

Last Friday (1/23): Holt emailed us and let us know that we must call the USCIS office (they issue the I800) and beg them to manually change my name on the form. No travel arrangements, appointments in China can be made until this issue is resolved, and we are already in a time crunch situation. I called and left a voicemail. No return phone call.

Monday (1/29): Brian sent our USCIS officer an email stating our case and attaching medical emergency letter. After multiple phone calls with Holt (our adoption agency) and USCIS, we had no other choice but to fill out a Supplement 3 form to get my name changed. This was costly and was going to set us back about 3 weeks.

Holt had told us that we could try to email the Chinese consulate and plead our case, but good luck as it was not very probable that they would allow forms to be different. Brian felt burdened to email them even though the situation seemed to be already determined.

At 5:00, Brian sent a FedEx package to USCIS with our forms filled out and a check. It was overnight delivery and our Officer, who had been so kind, assured us that she would be watching for it and return ASAP.

In the midst of this craziness, I prayed God would give me His peace. He provided peace, reassurance that He was in control, and a reminder that He loves us and that He loves Dottie more than we can imagine. It was a long, mentally and emotionally draining day. We went to bed knowing that God was in control of this situation.

Tuesday (1/30): I checked my email when I woke up. We had received an email from the Chinese consulate that our I800 was fine as it was. No need to get a name change. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Our case worker at Holt was shocked too! He said that he had never seen the Chinese consulate be so gracious. Never had they know the Chinese government to accept forms with 2 different names. MIRACLE!

Brian immediately email our USCIS officer and asked her if she could stop the Supplemental 3 process and if there was any way we could get a refund. USCIS does not issue refunds, but we
thought we might as well ask. She called, she would stop process, and she had requested a refund
from her supervisor and it had been granted. Another MIRACLE!!!

Miracles celebrated!!! Sometimes, God must bring us to a place where we are unable to "fix" our circumstances...we can not rely on ourselves. During these times, I am reminded or my false sense of control, my pride, and my inadequacy.  God reminds me of His mighty power!

"We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure......But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely on God. ...We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us."   2 Corinthians 1:8, 10

Thank you for continuing on this journey with us. Your thoughts, prayers, and sweet comments have been a huge blessing to our family. Every time you ask about Dottie or the process, we are reminded that we are not alone....you are a very important part of this process. So thankful for each one of you!

I-800 Approval

Praising God....we are one step closer to Dottie! We are celebrating the small victories and thankful for the hurdles that we have crossed. We  received our official paper stating that our I-800 had been approved today! WoooooHoooo!

I-800 approval - Our petition to classify a convention adoptee as an

immediate relative has been approved.

 

This week, I have had a hard time with the wait. Anxious for travel approval, but realizing there are still many steps that need to be completed. Knowing that Dottie needs to be seen by the cardiologist, but unable to get her to the doctor. Wondering if she warm, being held, happy. I read this devotional to the kids this week (Thurs., Jan. 16):

 

 

 

I smiled when I read it. God provided this for me. I needed this reminder that His timing is always perfect, His plans are always perfect, and He always hears my prayers! I am always amazed and humbled as God provides exactly what we need when we need it.

On Thursday, I needed a little boost of encouragement, and He provided!

And on Friday, He provided confirmation that the process is moving, and He hears my prayers!

He restores my soul...again. I will rest in His sovereignty.

 

"God's people cry to Him night and day. God will always give them what is right, and

He will not be slow to answer them."   Luke 18:7

 

What's next?

We received our LOA (Letter of Approval) on Dec. 23! It took less than 1 month. Holt had told us to plan for it to take 3-4 months for approval to arrive. Many of you have joined us in praying for an expedited homecoming for our baby girl, and God is answering our prayers. Keep praying!!! We are on Step 3 of 8. We are praying that we will travel the first week of March. With God, we are confident this miracle is possible. We are trusting in His perfect timing.

Below is a timeline of "What's Next".

China Family Timeline:

1. Family receives match
2. LOA arrives to Holt China Program
3. Family files I-800 Application with USCIS (this is where we are)
4. Family receives I-800 Provisional Approval
5. Family receives NVC confirmation. Holt sends family's documents to China
6. US Consulate will issue Article 5 approval which will be used for final travel approval.
7. Travel approval arrives in Holt Oregon
8. Family travels


What is an I-800?
It is a petition to classify convention adoptee as an immediate relative. China is a Hague Convention Country. Countries that are considered Convention Countries must abide by certain regulations and standards during intercountry adoptions with the US.

Who Approves an I-800?
USCIS-United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is part of the Deptartment of Homeland Security.

What is a NVC confirmation?
National Visa Center letter saying that our case has been forwarded to the China Embassy. This document allows our agency to start the process of arranging appointments for us in China.

What is an Article 5?
The Article 5 is issued by the US Embassy in China. The consulate must review Dottie's visa application (DS-230), to make sure it meets the qualifications for an immigrant visa, and then signs off that everything is in order for the adoption to be completed. We can not obtain custody of Dottie until the Article 5 is issued.

What is the time line?
We really do not know they timeline. We have been told to expect 3-4 months from LOA (Dec. 23). We are praying that we will travel the first week in March.

Please continue to keep praying for us as we continue the paperwork chase, wait for for travel approval, and prepare for family transitions. God hears our prayers!

Thank you for being part of this journey to bring Dottie home. We are so gratful and truly blessed!