Where has the time gone? It just seems like yesterday that we first recieved Xue Fuqing (a.k.a. Sophie Ann Fuqing Lyman). The past Thursday, the 27th of March marked two years since we signed the remaining chinese documents and waited patiently to hear our family number, (#25), called to come up front and recieve our little spicy Hubei China doll.
The wait was long... but short. I can still look back at the months of paperwork as we prepared our package to go to China and how long it seemed.... but in all actuality, our package got logged into China on the 10th of May and here it was just 11 months later, and we were in the conference room waiting our turn. It was an amazing time to be there. By being one of the later families in the group to recieve our girl, it gave us an opportunity to watch, listen, and share in their joy, without splitting our attention with our child. It was a very private moment for each family, yet here we were, sitting in this emotionally charged room with expecant mothers and fathers. WOW! My father-in-law, Dan, played photographer for many families and was able to capture the emotions in pictures as each couple stood and took the long awaited child (some quiet, some not!) into their arms for the first time. Tears, laughing, crying, and praise to God were all heard in those moments.
At last, the long awaited chinglish words were spoke, "FAMRLY 25.. FAMRLY 25, Xue Fuqing". Then, it was us. We went forward and looked into the big brown eyes of the girl we had been waiting, praying and hoping for. It was her! Even more than the pictures we had been given, this moment... we knew she was ours and she was a perfect fit (not angel... perfect fit!). Then it was all downhill... rush here, hurry up and wait for the next appointment, and all of a sudden, it is two years later. And here we are.So, you may be wondering about the title "AJ ADOPTION UPDATE" and here I am rambling on about Sophie. There is a method to my madness. First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to allow you meet AJ for the first time... Here she is, AJ LYMAN.
Ok, I know that is not the best God can do, but it is the best I can do with MSPAINT, give a guy a break."Now, where are we in the AJ adoption journey?" you may be asking. Well, thanks for asking. Here is what has transpired so far... We mailed our completed package to China in December, 2007, and most recently, on the 18th of March, we completed our special needs/waiting child application. This means that we are willing to take either a healthy child, or a child with special needs. The severity of the need and the type of issues you are willing or prepared to deal with are all on the application, so our agency, America World Adoption Association (AWAA), will attempt to match us with a child within the guidelines of what we are ready to accept. Sounds like ordering off a menu doesn't it. That kind of bothers me sometimes, but I know God is in control. We just need to trust Him completely that he knows what is best for us. I know the little child is already picked by God, we just have to pray for His timing for the revelation of this little one to us. PATIENCE... That is hard!
Sophie is pretty excited about getting AJ home to Klamath Falls. When we eat, or when we pray before bed, if we forget to pray specifically for AJ, she either interupts the prayer, or reminds us afterwards to pray for AJ. When she aks to pray, she usually says something like "Dear God, Please be with AJ wherever she is". It is so cute to listen and it is beautiful to see that she loves her sister long before she ever meets her face to face.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we are in the process of waiting and working on Grant applications and other items for the funding of this little one. I know God has a plan, but this seems pretty overwhelming sometimes. I figure this 2nd Adoption is going to run about $25K and that means we only have about $20K to go! Pray for us as we work through these murky waters for finance that we would make good decisions, and that God would provide support through the various agencies that we are applying with. Watch our blog in the coming months, we will be raffling some items online to help finance bringing AJ home to us. Items I am considering are a Canon Rebel XTi Digital Camera, a weeks rental of a home on the 6th green of Running Y, and various other items. I am even considering a guess AJ's name 50/50 donation and would split the $$ with the winners who correctly guessed her name! If you have any fundraising ideas, let me know I would love to hear them. If you are just interested in donating to the "Bring AJ home" cause, that would be great as well. There are currently two ways that you can do this and still get a tax advantage. The first way, would be to donate to the LYMAN ADOPTION FUND at our local church, Immanual Baptist Church (www.anchoredintheword.net), or through our agencies Eternal Families special account for us which can be found via their website at (http://www.awaa.org/forms/eternalfamilydonation.aspx). If you have questions about either one of these, please shoot me and email or give me a call, I would be glad to answer any questions. Most of all though, we covet your prayers!
God Bless,
Paul & Beth
