Outdoor Adventures and Hope

Ben and I love to go for walks with Ava and especially be outdoors. Ava loves the snuggly carrier! It takes about 5 minutes before she's completely asleep!

She is almost ready to sleep through the night, and I'm starting to feel more refreshed. Of course, I think if anyone let me, I could probably sleep for two days straight! :)

On another note, I did speak with the International Director yesterday, and we have some hope for Maia to come home. It's going to take a lot to update our paperwork an home study and the timing has got to be perfect when it goes to China and to USCIS. The way I see it has always been this. Ben and I will do all we can do paperwork wise and follow the counsel given to us, and when the upated paperwork gets to China and to USCIS, the rest is up to God.

Either I trust Him or I don't. This situation is no different. His will not mine. His timing not mine. His plan for my life, not mine.

One of my favorite quotes is "Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there."

I'll outline the plan we have to follow soon. I'm still trying to get my head around it.

I hope everyone is having a beautiful day! It's just gorgeous!

Wading Through Deep Water

Today, the International Director of our International agency will be calling me around 3:00 to discuss their agency's views of the difficulty in bringing Maia home from China.

Our resolve to bring her home is unchanged, and Ben and I are prepared to go to great lengths to accomplish that. However, we're dealing with very powerful federal agencies. I still believe that our paperwork will go through guided by hands unseen. He knows Maia's name.

My prayer today is for key individuals to be put in our path as we wade through the deep waters of regulations and rules and federal agency decisions - State Senators who can speak on our behalf if that's needed.

Please pray for:

*My conversation with the director today that I'll have wisdom and no fear.

*Legislation that will allow families to go back and file an I-600A instead of an I-800A, thereby removing a lot of the obstacles in our and other adoptive families' way.

*Our State Senators Alexander and Duncan who can advocate for our family's situation.

Thank you!!!

Good Ole Rainy Day

Hi, everyone! Here is Miss Ava at one month old! Time has flown by as many people said it would. Today, I'm choosing to take advantage of this rainy day and just enjoy being with Ava. She's napping, so I thought I'd catch up on some posting and pictures and update you on our situation with Maia.



Last Saturday, Ben and I needed to have some "get away from the international adoption paperwork mess" time, so we drove up to the Great Smoky Mountains and explored an off the beaten path trail by the river. It was very refreshing, and Ava enjoyed being outdoors all bundled up with Daddy.




These are two of my very dear friends from teaching at the Intermediate School who came by for a visit last week. I can not tell you how many times they have encouraged my heart. Thank you, Eva and Shelly!



My girlfriends, Lisa and Madeleine, popped in for a surprise visit last week, too. We had lunch together and got to have some fun girl time.



Finally, here is Ava posing amidst my fall decorations on the front porch. We're hoping to go to the pumpkin patch sometime next week to pick out some pumpkins! Oh, and the socks Ava is wearing are Mary Jane socks! Thank you, Karen!!! I love them!



*** I updated this blog tonight at 5:00.

As I said, I'm really trying to just relax today and enjoy Ava. This international adoption stress is weighing on me, but I'm choosing to not worry and just move through the obstacles one at a time.

The latest is that there really is a great debate going on between the Joint Coucil for international children and USCIS. They can't agree on which form to file to adopt internationally.

Ben and I are literally caught in the middle of this. This morning, we signed a Joint Council for international children petition and are preparing to write to our state legislators along with seven-thousand (yes, I said, seven-thousand) other adoptive families in the United States trying to bring home children from abroad.

The plea is for families to be able to continue to file the I-600A Advanced Orphan Petition form for extensions. These extensions last for only 18 months, so in the long wait for China referrals, families like us, are having to file three times. Continuing to file the I-600A would mean less financial hardship on families and less risk for us to also adopt a child domestically while at the same time adopting child internationally.

This is the situation we're suddenly finding ourselves in right now. We're basically waiting for legislation to be approved to continue filing the I-600A. We have no idea when that will happen. On our case, USCIS told us in July to file the I-800A which is a new from that meets Hague requirements for those countries who are Hague regulated. Our I-800A is sitting in the Missouri office waiting for us to be fingerprinted and for our updated homestudy with Ava included to join it. However, we may be able to go back and file an I-600A. I can not stress the importance of this government decision that will likely be made soon.

Luckily, our I-600A doesn't expire until January, so we have some time while the government tries to work this out. God-speed for all families involved and caught up in this mess.

This is a government issue that is MUCH bigger than us, and we're having to trust that action will be taken soon to help families. As it turns out, this is not a China issue so much as it is a US issue. That's right. The Department of State, who are quoted as having a "strong arm" in this process are the ones ultimately deciding if we can bring home our daughter from China.

To answer this "strong arm."

"The heavens are Yours , the earth also is Yours; The world and all it's fullness, You have founded them. The north and the south, You have created them.... You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, Oh Lord, in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all the day long and in Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of their strength, and in Your favor our horn is exalted. For our shield belongs to the Lord and our king to the Holy One of Israel." Psalm 89:11-18

We're sitting tight and just waiting to hear how to proceed from here. I'm expecting a call from the International Director of our ageny tomorrow. PLEASE pray for our conversation.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy life with Ava and continue to seek God's guidance in this. It is out of my control. I repeat. It is out of my control. sigh...

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful fall! I love this time of year. I might break out the hot chocolate today.

Cliffs of Insanity!

Anyone remember that scene from the Princess Bride? Well, that is where I am today!

In a few hours, I got three e-mails. They read as follows:

1) You did the wrong thing by filing an I-800A to adopt internationally and should have filed the I-600A again.

2) You absolutely did the correct thing by filing the I-800A. There's nothing else you could have done because you are adopting from a Hague country.

3) The correct form to file is up for debate because CIS (Citizenship and Immigration) is saying one thing and the State Department is saying another.

In light of these e-mails, I am officially disengaging from this insanity this afternoon!

I am taking Ava to the Greenbelt to go for a walk, and I might just have a Starbucks iced coffee in my hand, AND I might just have flames shooting out of my ears. Just kidding - no, seriously!

We're officially waiting to hear from our agency on how to proceed with our international adoption. What was I said all those posts back about Ava? Oh, yeah, NO FEAR!

"Do not be fearful or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1

Atlanta, China, the moon! He's there!

Ok, I'm off to the park! I'll try to post again later tonight with any update.

Divine Intervention and Prayers of Saints

Good morning!

I hope to post some more pics and a video of Ava at the river later today! She's getting ready for a bath this morning... :)

Long story short if you're just now tuning in... We're having extreme unexpected difficulty in bringing Maia Grace home from China because of government forms and regulations and because of our domestic adoption, which we KNOW was from the Lord!

I wanted to give a quick update on what we need specific prayer for today if you're reading this.

I am in contact today with USCIS (Citizenship and Immigration) in Missouri which just happens to be where our family government document is. This is the document we filed in order to receive US clearance to bring a foreign child into the US and ultimately that will be our ticket to bring Maia out of China. I just happened to land on that number yesterday after getting no where with an automated telphone system at USCIS in Memphis.

Anyway, I spoke with the kindest woman in that office yesterday which was a God-send in this whole saga. She was more than willing to help us and figure things out, which in the world of international adoption, is like a jigsaw puzzle!

Her name is Meredith.

Ben and I filed a document in July called an I-800A. This document is a key component in what is preventing us from moving forward with our China adoption. As it turns out, we are learning that we received possibly false information earlier this summer from the another CIS office telling us that the I-800A was the form we needed to file.

Our agency is telling us that we could have filed an I-600A Advanced Orphan Petition, which is what we have already filed twice before. (They expire and you have to renew.)If we had done this, we would not be encountering so many difficulties with our international process right now.

I just wrote an e-mail to Meredith requesting, ok, pleading that we could go back and file an I-600A instead of the I-800A if that is allowed and in fact, we received faulty information.

If this were to be granted, it would open the door much wider for us to continue in our efforts to bring Maia home in the midst of doing a domestic adoption at the same time.

I believe God put Meredith in my path yesterday, and I just "happened" to call the exact office where our paperwork is in hand! Missouri of all places! It could have still been in Memphis or in Chicago where all I-800As are going right now.

I should hear something back today hopefully. Please pray that this goes through. Ben and I are seriously trying to be honest and do whatever is necessary to bring Maia home and navigate through a boatload of red tape that's a tangled mess right now.

This is where I wait on the Lord. Praise be to God. I know He's with me and He won't forsake me.

Emily

Blessings and Battles

Good morning, everyone,

Here are some fun pics of Ava and us for you to see! :) Tamyra Parks took these for us last week. Thanks, Tamyra!

On a different note, this is a difficult blog for me to write, but I'm asking for your prayers and petitions on behalf of our newly formed family.

Throughout our journey this side of Heaven, blessings and battles often go hand and hand. Sometimes, we are equipped by the Lord to stand our ground and fight for what is right or we're instructed to be still and silent and wait. The two adoption journeys we're pursuing are unfolding to be examples of these two truths. One is domestic; one is international; both are a part of our living and breathing and hoping and trusting as we've prayed countless times for God to expand our family. Both children, though one is now known and one is not, are deep within our hearts. One is named Ava Faith, and the other, across the ocean, is Maia Grace.

My heart is full of wonder still at this little life that is in our home, and I am so grateful for God's surprise gift to us in the midst of our over two-year waiting for Maia Grace. We were content to only wait for Maia, and as we waited, God met me at a bakery and instructed me and Ben to GO to Atlanta and adopt a baby. We honestly walked through doors as they opened to bring Ava Faith into our home this summer. It was shaky and unsure, and at times, difficult, but I felt and witnessed God's guiding hand as every part of the journey unfolded and was ultimately out of our control- A blessing as unexpected as snowfall in April.

However, a new battle is beginning to bring Maia Grace home, one in which we believe that we're called to stand up and fight for. I want to let you know that we still need heavy prayer cover for Maia. As recently as yesterday, we ran into some very unexpected obstacles and opposition from our international agency because of our domestic adoption that I can't elaborate on here and that seem insurmountable and honestly scary. I know that those who wait on the Lord will not be ashamed, and that He remains faithful to the promise He gave me years ago of bringing her home. He has confirmed Maia's coming to my heart over and over again, and I know that what the Lord has purposed, He will do. It is the Lord who brings families together.

On the heels of this great and unexpected blessing of Ava, a battle is ensuing to bring Maia home. Am I surprised? Yes and No. Yes, in that I didn't think we would face some of what we're facing, especially from our agency, but no, in that I know the enemy is still out there seeking to steal and destroy. It is him and the powers of darkness that we're truly fighting.

Ben and I are about to engage in a difficult and very unexpected trial to try to bring Maia home. I know God will equip us and help us in our time of need. I also know that it is the Lord who fights for us and for Maia. I know with absolute certainty that Maia was meant to be part of our family.

Again, please pray for us as we move forward this year to bring our other daughter home- a little girl who has been growing in our hearts for 29 months, a little girl who maybe hasn't been born yet across the ocean, but one that I would go to the ends of the Earth to find and bring home.

God holds this child and is watching this new conflict unfold. He's not surprised. God is so many things - tender and compassionate but also a warrior and a mighty King. We also have a Helper in the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us when we don't know how to pray. I know He is interceding for us to my King about the very recent difficulty that we're running into. I believe it is still the enemy's (Satan) desire to thwart plans to bring Maia home. I also believe that it is not flesh and blood that we're fighting against but principalities and princes of darkness that are seeking to upset plans to bring her into our family. He has already lost the battle, though, because "the Lord will contend with those who contend with you." Isaiah 49: 25 Thanks, Kathy! Perfect timing...

My specific prayer today is that Ben and I would be equipped by the Lord to move forward wisely as we fight a very beaurocratic red-tape process. Very high emotions are involved. We will fight for Maia, but it's not going to be easy. Honestly, me feeling like a momma warrior is mixed with me shaking in my boots right now. This is a very scary time. She's our daughter, and, again, I will fight for her to the end, and I know Ben and I won't fight alone. The Lord's hand is mighty to save, and He loves the orphan and knows Maia's name.

We need the Lord's strength to do this. We're joyfully tired right now because we have a new baby, and in human terms, I feel that I lack the strength to fight, so I'm praying for supernatural help and strength to enter into this.

I'm putting on my armor today. "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of FAITH with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always will all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." Ephesians 6 :14-20

My Deliverer is coming... My Deliverer is standing by... That's the second song on my playlist now. I'm reminded of it's truth from Rich Mullins.

Psalm 40:17 "But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God."

Father, please help us. I stand on Your promises to bring our little girl, Maia Grace, home. I remember and recount all that you've shown me on this journey to her. We are your humble servants and the advocates for a little girl yet unknown to us but so known to You.

Love and peace to everyone. I'll keep posting new pictures and fun times with Miss Ava and keep everyone updated on the status of Maia. Our story to her can be found at www.journeytomaia.com.

A Glimpse of Miss Ava Faith...

Please pause the playlist music...



This video is for those of you who haven't had a chance to meet Ava in person yet! We'd love to try to upload videos for you as she's growing and changing.

It's foggy this morning, Saki's here with me at the computer, and I'm thinking about that coffee. These late night feedings are making me have crazy dreams I think. Last night, Ben scalped an Indian for some reason and then the whole tribe was coming into town to find him. But have no fear, we found an escape route out of the city riding in a shopping cart, AND we just happened to pick up Michael Douglas along the way. What??

I'm going to try to have my quiet time with the Lord this morning to focus on some truth! I think I need some coffee, first, though!

So glad we were able to help Michael Douglas out...

I'll post Ava's one month photos and some from the photo shoot Tamyra Parks did the other night soon! Have a great day! Cindy, I hope you're doing well! I miss you!! Ava loves her snuggly blanket, and Mommmy loves it, too...