Locked In

I received word today that I now officially have Prior Approval  for my sweet little boy!!

This is an AMAZING day!!!

What does this mean, you ask?
WELL, let me just tell you ... :)
- This OFFICIALLY means that no one else can ask for his file, no one else can be provided with his information as we are now attached to each other through paperwork!!!

I am SO SO thankful that things seem to be moving smoothly forward. I am praying that I will have the Letter of Acceptance from China by the end of this month ... that would be awesome.  If I can manage to get it before the beginning of October, I may still have a change to be with my boy before or on Christmas ... and there would be nothing sweeter than that!!!


Thank-you, everyone, who has prayed for this journey!! Please keep doing so as we aren't quite to the finish line just yet!

Stay tuned in the next day or two as I have a couple fundraisers in the works ... stuff your kiddos will really enjoy!!

Praises: We are locked in - stuck together for the rest of my days!!

Prayer Requests:
- That fundraisers begin to come together and over $5000 is raised to match the grant being provided!!

What's the Big IDEA?!

I received notice today that I the grant I was being recommended for has come through!!! 

I have been provided with a $5000 matching grant!!! 

What does this mean? 

I am now open to ANY and ALL suggestions for fundraisers as I need to raise $5000 to receive the money that is being provided through the grant! 

This is an AMAZING opportunity to give your fundraising ideas (no matter how "average" or "off the wall") the chance to  help bring home a precious little boy!! 

Praises: The opportunity to receive this AMAZING gift towards the adoption!!! 

Prayer Requests:

- The determining of how to raise the $5000 to be matched. God has been providing thus far, and I know the ideas out there will lead to hitting the goal!!!

- That donations to our family fund @ lifesongfororphans.org/donate (McIvor #6316) will come in fast and furious to meet the matching goal! 

From Un-Adoptable to Worthy of Love

The day that I have been waiting for since late December 2015 has finally come ...

I have Sunshine's file in my possession!!! 

This last 9 months has been the craziest roller coaster ride! I am so thankful that his file is finally here!! 

To see his little face in 2 pictures that I had never seen, have all of his information down on paper, see when his last surgery was and the milestones he has met ... It is almost surreal. THIS IS HAPPENING ... THIS. IS. REAL. LIFE. 

I know you guys are probably thinking, "Well, that's great ... But what is the big deal?!?". Trust me, I would be thinking the same thing if I were in your shoes ...

Low Down on the Big Deal:

Sunshine was born with a severe congenital disability - if he had not received care when he got it, it's very likely he would not be living today. 

Due to being so involved, his orphanage did not believe that any family would ever want him. They believed this so much that he didn't even have a file when I first expressed interest in him. (Not to mention it costs money to put together a file ... Which they didn't think was worth spending if no one wanted him). 

Initially, he had NO hope of finding a family ... Without a file, you are "unadoptable".  That word is so finite, so limiting!!

I am so thankful for the people who advocated for him in China!! They were able to convince his orphanage that he WAS worthy, that their time and money WAS worth it ... Because Sunshine has a waiting family!!!

So, what are the next steps? 

My letter of intent to adopt him has already been sent to China. Once they approve this, I will have Prior Authorization (PA) to officially adopt Sunshine. Once PA is received, China will then continue processing my file with his and in a month or so we will be provided with a Letter of Aceptace (LOA) ... 

Once LOA is received, more paperwork will be submitted (along with a copy of the LOA) to US Immigration to officially receive approval to bring Sunshine home!!

Praises: Sunshine's file has been received!!! 

Prayer Requests: That this process continues to move forward smoothly, hitting very few (if any) road bumps. Also, that funding continues to come in via. grants. 

 

God's Timing

As you guys know, I was notified this week of 2 grants that I received totaling $3000. This was amazing news that I was so very thankful for. The thing I didn't realize, until now, is that my next fee just posted that is due to my adoption agency. 

Anyone want to take a guess at how much this fee is??!!? 

Anyone??

$3250 ... WOW!!! is God's timing not absolutely amazing?!!? 

So now, instead of owing $3250, I owe $250 ... A much more manageable amount!! 

I have applied for several grants so far. 2 have now provided some assistance and 2 have said that they are unable to help.  Please keep praying that the grant providers continue to have funding coming in so that they can help adoptive families!! 

So, here is an overview of the entire payment process for the adoption: 

So far, $12,940 has been paid towards the adoption (including grants provided thus far). $11,625 to go, not including travel expenses (which could be up to $8,000+).

I am so very thankful for everyone who has participated in fundraisers, prayer for this entire process and continue to be so supportive! Please continue to do so! Half way there is a great feeling - but there is so much more to go! 

Praise: God provided at the perfect time!! I continue to be blown away!!

Prayer Request: that other grants are looked upon favorably - gotta get this baby home!!! 

When His People Pray

I'm pretty sure I can never say "thank-you" enough to each and every person who reads this and prays on our behalf!! 

You guys are amazing and God has listened!!! 

In addition to the $2000 from yesterday, I received word today that another $1000 will be provided through another grant. I have also been informed that I am being recommended for a 3rd grant, but the amount is undetermined. 

Please continue to pray for Sunshine's health, happiness and heart. In addition, that grants will continue to be favorably viewed and this financial burden will be completely lifted. 

Faith in the Process

I received word today that all of my documents were logged into China's system! This is a giant leap forward as now my adoption agency can request his file!!! Once Sunshine's file is in hand, I can submit a letter of intent to adopt him so that my file and his file will finally be together!!

I also found out today that I received a $2000 grant, with perfect timing!! This will cover my next fee with the adoption agency!!

8/25/16 - a great date that will be celebrated for its awesome news!!!

I really cannot wait to hold this little guy ... He is already loved so much ... Slowly I am inching my way to China ... 

Prayer Requests: That grants continue to be provided in order to cover the great expenses that are yet to come. 

Dear China ...

Dear China,
  Please accept my adoption paperwork, knowing and understanding all of the love, sweat, and tears that have gone into compiling all of the information that was required. Please keep the file safe and within arms reach. In response, please provide sweet Sunshine's file with a quick acceptance of matching our files together.
Sincerely,
  Shannon


All the documents got sent to China last Friday.
I am praying that they get logged in to China's system very soon so that I can get his file.

I am also praying that my applications for grants are looked upon favorable. So much money is still due and grants are the only way to my son ...

Hopefully there will be more news in the next week or so! :)