Update on Kirill

Kirill is coming home!!!
Click here to read their blog.

APPROVED!!!!

We just received our I-797 in the mail today. That means we are approved from USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) to adopt two children from China!!! Woo Hoo!!!!

Now we send our dossier (pack of papers about us) to our adoption agency for certification and authentication. Then the dossier goes to China for the CCCWA (China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption) to approve us.

Getting closer! :)

Still Amazed! (by Chris)

O.K. I know that this blog is about our adoption process but as we go through this process I have been blessed so man times by Bethany and the kids by watching what God is doing in their hearts. I have spent the last few weeks taking in all that my wife is.  If there are typos and grammatical errors in this post I apologize. If I let her preview it she would never let me post it.  I know it is a day after mother's day but still close enough for me to brag a little on Bethany.  Over the last few months I have seen just what God is doing in the life of Bethany and it is truly amazing!  She is already incredible but to see her with the courage to put on a event, actually ask people to help her (something that she hates doing), stand in front of a group of about 60 people and share her heart for orphans and her passion to serve them (public speaking is something she fears more than death!) but she did it.  Not only are we trying to raise the support for our two children from China but also for her to go and minister to God's precious children in Romania.  Watching her heart swell with love for these kids that she has never even seen just shows me what a work God has done in her.  It reminds me of what a gift she is to me, Ali and Hunter.  She pulled the tea off with the help of some other amazing people from what has become our church family.  She stood there shared her heart and moved people, not because of her magical words or years of training but just because she was willing to follow our God.  She is truly an amazing mother and an amazing wife.  I cannot wait to see where God takes us next!

A Successful "China for China": Thank you!!!

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in China for China- The good and gracious Lord who provided all the following: Servers, tea makers, silent auction donors, silent auction bidders and winners, ticket sellers, ticket buyers, prayer warriors, food preparers, set up crew, break down crew, Calvary Chapel church and staff, table setters, ticket and money takers, auction workers, attendees. We could not have done it without you! THANK YOU!!!

May you be blessed in being a part of bringing our children home.

Fingerprints

Been checking the mail everyday for 3 weeks.... Today we received our appointments to go get fingerprinted! One step closer!!! Yipee!!!

China for China

Well...we're doing it....hosting a tea and silent auction. I kind of can't believe it. It's a huge thing that I don't really know how to do. So, you see....God gets all the glory for this!!! He is bringing people alongside us. Wonderful, gracious, kind-hearted people who believe in adoption and trust God to provide. He knew we would need them. And He knew they would help, because they are His. Thank you all so much!!!


Tea and Silent Auction info:


China for China
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2011
Time: 2:30 - 4:00
Where: Calvary Chapel Chattanooga
             3415 S. Broad St.                Chattanooga, TN 37409 
Cost: Per person- minimum donation of $10
         Per table of 8- minimum donation of $80
Silent auction will close at 3:30.

So come and join us and bring a friend or two for tea... and treats... and fellowship.

You can even celebrate Mother's Day a week early and bring your "Mum."


*If you are interested in attending, serving or donating an item or service for the auction please contact us at knoxfam4@gmail.com. We are still in need of items for the auction, ie. art, china, gift baskets of all kinds, electronics, gift certificates, yard work, babysitting... etc. Thank you!!!

PRAYER IS POWERFUL!!!

Thank you all soooooo much for praying for Evan. I have no words only tears of JOY!
Click here for update on "E"