Today's Status-Confirmation of Tentative Dates in Province

We are another step closer to becoming a family of 7!!

Our agency left a message to say our requested dates look good at each of the provinces but now, we must wait for the American Consulate to approve our preferred date(s) for the Consulate Appointment.  Another game of hurry up and wait.  So anxious to book airfare!!!!

As it turns out, there is a China Holiday during the time we plan to travel.  It is China's Labor Day on May First.  Our agency wasn't sure if it only affected that particular day or if it's a holiday that is extended, which will  result in additional closures to businesses and government offices. May 1 is a Friday but Family Days are scheduled on Sunday's & Monday's.  (Primarily on Monday but some provinces schedule them on Sunday's) Therefore, if the holiday extended into Monday, it  would have affected our travel plans. 

It  is with much joy, to share that Friday, May 1 is the only day affected in the Shandong Province!! Thumbs up for our first Family Day on Monday, May 4!!!  Some provinces have Family Day on a Sunday, so we must remain flexible as to the exact day but who cares,  I'll gladly take a Sunday Family Day!  So, while we have the answers regarding the May 1 holiday, it's another waiting game, before we can confirm the exact dates we will be joined with our boys!!!  We are traveling  to the Shandong and Guizhou Province. Another positive step forward toward finalizing all the travel plans!!!

However, don't get too excited!  We must now wait for the American Consulate to confirm our CA or Consulate Appointment before we can seal to deal!  This is the first appointment that must be scheduled but the last stop on the adoption trip.  Once the CA is confirmed, then our agency will count backwards to determine the dates for us to be joined with each of our boys.  Since this is adoption #4 & #5 for us, we know the routine and (tentatively) planned our trip according to the China adoption regulations for the required time spent in each province and the time in Guangzhou for the Consulate Appointment.

We hope to have confirmation of the Consulate Appointment, tomorrow!!!

Stay tuned for more details.............................. 

TRAVEL APPROVAL

We got it....those two little letters that every parent adopting from China, longs to hear...."TA!!!!"

In anticipation of receiving our TA this week, we sent a quick email to our agency yesterday, reiterating our preferred dates, for traveling to China.  Well, our response from them simply said, "please give us a call."  Unfortunately, I didn't see the message until after the agency had closed.  Today, we continued to play phone tag but at least, I got our agency to leave me a message to confirm that we did receive our TA.  The hard copy!!!

So, it's official, we are traveling to China to bring these boys home!!!!! 

China is a communist country and does not allow entry without a travel approval and a visa! 

Next step, VISAS!!!!!

It won't be long now.............so much to do, so little time to get it done. 

Article 5 Pick-Up CONFIRMED!!!!!

We received confirmation in the form of an email from China-Guangzhou to be exact, that stated our 2 boys Article 5 was processed and is ready for pick up!!!!!!  Our agency has a contact in China that  picked up our Article 5 and the same day, shipped it, via overnight express mail, to the CCWA (China's Children Welfare Association).  The CCWA will issue our Travel Approval!!!!  Currently, TA's are being processed rapidly with only a 4-10 day turnaround! Our A5 (Article 5) was picked up on March 12, so we are on day 5 of the wait.  We anticipate it being processed any day now!!!

Good news, with the new updated computer system China went through a while back, Travel Approvals can now be viewed online, that adoption agencies can view.  Once this happens, it's kindly referred to as a "soft copy" of the Travel Approval.  This is great news because with the new computer system, once the soft copy is reflected in the system, the adoption agency may begin making appointments in China.  Not all agencies will do this but fortunately, ours will!  YEA!!!

Once the soft copy is reflected in the computer system, the travel ball starts rolling and rolling fast and hard!  Here is what happens:

1.  Travel Approval reflected in the computer system.
2.  Adoption agency may begin scheduling the family appointments
3.  First appointment, will be the day we are joined with Ming (Ezekiel) and become a family!
4.  Second appointment will be the day we are joined with Eli and become a family!
5.  Third appointment will be in Guangzhou, China at the American Consulate
6.  At this point, we can book flights!!!!  (we've already been stalking the airline's website)

WOW, it's hard to believe that after almost 2 years ago, when we started this journey, it's finally happening!!!!  It's very surreal at this point!!!

Thank you for all who are praying for us!!!  We appreciate the prayers and will ask that you please continue to do so as we reach these final milestones before being joined together as a family!!

Have a blessed evening!
John 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans. I will come for you.
www.gofundme/chinaadoption.com

Eli's Measurements!

Look what we received today--up to date measurements on Eli and a precious picture!! He is the cutest darn little 3 year old boy!!! We can't wait to bring him home.  Exactly 7 weeks from today, to be exact.  YIKES!!!  We're excited but have lots to accomplish over these next 7 weeks.


Eli's weight: 25 lbs
Eli's height: 33 inches

 

Can't wait to get this precious boys in my arms!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 Weeks & Counting-Want to Be A Part of The Journey?!?!

Wow, it's amazing to think we are this close to travel, so close to boarding the plane and traveling halfway around the world to bring our boys home!!! 

After almost 2 years of waiting, it's finally happening!!

How is it we know our travel dates, when we don't have the travel approval?  Good question!  We are at the final steps before the travel approval is issued and prayerfully anticipate the travel approval to arrive around the end of March with plans to travel at the end of April.  This will allow us to book flights well in advance, in hopes of best pricing and it will allow us to sort through work schedules & childcare. 

How can you be a part of our adoption journey?

There are 3 ways you can be a part of our adoption journey:


1.  Prayer:
-please pray specific prayers for our boys health & our families transition. 
-please pray for the final dollars needed to fund our adoption
-please pray for those families, who may be considering adoption

2.  Go Fund Me Account
consider donating to our Go Fund Me Account--no amount is too small and every amount counts! 

3.  Share
Share our story, share our Go Fund Me Account link, share the word of adoption.
-Share our Go Fund Me Link directly to your Facebook page, blog, website, etc.
-Go directly to our "Go Fund Me Account"  click on the social media icon at the bottom

- Please share our story and account!

http://www.gofundme.com/chinaadoption


We welcome any and all to join us on this incredible journey that God started almost 2 years ago and it's finally coming true!  Please consider walking this journey with us!

 

Elijah Moore--currently in the Guizhou Province

 

Ezekiel Ming Moore-currently in the Shangdong Province

Daddy, Sterling & Arabella!

Sterling came home in 2009 & Arabella came home 2011

Ming and his infectious smile!

Eli and his incredible eyes!

More precious pictures of Eli!

Eli has been under the loving care of Love Without Boundaries!

Love Without Boundaries is an organization, started by 2 women out of Oklahoma, that is based in China and they care for critically ill orphans.  Our son would have died without the generous and loving care of Love Without Boundaries! 

Thank you for allowing us to share our story, please continue to visit as we prepare our hearts and home for travel to welcome these 2 beautiful boys into our family!

John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans.  I will come to you.”


http://www.gofundme.com/chinaadoption

Update From Agency!

Received word from our agency that our information to process the Article 5 was in fact dropped off on February 26 and the China Courier will pick it up in 10 business days and express mail the A5 (Article 5) to the office of the CCWA (China's Children Welfare Affairs). 

Here is a quick review of what's to come!

Article 5 drop off: February, 26
Article 5 scheduled for pick up on March 12
Express mail A5 to CCWA
March 13: CCWA receives A5
Travel Approval: 1-3 weeks
Travel Approvals: currently taking 10 days
Travel Approval: anticipated around 3/27

Please be in prayer as we spend these last several weeks, preparing our family, home & heart for these 2 precious boys!!!

Ezekiel Ming Moore

We received pictures of our son, Ming!  He continues to have a big smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye...and looks as though the Lord has planted "joy" deep in his heart, despite his life as it is today, living in an orphanage. 

Good news, very soon, all of that will change.  He will be home with a family that loves him very much, surrounded by 4 great siblings who all love him very much, a mom and a dad who will love and encourage him to reach his full potential and a Christian home who will share the love of Jesus with him.  A lot of changes for this little guy, so please be in prayer as we all prepare our hearts and our home for this little guy's arrival!  (and his little brother, Eli, too!)

We sent Ming this cake for him to enjoy and share with his friends at the orphanage!  We also sent a letter but will have no knowledge, if he in fact received the letter or the message we sent to him.  The letter helped to explain that we are his family and soon, he will be our son, coming home to 3 siblings and that we are excited and happy that God has chosen us to be his parents!  Look at him, he's the most precious child, ever!!!!  We also sent a photograph book with pictures of our family--his family!!

Poor Ming, looks like one of his friends, pushed him out of the way to have a chance to blow out the candles, too.  You can't see much of Ming in this picture, but he is the boy on the right and you can only see part of his jacked and his teal colored shirt.

8 weeks from today, we will be sitting at the Tokyo, Japan airport, waiting for our transfer flight to China!!!  We are overjoyed and very stressed, as we make the most of these final weeks to prepare our family, home and hearts for these 2 precious boys, Ming & Eli!!!