Lilypie Waiting to adopt Ticker JOURNEY TO SARA LIN.... our adoption journey to China: June 2006

JOURNEY TO SARA LIN.... our adoption journey to China

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.

Friday, June 09, 2006

We just received an update from our agency. Looks like the rumors are true... timelines have increased 2 months.

As you are aware, the time frame for China referrals has lengthened. The CCAA is currently issuing referrals within one year of the log-in date. Some unconfirmed rumors indicate that this time may lengthen even more before it starts to decrease.

As a result, some adoptive families in the China program will have to update their Home Study and CIS approvals. Important note: your dossier documents (submitted to CCAA) do not expire.

However, it is extremely important that you keep your I-171H current. Expiration time frames for CIS documents are: Fingerprints – 15 months & Advance processing approval – 18 months

In some states, Florida for example, the Home Study must be updated after 12 months. Please contact your home study provider for an update on your home study prior to the 12-month expiration date.

Contact your local CIS office to arrange to have your fingerprints updated one month prior to the expiration date.

If your form I-171H will expire before you anticipate travel to China for the Embassy appointment, you must resubmit the I-600A with all related documents and fees. CIS will accept the original home study with an update but all new police/abuse clearances must be obtained.

Our facilitator, Adam Wang, met with government officials and orphanage directors during a recent trip to China. They contribute the slow down in referrals to several factors such as: (1) In November, China eased the penalty for a family with more than one child. (2) Economic factors in the cities allow women to earn as much as the men. (3) Cultural adjustments have been seen in the countryside regarding accepting their first-born whether male or female. (4) CCAA is preparing to move to a new and larger location. (5) CCAA reports that in one recent month they received 2,000 dossiers and in that same month assigned 500 referrals.

At times the wait and additional paperwork may seem overwhelming and frustrating, but please know, you will soon be bringing home your bundle of joy.

Sunday, June 04, 2006


Handsome Daddy! Isn't he glowing : )

Thursday, June 01, 2006

My husband and I began our journey to Sara Lin September, 2005. We chose to adopt from China for many reasons. A close friend adopted a beautiful daughter from China. With her guidance and encouragement, we began researching information about adoption in China. A recommended book, Lost Daughters of China, provided insightful information. Without haste or indecision we moved forward with what we now know as the "paper chase". It took six months to complete the paperwork and other requirements.

Our dossier was sent for translation on 4/12/06 and was shipped to China 4/21/06. This date is known as DTC or Date to China. To our surprise, we received an e-mail the following week congratulating us on our log in date (LID) of 4/29/06. Our dossier was officially acknowleged and received by China. We had read many stories where families had waited over a month from the time their dossier went to China to receive a log in date. The LID would have occurred weeks before your received the notice due to varying communication methods between China and the adoption agency. We are thankful that our agency, Florida Home Studies and Adoption, apparently has very good communications with China.

We are in the first trimester of our paper pregnancy. I think my husband is carrying our child :) He has food cravings and gets emotional when he talks about his little girl "Sara Lin". He is going to be a wonderful daddy. We debate over who will hold her first... it is said that she is likely to bond to someone that most resembles her. My husband having dark hair threatens to buy brown contacts to cover his light blue eyes. I have naturally brown eyes and remind him how easy it is to change my hair color, should drastic measures be needed. We'll see....

According to our agency, the current wait time for a referral from your LID is 10 months. It can be difficult to ignore rumors that say 12-14 + months. We find more credibility in the agency's timeline since they receive referrals from China monthly. Last month's referrals came in at exactly 10 months from LID. We understand that the timelines may change based on the number of dossiers submitted compared to the number of available children.

Amazingly, we feel patient. We believe that God will determine the perfect timing for us to be a family. We will use this time to prepare ourselves and our home for this life changing event. We have not yet shared our exciting news with everyone.