Waiting for word about travel

For those wondering when we'll be traveling to bring Autumn home--welcome to the wondering party. We won't know until we know. Some are expecting word at the end of this week with travel to follow in about a week. That's a quick turn around.

For those praying for us, here is a specific request. Before we can travel we need a form from the US government (the USCIS) that gives us permission to adopt and bring home a foreign infant. We had this approval, but the length of the wait caused it to expire--that happened to everyone waiting to adopt from China. What is unique to us is that our move to PA delayed our application for reapproval, so we were only able to get the paperwork in last month. It looks like it will come down to the wire and if push comes to shove we won't be able to travel with our group without it. So if you've got special pull in God's throne room, join us in sending up those prayers.

A "Little Fragrant"

We found out that Xiao translated means "little" and Fen means "fragrant." This is a good fragrant like sweet smelling perfume or something. We know that she will definitely become our little sweetie!!

A Happy Baby!!!!

We have received our translation about Autumn and I am thrilled to report that our daughter is a "very happy baby." She smiles constantly and is very outgoing. She loves going outdoors and seems to adapt well to new environments. She raises her arms and hands out to give hugs!!! And she is very healthy!!! What more could anyone ask for. To think that she wasn't even conceived when we started this process--all of the time we have wondered about her and prayed for her. God is just so amazing--I feel guilty being surprised at his goodness. He has such great plans for our lives--greater plans than we can even imagine and we know that He has a great plan for Autumn Xiao Fen Caley. We are honored that God looked throughout the world and choose us to be the parents to a little girl from a far away land that would need a family to love and care for her--and most importantly teach her about her loving creator!!! Praise be unto God!!!!

Here she is!

This is our beautiful Autumn, who we've waited so long for and so often wondered what she looked like. Now we know and we can't wait to have her in our arms.

We don't yet have the translation of the Chinese documents but we know this much. She was born March 19 last year and was found March 20th. That makes the birthdate pretty accurate. We also know she isn't a tiny thing. Birthweight was 3.3 Kilograms or 7 lbs. 4 oz. her photos appear to have some meat on them as well. We'll post full vitals (as of 6 months of age) when we get the translation.

We also know they say she is happy with a ready smile and laugh, restless but also a deep sleeper (thank you Jesus).

It's a Girl!

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Proverbs 25:25


It is with unsurpassable joy we announce the refferal of our daughter

Xu Xiao Fen
DOB: 3/19/2006

She is currently at the Xuwen Comprehensive Welfare Institute (or orphanage) in Guangdong Province.

We can't wait to see and share her pictures tomorrow!

Info on Xuwen (the city where Autumn is right now)

Xuwen is at the extreme southern end of China--as far south as you can go on the mainland. See the little finger of a penninsula right above Hainan Island? We also found the native language there is not Mandarin, but Cantonese. We understand that almost everyone will also speak Mandarin because that is the official language. This could complicate the plan to have her learn her native language! We may have to settle for Mandarin since places to learn Cantonese are not so prevalent!

Bethany Referrals Posted

People from our agency have gotten word about their refferals, so the package definitely arrived in Grand Rapids. We're still waiting on our call. So far the referrals for Bethany are from Guangdong Province. More about that when we get our call!

Referrals are in the US

People are reporting they've gotten the call. We don't know if Bethany (our agency) has gotten their package (of referrals--for us and all the people we'll be traveling with--around 20 families), or when they'll call, but we're on pins and needles and near worthless at work. Best case scenario is still that we get the basic info today (name, birthdate, location) and the photo & more detailed info tomorrow, it's possible we won't get the photo until Monday. Or, well this we can't think about, but once in awhile a family is "missed" and doesn't get their referral until the next month. But we're trusting for good news today!