December 2011

12-30-11

We received an email from Sabrina telling us congratulations on receiving the LOA. She assures we are just waiting on our travel approval to finalize our adoption journey.

She indicates she will take care of pre-travel arrangements such as helping us obtain our visa; confirming the consulate appointment; confirm travel dates; assist with our flight (international and domestic); hotel arrangement and additional tours in China.

She says we can certainly use our own travel agent but says we should not buy any tickets until we have travel approval. Our favorite part, she reminded us to purchase our child's one way ticket home in her Chinese legal name. We are so close to gettin our little Bella Cat!!

12-20-11

It's here!  It's here!  LOA, it’s finally here!  Dianne overnighted it to you yesterday so it should arrive today.  Please confirm that you got this message as I see you are out of the office.  Merry Christmas!

12-7-11

From Nightlight: “I checked with CCCWA's accounting department.  The account is cleared.  I am calling the LOA officer to release the LOA.” We should have it in about 10 days. 

12-6-11

Update to friends and supporters: “Letter of Approval (LOA) has been granted!!! We have received word that our petition to adopt Long LuoYue (aka. Bella Catherine) has been approved in China. We are VERY excited about that. However, as of today, our LOA has not been mailed from China. We need that document to get here so that we can sign, return and go through the remaining steps. There are forms ready to go through U.S. immigration and then back through China for their approval. Other steps are the immunizations, travel visas and the actual Travel Approval (TA) and subsequent scheduling of our travel. We can hardly believe this is all that stands between us and Bella now!

Submitted along with our paperwork to China and to U.S. Immigration was a request to expedite. This was a letter from the UAB Internationally Adopted Children’s Clinic doctor who initially reviewed Bella’s file. The U.S. immigration department did expedite our first forms and has agreed to expedite these remaining forms for us. China has not committed to expedite anything yet. Best case scenario without expedition would mean we have our TA in about 6 weeks. We will take that, but we would love to get to her sooner. Our hearts long to have her and we certainly want her to get the medicine she needs. Please pray we have favor with China and that they do truly expedite and give us travel as quickly as possible.

Thank you so much for your continued support, encouragement and prayers. You will never know how much your prayers have done and how they continue to keep us motivated and believing God for such a precious gift.”

Every blessing to you and your families throughout the Christmas Season and 2012! I will keep you posted on our journey.

12-5-11

Yes, the file has already passed the review room and is ready for LOA.  The officer said there is a money issue.   CCCWA changed its name in September with the bank.  When Nightlight sent the cashier's check, it was in the old name. They immediately wired the money to CCCWA.  Sabrina tried to call the accounting department last night, but the person in charge did not answer the phone.  She will call again tonight.  The wire had been confirmed receipt when it was sent.

12-3-11

Posted on Facebook: “Wait on the Lord! He keeps telling us there’s something He’s not telling us, like exactly “how” this whole thing is going to work out. This we can know, it’s going to be perfect!”

12-2-11

Sabrina checked her email last night and tried to call the CCCWA. No one answered. It is Friday night there. She will continue to contact beginning Sunday night here.