Missing Sophia...

Next Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Sophia!

Today, December 20, is our daughter's third birthday.  Three years ago today our daughter's birth mother chose life for Sophia, and while things may not have gone smoothly in the months thereafter, we will be forever grateful to the woman who bore our little girl and gave her life.  We are also so thankful for the two foster families who have been involved in our daughter's life over the last three years.  We know she has been loved and cared for by so many people in her short life.  While we wish we were with her on this special day, we know that she is in good hands, and, by the time she turns four, she will be with us, her forever family!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Sophia!  We love you!

To Sophia, With Love

Yesterday I mailed out our third care package to Sophia.  It included items for her third birthday later this month, and for Christmas, both for Sophia and her dear foster family.  We are so blessed to have a wonderful family taking care of our daughter right now.  I'm guessing that we will be sending at least one more care package before we travel, since Chinese New Year is in February (February 14, to be exact...easy to remember this year!) and gifts are customary on that day.  But hopefully we will then be traveling soon after that so we can take any other gifts in person and love on our sweet daughter face to face!  Please continue to pray for the funds to come in for our travel expenses...we know God will provide in His time and in His way!

Waiting and praying...

Today...

* ...friends of ours leave for Taiwan to meet their 3-yr. old daughter for the first time!  Please pray for the Thomasson family!

* ...I made another $200 towards the $7000 we need for our travel expenses...every little bit helps!  I still have a few ornaments and lots of cookbooks if you are interested!

* ...I received another quilt square for Sophia's blessing quilt...have you sent yours?

Thank you, Lord, for a good day...and may Sophia have had the same!

Sophia's Blessing Quilt

We began collecting squares for Sophia's blessing quilt over a year and a half ago.  In China there is a tradition of giving a baby a "100 Wishes Quilt" made from pieces of fabric belonging to friends and family. We have taken that idea and are creating a "100 Blessings Quilt" for Sophia.  You can follow our progress at our Blessing Quilt blog...and feel free to join in on the fun...we are only a quarter of the way to our 100 blessings!

Passing the time until our daughter comes home...

Our Referral Dossier...

is on its way to Taiwan!  It was back from TECO in a week...that's pretty quick!  Now it will be translated and logged into the courts...another step closer!

Sleep tight, Sweet Sophia, we're coming!

Christmas Frenzy

I can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner, can you?  As you begin your Christmas shopping, why not support a family in the process of adopting a child by purchasing items that they are selling as a fundraiser?

   

As you know, we are selling our Forever Family cookbooks (currently on sale...by 3 get 1 free!) and our Chinese, handpainted ornaments to help financially as we bring home our daughter Sophia from Taiwan.  But there are MANY other families in the midst of this journey who are fundraising as well.  Christmas Frenzy was set up by an adoptive mother of six as a way to get the word out about families who are fundraising for adoption.  God has not called everyone to adopt, but He has called everyone to care for the orphans...Christmas shopping from these families is a way you can do just that!

Thanks for caring for the "least of these"!

Another Step...Dossier to TECO

Just found out that our referral dossier was sent to TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) for final certifications on Monday, November 8!  Hopefully we'll get a quick turn around (for our initial dossier it was three weeks, which, at that time, was long) and then our dossier will be winging its way to Taiwan for translation and we can be logged into court!

Another step closer to bringing Sophia home...



Referral Dossier...Check!

Our referral dossier, and the accompanying orphanage fee, were delivered to our agency today!  God provided some additional funds and the peace to use some credit we had available in order to pay the large fee, and we are thankful for that.  Now we wait for our dossier to be certified one last time, and then it will be on its way to Taiwan for translation and filing in court.  We are probably looking at 4-6 months more of waiting before we travel, although it could always be sooner or later.  We now shift our focus to raising the $7000 needed to pay for our travel expenses.  A large part of this is round trip airfare for Dave and I, and a one way ticket for Sophia.  Additionally, we need money for our hotel stay, food, etc. while in country.  Our 13-year old son, Sabastian, has expressed a desire to travel with us.  I have told him to pray specifically for that desire, as that would be another $1750-2000 that we would need in order to have him travel with us.  It sure would be cool if God grants that desire, but Sabastian knows that the answer may be no.  But he continues to pray!

In order to raise these needed funds, we are still selling cookbooks, Chinese Christmas ornaments, and hand-crocheted doilies.  In addition to these things, we are hoping to do one more big fundraiser of some sort.  We are praying about what that might look like, so stay tuned!  Thank you to all of you who have prayed us this far into our journey.  I can't wait to be able to post the first photos of our beautiful daughter when we get our final decree from the Taiwanese courts!

Closer than ever to bringing Sophia home!

Cookbook Sale!

We still have a few boxes of our Forever Family cookbook (as seen on the sidebar) that we would love to sell to help out our adoption expenses, so we are running a sale "while supplies last"!  Buy three cookbooks at regular price ($15 each) and get the fourth FREE!  These cookbooks, containing more than 300 recipes, have received rave reviews from everyone who has bought them over the last year and a half.  They would make great teacher gifts, gift exchange gifts, gifts for the neighbors...the list could go on and on!  Shipping is reduced as well from $5.00 per book to $10 for the four books when you buy the "three and get one free" deal.  That's a total savings of $25 for four books!  If you would like to place an order for this special deal, leave a comment with your e-mail address and mailing address (I will not publish it) and I will send you a paypal invoice.  Upon receipt of payment, the books will be on their way!

Thanks for helping Sophia come home to her forever family!



Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars...

...is all that stands between our dossier leaving our house and arriving in Taiwan.  Two thousand three hundred dollars.  It's not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things, but it's more than we have sitting un-earmarked in our bank account.  Could you please pray with us this week that God will show us His will regarding this last bit of money that we need?  We could use credit, but we committed at the beginning of our adoption process to not do that if at all possible.  We have decided to wait and pray until next Monday, November 1, before making any decisions.  Thanks!

If You Recognize This...You Are Probably An Adoptive Parent!

Our referral dossier came back yesterday with all of the proper certifications from Harrisburg...only two more stops before Taiwan!  However, we are short the money that we need to pay the orphanage fee, so please pray with us as we determine what God wants us to do regarding that.  It's exciting to finally be this close, and I can't wait to get this paperwork out of my hands!  Thanks for your prayers!

Praising and praying as we get closer to Sophia...

Finally!

The e-mail I have been waiting to read for over four months finally arrived today...our legal documents have arrived at our agency and will be on their way to our house tomorrow!  Praise God!  Last week was a rough week at our house, but through it all, God proved faithful, as always.  I received several e-mails from friends just telling me that God had laid us on their heart, and they were praying for us.  (Thank you...you know who you are!)  I know that God's timing is best, and I look forward to seeing His continued hand in our adoption process.
Please pray that we can get all of the authentications done promptly, and our referral dossier can get back to Taiwan ASAP!  Oh, and we are still in need of a few thousand dollars, but what's that to our Great God?!

Another step closer to bringing our daughter home...

Just Checking In...

Still no news on our legal documents and no new updates.  Only bright spot is making some new "bloggy" friends through this process.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers...it's so hard not knowing anything.

Still waiting...

Tired

Ya'll know I keep it real around here.  And I know I run the risk of sounding whiney and selfish, because there are MANY others who have been waiting longer than we have to bring their precious child(ren) home.  But I am tired.  Tired of waiting week after week for paperwork that should have been here months ago.  Tired of checking my e-mail religiously, looking for that next update.  Tired of wondering how we are going to fund the remaining costs involved in this adoption.  Tired of second guessing myself.  Just. plain. tired.  But then I remember...

"Come to me, all ye who are weary and heavy-burdened, and I will give you rest."

It's in HIS hands...

Getting Closer...

I just wanted to remind everyone about our name doily adoption fundraiser, as Christmas is getting closer, and perhaps you would like to order a name doily as a unique gift and at the same time, help us meet our orphanage fee goal! We also have our Forever Family cookbooks available for $15--these have received rave reviews from everyone who has used them! Lastly, we have a limited amount of beautiful hand painted Chinese glass ball ornaments available for $20.

They come in their own special Chinese box and are also great for gift giving. Any one of these items would bring us closer to our orphanage fee goal which we hope to have to pay soon! If we can help you check off some gifts on your list, leave a comment, and I'll get you the information you need...thanks!

Until Sophia is home...

Dancing Eyes

P.S.  We got our June and July updates with a couple of new-to-us photos (we're unsure of when they were taken).  Still no legal documents...

Anxiously awaiting the day we can look into those dancing eyes...



No News is Good News?

Usually the little diddy above is true...but I'm not so sure if it applies to our situation!  Still no updates and no legal documents.  Still a bit disheartened, but trying to wait patiently on God.  Fortunately, life is busy now that school has started, and I can't think about it so much...

Still waiting for Sophia...

Still Waiting...

I know I haven't posted in awhile, but there really hasn't been anything to post about.  We haven't had any updates or information on where our legal paperwork is since the beginning of June.  It's a bit disheartening, but we know the whole process is in God's capable hands.  Tonight Dave said he "has a feeling" we will hear something soon...I'm not sure how is "feelings" pan out normally, but I'll keep you posted!

Patiently waiting for God's perfect timing to bring Sophia home...

P.S.  Don't forget about our doily fundraiser...scroll down to the next post to find out more!

Personalized Doilies by Brenda - New Fundraiser!

Are you looking for a unique, handmade gift for that special occasion coming up?  Well I have just the idea for you, and I can bet that no one else will give the same gift!  My mother-in-law, Brenda, makes beautiful, handmade, crocheted name doilies.  She is offering her talents as a fundraiser to help us bring Sophia home from Taiwan.

Now for the details...these unique doilies are available in white or ecru/tan, horizontal or vertical, with a lacy shell or pointed edge border. They are beautiful matted and framed, or as a pillow top, and are usually ready in 1-4 weeks. They make great holiday, graduation, wedding, birthday, teacher or baby shower gifts and are excellent for first and/or last names, nicknames, slogans or favorite sports teams. The doilies cost $25 for up to 5 letters and $3 for each additional letter. You choose the color, edging, and of course, the personalization.  This is a fundraiser for our little Sophia with a minimum of $10 per doily being donated to Sophia’s adoption...and you get a unique, personalized keepsake for yourself or to give as a gift!

We are taking orders on a first-come, first-served basis, so get your holiday orders in as soon as possible!  To place an order, e-mail me at tfisher83@myexcel.com with your desired color, edging, and personalization.  I will then send you an invoice via Paypal.  As soon as I receive your payment, your order will be processed and filled!  (For those orders requiring shipping, an additional charge of $5.00 will be added to cover priority shipping costs.)  Please help us pass the word around about this fundraiser, and thanks for supporting our family and helping us bring our daughter home from Taiwan!

Raising the ransom for our Sophia's adoption as creatively as possible...

Sophia's Room...Sneak Peek!

"lighthearted pink" paint on the wall--chocolate brown accents to be added later

sparrows and cherry blossoms as the "motifs" in the room

Designing and dreaming while awaiting Sophia's homecoming...

Crazy Love Challenge - A Place Called Simplicity

This post is part of another Crazy Love Challenge over at A Place Called Simplicity.  I have followed this blog for quite some time and am in awe of how this family puts into action the heart of Jesus in their own lives and the lives of others...check it out!

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My husband and I have been married for almost 15 years, and have four sons, two through the miracle of adoption from domestic foster care, and two through the miracle of birth. They range in age from 15 down to 2 and keep us on our toes! However, we have always had a desire to adopt a little girl from an Asian country, as God has placed on our hearts a love for Asia and her people in many ways throughout our lives. We started the process of a special needs adoption two years ago, first thinking China, and then being led to Taiwan through a variety of open and closed doors. At the beginning of June, we were matched with a 2 1/2 year old little girl with special needs, whom we have named, Sophia Elizabeth. She is currently in foster care in Taiwan. (We are unable to post a photo at this time, but trust me...she's beautiful!) We are waiting for legal documents to arrive from Taiwan so that we can return everything that is needed for our referral dossier and start the Taiwanese court process. We are hoping to travel to bring Sophia home in the spring of 2011, but only God knows the exact timeframe!

We stepped out in faith for this adoption, and God has provided in many amazing ways, especially through the generosity of His people, our family and friends.  We have also done a series of fundraisers such as garage sales, various home party fundraisers, flower bulbs...the list goes on and on.  Here are some ways you can help right now if you wish to help provide the "ransom" to bring our daughter home from Taiwan:

1.  Pray for us!  God is teaching us much patience during this adoption, and we are slow learners sometimes.  Your prayers really mean a lot!

2.  Order one of our Forever Family cookbooks which were compiled and published by us specifically as an adoption fundraiser.  The reviews of this cookbook have been awesome...there's something in it for everyone.  Click on the sidebar photo or the link above for more information.

3.  We have set up a "100 Good Wishes" link on our sidebar that allows you to donate directly to our adoption fund and leave a good wish or blessing for little Sophia. 

We are currently fundraising for the last bit we need for this phase of the adoption which is our orphanage fee and the related expenses for paperwork and authentications. We need approximately $2500 more to meet this goal. Then we will start saving for our travel expenses which will range from $5000-$7500, depending on when we travel. I know God will provide in His time, and we appreciate everyone's prayers and encouragement as we wait on Him!  We will be launching another fundraiser this fall just in time for Christmas, so check back with us often.  Thanks for praying for us and all the other families who are on this journey with us. To God be the glory!

Trusting and praying until Sophia is home...

A Bit Bummed

Okay...so I'm about full disclosure, you know?  And I just really need to do some venting, so here goes...

I'M A BIT BUMMED RIGHT NOW!!!

Now don't get me wrong...I know God is still at work and everything, but we waited for so long prior to our referral (which we requested--in God's providence, of course--or we would still be waiting!) and now we are waiting for over two months again for paperwork to come from Taiwan so we can hurry up and wait some more!  In the meantime, other blog friends of mine are rejoicing in finding their children and getting their paperwork to their respective countries and in probably traveling in late 2010 or early 2011 for their children.  And while I'm REALLY HAPPY for them, it kind of bums me out that we are still waiting, and we initiated our process before some of these families.  Before you chide me and tell me that every adoption situation is different and God is in control and yada, yada, yada,  please know that

I KNOW!

It's just that I'm a bit bummed right now, that's all.  Thanks for listening...

Hoping Sophia knows how much we love her and want to bring her home...

Crazy Love Challenge

In perusing blogs this afternoon I came across this blog and a post from a couple of days ago entitled, "Crazy Love Poured Out".  I am familiar with Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love, and if you haven't read it, you will be challenged in your Christian life if you do.  Anyway, the post was a call for adoptive families who are in the process of fundraising to bring home their kiddos to link to the post and just see what God might do...so, here's a little about us and what we are doing to bring home our daughter, Sophia Elizabeth, from Taiwan:

My husband and I have been married for almost 15 years, and have four sons, two through the miracle of adoption from domestic foster care, and two through the miracle of birth.  They range in age from 15 down to 2 and keep us on our toes!  However, we have always had a desire to adopt a little girl from an Asian country, as God has placed on our hearts a love for Asia  and her people in many ways throughout our lives.  We started the process of a special needs adoption two years ago, first thinking China, and then being led to Taiwan through a variety of open and closed doors.  At the beginning of June, we were matched with a 2 1/2 year old little girl with special needs, whom we have named, Sophia Elizabeth.  She is currently in foster care in Taiwan.  (We are unable to post a photo at this time, but trust me...she's beautiful!)  We are waiting for legal documents to arrive from Taiwan so that we can return everything that is needed for our referral dossier and start the Taiwanese court process.  We are hoping to travel to bring Sophia home in the spring of 2011, but only God knows the exact timeframe!

On this journey God has provided in amazing ways for our expenses.  We have done a variety of fundraisers including garage sales, home parties, and our Forever Family cookbooks (which are still for sale!).  We have also been blessed by gifts from family and friends.  We have never had all of the finances ahead of time, but just exactly when we need them...God has been, and will continue to be, faithful!

We are currently fundraising for the last bit we need for this phase of the adoption which is our orphanage fee and the related expenses for paperwork and authentications.  We need approximately $2500 more to meet this goal.  Then we will start saving for our travel expenses which will range from $5000-$7500, depending on when we travel.  I know God will provide in His time, and we appreciate everyone's prayers and encouragement as we wait on Him!

Trusting and praying until Sophia is home...

Home Study Update...Check!

We received our home study update in the mail this week, notarized and ready to go!  Now we just wait for the legal documents from Taiwan.  Nothing we can do about those but...wait!  So, we wait...

Slowly but surely we are coming, Sophia...

A Little Movement

It looks like our home study update will be finalized this week and hopefully we will have our notarized copies by the end of next week.  That just leaves the legal documents from Taiwan...and then we can get everything state sealed and off to our agency!  Every little bit of movement helps!

Slowly but surely we weave our way to Sophia...

I Know I Sound Like a Broken Record, But...

we're still waiting!  Right now we are waiting for the legal documents that we need to arrive from Taiwan and for our social worker to complete our home study update.  [Insert BIG sigh...]  All in God's perfect timing...but it's hard to wait!

Oh...and we found out that Sophia will get her care package next Tuesday, July 20.  I was hoping she already had it, but at least we know when she's supposed to get it, and can probably expect another update shortly after.

Trying really hard to find joy in the journey on these long summer days...

Please Pray...

...for a special envelope that was mailed today that we hope might help us raise some much needed funds to help bring Sophia home!

Every day is a day closer to Sophia!

From our Family Blog...

I published this today on our Family Blog...thought I would publish it here, too...

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It is July already...hard to believe that half of 2010 is in the history books! By the end of this month, we are hoping to have a HUGE milestone completed toward our adoption of Sophia...our referral dossier in Taiwan awaiting our court date! God allowed us to complete all of the paperwork on our end in record time during the month of June, but we are still waiting for some legal paperwork to come from Taiwan. When that arrives, we sign, date, notarize, and state authenticate everything--and then it can be out of our hands and on its way to Taiwan! There is only one thing that can slow that down at this point...when we send our dossier back to Taiwan, the orphange fee needs to go with it. Right now we are still needing about $3000 to cover that expense. We know God is able to provide, and will provide in His time. Would you like to play a part in ransoming a child from a life as an orphan? Help us bring Sophia home

HERE!

Progress!

Today we were able to check off another step in our referral dossier process...another step closer to Sophia!  We finally had the final paper in hand that needed to be notarized on our part, so we headed to the notary and got all nine documents notarized at the same time...check!  Tomorrow we meet with our Social Worker to update our home study, so when that gets back to us, we will have all of the paperwork on our end ready to go.  We also go and get re-fingerprinted for USCIS tomorrow afternoon...check, check!  We are still waiting for the legal paperwork to arrive from Taiwan that we need to sign.  Once that gets here we will need to sign and notarize all of that, then take the entire huge pile to Harrisburg to be state authenticated.  I'm thinking I may just go to that office one day personally, as you can wait in line and get it done.  We'll see how adventurous I'm feeling when the time comes.  But gettting any step in this laborious process accomplished is means for celebration, as anyone who has "been there, done that" knows.  We are making progress!

Hang tight, Sophia...we are coming!

50 by Taiwan!

Dave and I have a little weight loss challenge going on...check out our family blog to see how we progress!

Keeping busy as we "weight" for Sophia...

Sophia's Care Package

Today we sent off our first care package to Sophia!

This is a photo of all the goodies we put in it.

This is her first dolly, handmade with love by another adoptive mom.  Check out her Etsy store!

This is a 24 month little summer outfit and sandals, and a touchy, feely book.

Hershey's candy for her foster family...I also made a card to thank them for their outstanding work!

A panda blankie

In addition to all of this there were two little photo albums with family photos.  We are so excited to hear that Sophia and her foster family received their gifts!  I'll keep you posted!

Until Sophia comes home...

I LOVE Photos Even More!

I'm really loving opening my e-mail these days!  Today we had five new photos of our little Sophia, and several videos.  Yeah!  I can't post them on-line yet, but when I can, I will.  You will have to take my word for it that she is absolutely adorable with the cutest little poochy red lips.  Her foster family seems to be letting her hair grow longer, which I was hoping for.  She often has the top part up in a little pony tail a la Baby Pebbles from the Flintstones.  In these latest photos she looks so much more mature then in the two photos we received with the referral.  Our baby is growing up!  I can't wait to bring her home!

We are coming little Sophia!

I LOVE Updates!

This morning we received the monthly care updates on Sophia from our adoption coordinator!  The foster mother is doing them, and they are so detailed!  Even the orphanage liasion made a comment that the foster mother is doing an exceptional job at keeping these up-to-date.  Starting in June, we should receive a monthly update and photos...yeah!

Sophia has made a TON of progress since the beginning of the year.  She is now approximately 24 pounds, and 33 1/2 inches tall.  According to my size chart information, that puts her right at the beginning of 2T clothing.  It may be a tad big yet for her, but she'll get there!  She loves music and playing the piano, is able to pull to standing and walk with assistance, and loves being out and about learning and seeing new things.  She is going to fit right into this family!  I feel such peace knowing that the foster family is taking such good care of her, and it seems as though they will do a great job of preparing her for the transition of adoption.  What an answer to prayer!

I wish I could post a photo, but am going to wait until after we have passed court to post one publicly.  However, if you happen to see me somewhere, I'll try to have one with me so that you can see our precious little girl!  Continue to pray that our paperwork progresses well and that we can raise the last $3000 we need in the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Thanks for sharing in our excitement...until Sophia comes home...

Hope is Fading...

...not for our daughter waiting in Taiwan, but for the millions of other boys and girls around the world who are waiting for their forever families.  View this post on my sister's blog to see a powerful video created by a young man who gets it!