.....the newest addition to our family:
Cooper Hai Liang
Born February 1, 2007 in XinJiang Province, China
We have been tremendously blessed, and our "red thread" is an awesome story! We accepted his referral on July 14th (smack in the middle of Camp KidsWay), and got our PA (Preliminary Acceptance) from China just 6 short days later (including a weekend).
Our heads have been spinning, and this has all been more emotional and difficult than I had anticipated. But we are overflowing with joy, and to know he is at New Day while he waits for us is priceless. It makes the waiting a little easier!
For those of you not familiar with adoption, we are now waiting for our official Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from China. After that, we will wait for our Travel Approval (TA). Once we have that, we can plan our trip to pick Cooper up- most likely in late October/early November according to our agency. (But, they also told us that PA would take us 2-3 weeks, and it took 4 business days, so who knows!)
I am excited to share "the whole story", but just don't have time to write it all out just yet. However, I will soon, so check back! I will keep this blog posted with all the latest news as we wait to bring Cooper home, so come by any time to get the latest updates!
For those of you who have prayed for us and waited along with us, we are so incredibly grateful, but don't stop now. We are just realizing that the wait to be matched was the easy part, we are now entering "transition" (think labor, ladies). The real tough road is ahead of us as Cooper loses all he has ever known (again) and we try to shepherd him through that loss and help him become a part of our family!
Lastly, I just want to say, our son is being cared for in China by an amazing group of people at New Day, and they could not do it without people like you who sponsor the kids there. For just $35/month, you can help to save a child's life and provide excellent care for them while they wait for their families. When I think about the person/people who have sponsored Cooper ("Evan") while he waited to be matched with us, I can't say how grateful I am for them, their prayers, the gifts they sent him, and their love for our son before we knew his name.
I can tell you from experience that sponsoring a child at New Day has changed our family, and it will change yours too. When you sponsor an orphan at New Day, you get a monthly e-mail written by their foster parent or nanny along with an updated picture. Plus, you can send your child gifts for their birthday or other special occasions....AND they send you pictures of your sponsored child opening the package and enjoying the gifts.
But, really.......when you sponsor a child, you really do provide a chance for a child that might not otherwise have one.
A child like our son.
Words can't say how important that is, so please check out New Day's child sponsorship program (click on the big greenish hand print for all the details)! While you are there, you can read about their kids....including Cooper (who you'll see listed as "Evan" there)....and find out more about this amazing place that has cared for our son since he was 13 months old.
As for the WHOLE story....you'll have to come back for that! :)
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations.
Ephesians 3:20-21
