Happy Birthday Yi Mei!

Today is Yi Mei's birthday.   Although she's not here yet, Yi Mei is constantly present in my heart and mind.  I thought about her all day wondering if they celebrated her birthday in the orphanage and if she enjoyed the card, stickers and book that I sent.

Since my relationship with Yi Mei has begun, I thought it was only fitting to light a candle and have a cupcake tonight.  I still had three of the yummy cupcakes left over from Wednesday's shower and I was happy to have an excuse to eat one :)

 

 I was anticipating that I might find my LOA in my inbox today, but no such luck.  It sure would be wonderful to recieve it over my spring break.  If it does arrive, there is still a possibility that I will be going to China before the school year ends.

 

 

The Year of the Dragon

Today is the start of the Chinese New Year celebration.  I can't help but wonder how Yi Mei is celebrating at her orphanage.  I know that the Chinese take weeks off to celebrate their New Year, attend parades and light fireworks.  The kids are given red envelopes with money, a tradition I hope to continue with Yi Mei. 

Waiting has been hard, but the new picture of Yi Mei in her bright red jacket has encouraged me.
I know it is just a matter of time now.  I love her so much already.  A friend sent me a poem which captures my my heart:

The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life, 

But in my heart I know

The love I feel is deep and real

As if it had been so.

For us to have each other

Is like a dream come true

Though I didn't give you the gift of life,

Life gave me the gift of you.

~Author Unknown

A New Year

Though I enjoy the festivities of New Year's Eve, I am very fond of  New Year's Day.  New Year's Day represents a fresh start; a blank canvas full of possiblities.  It is a day for reflection and waiting on God to reveal what He has in store for the upcoming year.  Rather than making resolutions, I prefer to envision new possibilities.  A year filled with possibilities generates hope and excitement.  Today my heart is pregnant with hope and excitement because  becoming a mother is more than just a possibility- it has become a dream fulfilled!

Courage is the word that God has gave me, as I was journaling today. The kind of courage I am referring to is more about having the confidence to act in accordance with one's beliefs rather than the courage which speaks of facing danger/pain without fear. It is the courage that inspires one to live a life without regrets.

2012 will certainly contain moments of unimaginable joy and it will contain moments where I am stretched beyond my limits.  No matter what obstacles may come my way- whether it be insurance, day care, finances and my dad's health, I want to face them all with complete confidence that my God will come through.   

Here are some quotes about living life courageously:


Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different.
-- Author Unknown

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Off to Beijing

Holt called me today to let me know that my paperwork is on its way to China.
I am thrilled that is will arrive before the year's end.  I am so amazed how quickly .everything got processed (especially considering my paperwork was sent over Christmas).  Six weeks from now I will receive a letter of acceptance.  I will send that off to the USCIS for final immigration approval.  The USCIS will send it to the US consulate in China, upon which my travel dates will be granted.  This whole process should take five to nine months.

I can now picture myself in China in the spring.  Now is the time to pull out the Rosetta Stone Chinese CD.

The End is in Sight!

When you are waiting for something of great importance, the wait can seem eternal!  Today my dossier came back from the Chinese Consulate adorned with colorful Chinese stamps.  These stamps are stamps signifying approval of all I have worked these past six months.

I am celebrating that these documents arrived before I leave for Chicago.All I  have to do is photocopy these and send my dossier to Holt International in Eugene.  The home office will take up to three weeks for final processing and then it is off to Beijing!

"I will go before you and level the mountains.  I break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.  I will give you the treasure of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, God of Israel, who summons you by name"  Isaiah 45:2-3

We love you Yi Mei

It has been delightful to watch my student's get excited about Yi Mei's arrival.  They have started bringing things from home for Yi Mei.  I was very touched when one of my first graders brought in two dresses that she didn't need anymore.  Katie brought in the most beautiful bassinet for Yi Mei.  Anna brought in a stuffed frog that plays lullabyes - "in case Yi Mei gets lonely at night".  The Toney family brought in several books that have Chinese and English words- I know she will love these!

Another Glitch

Fortunately the Consulate sent my incorrect dossier  back and I was able to thread all of the staples through by hand.  I am so grateful for Maureen's help with that.  Not only did she help with the staples; she found an error that the MO Secretary of State had made.  I managed to get downtown two minutes before the downtown office closed. Everything was mailed out again last Saturday. 

Just when I thought I was through, I found out that singles now have to file two additonal forms.  I have had to do many ridiculous things since I have started this process, but the latest tops them all.  The Chinese government now requires singles to write a statement verifying they are heterosexual.  This even tops the photos that I had Rhonda take of me cooking, sewing and reading with every inch of my skin covered.   Of course, no family pets were allowed in the picture- dogs are considered a meal in China.  These requirements remind me how fortunate I am to live in a country where women are perceived very differently.

These two new forms will also have to go to the Secretary of State and the Consulate in Chicago.  I was so worried about my staple error and the time it cost me.  It looks like my process will be delayed anyway.
All this has been a reminder that I cannot control this process.  God is in control and will bring Yi Mei at the right time.  It is also a reminder that I need to get better about asking for help.  Thank goodness Craig is willing to take the new documents downtown tomorrow and I will be able to fed ex these new documents to the embassy by Saturday.  I am still hoping that I can get my dossier to China by Jan. 1st.