Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Please let this ride stop

I feel like we are on a roller coaster ride with hills, valleys, turns, dips and once in awhile I think we may even be flung upside down. Just like a roller coaster, it takes a lot longer to go up than it does to fly down the hill. I get my hopes up for over a week only to have those hopes fall fast in one day. With each close of business on Thursday I mentally tell myself that 'next week' will be it.

Two weeks ago a flood of LOAs arrived at many agencies. I was secretly hoping ours would be arriving, as we were just over the 60 day mark. The government agency in China would be going on break for over a week to celebrate National Day and the Moon Festival so I knew if it didn't arrive within a short time span we would be waiting at least two more weeks for any news. Obviously, it didn't arrive. I was very bummed and it was made worse by the fact that four other families adopting from Beijing did receive their LOA that week; some of which had waited less time than we have. This process does not make sense; you can't figure it out and I think that drives us every bit closer to crazy as each day ticks on the calendar.
So, today is day #75. The roller coaster has been ticking slowly up since that bummy day two weeks ago. My hopes are quite high for this week. I know I shouldn't do that because it can only lead to more disappointment but it is insanely hard to tell my heart not to jump at every phone call. It is almost reverse of being 40+ weeks pregnant. Instead of relatives calling and sounding disappointed when you answer the phone they get to hear your voice of disappointment when you answer the phone and they aren't the adoption agency. No offense, I love you all but you need to somehow figure out how to change your caller ID to read FTIA.

Please say a prayer for us that we will get that much desired phone call soon. It has been 4 1/2 months since we saw our darling girl's face and committed to making her our daughter. While it may not seem like a long time in the grand scheme of life it is feeling like eternity right now.

6 comments:

  1. We are also learning to be patient and that God is in control of it all. We are on Day 147 of waiting for LOA. We hope to hear something this week also!
    Anne in AZ

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  2. Cristy,

    Your daughter is stunning, and we agree that this paperwork has to hurry up for you so she can come home!

    Best,
    Barbara

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  3. Thank you Anne and Barbara!
    Anne- I truly hope your LOA comes in this week! I can't imagine waiting 147 days; I think I'd be insane by then.

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  4. Hi There!

    Just wanted to introduce myself. We are just beginning the process of adopting a 5 year old boy. We have been prayerfully considering this little boy for a few months and just decided today that we are ready to submit a LOI for him. We are excited and scared all at the same time. I ran across your blog last night and stayed up very late reading all that you guys have done over the past few months in preparation to bring home your little girl ;) So just wanted to say thank you for documenting your story for others to read. It is a great resource for those following in your footsteps.

    on a side note -- not sure if I read it in one of your posts or on a forum but you mentioned having a spreadsheet and a flowchart for all the steps/paperchasing. Is it too much of me to ask if you'd be willing to share this with us. I completely understand if you're not open to that -- COMPLETELY! just thought I'd ask :)

    Hoping your LOA comes soon!!!

    Jen
    jennifer_a_reiter @ yahoo (dot) com

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  5. Hang in there. I'm on this ride with you and it is very hard. It gets harder each day and with each adoption.

    Cheri

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  6. Am I to late to participate in the quilt swap?
    This is our 20nd Chinese adoption and have been looking for a good quilt swap.
    diannshields@yahoo.com

    Thanks!
    Diann

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