Progress

Well, I must first start with some very exciting news!!!  On January 12th (Adam's birthday) we received an email that the agency had received our last two documents from the Houston Consulate-completing our 13 page dossier.  On January 13th we received an email saying our dossier was on it's way to China and now we needed to wait for our official Log in Date (LID).  January 16th-China received our dossier and on the 17th we were officially logged in!!!!!  Things got a little bit loud in the car when I read the email to Adam as he was driving.  We thought we would be waiting about two weeks from the time our dossier arrived until the LID.  We are in a waiting pattern for the dossier to be translated and read over and approved so we can take yet another step towards bringing him home.Then, we received the most precious photos of Fang Tao.  Oh my!! That smile.  He is opening Christmas presents that we sent On December 4th!!!!

In the last blog post I began the story of our adoption journey, today I will continue.  We had been sponsoring Fang Tao for a little over a year when Adam said he dreamt I had a baby.  Like I was in the delivery room having a baby.  I jokingly said something about Fang Tao.  A few nights later, as I was doing the dishes, he asked me how serious I was when I said that.  I told him that "it" came unexpectedly for me. We both prayed for him on a regular basis individually and  I remember the moment in October that I felt I was praying about him not just for him.  It was a bit scary, honestly.  What did that mean?  And for Adam, he had wondered when we started sponsoring him, if this might be the road for us.  Regardless, we knew God was up to something far bigger than us.  We initially sent an email-carefully wording it so as not to raise the hopes of anyone,"we just wanted more information." WOW!  We talked and prayed and read and prayed and talked to a couple of families that have adopted.  We just weren't sure about crossing the YES line just yet...to be continued.

Interesting bit of info: If you are wondering what a dossier is, well, let me tell you.  According to Miriam Webster Dictionary, Dossier  -file containing detailed records on a particular person or subject.Our dossier contained 13 documents all about us!  I gathered the necessary documents over the course of 2 months. Marriage license, birth certificates, police records, home study, physicals and a physicians detailed report, financial documents, passport, 8 photos showcasing our family, fingerprints, immigration and citizenship paperwork....I think that was it??!!  Our home study actually required all of that plus more. Then, once you get all of the originals, etc everything must be notarized.  Then, everything that is notarized must go to the Secretary of State office (Texas for us) to be certified.  That office must verify every notary is legal and up to date.  Then, all of that must go (via courier or personally walked in) to the Houston Consulate to be authenticated-they must verify that the SOS is actually true and correct.  And many of the documents have a shelf life of 6 months-meaning you need to work hard and fast.  So, now that you know about that process-you can go take a nap.There may not be physical labor involved in bringing this child home, but there is a different type of labor. And it is well worth it!!!

We are so thankful for every dollar that has been donated towards Fang Tao's adoption.  We are also very thankful for everyone who is praying.

Ways to pray for The Harris Half-Dozen:
*Please pray for peace over Fang Tao.
*Please pray that God is preparing his heart, mind, and body.
*Please pray for God to lead us to the right and best resources.
*Please pray for God's timing in the paperwork and the travel date.
*Please pray for God to prepare all of us for this transition.

Thank you so much,
The Harris Half-Dozen

How Did We Get Here?

I thought I would take the opportunity to share the beginning of our adoption story.  This seems like a good time as we are waiting on more paperwork to go from point A to point B.

We began sponsoring Li Fang Tao in August of 2014.  Adam selected him from a picture and description on Bethel's website.  Bethel is located in Beijing. He felt like he sounded very similar to Jack~very exuberant and full of lots of energy!  Perfect.  We sent monthly support and began praying for him regularly.  We received a few updates here and there for the first year and a half.  And then...... to be continued.  

~Here is a little bump for sponsoring children in need.  When we not only look at a child's picture and profile, but really SEE them- experience true empathy and dare I say even feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit!! To answer by sponsoring is an answer to prayer and fulfilling a great need-education and food and medical, etc.  Sponsorship coupled with prayer makes so much difference, an eternal difference!  I know that our prayers are being heard by our loving Heavenly Father!   Please take time to consider sponsoring a child. There are many wonderful organizations out there. Take time to pray and think it over.   See if this is something that the Lord is leading you to do.  I'll step off my soapbox now.~

What a difference sponsorship has made in Li Fang Tao's life!!!

Apparently he really, really likes bubble wrap!!!

He's such a joyful boy.  I love seeing his smile.  We can't wait to hear his laugh and see his smile for ourselves.  

Interesting bit of info:  According to Google Maps: Bethel is located approximately 7,100 miles away. That is really far away.  So glad that our Heavenly Father is watching over Him.

Ways to pray for the Harris-Half Dozen:

*Please pray for health over Li Fang Tao-mental, emotional, physical.

*Please pray for his transition into our family, that it be smooth.

*Please pray over the grants we submitted, we should be hearing back fairly soon.  (And again THANK YOU to all that have given!)

*Please continue to pray that God prepare each one of us as we take this new journey.  Pray God prepare us individually as He knows we need and as a family unit.

Thank you so much!

The Harris Half-Dozen