Butterflies!!

We're waiting on news about referrals and my stomach is swarming with butterflies!

I suppose all of the butterflies that are on Grace's bedroom wall flew up here to Ocean City!

We have heard that on the 15th, CCAA was "Preparing to Match". Next comes word that they've matched and finally that referrals have arrived. Often those things happen within days of each other so we are poised and ready!!

While we wait, I'll give you an update on the addendum. The last I heard from our adoption agency was that they we fit into a BLESSED LOOPHOLE! Praise the Lord! Apparently those whose Home Studies are less than 6 months old are safe from having to do a whole completely new Home Study update. It really is only an insurance policy just in case something is written on Grace's medical chart that gives us problems at the Consulate. There is only a 5 - 10% chance that we'll have any problems, but if we do, our adoption agency has confirmation from USCIS that we would only need to get an amended Home Study which is then sent on to USCIS for approval. This is just a simple addition of a few sentences to our current Home Study and minimal cost.

The only question now is whether we should get that done now or whether we should just "wait and see" until we go to China. Our Adoption agency is testing the waters with our Home Study agency to see which route we should go. It's been a few days but Pat feels we need to give them more time to work this out even though I'd love to call for an update and get all of our ducks in a row!

We are grateful that God keeps parting the waters for us. We know, however, as Christians, that God doesn't promise to make everything just to our liking but to walk us through all of our hard times and grant us peace. We keep walking and trusting -- that's our part - AND praising Him for all He does in whatever fashion He chooses and know that our Father lovingly cares for His children. How comforting to know that not only are we safe in His hands, but Grace is too!

We hope to get some more news about referrals today and we'll keep you posted! Oh how exciting this is!!!!

Sharon