We have Pre Approval!!

We received PreApproval from China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA)!!! We can begin assembling our dossier. First is to get our homestudy completed. There are 13 other documents that we will gather. Then each will be notarized, the notary will be Authenticated in their state of origin and finally each state’s Secretary of State’s signature will be Authenticated by the Chinese Embassy in D.C. Oh, and each stop wants $$

How to Expedite

Cora received her US Certificate of Citizenship during a special day at the OKC-USCIS offices. While there, we were able to talk with our Adoption Officer about how to expedite our I600a approval. Oklahoma requires letters from physicians explaining why it necessary that the child receive specific medical procedures asap. Dr. Hildebrand of Dean McGee Eye Institute is willing to do this to help Ting.

Letter of Intent

We prepared and sent our Letter of Intent to adopt Dang Ting to the CCAA in Beijing. We are anxiously praying for PreApproval. Recently new rules are causing concerns for many potential adoptees. One requires no cancer in past five years. My brief incounter with cancer was this past March. But my doctors wrote very promising letters describing my unaffected life expectancy. Many friends are praying. And we are trusting God's plan for Ting, whatever it is.

The process begins

Dang Ting’s file arrived at IAAP in Signal Mtn, TN. (I write the name of the town because I just like the sound of it—must have a historical origin.) We’ve always heard good things about Dick and Cheryl Graham. They certainly matched their reputation while we worked with them on this adoption.

Dang Ting, now 12years old, has lived at Yangquan SWI since age one year. She is missing one eye. That’s how her orphanage summed up her life to this point. So much is missing—her likes and dislikes, her personality, her dreams and hopes.

A story in the middle of a story

An exciting and interesting event is about to happen!
Yet, we can't say anything about it at this point....
Watch for a post later, titled The Story in the Middle

"Her closest companion...

In 2005, while working on the adoption of daughter Kate Xiyuan, we learned from the social development papers the name of her closest companion---Dang Ting. Thus, began a two year journey to Ting. But this journey followed an unusual path. For that reason I call this, Journey With Ting. Further down the road, you'll understand.

So, who is Ting? We asked questions everywhere. We learned very little. Finally, some dear ladies who were visiting Yangquan in June 2005 offered to take pics. The first picture we received was of a crowded staircase and in the midst was a thin young girl in a white dress, carefully choosing her next step. So, we began our first steps of a new journey for her.