China Timeline!

The Short Version:

Found Haven on Waiting Child list - 4/15/2013
She becomes available, we say YES - 4/26/13
Pastoral Counsel - 4/30/13
Agency Acceptance - 5/5/13
LOI (Letter of Intent) for Haven - 5/24/13
CCCWA Closure - 5/24 - 6/1/13
PA! (Pre Approval) for Haven - 7/3/13
Expedited Homestudy Completed (HAVEN TURNS 6!)- 8/1/13 
i800a mailed to USCIS - 8/6/13
Lockbox -  8/7/13
Fingerprints taken - 8/27/13
Committed to dwarf infant - 9/3/13
Infant dies - 9/4/13
Aaron's file sent to us, pastoral counsel about adding him - 9/4/13
LOI for Aaron - 9/13/13
PA for Aaron - 9/16/13
Aaron's announcement post - 9/18/13
(Fingerpint appointment)- 9/11/13
Homestudy amended - 9/13/13
Amended homestudy overnighted to USCIS - 9/18/13
USCIS approval - 10/17/13
DTC (Dossier to China) - 11/13/13
LID (Log In Date) - 11/25/13
OOT - 12/5/13
LOA!!! - 1/9/14
800 - 1/21/14
NVC Letter - 1/23/14
Article 5 Drop Off - 1/27/14
A5 Pick up - 1/30/14 (Medical Expedite)
TA! (Travel Approval) - 
Gotcha Haven -
Gotcha Aaron -  
CA (Consolate Appt) - 
HOME - 

The Long Version:

"Accidentally" saw our daughter on a Waiting Child Special Focus List on the one year anniversary of Moses and Miriam's Gotcha Day.  Requested and received file, was told another family was already in process for her.  We told the agency that we would "wait in the wings" despite the other family being "100%" all in, and began praying for God's will to be revealed.  Prayed every night for her, and fell asleep each night with peace, knowing that she had already been chosen for us and that He would make a way. - 4/15/13

Haven "unexpectedly" (to everyone's surprise but ours!) becomes available.  We say yes immediately.  Our tax credits from the last adoptions are unexpectedly deposited into our bank account a few hours later, helping us get closer to China's net worth requirement for the adoption of a child with Special Needs in almost the exact amount needed.  "Emmanuel, Our God is with us."  - 4/26/13

We seek counsel, support, and pastoral reference from our senior pastor regarding our desire to follow the Lord's leading in this adoption, then share decision with rest of our pastoral staff.  - 4/30/13

We realize that as suspected, we don't technically qualify for China, so we need to request waivers.  Agency agrees to try.  - 5/3/13

Submit application and app fee to adoption agency - 5/5/13

Submit LOI to China (letter of intent) - 5/24/13

CCCWA closed for computer upgrade - 5/24  -  6/1/13

PA (preliminary approval)....SHE'S OURS just shy of 6 weeks after LOI, case worker calls us at 5:30pm from cell phone because she couldn't wait until the next day to tell us!!!! - 7/3/13

Care Package #1 delivered, Haven is told the news that she has a family using a letter from Mommy and a photo album of our family.  - 7/9/13

Expedited Homestudy completed and mailed on Haven's 6th Birthday.  We have a cake delivered to her orphanage and receive pictures of her sharing her cake with her special friends!  We share the news on our blog and the fundraising begins.  - 8/1/13

800 lockbox receipt - 8/7/13