Put a LID on it!

Another week has passed and still no Login Date (LID). We were really hoping that it would happen by the end of last week, but ‘twas not to be. Interestingly, I received an email from another adoptive family who recently received notice of their LID two months after the actual LID. Perhaps we already have an LID but just don’t know it yet? Wishful thinking more than likely, but it is a possibility. Since the wait from LID to Letter of Acceptance (LOA) will likely be in the 90-120 day range, it would be nice to suddenly get our LID and realize that it was a couple weeks ago, and thus we’re 10+ days into the LID-LOA wait. Hey, we can hope for a scenario like this, can’t we?

We were notified by our China Case Manager several weeks ago that we would be able to get an update on our little guy in a few weeks. We sent her an email this morning requesting this update. It is our understanding that it should include current measurements (height, weight, etc.), as well as feedback on what his response was to our initial care package. We are hopeful for an updated picture and whatever additional information we can get, especially on his personality and interests.

Angie was surprised on Thursday when she went to work and her co-workers presented her with a gift that was totally unexpected, an English Chinese Translator! Since language is such a big initial barrier with older adoptees from China, this is a great tool to ease the communication barrier and transition. Families who have already traveled to China strongly recommend having one, and we had planned to purchase one at some point in the future. This is the model most often recommended (AM101). You can type a phrase in English or Chinese and it will instantly convert it on the screen, or you can have it speak it in the other language. It’s awesome! Angie and I are so appreciative and grateful to the German Corner FBO team she works with and their incredible generosity. You guys are awesome!

We spent a lot of time this week getting information and learning more about home schooling, as this is the path we want to follow with our little guy. A fellow Hope Project parent who, by chance, lives about an hour away and home schools, was kind enough to email me some information on some Tulsa area home schooling resources. Thanks, Susan! Angie is getting more and more excited about home schooling our little guy, although we still have a great deal to learn since this is all new to us.

Angie and I had the pleasure to attend the launch of a good friends church planting in Claremore yesterday. It was the first time I had ever attended church in a movie theatre, complete with popcorn! No kidding! Ricky is one of the most genuine and down-to-earth Christians I know, and we wish him all the best as he follows this calling. Angie and I both commented to each other at what an awesome job his team did at their launch. We have no doubt The Well will become a pillar of the community, and reach every nook and cranny in town to demonstrate the love of Christ. Our prayers are with you Ricky, Amy and The Well team!