It’s been several weeks since our last post, but not much new to report. Today is day 58 of our LID-LOA wait. We have gotten some recent information that indicates some LID-LOA times are currently in the 75-80 day range, although we have also heard of several that are much higher, including one at 123 days. We certainly don’t want to get our hopes up too much, but will begin to be on the lookout for our LOA in another few weeks. The adoption agency we are working with for the completion of this adoption, Christian World Adoption (CWA), currently has several employees in Beijing working on a second Hope Project group of children at the #2 Children’s Welfare Institute where our little guy (Cameron) resides. Mei, our social worker, is one of the employees in Beijing and, upon her return to the States next week we are hopeful for an update. There seems to be some online discrepancy as to if and when the children are made aware that they have a family in process, as well as if and when they are given the care packages that are sent to them. We have absolutely no idea right now what Cameron does or does not know, or even if he has been given his care package.
Cameron turned 10 on April 6th. Angie made him a small cake and had her folks come over for some cake and ice cream. No candles, though, as he needs to be here to blow them out. Angie’s coworkers got him a couple Bionicles, which are small lego creatures. They are actually kinda cool, and are perfect to take with us to keep him occupied a bit on our trip. Also, a “friend of a friend” of Angie’s gave us some size 8 jeans and shorts that they were going to include in a garage sale. They found out that we were on the lookout for some size 8’s since Cameron is smaller than his age might indicate, and they were very generous in donating them to us.
I’ve been able to get in a few bike rides this year. This picture was taken last weekend when I hooked up with a bunch of cycling friends for a FreeWheel Training Ride. From left to right: Pedro, Cindy, Sylvia and me. Pedro is sporting his new bike, an Orbea Orca……a very sweet ride! I cannot begin to express how great it felt to be back in the saddle again after my accident last year and to share the road with some great friends, even with the wind howling at 30-40 mph. I really wish I could ride FreeWheel again this year but, alas, I simply do not have enough vacation time built up and I have to prioritize taking a week or two off upon returning from China. My new work hours will allow me to ride a lot more, at least until Cameron arrives, and I’m aiming to average 100-120 miles a week. My legs are only good for about 25 miles right now, but with a few more weeks of training I ought to be back up into the 50-60 mile range at a pretty good pace and, hopefully, do at least one century ride (100 miles) before we leave for China.
We are celebrating Easter later today at Angie’s parents…..an indoor egg hunt (due to heavy rain) for the nieces and a nice dinner afterwards. We volunteered at church last night and attended the service afterwards. Pastor Willie had an awesome message that really hit home for a number of people. Andy and the band did an awesome rendition of Amazing Grace with video testimonials of redemption between verses that really fit in nicely with the sermon title: (Because) He Was.....I Am (Redeemed). It was quite moving.
It’s been several weeks since our last post, but not much new to report. Today is day 58 of our LID-LOA wait. We have gotten some recent information that indicates some LID-LOA times are currently in the 75-80 day range, although we have also heard of several that are much higher, including one at 123 days. We certainly don’t want to get our hopes up too much, but will begin to be on the lookout for our LOA in another few weeks. The adoption agency we are working with for the completion of this adoption, Christian World Adoption (CWA), currently has several employees in Beijing working on a second Hope Project group of children at the #2 Children’s Welfare Institute where our little guy (Cameron) resides. Mei, our social worker, is one of the employees in Beijing and, upon her return to the States next week we are hopeful for an update. There seems to be some online discrepancy as to if and when the children are made aware that they have a family in process, as well as if and when they are given the care packages that are sent to them. We have absolutely no idea right now what Cameron does or does not know, or even if he has been given his care package.
Cameron turned 10 on April 6th. Angie made him a small cake and had her folks come over for some cake and ice cream. No candles, though, as he needs to be here to blow them out. Angie’s coworkers got him a couple Bionicles, which are small lego creatures. They are actually kinda cool, and are perfect to take with us to keep him occupied a bit on our trip. Also, a “friend of a friend” of Angie’s gave us some size 8 jeans and shorts that they were going to include in a garage sale. They found out that we were on the lookout for some size 8’s since Cameron is smaller than his age might indicate, and they were very generous in donating them to us. 
I’ve been able to get in a few bike rides this year. This picture was taken last weekend when I hooked up with a bunch of cycling friends for a FreeWheel Training Ride. From left to right: Pedro, Cindy, Sylvia and me. Pedro is sporting his new bike, an Orbea Orca……a very sweet ride! I cannot begin to express how great it felt to be back in the saddle again after my accident last year and to share the road with some great friends, even with the wind howling at 30-40 mph. I really wish I could ride FreeWheel again this year but, alas, I simply do not have enough vacation time built up and I have to prioritize taking a week or two off upon returning from China. My new work hours will allow me to ride a lot more, at least until Cameron arrives, and I’m aiming to average 100-120 miles a week. My legs are only good for about 25 miles right now, but with a few more weeks of training I ought to be back up into the 50-60 mile range at a pretty good pace and, hopefully, do at least one century ride (100 miles) before we leave for China.
We are celebrating Easter later today at Angie’s parents…..an indoor egg hunt (due to heavy rain) for the nieces and a nice dinner afterwards. We volunteered at church last night and attended the service afterwards. Pastor Willie had an awesome message that really hit home for a number of people. Andy and the band did an awesome rendition of Amazing Grace with video testimonials of redemption between verses that really fit in nicely with the sermon title: (Because) He Was.....I Am (Redeemed). It was quite moving.
Happy Birthday Cameron! Next birthday he'll be blowing out those candles! Come on LOA.
ReplyDeleteSusan