Steven Curtis Chapman @ Parkview

Last Friday night, we had the privilege of seeing Steven Curtis Chapman at our very own Parkview Christian Church. What an amazing night! Due to demand, he did 2 nights in a row, and he did not disappoint. Laura and I received an incredible gift from an anonymous donor - Someone purchased and donated to us (as an adoptive family) 2 front row seats, along with 2 "meet-and-greet" passes for after the show. I've been a fan of SCC for a very long time, so this came as a humbling surprise to us. We were looking forward to meeting him and sharing with him our investment in Chinese adoption (as he and his wife have also adopted 3 girls from China). What a guy - he took a few minutes to listen to our story, and he encouraged us in our venture. It was so awesome to look at him through a new perspective - that of an adoptive father, not just one of my favorite artists. He was so gracious. He even signed our "Shaoey and Dot" book, "To Raina - God Bless You - Steven". I can't wait to tell her the story of that signature. I don't think I'll ever forget that night.

CCAA Update 5-2008

The CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) has updated their system with referrals through January 12th, 2006. 3 days. Yay. What's next? We actually go in reverse and have to give children back to them?

Review Room Finishes 2006!

Not sure if I've ever explained the process of being "reviewed". When you're LID, the CCAA basically acknowledges your dossier, recognizes that you are legitimately adopting, and places your file aside to be reviewed at a later date. Eventually, your case is reviewed by their review board, and when your LID is reached, you are "matched" with a child. For the last 3 months, the review process has been stuck at October 31st, 2006. We've become frustrated with the stagnancy of this date and... the waiting continues. We desperately want to be "through review" because it may open up some options for us in terms of waiting children. Well, the CCAA has finally updated their web portal to reflect that they are now officially through review up to December 31st, 2006. This is excellent news - they blasted through 2 months at once. With a September 2007 LID, we are still 9 months away from being reviewed, but it is at least one step closer. We anticipate that January through April 2007 will be long months for the board to get through review because of the rule changes that went into effect on May 1st, 2007 and the windfall of dossiers that were logged in prior to that date. But after that, with the amount of submitted dossiers drastically falling, we should sail quickly towards September.

CCAA Update 4-2008

The CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) has updated their system with referrals through January 9th, 2006. That makes 5 days this month. And that's all I have to say about that...

Costa Rica - Medical Mission

My wife Laura just left for Costa Rica. She is participating in a medical mission with a team from our church, Parkview Christian Church. They will be providing medical care to the poverty-stricken people in the surrounding area of Parkview's sister church, Centro Christo Alabanza. This is a trip that Laura has longed to be a part of since hearing of it - and I can't begin to describe how proud I am of her! She has been given the opportunity to use her professional skills as a ministry to those much less fortunate than we are. And although medical missions is a passion that has hidden itself within her for some time, I am convinced that our pursuit of adoption has contributed to shaping her heart even further in this area. I am sure that she will return a changed person - someone I will continue to fall deeper in love with every day. Leaving me and the boys proved a difficult task, but in the long run, we will all be better people because of her sacrifice. Isn't she amazing?

8 Ain't So Great

The CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) has updated their system with referrals through January 4th, 2006. This again makes only 8 days of referrals this month. Wanna know something interesting? The 2008 Summer Olympics will begin on August 8th, 2008 (8-8-08) with the opening ceremony commencing at 8:08:08 pm CST (China Standard Time) at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture. So how does 8 measure up in my book? I'm beginning to hate 8.

Ni Hao, Kai-Lan

Nickolodeon Jr. has just introduced a new program - and although it is now just a little bit young for our boys, it is a show that we are excited about. It is called "Ni Hao, Kai-Lan". The show is a play-along, think-along series that weaves together Chinese language and culture, preschool-relatable stories, and interactivity, with Kai-lan as your intimate friend and playmate! Here's a little bit of what it's all about: "Ni hao!" means "Hi" in Chinese--and that's how Kai-lan greets you every day! Kai-lan Chow is an exuberant Chinese-American preschooler, almost 6, who wants you to come play with her and her best friends. Kai-lan's world is infused with Chinese culture and is brimming with magical sights and sounds, and everywhere you turn there's something amazing and beautiful to see. Along the way, she and her bilingual buddies speak in English and Chinese, but they always need kids' help to find creative solutions to the daily dilemmas that come their way! As "Dora the Explorer" is to Spanish - so is "Ni Hao, Kai-Lan" to Chinese. Check it out!