The Long's

The Long's
Wind River Ranch - where our journey to Chazz began!

Friday, January 31, 2014

Introducing our son!

Today is the day!  We at last received our LOA - Letter Of Approval - from China.  This grants us permission to publically share his picture and send him a care package!  We've been working on the care package for a few months now, and it still isn't finished...  We're going to get that done this week.  I can't wait.  We've created a brag book of pictures of the family.  We realized though that we used primarily pictures from Florida, so now we have to include some of snow!  We don't want him to get the wrong idea. :)
OK, so here is Chazz Jian Long.  He is 8 years old (4 months older than Hanna) and currently lives in the same orphanage that Hanna used to live in.  They were friends, as they were part of the same group.  We have many pictures of both of them together; however, the pictures and their friendship are more than 5 years old.  Hanna will get to travel with us - mainly because we are traveling to her home town.  We are hoping to get to see her sponsor family.
We are so thankful to God!  Without Him, this would not have happened.  He just kept whispering and we finally listened.  Blessed for sure.
We definitely welcome your prayers.  Prayers for paperwork to go thoroughly quickly and easily, prayers for speedy and safe travel, prayers for open and loving hearts, prayers for his transition to a family, prayers for our transition to him, prayers for Hanna when traveling, and prayers for the boys staying home.
Stayed tuned for more updates.  We most likely won't get to travel until April, but I'm hoping for earlier.  I feel like I've waited long enough - and these next three months are going to be killers!

Tonight we had Chinese for dinner- orange chicken!  You'll never believe what my fortune cookie said...  The object of your desire comes closer!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

11 weeks and counting

Oh goodness.  We were told that our LOA (approval from China) could take 6-12 weeks. Well isn't it just fabulous that ours is taking the longest possible?  I was hoping to be in China in February, but that is not going to happen.  It is more likely April!  On the bright side though, the weather in northern China will be much nicer in the spring than in winter.  Hopefully this week, Thursday will be 12 weeks, we will get some news.  After LOA, we will apply for our I-800, travel visas, and send Chazz a care package!  We've been gathering things to send to him and even made him a brag book of pictures.
     We've kept ourselves busy these last 11 weeks with school, sports, Christmas, church, and Florida.  We so can't wait to get these next steps over with and just have our son home.  So many things we can't wait to share with him
     Tonight our friend Hillary prayed for God to prepare his heart for our family, a seamless transition for everyone, and love. It was just what we need.  Please keep Chazz in prayer while we wait and pray that he is ready for a family of his own.