I have some new and exciting news!

 I've decided to adopt a little girl! I am excited to give her a home. I met this little girl (Nikki) in November 2016 on an advocacy trip I took to China. Her story actually begins before I ever left for my trip and I saw her pictures and fell in love. They were working hard to get her included my sister and I went and bought clothes and hair bows. Then they didn't think she would be included - in fact no one knew where her file went. I prayed and asked God to allow me to meet her I wanted to fight for her to have a family (not knowing that would be me). Then a week before leaving our leader got a text a little girl was going to be added to camp but they had no other information. I thought cool she is 5 just like the other and I have clothes I asked others to pray they would fit this new little girl and I would love her as well. Days before we left we got a picture of the girl and as only God can do you guessed it it was the same picture that captured my heart a month earlier! God has been writing this adoption story from the beginning before I even knew He was - kinda like He does for our lives! I didn't know in China she was mine - it took weeks of searching scripture, prayer and God speaking to me to say yes. She is a beautiful little girl who is five (will be six before I get her), she has cerebral palsy but functions very well. She stole my heart and I can't wait to bring her home and be her mommy. I can't wait to shower her with love and tell her about Jesus! I can't wait for her to see God's plan and learn how He made her story! 

So how can you help! 

• First pray!  Pray for me - this will be a big change in my life. Pray for the process I am learning it will be long and tedious but oh so worth it! I have been fasting from soda waiting for PA (Pre-Approval) which came today during an ice storm so now I will fast until DTC (Dossier to China).  Pray for the little girl (Nikki - I will be announcing name when I know for sure I think I do but not sure). Pray for God to protect her. Pray for her foster family she is currently living with. Pray that God would be glorified as her story unfolds. 
  
• Second - you can help bring her home by giving towards her adoption. 
  

I've started a fundraiser on Pure Charity to raise the funding that is needed to make my adoption a success. The total cost of adoption will be about $25,000- $30,00(could be more depending on travel cost). I will be working on writing grants and will have other fundraisers (others are already offering to help with soup lunches and other ideas) I will work very hard and be diligent to save and be creative to come up with funds. Would you please help bring this treasure home! 

Every donation is important and will help make this adoption a success. Would you kindly consider making a donation as well as keeping us in your daily prayers!  Also, I would appreciate your willingness to share this with others who may want to participate.You can share on your Facebook page or email to others who would like to help bring this beautiful child of God home! 

Thank you so much for being a part of God's story for this little girl and bringing her home. I have a quote I like which reads "Adopting one orphan will not change the world, but it will change the world for that one orphan" You will be apart of changing the world for this one orphan! 

I will keep you updated along the way as the process takes place. First piece was PA (Pre-Approval) which I got 1/13/17. Next step is to complete the Home Study (I am currently working through this usually take about 2 months). I will update when it is complete and what the following step will be. My process is a little different then others as she is a waiting child so I was matched first. 

Home study complete 3/1/17 and I-800A (immigration step) mailed on 3/3/17. I will wait for immigration approval and then work to finalize my dossier. i-800a approval 4/19/17. Next step DTC (Dossier to China) 

I was DTC on 5/1/17. The next step was LID which I got 5/9/17. Now I wait for LOA (Letter of Approval). LOA 7/21/17. 

Next step is 1-800 approval. Final approval from United States to immigrate Evy Lu here. I have provisional approval to bring a child now it matches that approval to specific child. Then work on getting her Visa. 

1-800 approval was given on 8/11/17. I then got my GUZ# (visa information) on 8/21/17. I also received my RFT on 8/21/17. Last steps for Visa on the US meaning everything went to China! 

My Article 5 was dropped off in Guangzhou at consulate on August 24th and will be picked up September 7th. I will then wait for TA (Travel Approval) an CA (consulate appointment). I should leave Oct. 11th but can't book tickets until I have my CA appointment. It could be Tuesday or Wednesday. Getting close to finishing the adoption. 

I also go before a board for a grant on September 5th. If I get the grant I will be 100% funded for the adoption!