Awesome Auction

Hello Everyone,
While most of you are likely getting your beauty rest.....I am burning the midnight oil.💤  When you have little ones, the only time I can write things, work on adoption paperwork, etc. is after they are asleep!  I just got done applying for another grant.😣  And I have another one sitting here beside me on the desk that I need to get done, but it's not going to be tonight.  Too tired and then I make stupid mistakes.  Unfortunately, the day after our auction had ended I received an email that we were denied one of the grants that I had previously applied for.  That is so disheartening when that happens.  But that is also the way applying for grants goes.  I heard or read somewhere that for every 10 grants you apply for, you may only get 3.  And that is why friends, I am still applying for more!!!!!
Thankfully our online auction was a HUGE success everyone!  What an exciting and unexpected surprise, and you all did that!!!!!  I can't thank all the individuals enough that graciously donated items to be auctioned off.  And then you bidders.....well that was fun to watch!  I hope you all had a good time with it as well.  Your winning bids are definitely blessing our adoption.  For those of you that have items from me, I hope to have them ready to ship out Monday or Tuesday this week.  

Oh and the 2nd T-shirt order was submitted last week too, for those of you that had ordered.

Adoption Process Update:
All of our documents have been logged into China since 9/5.  There they were being translated and have now moved into review.  Once they were all sent to China, we did ask for favor if China would consider expediting Ming's case.  Unfortunately China said no.  Their take on it was that he was receiving transfusions therefore not dying or medically frail. So my agency asked me to get ANOTHER letter from Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta explaining/education about the recommended treatment (which he is not getting), chelation management (not given in China), and potential organ and neurological risks/side effects when not being treated and managed properly.  (It was a very impressive letter by the way!  I can't wait to meet this nurse there and get to work with these leading specialists in Thalassemia.)  My agency was hoping to share this additional letter and plead our case to the Dr at the orphanage and ask them to speak with the CCCWA again.  I have not heard anything since this time, so if I don't see our LOA by the end of this week- then no expedite is being done on their side.😠  So pray for a speedy LOA (letter of acceptance).  This is what we need next from China in order to move to the next step(I800).  It is getting so much closer everyone........I'm starting to feel anxious about just how close it really is!
A couple people have asked me, "Aren't you afraid?"  I think they usually are referring to his medical condition or the stage of politics between our countries.....?  My response is usually, "No, I'm really not."  But if I am totally honest......., my #1 fear is coming up with the finances to complete this adoption.  Sad isn't it?  I wouldn't be feeling as anxious or stressed if it wasn't for that burden that I am carrying. But I have faith He has led us to this boy, our son; and HE will make a way.  I'm not sure what it is right now, but I also never would have thought that you all would have rallied around us to complete our puzzle fundraiser or this online auction as you did!  So thank you village.  You are amazing, and we are humbled and honored to be able to share our journey with you all.  Thank you for believing in us, and wanting to be a part of this special little boy's story.💙

I know there was some other things I wanted to update you on, but right now I'm drawing a blank💭
Ming's 3rd birthday is coming up here in October, so I'm working on trying to find another family that will be traveling soon to China/GZ to deliver our family's photo book to our in-country guide.  That's a picture of the front cover, at the top of this post.  We plan to have set up, that the guide will deliver a birthday cake and goodies enough for a group of the children and their ayis to share and celebrate his birthday.  There he will give Ming our photo book, in hopes that the ayis will look at it with him and help prepare his little heart and mind over the next couple months before meeting us.  

Continue to keep us and the adoption process in your prayers, if you would please.  Share our posts/blog posts/adopttogether site with your friends and family.  The adopttogether site is still up and running as well as our PayPal account for any donations.  

I think I'm going to turn in guys.  I'm tired!!!! 😴   Sweet dreams!