Conversation at USCIS

We went to get our fingerprints today, and I had an interesting conversation with my USCIS Representative...here's a summary of how it went (while getting my fingerprints done).

Him - So, I see you are adopting a child.   Where are you adopting from?

Me- A little girl from China.

Him- Is she younger or older than your daughter?   (He saw Iana was with us.)

Me- She is only 1 year.

There we chatted about how old my daughter was and their age differences; and how Iana was happy to be a helper, and wanted to help her new sister already...

Him- That is wonderful that your daughter wants to help.  She has compassion.   We need to be more like little children and have compassion, instead of thinking about ourselves so much.

Me- Yes, that's true.

Him- I hear that Chinese adoptions take a long time-many years.

Me- Ours won't be so long.   It will be fast...because she is special needs...(pause...I could see he was still interested)... she is blind.

Him-That is great that you will adopt her!!   That is compassion to adopt her, because I come from a 3rd world country and in my  home country and in China- a child that is born with something like that -once they are born their life is over.  Since I have come to America, I have found many people that are compassionate and want to adopt and help these children.   In my country, you would not find that.   They want everything just right about the child, and if it is not-they will not adopt the child.  

Me- Well, I read about her information and felt God was showing me to adopt her, and so I prayed about it, and felt very much that God would want us to adopt her.

Him- Oh' that's wonderful.   That's great.    People will kneel, pray, go to church, and what does it mean?   But saving a life-now, that means something.   (He then repeats about how one born with something wrong in China- that their life is over-and that by adopting her-we are saving her life).    

Me-  Well, God does say Pure and undefiled religion is this, helping widows and orphans in their trouble.

Him- Yes...what God would say, Buddha would also say....same thing.  

Me- Are you Buddhist?

Him- Yes, and they are the same...just need to love people.   God doesn't care if we love Him.   He is too big for that.    We just follow His example and Buddha's example.

Me- Hmmm...but God still wants to have a relationship with us.

Him- Yes, but in Buddhism, we keep going around and around, until we do good things.   Like what you are doing, this is a good thing to do (says this very assuredly).  

Some pauses here as I fill out info and he helps someone.   He also mentions how many opportunities there are for blind people in America...how many opportunities there are in America verses in China.

Me- (praying in my head)   May I tell you something?

Him- Yes.

Me - I know Buddha says we go around and around to do good things, but as a Christian, I believe that it is Jesus that does my good work for me.   That Jesus died on the cross for my sins, so that I can ask Him into my heart to forgive me, so that I can go to heaven.    And that it doesn't make me better to God if I do anything good, even like this adoption, that it isn't enough, that it's only what Jesus did that matters.

Then we chitty chat a bit about Christianity and Catholicism (which he had experience with).

And then it is time to leave.   

I have never been given the opportunity to share about Jesus to someone so easily.  It was handed to me on a silver platter.   I wonder if any more doors will open for people to hear about Jesus, because of Elsa?

USCIS Appt. Notice

We received our USCIS fingerprinting appointment notices in the mail!!

Our appointments are both set for next Tuesday the 27th.  

A few weeks after this-we should receive our I-797, the last document needed before our Dossier goes to China.   :)

Conversations with my almost 3 year old

We have been talking to Iana about when Elsa Mei gets here-and here are a few conversations we had today.


Me:  (While outside on the swing set).   When Elsa Mei gets here, you will want to let her swing in your blue swing-because it is especially for babies.

Iana:  (while swinging)  But this is Iana's swing.

Me:   Yes, but you have a big girl swing, and Elsa Mei is little-so she will need to go in the blue swing because it is safer for her.

Iana:  OK, Elsa Mei will ride in the blue swing... and Iana will push her.

***

Me:  When Elsa Mei gets here, are you going to help Mommy take care of her?

Iana:  When Elsa Mei gets here- Mama will not take care of her....Iana will take care of her.

***

Me:  (While arranging her room)   I'm making space in your room for an extra bed...so that Iana can have a bed and Elsa Mei can have bed.

Iana:  Mama doesn't need another bed... Elsa Mei will sleep with Iana in Iana's bed.

USCIS update & New Resources

According to our bank, USCIS (Immigration) just processed our check...so that means they are working on our paperwork!   Things are moving along... 

Also, I found a website last week written by a woman that adopted a blind baby.   It was wonderful to read all of her suggestions and thoughts.    She also recommended a few books.   I was wondering which books to read-and was so glad for her ideas.   I ordered a couple of them, and should have them soon (Reach Out and Teach: Helping Your Child Who Is Visually Impaired Learn and Grow by Kay Ferrell & Beginnings: A practical guide for parents and teachers of visually-impaired babies by Sheri Moore).

I am excited to read their smart ideas and suggestions from people that have gone on ahead of me-and learn from all their wealth of experience.

Also, I found a website devoted for blind folks- and there was a link where I can get free audios of the Bible and various Christian books.   It was wonderful to see all of the hard work that the Christian community has done for blind people, by making such a long list available-free of charge.

This same website also had so many resources for those who are blind, ranging from calendars to recipe books, among other things.    There are so many resources available, I was amazed. 

I am so thankful that I can learn from other people.   People that have lots of ideas and experience.    I felt encouraged that I am not alone in walking this path, that there are lots of people out there that have well-developed ideas and concepts on how to raise a blind child.  

It also reminded me of Hebrews 11, the "Hall of Faith", where the author describes various people who have walked in faith.    Just as I am encouraged by these folks who have raised blind children - this parallels how I can be encouraged by those Christians that have gone on before me.

He sums it up in Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith..." (italics mine).