Letter of Acceptance

Yesterday, we received news that China had sent our Letter of Acceptance to our agency. This is a big deal, because it means Jilei is officially assigned to us! This letter helps us establish a more accurate time line as to when Keith will leave for China to get our boy. Sept. is still our best guess but it may be Oct., but at least we are making progress. We also got a rather new photo, although he looks so serious. I'm glad we have some others with him smiling!

Now after months of anxious waiting we have a flurry of activity as we file paperwork for immigration, then work with the Visa Center, after those steps are done things head back over to China for them to issue a document called an article 5 (think X-Files, it's very mysterious, no one seems to know what it really is!). Finally after all the t's are crossed and i's dotted they will issue a travel invitation and our agency can schedule a consulate appointment in China. Sounds rather easy doesn't it? NOT! Each step will take approx. 2 weeks or more. And one thing I know, if you think the good old U.S.A. has a bureaucracy try working with China, Ahhhhh!

We do have to nail down a name for our boy, I thought of first name Lee and middle name Ji. Put together you would basically have his original name JiLei, but no one seems to go with me on that one. Other suggestions are Jilei for the first name, but try saying that with surname Knisely, Jilei Knisely. I just think he'll spend the rest of his life spelling and having people ask him about his name. So the other choice is first name William and middle name Jilei. William is the name of Keith's favorite Grandfather and also his brother. This way we can call him whichever name he prefers. Well, we have to decide in the next day or so. It must be on documents we submit.

Happy Birthday Jilei!

It seems appropriate to write for the first time in our blog, as it is Jilei's 10th birthday. We've been told any birthday gift we send him at this point would be held back by his orphanage, as they don't tell the kids about their adoptions until just before the family travels to get them. I suppose that is very logical considering travel will still be months away, but my Mothers' heart is not very understanding!
Perhaps I should start though by introducing Jilei (or Lee as we call him). Last summer several social workers from our agency traveled to Shanghai to take part in a very special camp called, "Journey of Hope". While there they had the opportunity to visit and interview just a small group of orphans. The children even put on a talent show for their guests. The social workers took notes, pictures, and video of the children they met now the real work began, finding forever families for 48 special needs children!
Keith was taken with Jilei right away, and I love any orphan I look at, so we asked about Jilei, and asked about him, and asked about him. Three times we asked and three times we were told another family planned to adopt him. Finally after several months of going back and forth, we were ready to throw in the towel. We decide to ask one last time and found out the other family changed their mind and Jilei was indeed available! I think we learned a lesson from this, while it's easy for us to say three strikes you're out, Christ our Savior will never close the door on us. Whatever is in our Father's Will he will make happen, and if he wants an orphan to have a home he will make that happen too whether we ask once or a hundred times!
So here is what we know about are boy,he just turned 10~~~TODAY! He is in the 5th grade and is a good student especially in Math. He often scores in the 90th percentile and the Math teacher is his favorite teacher. He is the youngest in his class but the smartest. He likes to play computer games but sadly doesn't get an opportunity to. He is shy around adults but more outgoing with his friends. Jilei gets along very well with other children his own age.He enjoys outdoors and nature. He knows a little basic English. I have heard that when it gets close to time for travel they do put them in an English class. His favorite color is blue and he likes spicy foods.
The sad part: Jilei was abandoned at a hospital at age 4. His birthdate is just a guesstimate made by a doctor. The orphanage reports that he sometimes seeks comfort and attention and they are limited in what they supply.The orphanage hopes that with his adoption he can have more of the love and concern he deserves. I'm sure we can accommodate!