In an attempt to organize my own thoughts (hashtag/parenthesis...If I appear calm and collected in any way- online or otherwise- please just know that is a lie. My brain is busy and functioning in high alert keeping my eyes enlarged pretty much all day, every day.)
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Here are the answers to the most popular questions asked in person or elsewhere recently....
Please do not expect complete sentences.
The very last of our adoption paperwork is with the Chinese government and will be picked up soon. Then we are just waiting on official TRAVEL APPROVAL.... yay! Pret-ty exciting.
Except... there's still a big giant unknown in when we will actually travel. If we get travel approval before December 20th, we have every intention of hopping on a plane within 48 hours to make the very last day possible of meeting Lincoln this year.
It would take a bit of a miracle, and it would be fairly chaotic, but my spirit just won't let me give up on that hope. Not yet. We dig adventure and this is the scenario we are praying fervently for.
Because there is a holiday in China January 1-3, meeting her the next week is not an option.
THEN because Chinese New Year is the end of January and everything will be closed again... there are only two days we could possibly meet her in January. It's all very up in the air and it's a wee bit stressful... the not knowing.
We are preparing to leave in a little more than two weeks, just in case one last miracle occurs... but trying to go with the flow. We know it has already been decided anyway.
The other side of that, is that airline prices are going up up up all the time. And booking at the last minute will be even more expensive. We are prayerfully planning for those expenses. And if you are casually browsing flights to China, please stop -- ha. Prices are raised when it is the believed that there is increased interest. So, you know, maybe even email the airline and be like, "I don't care if you lower the flights to zero, I am never going to China!". It might work?
Related note: In all serious, if you have airline miles or hotel points that your heart is telling you to donate, we will accept and help you fulfill your heart's desire.
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If you haven't heard, we have a matching grant!!
EVERY DOLLAR donated will be doubled! Up to $2,000!
Kicker- it's over tomorrow.
We are still just over $7K short of being funded (depending on travel/airfare) and if you are looking for somewhere for your year end tax-deductible gift, here's your shot!
DONATE HERE. Every dollar doubled!!
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Able. is still available and makes a great Christmas gift!
**As of today** the price has been permanently lowered! Thank you all for recognizing that the initial price of the book was helping bring Lincoln home and for purchasing in honor of her! Any royalties made from the book (trust me, it isn't much LOL) would arrive too late to benefit her adoption and the price has been lowered to recognize that. Also, in about 48 hours, it will be available digitally on Kindle!
It isn't perfect, and maybe someday we will do a follow up more professionally, but we believe in it and the need for it right now. So please continue to buy and share at these new reduced prices!! Continue to acknowledge and celebrate differences! Everyone is able :)
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We are racking our brains on how to raise the rest of the money. Not knowing how much time we have is making it tricky. Should we try another cupcake sale in an other area? Should we have an online auction? What do I have that you want? What can I make for you?
I saved all my holiday and collector edition Barbies in their boxes (including Midge's Wedding Party from before I was born AND an original 1984 Cabbage Patch still in the box that my mom almost went to jail for). Saved 'em right so I could be a millionaire someday, only to find they are worth practically nothing. (hashtag/parenthesis... side eye for all us 80's babies.)
Open to ideas and suggestions and more than anything else- open to prayer. I know it's been a constant request. Maybe it will be a George Bailey situation and God will be like "What is all this chatter about the West family?! Let's do this once and for all." (Hashtag/parenthesis... I have so many fake conversations with people and airlines and God.) But it won't be because we don't know what we already have. WE KNOW.
I would rather do just about anything than fundraise. It hurts my soul more than you can imagine. But for her....
We have to do what we have to do to get this baby home. We have to participate in the miracle. We are SO close. I will make so many promises to pay you back in whatever way I can because she is worth it.
Everything feels weird and confusing right now, but THAT I know.
THANK YOU. FOR EVERYTHING.
As hard and long as this process has been, we have truly loved using this experience to contract/expand our village. <3 p="">
