Referrals and Sophie

I remember when we waited for Lily that I loved referral times. I loved reading when other people got their referrals. The first time that I saw one on the computer I burst into tears. I knew that someone had just found out about their daughter/son. I still love referral time. It is so exciting to see the pictures and to hear the family's excitement. It was a little different when we were waiting on Lily's referral. Things were much more predictable than they are now. China was referring a month to a month and a half of Log in Dates each month. Then they started referring two months each month. We had initially anticipated that we would wait 12 months but we only waited 6. It was amazing when the time frame decreased so dramatically. Now the opposite is happening. For the last few months and including this month, China is referring 7 days or 5 business days of Log in Dates each month. The families with log in dates in the 2nd week of November 2005 just got their referrals. What does this mean for us? At this point the wait times continue to increase. We are told that this trend will probably continue. We are expecting at least a 2 year wait. I am looking forward to and praying for the time when referrals stabalize and hopefully speed up. Staying busy with Lily helps but we think about Becky each and every day.

On a happier note, our friend Ginger Stringer and her daughter, London are in China now. Walt is at home in Louisiana with Victoria and Sydney who was adopted not long after Lily. Ginger and London met the newest member of their family late last night China time/early this morning US time. Her name is Sophie and she is 3 1/2 years old. They are asking for prayers so that the transition will go as smoothly as possible. If you would like to follow their journey, please go to http://www.StringersInChina.com. You can e-mail them through the sight and let them know if you are praying for them or how their adoption journey touches you. London is sending the pictures and Walt is adding the commentary...he is hilarious!!! Enjoy their special journey! We are blessed to call them friends!