A family’s love for a child begins long before his or her first breath is taken or the first cry is heard. Our love for Paige began in September of 2004 when we signed the adoption application with Children's Hope International.Long before Paige was born, her waiting family (Kevin, Carla, Chelsea and Haley) began to pray and prepare for her journey home. Many months, even years, have passed since the application was approved. Birth and marriage certificates were ordered. Passports renewed, seminars attended, documents notarized, certified and authenticated, all as a part of the journey to bring our baby Paige home.
As we mailed our completed dossier to Children’s Hope International and then on to China in September of 2005, we began to wonder where our little Paige could be. Is she still developing in the womb of her birth mother? Is she being cared for in an orphanage? Are her little ears hearing sounds that will always remind her of her culture? How long will it take to bring her home? All of those questions could only be answered over time.
Fifteen months have passed since China approved our dossier and we still ask the same questions. However, Paige's journey home is drawing close. Another month, or maybe two, and we will see her picture for the first time. We will know her age and where she was born. A beautiful face can be remembered as we pray, "Lord, protect our little Paige. Keep her safe and healthy under the care of those who are assigned to her. Lord, whisper in her ear, your journey home is almost here. Your forever Mom, Dad and sisters are only a few months away."
We expect our referral by the middle of March and then our travel to China by the end of May. The journey home for Paige is almost here. The love that has been building for two and a half years will finally be poured upon Paige from her forever family.
--Kevin Shelton, CA
http://paigesjourneyhome.blogspot.com/
