First let me introduce our family.  We are Chip, Mendy and Jacob from Florida.  We are on an exciting journey to meet our daughter and sister, Joleigh Elizabeth.  We don’t even know what she looks like or how old she is or will be, but we pray for her all the time, especially her big brother, Jacob. 

Let me tell you our story.  All my life all I ever wanted more than anything in this world was to be a Mommy.  After several attempts to conceive, numerous surgeries and even an attempt with IVF, Chip and I decided that this wasn’t God’s plan for us to have a child on our own.  Adoption was our choice, not because it was the only way, but because that is what God’s plan was for our lives. 

In 1996, a dear precious family, the Crowe’s, called Chip and me about a young girl that wanted to give her child up for adoption.  Long story short, from January of 1997 until April 28, 1997 was a short time to prepare for the adoption of our first child.  We brought Jacob home on May 1^st and he has been a blessing ever since. 

Well Jacob, now 8, said to us that he was ready to get a sister.  Since we openly talked about his adoption thru the years, he knew we needed to start praying and seeking God’s will.  

In March, 2005, I was searching online for information about adoption and was being pulled more toward International adoption.  That night I ran across Florida Home Studies and Adoption out of Sarasota, FL.  I sat at the computer with tear filled eyes and prayed.  “Lord, I don’t know where to go, who to trust or what to do.”  I felt a peace come over me and submitted our information for additional information.  The next night, less than 24 hours, we received a phone call from a Family Resource Coordinator with FHSA.  Long story short again, Chip answered the phone that night and I was like----“Who is it?  What do they want?” because I knew it was about the adoption information.  Well, after Chip was finished answering her questions, I heard him say---“Rochelle, what a small world.”  Come to find out, the lady on the other end of the phone, who now lives in Arkansas, had gone to a little private school in Alabama with Chip and they hadn’t seen or spoken in over 20 years.  Now some may say coincidence, I say no way----it was GOD!  Well, that started our journey to Joleigh.  Rochelle was awesome with explaining all the facts and always answered any questions we had.  We decided after talking with her to go with the country of China.  So off we go not only to adopt our little girl from China, but off to a friendship with Rochelle and her family.

Our application was approved on March 18^th with FHSA and from there, things started happening.  We have seen God’s hand in every move we have made in this process.  We are hoping to have Joleigh home by the end of next April 2006 or May 2006. Only God knows.

Thank you for taking time to read our story and please pray for us as we wait for our Referral of Joleigh Elizabeth.

In Him,

Chip, Mendy and Jacob

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.

I Samuel 1:27

Below is the time line of our beginning journey:

March 18, 2005---Application approved with FHSA

March 25, 2005---Chip’s 37^th birthday

March 28, 2005---Contract with FHSA signed and sent

April 2005---------Begin Home Study and paperwork

April 21, 2005-----FDLE clearance

April 26, 2005----State Clearance

April 27, 2005----Physicals for Chip and Mendy

April 28, 2005----Jacob’s 8^th birthday

May 6, 2005------1^st home study visit with Amy Head, FHSA

May 9, 2005------Local background check clearance

May 14, 2005-----2^nd home study visit

May 16, 2005-----application filed with USCIS I600A

May 17, 2005-----3^rd visit to review the completed home study (My 37^th b-day)

May 23 2005-----Home Study completed and mailed

June, 2005-------sent off documents to TN, AL and FL for certification, after already having them notarized

June 14, 2005-----fingerprinted for I 171H in Jacksonville, Fl

July 2, 2005-------I171H arrived in mail. WOOHOO!

July 2-9, 2005----much needed vacation in the Smoky Mountains, TN

July 18, 2005------sent dossier to FHSA (exactly 4 months after starting)

July 19, 2005------sent for translation

July 22, 2005------DTC (dossier to China) I love these 3 letters!!!

August 8, 2005----LID (log in date) I love these 3 letters more! :0) 

September 24, 2006 -- STORK ALERT!!!!!

Now, to follow the rest of our journey, visit our Journal.

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