Travel Approval (TA)

Kalyn here we come!

Our Travel Approval was issued by China on Christmas Eve - unbeknownst to us - and arrived at our agency on Monday Dec 29. Wow! Wow!

Prayers answered.  AGAIN!

God is in control. He has shown his mighty power many times over the past 13 months.   We took a leap of faith in November 2013, strapped ourselves in for a ride, and prayed for God to take control.  He has lead us, called us, and we have prayerfully and faithfully answered the call. Praising HIM!

Psalm 31:14 - "But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.'"

The journey to Kalyn's beautiful birthplace of China will begin in just 29 days! January 29th we fly high!!!!

Kalyn - your daddy, mommy, and big brother Jeremiah will wrap our arms around you on February 2nd to love you forever and ever!  Be ready because February 12th when we arrive back home your big sisters will be more than ready to love you too (with a few hundred hugs and kisses)!

More updates to come as we pack our bags for the MISSION TRIP OF A LIFETIME.

If you feel called to help BRING KALYN HOME our families Pure Charity fundraiser ends January 1, 2015 and will help us with final expenses that are due now. Donations are tax deductible and can be given until midnight on January 1st.

https://www.purecharity.com/hahn-family-adoption

Thank you for your prayers and please continue to Pray.  May God's Peace Be With You well into the new year! Sending love from our family to yours. Happy New Year! 

Happy Dance!

WE ARE SO CLOSE!  We got the most amazing email at 2:30 am Thursday morning--it was a beautiful site! An email from the US Consulate in China. They have issued Kalyn's Article 5 immigration paperwork with no delays!!! Next, our agency will deliver the Article 5 and Letter of Seeking Confirmation to the China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA), which will issue our Travel Approval (TA). **When we receive Travel Approval we will officially book our flight tickets and KNOW our GO TIME!**
 



HAPPY DANCE!!!

 

Thanks for continuing to pray for our adoption. Most importantly over the next few weeks please pray for our family, especially Kalyn, as God prepares our hearts to become a family of six.

 

 

Check out this video of Chongqing City where we will be traveling to pick up Kalyn. It's a HUGE municipality and that is an understatement.

There is a lot of people, a lot of commerce, and a lot of TRAFFIC! 

 

鸟瞰新重庆（2012版）(A Bird's Eye View of Chongqing, China: http://youtu.be/Q5OXcsHydPY

Kalyn, we will see your handsome smile in person very soon!

******************************************************************************

For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." - John 6:33

*    Merry Christmas!    *    Jesus is BORN!   * 

Source:

theiowarepublican.com

 

 

It's Getting REAL!

It’s getting REAL! We received some last few pictures Friday. This will be our final set of pictures before we hold Kalyn in our arms. The LAST UPDATE means your close to travel. EEEK!

 

This week has been amazing!

 

We heard that we received another adoption grant, had Article 5 drop Thursday Dec 4, final update Friday Dec 5, and scheduled a travel phone call for Dec 11. WOW!  Article 5 - is one of the last steps in our adoption process before travel. Our documents have now been delivered to the U.S. Consulate in China to be reviewed. What is an Article 5?

• The Article 5 establishes the U.S. obligation for the adoption--Consulate Representatives verify our information as prospective adoptive parents to ensure that we are both eligible and suitable to adopt, and that we have been counseled as necessary regarding our adoption, and that Kalyn will be authorized to enter and reside permanently in the U.S.

No travel dates have been set or confirmed as of now. We are now waiting on Travel Approval which can take quite a few weeks. Loose ends are being tied up in China. We've have to wait for the intricate weaving of paperwork to be complete.

 

We received a letter in the mail Friday from the Topeka Community Foundation... "Congratulations! Your application has been selected receive a grant award from the Building Families Fund to assist with the expenses of adopting your child." WOW! We are truly blessed to have such generous donors to the Building Families Fund and blessed that our family was chosen for a $4,000 grant. THANK YOU SO MUCH! WOW!

 

 When we started this journey to Kalyn, funding his adoption was not on the top of our priority. For many reasons we felt that God would always provide. HE has provided for our family from day one and we are confident that he has been present in our adoption journey as well. Through adoption grants from the Forever Families Foundation & Topeka Community Foundation, fundraising, ONE LESS t-shirt sales, working extra hours, saving like crazy we have been able to pay $26,000 of the $34,000 needed. Many people have given their prayers, time, and resources to help us on our journey and we THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

 

Keep the prayers coming, we have big events coming soon and will need a lot of prayers. We have no doubt that God has a plan for how the next few months will unfold. It is hard to put feelings it into words.

All we know is that JESUS' LOVE MOVES MOUNTAINS AND CROSSES OCEANS!

 

Kalyn we are on our way!

 

 

 

 

 

More Baby Steps...

THANKFUL FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, and WHAT OUR FUTURE HOLDS

We made some adoption progress during the Thanksgiving Holiday!

1. We finished Kalyn's VISA application...
2. We finished preparing Kalyn's room to share with big brother...
3. We are beginning to think about packing our bags...
4. We are brushing up on the agency's travel meeting and travel guide...
5. We have purchase the last few gift items we will take to China for Kalyn's nannies, our travel guides, and the orphanage director(s).
6. We continue to apply for more adoption grants...

The next few weeks will go by fast and over the next few months we will see GOD's work as he his plan for our family unfolds.

** No exact travel dates yet, but as soon as we hear from China and are given the golden ticket we will be on a jet plane!!!!

Please pray for Kalyn to remain healthy as he waits for us, efficiency in the last bit of paperwork preparation, favor in the hearts of adoption grantors, and patience for our family (especially anxious momma).

The brothers will share a room --- BROTHERS FOREVER!
The Puzzle Fundraiser brings the most memorable PANDA décor and centerpiece for the room

Just a little personalization

 

Our Panda Puzzle Fundraiser Update! The Panda puzzle has 1,000 pieces. Through many fundraisers we were able to label each of the 1,000 pieces with the initials of those who donated. More than $10,000 has been raised to HELP BRING KALYN HOME!

 

Thank you to those who have given their time, talents, and financial gifts during the last year:

 

Garage Sales

T-Shirt Sales

Adoption Sunday Luncheon & Bake Sale

Selling Garden Veggies

Tupperware Fundraiser

Premier Jewelry Show

AdoptTogether

4 Ever Families Foundation

Aluminum Can Recycling

Thrivent Financial

 

 

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Phillipians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Kalyn, just a blink of an eye and we will be there!

A Father's Perspective: What is ADOPTION?

Written by Daddy

     As I set here this evening observing my wife and children react to adoption stories I began to ponder: What is Adoption?  If you are like my wife while reading the first sentence you are probably thinking: Whoa this dude is off his rocker that ship has already sailed!  But I would ask that you entertain my thoughts. 

    To help set the stage I will give you a little perspective of what has happened through our journey.  Last October Krista came home from a Women’s Retreat not professing the Gospel but professing that we should adopt.  Blew my mind, I know.  Not sure how we go from Jesus to adopt in one weekend but after 12 years of marriage when the wife says jump you say “How high!”  Then the application, then choosing International or domestic, then the country/location, then learning that we had to switch countries due to some minor issues, and then homework.  All that was in the first month or two of the adoption process.  Next we started the “Home Study,” waited for the “Home Study” to be finished and submitted, translated, and began the Immigration/Homeland Security checks.  Then a long wait, letter of intent for Kalyn, long wait, China saying yes and now a short wait on Immigration and Visas.  In the next few days, weeks, months we should be completing Article 5 (another unknown adoption term), TA (travel Approval), booking flights, “traveling on a Jet Plane,” Gotcha day, few other things then back home.  As you can see quite a long ordeal as some would say.  The short version is that Jesus spoke to Krista at a Women’s retreat through a social worker named Sharon, then a lot of papers were filled out and many months went by only to have a son find us so we can travel to bring him home. 
   
    WOW, what a story…. Right.  What I so happened to leave out is the “What is Adoption” part.  Adoption is a whole lot of paperwork and wait but most importantly it is one, two, three or more people experiencing every range of EMOTION one can think of.  This EMOTION can be split in two categories: “the WIFE” and then “the Husband.”  So here it goes, I hope I have her emotional perspective correct.

    “the WIFE:”  This journey began with a renewed excitement: exuberance, exhilaration, delightment, and a jubilation of what was to come.  Then came the nerves, the nervousness that ensued when having to tell her husband of the plan.  Then defense mechanisms started to kick in but were suddenly halted by confusion.  The confusion of what her husband had just said.  Could he have lost his mind, not heard her or was he giving an honest answer.  He does of course like to Josh around when serious matters are discussed.  Next came months of frustrations, mountains of paperwork, the feeling of being afraid, the “What if’s,” the excitement, tears of frustration, tears of joy, exhaustion and even anger at times.  I believe these emotions came in waves since October of 2013.  At times the kids and I would utter “I love you” under our breaths to see what kind of response we would get.  This allowed us time to run if needed.  Through this journey she has been the rock to get us through each mountain of paper work and the glue to keep us together.  Women have an unique way of going through each emotion often some emotions all at the same time and my wife is no different.  Even though God mentions that he fashioned Eve from Adam’s rib I am not sure men can even come close to our beautiful counter parts in the Emotion department. 

Daddy's READY!

      “the Husband:”  My wife often makes claims that I am so emotionless during this whole process but I could argue otherwise.  As a Father we go through a vast range of emotions such as happy, mad, frustrated, and indifferent.  All joking aside we as men do go through a vast array of emotions but we often do not express them openly.  I can remember back the day we gave birth to our first son, Jeremiah, let’s say that day was filled with so many emotions.  As I write this the emotions begin to flow over me.  That day was filled with exhaustion, excitement, being scared when they said “Emergency C-Section,” helplessness (I could not help my wife, there was nothing I could do to fix it), and then the moment when he arrived.  WOW as a father there is nothing more AWESOME then when your child is born.  I could not hold back the tears.  A father’s love, that’s when I understood how much our father GOD loves us.  As with each new pregnancy and child a new set of emotions passes through a father.  Karah was the first “Princess” that stole her father’s heart and continues to tug at it.  I would often ask myself how I could have enough love for another child after Jeremiah.  I never really knew or understand the answer to that question until Karah was born.  I asked myself the same question when Jennah was on the way.  Along with the question of how I could love two daughters as much as just one.  Then Jennah was born while in the middle of achieving my dream of becoming a Veterinarian.  She gave me the drive and determination to complete my dream. 

 

 How could you not love something as cute as my “Love Bug.” While this process has been different it has yet again brought up more questions and emotions.  Love is not a question I know and truly feel that Kalyn is my SON.  Each day my love for him grows stronger and stronger.  As this process progresses new questions arise for me as I would suspect for many other fathers.  How can I provide for this child and how can I protect him/her from adversity or do I embrace adversity.  These questions evoke fear for many of us husbands/fathers.  We often judge our abilities by how we provide for our families.  Since it is beyond my understanding to have known the answers to these questions I must allow GOD to provide for my family and me.  Each will bring about new hurdles and I will rely on GOD to give me strength to face it. 

    To wrap things up: What is Adoption?  It is the ability for one, two, three or more people to allow EMOTIONS to enter their life and pour out LOVE toward another human being.  What is Adoption without EMOTIONS and LOVE….. it’s all just a pile of papers.  As  I wrap this up I am reminded of a couple things.  First of all God loved us so much that he gave his one and only son to die for our sins.  This is powerful, and shows us that there is an eternal bond between a father and his son/children.  Also I am reminded of the song “Jesus Loves Me.”  Every parent at one time or another has sung it to their children.  The first stanza goes something like this:   
                    

Jesus loves me this I know

For the bible tells me so

Little ones to him belong

They are weak but he is strong!

As the song states we are his children, we are weak but we must rely on him for strength.  I could not endure this adoption process without GOD being on my side.  Also Krista you are my ROCK and to Jeremiah, Karah, Jennah, and Kalyn I could not be any more PROUD to say I am your DAD! 

Kalyn's Immigration APPROVED!

We are so excited another step completed! Our application for Kalyn's immigration was provisionally approved on November 19th. The same day we celebrated my niece's first birthday. Wow, BIG DAY!  Yeah!!!

The next step is to apply for Kalyn's VISA. We will update you all again once that step is complete.  We are SO CLOSE!

In the mean time we know GOD will provide the last few thousand priceless dollars we need for in country costs. 

All in HIS time!

Blessings to you all...

Patience....

I found this online the other day. It sure does bring a waiting mama some peace...

 

Chinese Visas are HERE!

Source of image: China Panda Visa

Our Chinese Visa's arrived last Thursday! Yay! One step closer to being ready to fly when China says GO!

The process to secure a Chinese visa is essential for our family's travel to China. We will be guests of Kalyn's birth place and this is one of the requirements to travel in-country. A visa is just a sticker within our passports that allows for entry into China as a tourist and for the Hahn Family Adoption. It was yet another form we filled out, waited, and were approved. Our visas are valid for a one year and multiple entries into the country. 

Next, we are waiting on the United States to approve Kalyn's immigration. We are praying for accurate and steady processing of our application. Then on to the last few minor steps until TRAVEL APPROVAL and JET PLANE!!!

******************************************

As we get closer to bringing Kalyn home we would like to share with you some of the Chinese culture and the beauty of his birth place. PANDA COUNTRY! Home of the world famous Yangtze River.

Source of Image: Yangtze River Tours

Kalyn is currently living in Chongqing (Chungking) China, one of the largest municipalities located in southwest China -- population of 28.8 million. Yep that's MILLION...! One of the fastest growing metropolis in the world. Lots of people, lots of buildings, lots of cars and lots of pollution! Kalyn's orphanage is actually outside the city in rural Chongqing away from the busyness of city life.

Source of image: commons.wikimedia.org

 

 

 

Chongqing is known for as the origin of the famous HOT POT which is East Asian's version of stew. It actually is a simmering metal pot of stock at the center of the dining table that you place ingredients into then cook as you like. Most hot pot's consist of thinly sliced meat, leafy veggies, mushrooms, wontons, egg dumplings, and seafood. Thank you wikipedia! Hot pot meals are often eaten in the winter during supper time. Our family eats them anytime of the year. They are delightful! Mommy and daddy actually went on a double date recently with some great friends and had a wonderful time eating a hot pot for the first time at Happy Valley, MHK! YUM!

Source of image: chinatours.de

  "It's easy to let days fly by without taking notice to the world around you. 

Life is beautiful. 

Soak it in, think about it and BE GRATEFUL!" - unknown author

A Fathers Perspective

A Fathers Perspective:

Just another Acronym…….

Wow what a couple of weeks!  Last week at the beginning we received “Match Reviewed” often called “Soft LOA.”  Now we have received the “Hard LOA.”  “LOA” what in the world could that mean.  Well since it took 68 days or as Krista would say “68 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 26 seconds, and 39 miliseconds,” I should know what it means.  For those of you who are not in the loop it means “Leaving On Airplane…...soon” or also referred to as “Letter of Approval/Aceptance.”  It is the legal paper that formally approves us to adopt Kalyn from China.  HE IS OURS and will soon be in our arms!!!

All joking aside this is the culmination of the Adoption process for those who adopt from Countries such as China.  A few post ago Krista started referring to this process as a “Paper Pregnancy” which seems to be the gestation period of an Elephant (approximately 2 years).  This hard LOA is the start of the false labor pains.  We now have lots of paperwork, securing funds, and making travel arrangements to finish out this process.  Immigration approval from our Government will be the next small hurdle and then on to the “TA” (Travel Approval).

This process has been quite an ordeal.  We pray for a speedy process of our Immigration paperwork and that the TA comes soon after.  We have been very blessed to have your continued support.  Stay tuned for the next update!

Over a period of 10 business days this AMAZING Letter will have traveled ~17,364 miles all the way from China, to our agency, to our home, then back to our agency and over to China again!

Yes, we accept the adoptee!

Kalyn you will no longer be an orphan, you are loved!

 

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

 ~ 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

 

LOVE Unconditionally

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." -John 14:18

This video speaks volumes... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsf_z4urc4s&sns=em

PRAY...ADOPT...INVEST...FOSTER...ADOCATE...SUPPORT...GO!

November is National Adoption Month

The Braxton Hicks Have Begun!!!

We have SOFT LOA. Say what? The translation...CHINA SAID YES!!! The China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption has reviewed our dossier/application and our match to Kalyn. They have approved our family to adopt Kalyn. We are ecstatic, floating on cloud 9, and doing the happy dance. WOOHOO!

In comparison to a pregnancy (we're paper pregnant) our braxton hicks contractions have begun. We have just a little bit of paperwork left to complete --- applying for Kalyn's immigration, request China visa's for daddy, mommy, & big brother, and pack our bags -- and we will be a family of six!!! We could be on a jet plane flying to China soon, very soon! Dates to be determined...

On a special note - we would like to take time and thank Forever Families Foundation from the bottom of our hearts and beyond. They gifted our family with a $1,250 grant towards Kalyn's adoption! We are so honored to be selected as a grant recipient.



 "The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to Christian families that the Lord has led to the adoptions process." (Source: http://www.4everfamiliesfoundation.org/#!)

We encourage you to visit the website and learn about the amazing work done by the Forever Families Foundation. An organization that is generous, loving, and providing families with financial assistance to help offset the costs of both domestically and international adoption. ##feelingblessed

THANK YOU FOREVER FAMILIES FOUNDATION!

 PRAY.ADOPT.ADVOCATE.INVEST

DEFEND THE FATHERLESS

November 2nd - ORPHAN SUNDAY

For more resources, information, and ways to RESPOND visit: http://orphansunday.lifelinechild.org/ 

Thank you for your prayers and continued encouragement. The waiting has been hard...but we are near the end and about to begin a new chapter in our lives. We are reminded often that God is in control...we just need to sit back and let him take the reigns!

Blessings to you!

Happy 18 Month Birthday Kalyn!

Today Little Brother Kalyn turned 18 months old! Some goofy siblings are wishing him a happy 1 1/2 year old birthday from 7,000+ miles away! We love you Kalyn!!!! ###afamilyinlove

*******

On the adoption front. We are continuing to wait for our LOA (Letter of Acceptance) from China. One if the longest, hardest waits for some adoptive families. The average wait times have been blown out of the water lately by some very awesome families who waited 100+ days for China to accept their application and okay their adoptions. Wow!

God give our family, especially mommy,  patience. Prepare our hearts during this time to welcome Kalyn with open arms...Amen.

Quote of the day: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Until next time...blessings to you all!

***Posted this from a blogger phone app to see if it's possible...##preparingforchinatravel***

ONE LESS ORPHAN

Make an IMPACT....Support the CAUSE...2 families...2 countries...2 children that will no longer be orphans!

The Hahn Family are adopting from China and the White Family are adopting from Haiti. We are celebrating ORPHAN SUNDAY on November 2nd at church together and are encouraging... you to TAKE ACTION! Order a t-shirt today and spread the word about adoption & help bring our kiddos home!

 

$20/each**

Please email our family at plusonehahn@gmail.com if you'd like to join our mission!

These are SOFT grey shirts and we have SIZES for the WHOLE FAMILY

 YXS, YS, YM, YL, YXL, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X

 

If you would like your shirt to wear on ORPHAN SUNDAY, Nov 2nd 2014, please order no later than October 20th. We will be accepting orders through November 16th for a second shipment.

 

**additional $3 suggested donation for shipping; ordering more than 2 we will use a priority box for $12. Local folks - no shipping charges.

 

BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!!!

 

 

LIVE Generously

We joined our church family to create a Thrivent Action Team. Together, we donated over $700 in specialized medical supplies & toys to China orphanages. Our adoption agency's medical mission trip went to China in early September and brought the donations we collected as gifts for the orphans. For those who donated...THANK YOU for giving to support the (un)adopted!

Here are some pictures and an update from Lifeline Children’s Services about their mission trip to China:

“The medical team has recently returned from Chongqing, China after an amazing trip. The team saw about 80 children in three partnership orphanages as well as had the opportunity to love on and thank the nannies and staff who care for the children. Besides seeing the children the team also enjoyed dinner with a few officials from Civil Affairs and a beautiful hike through a rural village. Hope you enjoy a few pictures from the team's time in China. Thank you for the prayers while the team was gone. If you would like to join a medical team in 2015 please email Katie Beaton with Lifeline Children's Services." (katie.beaton@lifelinechild.org)

 Join a THRIVENT ACTION TEAM today and 

take action on a cause you care about!

 

Lifeline's China Medical Mission Trip Team - September 2014

Loving the orphans and updating medical records

A volunteer Doctor examining an orphan

Members of the Medical Mission Team

Box of gifts from our Thrivent Action Team

Supplies for the orphanage donated by our Thrivent Action Team and one other Lifeline Family

Babies playing on play mats purchased with gifts of money sent from our Thrivent Action Team (faces "loved" out for privacy)

Update from China & Pictures!!!

We received some wonderful news this past week from China. Our adoption agency sent a medical mission team to China for one week at the beginning of September. They were able to visit our son's orphanage. We received pictures and a medical update. All is well with our handsome little tyke!


Big sister is especially excited to donate some boy clothes to the orphanage

Those brown eyes melt our hearts!

Check out that hair do!

We are anxious to hear from China and our letter of approval, but anticipate waiting a bit longer. Before we know it, we will be to China and back bringing Kalyn Home!

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##FEELING BLESSED

 

Our Premier Jewelry Party brought in over $300 in free jewelry for Kalyn's Nannies and the many other women guides we will have in China. It is customary that we bring gifts to those we encounter.  Thank you to awesome Jeweler Bridgette and all of the ladies who  purchased jewelry - the nannies will LOVE the jewelry we picked for them. THANK YOU!!!

Grandma Meri, Grandma Terri, Auntie Keilah, Megan, Amanda, Lorena, Becky, Norma, Melissa, Megan, Kimberly, Carla, Mary Beth, Stacy, Karen, Beth, Kathy, & Deb

**Bonus - We also received over $300 donated toward Kalyn's Adoption Fund as comission from the sales.

 

 

 

We've started our next fundraiser. Do you like tupperware, do you need a replacement container, do you need a new water bottle?

Visit our Tupperware "Bring Kalyn Home" Fundraiser page and

shop for yourself -- shop for gifts -- shop for fun!

 

This fundraiser brings 40% comission on sales and orders can be shipped directly to your home!

 



Tupperware fundraiser for Kalyn is available October 1 - 15, 2014