Catching Up

It has been a ridiculously long time since I've blogged and soooooo much has happened since the last post....almost everything has happened and it's been wonderful!! There have been US approvals, and then an Indian state approval (from the state she's in saying they okay us to adopt her--this is the 'ARC'), and then an approval from the Indian adoption unit (CARA--this approval is 'NOC'), and then we spent some time in court where on April 24th they officially declared her a VAUGHN!!! RUNA KAAVYA has held a place in our hearts for many, many months--years really, and now according to India she will forever hold a place in our family. We were super excited to get the news after months of anxiously waiting--praying nothing would go wrong. *I just wrote all that in a few sentences, but believe me--the last few months have been full of emotional ups and downs. So thankful that we are almost at the end of this ride and soon on to the emotional ups and downs that come with having a toddler who has just been taking from everything she's ever known to live with a family she doesn't know or understand. That'll be lots more words!!*
Unfortunately court closed for summer break before we were able to get the written orders saying she's ours. However, the first day back is June 6th and there are a few hearings for her orphanage and we're hoping our reps will be able to pick up Runa's adoption orders that day. That will then allow them to apply for her passport that usually takes about 10 days to get back. And then we can pick her up!!! This is where things get a little tricky because Kyle is taking a group of students to India the day school is out and will be staying there until June 15th. He has been given permission to stay in country where Eli and I could meet him and we could pick up Runa. Free ticket--perfect timing, etc. We wouldn't even mind just going and spending time there even if her passport isn't ready, but we don't want to leave Charlotte here without us for too long. We would REALLY love some prayer for everything to work out perfectly so we can pick her up by the end of June! Perfect timing would have been any time after we saw her adorable face, and I planned out different perfect scenarios so this is just the most recent, but I will gladly accept being able to hold her in 5 weeks or so!! It's so hard having no idea what and when this is going to happen. Relying on the strength of Jesus is about the only way I'm getting through this...and I'm so very thankful how far that has gotten me.
There has been so much I've missed blogging about that this all seems so to the point and easy breezy...but believe me it has not been, and I want to blog more sometime soon. But for now I wanted to update since our sweet friend Tracy Martin is doing another giveaway/auction for us and I felt like the blog needed updating for those who haven't followed from the beginning or aren't following our facebook page. Right now we're getting our travel money together so when they say it's time to go we will be ready!! The auction is on Tracy's instagram page and she's doing some VERY generous giveaways and auctions for scrap fabric beauties she's made and envelopes full of scraps you can make things with. There is also some great pyrex being auctioned off thanks to Elyse!! Check it out and if you're able, bid on the beautiful things that will 100% help us with Runa's medical exam and visa that have to be done before we can head home.
We love you guys and appreciate all the prayer and support over the last few months--we could never have gotten this far without all of you!!!