Two more wake-ups

I think it is starting to sink in! We are leaving in less than 48 hrs! The suitcases are almost filled. The shopping is done......I hope. My parents are on their way to our house to watch the kids. Thank you to all of you who have left messages recently. I am still in recovery mode from being sick but I greatly appreciate hearing from you!! Also, I want to thank Brenda, a very dear lady from my church, who has translated a letter to Sarah's foster parents for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you Brenda!!! This means so much to me to be able to share a little of our hearts and life with them. Of course, we will not know if they ever receive the letter. All we can do is ask the orphanage officials to deliver the gifts we have brought for them. I pray they will receive them and the letter will bring peace to their hearts. As for Sarah, only seven more wake-ups.....precious daughter we can't wait!

5 days!!!!

Only 5 more days till we leave! We are scrambling to get ready because mom(me), who is never sick, has been sick since Sunday! We have clearance for travel from the doctor thank goodness. It seems I just have a viral infection with nose/sinus/ear congestion, lightheadedness and a fever. I am feeling much better today, I am just tired. Just picked up some medication in case I need it on the plane for my ears. I'm so glad to get over this before we travel. If we had been in China, Greg would have been Mr. Nurse and Mr. Mom. Please pray that I will not pass this on to anyone else! Okay, I'm off to clean, pack, and finish my shopping.

Andrew, Josh, and Hannah Update!

I just had to update my picture of these three together, the other one is from over a year ago. I asked them what they would say to Sarah if she could hear them right now. Andrew says "Sarah, I can't wait to see you and be funny when you come home and make you laugh!"
Josh says "Sarah, I love you! I hope you come home soon! I hope you have fun here!" Hannah says "Sarah, I can't wait to go to the park with you and have you sleep in my room with me!"

TWO WEEKS TO GO!

In just two short weeks, we will be boarding a plane headed for China! I have been praying for Sarah and her foster parents. I'm sure this transition that is so exciting for us is heart-wrenching for them. This is the only part that is so sad. As far as I know, Sarah has lived with her foster family since she was six weeks old. Her foster mother saved her life by taking her in when she was not growing and thriving in the orphanage. Her patience, devotion, and love is why Sarah is alive and well today. In Wuhan, adoptive parents are not allowed to meet foster parents. I have had months to prepare myself for this fact. We so enjoyed meeting Hannah's foster parents and I am heartbroken that we are not allowed to meet Sarah's. We sent disposable cameras in a care package and I am hoping to gain some insight of Sarah's first three years of life when we develop them. Although, I know they are careful to only take pictures of the foster child in their care, I pray they have been compelled to take a picture of Sarah with them too. We continually pray every need they have will be met, comfort for their hearts, and blessings to follow everywhere they go.
For Sarah, we pray that her heart is being prepared to join our family, that His peace will surround and guard her heart, and that she will know God is with her, giving her a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 "I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." The Message Bible

Let the countdown begin!!

We have booked our tickets and started our countdown! We leave for China on Wednesday, August 29th. We receive Sarah on Monday, September 3rd (our anniversary) and we arrive back in the USA on Wednesday, September 12th. Only 26 days till we hold Sarah in our arms and become the parents of four wonderful children.

TA! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA!

Yes! We officially have travel approval from China! Sarah your family is coming to bring you home. All the kids are dancing and singing TA! TA! TA! throughout the house. Due to Greg's work schedule it looks like we will be leaving the last week of August. Our gotcha day should be Monday September 3rd (our 13th anniversary)! Thank you Father God!!

Psalm 37:3 "Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Provision from heaven *Dancing on the rooftops*

We are so very excited, thankful, humbled, and grateful to announce that we have received a $4000 adoption grant to pay our airfare expenses!!!!!!!!! I just can't relay in words the feeling inside when the grant commitee notifies you that indeed you have been chosen as a grant recipient. Thank you to everyone at Gift of Adoption you are helping to make our dream come true. You are providing a child with her forever family. I pray that we will be the parents God has called us to be. I pray that any expectations I may have would be laid aside as we prepare to bring Sarah home. Father God your will be done. This adoption journey is incredible! As our pastor's wife always says "God's will = God's bill".