We spent a good amount of time at church today with friends of ours who just returned from China with their little bundle of joy. Her smiles were a balm for our aching hearts. The boys were all smiles, and as we we crammed our family of six into the small saturn (our van broke down the other day and is in the shop) there was a palpable excitement. Sharon turned to us as we pulled out of the parking lot and said, "I want one of those."
We are currently in a bit of a holding pattern as we wait for China to approve our travel. Following their approval we will send away for an appointment with the US consulate. The adoption will be finalized during our trip in Grace's home province of Jiangxi, but she officially becomes a US citizen at the consulate office in the Guangdong Province.
During the short wait - yes, short! - we are busy with a load of activities to ready the boys for school. Sharon has also been busy buying the load of medical supplies and baby supplies that we will be taking to China with us and that we will need during the first weeks or months we return. To make room for the travel supplies, don't be surprised if EVERY picture of me for the 16 day trip is in the same outfit. Ha! So glad the pictures won't be "scratch and sniff." All kidding aside, this would be a minor sacrifice for my daughter.
I was impressed today at church with the realization that we have been waiting for Grace - praying for her and her biological parents - for four years - almost two and a half years before she was even conceived. What a wonderful, albeit dim, parallel to our savior's love for us. He chose us before the foundation of the world, died a substitutionary death for us even before we drew our first breath, and has been praying for us for thousands of years (John 17). As adopted children of the King of Kings, we have so much for which to be thankful.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement - and especially for your ongoing prayers.
(Pat)
We are currently in a bit of a holding pattern as we wait for China to approve our travel. Following their approval we will send away for an appointment with the US consulate. The adoption will be finalized during our trip in Grace's home province of Jiangxi, but she officially becomes a US citizen at the consulate office in the Guangdong Province.
During the short wait - yes, short! - we are busy with a load of activities to ready the boys for school. Sharon has also been busy buying the load of medical supplies and baby supplies that we will be taking to China with us and that we will need during the first weeks or months we return. To make room for the travel supplies, don't be surprised if EVERY picture of me for the 16 day trip is in the same outfit. Ha! So glad the pictures won't be "scratch and sniff." All kidding aside, this would be a minor sacrifice for my daughter.
I was impressed today at church with the realization that we have been waiting for Grace - praying for her and her biological parents - for four years - almost two and a half years before she was even conceived. What a wonderful, albeit dim, parallel to our savior's love for us. He chose us before the foundation of the world, died a substitutionary death for us even before we drew our first breath, and has been praying for us for thousands of years (John 17). As adopted children of the King of Kings, we have so much for which to be thankful.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement - and especially for your ongoing prayers.
(Pat)
Funshop art by Sean
