TA Wait!

     Prayers please! We are hoping our travel approval comes Monday! If things go well we are hoping to leave on December 13. That is just our thoughts and hopes but at this point we aren't counting our chickens before they hatch. :) We still need to get out CA, my travel visa, and book flights. Busy week ahead but looks possible. :)

It's All About Jesus

       Today was our second practice of our preschool musical at school. The narrator in the program is a set of grandparents and they are Skyping with their grandchildren. They won't be together for Christmas because of a snow storm canceling their flight. As I sat, watched, and listened to the children sing about the "real Christmas story," it made me really think about what it must have been like for Mary. She was very pregnant making a long journey and probably wasn't to thrilled about having to pay taxes! I can only imagine her thoughts. She then was in labor about to give birth to the Savior and had to do it in a very unpleasant place, a barn! She didn't deliver in a castle surround by family and friends. She didn't have the best health care watching after her or God's child. She was there with Joseph in a dark stable, pretty much alone.
      As I sat there and really for the rest of the day my thoughts were with her. I then began to think of how selfish I have been consuming myself with dates and travel plans. I have let my eyes wonder off my focus and drive in the first place, Christ. As Americans we get consumed with Christmas; gifts, decorations, and family. All of those things are wonderful but if we aren't careful they consume us, cloud our judgement, our prospective. Christmas very easily becomes about us and not Him! After all it is His birthday. Mary was alone, away from home, and in very unpleasant surroundings but if I were to guess, she was at peace. The Savior was there! She was holding Christ! All of heaven rejoiced and I'm pretty sure she did as well.

     Please, forgive me for getting unfocused on the big picture. Our journey is first and foremost a plan God has called us to embark on. It is to bring our sweet daughter home from China in His perfect timing. It is about loving and teaching her about that special baby born to us to save us. That is what Christmas is all about. Christ and Him alone!
   

Come Quickly

      Today has been really hard for us. I know that it has especially been hard for me! I have done really well up until this point but the waves of emotion have finally met there limit and are spilling out all over the place. We haven't received travel approval yet and it has been really hard. It has been nine days and counting. The average wait time is around 14. I know, I know, it hasn't been that long, but for me it seems like forever. Our chances of getting to China and back home for Christmas are now very slim.

      I would not mind at all to spend Christmas overseas with our new little one as long as we were together as a complete family of five. But it looks like we won't be ALL together. We are planning on traveling as soon as possible regardless. Cooper and Avery will be staying with both of our parents during our travel. They have graciously offered to keep them at our home in order to help maintain some type of routine. Kind of funny... Normal Routine and Grandparents really don't mix. :) I am sure it will be very fun for all involved! Santa will just have to make a special trip this year to the Greer's house to deliver presents to all three children.

      There are lots of families who will not be ALL together for Christmas. Some who are missing loved ones serving overseas, some who have lost loved ones this year, and those of us who are waiting anxiously for a little one to come and complete our family. I know first hand missing and longing for someone is hard. It really makes me think of the way Christ must hurt and long for His children who are lost. My pain, heartache, and love is so minuet in comparison to the way Christ longs and hurts for His lost children. He is there waiting for us to come.  I anticipate the Gotcha Day with Ella and the celebration we will have as a family when we are finally united. I can't even imagine the celebration on Gotcha Day when a lost child finally comes to find their Heavenly Father!

 

This isn't the best video but I love the song!

 

Thankful Heart

     Looking back on the adoption journey this far I can honestly say we have so much to be thankful for.  I am overwhelmed by God's goodness and faithfulness, I can't even begin to put my hearts feelings into words. Over the last couple of weeks we have been showered by encouraging words, support, gifts, and financial contributions. For someone who talks a lot it has been very difficult to find the words to express my gratitude. I am overwhelmed with emotion! Thank you just doesn't even begin to tip the iceberg in this case. From a little old lady handing us some ones at church, to free haircuts, donations at birthday parties instead of gifts, all the way to large financial support from people we haven't even met, God's faithfulness to us and this journey has been very evident. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. Philippians 1:6
     God has also blessed us with a pretty smooth process this far. After my last post I asked everyone to pray specifically for our article 5 to be expedited quickly. Not even 12 hours later we received an email of approval! It was totally GOD! Our social worker said it was a long shot and was surprised as well! So that means we are officially on the TA, travel approval, wait. On average, it normally takes around 14 days. Today marks day 6. Some people have only had to wait 7 days. We are hoping to get approval, at the latest, next week and if all the chips fall correctly we will be on our way around Dec. 7!!!
     I would love to be able to list everyone who has helped in someway or another but I am so afraid I would leave someone out. We hope to have a homecoming celebration at our church in January so that we can celebrate the arrival of sweet Ella and also as a way of saying thank you to everyone for making this possible. We truly couldn't have done this without the Holy Spirits direction and the body of Christ working together. We love you all! May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! Psalms 20:14
     

After almost a year of anticipating this time. Look what I finally get to do!!!!

The beginnings of Ella's suitcase. She's getting so close to coming home....

 

     

Article 5 Wait

     We had such an amazing, uplifting weekend. We were able to attend a travel meeting at our adoption agency on Friday. It really put things into perspective and made this journey of paper work seem as though it just might come to an end. It also made it very difficult to go shopping afterwards. When you have been talking about sick babies, abandonment, malnourishment.... It makes buying a $10 lotion not so much fun anymore. When you really stop and think of all the stuff we have and don't need, it kind of makes you sick. I look at the pictures of Ella and she is laying on WOOD! Oh for the love. We worry about the thread count of our sheets. I won't get on that soap box.

      On Saturday, we attended the Alabama game... we won't talk about that. We also had an opportunity to spend time with dear friends! We ended the night with prayer for Ella and our family in the A club room at the stadium. Wouldn't have seen that one coming in a million years.

      Last night we attended the 10th Annual Lifeline Banquet. It was awesome to see how God is working all around the world. Lifeline is a wonderful organization and I am so happy they helped in bringing our Ella to our family. It was also neat to meet others who have walked in our shoes and also meet those who will come after us. One thing was very evident at the banquet, Christ was the center of it all. It was awesome to be in a huge banquet room full of people who share the same desires. Christ being first and center in our lives and through Him we become His hands and feet in orphan care. If you have time visit www.lifelinechild.org.

     So we are waiting on Article 5. Honestly, I really don't know what it is but I know we are waiting on it. ;) It will be picked up on November 26. However, the amazing Karla is working on getting it expedited so we need prayers that it will be approved. Once it is approved we will wait on Travel Approval and then the Consulate Appointment. Then we get my visa, book a ticket and go. IF everything went perfect we would be there and back just in time for CHRISTMAS! Please, pray this works out. I really want to be back home for Cooper and Avery. Christmas is also about family and I want to be home as a family of five on that day!

Update Pictures

     I am so happy to share these with you. We finally got an update on our precious daughter. Ann at Red Thread is wonderful. We ordered a care package through Red Thread and it was delivered and we got an update in three days. Amazing! Ella is growing steadily. She has gained four pounds since we received her referral. A big thank you to Love Without Boundaries for there wonderful support. They supplied her with a case of formula and rice cereal. I don't know what I would do without these wonderful organizations.
     When I look at these precious pictures I have a mixture of emotions. I am overjoyed to see her sweet face and anticipate the day I finally get to hold and love on her. With all the joy it brings just to see her it also rips my heart out to see the conditions she is in. One of the little kindergarten boys in Ms. Cannon's class asked why she was put in a cage. My thoughts exactly added by why is she sleeping on press board? Even though I know the answers to these questions it doesn't feel right in my heart. I am so happy this sweet little one has a home and a family that loves her so much already. There are millions more out there that simply need a chance. Notice the little one behind Ella in one of the pictures.

 

I can only hope that they picked her up and wiped her tears after taking this picture....

 

January Please Come Quickly!!!