Helloooo!

Note: Pictures are scheduled to begin on the 7th! Catch-up time! Cindy's wedding!

Emilie! Yes, I remember you and sweet Ellie from Sandy Springs park! I was SO in the waiting then and just seeing you guys together gave my heart hope that day. I hope to see you around town and get connected with FCC of Blount County or Knoxville. Are you guys involved with that? Thank you for leaving a comment. I was wondering about you guys just the other day. We're great friends with Jim and Shannon Butterworth who adopted Grace, almost 3, and Eric and Amy Jones, waiting on a referral with an LID of June 06. We should all get together! I hope you guys are well.

As for an update for us - Yes! We are still here! I have taken a break from most all forms of technology the past 5 days to just rest and be as still as I can. We mailed all of the paperwork that came with our referral package, including the lengthy transition report for Lu Ti, to our agency yesterday and guess what? Our FINAL US approval came in the mail a couple of days ago! I've never been so glad to see an envelope from the Department of Homeland Security in all my life! Whew! That has been one long saga.

Now, our LOC, letter of confirmation, is in the hands of someone in Beijiing and we're told to expect TA, travel approval, some time around the 6th of September with travel likely near September 27th! We'll be in Beijiing for about 5 days and then will fly to her provincial capital of Jiangxi province, called Nanchang. That will be our base until we meet her! We'll have her in our arms within one to two days of arrival there in Nanchang. We'll then go to visit her actual town and soak up as much of her birthplace as we can. I will be a MESS! Kleenex is so on my packing list. Hmmm...I guess they have Kleenex there, right? You never know. They don't have deodorant! Ben had to buy some for me at the store not long ago and he, um, purchased the one that says, "highly responsive for emotional moments." Ok, yes! I am emotional!

Miss Ava's about to turn 2! I know. Can you believe it? So, I'm working on her birthday plans this week and a little care package to send to Maia in Jiangxi. I have LOADS of pictures to share and I promise I'll get to it! Let me see what I can do today. Mom is keeping Ava for me today while I run around and take care of some things and just try to get my head together.

Love and peace to all. God is looking on from his dwelling place and sees your waiting and your innermost heart's desire. Waiting for Him is hard. I will not say it's easy, but His plan for our lives AND for our children's lives, no matter what, is GOOD! Trust Him with all your heart. Every bit of it. Faith is born out of the questions and the hurt and the suffering we all often experience, and you are being refined in a way that only He can see as you walk through the valley. Hold on to hope for this earthly life and the one to come!

He is with you.