We got the call from our agency this morning that our Letter of Acceptance had arrived (day 76)! China has officially finalized our approval and we will now wait for our Travel Approval (TA). The wait for TA's has been around 3 weeks and then we will know for sure when we can get miss Emma. God really has graced us during the wait and has continued to take the burden of the timing from off our shoulders and placed it on His. We are, of course, still praying for the perfect completion of this leg of the journey and to be holding Emma SOON!
I will post more later, we have a busy weekend ahead of us.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Wrestling...resting
The past few days have been a little difficult. I have found myself rejoicing with those who recieved their letters of acceptance (LOA) from China and wondering where ours might be. I've had to come to terms once again with things I thought would be, but are not yet. I've had to press into to the pain of disappointment and the peace of HIS timing. I don't even think I can put into words all that is in my heart right now, so I'll let a couple of Jason Upton's songs do it for me. I do see Him holding my hand as I get up to walk a road I wasn't expecting and picking me up each time I stumble on it. He once again is more than I could ask for and a Papa who comforts like noone else.
We are still asking for Emma's release and all the final paperwork we need. Thanks to all who have faithfully stood by us as we enter this last push to bring Emma home. It's hard and there is just no way around it, but I truly can't imagine doing this without the family and friends He's so graciously hedged us in with. I know it won't be long until the pain subsides and the joy of all we've asked for will be upon us...so until then we do what only He has graced us to do and that is wait and rest in a God who has a perfect plan.
We are still asking for Emma's release and all the final paperwork we need. Thanks to all who have faithfully stood by us as we enter this last push to bring Emma home. It's hard and there is just no way around it, but I truly can't imagine doing this without the family and friends He's so graciously hedged us in with. I know it won't be long until the pain subsides and the joy of all we've asked for will be upon us...so until then we do what only He has graced us to do and that is wait and rest in a God who has a perfect plan.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Happy Birthday Emma Faith!
We really had hopes when all this started that we just might be with Emma for her 5th birthday, but it was not to be. So now we send her all our love and some gifts and a cake from miles away. (she actually would have celebrated her special day while we were sleeping) The package we and her grandparents sent was put together by Angela in China. She did a great job and even found a toy that teaches some English. I can't wait to see the pictures of her day and to see her in her new dress! I wonder what she was thinking as she went through her "first" birthday knowing that some of her friends had already gone to a place called "home" while she and others wait. Isaiah put into words, when finally watching some of her video, what she might be feeling..."it is really sad in China without a mommy and daddy. I don't like it." I just pray she finds comfort in knowing she isn't forgotten and we'll send gifts and reminders for as long as we have to.
I know the Father is using this time to continue to prepare her heart and ours for her arrival, but some days the wait just really stinks! I just have to lay all my emotions and questions at His feet and know that He makes all things beautiful in His time and this will be no different. We are on day 51 of the wait for our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and are hopeful that it will arrive by the end of the month. We will still have another 3-4 weeks after that for Travel Approval and then I'm not sure what the wait will be. Last time we hit the crunch before the October holiday and were pushed back. I'm still holding out hope that maybe we can get that late September travel.
I know the Father is using this time to continue to prepare her heart and ours for her arrival, but some days the wait just really stinks! I just have to lay all my emotions and questions at His feet and know that He makes all things beautiful in His time and this will be no different. We are on day 51 of the wait for our Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and are hopeful that it will arrive by the end of the month. We will still have another 3-4 weeks after that for Travel Approval and then I'm not sure what the wait will be. Last time we hit the crunch before the October holiday and were pushed back. I'm still holding out hope that maybe we can get that late September travel.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Video of Emma!
Marianne and another waiting mom, Cynthia, posted a video of our children on Cynthia's blog. The blog is www.underthemistymountain.blogspot.com . I can barely write through my tears right now and can't begin to describe how much I long to have our Emma home. How blessed we've been in our journey to to her!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Another family visits Emma's SWI
Another family we know went to get their son, Jonah, this past week and were able to take pictures of Emma for us. Their blog is www.jonahsfamily.blogspot.com. Marianne, Jonah's mama, said Emma was very friendly and loved the purple purse with blocks that they brought as a gift for her. It has been more than I could ask for to have these wonderful families in our lives to take pictures and give us glimpses of our Emma. I am also amazed at the openness of the orphanage and their continued willingness to do so much for our children. We'll be forever grateful. I'll try to get the most recent pictures posted to our blog later in the week.
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