An Update and a List...

I want to thank all of you who have been checking in to see how things are going and what the status is on our TA. Well, the status is this: we are still waiting. But we did receive good news today that our Article 5 officially left GZ and is on it's way to CC*A, so hopefull it will be SOON. Our agency said that the average is 2-4 weeks, so we'll see. I've pretty much given up trying to guess when we will travel, as I thought our little sweetheart would've been home with us by now. Most of you know we have been matched since last June, but since we had all of our paperwork yet to do, it has made for a very long process. I know in the big scheme of things it's really not that long at all, compared to what so many others have to wait. But when you've known exactly "who" your daughter is for so long, you just want to bring her home. We truly are still trusting in God's perfect timing, though. We know He has a plan and has already chosen the exact hour, but the wait is still difficult at times. It is likely the earliest we would travel would be end of April. However, with the Trade Fair taking place throughout Ch*na from April 15 through May 5, we will likely travel in May, as the cost of hotels supposedly increases a great deal during this time. We need to keep our costs down as much as possible, so we would have to wait.

I still need to be prepared and start packing though, as it isn't unheard of for the TA to come sooner then expected. In which case, I really would be in a panic if it were here tomorrow. So I'm making my lists and starting to prepare. We are so close, I can feel it! I know that Khloe will be home before I know it, and I still have a lot to do. Many of you have expressed interest in helping with a donation to NewDay. I appreciate that so much and contacted the director Karen, to see what their greatest needs are at this time. She expressed her sincere gratitude towards everyone who wants to help the children and gave me a list of items that she stated would be best purchased in the states and brought over, as much of it cannot be found easily there. If you are interested in donating, please leave me your email address in a comment and I will send you the list. You are welcome to shop for the items yourself, or you can send me your contribution and I will shop for them all at once. I just need to get the ball rolling, as I know everything will be crazy busy once our TA is here.

Also, if you think of it, would you please lift our family up in prayer. I've never posted about this before as it's rather private, but we are short on some finances for our trip. We are believing God for the provisions. Coach Oatsvall (check out his AMAZING Dad's video here) has said that "God funds what He favors" and I know this to be true. I have seen it over and over again. I believe it is a trying of our faith, but I do trust that He will see us through. Somehow. And while you are praying for us, could you also pray for our health. We have had some major attacks on our family lately. Our entire family has been battling a violent case of the stomach flu over the past week. Just when I thought it was over, Dawson went from the flu to some very swollen glands and other symptoms. After caring for him the last few days, I have felt some of the same symptoms try to latch onto my body this afternoon and evening. I know I should be ready for all of these things, and put on the full Armor of God, as I've seen the enemy bring on many attacks when families are closing in on their travels. Satan doesn't want to see any of these orphans come home, and if he can't stop us, he's going to try and make the journey as miserable as he possibly can. But I know that in Christ Jesus, we have been given authority over all of this, and I am a huge believer in the power of prayer in numbers. When Christians join their faith together in one accord, big things happen!

Thanks again to all of you who have so kindly been checking in on us. We're approaching the home stretch, and it really is SO exciting!

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promises is faithful."

~Hebrews 10:23