Wednesday, June 26, 2013

We Have Our Dates!!


We got an email yesterday from our agency... it was the email we've been waiting for for months (who am I kidding... more like two years)! We have our dates!! It's so hard to believe that we will have Abram in our arms in less than a month! Our countdown has changed from years, to months, to weeks, and now DAYS! It's unbelievable! There isn't a day that doesn't go by that Chris and I don't look at each other and say, "We're about to be parents!" 

We don't have plane tickets yet so the leaving Monterey and returning home dates could change. Everything else is firm! Here's what our dates look like:

17 July: leave Monterey
18-20 July: tour Beijing with adoptive families in our travel group
21 July: travel to Zhengzhou
22 July: GOTHCA DAY!!!
31 July: consulate appointment in Guangzhou (where we take our oath)
1 August: receive Abram's visa
2-5 August: travel around Beijing or Shanghai for our first family vacaction
5 August: return to Monterey

Also, look at the most recent picture we have of our sweet Abram.  He has grown up so much since his last picture. We can't wait to meet our little boy! Please continue to keep all three of us in your prayers.  Please pray for Chris and I as we prepare not only to travel, but to bring our little boy home. And for Abram, please pray for his sweet heart and for God to prepare him as he gets ready to go through this HUGE transition. 

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Waiting...

So, we have reached the point in our adoption where we are just waiting.  We have submitted all the required paperwork and everything has been approved, we are literally just waiting for our agency to tell us when we will travel to bring sweet Abram home.



Many of you who know my crazy "always organized and doesn't leave home without a planner" personality have asked how I am handling all this not knowing stuff.  My answer is always "God's Peace."

 If I have learned one single lesson throughout my life (not just this adoption journey) it is that God's timing is ALWAYS perfect. I may not understand it at the time, but He does, and that's all I need to know.  It is truly something amazing God does to my heart during these times.  He gives me an overwhelming since of peace and even though I definitely have my freak out moments, I can always ask for His peace and He gives it to me! To be honest, it's one of the parts of this particular journey I have enjoyed the most.  Throughout this whole process we have seen God's hand guiding us along the way.  Don't get me wrong... I wish Abram was home with us yesterday.  But, I also know God is preparing Abe's heart for his huge change he is about to go through and just like God gave me a season to prepare, Abram has one, too!

God just reminded me yesterday in my quiet time that He has a path uniquely designed for me.  All He asks me to do is concentrate on keeping in step with Him instead of trying to anticipate His plans for me.  What does this mean to me? God doesn't need my day planner!  Nothing happens that is surprise to God! Proverbs 16:9 says it best, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." I just need to trust God and step out on faith, that's all He asks of me! I love that God tells us in Isaiah 55:9 that "My ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

There was a quote in my recent Bible study book that I just love, "Waiting... becomes a great opportunity to grow. It is one of God's tools to shape us into the image of Christ."  I think that is what brings me the most peace. My waiting isn't done in vain. It has a purpose!