Getting there... still a bit to go.

We are so excited for our LOA (letter of approval). Without the LOA from China the adoption process would be over! So, we are very thankful that we are now approved to adopt Joy! Now we apply to get approval from USCIS (immigrations) and visas so we can then get Travel approval (TA) from China so we can get into the country. So many little steps will be happening in the next 2 months to get all the documents needed to go get our daughter. It is finally feeling real. I don't have to hold my breath anymore! 

I have had a bit of a panic attack about the timing of all this. I know it is all in God's timing and we have been doing our best to prepare for being gone for 2.5 weeks, but when there are no solid dates yet and we may only get 2 weeks notice, there is a lot to plan for!! Plus our kids are playing soccer and volleyball this fall, I am coaching JV volleyball and Joel has multiple travel dates for work!! When are we going to find time to pack, plan, gather info, etc.! AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! Sometimes I just want to scream! :) Then I remember, God is Good. God is Great. God has all things in His plan. I may not understand, but I know I can trust Him. I will find time to pack. I will have time to plan things. God will provide. I just need to think of today and do what I need to and let tomorrow worry about itself!! There is only so much I can do in one day! 

Along with our LOA came our next set of costs due... Ouch! Check out our Expense tracker to the right! $9000 dollars!! Well, don't you know it. I did a little double take at the bottom line, but then, I thanked God for the funds he has already graciously allowed us to raise and give ALL PRAISE and Honor to Him who provides. Thank you to our friends and family who have been helping us along the way with our fund raisers and gifts! I kinda wish there was Insurance we could use on adoption costs like we could use when we birthed our Biological children in the hospital!! But, I understand that would be difficult to divvy up to the different government agencies and offices we have had to process documents through!! 

Please continue to pray for us. Pray that Joel and I and the kids would prepare emotionally for a new child that may have more issues than we planned for. Pray that we would continue to trust that God has every day planned out for us and that all will be accomplished in His will and timing. Praise God with us for helping us so much already financially through this long process. Pray for the kids as they start school and have a busy Fall. Praise God for Family who have donated flyer miles to help with our flights and donations to help with our costs! We love you!!! Praise God for countless blessings and prayers from His saints who are lifting us up in prayer!!! 

There is so much more, but I need to get to bed. Soon, we will be a family of 5!! How amazing to think of it! 

Palm 150

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
² Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
⁴ praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.