We got an update!!

AH!!!! Answer to prayers!!! We received an update today WITH PICTURES!!! We are so excited! Joy is beautiful as always and is looking much older and mature! :) We are so happy to get new measurements and details of her likes and dislikes. She answered our questions, so she knows we are working hard to go to her! She is looking forward to meeting us!! Oh, My heart is filled with joy and I long even more to go NOW!! 

But, we must wait for our travel approval and must wait a few more weeks.... I know they will pass seemingly slowly, but at the same time very quickly! Wow. To think this whole process began 9 months ago. I feel like this has been a pregnancy of the heart! We are in labor now of this long process. I was talking to my cousin about how I had water births for my two bio children and now I get to cross the ocean for my third child!! I think I could count that as a "Water birth" of the heart?? :)

So after many months of waiting for an update and giving in to the thought that we would just get all the info when we arrived. Oh the JOY and surprise to get it today!

God is good. Every time I let go and let His timing take over, He blesses us! Even the blessing of not stressing about something is a blessing!! :)

Also, THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to the Connected Hearts Ministry Page!!! We have raised over $900! All donations are tax deductible and anyone can donate on the site until we get our Travel Approval!! So keep on sharing the blog and the link http://www.connectedheartsministry.org/#!family-listings/c126c to our funding page!! Every bit helps and we are so thankful for God's provisions through each stage of our journey. 

We had a Yard sale last month and were able to raise about $150. Jessica has been selling her art prints and we thank everyone who has ordered one! We have been cutting back on any extra spending and making use of every available job opportunity to help with adoption costs. This whole process has really been stretching and pulling and making us grow both spiritually and mentally! We just keep moving forward and trusting God through each day. 

So, as we wait on Travel Approval (TA), please pray that we can get done the items we have on our list of "things to do before travel" and prepare for our new daughter!! The kids have a lot of school to get through before we leave, and we have a very busy sports schedule with soccer and volleyball this fall. Pray that we all remain healthy. This time of year with the weather change always brings on allergies and colds. Pray we can stay healthy and active to get done what we need to! 

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts for our family! We are getting so close!