10 days and counting down!!

We have been quite busy the last week finishing up volleyball and soccer seasons for the kids and making lists and gathering items for our trip! Thank you to all who have been sending gifts for Joy off the Amazon registry! It has been a huge blessing and I know that all of it will be greatly appreciated! 
As we get closer to travel and making preparations I am finding myself feeling a little anxious. What if Joy doesn't want to be adopted? (they do have the option to refuse adoption!) What if the communication barrier is too much? What if her grieving is too much? We have read a lot of stories of how these children are told horrible stories about America. We hear stories of how the child was not told of their pending adoption until the morning they meet their new parents! We hear of stories that the child really wants to stay in China, but their care workers tell the adoptive families that they really want to be adopted and it isn't found out till later that they were forced to agree to the adoption. There is so much unknown, so much possibility that we will come home empty handed. 
Although I feel these fears when I think about them, I still have a deep peace about the whole process. I feel deep down that no matter what happens, it will be OK! I have to put my trust in the one who doesn't disappoint. I have to rely on the One who will never let me down. Jesus. Jesus is the one who gives me this peace in my soul. Whatever happens, whatever fears I may have, I can trust Him. 

We are going to contact our agency and request to skype with Joy. We really want to make sure she knows she has a family on their way to her! We want her to have the time to say goodbye to her friends and get their contact info and pictures. We know that this is going to be hard for her. Spending 12 years in her country is a lot of history. She will be leaving friends, family, culture and all that goes with that! 

We want to make it possible for her to continue her language studies and Cultural learning. Her heritage is part of her and we do not want to forget that. Please pray as we narrow down where to send her to continue these studies. There is a cultural center in our state and hope that it can be good for her to keep in touch with her culture and celebrations. 

There is so much on my heart that I still need to work through. We are excited to add to our family and are praying that the transition will be easier than what my fears are orchestrating! Please continue to pray for us as we finalize our travel and finish up the long list of things to complete before we leave! 

Holding on to this verse:

Philippians 4:6
 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."