Sunday, May 31, 2009
"Gotcha Day!!!"
Well, we can hardly believe it, but God is good. In a few hours, we'll be receiving our next child. We have so many praises, it's hard to know what to list, but we'll try. First, we apologize for not posting sooner, but we have to do it by proxy (through a friend) because the Chinese networks don't seem to like us visiting or communicating through blogs...
Our biggest concern about this trip was our son, Caleb. You all know of his struggles with asthma and we have been in constant prayer that he would stay well and healthy while we were gone. Praise God - he's doing great and we're confident he will continue to. Also, we have done surprisingly well getting switched into the Chinese time zone. Within 2 days of our arrival we were pretty much over our jet-lag. Trish found some wonderful herbal supplements that deal specifically with this problem and they worked like a charm - they're called "Jet Zone." So, we've been able to really take a little time to enjoy the Chinese culture (see attached pics). We've visited the great wall (Don almost climbed to the peak of the mountain, but ran out of time.) Also had the chance to see the "Forbidden City" in Beijing. Mostly, we've been blessed to meet some wonderful Christians in our group - some of whom even home school like us. We have a great time of prayer last night with three other couples in preparation for our "gotcha day."
Please pray that there will be peace and security in the hearts of all of these little ones as we all receive what we came for! We'll post again soon assuming our friend is up for it...thank you Gary!
- Don
Our biggest concern about this trip was our son, Caleb. You all know of his struggles with asthma and we have been in constant prayer that he would stay well and healthy while we were gone. Praise God - he's doing great and we're confident he will continue to. Also, we have done surprisingly well getting switched into the Chinese time zone. Within 2 days of our arrival we were pretty much over our jet-lag. Trish found some wonderful herbal supplements that deal specifically with this problem and they worked like a charm - they're called "Jet Zone." So, we've been able to really take a little time to enjoy the Chinese culture (see attached pics). We've visited the great wall (Don almost climbed to the peak of the mountain, but ran out of time.) Also had the chance to see the "Forbidden City" in Beijing. Mostly, we've been blessed to meet some wonderful Christians in our group - some of whom even home school like us. We have a great time of prayer last night with three other couples in preparation for our "gotcha day."
Please pray that there will be peace and security in the hearts of all of these little ones as we all receive what we came for! We'll post again soon assuming our friend is up for it...thank you Gary!
- Don
Monday, May 25, 2009
Caleb's Big Adventure
Today it was difficult parting from Caleb when we took him to our friends' house in Buena Vista. After we visited for a while with them we had to say our goodbyes for a couple weeks. It was such a strange feeling not having him with us on the way home especially knowing we wouldn't see him for a while. But we were happy to be able to get our video chat set up through our gmail accounts. With that we will be able to talk and see each other daily, which will help us not feel so far apart.
Caleb is excited for his adventure while we're away. We prepared a little journal for him to write in each day and draw pictures to help tell us about all of his activities. We even gave him a couple disposable cameras so he could have fun taking pictures each day.
On the way to Buena Vista this morning, we made a stop at one of our favorite spots in Twin Lakes. We thought it would be fun to get a fishing trip in with Caleb and spend some down time together as a family. The fish weren't even nibbling but we so enjoyed the peace and beauty of the mountains. It was a much needed respite after weeks of busyness preparing for this trip.
So now we have one more day to make any final preparations. We're pretty much packed up except for a bag we're getting together for the orphanage. After a conference call with our travel group and agency directors, it was confirmed that we could bring some clothing and small toys for the children at Josiah's orphanage. We won't have the opportunity to deliver them ourselves, but when the orphanage director delivers Josiah to us we will be able to give him the bag. We are thankful for the chance to give to these little ones.
We hope our journey will inspire others to consider how the Lord might want to use them in the lives of His beloved children. We are so blessed to be a part of His plan for Josiah.
Caleb is excited for his adventure while we're away. We prepared a little journal for him to write in each day and draw pictures to help tell us about all of his activities. We even gave him a couple disposable cameras so he could have fun taking pictures each day.
On the way to Buena Vista this morning, we made a stop at one of our favorite spots in Twin Lakes. We thought it would be fun to get a fishing trip in with Caleb and spend some down time together as a family. The fish weren't even nibbling but we so enjoyed the peace and beauty of the mountains. It was a much needed respite after weeks of busyness preparing for this trip.
So now we have one more day to make any final preparations. We're pretty much packed up except for a bag we're getting together for the orphanage. After a conference call with our travel group and agency directors, it was confirmed that we could bring some clothing and small toys for the children at Josiah's orphanage. We won't have the opportunity to deliver them ourselves, but when the orphanage director delivers Josiah to us we will be able to give him the bag. We are thankful for the chance to give to these little ones.
We hope our journey will inspire others to consider how the Lord might want to use them in the lives of His beloved children. We are so blessed to be a part of His plan for Josiah.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Our trip itinerary
Well, we're only four days away from stepping onto the plane headed for China! There has been so much preparation and planning that we'll be glad just to be sitting on the plane. We have a LONG flight ahead of us so we would appreciate your continued prayers for rest and to stay healthy.
We leave DIA bright and early Wednesday the 27th at 7:20am. From there we fly to LAX where we have a four-hour layover (ughh!). Then we're off to Tokyo for another flight change (with only an hour layover) - and then finally to Bejing. Interestingly enough, we will also have some in-China flights.
We stay in Bejing for just a couple days. The agency allows these "extra" days for rest and any possible touring we may feel up to. Then on 5/31 we fly out to Zhengzhou, which is the provincial capital of Henan where Josiah's orphanage is located. June 1st will be what the agency calls our "Gotcha Day" - when we will finally meet our little Josiah!!! We will all stay in Zhengzhou until approximately 6/6 when we will then fly to Guangzhou to prepare for our Consulate appointment. That is where we will get our visa for Josiah.
Our Consulate appointment is scheduled for 6/9 and we will conclude with an oath ceremony on 6/10. Then we are scheduled to fly out of Guangzhou and go the same route we came (Tokyo, LA, then to Denver).
Whew! Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? We're just trusting the Lord for His strength as we know it will be a tiring trip - but well worth it as we get to come home with our new son. Caleb is so excited to spend time with friends while we're away. We told him we will miss him probably more than he'll miss us! :)
Well, there's more to write but it's pouring rain right now and with the lightening and thunder, I think I'd better turn off the computer! Thanks so much for your continued prayers. We can definitely tell you all have been praying as we have had much more peace than expected during these busy weeks!
More to come later ...
We leave DIA bright and early Wednesday the 27th at 7:20am. From there we fly to LAX where we have a four-hour layover (ughh!). Then we're off to Tokyo for another flight change (with only an hour layover) - and then finally to Bejing. Interestingly enough, we will also have some in-China flights.
We stay in Bejing for just a couple days. The agency allows these "extra" days for rest and any possible touring we may feel up to. Then on 5/31 we fly out to Zhengzhou, which is the provincial capital of Henan where Josiah's orphanage is located. June 1st will be what the agency calls our "Gotcha Day" - when we will finally meet our little Josiah!!! We will all stay in Zhengzhou until approximately 6/6 when we will then fly to Guangzhou to prepare for our Consulate appointment. That is where we will get our visa for Josiah.
Our Consulate appointment is scheduled for 6/9 and we will conclude with an oath ceremony on 6/10. Then we are scheduled to fly out of Guangzhou and go the same route we came (Tokyo, LA, then to Denver).
Whew! Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? We're just trusting the Lord for His strength as we know it will be a tiring trip - but well worth it as we get to come home with our new son. Caleb is so excited to spend time with friends while we're away. We told him we will miss him probably more than he'll miss us! :)
Well, there's more to write but it's pouring rain right now and with the lightening and thunder, I think I'd better turn off the computer! Thanks so much for your continued prayers. We can definitely tell you all have been praying as we have had much more peace than expected during these busy weeks!
More to come later ...
Monday, May 11, 2009
Packing, Stressing, Praying...
Well, we're in the midst of it now! Got our specific travel dates - May 27th - June 11th. An amazing amount of thought and planning are going into this trip. We are extremely excited! It was a joy to hear Caleb telling me how "I can't explain how excited I am about little brother...it's like...uh..." and he's at a loss for words. Well, that about sums it up. We're so amazed by God's blessings in our family. We were concered about finances, but God brought in the supply that was needed from His vast storehouses.
One of my greatest thrills is the knowledge that this adoption is the practical outplay of the gospel itself. What better practical example of the gospel could we have? God came and adopted us out of the misery and sin of this world to shine His love into our lives. How can we do less for these little ones? God made us co-heirs with Christ. And so Josiah will be in our family with Caleb. It's difficult to describe the joy that comes when I realize that God is using us - He's actually giving us the chance to disciple this little guy and introduce him to Christ. Not with some presentation or moving sermon - but with our very lives. What a huge responsibility and a huge privilege. Pray for us that we will never slip in this call that God has given. And pray for our sanity as we fight to stay fixed on the author and finisher of our faith!
One of my greatest thrills is the knowledge that this adoption is the practical outplay of the gospel itself. What better practical example of the gospel could we have? God came and adopted us out of the misery and sin of this world to shine His love into our lives. How can we do less for these little ones? God made us co-heirs with Christ. And so Josiah will be in our family with Caleb. It's difficult to describe the joy that comes when I realize that God is using us - He's actually giving us the chance to disciple this little guy and introduce him to Christ. Not with some presentation or moving sermon - but with our very lives. What a huge responsibility and a huge privilege. Pray for us that we will never slip in this call that God has given. And pray for our sanity as we fight to stay fixed on the author and finisher of our faith!
Friday, May 8, 2009
The countdown to China!
Wow! The Lord has moved this process along so quickly that our heads are spinning! We received our "pre-approval" from China on April 15th, our Visas on May 5th - and then the agency called us on the 6th telling us they already received our travel notice! We depart for Bejing in just 19 days!!! Our return date has not yet been determined as we have to get approval for our consulate appointment in China first. But we are expected to get that date within the next day or so. As it stands now, we depart on Wednesday, May 27th.
Please pray for us as we make preparations not only for our trip to China but also for Caleb as he will not be traveling with us. That will be the most difficult part of the trip, but the pediatrician didn't feel he could give travel approval due to the severity of Caleb's asthma issues this spring. Since the pollution in China is so bad he felt it would be too risky to bring him with us. But Caleb will be in good hands as he will be staying with our good friends in Buena Vista. He was disappointed at first when we told him, but now he's very excited to spend the time with friends.
Thank you so much for your prayers. We are so excited to meet little Josiah in just a few short weeks!
Please pray for us as we make preparations not only for our trip to China but also for Caleb as he will not be traveling with us. That will be the most difficult part of the trip, but the pediatrician didn't feel he could give travel approval due to the severity of Caleb's asthma issues this spring. Since the pollution in China is so bad he felt it would be too risky to bring him with us. But Caleb will be in good hands as he will be staying with our good friends in Buena Vista. He was disappointed at first when we told him, but now he's very excited to spend the time with friends.
Thank you so much for your prayers. We are so excited to meet little Josiah in just a few short weeks!
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