Finally~

The packing has begun~

 Starting to feel like a trip to China might just happen.

Isaiah 43:5

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; 

I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 

Joyful Heart Auction~

As we are on day 8 waiting for TA, 

I am giving the auction a very last run with two adorable dresses sent to me by Lori and necklace by Florrie.
{Please go to A Joyful Heart to make a bid.}

Each with a starting bid of $20 each.

As we come down to the wire for travel, 

we still have funds to raise for our two orphanage fees. 

We know God has us in the palm of His mighty hand and will provide for us.

A friend told me not long ago...

Where God guides, He provides! We believe as we obey!!  

PS. Don't forget about our Wild Olive Tee Shirt Sale. 
Please take a minute to click the link in the sidebar and order for Christmas. 

Waiting for TA~

Article 5 was picked up yesterday and so we are waiting for TA... Travel Approval so we can book our trip.

Our agency is giving us a 3-4 week wait and a friend is saying maybe 10 days to 2 weeks.

At this point there is little hope we will travel this year and that's ok too. It will allow us to enjoy the holidays with our family as is and bring on the new normal come the new year.

I've had a few friends ask how the littles will be spread throughout the house so here is a little tour...

The Boys will share WP's room connected to the master suite. They have a trundle bed and dresser plus lots of toys to keep them busy.

    In the past, we have had co-sleepers or I have slept with little until they were asleep and then I moved to our bed. We will see how it goes this time. Who knows with two new littles. :) We like them being close to us!

The Girls moved upstairs when WP came home and they love their big room. We were able to squeeze in another bed for Evie although she won't be up there for a long while. Plan to have her down with us until we are all settled.

I guess it would be good if I cracked open these suitcases and get packing. I have SO much to do...

This will be the first trip to China without someone in tow. Haven't really let myself go there yet. Everyone says it will be WAY harder on me than them... we shall see. I know God has led us to leave them here and so we will gladly obey. Still doesn't keep my heart from hurting. 

 

Article 5~

Was dropped today and pick up on the 27th.

Hoping TA will not be far behind!!!

Ready to travel for these precious babies!!!

Isaiah 43:5

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; 

I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 

 

Orphan Sunday~

November is National Adoption Month and today is Orphan Sunday. One of my favorite quotes~

“We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.” – Radical by David Platt.

There are two precious orphans waiting in China to come home to their forever and a precious friend of mine just happens to be in China right now adopting her son and MET EvieClaire this week!

 These were her sweet words:

Sharon, I was able to meet Wen Fan yesterday! She is adorable! A gorgeous little doll! She is so teeny tiny. Maybe 12 mo. sized clothes. She came out to see what all the noise was in the hallway and I spotted her right away. I got down on my knees and said "Ni hao" to her and she immediately started crying and ran towards her nanny. But she later followed me down another hallway and stood outside the door checking us out. When we walked back out again, I said hello to her and again she started crying. But instead of running to her nanny, she ran to another little girl named Xiaomeng (CHOW-mung) who is Annie's daughter. You know Annie, don't you? The two of them are buddies even though they're so different in age, height, development, etc. I was able to take many photos of her, but my Internet connection here in Zhengzhou is horrible so I can't get them to send, but I'll keep on trying. She is beautiful! A total doll. She is healthy and doing very well. She is a favorite of the nannies and they love to hug and kiss her.

 And now for the proof~

 My heart is exploding to hold and LOVE her forever!!!

The little girl in pink is waiting for her forever too.

I can't put into words what a blessing adoption has been for our family. There are more than 143 million orphans in the world, ALL deserving the love of a family and Forever! If there is anything I can say to you that will make a difference... PRAY! Pray for orphans to find their family. Pray for what God might be calling you to do. Pray for our family as we continue to raise funds to travel for our two orphans that will have their forever hopefully by the new year.

I know three littles that love has changed forever~

  and two more waiting~

On Orphan Sunday, Christians stand for the orphan. We are a people called to defend the fatherless…to care for the child that has no family…to visit orphans in their distress.

Sermons and small groups, concerts and prayer gatherings, shared meals and youth activities—each rousing believers with God’s call to care for the orphan, and what we can do in response.

From many sources, one voice. On November 4th, 2012, thousands of events echo across America and around the globe, all sharing a single goal: that God’s great love for the orphan will find echo in our lives as well.

Orphan Sunday is your opportunity to rouse church, community and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan.
Francis Chan for Orphan Sunday

Christmas is just 9 weeks away~

And wouldn't you like to help bring home two little ones 

while getting some of your shopping done? GREAT!

Please consider ordering very cute tee shirts  for your loved ones @ Wild Olive.

It's SO easy... just click on image above and look through the tees offered. Make your selections and when checking out, add our FAMILY CODE ANKERICH927 as the coupon code so we get credit for the sale. It would also be a great idea to add the code in the comment section when ordering. This code does not reduce the price but allows company to keep track of the shirts we sell.

 

IF we sell 50 shirts, we make $10 per shirt.

Would LOVE to see that happen!!! 

Please let me know if you have questions and blessings to all as you

Get you VERSE on!!! 

Payne Curtis~

Ann @ Red Thread China was finally able to get an update on Payne Curtis and we were thrilled.

Qing Ying can speak more clearly than before .

He recite (san zi jing三字经)，(Min Nong 悯农)，(Jing Ye Si 静夜思)，(Yong E 咏鹅)，(You Zi Yin 游子吟) 

He can finish what his teacher `s order . 

He can do daily run ,jump exercise .He can draw,sing .

He likes to play Snowflakes,easy to catch toys .

Height :96cm

Weight:16.3kg

Head:50cm

Chest:60cm

Foot:13cm

Teeth:20

 Such a sweet baby and can't wait to love a little smile on his precious face!!!

A Doctor Day~

For Rosie. She has struggled with knee pain since she was in 4th grade due to a gymnastics injury. We finally found a great orthopedic surgeon who ordered a MRI last week. Long story short she will have surgery in two weeks. So thankful she will feel better soon!!!

 

We also received our new carseats today and now all 5 littles will have a safe ride. So thankful for God's continued provision for us we get closer to traveling for Evie and Payne.

Posted with Blogsy

Paperwork Day~

I spent a lot of time yesterday getting our paperwork in order so when FedEx delivered our LOAs, I would be ready to sign and send back.

 

Such a beautiful sight to see the truck rolling down our drive this afternoon! The girls were out playing and came in jumping up and down that he was here. We got the LOAs signed and took them to the dropbox! Thankful to have that all said and done so we can wait some more. So blessed to be on this amazing journey!!!

 

Posted with Blogsy

BIG NEWS!!!~

 LOA for BOTH of our babies!!!

LOA is our official letter of acceptance from China 

that Evie and Payne are indeed our waiting children!

We received our call around 1:00 from Logan @ Lifeline to say they had recieeved BOTH LOAs! That is huge... fully expected to get one and have to wait on the second but that wasn't God's plan. We will receive both LOAs tomorrow and FedEx them back right so everything can quickly make its way back to immigration. We are not sure about travel but may well involve Christmas.

Thankful and praising God for this BIG NEWS!!!

Baby EvieClaire~

As a result of an Autumn Moon Festival package Ann of Red Thread China sent EvieClaire, 

I received 8 photos of our sweet baby!!!

Teeny tiny sweet baby.

 Reminds us SO much of SJ~ sad little expression.

height ：77.8cm

weight：9.5kg

head：43.5cm

chest：45cm

 

We can't wait to get there and fill your heart with so much love it can't help but spill onto your adorable little face!

Thank you Jesus for this precious baby!!!

Hoping~

I think most adoptive families would agree that seeing a glimpse of your baby makes the wait just a little more bearable.

I have gotten one glimpse of PC in the last couple of weeks~

(front row with blue Julian shirt on) :)

  but nothing from sweet EC SO...

I decided it was time to try for an update on both of them.

I contacted Ann and had her send Autumn Moon Festival packages

 to them in hopes of an update but mostly HOPE for a picture! 

 Mixed up the photos making the collages but you get the picture.

Will share updates if we are blessed to receive them.

Fun Friday~

Today was Blueberry Fun Friday... a day to celebrate our week of Blueberries for Sal~

 Whole story @ Growing Whole Hearts.

On the way back inside, we stopped by the mailbox and found a GREAT surprise waiting for us...

 Our new I800A... giving us the last document to send to China and hope to hear of LOA in the next week or so!

Still hoping we will squeeze in by the end of the year!!!

Payne Curtis' Story~

We didn't have any idea we would be adopting two children this time. 

As a matter of fact, my friend Donna told me to petition for two in our home study and I didn't listen~ tiny mistake!

We came home with WP thinking we were going back for Grayson and God had different plans.

(PS. Grayson's (Grey) forever family leaves tomorrow for China. It won't be long now before they are all united and forever begins. Please click on Kim's blog Shouts of Joy to follow their journey.)

We continued the process believing God was leading us to another son.

In looking through many files, we just didn't see him but did find her! 

I just knew her when I saw her~ no way to explain... I just did.

About two weeks ago, WP had a little episode about dress up clothes and it was the first inkling that a brother might be in the future.

I even said to Scott~ WP needs a brother to which he ignored. :)

I was really kidding but then not really... maybe next time? Next time??

I mentioned all of this to my friend Donna and the next words out of her mouth were~ 

WHY don't you get him this time?

It hadn't even crossed my mind!

Scott and I met lots of families in China adopting two children and thought it would be SO hard... never thinking it might be us... now it is.

Back to the story... Donna said she had the perfect file sitting in her box and forwarded it to me on a Monday.

Scott was out of town for the week and I went to Bible study that Tuesday morning~ Nehemiah~ prayed about everything.

I begin to pray that God would tell Scott we should bring home two and not let it be about me.

I left Bible study with a heaviness on me that we were indeed to adopt two but HOW?

HOW could we bring two home when one was stretching us already?

I sent Scott a message with the photo and asked him to pray.

Throughout the week, we contacted doctors, talked to other adoptive families, etc. :)

In reviewing his file, we determined his special need was very doable and he would be a great fit for our family.

Obsticles that stood in the way...

~ Did our agency allow two at one time? (already knew yes) YES! 

~ Was he still on the shared list? (over a year) YES!

~ Was he special focus? (had to be for us to bring him home) YES!

~ Could our family qualify to bring two home together? YES!

We couldn't say no.

There was only one thing left to do~ LOCK and send LOI.

 (LOI~ letter of intent to adopt, LOA~ letter of acceptance to adopt)

SO on day 50 of our LOA wait for EC, we sent LOI on Monday for PC and now we have to amend our home study to adopt two children, wait for immigration once again, and wait for PC's paperwork to catch up to EC's.  

(Scott later admitted he had had thoughts of another son but didn't say a word... :)

We are not sure of travel timeline, we don't know who will be going with us, we don't know how it is all going to happen, but we DO know WHO is sending us and HE already has the plan.

Our interim pastor spoke on Matt 18:1-5: The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven~ 

 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 

His bottom line was: Be in wonder of God instead of wandering off.

Evie and Payne came to my mind and I kept imagining first of all their the chance to know God in our family and secondly, they would know the wonder of being a child~ playing, security in a family, siblings to grow up with, a mama and daddy's love.

It thrilled me to no end!!!

I stand in wonder of the One Who has called us again to bring a precious one home and we intend to not wander off.

I have updated the Joyful Heart auction which went by the wayside during vacay and starting home school~ so sorry.

I have a list of 6 friends that added our button to their blog... please let me know if you did or will add as I will be drawing for the bag and camera strap on Friday!

 (Copy code from sidebar to add to your blog)

I also have a new item up and relisted several others~ please stop by and place a bid.

I also want to ask if you know of someone that would offer an item for us~ Etsy shop, friend that makes something awesome, something you create, anything~ Please email me!

It would mean so much to the success of the auction because we now need to raise 2 orphanage fees~ $5600 X 2 = $11,200!!!

Some may say that is impossible but I know GOD is way bigger than two fees and He loves Evie and Payne very much.

Please help us raise the funds we need to travel!!!

Blessings to all!

 

 

 

Seventh Heaven~

Have you been able to read between the lines, notice little hints, catch a jist of what's up with our family?

 It's been very hard to keep it in...

such a journey of prayer, soul searching, should we? shouldn't we? was that a closed door? did God send us on this journey just for Grayson? or was He bringing another little one home?

You remember me meeting Grayson's precious mom back in March and our time at the retreat.

I really went there to hear a clear word from God telling us what He wanted us to do?

I didn't come home knowing where He was leading but I knew I needed to stay close, 

nurture my family, and just let Him lead.

Scott and I had SO many conversations, moments of tears, and complete dependence on God's will.

We kept asking Him what He wanted us to do... stop or go?

It really would be the easier choice to stay home and love the ones we have BUT

we couldn't let go of the thought we might leave our child waiting in China;

after all, God put Grayson in my heart, gave him to another, so WHAT?

In the last weeks as we have continued the paper chase,

God has really made the words of Sidewalk Prophets "I Wanna Live Like That" come alive~

What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

SO that's what we are doing~

We are going back for the child God has chosen for our family.

As a matter of fact, our dossier went to China Monday...

we are

DTC!!!

(Dossier to China)

Meaning our paper work is there and being prepared to Log In.

Once we have LID (Log In Date) we will be matched and see who God had in mind all along.

We just had to have faith that He knew the way and all we had to do was follow.

 

Once again, we have no idea how it will come to fruition financially; 

after all, this will be our third adoption in three years, fourth in 6 years.

What we DO know...

He has provided everything we have needed in the past and know without a shadow of a doubt,

HE will do it AGAIN!

Sew Shay is up and running, plan to open auction again soon,

and Scott is busily pursuing a real estate adventure he has always dreamed of... to help us get to China and when back home, will help other families bring their precious ones home too! 

(Link coming soon to his website)

SO Seventh Heaven is on the way!

Count them...

Savannah, Amelia, Rosemary, EllaKate, ShayleeJoy, Will Perry, and ???

 Girl or Boy? Age 2-6? God Knows!!!

Are you at all surprised? 

Thank you for your prayers on this new journey!!!

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.