Update

The day after we got our Article 5, our social worker called and let us know that our agent on the ground in China said that it would be approximately 20 days until we get our travel approval.  Of course, all the the times that we get are subject to change, and I have seen various wait times between Article 5's and travel approvals on different blogs (from 7 days to 2 weeks), but still, just getting an approximate timeline set my mind at ease to give me some idea that I can let up on the mind spin of things to remember and just take a few things at a time.  You can probably figure out by now by reading this blog that I love structure-not inflexibility-but order.  

In the mean time I would like to take a moment to give God praise for exceeding our expectations in all ways as we have gone through this process-from our Agency that we have had a wonderful overall experience with, to giving us more adoptive references than we can possibly talk to, to providing us some awesome blogs, to the support and prayers of friends around us.  He has provided for us abundantly financially-though I am not saying in a way where we have not had to be diligent and careful with our dollars.  One of the major themes God has emphasized to me personally throughout this process is that following Christ requires "fixing our eyes on Him"-this is not the same as practicing a religion.  And growing in a relationship with Jesus-like anyone else-requires time with Him, talking (prayer) and listening (in His Word).  Otherwise, you can good deed yourself (even in the name of religion) all over the place until the time, energy and resources that He has provided for you to accomplish the purpose for your life are spent-and you've missed out on His purpose for you and more than that-on knowing Him more.  

 Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

One way that He has blessed us this summer is by giving us some very fun opportunities with the boys, despite the fact that we didn't want to do an expensive vacation.  We've been able to do a couple of trips now to Six Flags (season passes are the same $ as paying for 2 days on the park!) with free hotel stays both times-thanks to Andrew's hotel points and one business trip that me and the boys tagged along on.  We also went camping recently at Oak Mountain State park, had a visit from the grandparents and have had lots of fun at home together this summer just doing our usual summer activities.  I am sharing this because one thing that I really wanted for us as a family is to have some very special and fun summer times before going to get Kailyn, mainly for the boys sake.  Andrew and I are very anxious to go and get that sweet girl-but I know 5 people who are about to have their world turned upside down for a while-even if she does adjust well to us.  But we have felt like it is important for the boys to have a good break from school and routine before we rock their world with an adoptive sibling.   Even a completely healthy adopted child comes with quite a bit more emotional and developmental needs than a biological child, and therefore requires more attention and intentional care than a biological child-which I have to admit, is hard for me to imagine how that will play out.  Kailyn also has a cleft palate-which is very correctable of course, but still, soon after we get her she will be having surgery and then ear tubes put in.  And those things alone will require a lot of extra care for her from mom and dad and I know the boys are going to be wonderful with loving and caring for her as well.  They have surprised us many times over the last few visits to see their 18 month old little cousin how much they interact and watch out for her.

I am excited to see how God uses this adoption to change all of us-and I think it is a great thing for the boys to be put in a place where they see that the world truly does not revolve around them at such a young age, and yes, there are places in the world that do NOT have a church on every corner, and there really are people who HAVE NEVER heard and MAY NEVER hear the name of Jesus, and following Christ is very costly.  And of course, the many children whose hope of being a part of a family may never come to fruition.  I think that knowing this fact and seeing it first hand are going to be two different things.  We pray that this trip will open our eyes in a way that changes all of our lives for God's glory forever.  

 Our Summer:

Amy