Travel dates!! & prayer requests

I could not be more excited today!!  Having learned that it can take up to 72 hours to get the consulate appointment confirmed and then knowing that the consulate is actually shutting down ALL next week in order to implement a new software system, I have been on pins and needles hoping that they would process our request for an appointment by Friday!   In fact I woke up this morning feeling quite anxious and miserable and sincerely hoping that God didn't see the need to work on developing my patience.  So when they phone rang this morning just before 9:00am I basically raced across the house to catch it!  It was our social worker and we DID get and appointment on August 7!  We will be IN China from July 27-August 9.  

I cannot believe it is finally here!!  By the time school starts again, we will have a daughter!  The boys are also excited too and started packing their rolling backpacks this morning (essentials of course-dvds,  activities books:).  They are going to be the best big brothers.  

So anyway, we will be getting our itinerary soon and booking flights!  And then we'll be completely broke for a while-but that is ok!  

I would like to thank all of you for your prayer and support through out this process.  We have seen those prayers come to fruition in so many ways and God has been faithful to lead us. There are not enough words to express how amazing this process has worked out down to every detail and time frame.   Besides the fact that we are just flat ready to get Kailyn, these travel dates will allow me to make both Joseph and David's school registrations and be back for meet the teacher.  Not that we couldn't work around that, but I feel like this is just much less trouble than having to reschedule registrations and request excused absences, and I think it is good for David to start his first year in elementary school in a normal way.

Here are some prayer requests that I have:

First- that God would be glorified in every way during the trip

That we would come to know God more deeply through this experience

That Kailyn would adjust well and enjoy our family

That we can become attune to her needs quickly

That our trip to visit her orphanage would be deeply meaningful and memorable

That our ears (particularly Joseph, David, and Kailyn) would not hurt on the plane

That we would stay well during the trip

FOOD!  That my children would find things (preferably somewhat healthy) that they will eat while we are there.  I am going to pack as many snacks as I can fit.

Luggage - that it would not get lost coming or going

That in general, all travel would go smoothly

That we will sleep (somehow none of us ever sleep great away from home anywhere)


That our dog would behave and not give her sitters any trouble:)

I saw this post this morning on Facebook before I got the call from our agency and was reminded that even if we had to wait longer to travel, the wait would still be because of the goodness of the Lord.  But-I am glad that His goodness was for us to travel sooner than later! 

And this is the song that was in my head when I woke up this morning-praise is ALWAYS great therapy for anxiety!

Exalted by Chris Tomlin

Amy