We found out in January, shortly after Christmas. Dan saw her picture and her file and he knew immediately. We had prayed for this. In the very first days of this whole thing we named her asked God to show us His plan and make her known to us. He did. Dan called me while I was shopping and said I need you to be praying and I need you to come see me as soon as you get home because there's a little girl and I know she's the one. My heart was in my throat at this point! We spent the next 3 days praying and felt sure this is what God's plan was. We had multiple conversations with our workers and our medical team. We proceeded with the referral request and received a preliminary approval, but had to wait for the official acceptance of our request from China. The official word came yesterday! We have a couple more steps to complete and then we'll make all the travel arrangements. After 18 long months we'll hopefully be able to travel to China to get her in just a couple short months!!! For the last yr and a half she has been in not just our prayers, but all our family and friends, and so much a part of our conversations and decisions. One cool note about the timing...when God first began speaking to us about it was around the time she was born. We would be so compelled to pray for her at times, not even knowing who or where she was, and we know now that it was then she was fighting for her little life. She's a miracle for sure and God has had a plan for her all along.
Waiting. Waiting. And more waiting. So much of our lives the last couple of years has been about waiting. We've had a front row seat to it. And being honest about it, we're not that good at it. Boy, do we get impatient. And the apples don't fall far from the tree let me tell you, because our children aren't all that good at it either! Frequently, they would get frustrated at the waiting. But praise God, we're better than we used to be! God has shown us so much through all of this. We've had to focus on seeing Him in the waiting. On worshipping Him in the waiting. Trusting Him for answers in all that seems uncertain and unclear. God would gently remind us over and over that He was working out His plan and He wasn't looking for our understanding, He was looking for our obedience. Simply wanting us to trust Him who is Sovereign in all things. I wish I could say, "Whew, good thing it's all behind us!" But I can't! There's still lots ahead. Things that need to come together. Things we'll deal with medically once she's here. And then there's the whole moving and beginning things in another community! It's all good though! Day at a time is how we'll take it! I don't know about you, but seems as though we're always in a season of waiting or coming out of one. If you find yourself in a season of waiting I encourage you, friend, to stay the course. Trust in God and believe that ALL His promises are YES & AMEN!!!
"And so it was...that she, having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained what God had promised." Heb 6:15
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| The night we told all the kids. The kids gathered around the table, Zane was on Skype on Beth's computer and we showed them the videos of her. |
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| Signing the official document from the government of China |
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Thank you for all of you who have prayed and encouraged us! It means more than you know!! We ask for your prayers for the remaining details that need to come together. God gets all the glory!!!!
