Because, guess what???
WE ARE GOING TO CHINA!!!!!!
2 years, 7 months, 7 days, trip after trip to FedEx,
lots of prayer, buckets of tears, and hundreds of phone calls later.... we finally got to hear the words we've have dreamed about... your travel approval is here!!!!!!! You can go get your daughter!
The dates still need to be confirmed but it looks like we will leave about August 27. Approximately 24 hours later, we will see
Beijing, China
Beijing, ChinaWe will tour there for a couple of days. Then we will fly very south to Nanning in the Guangxi province (it borders Vietnam).
It is there that a stranger will hand us one of the four most precious gifts we have ever been given!
Then, we will fly to Guangzhou where everything will culminate in an oath at the US Consulate on September 8. Bringing us back to the good ol' USA about September the 10th. When that plane touches US soil, Emme will be citizen of the United States of America!
I have very few other words at this point. I am overwhelmed with God's goodness. 3 years ago this was a dream that, to be honest, I thought it would always be a dream. God has so far provided every single penny we needed. When we started, we barely scraped together the application fee. And, although through some of the last few months God seemed absent, he really had me in the palm of His hand protecting me. From what, I don't know. I may never know this side of Heaven. But, as I watch things come together now, he was taking all my desires and putting them in a beautiful package. Sometime soon, I'll unwrap it for you.
Until then, I'll give you a sneak peak.
Adoption draws together people who are on the same journey. I have been blessed to have been given several friends to encourage me. Friends I have never met in person, just communicated with online. One of those dear people has been a lady named Sharla. I want Sharla to be my neighbor and my REALLY good friend. I'd settle for just having her in the same city. Or, heck, the same state would be okay too! Anyway, I just wanted to share the email she sent me tonight. She always makes me cry when she writes. I followed her on her journey to pick up her precious daughter, Abby just a couple of weeks ago. (Followed her online. I wasn't stalking her.) I cried for two weeks reading her posts! To me, she has been a glimpse of heaven on earth.
Hi E-mail, wish you were near, friend!
I was SO EXCITED to see your announcement on RQ! What wonderful news!! I can’t wait to follow your journey, I know it’s going to be amazing because the “enemy” has tried so hard to de-rail it. God must have something incredible in store for you and your family and this precious child.
I love Habakkuk 1:5, “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”
I can’t wait to watch and be utterly amazed!
Hugs,
Sharla
12 comments:
Congratulations!!! I love that verse from your friend... We serve a amazing God that I've been realizing wants to do more with us that we can ever imagine! I'm so excited that you finally have your travel date!!! Emme is getting an amazing family.
Congratulations! We are so happy for you and praying that we will be right behind you the following week or two.
Blessings on you as you pack and prepare for your baby to come home.
Hugs from PA! And thanks for all your encouraging posts through this journey - God has been and will continue to be glorified through this blog and your story!
Awesome! So happy for you! I'll be in Guangzhou at the same time :) E-mail me if you have time. Maybe we will be at the same hotel.
Soon we will hold our children!
pam
So excited to hear that you finally got your TA! I can't wait to meet her!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!
Praise HIM through whom all blessings flow!
I'll call China and warn them you're coming. Yeah, they're a little distracted right now, but once Maury and I utter your name to them, they'll JUMP in anticipation!!!
Congrats!
Emme,
You're getting the best parents ever! They have prayed, fought, cried, and cheered for you from day one. You're one lucky girl!
GOD IS GOOD!
OH MY GOODNESS!!! I've just read snippets of your journey and am so, so THRILLED for you! I look forward to reading more, and hopefully visiting sometime and hearing more. As you know, we're just back from China, so feel free to email with questions of any kind!!
GOD IS SO GOOD!
Wonderful news! Congrats and I can not wait to follow your journey.
Congratulations on your referral!! When you are ready to obtain her finding ad (which has a great picture taken months before the referral photo!) come visit us at www.research-china.org.
Have a safe trip!
Brian
Congrats on your beautiful daughter!! I am so sorry your family had to go through so much to get to her. I read that you are in Ohio. We are in Enon (between Fairborn and Springfield). Are you in the Dayton area? Please feel free to email me (drewnsam@woh.rr.com) or stop by my blog! It's always great to meet others nearby!!!
Sam
http://samcampbell.blogspot.com
I don't know you but, I am also a mommy to a Guo baby. My daughter was found in Chongzuo City and her beginnings are the same as Emme's in orphanage. I am so encouraged to see Emme! She is lovely.
I know you will fall in love with her and she will fit perfectly into your family. Your travel schedule is 2 days off of ours. We traveled one year ago on the 23rd of August. Have a safe trip and rest assured that Emme will have been cared for beautifully. God bless you and keep you.
Congratulations! Emme is beautiful! I am also with FTIA, and eagerly awaiting my LOA. Safe travels to China. I'll be checking in to see how your journey is going!
Kristen
She is just lovely, and I get lost in her soulful eyes.
I wish you a safe and memorable journey to unite with your daughter.
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