Time is flying!

I can't believe we're only 5 sleeps away before boarding that plane to China!!!!

We found out that Madelyn has been told we are coming...I got total goosebumps when I read the email! I wonder what is going through her mind?!?! Please keep praying for her! Every time I think of her, I tear up...I can't believe in 8 days we will be able to actually look at her, possibly even hug her!!!

Your prayers are covering my Rachel! She has now gone from being very nervous and weepy to letting herself get excited for their "vacation" to grandma's and grandpa's. Now Linzhi Rose is not at all anxious, she is SO excited to go on Vacation that she packed her entire book case! I told her she had to unpack some of that stuff because her suit case is way to heavy, she then looked at me and said "But mama, I need all my stuff to go to grandma's!" How cute is my baby girl?

As far as packing goes, I am just about done. I've been taking my time to iron, organize and label...Yep, I'm a dork! I really over packed the first time around but this time I've decided to simplify and not pack any food...except for my Folgers singles, vanilla creamer and Twizzlers, got to have some sugar!! I have three good books that I can't wait to get into, my ipod and camera, I'm good to go! I'm going to bring some games, nail polish, color books/crayons, and some other goodies for Madelyn however, we plan on taking her shopping so she can pick out some clothes, snacks and any toys or books she would like as well. I really can't wait to take her shopping, I'm anxious to see what she likes and dislikes. =)

I feel like it's all coming together so all I have to say is...GET ME ON THE PLANE!

I'll post my itinerary as soon as I get the second half of it, we're still waiting on Guangzhou. I can tell you we get Madelyn on Monday, July 19th at 9AM!!!

Good night and God bless,
Amy

Goodness!

WOW, what a week already!! We have our confirmed Consulate appointment July 28th!!
We will depart Chicago on July 16th and return on the 31st. It's a bit longer than I thought but I am so grateful Madelyn will be in our arms finally!!! I'm waiting to get our official itinerary from Karla at Lifeline which I will post so you all can see and I will post the link to our travel site again if you would like to follow us along to China! All your prayers mean so very much to our entire family.

There is so much going through my mind. All the what if's...Like is she going to kick and scream because she does not want to be with us (possibly) or is she going to run into our arms and let us hug and kiss her (um...maybe a slight chance) or is she going to be shy, reserved and scared? Who knows? We are again like all adoptive families going into the unknown. However, I will not forget how the Lord completely delivered this child from the life of an orphan. I know I will cling to that as we begin this new journey with Madelyn. She may not want us at first but we certainly want her and that will never change. All the prayers this child is getting from people all over the place will surely help in the transition from orphan to daughter. I covet them all and get so weepy when I think of all the folks that have our backs in prayer. There is so much power to prayer!

I do have another prayer request for our Rachel. She is having a tough time with us leaving, every morning she says "well mama, 9 more days..." it totally breaks my heart into a million pieces. Oh my heart. This journey is so bitter sweet because I am (like so many mama's) not complete unless all my ducks are with me... I guess you can say, we're a little weepy around here but still praising the Lord for all the good He has done!!

Here we go...

I was so shocked to get the email today!!!! Looks like our Consulate appointment will be on the 26th or 28th of July which means...We're leaving 2 weeks from today!!!!! Our Forever Family day is July 19th!!!!! I will have more concrete dates on Tuesday!

Is this really happening??????

WOW!!!!

*I will post more on Linzhi's doctor's appointment once we have more information. We're waiting for scheduling to call us, the doctor ordered an MRI on her brain and spine. He believes Linzhi does not have Arthrogryposis, he feels she may have a spinal injury due to a possible traumatic birth. We will know more once the MRI results are reviewed. This changes everything! Please keep our Linzhi in your prayers. We praying to get the MRI done before we leave for China. I will keep you all posted.

Thank you all for the comments and private emails about my last post. We have confirmation from our agency that there are NO exceptions... However, when we are in Wuhan, we both agree we're going to ask again and if it's God's will then things will happen, we're going to continue to pray for a miracle!!!

Any day now we should get our TA, I can't wait to FINALLY get on that plane! I am still praying for July travel so we'll see what His plan is very soon. I can tell Rachel is getting a little anxious because she remembers our first trip and how long we were gone. This time around, she has her sister and her daddy will be coming home much sooner than mama. We are also blessed to have our girls looked after by grandma Sharon and Grandpa Willie, they keep them busy and they get plenty of love.
I have to admit, I'm getting a bit anxious myself. This journey has been very long. I'm not complaining but it's been a ride!!! =) I would do it all over again if asked and I pray this isn't our last adoption journey. I'm excited to go back to China especially with Trevor. I'm excited to see how he will be changed by our trip, I don't think you're ever the same after experiencing what lies ahead. I'm also getting weepy when I think about leaving my little girls and I'm really try to suck it up because I was SO very homesick the first time around and I think it made me miss out on some things so I am praying for my heart to settle and trust that HE will take care of my babies (his babies) while we're gone. Ok, I think I'm rambling and way to emotional right now...LOL... Changing the subject...

This Wednesday night, we're hosting a party for my cousins that are in town from St.Louis. My sweet cousin Lindsay is still in a fight with cancer but she's doing good!! And Jenny, her sister that relocated with her family to help care for Lindsay and her family will be here too. I am so excited!!

Then on Friday, Linzhi, Rachel and I are going to drive a little bit up north to see a new doctor and get a second opinion for Linzhi. We are thrilled to be able to see this doctor. We love Shriners but we want a second opinion before her surgery to see if there's another approach we can take.

CJ is going to be gone a few nights this week due to work so I'm glad I have lots to do to keep me busy. I don't like when he's gone but we are so grateful his business is doing well despite the economy.

Well, I'm off to the grocery store. Have a blessed day!

Heart.Broken.

See that beautiful soul sitting to the right of Madelyn. After much prayer and mentioning it to my hubby I emailed Karla at Lifeline to see if she could. find out any information on this precious older girl. Karla asked if I had a name or date of birth...Nothing, just a picture. Karla said she would ask Lily and get back to me. I could not get her out of my mind, I instantly planned for her, where we could set up her bedroom, getting her involved in the youth group at church.... I knew in time CJ would come around, he's such a softy and I knew if I had to beg and borrow, I would bring that angel home even if it meant traveling a few months later. I didn't know what to do but pray she hasn't aged out and that we could be her family OR there was a forever family already coming to get her.

Last night Karla sent me a sweet email to let me know this pretty little girl with the yellow shirt has aged out and is no longer eligible for adoption. My.heart.sank. I went to bed in tears, hard tears. I still have a lump in my throat even as I write this and look at her. I can see Madelyn is her friend. What if I meet her in Wuhan? How can I leave with out her? Oh my heart. What will happen to her? I ask the Lord to break my heart for the things that break His. My heart is broken.

Terrific Tuesday!

WOW! What a surprise for us today!! 24 new pictures of our Madelyn was in my inbox today. PLEASE LORD, IF IT'S YOUR WILL, PLEASE GRANT US A FAST TA!!!

And by the way, the next pictures we post of Madelyn will be from our camera!!!


(our Madelyn is in the middle)

*ARTICLE 5!!!!! Praise Jesus!!! I just got an email from Karla at Lifeline that Lily picked up our Article 5 and delivered it to CCA@!!

*What's next you ask??? Our TA (travel approval) which could take 2-3 weeks. One step closer to our girl!!!

*Our garage sale yielded $1250 in sales....Thank you Jesus again!!


*So sorry for being MIA again. It's been a very sad. I'll be attending my second wake in less than a week. Gone are two young people both a father and a mother (different families). Please pray for the LaFrance/Lamie family as they said good-bye to Ami and to the Themer family as they prepare to say good-bye to John.

In times like these, I cling to Jesus even tighter. He took the sting from death, by His blood we will live eternally with Him. God is so very good to us.
So very sad. =(