Soon...

Just a few more days until we leave on the biggest journey of our lives to do something that at one time we never imagined we would do.

Here's a picture of Bethany's birthday cake from our celebration on December 11th. Wish she could have been here already but for sure next year!

On Monday we purchased our plane tickets after hearing back from our adoption agency regarding the final itinerary. Last night we began evaluating how much stuff we are actually going to bring with us. Many have told us to pack light and that there is a charge for overweight luggage. That seems to be difficult to do as we get ready for the longest trip we've ever been on the farthest away from almost everything we know. In the coming days we will be on a conference call to learn what to expect on the journey and ask questions, continue packing, finalize arrangements for the kids, wrap up last minute things at work, buy a mattress and finalizing details for Bethany's room and much more.

We are so thankful that we continue to have friends and family that surprise us continually with support to help make this all work out. God has blessed us immensely! Please pray for help with our finances as the cost of the plane tickets and in-country expenses have gone up recently and calm and courage over the next few days for both of us if you can.

Let us know how you are doing and keep touch with us while we are in China right here! We will try to post daily.

Finally, here is a short video of us just playing UNO. Imagine how this picture is going to change with our little girl... This is going to be fun!


Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

We're headed for China!!

Hello! We got our T.A. (travel approval) call today! Of course the agency had trouble getting a hold of us...just like the day we got the referral! Dan was out running errands with Toby and Becky was helping at Trent's Snowman Party (you can't say Christmas you know!) at school. Anyway, it looks like we are leaving January 8th and returning sometime around the 22nd. We were hoping for a few days sooner, since the kids go back to school on the 20th, and we wanted them to have a few days home with us when we returned, but we might just pull them out for a few days anyway. So, now we have a few weeks to get packed and geared up for an amazing couple of weeks! More later...thanks for your prayers and encouragement along this journey! The end is in sight!!

One more quick note...please pray for our safe travels to and from China and for the emotional separation for us and our 3 boys while we are apart. I (Becky) have never been away from the boys for more than 1-2 nights, and even with all the excitement of getting Bethany, am dreading being away from my boys that long. Of the boys, I am most concerned about Matthew, who will probably have the hardest time having mom and dad gone. Thanks.

Have a great day! We are!! :)

Dan, Becky, Matthew, Trent and Toby

Still waiting...

Sorry we are not being too faithful on posting regularly yet. It's mostly because there is nothing new to report, unfortunately. I'm a bit grumpy about it, because I feel our expectations were raised when we were told we "could be gone by Christmas" a month ago! Well, it's not likely at this point, and that is ok, because we would like to spend Christmas with our boys. However, it would be nice to get a phone call saying that we are leaving the day after Christmas!! :)

Since it was Bethany's birthday last week, I thought it would be perfect to get our travel approval call; it didn't happen, but I remained optimistic, thinking we would get the call yesterday, on Dan's birthday. Well, that didn't happen either, so now I'm going to hope it comes tomorrow...and then the next day...and then the next. Get the picture?? :)

I don't know how people who are waiting for their first child deal with this waiting thing. We are so blessed to have 3 boys that keep us plenty busy, and I still am getting impatient! Of course, most of you know, that is just in my nature to be impatient!! :)

Well enough rambling and smiley faces from me tonight. God is in control. He has been throughout this entire process. Instead of just saying it, I need to act as though I believe it to be true. Then I can do away with these negative and crabby attitudes. Stay tuned...

Becky

Bethany's birthday is this week.

This week Bethany turns three on this coming Thursday, December 11. This comes with gladness and sadness as we wait for word on when we travel. We are planning to have a celebration as a family. This keeps the boys excited about their sister's arrival as well.

We did finally receive communication from our agency on Thursday providing instruction on how to file for our visas. So that provides a little encouragement that at least we are able to progress forward ever so slightly. We also heard but haven't confirmed that costs may be going up after January 1st so we hope that we are able to move forward before then. This certainly costs enough already! Please pray for us for patience and courage as we prepare for our journey. It would be great to hear from you as well. Drop us a note.

Letter to Bethany:
Bethany,

We wonder, wait, hope and pray for you. We loved you before we even met you. We knew that God had chosen you just as he chose your brothers to be a special part of our family. We can't wait to finally meet you and bring you home.

Love,

Mom, Dad, Matthew, Trent and Toby

More waiting

Hi,

I am a bit frustrated at the moment. We cannot get communication from our agency regarding our visa application, which we need to get in PRONTO. We could get our T.A. (travel approval) any day.

On a happier note, I received a Chinese baby doll that I ordered in the mail recently. Toby was enthralled by it! He helped me unpackage the doll and proudly raced downstairs to show his dad and brothers. This doll is one of a handful of items I have bought during moments of weakness...

Right before Thanksgiving, we painted a room pink in our house for the first time after more than 14 years of marriage! We also hung the curtains in Bethany's room. Now Dan gets to start sanding and restaining the oak bed frame given to us by our good friends Troy and Chris. Things are shaping up in our girlie's bedroom.

Hopefully I can post some travel dates soon.

By His Grace and For His Glory,
Becky and all the boys (can't say that for too much longer!)