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!)

We have our R.A.!! (referral acceptance)

Well, we got the call from our agency today, telling us they have our R.A. in hand and that it will be overnighted to us for us to receive tomorrow!! WE CAN'T BELIEVE IT! This is really going to happen - and soon! Now for the whirlwind of events and payments! :) We should get our travel approval in the next 2-6 weeks, and then travel 2-4 weeks after that. Our agency said we could conceivably be in China before the end of the year. WOW!! I don't even know what to say. We have so much to do to get things ready for her!! Stay tuned for more...