In the mean time…

It's been two and a half months since CCAI called us with the news that we had a little boy waiting for us in China. TWO ½ MONTHS! He was 8 months old,

now he is 11 months today.

And we are doing our best to remain patient! Every night Jeremiah says "I want that boy in my arms"! And he means it.

However, as we wait for our TA, we've tried to stay busy. Christmas came and went in a flash!

Official gifts have been purchased as well as the red bags they will go in.

We've been trying to figure out sleeping and room arrangements in our home. We are looking at bunk beds for the girls room, but we are going to wait until we get home and look at where we are.

And I have two large tubs that are already full of the necessities we are packing for China! And we haven't even gotten to our clothes!

Of course, homeschooling has not ceased. Maybe you are curious as to what we've been studying? Well, CHINA of course! Ancient China, dynasties and emperors, the building of the Great Wall, silk, terracotta soldiers, Beijing, Zhengzhou and Guangzhou! I've also tried to focus on things they will see and experience. Of course, they are girls, so a little lesson in pearls and jade wouldn't hurt either! It has been a wonderful time with the girls, teaching them about their baby brother's birth country and I think they've enjoyed it. I've learned quite a bit along the way as well! Most of all, we've been showing them how gracious the Lord has been, showing them his mighty hand in our adoption the entire way. For example, one couple asked us at church why we are taking the children with us. I thought Jeremiah explained it beautifully. Our children were so instrumental in allowing God to use them in shaping the course of this adoption. How could we not allow them to see it through and continue to be a part of this amazing experience? Another example: Several years ago, when we were in the middle of what we knew would be a very long wait with the adoption, we went through a personal revival in our lives. We knew the completion of the adoption was several years away, so we gave what we had saved up for the adoption to the Lord, in faith, knowing he would supply our every need. Two weeks ago, we received a check in the mail for the exact amount we gave to the Lord, four years ago! Today, the Lord provided again! These gifts came completely unexpected and brought us to our knees. How grateful we are to the Lord as we continue to see his providence and provision throughout this entire process!

He is never far away, out of reach, or unavailable!

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10