Next Stop .... Shanghai, China

By God's grace we are in the airport ready to board the plane to China to bring our little girl home.  We said goodbye to our 4 kids this morning with tears knowing that 16 days is a long time to be away from them!  We feel so blessed and at peace knowing they are in good hands.  Bless my parents hearts for committing to stay with our kids for the duration of our trip.  

This little cutie is what is waiting for us on the other side of the ocean.  Just months after we started the process and every approval was flying at what felt like mock speed and beating most norms Eric looked at me and said, "God is up to something here!"  Our paperwork was logged in the day before our little Ellie's file was released from China.  Yes God was up to something and we know without a shadow of a doubt that God handpicked this little girl to complete our family!  We can't wait to see how she does just that! 

We are so thankful for the support of family and friends on this journey. We couldn't do it with out your love, prayers and words of encouragement!  We would love to take you along on our journey (that is if we have good internet and can blog) and if you feel led please pray for us as we  journey to our daughter and back home.  Please lift up these specific requests:

- Little Ellie's heart as she grieves everything she has ever know and begins to open her heart to the love her dad and mom are ready to pour out.  Pray we would have grace and wisdom on how to meet her emotionally right where she is at each day.  

-Physical healing for the hole in Ellie's heart that she was born with.  We are praying boldly that the Great Physician will place his hands on her little body and heal her before she even gets home.

- The adoption process and all that it entails. It is amazing how much paperwork needs to be done perfectly and timely.  Pray that all will go smooth with our paperwork while we are in China.  

- The health of all 3 of us on our trip.

- Logistics and safety as we travel. We will be in 3 different cities and provinces in China which means many plains, shuttles, luggage shuffling and hotels. 

- Finally lift my parents and kids up while we are gone.  We are 2 on 1 and they will be 2 on 4 with a 3 year old that is an energizer bunny.   Pray that they would be given an added measure of energy hourly, good health and good rest. 

We know that God is walking before us and paving our way to our little girl. He is faithful and will provide for us in every way! 

Let us hold fast the confessions of our hope without wavering for He 
who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23