Oh. My. Goodness. We leave for China in four more days!!!!!!! That is so wild to think about!! We have been packing and re-packing. I actually leave in 3 days...even WILDER!! I'm going to fly out to San Francisco to meet up with Karl on Wednesday...and then we fly out to China on Thursday. I don't think I'll really believe it's happening until we land in Beijing.
I've been a terrible blogger as I've got SO MUCH to do!! I'll have my darling girl in my arms in only 10 more days!! Craziness!!!!! We leave for China in only 6 more days. I've got so much packing to do still! Here is our itinerary:
v Sunday, Dec. 7th Church Service, Summer Palace
Flight to Hubei!!
v Monday, Dec. 8th Gotcha Day!! Meet Karleigh Mei!
v Tuesday, Dec. 9th Civil Affairs Appointment
v Dec. 10th -11th Sightseeing and Shopping
v Friday, Dec. 12th Flight to Guangzhou
v Saturday, Dec. 13th Medical Exam and Shopping
v Sunday, Dec. 14th Paperwork Party
v Monday, Dec. 15th Consulate Appointment
v Tuesday, Dec. 16th Pick up Child’s Visa
v Wednesday, Dec. 17th Come Home!!
We had our Gala last night and it was an incredible night! I haven't heard yet what the total was that we raised. Tom Davis was awesome to hear. What a heart he has for orphans! He showed this video that I cannot get out of my head. I hope that it stirs your heart like it has mine. Precious children who have so much hope. This is the time of year for GIVING and I pray that you will remember also the orphans.
 | Identity for Orphans in China & El Salvador 3,780 children given the opportunity for a "home" |
One of the greatest challenges orphans face is they do not have the necessary paperwork in order to be adopted. With your support, America World is undertaking a new initiative to make children "paper-ready" in countries such as China and El Salvador. Through this program, we hope to provide the necessary legal services and documentation to help orphaned children overcome this problem and become eligible for adoption. What's more, documentation for children is crucial for those who will not be adopted as well. Simple basic documents, such as a birth certificate, provide children a ticket to a better education and health care. Purchasing one ticket provides identity papers for one child in El Salvador and up to four children in China.
| Opening America World Adoption programs in Bolivia, Brazil, India, Rwanda, and Vietnam 585 children given the opportunity for a "home" |
Opening America World adoption programs in new countries is a priority of the America World development staff. Researching and developing these programs is a slow and expensive process. Your help will provide families more options in deciding where to adopt as well as provide new homes to countless more children. With your gift, many more children will have the opportunity to grow up in a home and not an institution.
| America World Transitional Homes in Ethiopia 405 children given the opportunity for a "home" |
Part of America World's work in Ethiopia is to implement development projects for orphans and vulnerable children. One of those projects in rural Ethiopia is to help rebuild a children's home that receives abandoned children from the government. Supporting this project will help these children have an opportunity to find permanent families in both Ethiopia and abroad. Your support will provide basic needs such as daily nutrition, medical treatment, clothes, toys, and 24 hour a day nanny care.
| Older Children's Cultural Exchange Program in Ukraine and Russia 459 children given the opportunity for a "home" |
America World Adoption is developing a program to bring older orphans, between the ages of 5 and 12, to the U.S. to stay with an America World family like yours. This new hosting program will provide older children in Ukraine (and soon other countries like Russia, Ethiopia, and China) the opportunity to spend two weeks with a prospective adoptive family. Your support can provide an orphan with the opportunity to find a place to call home.
I am super excited about hearing Tom Davis speak and our own founder and president of AWAA Brian Luwis! But that's not all!!! Billy and Cindy Foote will be leading worship!! It's going to be awesome! Here is a bit about our guests tonight:
Guest Speakers:
Yesterday, on Lexie's Sweet 16th birthday, we got our Travel Approval!! Yippee!! We are hoping to leave December 4th. That's 2 weeks from today!! I've GOT to get packing!! We will be traveling to Beijing...and then we are off to the province of Hubei (pronounced Who-Bay) to get our Karleigh Mei!!! Lexie said yesterday that we are no longer counting UP but now DOWN!! Oh my goodness!! This is so exciting!! And what an incredible time of year too! Karleigh Mei will be here with us on Christmas!!! YIPPEE!!
Today is my beautiful middle daughter's 16th birthday!! I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed!!
Lexie,
There is nothing that makes me weep on demand more than the thought of my children growing up so fast. It is a bitter sweet emotion. Bitter, in that it is all happening way too fast. Sweet, in that it is all so beautiful. Tears of mourning regarding how fast it all happens and tears of boundless joy all wrapped into one. I am shocked by the grace and beauty that God has allowed me to live among with all four of you and soon to be five. You are the model of beauty passed on by your lovely mother and your abiding relationship with our Savior.
I love you Lexie. Happy Birthday.
Dad
Find Your Wings
by Mark Harris
"It's only for a moment you were mine to hold.
The plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold.
So many different prayers I'll pray for all that you might do,
but most of all I want to know that you're walking in the truth.
And if I never told you, I want you to know,
that as I watch you grow...
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams.
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things.
I'm here for you whatever this life brings.
So let my love give you roots, and help you find your wings.
May passion be the wind that leads you through your days.
And may conviction keep you strong and guide you on your way.
May there be many moments that make your life so sweet.
Oh but more than memories...
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams.
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things.
I'm here for you whatever this life brings.
So let my love give you roots, and help you find your wings.
It's not living if you don't reach for the sky.
I'll have tears as you take off, but I'll cheer as you fly.
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams.
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things.
I'm here for you whatever this life brings.
So let my love give you roots, and help you find your wings."
Waiting for our TA has been more difficult than I thought. I saw this video and it is because of these promises that I feel peace about not being able to be with my girl. Thank you Father for loving her so....
I had mentioned to a friend how I hoped that Karleigh Mei was dreaming about us, because now she has seen our picture. And this friend said that I should pray that she does have sweet dreams about us! I love this! When I'm awake during the day, my Karleigh Mei is sleeping. I've been praying over her sleep...praying that it is a sweet one....and now I've added to that prayer, that she will be dreaming of us...and longing for us!!
Hoping you have sweet dreams tonight after your special day! We love you!
