This is blog was created to share some tidbits of our daily lives

and advocate on behalf of the 143 million orphans around the world!

Monday, August 23, 2010

8 days til we leave for our journey to China for our HOPE!!!



It seems so surreal to be typing this. Still in a dream-like state, but moment by moment, day by day, we're getting closer to being able to go and meet our daughter. This emotional ride is WILD let me tell ya! It's beginning to sink in to the boys that we will not be with them for over half of the month of September. They are having little moments of sadness and crying here and there each day. :-( (breaks my heart!!) Little Lolee has no idea what is about to happen, and we're just praying and casting all of our cares on the Lord. We know He cares about every detail of this trip and has orchestrated it all up to this point and will continue to do so for us through our lives and into eternity. Shew, what a relief!

Our flights are booked, itineraries are made. Shopping for the trip is pretty much done as well. Packing will begin soon, as I know these last basically 7 days will fly by. We have such a wonderful family to help with our three children we're leaving behind. This time we will be able to skype them, which will be wonderful..if we can get through it without crying. :-) (When we were in Ethiopia we didn't get to talk to them on the phone at all. We were only able to email them.)

So, right now, we truly covet your prayers. Please pray for our 3 children here in the U.S. Pray for our little one in China, that God will prepare her heart and ours for what is coming..and allow her to accept us as her forever family. Pray for safe travels and miracles. Adoption is a miracle. We're still so blown away that our God would allow us to be a part of this amazing journey.

Blessings,
Julie
Here's a sneak peek at our Journey to China:

Sept. 1- Leave for China- 11:21 a.m.
Sept.2- Arrive in Beijing, China 11:10 p.m. (China time..they are 12 hours ahead of us!)
Sept. 3-Tour Beijing- Visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, etc.
Sept. 4- Great Wall and Ming tombs
Sept. 5-Depart Beijing for Nanjing (where Lily lives!!)
SEPT6- GOTCHA DAY!! Go get Lily at 2:00 p.m. (2:00 a.m. our time!;-)
Sept 7-Paperwork / bonding
Sept. 8-Optional Half Day tour (Happy birthday to my niece Morgan)
Sept. 9- Wait for paperwork to be processed/ bonding
Sept. 10-Fly into Guangzhou...stay at White Swan Hotel
Sept. 11- Lily's physical :-(
Sept. 12- Free time, rest, shop.
Sept. 13- Consulate Appt.
Sept. 14- Take our oath at Consulate
Sept. 15- Receive Lily's Visa
Sept. 16-Fly to Hong Kong
Sept. 17-COME HOME!!!!! Depart Hong Kong 9:15 a.m. and arrive in Louisville airport at 4:39 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to join us!!!

But as for me, I will always have HOPE; I will praise you more and more!
Psalm 71:14

6 comments:

Garland Family of 5 said...

Will be praying for you all! You are almost there! Just enjoy every moment and soak it all in. We love you and can't wait to meet Lily!

Emy said...

I can hardly type through the tears! Love you all!!!!

Sheila said...

This is so exciting! I would LOVE to be a part of your welcoming committee but if I can't be there just know you have someone in Cincinnati leaping for joy! :D

The Gutmans' said...

Wow, 8, amazing!!! Of course praying for you all, so happy you will get to skype, yeah!!! That was the hardest part for us not being able to really communicate, over joyed that you can. God has every detail worked out, I know he does, so many prayers for all of you and your little Lily these past few years. Years, wow!!!! NOW ITS JUST 8 DAYS, AAAHHHHHH!!! Luv u all!!!

Mi Jean said...

Happy Birthday Lily!!!!!! Can't wait to get you home.We love you!

Kerri said...

Jules, it's all surreal to you right now but it's about to be even more so! You'll come to a place where you think "I'm site seeing in China and all I want to see is my baby girl!" Just take in every minute and try to remember that someday you'll be telling her of her birth land. It'll be a tiring, refreshing, crazy, calm, unscripted, perfectly planned trip! Planned by the Lord who chose you to be a Mama to Lily!!! xoxoxoxo