We're Going to China...!

 
Well it has been a wild week. We are steps away from our big trip to China. Friday we received what is called "Travel Approval." Basically what this means is our adoption paper train has come to an end and China has said "They are yours...come and bring them home!" And we cannot wait. Our prayer is we will travel by the 4th of July. We will spend a couple days in Beijing, a week in each child's province and then a week in southern China. All in all it will be just under a month in a foreign country! All that being said, there are still obstacles and hurdles to make it through. There are many things to pray about and we would like to share a few with you: 

First of all, please pray for our children. Pray for open hearts for Ruthie and Seth. Even though we have been storing up hugs and kisses for these two little ones, they do not know yet we even exist. And when they find out we do, it will feel more like an abduction than a coming home. We will look, smell, and be different than them. It will be scary for them. Please pray they will adjust quickly and be ready and willing to accept our love. Also, please pray for Hannah, Calla, and Elliott. They are going to have a lot of changes very soon and though we are all excited, things are going to be different after being the same for the last 9 years.

Also, we cherish your prayers about receiving our Visas. Because Kris is a pastor, we had to jump through extra hoops stating we are not going to China to tell people about our faith but rather just to visit and adopt. Please pray we get these soon as they are a critical part of our travel. 

Please pray for our health. Pray our immune systems are top notch going into China. Please pray as we will be trying so many new things it will feel overwhelming. Please pray we do not get sick, get lice, scabies, or some other unknown malfunction. Being in such a new place with so many unknowns feels scary but at the same time, very exciting. But I also know the excitement will wear off eventually and feel exhausting. Pray for endurance. 

And last but not least, please pray for the money to travel. We basically need to raise $17,500 by Tuesday or Wednesday. It seems huge but we know nothing is impossible for those that love God and are called to his purposes. I have no idea how he is going to show up but I can see his faithfulness in all the nooks and crannies of our lives. I know he will be faithful again. Believe it or not, we have already raised over $37, 000 in the last 9 months. That is incredible to me. That is you...our friends and family coming together to help make the gospel come alive. Please, please pray for God to provide. We cherish your prayers and support.