Adding to our Family

I realized (after I received an email) that I haven't posted at all on our blog about our family plans in the future. We are (for those of you who haven't heard - Sit down!!) in the stages of working towards another China adoption. Yes - somedays I think we are crazy too - but we have definately seen God's hand, yet again, and feel Him calling us to add to our family - one more time. (We say one more time because China's rule is only to have five children in the home - NO MORE - now we could adopt from another country, but I kind of like their rule too!!! :) )

When we first got home with Chloe - I bet we hadn't been home two months - and our boys starting putting change in a little bank - we asked them what they were saving for and they told us, "Another sister from China." Joe and I were shocked - we hadn't said anything to them about another adoption, and frankly, we thought we were DONE!! I think God planted that in their hearts though - it started us praying and still God is leading without shutting a door. We are moving, in some ways, faster than we thought - we are waiting right now on fingerprints and our Dossier (for those of you who aren't familiar with adoption lingo - the LARGE packet of information we have to put together to send to China) is ready to go. Once we started moving - it wasn't too hard to put everything together again since we had just done all of this for Chloe's adoption. So - we are hoping our papers will go to China late September or early October and then we wait. Things have changed a lot in China since Chloe's adoption so even once our papers are in China - we still have a YEAR to wait until we get our next little one's picture (Referral, as it's called in adoption land!!). We would covet your prayers - a year is a long time to wait but we also have a lot to work on here at home so know we will keep busy AND it gives us a year to plan to add another little one to our bunch. We would also covet your prayers about finances - God always seems to keep us praying about money!!! He provided so incredibly last time and so far, is again showing us His infinite power again. I do have to share - this is so neat - we had an anonymous family ask if they could give money to help a family adopt from China - we have no idea who they are - but we are indeed SO THANKFUL for their generous gift. It has gotten us moving without paperwork and even gives us a little extra money to use when we get our referral next year.

Somedays I honestly think, "What in the world are we doing?" Other days I am so excited for our family - we have been so blessed with Chloe and we are already praying that God is preparing just the right little one for us again. Chloe was such an incredible match - only God could have done that for us! Five kids - that can be a bit overwhelming - but four requires a lot of grace too!!! :) So, I keep trusting Him for His grace and help. We just want to be obedient and if we can reach one more child and give them a home - that is what we want to do. I have to say truthfully too that Chloe is a lot of work by herself - I remember having three in diapers and that was a lot of work, but they did entertain each other and that was nice. So - it will be nice to have two together here at the end (yes, Dad and Mom, we did say end..........at least that's OUR plan!!!).

So thanks for praying for us - we do believe we will need that support!! And we are excited to watch God show Himself to us again. We DO have a BIG GOD!!