2:17 pm

What do you do when the phone rings at 2:17 pm? Well ANSWER IT, of course. But before you do - you PRAY that you won't sound disappointed with the person on the other end if it's not your social worker. BUT IT WAS our social worker - so then I try to hold my emotions in check as she tells me she has talked to Grand Rapids - do we DARE hope that it is about our TA??? AND IT WAS!! We got our TA today (sorry for all the caps - it's the only way to share our excitement over here!!) Now, just like God, we have one more hurdle before we are cleared to go. (I am telling you what - I could do a whole post on how God keeps me SO dependent on Him - not a bad thing, but for me, it's DAILY!!!) Ok - here's the deal - the consulate in China has an appointment for a Bethany group for Sept. 24, but they also have the power to say "NO, The Bilby's can not be in that appointment." We are begging for more prayer - that God moves the hearts of those workers - that they let us in. Our social worker reminded us that that leaves us right about a week to travel. She said we may even travel and have no itinerary or travel arrangements after arriving - but I just had to smile - see, that's exactly how God works with us!!!

We are just praising God for answered prayer - and we continue to sit at His throne for yet another request. We know He's just smiling as He has it ALL worked out already.
I love this scripture that a friend sent us today:

Psalm 115
11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
(I will add – he will bless the house of Joe and Becky)

13 he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.

14 May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.
(including Jada with Micah, Caleb, Aaron and Chloe)

15 May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

What a GREAT God we have - One that has been there before us and LONGS to bless us.

One other thing: I want to be SO cautious how I post this - I know there are many other families that are waiting that read our blog. Our hearts are truly with you - I pray your TA's came today as well but if they didn't - I pray, as I did for us every time word came out and we didn't get ours, that you will rest in His peace. There is NOTHING easy about this wait and we GET IT. We have been there and pray with you all.

So continue to pray with us - we are supposed to hear by Tuesday or Wednesday a firm "yes" or "no" - if it's a "yes" - this momma needs to "get packin'"!!!