AND THEY'RE OFF!

The hour has come.

 

 

The bags are packed.

 

 

Hugs goodbye and tears (of both joy and missing already).

 

 

Our sweet Nova took it the hardest. Ah, it's our sensitive gene...a tough one to avoid around here.

 

 

But this is what we've been called to do. This is our mission at hand. These, our sacrifices offered.

There's nothing else we'd rather gear up for right now!

 

 

(Though Bear is in denial...how long will he stand there??)

 

 

(Moving toward acceptance? I have to say I understand how he feels. Hmph...)

 

But the hour has come. The fridge is stocked. Our hearts have been prepared.

And how we pray they're little hearts too. Precious tiny ones who's world is about to change...again.

 

 

{{How fun to share our first photos of our long-loved and prayed for Bea and Beck!!}}

 

I wrap my head around the fact that this IS God's plan A for them. This is what He chose. For Good.

 

And thank you, Lord, for scripting us into their story. Thank you for choosing us in their A. It's an honor to journey and scoop up and draw in and love the ones you've grafted into us. Thank you, Father, for offering us the same.

 

"And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty."
2 Corinthians 6:18

 

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are."

1 John 3:1

 

"In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 

to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

Ephesians 1:4-6

 

So, China, my people are on their way. The efforts have been so worth while.

We sense what's around the corner (more joy, more tears, no doubt). But that's alright.

We've asked for this path. We've asked the Lord to use us, spend us, allow us the opportunity to be His hands and feet.

 

There's no greater joy in this hour. There's no song we'd rather sing...and they're off!

 

 "Is not this the fast that I choose: 

 to loose the bonds of wickedness,
  to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
    and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
    and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
    the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
    you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
    the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
 if you pour yourself out for the hungry
    and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
    and your gloom be as the noonday.
And the Lord will guide you continually
    and satisfy your desire in scorched places
    and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
    like a spring of water,
    whose waters do not fail.
And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
    you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
    the restorer of streets to dwell in."

Isaiah 58:6-12