A few hours sleep.

Cases are packed and sitting by the door.  Grandparents have been given the "handover".  Off to bed for a few hours.  All our plans are in His hands.

Be prepared...

...for all eventualities!

If we get constipated, we'll take the laxative.  If the laxative gives us diarrhea, we'll take the Imodium,  If the... :-)

We wrapped a little (inexpensive) gift for Megan to open each day until we get back.  You can see the countdown chain she made.  When all the links are gone, it will be time to meet us at the airport.

Jack's case is packed.  That was so much fun, even though we're not sure what size of clothes will fit.  

Just finishing up our case.  The medications alone will probably take up half  of it :-)  Oh, and a few things like instant coffee, some candy, some cereal.

Stephen's parents should be boarding soon to fly here.  We pray for a safe and comfortable flight for them.  We'll have a few hours together before we head off. 

Getting close

One week from now (Sunday night in US, Monday morning in China) we will have Jack.  We are so excited.  I have probably folded and unfolded his clothes a dozen times these past few days trying to imagine what he will look like in them.  Megan has been telling everyone she meets that she is getting a little brother.  Today she made a paper chain with 18 links.  She will remove a link every day while we are gone. 

A lot still to be done before Wednesday.  Actually, before Tuesday when the Grandparents arrive.  Busy is fine.  We'll have a LONG time to sit on Wednesday :-)

We have been so blessed this weekend to connect with some wonderful folks who have come home recently.  They have very patiently answered our questions and given great advice.  Thanks to all you fellow MBHOH-ers!

We have also connected with some from our travel group.  We look forward to getting to know you better as the week goes on.

The packing seems to go better when a certain 6 year old is in bed, so better go make use of the time.

Dreaming...

"And somewhere while you're sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be"


When love takes you in  by Steven Curtis Chapman

Final week.

One week from now we will be in the air, not quite half way to Beijing.  The suitcases are out and Jack's clothes are packed :-)

An anniversary(of sorts!)

Jack was born December 22nd (estimated), 2009.  Two years ago today, at 5 months old, he was abandoned, at the entrance to a park.  He was taken to the police station and from there delivered to the orphanage.  That's the point at which his story is recorded.  So many things go through my mind and it's hard to leave them in a place marked, "unknown".  Did his mother(or caregiver) realize his condition was getting worse and feel this was his only chance of survival?  Only God can minister to the pain of losing your child.  Our prayer is that she has comfort in knowing she did what she felt was best for Zan Shi.  Having had a foster baby with the same congenital heart defect, I know she must have been scared when he turned blue.  His condition was diagnosed on the day of his admission to the orphanage so he must have been showing signs of distress. We remember his family (whoever, and wherever they are), especially today.

Shopping!

I think all the clothes shopping for Stephen, Jack and I is complete.  Gifts have been organized for the caregivers.  Medications have been ordered.  Just one last "practical" shop to be completed.  So thankful for checklists and travel tips from those who have "been there, done that".

One step closer.

We booked our flights.  Another major step on the journey to Jack and one less thing to "shop" for :-)

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west."  Isaiah 43:5 

United - Boeing 777

The long awaited Travel Approval.

Today, Thursday May 10th, we received the e-mail we have been waiting on for a long time.  Official approval to travel to China to bring Jack home.  To say we are excited would be an understatement!  All the months of waiting and "nesting" are over.  We are not counting months, or weeks, but days.  We leave on Wednesday, May 30th for China!

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you".  John 14:18

Special friends render us speechless!

Those who know us well would probably tell you that we are not usually lost for words :-)  Well, today we were shocked when our dear friends whom we fellowship with, presented us with a "money tree" as an expression of their love and support in this adoption.  This practical support towards the fees associated with bringing Jack home will not be forgotten, by us, or by God.

Jack turns 2!

Dec 22nd.  A bittersweet day!
Jack, we hope you had a wonderful birthday.  We imagined the other children and nannies singing to you and then you probably had a beautifully decorated cake.  No doubt you had fun opening all the gifts Megan wrapped for you.

We had hoped to celebrate Jack's birthday by going out to eat at a restaurant of Megan's choice.  This year that didn't happen because Jack's Grandpa(Granda Lee) was called home to Heaven on Jack's birthday, Dec 22nd.  Jack and Granda would have loved each other.

"As for God, His way is perfect"  Psalm 18:30

Second care package for Jack's birthday.

Megan and I are still in Ireland taking care of my Dad, but we had fun getting and wrapping presents for Jack's birthday.  Everything was individually wrapped so he would have fun opening.  Thanks to Auntie Cheryl and Granny Lee for adding to the gifts and also sending along sweets for the other children.

Maria's Big House of Hope

Jack, in Maria's Big House of Hope

Today we received an e-mail letting us know that Jack had spent some time recuperating after surgery in Maria's Big House of Hope which is located in his "hometown".  MBHOH was built to care for those orphans who require surgery and also those who are terminally ill and will never be adopted.  The work they do is awesome.  Check out their website by clicking on the "Show Hope" tab at the top of this blog.  The facility is named after Maria Chapman, the beautiful daughter of Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman, who died following a tragic accident. 
In MBHOH, he was called...Jack :-)

First Care Package to Jack!

We had so much fun putting together a care package to mail to Jack's orphanage.  Mom was practical and packed some clothes.  Megan was caring and took her time picking out just the perfect stuffed animal - Tigger!  She had remembered seeing him wear a Tigger shirt in one on his referral pictures.  We tucked in a family photo album and 2 disposable cameras that we hope his caregivers will use to take some photos in the next few months.

First Glimpse.

When we received the e-mail from our adoption agency asking if we'd review the file of  Dang Zan Shi on July 14th, 2011, we KNEW before we read the numerous attachments, that he was our son.  We had been in the China adoption program since 2007.  At first we applied in the "traditional" manner, to be considered suitable to adopt a healthy orphan.  Having been foster parents to infants, some with medical needs, we asked ourselves what was holding us back from adopting a child with a medical need who otherwise might wait longer to be matched with his, or her, forever family.  We expressed to our agency that we were open to adopting an infant with medical needs.  Before God, we had decided we would not search agency lists of waiting children looking for "the one", but would wait to be approached about a specific child.  That's how we met Jack!

Referral Picture

"For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him"  1 Samuel 1:27