Travel Approval-Hudson Here We Come!

     I am so behind on this blog...I keep waiting for an "aha" moment.  When I have a really creative way to share what is going on.  So much has happened lately that I can't really afford to wait, so here goes:)

     Friday, July 5 was a very special day.  Half-way around the world a baby boy in China was turning one!  As sad as I am that we missed it, I have peace knowing that he was very loved and cherished on that day.  There was a beautiful cake, his friends celebrated with him, and special pictures were taken so that we can one day share all it all with him.  God decided to give us a special gift on July 5 as well...our travel approval!  If we could not get Hudson by his first birthday, this was the next best thing...a formal invitation from his country to come and get him.  God is so good!

     After getting travel approval, we could not quite determine the dates of our trip until we had our consulate appointment scheduled.  We now know that we leave from Birmingham on July 24, GET HUDSON ON JULY 29, and have our consulate appointment on August 7.  We will be arriving home with our fifth family member on August 9, Griffin's 6th birthday.  I am amazed at how God's timing is the right timing, even though I have had many impatient moments throughout this last year.  Before we started working on Hudson's adoption, there was a very dark time for me - when it seemed that what I thought God was calling us to do was not going to become a reality for our family.  I have had this verse on our fridge ever since...

But these things I plan won't happen right away. 

Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. 

If it seems slow, be patient!  For it will surely take place.  It will not be late by a single day.

Habakkuk 2:3

 

     It has been exactly three years ago that God used another families adoption story to open my eyes and heart to the estimated 147 million orphans around the world.  I am so glad that I can now see how perfect his timing really is - that I know He used these years so that I would develop a closer relationship with him.  And it really amazes me that when we started this process just over a year ago, the special child that was always destined to be a part of our family was just being born. 

 

     Several weeks ago, I was getting really impatient.  I wanted to get Hudson by his birthday.  As I should know by now, things don't always go the way I want them to.  And now, once again, I can see the big picture.  Henley has had a Mommy and Me GA Camp planned for a while.  I was sad that I might miss it, but figured that one of her grandmothers could go in my place.  The camp was this weekend - we just got back this afternoon:)  SO glad that I got to spend this time with her before leaving.  Henley, I am so glad that I am the one who got to go with you...I would not have missed it for the world!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Don't worry, Griffin got to have some good daddy and Cornbread time.  Sounds like Cornbread actually behaved himself and was a good boy on the boat.  Very rare...wish I had some pictures:)

 

     As we prepare to leave in 11 days, please pray for Hudson.  To give him a home, we have to completely turn his little life upside down.  Pray for Henley and Griffin.  Getting a new sibling is not ever easy, and they have to start a new school year only one week after we return.  Pray for mine and Nathan's parents, who are so selflessly giving their time to care for our kids while we are away.  And please pray for Nathan and I, that God gives us the peace and wisdom we need to comfort Hudson. 

SEE YA IN CHINA!!!!!