Would You Pray for Us?

As we do all the last minute laundry, shopping, printing paperwork and general preparation, we are also trying to find time for the "important not urgent stuff" - like preparing our hearts for parenting this precious person to whom everything about us and our home will be unfamiliar and unknown. The travel is daunting, but nurturing this precious life is a more momentous task. It feels like trying to adequately prepare for marriage while planning a wedding.

As I was reading some wise advice on preparing for parenting, one of the most compelling tidbits was to ask friends to pray. I read stories of how adoption trips went wildly off the plan, and that knowing that friends were praying was a sustaining thought. God knows what all the details of our trip - and our transition - will be like, even though we haven't a clue. So, would you be willing to pray for our family, please? 

1. Pray for travel safety and the logistics of the trip. That we would all remain healthy, that our paperwork would be processed properly and as expected.

2. Pray for Ca - I cannot imagine what the upcoming transition will be like for her. Pray that if/when she is confused, anxious, sad, etc., that B and I will find effective ways to help her feel safe and precious and loved.

3. Pray for I, as he travels with us. May this trip open his eyes to the wide wonder of the world, and to the power and grace of God. Pray that we would have wonderful times to connect deeply with him during the trip.

4. Pray for C & S, as they are home with extended family. Pray that their relationship with each other and extended family would be strengthened. Pray that they would feel confident in our love and safe while we're away. Pray that their hearts would be prepared for the upcoming transition.

5. Pray for patience and grace for us as we travel - with each other and those around us.

6. Pray that our eyes would be opened to see beyond the foreign and difficult things to God's glory and the beauty in China.

7. Pray that when we are weak, we would turn first to our Heavenly Father to meet our needs. Pray that we would be prayerful.

So many of you have been so supportive of us during this whole process. Thank you for making a difference!