God does answer prayer
Before we left for China I wrote a post with prayer requests - t hose are in black. God's answers are in red. He is so Faithful!!!
* Safety for all the flights and train rides to and from and in China
Everything went great. We had a change in our flight from Guangzhou to Beijing, but there were no problems. All our luggage always arrived where it was supposed to and we were all able to have rest on the flights. Our flight home was long and there were a few tantrums, but really overall it went very well. Our seats were not together but a nice man offered to switch so we could sit together. The "nice man" ended up being another adoptive Father who runs an orphanage in China.
* Opportunities to be a light and share love
We were able to share our faith with all of our guides and I hope we were able to encourage others while we were there.
* Kevin's blood sugars would remain in good control and all his medication will function properly
Kevin's blood glucose levels were great the whole time while we were in China and he had no problems, even with limited refrigeration for his meds
* Our bodies will stay strong and healthy
We were able to get rest and stay strong. Not a single day of any intestinal issues even with eating food off the street.
* Elie's heart to be open to Kevin and I. That she will be prepared to meet us.
Elie was told every day for atleast a month before we came that her real mommy and real daddy were coming to bring her home. She was very excited to meet us. The photo book we had sent ahead had been well loved and she knew her siblings from the photographs. We still have a long road to go to open her heart, but that is expected and we knew that it would take time.
* We can all find a way to communicate with one another
It is still a frustration, but somehow through a lot of body language, signing, Mandarin and English we are learning to communicate. This is definitely still an area that needs prayer
* Kody, Tyler, and Faith will be comforted while we are away
They did so well while we were gone!!! This is due in huge part to my dear friend Leah and my mother who cared for them while we were away. They were very happy to have us home, but they did great while we were gone.
* Strength for those caring for the three of them while we are gone
Aunt Leah and Nana deserve a big rest to recoup from taking care of our three. My mom was ill for a bit while we were gone and Uncle Paul and Aunt Kristyn stepped in to help care for our crew, along with some help from their cousin Renee and friends who helped watch and take them out.
* All paperwork and money needed during the trip will happen easily and we will not be missing anything
The money situation was very stressful. We took more than we thought we needed which ended up being a good thing because we needed more than we had been told. It all worked out in the end and we will now be living very simply for awhile :)
* Final approval from medical examiners and immigration will go well
We passed through immigration with no problems and Eliana did great.
* Safety as we tour all three cities in China and opportunities to meet many local people
We were always safe throughout our time in China and had many opportunities to interact with local people.
* That we will be able to visit both of Elie's orphanages and meet those who have cared for her, especially her foster mom
We did not go to visit either of the orphanages. We had a peace about this decision and felt it was best for Elie. We did get to meet 2 staff workers from the orphanage and received many pictures of her all the way back to her finding photo at 1 week old.
* In all things God will be glorified
We continue to pray that this will be true. That out of our mess God will be honored and that His Great and Mighty Name will receive praise. He has provided for us again and again beyond all expectations and carries us through the hard moments. We are relying on His strength each day.
Thank you for all your prayer support. We now begin the next part of this journey. We have appointments with 6 different specialists in the next few weeks. In between appointments we are praying God bonds our family together during these last few weeks of summer and prepares the boys to start school at the end of the month. Thank you for those who are walking beside us in this journey!! We believe in faith that God will heal our daughter and that His plan for her goes beyond anything we could ask or imagine. Join us as we fall before the throne of our God, The Great Physician, on behalf of our little girl.
* Safety for all the flights and train rides to and from and in China
Everything went great. We had a change in our flight from Guangzhou to Beijing, but there were no problems. All our luggage always arrived where it was supposed to and we were all able to have rest on the flights. Our flight home was long and there were a few tantrums, but really overall it went very well. Our seats were not together but a nice man offered to switch so we could sit together. The "nice man" ended up being another adoptive Father who runs an orphanage in China.
* Opportunities to be a light and share love
We were able to share our faith with all of our guides and I hope we were able to encourage others while we were there.
* Kevin's blood sugars would remain in good control and all his medication will function properly
Kevin's blood glucose levels were great the whole time while we were in China and he had no problems, even with limited refrigeration for his meds
* Our bodies will stay strong and healthy
We were able to get rest and stay strong. Not a single day of any intestinal issues even with eating food off the street.
* Elie's heart to be open to Kevin and I. That she will be prepared to meet us.
Elie was told every day for atleast a month before we came that her real mommy and real daddy were coming to bring her home. She was very excited to meet us. The photo book we had sent ahead had been well loved and she knew her siblings from the photographs. We still have a long road to go to open her heart, but that is expected and we knew that it would take time.
* We can all find a way to communicate with one another
It is still a frustration, but somehow through a lot of body language, signing, Mandarin and English we are learning to communicate. This is definitely still an area that needs prayer
* Kody, Tyler, and Faith will be comforted while we are away
They did so well while we were gone!!! This is due in huge part to my dear friend Leah and my mother who cared for them while we were away. They were very happy to have us home, but they did great while we were gone.
* Strength for those caring for the three of them while we are gone
Aunt Leah and Nana deserve a big rest to recoup from taking care of our three. My mom was ill for a bit while we were gone and Uncle Paul and Aunt Kristyn stepped in to help care for our crew, along with some help from their cousin Renee and friends who helped watch and take them out.
* All paperwork and money needed during the trip will happen easily and we will not be missing anything
The money situation was very stressful. We took more than we thought we needed which ended up being a good thing because we needed more than we had been told. It all worked out in the end and we will now be living very simply for awhile :)
* Final approval from medical examiners and immigration will go well
We passed through immigration with no problems and Eliana did great.
* Safety as we tour all three cities in China and opportunities to meet many local people
We were always safe throughout our time in China and had many opportunities to interact with local people.
* That we will be able to visit both of Elie's orphanages and meet those who have cared for her, especially her foster mom
We did not go to visit either of the orphanages. We had a peace about this decision and felt it was best for Elie. We did get to meet 2 staff workers from the orphanage and received many pictures of her all the way back to her finding photo at 1 week old.
* In all things God will be glorified
We continue to pray that this will be true. That out of our mess God will be honored and that His Great and Mighty Name will receive praise. He has provided for us again and again beyond all expectations and carries us through the hard moments. We are relying on His strength each day.
Thank you for all your prayer support. We now begin the next part of this journey. We have appointments with 6 different specialists in the next few weeks. In between appointments we are praying God bonds our family together during these last few weeks of summer and prepares the boys to start school at the end of the month. Thank you for those who are walking beside us in this journey!! We believe in faith that God will heal our daughter and that His plan for her goes beyond anything we could ask or imagine. Join us as we fall before the throne of our God, The Great Physician, on behalf of our little girl.
thanks for sharing this! i think this may be, for me, the highlight of your entire experience... being able to see specific ways God heard your prayers and how he chose to answer them. thank you for trusting him in ALL things and for sharing the joy so we can praise him too.
ReplyDeletehhmmm... third time trying to submit a comment so i'll be brief this time around. :) just want to join you in saying THANK YOU JESUS for the specific ways you answered prayers! thanks for sharing this, sonya, so we can rejoice with you.
ReplyDelete