The Lady Bug is China's Symbol for Adoption
It has been a while since we updated Journey to Joshua. We apologize for our lack of communication concerning the adoption. We've been a bit discouraged about the process and have found it hard to talk about. We do covet your prayers even when we are discouraged. We realize that it is better for us to communicate these things with you as well so that you can pray for us and for the expedition of the process.
In our last post, dated May 15, we wrote that our documents had been registered in China. The adoption agency, here in the U.S., told us this was to happen in May. Had this happened, this would have put our tentative travel time in July or August. After returning to the US on our Stateside Assignment we learned that our documents were not registered in China until June 23rd. This delays our tentative dates of travel.
After the registration of our documents two things should follow: Four to six weeks after the registration we should receive a letter of invitation to travel to China from the China Adoption Committee. After this letter is issued the U.S. Consulate in China will then make an appointment for us to get Joshua’s Visa to travel to the U.S. We are still waiting for the letter of invitation from the China Adoption Committee. The next batch of letters should go out in a couple of weeks.
We are now hesitant to give tentative travel dates because they keep changing. As soon as we receive the letter of invitation and the appointment with the U.S. Consulate we will buy our tickets to China. We'll then make an announcement to friends and family letting you know when were are going. Please know that we will not travel to China without letting you know :-)
Your excitement about our getting Joshua means a lot to us, as do your continued prayers.
Please pray…
...for us that we will not be discouraged as we wait for the letter of invitation from the China Adoption Committee.
...that our letter of invitation will be in the next batch that goes out
...that we will trust God for his perfect timing in our getting Joshua.
...for Joshua that God will continue to watch over him and provide for all his needs until we are able to hold him in our arms.
11 comments:
Dear Marianne and Charley,
Thank you for updating us; we were thinking about you this week and wondering about the progress.
You definitely have our prayers. We pray for strength and patience, and for rays of hope as you wait. We also pray for Joshua that God will continue to prepare his heart for entry into your family, and that he will immediately feel comfortable and loved the minute he sees you.
Expedition of documents and the letter are also on the top of our prayers.
We love you and will rejoice with you when he is in your arms.
Love,
Eric, Kim and Josiah
Dear Joshua;
This is your Uncle Bill in Texas. Im very excited for you to come home. You don't know it yet but God picked out a wonderful Mommy and Daddy for you to live with. I cant wait to meet you one day soon!
Love, Uncle Bill
P.S I already have toys ready to send to you when you arrive! When you are older, ask to see my picture in a book called a "Dictionary". It will be next to the word "Pushover".
Alright, you asked for it. Here come the prayers and that letter from China!
We are so looking forward to meeting Joshua. He looks like he has his mother's sense of humor!
Love,
April and Kevin
M&C,
I love you guys and will be praying for you. You are both an example to me of faith and joy in the midst of trials. God is being faithful in all of this---in the midst of every piece of red tape and delay. And your testimony of trust in Him is a powerful thing. Joshua will most certainly see the light of Christ in you as you bring him up in the ways of the Lord.
L.
Dear Marianne & Charley,
our prayers coming from Holland makes it a worldwide prayerchain. We constantly carry the three of you in our hearts!
With love, Pieter, Joke, Martijn, Christa & Daniel
Marianne and Charley,
Aaron and I continue to keep you in our prayers. I know the delays must be such a challenge. All you want is to hold little Joshua in your arms. We will pray for things to move quickly and that you will be given patience to wait upon the Lord's timing. We love all three of you and know God has a special treat in store when your family is finally together and complete!!
LOVE YOU!
Amy and Aaron
Just stopping by to check on you and your journey. The journey is never easy is it? Praise God our final destination is worth it!
hey there,
sorry to hear that you are still waiting. we are praying for you and love you guys a lot. Ashlyn will just have to wait a little longer for her prince to come. she is going to be alot for him to handle, hahah.
Love you,
Kim
Most princeses are a "lot to handle", but they are worth it. So...we are sure that God will give him the strength!!! :-)
We are praying for you!!!!!
I love and miss you so much. Please tell me again when you will be in Arkansas.
Love,
Amy (Brewer) Sickle
Amy! Thanks for your prayers!!! We will be in Arkansas after the first of the year, sometime in January. We'll be in a mission house in Texarkana, Texas that belongs to First Baptist Church.
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