grace led in life: {thankfulness}

Wanted to share another update and what is on our hearts!

We received word today about the surgery situation with Zeke!

Have to admit...we DAILY think and wonder if Zeke has had surgery, if it is scheduled...

We found out today, through a contact in China that communicated with Zeke's orphanage, that they had planned on doing surgery after Chinese New Year (which would be after the end of January). Then our social worker wrote the most exciting words...

"YOU WILL BE ADOPTING ZEKE PRIOR TO THIS TIME, SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SURGERY PRIOR TO GETTING HIM."

Learning that Zeke would not be having surgery prior to us getting to him is a relief...

We felt it would be so much "trauma" at one time for our little guy to go through (having a tough surgery, then shortly after, meeting his new parents that will be strangers to him, and taking him from all he knows to a new place, with new faces, and new experiences).

We have been praying so much about this.

Her next words of saying we would be there prior to the end of January struck me so very much...SOON! WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR SON SO VERY SOON!!

We received another update end of last week...our final update! :)

They let us know that our "Article 5" (final document) was being picked up Tuesday (it is 2:00pm in the afternoon, Tuesday in China as I write this) and overnighted to the CCCWA. We now will be waiting for our travel approval which is estimated to arrive in 3-4 weeks!!!! From there we apply for a consulate appointment, and will receive that within 2 days and will be traveling within two weeks from travel approval!

ahhhhh! So excited it is coming so soon!

FAMILY DAY IS APPROACHING!

We have so much to be thankful for...

Does anyone recognize this photo!?

This was taken one year ago on Thanksgiving! We had just been accepted into the China Adoption Program! Wow...what has happened in a year!

I've thought back to what we were experiencing this time last year. Such excitement to be starting the process of starting our family. So many unknowns. So much paperwork ahead. So many ups and downs emotionally. Such happiness in movement with the process. SUCH JOY in "meeting" our SON through a file and a few pictures. SUCH LOVE growing everyday for this precious little one and his story. How thankful we are for the opportunity we have had to be in the adoption process...we feel so blessed. We also are beyond grateful and so very humbled by all the emotional and financial support we have been given for Zeke's adoption. Amazing to experience such generosity and love for adoption.

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Something that has really been highlighted in our hearts and minds is a wonderment about Zeke's birth parents. We have no idea who they are, or why they chose to give up their child...but we pray for them, and wonder about their hearts. We do not know the reason they gave up their son. Many minds go straight to the injustice type of situation; that his parents just didn't want a child with a special need. While this could be the case, it also could be the opposite. We wonder if they were in a difficult living situation, thus giving their son to have a "better" life. With Zeke needing surgeries throughout his life because of his cleft palate, we wonder if they did not have the funds or ability to care for him? This is all unknown, but we are thankful. Not thankful that a child is abandoned, but thankful for this gift of life that we are blessed to parent. Thankful that we have a God that calls us to care for orphans...to be a father to the fatherless. We are so thankful Zeke is a special gift for us. What an honor it is to be parents. We believe that Zeke is such a blessing to us. WE ARE SO THANKFUL.