We found out today that our Article 5 has been issued and overnighted to Beijing. This means that the U.S. has approved everything related to Kenzi's adoption. Now China will issue our Travel Approval (TA). Our agency tells us that TA could take up to 3 weeks to arrive. We've been hearing of people getting TA MUCH earlier than that, though. Once we get TA, we'll be able to make travel plans and we'll know when we're leaving.
I feel like I can see the light at the end of this tunnel. This has been a hard wait and we just can't wait to get Kenzi home. We know that having 3 kids with very unique needs is going to be a big adjustment. We're ready and we want her home with us, where she belongs. We know that this will not be easy, but following God frequently is not easy. He has called us to do this, which means that He has prepared us and He will be with us.
Kenzi belongs in our family and we feel like we're missing a piece of our hearts right now. I can't wait to fatten her up a little and show her what being in a family is like. We're in this for the long haul and we're ready!
Here's a great blog post about what happens after all the excitement dies down. It's long, but the writer brings up some really important issues. HERE Adoption is awesome and it is wonderful, but it is not easy. Kenzi has been abandoned and has lived in an orphanage for the first 18 months of her life. Those are very formative months, and we will need to help her as she grieves. Her entire universe is about to be turned upside down. But the important thing is this:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deut. 31:6).
We know this will be hard, but we know that God will never leave us. Never.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
beautifully said. And, that post....wow, I read it a few weeks ago, and it was so good and a real reality check. Helps me pray better! We are basically at the say timeline, our article 5 will be picked up on Nov 8th. I sure do hope we are one of those super fast TA's too!!! Praying to be home by Christmas, do you think that is possible...well with God, anything is possible!! Congrats to being in homestretch!! Feeels so good, doesn't it!:))
ReplyDeleteHi Johanna! If you got a super-fast TA and your agency let you travel fast, you could definitely be home by Christmas. I will pray for you guys! We're almost there!!!!!
ReplyDeletelooks like we are all praying for speedy TAs and travel before Christmas. I hope to meet soe of you in China. My Article 5 is picked up on Nov. 10th and my daughter is also in Fujian.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and good luck!!!!!!!