We've been away a few days

Well hello group! I know it has been a few days since we last posted here and there has been good reason for that. We received a phone call last Thursday from our agency stating there was a last minute "snafu" with our paperwork. Long story short-we might not be able to leave July 15th like is planned. I know everyone knows exactly what happened after this phone call. I broke down in tears and continued to cry for the next 3 hours. I called Patrick to let him know what was going on and he immediately felt ill and went home for the rest of the day.

We have been laying low for the last few days, speaking to our agency, filling out more paperwork, taking late nite phone calls (because remember China is 12 hours ahead of us so to do business in China you have to make phone calls in the middle of the nite). Well you get the picture. There have been people involved in this process that we have never met, and never will meet, that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us out. People literally taking time out of their already busy days and driving to areas of Beijing to pick up paperwork and then overnite to Guangzhou. Other people making special trips to the consulate on our behalf, etc. It is amazing to think of all the wheels at work in this process.

Basically the last 5 days have been pure hell. We have been on the edge of our seats with every ring of the phone, email that is received, etc. We still do not know if we will be able to leave on July 15th as planned, however, as of first thing this morning, it looks like it might be possible to pull off a miracle and get us to China next week. Look closely, I said might-still no definitive word one way or the other, but based on what happened last nite and early this AM there is a glimmer of hope.

There is no clear answer on what happened and why this last minute "snafu." We have to keep telling ourselves that it doesn't really matter, all that really matters is we are with Elizabeth sooner rather than later. I have made alot of comments along the lines of "I want this....." or "I want that....." over the last few days. My dear husband reminded me (and he is very correct with this statement) it is not about what I want or what he wants at this point. It is what God wants and what is going to be best for Elizabeth. So true!!!!

I have stepped back several times over the last few weeks and have had to remind myself that there is a little baby on the other side of the world that has never known what it is like to be loved, nurtured and cared for. She has no idea what is to come the next few weeks of her life. It will be hectic and scary for her. All the details of plane reservations, hotel bookings, sightseeing and the list goes on-are quite honestly pointless. This whole journey boils down to one point-our daughter. She is a special gift that deserves to have the things that you and I take for granted. Warm clothes, plenty of food, someone to comfort her when she cries, someone to pick her up when she falls, being taught things like ABC's and 123's. That is what she needs and will have very, very soon. We are her parents, and have been from the moment we received that very special phone call one Thursday afternoon about 6 weeks ago. She is already loved very much.

So, keep posted to the blog, we will update as soon as we know for sure we are a "yeah" or "nay" for leaving on July 15th. Please keep us in your prayers for these issues to work out and for us to have a safe and healthy journey as we make our way half way around the world for our daughter.

Until next time.........