TA and Leaving!!

Wow, it has been a crazy, busy few days!  We got TA (Travel Approval from China) on 5/21 and we are leaving at 5 in the morning tomorrow!!!  A 6 day turn around is nearly unheard of (and probably complicated things a little) but in order for Laura to be able to go and to have time to recover for her next rotation, we really needed the timing to be perfect.  God showed up in a big way and everything has worked out.  Tim has been an absolute rock.  He has kept us organized and kept us all on track with packing and getting ready. 

ONLY ONE THING LEFT!!!

While this is an incredibly exciting time, it is also potentially a very emotional, traumatic time.  Ian has had so much more time in the orphanage than the other two that he will have much more to grieve right now.  Later it may be a comfort to him to have memories of his time in China but for now it will make this much, much more difficult.  Ian's orphanage seems to be more invested in their children.  Most of the children have been given baby books of sort to take to their new homes, they really do seem to want the best for the kids.  Having had more attention and care probably makes it even harder to leave.  We know that it is ultimately the best thing for him; children are meant to have parents.  He may not see it that way at first.  Some of the others have kicked, screamed, shut down completely, tried to run off, refused food, or been defiant.  All of which is normal in an older child adoption.

I would love to know that I have a community praying us home safely.  Specific things to pray for would be for Ian to feel the love that we want to give him, for Ian and the littles to feel safe and protected, for the littles not to be jealous of their new brother, for us not to have forgotten anything important :), and for us all to have the patience and peace that will be needed. 

Stay tuned as the adventures unfold...