Article 5 Issued

Hi Guys,

Just thought I'd let you all know that we received notice that our Article 5 from Guangzhou has issued on July 6th. We can expect travel notice in 2-4 weeks. We are hoping for 2 weeks:) We are anxious to travel and finish up this adoption. Then about mid-September we'll make a trip back to the states as a family taking Elizabeth onto US soil thereby completing the last step of this adoption!! Yippeee!! We are so ready for a trip back to the US as it's been more than 2 1/2 years since visiting all our family and friends. We really miss them!! It should be very exciting for Elizabeth to visit the states as she's heard so much about it. She's been asking lots of questions since we were able to tell her we were adopting her. One in particular sticks in my mind as funny and that is, "Do they have stores in America, Mom?" She has no idea what to expect but it should be exciting for all of us! We can't wait to have her meet everyone and get to know the rest of her family. She has yet to meet her older brother and sister, and grandparents, and aunts and uncles, and so many others!

The last grant we've been waiting on has informed us that they delayed our application yet another month, until August. I guess they were thinking we wouldn't travel until then. We are hopeful it will not be that long.

We have $2837 yet to raise to complete this adoption. We are hopeful that the rest of our needed funds will come in soon. We are sooo close and it's hard to believe that we've raised sooo much! YET, it's not hard to believe at all!! Since the very beginning, this entire adoption was began and continued purely on faith. In the natural, it seemed overwhelming and impossible. However, we had ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT that He has orchestrated all of this and we stepped out in faith knowing that if He called us to this--He would not only provide the necessary funds, but go before and prepare the way. You see, it was not just the funds lacking, but other things as well--like the fact that we didn't qualify by either governments standards. A way had to paved and HE did just that!! And soooo much more!! We are so very blessed by this adoption and know to Whom gets the glory and honor! We have so much to testify about and know just how much we are blessed through this entire process! Thank you all for whatever part--whether it was financial, emotional, or prayer support--you have played in helping us through this adoption journey! As soon as we get travel notice or other information, we'll be sure to let you know.