D . . .T . . . C . . .

Who would have known that those three little letters could mean so much? Wow! We are finally DOSSIER TO CHINA!!! We first sent our Dossier (which includes everything from birth certificates and medical reports to family and passport photos, to our home study and so, so much more) to our agency on July 30, and after almost two months of being authenticated and certified at the county, state, and national level, we received word today that our paperwork is on its way. Praise the Lord!  It should be in China by Friday!

The next step is to be logged in and then it’s a REFERRAL! I can hardly wait to see her sweet face. Although each day brings us closer to the day we meet Baby Girl, I am not going to lie . . . the wait gets harder. 

However, through the emotional highs and lows, God continues to carry us through. Throughout this entire process, He has blessed us beyond measure and has miraculously provided in ways we would’ve never considered.

Thank you for praying for our family as we continue this journey. Please continue to pray that we will trust that God is in control and is continuing to work all things for our good and His glory.

Where did August go?

School started back and now it’s September! The days seem to be flying off the calendar, and we are as busy as ever! Most everything seems to be moving at breakneck speed and yet, among grading papers, lesson planning, baseball practices, recorder concerts (definitely a ploy to get parents to come to the band meeting), sight words and did I mention laundry for six people . . . our adoption process seems to be on the slow boat to China!!! 

                                                   

By the way, we did receive news that our paperwork is moving again. Yay!!! We’re hoping our dossier will be heading to China in two weeks . . . hopefully on a plane, not a boat!

As the days turn to weeks, and the weeks to months, I find myself constantly thinking of Baby Girl. Across a continent and an ocean, there’s a Bray baby waiting. Waiting for arms to hold her . . . waiting for goodnight kisses and bedtime prayers . . . waiting for shared secrets with her big sister.  . . waiting

And I am waiting. As I wait . . .  I wonder . . . is she being cared for . . . is somebody holding her bottle . . . is she healthy . . . is someone whispering while they hold her . . . your mommy loves you . . . your daddy’s coming soon . . . I can hardly stand the thought that we are here.  . . and she is there

When Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His followers that He had to go in order that the Comforter could come. The Holy Spirit . . . able to be in all places at once.  . . here in Georgia and with Baby Girl in China. It is in that knowledge I find peace. Though I can’t hold her, Baby Girl is not alone, and when I wonder . . . I know the Comforter is there . . . preparing her heart  . . . and ours  . . . 

Although we long for the day when the wait is over, we trust that our Father is at work . . . for He understands waiting. In fact, He too is waiting . . . waiting for the day that His children will take up eternal residence with their forever family.  But until then . . . He is here and He is there  . . . offering comfort, constantly reminding . . . you are loved  . . . your Father is coming  . . . soon