Prayer Requested

We know we have a lot of prayer support around us for this adoption. Thank you so much for all of you who pray for us regularly or occasionally. We really appreciate it! We're still waiting for our travel dates, but in the meantime I thought I'd share our prayer requests with you, so you can have some specific ideas to pray about. Thanks again!

For the Adoption Process
* Timing. Thank God for bringing us this far—so close to having our daughter! Pray that we receive our travel notice soon and that God would work out the perfect dates for the trip.
* Finances. God has provided so amazingly for the adoption costs. (Mom & Dad and Mom & Dad, thanks so much for your help!) Praise Him for providing; pray that no unexpected expenses arise that would complicate or delay things.
* Smoothness. China’s adoption process is slow, but very straightforward. Thank God that everything has gone smoothly so far, and pray that no technicalities or surprises come up that would complicate or delay finalizing the adoption.

For Tabitha
* That she is receiving good care, and that the caretakers are preparing her for us. We’ve sent pictures of our family, but we have no way of knowing if she’s actually seen them or not. Our prayer is that they’re frequently showing her our pictures and telling her that we are her family and that she’ll soon get to come home with us.
* Medical needs. Please pray that things go smoothly during our stay with her in China—that we receive adequate training for dealing with her catheter and that there are no complications while we are there. Also pray for our peace and comfort in being suddenly confronted with special medical needs we’ve never dealt with before. Pray that her condition may be correctable so that she won’t have to have a catheter for her whole life.
* Adjustment. Pray for Tabitha’s emotional needs. She’s already lost her birth parents, she’s lived in two orphanages, she’s been hospitalized, and she’s about to leave everything she’s familiar with and go with complete strangers who don’t speak her language, to a land that looks, smells, tastes, feels, and sounds very different. At 2½ she’s definitely old enough to be affected by these changes. Pray that she quickly bonds with us and soon feels at home in her new family and country. Pray for wisdom and patience for us as we help her through the transition.

For The Trip
* Travel Arrangements. Pray that we’re able to get the direct flight from DC to Beijing, making it a 12-hour trip rather than 24. Pray that we get seats together on the airplanes. Thank the Lord that we are able to bring Ethan and Jesse, as well as Stephanie (Heath’s mom) and Amy (Heath’s cousin). Pray that the children behave, especially on the plane.
* Safety/Health. Thank the Lord that we are all in good health overall, and we were able to get travel immunizations. Pray for safety while we’re in China, and that the boys wouldn’t have any serious injuries before or during the trip. Pray that no one gets sick or injured while we’re traveling. Pray that we’ll have no problems with the swineflu and tuberculosis political issues, which could significantly delay everything.
* Attitudes. Pray especially for us adults to maintain Christ-like attitudes despite any challenges. Being tired and hot with cranky kids can bring out the “best” in me, and I’m sure all 3 of those things will be issues at some point. International travel, with children, with adoption details, with the emotions of adoption . . . even without any problems those things are enough to make for a challenging time. I’m also not great at flexibility, and I’m sure this trip will be an opportunity to practice it. Things in China don’t tend to run as efficiently or on time as they do here in the States. Pray that no matter how well or how poorly things go, we will all have a go-with-the-flow attitude, and choose a joyful heart no matter what.