We received our Article 5 Thursday, which is our last approval before we are given Travel Approval from China to visit Gracie’s country. The office’s last day to work before Chinese New Year closures was yesterday. There is a very little, itty bitty chance we could have received Travel Approval yesterday but highly unlikely as it's taking between 10-20 days. We will be notified Monday if we did receive Travel Approval after only a one day wait. If not, our wait will actually begin February 16th, a week from now, because all government offices are closed ALL WEEK for Chinese New Year. So starting the 16th, I’ll be checking my email daily (hourly) to see if our Travel Approval has come through. Once this is issued, our agency will make an appointment with the US Consulate in China to get Gracie’s visa. This appointment will let us know the day we can leave China and head home. So once we get Travel Approval, we can book our flights and start planning our trip to Gracie! If we can get this by the end of February we will be able to make the March 17th travel group!
We have received our last shipment of necklaces....we ordered 170 this time and a week later we only have 35 left! We ordered new colors and the turquoise has already sold out. We still have white turquoise, blush pearl and a beautiful stone made out of red coral. Emma is selling these to pay for her travel expenses. The money raised from the previous sales will be going to purchase needed items for Gracie's orphanage. We have been in contact with our agency about this donation and have decided the best thing to do is to bring a few items that aren't easily found in China, and to buy the other items in country. Hopefully we will be able to visit the orphanage and speak with the director and find out what their larger needs are. I love seeing our children's hearts through this process. Emma has been praying that she will also be able to visit the orphange so she can play with the children and give them all hugs. William is offering up his stuffed animals for us to take and give to the children left behind.
On another note, we need you prayers as we start looking for a surgeon for Gracie's hands and leg. There are several around the U.S. but we also have to consider location and frequency of follow ups. Please also be praying for the health of our household. It seems someone has been sick since the beginning of January. Jonathan has had a cold off and on for 4 weeks now! I can’t imagine being gone for two weeks while they are sick. Then I am reminded of what I tell the boys when they get a little sad about us being gone...that Mommy and Daddy will only be gone for two weeks. Gracie has been without her Mommy and Daddy for almost two years. This too shall pass. We thank you so much for your prayers!
We have received our last shipment of necklaces....we ordered 170 this time and a week later we only have 35 left! We ordered new colors and the turquoise has already sold out. We still have white turquoise, blush pearl and a beautiful stone made out of red coral. Emma is selling these to pay for her travel expenses. The money raised from the previous sales will be going to purchase needed items for Gracie's orphanage. We have been in contact with our agency about this donation and have decided the best thing to do is to bring a few items that aren't easily found in China, and to buy the other items in country. Hopefully we will be able to visit the orphanage and speak with the director and find out what their larger needs are. I love seeing our children's hearts through this process. Emma has been praying that she will also be able to visit the orphange so she can play with the children and give them all hugs. William is offering up his stuffed animals for us to take and give to the children left behind.
On another note, we need you prayers as we start looking for a surgeon for Gracie's hands and leg. There are several around the U.S. but we also have to consider location and frequency of follow ups. Please also be praying for the health of our household. It seems someone has been sick since the beginning of January. Jonathan has had a cold off and on for 4 weeks now! I can’t imagine being gone for two weeks while they are sick. Then I am reminded of what I tell the boys when they get a little sad about us being gone...that Mommy and Daddy will only be gone for two weeks. Gracie has been without her Mommy and Daddy for almost two years. This too shall pass. We thank you so much for your prayers!