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But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD-Joshua 24:15

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Traveling to China in 2 days!!! 


We officially began this adoption journey about 16 months ago by sending our application to All God's Children adoption agency.  After all of these months of 'labor pains';  praying, paperwork, waiting, praying, finger printing, notarizing,  praying, more finger printing (because I have no finger prints apparently), crying for joy, crying from fear, praying, researching, picture staring, imagining, waiting, more paperwork, more prayers and more waiting...the day is soon to be here!

Now we are in packing mode and let me just tell you that I have never packed for 2 weeks, I have never packed for 7 people, I have never packed for 2 separate weather climates, and I have never packed for an international flight of 14-15 hours.  You could say that I am feeling slightly overwhelmed right now.
However, the excitement and joy is keeping everything in perspective.

Our family is soon to be 7!  Everything is about to change!

I also know that everything is about to change for Lily, too.  As I type  L-i-l-y I am reminded that even her name is about to change.   From Wei Ya Bei to Liliana Lee Painter.  We are praying for her.  She will no longer be an orphan.  She will be a daughter and sister.  She will be a granddaughter, a niece, a cousin.  She will hear a new language, see a new culture, taste new foods.  She has already taught us so much about God's love and it has been an amazing journey.  God loves us so much and He loves this little girl.   John Piper has said that 'adoption is the visible gospel' and as we have followed this call to adopt, we have seen the gospel more clearly.  Without Christ we have no hope.  Jesus Christ is the redemptive plan for us orphans.   God in His mercy and grace has sent his son, Jesus, to rescue us and adopt us as heirs to His kingdom.  Thanks be to God who has allowed us to be a small part of His glorious plan!  He will not leave us as orphans. (John 14:18)

"In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he has lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
                                                             Ephesians 1:5-10

4 comments:

  1. We are SO happy for you and SO praying for all of you - especially for Lily!!!

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  2. I am so happy and so jealous and so excited for you guys!!! Go Go!! This is going to be the adventure of a lifetime! Savor every single moment!! My prayers and blessings are covering you as you make your mad dash to your daughter across the ocean.

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  3. Beautiful post! Cannot wait to follow along on your journey to Lily!! She will be in your arms forever soon.
    Just a side note ... The retreat was amazing for us and we are now in the process of adopting a little boy from China!
    Praying for safe travels and a wonderful transition for Lily and you all as a family.

    Blessings,
    Heather

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  4. Our household is soooo excited for you, and with you. You will be in our prayers regularly during your travels, and for your time in China. It is such a blessing to realize that God's plan for Lily includes the Painter family, and His plan for the Painter family includes Lily... The phrase, "A match made in Heaven" comes to mind.
    Praying that you will see God's hand in every aspect of this journey, and praising Him for His faithfulness.

    In Christ's love,
    Todd

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