The Joy of the Update!

Today I have been jumping up and down for joy because we received another update about our little angel. The photos are just precious to us and we stare at them for hours... it's as close to our little girl as we can get for now. We live for the updates and for paperwork milestones. We are happy to say that we have received our LOA and our I-800 approval notice for Meili. Now we just need our NVC letter and our Article 5 letter. Then  we just wait for our TA (travel approval) I talked with Holt today and they think we will be traveling around July 13th! So close yet seems so far away as I stare at her precious photo.

Things have been busy around here to say the least and at times I feel like I want to pull my hair out, but the Lord just reminds me to let him take care of things and so I learn more to ever depend on Him for my every need. He seems to have a pretty good track record of taking care of things and always working everything out for my good and his glory. Speaking of his glory...today I just sang to the Lord from my heart giving him praise for taking care of Meili for his provision for this adoption and for loving me even when I was "stubborn" and seemed "unlovable" at times during these last few years. To think when I was mad at God for not allowing me to be pregnant he was doing things more wonderful for me than I could ever imagine. To think that when I had refused to read my Bible because I was upset with Him that he was forming the most precious child in the womb just for us. It grieves my heart that I had acted that way, but the Lord has taught me so many valuable lessons through it all. God is faithful even when we are not, He is not like us... He is far greater, far more loving, merciful, just, kind and patient than we are. Praising God for who He is! Thank you Jesus for forgiving me of my sin and restoring me to a right relationship with you.

God is so awesome and He gave us some great news today! Meili is doing well. She is still in her foster home with 2 parents and another little girl. She has been looking at our pictures and calls Karl Baba, Me Mama, and Ian Gege. Her foster mom says she is very smart and knows many words already! She speaks the local dialect not Mandarin or Cantonese. We learned she sleeps in a crib and sleeps through the night and also takes a 2 hour nap during the day! She eats congee, milk and bread only. She is still small but seems to be doing just fine. I can't wait to introduce her to some American foods :) I can see from the pictures that she already has a great little personality and I can't wait to experience it and to hear how her voice sounds and watch her play. It also looks like her foster mom enjoys dressing her up as well...she will be a cute little fashionista when I get my hands on her ;-) We are dying to go get her and can't believe how much God has blessed us!

Until then we have much to do...I have been working hard on setting up the garage sale and getting everything priced and plan to have it next weekend! I hope many of you will come and check it out. I am selling all of Ian's old baby clothes and toys...along with so much more so I hope to see you all there and if you could spread the word for me that would be great too. We also got a phone call today that her crib has arrived so we will be picking that up tomorrow and getting it set up. Yay!! Next month I plan to focus on packing and getting ready to go because well July will be here soon and boy are we so glad!

Well enough talk...here are her pictures...enjoy!