Travel to China Eve

It's almost time! Tomorrow Kevin, Philip, and I will begin our travel journey to bring home our third treasure - Eli.


There are so many thoughts and feelings swirling around in my head and heart this morning. It's difficult to put them into words - many joyous, some bittersweet.


First, I am reminded over and over about the verse God has used to lead us through this newest adoption journey.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

We definitely have to lean on him for the next part of the journey just as we have had to for the first part. Thank you dear Lord that you are faithful! Here we go . . .


Something else that has touched us so deeply is all of the people who have shown such massive amounts of support and love for us as we go through this adoption. From our family and our friends and our church family, to the amazing adoption community at large, your love and excitement has carried us through the rough spots and into the heights of joy. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your prayers, kind words, and love.


It will be difficult tomorrow to leave Ted. Oh, I know he is an adult and he is perfectly capable and willing to stay here and hold down the fort, but to get on a plane and go half way around the world for such an amazing adventure without him tugs at my heart. It won't be easy to do. We wish so much that Ted could be going with us to experience the wonder first hand. That was not God's plan, so we will have to accept it. Just know Ted that we will miss you each minute we are gone, but oh won't the homecoming be sweet! Two little brothers for you to love the rest of your life!


We are filled with great joy at the thought of meeting Eli and finally holding him in our arms. We pray that God will grant our precious papas (and grandpas) who are in Heaven now a glimpse of that day!


Our dads are never far from our hearts and minds. We miss them terribly, but they do live on in us through the love and guidance they gave to us each and every day. They (along with our sweet mothers) helped shape us into loving parents for our own children. They gave us such a great example of what it means to be a parent. We thank God for them.


This will be the last post from our family website until we return. You can follow our journey to Eli on

myadoptionwebsite.com Journey to Eli


SEE YOU IN CHINA!!

Soon, soon, soon!

Soon we will be leaving for China! Soon we will have Eli in our arms! Soon, soon,soon!



But guess what else? The first morning we are in China, I have the privilege of traveling to the Philip Hayden Foundation south of Beijing to deliver donations collected from our church, family, and friends over the last couple of months!



The Philip Hayden Foundation is a wonderful foster village, home to over 100 China orphans who have special needs. Our Philip lived there the first three years of his life.


Tim and Pam Baker founded PHF in memory of their dear friend Philip Hayden. Philip, like the Bakers, had a heart for the orphans of China. What began as an organization to help donate money and supplies to needy children has grown into a beautiful foster village called Shepherd's Field Children's Village. There some of the neediest of the needy find love, caring, and guidance to thrive and grow. Many of those children are then adopted into their forever families.


The Philip Hayden Foundation is an amazing example of what happens when ordinary people follow our extraordinary God.


The more we learn about PHF, the more we love it! I urge you to visit PHF's website. Find out more about this very special place in the heart of China.

James 1:27

Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Take a look at the wonderful items bought with money from our Sunday school classes and also money given in memory of my dad by family and friends!

There are long sleeve shirts and long underwear in about every kid size you can imagine.

There are also cans of Soy formula and a couple of digital thermometers too!

Philip is giving a cheer to thank all of the dear people who donated money
to help the children from his China home.



Precious people gave a total of $940!


Wow! That's a lot of shirts and long underwear!

We spent half on items to personally deliver,
and the other half is going to their California office
to be used as needed at the foster village.


Like Philip, . . .

Kevin, Ted, and I want to thank everyone who donated. What a special honor
to be able to personally deliver your love to Shepherd's Field.


What an amazing God we serve!

Cozy, comfy snuggies

We got a surprise in the mail yesterday from our sweet sister and brother-in-law. The boys wanted to model them for you! Can you tell we are getting a little crazy waiting to travel??

Counting down

Eight more days til travel time . . .

Philip is wearing his new shirt given to him by a dear friend.







Eli's says "Little Brother"







How sweet!

Counting Down to China

Ten days and counting down . . .




Two suitcases already packed . . .




Two more to go . . .





How are we going to transport all that luggage and two little boys too!??

Taking it easy and hanging out with Owl

Philip gets to have his friend Owl for the weekend from preschool. Each child takes Owl home sometime during the year and journals their adventures!




While Owl was visiting us, he played blocks and took a nap with Philip! Too cute.

Sunday Afternoon Football

(Look like a familiar sight to anyone who has traveled to China recently?)

We have been getting ready and gathering and packing things for our China trip since we found out about our Travel Approval last Monday! I think we may have almost everything ready (but not packed)! Yippee!




I do have to pick up some hair color at the store soon and color my "gray highlights" - ha, ha! I don't want to appear too old for Eli! He will know soon enough that I have almost totally gray hair underneath my light brown mane!




Why is it that Kevin looks oh so distinguished and handsome with gray hair, but I look dumpy and washed out with it? Not fair!!




On another note, Philip and Kevin really enjoy Sunday afternoon football games - so much so that they recreate the plays in the living room!














Too funny - Philip loves to wear his football helmet (Thomas the Train bike helmet), football cleats (Elmo slippers), and his football gloves. He even has a "mean" football face for the game!

We are going to China!

Just got word today that






we will be going to China on






January 27th!!






Whoo-hoo






Can hardly wait!!

Philip's ponderings about Jesus and Heaven

Tonight during our nightly prayer time, Philip got a little bit rowdy, bumping into my face and almost knocking off my glasses while I was praying. That prompted a talk to Philip about being respectful to God during our prayer time.



That, in turn, prompted Philip to ponder several things about God.



His first question was: "Is Jesus in my China?"

Me: Yes, Jesus is everywhere. He is always in our hearts.

Philip: Is he in my tummy?

Me: No, his spirit is in our hearts.

Philip: What's a spirit?

Me: You know, it's like the part of Grandpa that went to Heaven when his body stopped working.

Philip: (after looking up to the ceiling and pointing) How did Grandpa get up there?

Me: Jesus came and took him back with him.

Philip: On an airplane?

Me: No. It's like when Jesus rose after death and could pop in and out of locked rooms.

Philip: Wait, I know. I tell you. Jesus come down on a cloud and taked Grandpa back up on a cloud!

Me: Yes, I am sure it was something like that.

Philip: (still pondering things) But how many clothes did Grandpa take with Jesus?

Me: Grandpa's body and clothes stayed here on earth. His spirit went with Jesus who gave Grandpa everything he needed.



With that, Philip seemed satisfied. Then he went to sleep, dreaming heavenly dreams.


Oh through the eyes of a child! No wonder Jesus said we need to come to him as a child. Sweet!

Sound asleep after a time of many questions