Thanks to Verna I am now connected to a yahoo group from Maggie's orphanage. Verna is always looking out for me. The above is a picture of her orphanage. She is in a very poor area and we will more than likely not visit the orphanage. It is over 8 hours away from Changsha.

Other News:
1. Elijah lost another tooth. He is banking his money for a big toy.

2. We had a cook out at a half way house for Restore Ministries. We pulled up and one of Scott's childhood friends was there. God is so big. Scott shared his testimony, we cooked out and of course Emily had everyone eating out of the palm of her hand.

3. Renovation of the house is almost done. We have enclosed our screened in front porch as livable house space now. I think Scott is getting ready for all the children God will bring into our home.

4. I got a new picture of Maggie's head burn and I think it looks great. I feel so blessed that God is caring for her till I get there.

5. I am super excited about Wed. ... Jeremiah and I are going out on a date for the day. I adore my oldest son and love to hear what God is doing in his life. We try to do a date every 3 months or so to have some one on one time.

That is all for now. I am so excited about some of my new blogger friends.... You all keep me so encouraged and focused on the BIG PICTURE !!!

I thought I might take a chance and explain our decision to adopt our daughter from the Children of Promise List (Special Needs Children). We knew with our second adoption we would be going special needs, but had no idea what God had in store for us. I remember when the first list came out and I just seemed so scared about so many things. What could we handle, how would this affect our daily life, what are the financial responsibilities, etc... With prayer and some much needed advice/explanations (thanks Kimber/Yolanda) God grew me so much. The first list I was so unsure that we didn't even request some minor needs and after spending much time on my knees and talking with Scott God made His path more clear. (Side Note- Remember Scott has refused to look at any faces of the girls. He only wants to know the need and says he will look at her face when she is ours - He now has a face to look at everyday).

I think the turning point for us was when the one COP list came out a second time and the little girl with the missing forearms had not been chosen first time around. Scott happened to walk into the room while she was up on my computer and asked about her. I said I wasn't sure and He said why not? So we didn't tell anyone and we just prayed for 3 days. It is amazing how clear God can be when we are only talking and listening to Him. I am usually one to call all my friends and ask for prayer while asking for their opinion, but not this time. It was amazing how clear it was that we were to put in for this little girl and I actually believed she would ours. God had other plans and now we have been matched with our beautiful Maggie.

I say all that to say that God can stretch you, grow you, and bless you beyond your wildest dreams when you go ONE ON ONE with Him. Thank you Lord for using me and allowing me to be this beautiful child's mother.

Okay there is so much to report, but I had to stop and blog this before the moment got away from me. We are about to run out the door to the YMCA when I tell Emily to put her flip flops on when she says this ...

"I have to cover my baby so her don't get burned."

Can you feel my heart? Can you see my family changing? Can you see God growing us all? I am about to ramble here, but I have a few thoughts and updates to share.

1. The verse that talks about "a friend that sticks closer than a brother" was brought to my mind this past week when Pam Shockley and Yolanda Chapman both told me if we wanted Maggie to have a wig their daughters would grow their hair out for Locks of Love. Tears just fell ...

2. My sister-in-law gave us a full size mattress for the girls and we set it up and Emily sleep all night in it ... Praise the Lord...

3. Our care package is ready to send to Maggie and our Ped has located a specialist for her and is going to send her file now to be looked at.

4. Our pastor preached on us getting off the shore and out of the boat and going to the deep water for some intimate time with the Lord. I just loved that thought of being helpless and totally reliant upon the Lord. The thought that I need to venture out into uncharted waters for Him to grow me. I am going to share our story about the how and why of the Children of Promise list soon. Red Mary Janes said something in a comment that has encouraged me and would love to share our thoughts soon.

Love you all and thank you so much for your prayers !!!! Still missing my travel group!!!

Wanted to show you some of the beautiful head scarves and bandannas I bought for Maggie. Our pediatrician appt. was great and my doctor was very positive about her current situation. We are sending her file to a specialist at Vanderbilt. I have gotten all of Emily's 24 month clothing down to wash and have purchased them a few cute outfits to match ... I say all that to say "Please Pray For Quick Travel." I keep hearing 5 months before travel and at moments that is more than I can bare.
"Jesus Calling" my daily devotional is fabulous at pointing me in the right direction for the day ... Today is all about "bringing ALL your feelings to Christ, so that your faith can protect you from anxiety, bitterness, etc that wants to take root in our heart." Eph. 6:16. So I am sure I will need all your help to remind me of my SHIELD OF FAITH when I am feeling worry for my precious daughter or impatient with God's timing. He has brought us so far and it looks like He will have to carry us the rest of the way.

What a whirl wind week we had last week. My dear Pingjiang Family left from our fabulous reunion to the phone call Tuesday morning at 8:48 with news of our precious daughter. I have set up my ped appt. for Wed. to discuss our medical steps once home and get stocked up on meds. to take to China. I have found the address for her orphanage and will be sending her a care package this week. I have filled out travel stuff for Tempo Travel and ordered some beautiful scarves, headbands, and babydews (thanks to Emmie's cool online searches) for Maggie. I may be babbling, but that is probably what you can expect for awhile. My mind is a hundred yards in front of my mouth at this point. I just can't believe God saw fit to make this fabulous creature my daughter. I stare at her picture all day and long to hold that face and look into her eyes and assure her that Mommy is here and you are loved so much.

The kids where playing around with the bandannas we had around the house and Emily was trying on one of Maggie's head scarves because they want to support her. We want her to feel comfortable with or without them obviously, but they are thinking how cool if they can all match when we leave the house. I just adore my children and they are so excited about their sister and Elijah and Jeremiah are very concerned for her and sad about what has happened to her. I just know God has so much to teach us and so many areas to grow us again with our second adoption.

Thanks for the prayers .... Will keep you posted....

As most of you know by now we have been matched with a beautiful little girl from Hunan, China off the COP list. She will be 2 on August 10th. She has a severe burn on her skull and a face that screams HOPE ... I am so in love with her and can't wait to hold her in my arms.

The two things we ask prayer for is (1) Quick Travel ... We are asking for a miracle of quick travel ... They told us 2-5 months and expect the latter. (2) We are asking everyone to pray that her attachment goes well. We pray that somehow she will sense the forever love we have for her and believe in her heart this is where she was meant to always be.

I am already having trouble sleeping due to thinking of ways to care for her, the path of her medical journey, and just that mother's need to place hands on her and touch her, breathe her air, and kiss the place on her head where her hurt lies....

I know the Father has brought us this far and He will no doubt carry us the rest of the way. Thank you friends for all your support and encouragement. You have no idea how much you mean to us!!!!

How do you describe an event that is indescribable? The weekend was a dream come true. Looking into the faces that only two years ago where strangers and through the journey of adoption has now made us a family. This will be a new journey for us all as we continue to invest in one another lives and become the bridge that God has called us to be. I love you all and so enjoyed planning and hosting the event. I treasure opening my home and hearing all the sweet laughter, chatter and memories that were made while you were here.



More pictures to come as soon I get them from our photographer. If you are looking to watch a cool slide show of the weekend check out Bilby Bunch's blog listed in my sidebar ...

I will be leaving bloggerland for a few days since our Pingjiang Reunion starts TOMORROW!!!! I am so excited to see my friends and to see these girls look into each others eyes. We know they won't remember each other, but over the years they will appreciate the family we have formed by traveling together to their country. We are all so excited here in TN ... It has taken days to prepare, so I am headed off to bed tonight early.

I do have one prayer request. COP List (special needs list)from our agency came out last week and Verna, Steffie, Becky, and I all made requests. I ask you to pray for each little girl that they will be united with there forever family soon. We all have a certain one we are praying for, but the truth is we just want a home for all these little ones label special need. Our Father has wrapped them in His arms and will be placing them in Mommy's arms very soon. We find out Tuesday if any of us are matched!

Jeremiah took communion for the first time today and the tears just flowed down my face. He accepted Christ as his Savior April 2006. We are attending Strong Tower Bible Church where the children go to service first and worship with their families before being excused to their classes. I love this. I love having praise and worship time with my children. This was the first opportunity for Jeremiah to not be in class and to share this experience with us. My heart sang, jumped, danced, and was overflowed with the fact that my son has a Savior and will one day spend eternity with Him !!!!

Scott always says there is nothing in this world you can take with you to heaven except your children. What gifts they are and how I will rejoice when each one comes to the saving knowledge of Christ. What a glorious day this has been !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!