Oh what a month!  It has been a roller coaster of emotions this month.  We started the month with news that we would most likely travel in January to brig our litte girl home!  We were filled with excitement and wrapping our minds around some preparations.  Then a week later we were told there was a problem with our paperwork, one that they had never seen before!   That was a week or so of really hard emotions and lots of prayers.  I really appreciate all of those who were lifting us up in prayer during that time.  I was definitely frustrated by the processes that had to be done to "fix" paperwork that I don't really feel was wrong to begin with.  I personally was struggling to trust during this time and often would remind myself that God is in control and knew the perfect timing for our family.  As often as I reminded myself I failed to let it really sink into my heart!  We were told that this paperwork issue may mean that we would not travel until mid to late February!  

Now, the paperwork is all corrected and filed and we are waiting for China to issue what is called our Travel approval.  We still don't know if we will travel in January or February but I trusting and waiting much better than I was before.  Thank you God for giving me peace during this time of trial I. Our process!  It has been a daily struggle for me to remember His promises and live in His Joy!

During this time, our family has had a great Christmas with the kids enjoying a new zip line and a new slack line in the back yard.  Ella is studying anything she can under her microscope.  It's amazing how things change when you examine them 400x closer than we normally see them.  Eli really wanted a remote controlled dragon but has enjoyed his DS game from his Aunt Beave the most.   Landon was a trooper because he asked for a DS game that he did get but it doesn't work on his DS because it is an old version.  And with all of the "stuff" that has been entertaining, I have enjoyed the family time and the prayers from our kids each night praying that as we go to sleep that "YaYa" has a great day as she wakes up on the other side of our world and that we are able to bring her home soon!   

We hope your family had a Very Merry Christmas!   

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

It has been a good day visiting with family.  Our niece Maggie Lee who is just a month or two younger than Emery was here.  It was great to be around her and remember what a 2 year old likes and how they react to being around a large group.  We don't get to see Maggie Lee very often so she was definitely hesitant to interact with us.  As we have been told that Emery is a bit shy and introverted it was a reminder of how even with best intentions we can be overwhelming when we ooooh and ahhh over them.

The kids and I made a "Thankfulness tree" and set it in the foyer so everyone could write what they were thankful of and put it on the tree.  I am so very blessed by all of our family - extended and immediate.  Our kids have had a great Thanksgiving and we are praying for Emery on the other side of this world that she knows we are thankful for her and are thankful to know that the process is moving forward and our time together is approaching.

We hope you have been able to share time with those you are thankful for.

So we just received a few updates for Emery.  She has grown a bit as we could tell in the pictures.  I am hoping that her new measurements will help in knowing what size clothes to take for her.  Her first measurements were tiny and since August she has gained 6 lbs!!!  Everything else seemed very similar to the first information we received about her.  It did mention this time that she can be a bit stubborn.  It just makes me laugh as I know how each of us can all be stubborn in so many ways.  She will perfectly fit into our family!   Coming in as a fourth child the stubbornness may be just what she needs to keep up with her older brothers and sisters.  I am sure none of the other three kids were ever stubborn as two year olds!  I thought that was the definition of a 2 year old!!!

In preparation for our trip to China I have been overwhelmed with details flying through my head.  Several times over the last week and a half it has been impressed upon my heart that God's word is a lamp to my feet.  A lamp at my feet is going to light just a few steps of my journey at a time.  I don't have to see the end picture, the whole trip right now, and all of details of what is to come.  I just need to trust in the Lord that He will show me the steps to take today and not be overwhelmed.  It's so easy to say this but my heart is stubborn!  My heart is so stubborn that I will sit in my overwhelmed state and remain paralyzed by so many "to do's" while I know the answer is to trust.  Lord, please help my stubbornness and in this process prepare me for any stubbornness that Emery will have.

Something else they hadn't mentioned before is that she isn't a picky eater.  I don't know how many new things they are trying in her orphanage but not being picky will be a great treat for us!  Ella, on the other hand,  is very excited about getting to eat more rice and is hoping I will fix it every day.

Oh, we are so ready to go and get her!!!!!!!!!!

What a weekend!  I was able to attend a women's retreat with my church which was a blessing in so many ways.  I am thankful for all those who worked so hard to make it a great event!  There is a lot to reflect on and to process from the weekend and I am sure I will continue to do this for some time.

At the same time Mike took the kiddos camping at a fun and entertaining campground.  They were able to play bingo, attend a dance party, play putt putt, have some marshmallows over the fire, make crafts, hike, and enjoy friends.  As the mommy I always tend to worry about how they are all doing but Mike was on top of everything and they had a blast!

Over the weekend I was blessed to have a roommate that was a missionary in China for 10 years.  She also has small children so she was able to advise me on traveling with children and some of the culture.  I was so thankful for that and am continued to be amazed at how God provides in every way as we go through this process.  With that said, we have come to the conclusion that Mike and I will travel while kiddos stay here and try to maintain some normal time.  I know that they will be so well loved and cared for while we are gone!  Thanks for your prayers for us in this decision.

What a week!  Getting back into a regular routine after such a fun and big trip last week has been a struggle not only for the kids but for myself.  I find that I "wanted" to sleep a lot (hope some of that was due to the time change as well) and do less work.  However, it all still has to be done so we kept pushing and made it through.  

On Friday we received these great update photos of our Emery Xiaoya!  She is growing so much!!!!

Of course these photos made me giddy with excitement but then they remind me of the time that I am missing, not being able to be with her.  I can quickly get absorbed with thoughts of what she may be doing that day, what is she eating, is she sleeping well, is she crying, sad, or sick.  Then I hear the call of "Mommy!!!!" from the other room and I come out of my sadness back into what is going on right now in my house.  I have to remember to not wish away this time that God has set aside for me to wait. To remember to really pay attention to those 3 that are needing my love and attention this very moment.   God has given me this time with them just as much as he is preparing the time when YaYa will be here in our house in our family.   I really appreciate everyone's prayers and ask specifically for prayers of rest and peace in the waiting but also in some big decisions in the next week about travel.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

So I am posting this picture that my amazing friend "Beave" took.  She was the greatest host last week to our crew and we had so much fun visiting Boston.  Who could have imagined the timing - with the Red Sox winning the World Series while we were there.  What I love about this picture is that we were heading to lunch with portfolio in hand.  The day before while we were out and about we received the call that let us know we would soon be going to get our little Emery.  I was beyond excited and couldn't hold back my cheers of joy while riding in the car.

Beave hung out with me in the wee hours of the morning as I was making sure all of the paperwork was filled out properly and then took us into town for touring as well as finding a FedEx to send our papers off.  My portfolio under my arm held all of the documents for the entire process and It's great to see the reminder of how everything unfolded while on our trip.

Thanks Beave and Ramzi for loving our family and we can't wait for Emery to see Boston!!!!

So as I promised, here is our precious little angel affectionately known in her orphanage as Ya Ya.  Since we had not finalized a name and because this is what they call her in the orphanage we have also called her Ya Ya at home.  It may be hard to actually get used to calling her anything else but we will see how it goes.  After a night of prayer and discernment we have settled on Emery Xiaoya Joyce.  There is a great story about the name Emery that I will post about soon.  We really appreciate everyone's prayers for her and for us as we wait.

Below is a precious picture that stole my heart at first glimpse.  This is the first picture we received of Ya Ya.  To look at her and think that she will be with us soon is a feeling that is hard to describe.  Mike and I are overwhelmed by God's blessing!!!

November 2013 - Really - Could I post a little more often????

Hey friends and family!!!  I know it has been over a year since I have posted a word, but I am hoping to turn over a new leaf.  Yes, I know, I have said this before.  I could make excuses all day about how busy we are but I know you are busy too and that wouldn't help the matter.  I do want to say that our family has some GRAND news and are so excited to finally be able to share it with everyone.  We have a new baby!!!  Not exactly a baby baby but a 2 year old!!!!  We are amazed at God's beautiful gift to us and are anxiously awaiting her arrival.  She is a beautiful little girl who is currently living in China.  We were told that we will travel in January or February to pick her up.  The process has been long and challenging but we are so thankful for God's grace and mercy in sustaining us through each step thus far and look to Him to continue these last few months before her arrival in our home.  We would love your prayers during this time!!!

Landon, Ella, and Eli are all super excited about their new sister.  They even switched rooms so that we can add a crib/bed for her.  I would let you know her name but tonight is the final night that we have to pray about her name and we have to submit it tomorrow for final paperwork.  We have had so many thoughts about her name and now we are down to the wire.  I will let you all know tomorrow as well as post her picture for you all to see.

So, with this news I will call it a night and I will try my best to keep up the posts as we get ready to bring our little girl home.  "Joycekids" - wow - there will be 4 - I will need to change the picture!!!