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!