Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Red couch photos...we leave tomorrow!

The famous red couch and group photos!   Proud of my kid--he sat there like a champ, despite the chaos around him.  A mom can brag, right? Keep your eye on the little girl (Eden) in red next to Jiushu. 
Right before the smack to the face, they were linking arms.  Maybe someone caught that on film.
Our awesome group--nine Holt families
And the three shall soon become six. 
So this is it.  We've attended all the appointments, signed all the papers, paid all the money, bought all the souvenirs.  We'll get Jiushu's visa this afternoon.  And then we are so ready to come home!!!  We are here one more night, and in the morning fly from Guangzhou to Beijing and then to Chicago.  We leave Beijing at 4 p.m. on Thursday and get to Chicago at...4 p.m. Thursday.  Isn't that crazy?  Please pray that we make our connection in Beijing, that all flights are on time, for protection, and especially for grace, grace, grace as we fly home with a 13 month old! 

This has been a difficult (to say the least) experience, but one in which we have felt the presence of the Lord--His strength and endurance, and His healing, restoring touch on Jiushu, even in the last few days.  Thank you for your prayer, encouragement, and wonderful comments!  Blogging this trip has been very meaningful for me...even better since someone is following along.  I'll close with some fantastic news we received this morning.  We had applied for a grant this past winter, before we were matched with Jiushu.  We were turned down, but the foundation encouraged us to reapply once we were further along in the process.  The new deadline was end-of-April, and we sent an update letter with news of our referral.  Kind of forgot about it after that, especially once we were preparing to travel.  The director of the foundation emailed me this morning to say they are giving us $3000!  Oh God, you are SO good!  Not a bad way to end our trip, huh? 

14 comments:

Michelle said...

You all look so good together! Have a safe journey home!

Robbie Louth said...

Did you guys have a Mennonite fam with you? I love them. Been researching their denom lately...a lot in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania are going charismatic...so interesting! and Jiushu is such a good boy! Already sitting up by himself. With lots of love, prayers, and Holy Spirit, he's gonna have an amazing testimony one day.

Doug said...

Wow - what a ride! Praying for a safe and gentle trip home. D

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the grant! I've so enjoyed following along. Safe travels and an easy time once home!

Valerie said...

I have so enjoyed following you on your journey. Your posts have been real and honest and uplifting. I am amazed at how God has been working in you and through you all.

Prayers for a safe, uneventful and even a joyful journey home. I am also praying for a smooth transition for all of your household as 5 becomes 6. :)

(Oh, and tell Vince that his T-shirt rocks! Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!) :)

Jennifer said...

Love it! That sums it all up!

ysexton said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts through this whole process. As I have said before, you have a wonderful ability to write and share your heart and mind openly and cleverly.

Jiushu is beautiful! and I am looking forward to seeing him integrated into your family! and getting to meet him myself.

Praying for safe travels as you return and that your initial meeting with your kids altogether is a glorious moment!

Rita and John said...

Look how well your little guy is sitting on the red couch! What a difference two weeks can make. Have a wonderful trip back. That is the same trip we had, Guangzhou to Beijing to Chicago. If we survived, you will too. :) Praying for safe travels!

Krissy said...

i love it that he is such a big guy sitting there all by himself!!!!!! blessings on that plane ride - then some fun chaos when the home kids get to meet the new kid... im expecting some chaos there...

love you!!!!

Stephanie said...

You'll do great on the flight home. It will be SO good to have your family all together!

JESF....... said...

Have a safe flight home! I enjoyed following your blog!

Janice

Unknown said...

What a wonderful gift! That's great! I've really enjoyed following your trip and will follow as you come home and join the rest of the clan. Be patient with the adjustment. It took me a good while to feel "normal." And, those red couch photos...they stress me out just seeing them!

Stacia said...

What a wonderful begining for your family.
The story of this time together in China has been so amazing.
The grant was the cherry on top!
I hope your trip home is a smooth one and you all are able to get some much needed rest.
Best wishes!

Anonymous said...

What a mighty God we serve!! There has been favor over you and all the families because you have put HIM first! It is a time now to bond together with all the fam in one place. Then onto your extended family (NHOP) to meet the new guy!! Smiling!!