Visas

Today we got our Chinese Visas. So, one more thing on the seemingly endless to-do list. When we were waiting for Abbey, I had most of everything done shortly after we received our TA. This time, I've been lollygagging and have a huge list of things to get and do before we can leave. Not that I'm complaining, I would love to be pressed for time, if it meant we would get to go earlier.

Just For Elijah

As a 6th child, Elijah will be having many things that are hand-me-downs, or things that he has to share with Abbey. It's not that this is a bad thing. I'm very thankful that his needs are being taken care of. But, my wonderful friend, Julia, wanted him to have a special blanket that was only his. She has been describing this blanket to me for months as she worked on it. She has had many designs and different types of thread. She finally finished it and brought it over this week. I love it. It is very soft, and big enough for him to use it forever. She also knitted his name into the top of it. The blanket is in the crib waiting for a little boy to sleep under it. Thanks and much love to Julia!

A Lesson From the Ants

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13 NIV


Yikes! We have ants, or I should say we had ants. I discovered last night a trail of tiny ants leading from the top of the window sill to the counter top in my kitchen. I quickly put out some Terro Ant Bait. It is great stuff for getting rid of the teeny tiny ants. First one, then two, then hundreds of ants will stream to the nighty, night ant nectar. When I checked out the progress of my extermination this morning. I saw that many were gathered around, with many more on their way. Then I noticed one little guy. Look at the left side of the tile below the window sill. He's not following the rest. I'm no biologist or animal behaviorist, so I can't explain why this little one was off the beaten path. I thought to myself, "Well, your nonconformity could save your life."

Here lies the point. We can be like the doomed ants and follow the crowd not following God. Many times what seems so enticing or attractive will ultimately lead to our destruction. How many times have we thought, "Well, everyone else is doing it. It can't be that bad." When we set ourselves apart and live for God, we may be the only ones doing so. Because of this choice, we will live. I love it when I can see God's principles in ordinary events.

Article 5!

I emailed the consulate in Guangzhou to make sure they had everything they needed for our Article 5. (Article 5 is our LOA, I-800 and DS230 all together) I received a reply stating that our Article 5 was picked up by the courier on Aug. 10. That is good news. The article 5 goes to Beijing and the C**A issues our Travel Approval. Whew! TA can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to be issued. Hopefully, ours will be quick. If it comes very quickly, we could travel in Sept. If it takes 4 weeks, then we'll probably have to wait until November. Anyway, I'm excited at how fast the Article 5 was submitted.

Happy Birthday, John, Jr !!

Instead of looking like this... It seems he should be still looking like this...

This past Friday, John had his 22nd birthday. Again, as with all our children, I wonder, "Where in the world did the time go?" John has always been a very sensitive kid. I remember the first time we watched the movie ET. We couldn't find John, and when we found him, he was hiding behind a rocking chair crying. He felt sorry for ET, but didn't want us to see him crying. He's also always been very talented physically. As a 3 year old, he told his Dad to take his training wheels off of his bike. Then, proceeded to hop on and start riding as if he had been doing it for years. He also is very adept musically. He plays drums, guitar and sings. When I was pregnant with John, I was afraid to have another child so close in age with Beth. God told me not to worry, that this child was going to be special. I'm not sure what God has in store for John, but I believe his promise, and know it is something special. He's a joy to have around whenever he can get away to come home. We love you very much, John William!!

NVC Cable

Today, I called the Nation Visa Center and found out that the cable for our case was sent to Guangzhou on Aug. 4th. That's later than I'd have wanted. I've seen them sent in as little as 4 days. Ours taking 10 days disappoints me. Ok, God has a God sized task if he wants us to go to China in Sept. I know He can do it. I just wonder if it is His plan? I've surrendered my will to His. But, we are told to make our requests known, so I'm asking him if it is His will, for us to travel in Sept. If it isn't, then I trust that is for the best. We would appreciate your prayers. We truly desire God's plan.

Not much will bring a Mom to her knees...

Like handing her child the keys!

Having just completed Driver's Ed, Daniel has been chomping at the bit to get his permit. So, Friday, we finally had time to go. Of course, he passed the test. Not that I wanted him to fail, but I surely didn't want him to start driving. Especially since he will be driving with me. I'm the worst supervising driver ever! Just ask my older kids. I detest the feeling of not being in control. I know this is my problem, not theirs, but we both have to live with it. They never brake as soon as I think they should, and they always have trouble keeping in the middle of the lane. I wish I could buy one of those Student Driver signs. Maybe that would help with other drivers getting impatient and cutting in front of us when we don't go as fast as they would like, or speeding up instead of letting us in when we have to change lanes. Oh well, I, as well as my 3 older kids, have survived this phase of life, I suppose Daniel will also. I'm sure he would appreciate your prayers (and I wouldn't mind them either)!