Hello friends.
You noticed I haven't posted in a few weeks?
There are reasons.
#1 Titus is in Chinese first grade and it's time-consuming.
We can barely finish homework, make and eat dinner, and take care of basic hygiene every night, particularly if we have something going on like...
#2 Helping Lydia find and move to new housing.
Big project, glad to help because were are adopted family members. Speaking of family...
#3 My brother Ethan visited!
We had the BEST TIME EVER hiking in the mountains of Southwest China, and hung out here in Changsha, including a visit to the home of Auntie Wang...
#4 Auntie Wang fractured her arm.
She's alright but taking it easy. We are paying her medical bills and usual salary though she cannot work at our home for a couple months. I've lost my right-hand woman! It's been a double-whammy this fall with Drew traveling too much and no Auntie Wang.
#5 Most wonderful of all, WE ARE ADOPTING A CHILD: REUBEN!
Our two year-old boy is in an orphanage in north-central China, hopefully coming home to us summer 2016. Reuben's photo is framed on our wall and definitely in our hearts! Right now Drew and I are working through an application portfolio of about ten thousand pages, twelve hours of mandatory adoption coursework, and preparing for a full weekend home study with a social worker in mid-November.
counting the graces
thank you Father, today, for
2 Peter -- serious call to live your way (holiness, lawfulness) -- weighty commands to consider reading through this book
weak, warm, savory coffee
you order these changing seasons, this first chilly wet fall day
Titus was so happy going to and from school, he always is
Mike can bathe himself
you provided the perfect home for Lydia
mutuality with Lydia -- the opposite of paternalism or a savior complex
all is a mess! but with our eyes on you, it's ok
Congratulations! Wishing you a very smooth adoption process. So nice for Reuben he will have two big brothers and a forever family with a heart for China. Following your journey!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes from Belgium,
Yuxia (from Hunan), Kewen (from Yunnan), Jan & Terry
Thank you Jan en Terry, it is nice to keep in contact with Butterfly families all over the world.
DeleteI am so thrilled for you guys! You guys are the best, and we love you!
ReplyDeleteKatie...love you too. I want to be there with you...making kids' lunches and letting them play together and talking about stuff.
DeleteSo happy to hear all your news, answers to prayer and the lives you are touching daily. We love all 5 of you and remember you before our Father. You have touched our lives in so many ways, dear friends xxxx
ReplyDeletesee you in December I hope!
Yes, hope to see you then Lyn. xxx
DeleteYea, so exciting!!! It sounds like all is well! And I love that I got to see so many pictures that Ethan posted! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm SO excited for you guys! You get a new son! We will be lifting up Reuben and your whole family during this time. This just means we need to come back to Asia for another visit soon :-). We love you all!
ReplyDelete