Judah's Homecoming

This post is all pictures from Judah's arrival home at the Louisville International Airport.  Drew and Anna arrived home with Judah after a LONG flight and greeted by our friends and loved ones. 

 

Leaving on a Jet Plane

So, Wednesday July12th started by dropping Evan off to go with a friend for band camp and dropping the littles off to preschool.  Then, Drew, Anna, Rebecca, Grandma Sugar and myself all headed to the airport.  They had no trouble checking in and Grandma Sugar and I left by 8:45.  I was forced to leave quickly because I left the van at curbside to unload them and ran in with them.  So, there was no time for lengthy goodbyes.  Which, was a good thing 😥



Their flight was scheduled to take off at 10:50 am for Chicago with a short layover and on to Beijing from there.  HOWEVER, the day turned out much different.  Here are the updates I was getting from Drew:

FIRST STEP: Drop off at the airport 8:30 am 7/12/17 CHECK

UPDATE #1: Drew and Anna were suppose to depart at 10:50. However, due to severe weather in Chicago, they have been continually delayed and are in a holding pattern until weather clears and have missed their scheduled connecting flight to China. So, the adventure twists and turns begin early in this trip:) They are fine and not worried, just anxious to get to the next step.

UPDATE #2 (12:25) The flight to Chicago is delayed until 1:15. Then their flight to China is delayed until 9 PM so they won't' arrive in China until early Friday Morning. More to come, I'm sure:)

UPDATE #3 (5:30 pm) They are just now leaving Louisville. Hoping to catch the remaining connections for Friday morning arrival in China.

UPDATE #4 (9:30 pm) Just heard from Drew Ryan. They are boarding in Chicago and headed to LAX and should arrive around 11:40 pm and then depart 1:40 am California and arrive in Beijing around 5:30 am Friday morning. They are tired but in good spirits.

UPDATE #5 (5:45 am) OK, things are on track now. They left at 2 am this morning from LAX and are scheduled to arrive in Beijing @ 5:30 am Friday Morning (7/14/17). *Please keep Anna Ryan in your prayers, Drew messaged me before let took off at 1 am that Anna's ears are really hurting her 

So skip to Friday Morning 7-14-17 Tienanmen Square, Forbidden City and Hutong Tour.

Right from Plane to Tour, but made it

Drew and Anna arrived, dropped extra luggage they had brought to New Hope in Beijing and then met their Guide George.  They got back to the hotel and grabbed a quick bite to eat and then made it in time to join the group for the scheduled Tienanmen Square, Forbidden City and Hutong Tour.  Hutong  is the traditional courtyard residences of Beijing locals, and most of Hutong building you see nowadays are the heritage from Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (with nearly 700 years history). It represents an important cultural element of the city of Beijing.

 

*Insert pictures from Acrobat show when able

Saturday 7-15-17 GREAT WALL OF CHINA and Jade Factory

 

LION OF JUDAH

We are days away from travel.  Judah is heavy on our minds.  His last days with his Ayis/Nannies is here.  His week of "lasts".  But it is also the days of the pages turning to a new chapter of "firsts".  As we cross off the lists in these last days to prepare for travel, I continue to feel confident that Judah was meant to be our son, even though we didn't plan to have 6 kids.  We hadn't planned to adopt again. But since the day we said "yes", there has not been one doubt in my mind.  And in the midst of stepping out to "Live A Crazy Life" following God as we see it, He continues to confirm and bless this journey.  We have been immeasurably supported financially to make this happen.  Just that feat alone is something I stand in Awe of how He has provided for this child, when I had NO IDEA how it was going to happen.  I grew in faith during our last adoption, and saw God bless the adoption story in our life in unbelievable ways and I knew.  I knew there was a way. I am amazed and in awe of the perfect timing of each detail of this journey.  I am always awestruck, but never completely surprised.  So very, very grateful.

Since we have been matched and named our son Judah, there has been a confirming song that brings me to the thrown to worship.  If you are familiar with contemporary christian group Big Daddy Weave and their song  Lion and the Lamb, you know what I'm talking about

you can listen here:       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTUX8_ETIjc

Our actual service Sunday Morning. 

"Who can stop the Lord Almighty?

Our God is the Lion, 

The LION OF JUDAH,

Roaring with power and fighting our battles"

First you have to know, I went into our last church service before leaving for Judah, knowing it would be powerful.  I am feeling excited, overwhelmed at this opportunity and feeling the pulse of how close we are.  I was hoping, just hoping, that this song would be on the worship list today. And boy was it!  God's subtle reminder or wink to me "I got this, remember, I'm the Lion, Judah's Lion.  I've been fighting for him since the beginning."   I felt overwhelmed with the confidence this was orchestrated before I ever knew it.  And then, when I went to the evening service the High school had to celebrate the week they had had at conference and one of the last songs...... Lion and the Lamb.  I just chuckled.  Perfect!

I have felt Him in the midst of running to Judah.  And I have felt secure in this journey, "even though"... even though the cost is overwhelming, even though our family is already large, even though we are busy with high schoolers... even though we are busy with preschoolers, even though some can't understand why.  That's okay.  We have an audience of One. I find my confidence in the God who is our Lion, roaring with power and fighting our battles.... our Lion, your Lion, Judah's Lion.

*Addendum 9-1-17  

On 8-25-17, I returned to our first church service with Judah. It will be no surprise to you that God welcomed us "home" with the song "Lion and the Lamb", Judah's song.   It felt like the Lord scooped us up and hugged us right there.  He sent us off with that song, He welcomed us Home with that song and He reminds us He is with us as we follow Him.

Painting with a Purpose!

Our friends Lori Mattingly and Paula Riggins threw us a Painting Party Fundraiser to finish our funds needed to bring Judah home.  We had about 25 painters at the party and we raised around $500 to finish our funding. It was a very fun night filled with many sweet and generous friends to support this adoption.  Our instructor Paige led us well and was patient to teach us as we went.  This was a fun celebration of Judah to be added to our family as well as preparing for the 4th of July celebration and the freedoms we have in this country. 

We are blessed to have such outpouring of encouragement from friends and friends of friends as we travel this road.  I was able to meet another adoptive mom tonight who will be travel at nearly the same time as our family.  They also will bring home a son to add to their caln.   We are grateful!!!

Thank you, each one who had a part in this night!!!!!

 

Paige is a bucket of fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT GROUP OF SUPPORTERS...and God Bless the USA!

Lori Mattingly and Paula Riggins pulled this fabulous night off for Judah!

Aimee, Anna and Rebecca

 

Last Updates of Judah before travel

THREE weeks to the day.... and this sweet boy will be in our arms!

Today we received the last updated info we will get of Judah before travel.  Pictures, video and developmental update:

**Height: 31.5 "

Weight: 23.1 pounds

Chest Circumference: 19.7"

Head Circumference:  18.5"

Feet Length: 5.1"

He is The Great God

The Chalk Board that sits in our kitchen is not picture worthy.  I have terrible handwriting.  I don't change it as frequently as I maybe should.  This scripture has been up for awhile, but man has it been an echo from our heart.

The last weeks have been filled with God's goodness and many mercies for this adoption.  Last week we were given Travel Approval.  We found out Drew and Anna will travel in about three weeks.  The dates include leaving July12, meet Judah July17 and come home July 29,2017.  I have booked flights and made some hotel reservations.  I have been compiling all the travel documents they will need in a binder. Lots of busy work to help with the anxious and excited energy!


We are celebrating God's provision to bring Judah home. This week we have a painting party fundraiser with the funds having been dedicated toward Judah's medical exam, passport and tests needed prior to leaving China. We have had great support for participation and know it will be a fun evening celebrating Judah and this adoption.  Our last cost to complete this adoption is covering the airfare.  We thank you, our friends and family, who have cheered us on, supported us with prayer and words of encouragement  and helped us to widdle away at the costs associated with adoption so we can bring Judah home, to his forever family.  Because I know you have invested in Judah and in our family, I know you'll be ecstatic with us to hear that we were chosen for a grant to fund the airfare for round trip tickets to China for this adoption!!!! A Child Waits Foundations has blessed many children, from many countries to come home to their forever families. And they chose us, they chose Judah to be a child they can make a difference for. We are standing in awe at this HUGE gift.  As I was finishing the second phone interview with the Board President of this Foundation, I wasn't expecting an answer at the end of the phone call.  But after 25 minutes or so of enjoyable conversation about this adoption, she said to me "Well, I can tell you that we would be honored to cover these last needed funds for your airfare, 100%" !!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it.  I cried, I laughed, I kept thanking her...   What another amazing gift.  We give thanks to God for the generosity of others, who desire to see children without families, placed in forever homes, who have sacrificed and donated to help our Judah become part of our family. So many people have said, "I'm sorry, I wish I could have given more", but with so many people giving, it has been enough to move the mountain of finances that comes with adoption. We are immeasurably grateful and praise the One who called us to this child to begin with.

In the good and bad in life, and good and bad will always come... we will be steadfast in our God, as He is Great and Mighty and Awesome!  Not just today because of the goodness we are experiencing, but also in the days that are hard and difficult and overwhelming.  He is good, He provides and we praise Him.

EPHESIANS 3:19-21
Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians
…19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.…

 

Article 5 and Alligators

Current Adoption Process: Waiting for our Article 5 pickup.
What is Article 5? This is the last step before we get travel approval.  
Definition of Article 5: Article 5 Letter - states that you are approved as a suitable adoptive parent and that the child will be able to enter and reside permanently in the United States. 

The Article 5 Letter takes 2 weeks from drop off to pick up.  Ours was dropped of on 6-5-17 and is planned to be picked up 6-19-17.  After that, we wait for TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!!!!  Which, could come, if it's fast, the end of the week that we receive our Article 5 Letter or the following week.  So, we are SO CLOSE to traveling to China to bring Judah HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It's surreal. 

AND, what could I do to help pass the time????  Well, I have made each of our kids a quilt.  I finally picked Judah's pattern and will work on this so it is ready for Drew and Anna to take to him when they travel. All about the alligators, I don't know why, I was just drawn to it, thought it was cute and loved the colors. He will be irresistible all wrapped up in it!