One year ago....

One year ago we were excited, anxious, and thrilled to announce to our families and friends that we were in the process to adopt from China.  What a special Mother's Day that was!

      

One year ago on May 11, the Chinese adoption authority placed a finding ad for a little girl.

It is illegal in China to place a child for adoption.  Chinese parents facing tough circumstances must do one of the hardest things in leaving their child to be found.  Often times they do this because the child has medical needs they can't afford.  In China, you must pay all medical costs up front.  For poor families, this is an impossibility.  So they do the only thing they can think of....leave a child in hopes that they will get the care they need.  Part of the process to get a child ready for adoption is to run a "finding ad."  The above ad is our daughter, Ava!  This is the earliest picture we have of her at 10 days old when she was found.

I am in AWE once again that the Lord is in the details of EVERYTHING!  Praising Him that while we were starting our journey to our daughter, our daughter's journey towards adoption, and ultimately to us, was also starting!  In addition, the Lord brought me comfort and excitement yesterday when we received a call from Lifesong for an Orphan regarding our application for a Both Hands Grant.  Sounds like we are strong candidates to receive this, but have to wait about 3 more weeks for the final approval.  The Lord knew I needed this, and He provided it on May 11th China time!  How AWESOME!  

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows."  James 1:17