WE MADE IT TO HONG KONG!

The trip has finally begun! We left DFW at 7:01 am on Friday, connected through San Francisco (after a weather delay) and made the 15 hour flight to Hong Kong, arriving Saturday at around 6:45 pm Hong Kong time. After wading through immigration and finding our shuttle connection, we arrived at the Marriott Sky View Hotel at 8:00. Bryan had some air sickness on the first flight, but did much better on the second. We read lots of very sweet and affirming notes from our Alsbury family with more to come each day of our trip. Tomorrow is Katie's birthday and we'll celebrate by getting on a China Eastern flight bound for Xi'an. The next day she'll be in our arms!!! God is so good!

Cinderella Story

One of my favorite songs right now is "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman. I've always liked Steven Curtis Chapman's music. I even sang in a choir that backed him up at a Young Messiah concert in St. Louis several years ago. Today I'm an even bigger fan. Brenda and I just received a grant from Show Hope, a foundation started by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary to care for orphans around the world. God continues to weave together the incredible story of Katie's adoption. We leave Texas on Friday and will meet Katie in Xi'an, China on Monday. I wish words were sufficient to express our gratitude to friends and family members who have supported us financially, emotionally, and spiritually. God has blessed us in amazing ways, providing for every need at just the right time. We know that the adoption process is only the introduction to the true story that God is writing through our family and our church. May generations be impacted for his kingdom by what he is doing through us today!

WE HAVE A DUE DATE!

God is being God again. The day our doctor told me that I'm no longer considered diabetic, we also learned the date we get our baby girl. Katie will turn 2-years-old on March 20, but she'll start her new life on March 21. That's the day we will meet her face-to-face in Xi'an, China. We'll have lots of paperwork after that, but she'll stay with us from that day forward. Please continue to pray for Katie, Brenda, Bryan and me as our world is about to change forever. Pray that Katie will be able to express the grief she feels over the drastic changes she'll experience. Pray that Katie will bond with at least one of us before we leave Xi'an. Pray that God will continue to provide for our spiritual, physical, and financial needs throughout the adoption process. Pray that Brenda and I will recognize Katie's emotional needs as we help her adjust to life in America. Pray for peace and clarity of mind as we finalize travel plans. Pray that God will use our experiences to encourage other families being called to welcome orphans into their homes. If you feel God leading you to pray specifically about something I've left out, please pray. "The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you."

BIG NEWS!!!

We received a call from our Gladney case worker on Monday, February 28 saying that we our Travel Approval and Visas have arrived in New York! Our consulate meeting is being scheduled as I type this update. We should have exact dates of travel this week. We're looking at traveling to China in late March / early April! Katie is coming home!!!!!!!