Fabulous family!

We have such a great family. I just can't explain what a fabulous family we have. My sister and her husband came over tonight, and out of the blue, gave us $500 to go towards the travel expenses to bring our baby home! They have already given us a gift previously, back near the beginning of our adoption journey.
But you know, the best part is not the financial generosity. The best part is knowing that our child will have not only the love and support of our immediate family, but the truly unconditional love of our extended family. She'll be a part of fun family gatherings, family vacations, ballgames, birthdays, good times (and bad times). Never alone. So blessed. And she will be taught to trust in the LORD in all things, for He is trustworthy. She'll see that truth lived out not only in her immediate family, but in all the family around her. No, we are no where near the "perfect family," but there has never been a family more blessed than our family.

Can't wait for her to meet them all!!

Kathy
"He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers." Deuteronomy 7:13a

No news yet, check out the weather in the RMI...

Weather report from the Marshall Islands.....
"When you visit the Marshall Islands, leave your winter clothes at home! Our tropical weather averages about 81 F (27 C) with little variation during the year. The waters in the lagoon are a comfortable 80F (26 C) year round. The region is known for mild winds and tropical showers.

The normal conditions are dry with low rainfall. Trade winds cool the atolls much of the year and the calm water months fall between June and September.

Our seasons are typical of the tropics. The rainy season runs from September through November. The dry season begins in January and lasts for 3 months.

Typhoons are not common in our part of the Marshall Islands."

Praise the LORD for that last statement...because that's a small little island! And how selfish would it be to pray for travel before the rainy season starts???

Kathy
"But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to
me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these..."
Luke 18:16

Wow, what a plane ride....

While we wait, I looked up different flight options on expedia.com. On our trip to the Marshall Islands, we will change planes 8 times (I said eight times)!!!! I dread this, mostly for the kids. Most of the flight options have a 12 hour lay-over in Guam which will let us catch some sleep, but wow! It will take 44 hours to get there. (By the way, Guam is a US territory). We will likely to go Houston to Tokyo to Guam, then 5 more planes before arriving in the Marshall Islands. The good news is that the trip home will only involve 4 planes (MI to Honolulu to San Fransico to Chicago to Knoxville). I'm so thankful for that, as Dennis will go home with the kids and then I will travel home with the baby a few weeks later.

The price of the tickets range anywhere from $1600 to $3600 each. yikes. I hope the rumor that I hear about prices going down is TRUE!

Kathy
But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure. Romans 8: 25

A little about the Marshall Islands...

This is Majuro, the atoll (island) where we will be staying...

Tiny country. I found a website of the missionaries who started the only Baptist church in the islands. Cool to read about their work by clicking here The Utter family I've included some pictures of the church below. Can't wait to worship there!
I also found a good description of the islands from one of their websites...
"There are 29 atolls and 5 islands which comprise the Marshalls. An atoll is a ring of coral reef with a lagoon in the middle. The rings are not contiguous and are oval or irregular in shape. On Majuro, the island averages just less than 1/4 mile wide. It is approximately 1/2 mile wide at its widest point. The highest point is about 10 or 12 feet above sea level. The total land area of all the Marshalls is about 70 square miles, yet they cover over 70,000 square miles of ocean. If a map of the Marshalls were overlaid on top of the eastern US, they would extend from Michigan to northern Florida.

Laura Baptist Church, Majuro, Marshall Islands

Continue your prayers.
Kathy
"I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again,strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:32

Number 4 on the list and counting down...

We have moved to number 4 on the list and counting down. One family ahead of us is expected to be matched soon, moving us to #3 family! Yeah! We are so very excited. Our agency told us that we could expect a referral within the next 3 months.

Now....we need to dust off the baby's room (been ready for 2+ years now) and think about how this really appears to be happening!!!

Kathy
"Rejoice in the LORD always; again I say rejoice." Philippians 4:4

Closer still....

Even better news came today in the mail. Our FINAL USCIS approval came in the mail today. This means we may move up a little further on the adoption agency's list. Exciting. Do you think the LORD is really going to bring this about?? Can I let down my guard now???

Not really sure how to prepare. When we receive our referral, we will receive a travel date pretty quickly. I will be in country 4-6 weeks. Dennis and the kids will be there for at least 10 days. My hope is that it is during Christmas break & that they could stay the whole time. Of course, this is the peek of Erica's gymnastics meet season. She has worked so hard, in the gym daily, preparing for the coming season. We will let her decide if she feels she can sacrifice that much time away from the gym. I'm also checking into gyms in the RMI - but I have my doubts that I will find one.

I looked up some info on the RMI today. The population is 68,000. This is about 1/2 the crowd that fills Neyland Stadium every Saturday in the fall (UT football). Conditions in country sound very modest, yet expensive. I've been in touch with a few families that have traveled recently, so I love getting the tips from them. Sounds like I need to figure out how to take most of the supplies I need - diapers, bottles, formula, etc or expect to pay big $$. I've heard of one lodging place that is $85 per night. Sounded good, until I multiplied it by 35 days. Yikes. Hopefully, I can find somewhere cheaper, although most will not have a kitchen. Can't imagine a new baby without a kitchen. I feel the LORD has many, many lessons in store for us in the coming months. He has always been faithful, even when I've been whiney! He will provide.
Keep us in your prayers.

Kathy

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

Great news today - We are closer!

Today our adoption agency (Journeys of the Heart) contacted us, rushing us to finish the last loose ends of our dossier. They are expecting several babies to be born in the next 1-4 months and they believe ONE could be OURS!!!!!!! We are so excited.

I've guarded my heart for so long now, I've decided I'm gonna "let loose" and let myself get excited. The thought of having our baby girl by Christmas is overwhelming to me!!

Everyone -- Please pray that the LORD's timing is perfect and that He is preparing us as well as this precious birth family for the change in our lives.

Kathy

"O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." Psalm 47:1