We're Here!

Just wanted to write a quick post to let everyone know that we arrived safely in China!!!! The flight was long and Ethan and I did not sleep much but we are going to get the bed early tonight. We have a full day of sightseeing ahead of us. We will update again tomorrow. Thanks for all your prayer for safe travel, we appreciate them all.

In Him,
Carla, Jay, and Ethan

We're Off

Today is the day and we can hardly believe that this day is finally here! The bags are packed and this morning Papa will take us to the airport. Yesterday Carla and I worked steadly at packing until it was time for lunch. We went to get a bite to eat and when we came home, We had locked ourselves out of the house. Priceless! Every time we think we have it togehter, God tells us to slow down, relax, and let him have the driver's seat.
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to t give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29: 11
Please continue to pray for us and other traveling families as we begin this long, exciting day! Pray specificily for safety, patience, jet-lag, and the upcoming transition.
~ Jay

Travel Itinerary

Okay, I can't believe it but here it is our Itinerary while we are in China!!!

November 1st - November 17th
Thursday, Nov. 1st: Travel Day, Depart Norfolk at 10:30am
Friday, Nov. 2st: Arrive in Beijing at 2:20pm
Saturday, Nov. 3rd: Beijing Sight-Seeing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall
Sunday Nov. 4th: Church Service and Summer Palace
Monday Nov. 5th: Morning Flight to Guangzhou-Afternoon-MEET CHARLOTTE!!
Tuesday, Nov. 6th: Civil Affairs Appointment
Nov. 7-10: Paper-work, Sight-seeing, Shopping
Nov. 11-14: Fill out Consulate Forms and Medical Exam
Thursday Nov. 15th: Consulate Appointment
Friday Nov. 16th: Pick-up Charlotte's Visa
Saturday, Nov. 17th: Depart Guangzhou to Beijing, Then Beijing to Norfolk, Arrive in Norfolk at 11:15 pm

Update on Prayer Request

We serve an amazing God!!!! Our Travel Approval came today!!!!! Praise the Lord, we are so blessed! We still need prayers for our last little hurdle. Our agency will now request a Consulate Appointment for us in . This is where we get Charlotte’s Visa to return to the US. As long as they can secure the appt. for the 2nd week in November we should be able to leave on or around November 1st. We should know by Tuesday for sure! Keep those prayers coming-it is working!

Prayer Request

Hello Everyone,
We have a major prayer request today. We are still waiting on our Travel Approval. The last piece of paper we need before we can go get Charlotte. Our agency has a group leaving on November 1st. We really want to be part of that group!!!! Please be in prayer with us that God will move mountains and bring that TA to us from China very soon. We still have a chance to get in with the group if it comes in the next week and a half. Thank you for all your prayers thus far and please keep them coming! If we do not get in with the 11/1 group it may be closer to the end of Novemeber before we will be able to leave.


I posted a new pic of Charlotte. It was taken on the same day as the last photo believe it or not, but by a different family. It looks like she just woke up and needs her mommy, daddy and big brother to give her a BIG SQUEEZE!!!

We have our LOA!!

We are so excited to let you all know that on Tuesday our agency received our LOA (Letter of Acceptance) from China. This is the letter that states we are okay with China and officially approved to adopt Charlotte. This letter usually arrives 70-90 days after you send in your Letter of Intent. Ours came on day 89-not a moment to soon! Our signed LOA should arrive back in China on Monday. We hope to get our official Travel Approval in the next 2-3 weeks so that we can leave on Nov. 1st But no matter how you look at it we should be traveling in November. We can't believe the time is almost here. Thank you so much for your continued prayers. We will keep you updated as to when we will be traveling for sure.
I have included another new picture of Charlotte. She is pulling herself up on chair in this picture. She must be a strong little girl.

More Pictures

I received a new picture of Charlotte today. The wonderful lady that updated me before, went and checked on her and took this picture for us. Here is her e-mail.

Dear Carla,
Hi there i went to day to see her and she is doing very well.
I took this photo and she was sleeping so soundly,i went back to see her before i left and she smiled at me when i said mummy is coming soon .
This photo was taken to day at 3 pm.
Love sandra
This was a needed boost to get us through the rest of the wait.

UPDATE:
We received another picture of Charlotte from a family that visited her orphanage in July/August. They told me that she was crawling around looking very sure of herself. Check out the pic below.