Good News From a Far Country X2

In my distress I cried unto the LORD and he heard me.

This morning, I received these beautiful pictures of Ellie Chun Chun. About a 1/2 weeks ago, I sent 2 outfits to Ellie, summer clothes I knew she would not be able to wear now that summer is almost gone. So, her guardian angel gave her the clothes and took her picture, and sent me pictures.

And, you know what? I knew she was a little petite. But, those pants are supposed to be capris. It looks like she'll be wearing all those clothes I bought for her next spring anyway!

But, the best news!!!!!!!!! The best news!!!!!!!!!!! Are you ready???????????????????????????
Pictures this morning, and this afternoon
LOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our LOA arrived at our agency today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please excuse the overuse of punctuation, but can you hear me shouting? I was at school when I received the email, and I clapped my hands, and stamped by feet, and shouted, "Woo Hoo!" My students thought I saw a rat. LOL

Oh, happy day! Thank you, thank you, all of you for your prayers.

Now, in about 6 weeks we're going to China. We have to wait now on our TA, Travel Approval. Let's pray for speedy TA. Then we'll have our exact dates.

Look out Ellie, your mama is coming. She has been waiting for you a long time, and she's going to smother you with hugs and kisses.

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

News of Ellie and Now with Pictures!

No news for our LOA, but I did hear from Ellie's guardian angel.

I thought I'd share the message I received tonight. It brought comfort to picture Ellie being cared for so well.

"I just got back the day before yesterday and spent yesterday afternoon at Ellie's foster home. Ellie is doing really well. Her hair has grown out so she has two pigtails. She is really, really cute! One of the first things she said to me was "I'm going to America!" Poor dear! I thought for sure she'd leave while I was gone, but several more children have left before her. Nevertheless, she is in good spirit. Praise the Lord! Her nanny Mali is very patient and loving with her. Yesterday at the playground, Ellie went up and down a curved ladder that lead up to a rather steep and high slide. She didn't want to be picked up and put on the slide, but insisted to climb each rung by herself. Even though it was difficult to lift her little leg way high (the rungs were very far apart), she persisted with vigor. Her little feet kept slipping off the rung. So, Mali and I helped her to keep her feet on the rungs. When she got on top of the slide, she was proud and happy with her accomplishment, and slided down the slide without fear. Ellie is also talking alot. When I saw her helping push our 4 month old baby "Hong Hong" on the little rocker, all the while singing "Yao ya, Yao hui jia..." (rocking, rocking homeward..." she looked so adorable that I made a mental note to be sure to tell you. I will get some photos of Ellie today and send them to you soon. Take care and God bless you! It is very hard to wait, for you, for Ellie, for us... and God is waiting too."

Pleae keep praying for us, for our LOA, for Ellie,
Robbie

Mournful

I pray the LORD will forgive me for my thoughts and feelings today.
It's raining outstide, the skies are gray, and my heart is a mirror of the weather.

Today is my last official day of summer. I go back to work on Monday. When we were matched with our Ellie, Dang Min Chun, on Dec. 4th, I never dreamed August would be here and our Ellie would not be here.

None of this is normal. Our homestudy took longer than it should. Our 171 took longer than average. Then other things held up our dossier going to China. Once logged in on Feb. 26th, the expected time frame for travel was 3-5 months. It's been over 5 months and we still don't have LOA. When LOA comes we have to wait on TA. When TA comes, we have to wait to travel. Our agency sometimes has people wait 4 weeks from TA to travel. It's looking like our wait from LID to travel could be 8 months!!!

I'm tired.
I'm sad. I have a closest full of summer clothes for our Ellie, an entire wardrobe of clothes she may never be able to wear. Several of her outfits match ones I bought for Josie-Tatum, even 2 matching bathing suits. I had such visions of our girls in those precious suits. I had visions of them in their matching lady bug suits. It's hard when you lose your vision.

My baby girl is growing older and changing everyday, and I don't get to watch it. She is cared for and loved where she is, but my heart hurts that we are not with her to care for and love her.

My head knows our Savior loves her more than I do. I know he only does what is best for all of us, but my heart can't feel that today. I only feel such disappointment. I want to cry and cry all day, but the tears won't come. I guess I could go stand in the rain and pretend those are my tears flowing down my face.

Please pray for me,
Robbie