One Less

We have been home a little over 24 hours; if Maren could speak, I think she would agree that she has had a great first day at home. 

We started the trip home on Wednesday morning (US time) via a train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.  Maren was quite unhappy for about 45 minutes.  Another adoptive family mentioned their child had a hard time, as well.  We wonder if the packing up and leaving the hotel confused her.  We then flew from Hong Kong to Tokyo, and we made our connection (we only had 1 hour between flights).  This leg of the trip was a 4 hour flight.  We then flew from Tokyo to Detroit which was 12 hours. The flight was extremely rough (the flight stewardess told us the captain had warned them about it being a rough ride due to storms), and we were unable to get up to walk around much.  Once in Detroit, we went through immigration where Maren became a U.S. citizen.  We then flew from Detroit to St. Louis. We know that you all were interceding in prayer for these flights, as Maren did very well. We packed several toys for her, but typical toddler-style guess what she had the most entertainment value: the plastic coffee cups, plastic spoon, and packaged butter (from the meal trays).  She used them to "cook" with a lot of her time. 

We arrived in St. Louis around 6PM.  Our other 3 children, Michelle's parents, Michelle's cousin and her husband and son, Michelle's aunt, and 2 friends met us at the airport: waving U.S. flags and welcome Maren signs.  We were overwhelmed with God's goodness, grace, and faithfulness to us during the time of greeting.  Some friends of Michelle's twin sister (and us) brought our van to the airport (and nonetheless, to our suprise, had it cleaned inside and out!).  Maren had her first ride in a carseat (in China, there are no carseats and no seatbelts); she had sad eyes, whimpered, and pulled on the straps for the majority of the trip.  We felt bad for her as we know it had to be confusing for her. On the way home, we kept thanking God for completing this journey to being a forever Boatman family.  It seemed surreal to have our entire family together finally. We know He protected us and kept each detail of the trip running smoothly.

When we got home last night, we had breakfast waiting for us for this morning: cinnamon rolls, donuts, milk, and juice (a good friend brought these in for us).  We showed Maren her home, and she began playing with her siblings immediately.  I think she decided pretty quickly that older siblings are a blast!  She was smiling and laughing with them as they played together. She woke up 3 times whimpering and crying in the night; however, she woke this morning with a smile.  She has played with her siblings, met her neighbor friends, and enjoyed time with cousins today.  We went to Walmart and Sams to restock our shelves.  She rode in the shopping cart the last half of the trip and seemed to enjoy the shopping trip. Tonight some of our family came over with ice cream treats.

Multiple times the past 24 hours of being home we have thought how amazing God's sovereignty and grace is in our lives. In the adoption arena, we have often heard family's mention the phrase "one less," meaning there is one less orphan in this world today (the adoption day). As of August 2nd, there is "one less." Maren is a picture example of God's adoption of us as children of His.  His choosing her to be "one less" orphan in order to enrich and bless our lives along with Him ordaining that even us, as her parents, were born into the lives we were, is speaking into our hearts: His mercy abounds.

We do not even have adequate words to express the closing of this portion of our journey.  We are overflowing with gratitude to God for faithfully seeing Maren and us through this until she is home at last.  We thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support along the way: we knew throughout this journey that prayer requests and praises were being brought before our Father. 

We're home!!!

God has done an amazing job....we will try to post tomorrow, but wanted everyone to know we are safe at home as a family of six!

Last Night in Guangzhou

This morning we (us and 2 other families with our agency) took a bus to the U.S. Consulate for Maren's visa processing and an oath-taking ceremony. We arrived at a very large building which had lots of people and lots of activity going on (do you notice a pattern?).  We had to go through security, and then wait in a small room with about 10 other adoptive families.  Then someone came over the microphone: told us to all stand up, raise our right hand, and repeat after her as part of the oath taking ceremony.  Then each family had to come up and speak with someone while they processed some of our paperwork.  They did not end up asking us any questions as we had been told to be prepared for.  We were beyond relieved when it was over: NO more meetings, NO more appointments, and NO more MASS chaos! 

This afternoon after Maren's nap, we went down to a garden-like area at our hotel to get a few photos (see below).  This evening, our agency took us on a river cruise. They ordered Papa Johns Pizza for us, which we took on the boat.  It was a perfect ending to our last night here: it was quite peaceful, calm music playing in the background, and quietly riding. Maren loved it: she squealed with delight with each boat we saw and when she saw pretty lights.

We have started packing up our stuff.  We wait until Maren's visa is done at 4:30 or 5:00PM.  Then ride to the train station; the train leaves at 6:00PM. We should arrive in Hong Kong around 8:00PM and check-in to our hotel.  We then have to be at the airport around 5:30 AM the next morning. Please pray for our safety, all transportation to be on schedule so as not to delay our trip home, and for Maren to be able to tolerate these next 48 hours of travel.  We are so thankful for the many prayers that continue to be answered during our amazing journey to bring Maren home. 

Monday with Maren

Yesterday we finished out the afternoon with swimming at the hotel pool (it is an outdoor pool...sort of on a rooftop). We then walked to a restaurant our agency had recommended, and then walked through a pretty park (most of the parks in China are more landscaping and not playground equipment as we are used to seeing).

This morning, Maren slept in. She has been sleeping well during the night. After breakfast and skyping our family, we took a taxi to Shamien Island. We walked around and did some bargaining with the local vendors. We used a friend's baby bjorn carrier, and Maren enjoyed her time. We ate lunch at a Subway (we were so excited...it tasted just like it does in the U.S.). We returned back to the hotel for Maren's nap. This evening we ate at our hotel (Maren is not fond of much American style food, so we ate at a Chinese restaurant), and then have spent some nice time playing in the hotel room (beach ball, books, and bubbles).  We are looking forward to Maren being able to play in a larger space than the hotel room. I wonder if she thinks she is going to grow up in a hotel room since the first 10 days with us are in a hotel! 

We are eager to get home and introduce Maren to her brothers and sister.  We are blessed to have caring family members who are taking great care of Mora, Bryce, and Bennett while we are in China.  They are having a wonderful time seeing family and friends.  We attached a photo of Mora, Bryce, and Bennett acting like pirates at a restaurant celebrating their great-grandparents anniversary.

Sunday in Guangzhou

Last night we went to Shamien Island (not really an island as we would think).  This area caters to adoptive families (as many of our appointments are located there. We enjoyed walking around, and we ate at a Thai restaurant (other adoptive families recommended it).  Maren enjoyed walking around and people watching.

This morning our adoption agency had a tour planned at a Pearl Market and Jade Market.  China is known for these two stones.  Basically, you go in and there are hundreds of tiny shops within a multiple-story building.  You bargain/negotiate a price: for instance, we purchased Maren a jade bracelet for her high school graduation (I know this is thinking ahead, but who knows when we will be back and we had read about this from other adoptive parents how their children enjoy gifts from their native home as they grow up) and we ended up getting it over half off the original price they gave.  Honestly, it would be stressful to have to do this for every purchase we made in America (it makes me appreciate being able to go into a store and buy the item without a lot of ordeal surrounding the purchase).  After the markets, we had McDonalds (not the same menu as in US) for lunch and Maren is resting now.

Interesting tidbit: we asked our agency if there was a church we might attend this morning.  He said there was a Christian church and Catholic church (we assumed there were none); however, he said they could not take us there.  Furthermore the services would be in Chinese.

We are getting anxious to see Mora, Bryce, and Bennett (though we hear they are doing well) and to return home as a family unit.

First Airplane Ride

We made it...we are in Guangzhou. Our flight was delayed by 2 hours last night, so we did not get into our hotel until midnight.  Maren did a great job of waiting at the airport for 4 hours...she loved watching the planes taxi around the airport.  She would point at them and squeal with delight (over and over...like each one she saw was the first).  Different story when riding in one: poor baby cried/screamed the first 1 and 1/2 hours of the plane ride.  She is not fond of being confined to a small space. *Please start praying for next Thursday's flights: 14+ hours of flying).

We just got back from her medical exam.  It seems to be more of a formality to say "yes" this child has special medical needs.  She had to go to 3 different stations.  They were not real kid-friendly; she cried/screamed (big praise: she did allow us to console her, so she was able to soothe in just a few minutes unlike her usual 30+ minutes of crying at a time).  She only has one more "appointment"...the consulate on Tuesday.  She has endured so much the past 5 days. 

We have been told this city has more people who speak English.  Already, this city does not seem near as chaotic and crowded as the last two (for which we are very grateful). This afternoon we have a meeting with our adoption agency to get all of our paperwork completed for the Visa process next week.  Other than this meeting, we plan to take it easy after a rugged past 24 hours.

We do not have many photos of the past 24 hours...this one is taken at the medical exam after she had calmed down, but was still not happy about the situation.

A Day of Firsts

Today was a day of firsts for Maren: her first ice cream and her first boat ride (she LOVED the ice cream and most of the boat ride).  Our guide took us the South Park/Lake this morning. It was a very large park with beautiful flowers, walkways, bridges, and a lake.  You could rent a little boat (it went very slow, was quiet, and peaceful) and drive around the lake, so Danial drove us around.  Maren loved the first 3/4 of the ride, and then became quite distraught over a snack package. She has been inconsolable multiple times today; however, we know she is trying to cope with this big change. She also woke up in the night with, we assume, a night terror. She was inconsolable and was not really awake as she was crying and screaming.  It is heartbreaking to see her so distraught and unable to accept our affection at times.  She is being incredibly resilient when we think of how this week looks so different than anything she has known. This afternoon and evening we have been keeping it low key here in the hotel room (quiet music, lights down low, we ate in our room - peanut butter/crackers for dad and mom and Maren loved the mac and cheese - stuff we packed in our suitcase for nights when she was not up to going out, bubbles - which she loves).

Tomorrow afternoon we fly to Guangzhou; a 4 hour flight.  Please pray for this trip: her being able to sense peace and calmness from us and her willingness for consoling. We should arrive into Guangzhou around 9PM, so a late night getting to our hotel. The following morning (Sat here), Maren will have a medical exam. 

God is working through this journey in great and mighty ways. Honestly, we have had so many times of being in awe of His wonder, majesty, and sovereignty. We have all stayed healthy. We have been treated so well by the people of China. We have a great guide. Maren is doing amazingly well with us. Mora, Bryce, and Bennett are doing well (we have been Skyping with them 1-2 times a day; praise that Skype is working here), and we have wonderful family who are lovingly watching them. We have had safety everywhere we have been. The whole journey is beyond our comprehension, and we feel so privileged to be here on this journey.

A Better Day

Today we had a "free day" to spend having fun with our new daughter.  After a nice breakfast at the hotel our guide took us to Children's Park.  It was a beautiful park with several flowers, trees, and plants.  The park also had several play areas.  Maren really enjoyed playing in a ball pit and water area.  She especially liked scooping objects in the water with a net.  Everyone we encountered at the park were really nice to us.  One gentleman spoke to us at length through our interpreter.  He was at the park with his 18 month old grandson.  Even though we are several thousand miles away from family we have been surrounded by kind and helpful people.  Our guide took us to a really good restaurant that had "western" food.  It was such a delight to be able to read a menu.  It is humbling to think about all the little things we take for granted.  Maren went for her first swim tonight at the hotel pool.  She loves the water and making splashes, but she is not real fond of getting her face wet.  She is going to have so much fun with her brothers and sister when we get back home.

Maren continues to amaze us.  She is showing us more laughs and smiles throughout the day and engages in play with us.  She would make noises to be silly and imitate our sounds.  We were delighted to hear her giggle so much today.  She likes to tease us in her play.  We continue to learn more about what she likes to eat, her sleeping patterns, and her personality.  What a joy it is to hear her say "mamma" and "dadda".  Maren is really mobile and gets around really well in the hotel room.  I am beginning to think I did not childproof enough stuff in our house based on how well she moves around.  Overall this was a better day.  We are so thankful for all your prayers. 

Second Day with Maren

Today has been a harder day for Maren.  This afternoon we had to go to the police station to begin processing her passport application.  There were hundreds of people, and it seemed chaotic.  Her orphanage director was also there to assist with portions of the application.  We think this may have totally confused her.  She has cried a considerable amount of the afternoon and evening.  We cannot imagine how overwhelmed and confused she must be.  Please continue to pray for her to be comforted by our heavenly Father and her earthly parents.

After the police station, our guide took us to a large, grassy park with pigeons.  She loved the birds and kept saying "mama" over and over as she pointed to the closest one (wanting me to chase it as I carried her).  After we got back to the hotel, she was not real happy.  We actually ordered room service (not sure we have ever done that, but we knew she was not up to going to a crowded restaurant). 

This morning she was quite happy and jabbering lots of words (which we could not translate).  She also is quite a climber and is very speedy at her modified walking (she walks on her knees - tall kneeling).  She gave us kisses tonight for the first time.  We continue to shower her with unconditional love and pray she can feel and accept our love and her Father's love.

A few logistical answers to questions: we play in the hotel room a lot (Danial moved the furniture around today to give her more room to play);  we take her on walks outside - though she tends to get a dazed look on her face (imagine masses of people everywhere you go); there is a hotel pool - pools in China require swim caps, so our guide is going to try to help us find some so we can take her swimming soon; she LOVES watermelon and baked potato and is not fond of yogurt, chicken, or pizza; our guide goes with us to all our adoption meetings and helps us with the translation; so far we have seen 2 other Americans in Changchun - unlike Beijing where there was a lot of diversity of people groups.

Thank you for your continued prayer support! 

Forever Family Day

We have our girlie!  We got to the Civil Affairs Office around 8:50AM, and she was there waiting with her nannies and orphanage director.  She cried when she was passed off to us, but has allowed us to comfort her.  It was quite a busy and hurried process this morning: we signed a bunch of paperwork, then headed to a shop (in an alley) to get photos for her passport and official documents, and then were rushed to the Notary' s office for the documents.  We arrived back to our hotel by 11:30AM, and she has fallen asleep in her crib.  She loves her thumb and the sippy cup with tropical punch pedialyte!  She also loves music and potato chips (we used these items to "bribe" her at the Civil Affairs Office).  We just introduced her to the kids (while she was sleeping) via Skype a few minutes ago!  She is waking up, so gotta go!  God has been so good and faithful!

Maren's Hometown

We flew from Beijing to Maren's hometown of Changchun today.  We had a guide meet us at the airport and take us to our hotel.  The drive from the airport to our hotel was similar to Missouri: corn fields!  Once we got closer to downtown, it instantly became a big city (our guide said Changchun has a population of 7 million). She then showed us a few places we might want to eat and took us to Walmart.  The Walmart was nothing like the ones in the U.S., and it was 2-stories tall. We will never again think the Walmarts in our town are crowded (you have not seen a crowded Walmart until you have been in one in China!).  We had to buy bottled water because the water is unsafe to drink in China.  The Walmart, KFC, and Pizza Hut are all across the street from our hotel.  We ate at Pizza Hut tonight.  It was quite a humbling experience to be the only English-speaking people in the restaurant; we pointed to pictures and ended up getting a cheese pizza as we requested. 

We are quite excited to meet our Maren tomorrow morning.  Our guide is picking us up at 8:30AM to take us to the Civil Affairs office, where we will get her and complete a lot of paperwork.  We appreciate all of your prayers...please continue to pray for Maren as she goes through a difficult week.

We made it to Beijing!

We arrived to our hotel around 1AM Beijing time on Saturday morning.  Praises: no canceled flights and a safe trip!  Our escort met us at the airport, and then took us to our hotel.  This morning we had our orientation meeting; we met another Holt family during this time. We were given updated information on Maren, including recent photos. Following the orientation, the staff took us on a guided tour of Tienneman Square and the Forbidden City. This outing gave us some ideas of how the culture is different.

Tomorrow morning we meet out guide after breakfast and leave for the airport.  We fly out of Beijing to Changchun City at 11:25 am Beijing time to head to Maren's city and province (requirement of Chinese adoption law).  Thank you for your continued prayer and support.

ITINERARY and PRAYER REQUESTS

We have our bags close to being ready to go!  The past few days it has become abundantly clear how priviledged our family is to be chosen by God to raise Maren.  Danial was telling Mora, Bryce, and Bennett at bedtime tonight how they each have unique gifts and qualities, which God has given them, that God chose not just the parents, but even the siblings for Maren. 

We head to St. Louis in the morning, where Wynnette (Michelle's twin sis) will take us to the airport.
We would really appreciate your continued prayer support these next two weeks as we travel to get Maren.  Below you will see a general itinerary and some known prayer requests.  We will try to update the blog while in China (we will actually be emailing it to Nicole, Michelle's sister, who will make the postings). Thank you for your encouragement, support, and love displayed to us on this journey.

Thursday, July 28th:
We depart from St.Louis at 3:45PM, fly to Detroit, and onto Beijing.  PRAYER REQUESTS: no lost luggage, no canceled flights, and make all connections; Wynnette and Iain: strength as they watch our children; Mora, Bryce, and Bennett: God's peace and presence to be felt (Bryce and Bennett have more concerns with separation since their Aunt Tammie died unexpectedly last month).

Friday, July 29th:
We arrive in Beijing at 11PM China time.  PRAYER REQUESTS: safe arrival to Beijing, an opportunity to rest in anticipation of the upcoming events

Saturday, July 30th:
We have orientation with our adoption agency in the morning and a tour of Tienanmen Square and the Forbidden City in the afternoon.  We are told this day is to get somewhat acclimated to the culture and context of Maren's first residence. PRAYER REQUESTS: calmness for Maren's soul before the big change she is about to experience

Sunday, July 31st:
We depart Beijing (via air travel) at 11:25AM and arrive in Changchun City around 1:10.  Changchun City is where Maren's orphanage is located.  PRAYER REQUESTS: quiet our souls as Danial and Michelle have an afternoon/evening to spend praying and preparing to receive Maren the next day; pray for safe travels as Wynnette and Renee meet to transfer kids

Monday, August 1:
We are scheduled to receive Maren at 9AM at the Civil Affairs Office with lots of paperwork to follow. PRAYER REQUESTS: sweet Maren will be placed with people she does not know (us)...please pray for God to touch her soul so that she can be comforted and loved..this will be a very hard day (weeks, possibly months) for her

Tuesday, August 2:
We go to apply for Maren's passport. PRAYER REQUESTS: God will comfort Maren as she continues to grieve all that is familiar to her as she gets to know her mom and dad...pray for physical and emotional strength for Danial and Michelle so they can adequately display God's great love to her

Wednesday, August 3:
Free day (we are required to stay in Maren's city until her passport is processed on Friday) PRAYER REQUESTS: Continued safety for Mora, Bryce, and Bennett and strength for Renee as she cares for them

Thursday, August 4:
Free day - PRAYER REQUESTS: safe travels for Renee, Grandma Iris, and Mora, Bryce, and Bennett as the children switch caregivers; that Maren will allow us to provide her care and demonstrate unconditional love as she grieves 

Friday, August 5:
We depart Changchun City (via air travel) at 4:45PM and arrive in Guangzhou around 8:55PM.  (We have to go to Guangzhou for Maren's visa requirements). PRAYER REQUESTS: Maren to be able to emotionally tolerate this trip (she has not left the orphanage, let alone be confined to a person's lap on an airplane) and allow us to comfort her; Danial and Michelle's emotional strength - we are told leaving this city of her birth is quite difficult - knowing this is where God first placed her and the significance of her leaving the only thing familiar to her, yet knowing God has prepared a better earthly home for her (*highly recommend reading "Adopted for Life" by Russell Moore; he describes this beautifully)

Saturday, August 6:
Maren has to have a medical check-up this day. PRAYER REQUESTS: Maren would trust us as she is poked and prodded by strangers; that Maren receives medical clearance for her visa

Sunday, August 7:
Free day (we are required to stay in Guangzhou until Maren's visa is processed on Wednesday) PRAYER REQUESTS: Danial and Michelle's being homesick for our children at home (we hear that most adoptive families are quite homesick by this point in the trip); pray for strength for Iris, Nancy, and Calesse as they keep our children

Monday, August 8:
Free day - PRAYER REQUESTS: Maren's continued bonding and attachment to her mom and dad, rest for us as we experience loss of sleep, time change effects, and emotional strains of being away from home; and Mora, Bryce, and Bennett

Tuesday, August 9:
We have a visa appointment and an oath-taking ceremony.  We have heard this can be intimidating, as they interview the parents.  PRAYER REQUESTS: Calmness and confidence as we go through this ceremony and that our love for Maren clearly shines through to those around

Wednesday, August 10:
Our visa is schedule to be picked up Wednesday afternoon.  We are taken to a train station and arrive in Hong Kong around 8:08PM.  We check into our hotel which is attached to the Hong Kong airport. PRAYER REQUESTS: that our visa is not delayed in picking up, safe train trip

Thursday, August 11:
BIG DAY!  We leave Hong Kong at 8:05AM and arrive in Tokyo around 2:00PM; then onto Detroit (where we will need to clear customs and Maren will become a U.S. citizen once she clears immigration there); then onto St.Louis around 6:15PM. We literally skip 13 hours with the time change, thus the extreme jet lag we hear reported. We will then travel to home Thursday evening. PRAYER REQUESTS: Safe travels, no flight delays (we will be cutting it close in Tokyo with a one hour layover), safe travels for those meeting us at the airport...for Mora, Bryce, and Bennett as they meet their little sister for the first time

Getting Ready!!!!

We are quickly getting ready to leave in 4 days! We now have Maren's room complete; thanks to a friend, we have a crib (it is in the lower left-hand corner). We have read that we may want a crib and a regular bed in her room: in case we need to sleep in her room with her (she is probably used to sleeping in a room with 20+ children).

We now have childcare lined up; we get homesick for them when we think about leaving them for 2 weeks.  However, we know they are going to have so much fun (they probably will not miss us near as much as we will miss them). A huge thanks to our family and friends: Wynnette (Michelle's twin sister) will keep them Thursday through Sunday, Renee (Michelle's cousin) will keep them Sunday through Thursday, and Grandma Iris/Calesse (Michelle's sister)/Grandma Nancy will keep them Thursday through Thursday. We are so appreciative of all of you who are helping us with this journey in any way: those of you watering flowers, picking us up at the airport, and fervently praying for us as our journey continues.

WE ARE HEADED TO CHINA NEXT WEEK!!!

We received confirmation of our consulate appointment today.  We leave next Thursday, July 28th to go get Maren.  We will return (with her) on Thursday, August 11th.  Will post when we have more info. Thank you for praying this past weekend that we would receive the consulate appointment needed in order to return in time for school. 

TA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were notified yesterday afternoon that our TA (travel approval) has arrived.  It was an overwhelming relief....it was our very last piece of paper needed to go get Maren. 

Speaking of getting Maren, here is a sweet happening:
We went on a family trip to Branson for 2 nights this past week.  As we were leaving Branson, Mora says, "our next big trip is China...I wish we could just get her now."  Danial and I acknowledged our agreement, to which the children began chanting (as loud as possible): "GET THAT GIRL, GET THAT GIRL, GET THAT GIRL."  It is amazing how much they already love their little sister who is halfway around the world.

We celebrated our arrival of TA with homemade brownie sundaes last night.  We have been calling and emailing our travel agent since we received word of our TA; he is trying to lock in our tickets this morning.  We will not have confirmation of our travel until Monday morning.  The travel coordinator for our adoption agency feels "optimistic" that we will travel on Thursday, July 28th.  Please continue to pray for this time in the journey: ticket prices to be reasonably priced, availability of tickets, China to confirm our travel date (7/28), God to be glorified as we make arrangements for our trip.  Thank you for your continued prayer support!

New Pictures of Maren

It has been awhile since we posted last.  As many of you know, Maren's Aunt Tammie unexpectedly passed away on June 23, 2011. Maren would have been lavished with love and kisses from her Aunt Tammie.

We are getting soooo close to knowing our travel dates.  We should know the exact dates within the next 2-3 weeks.  If we receive TA (travel approval) within the next 2 weeks, we will potentially leave July 28th (assuming we can get flights with that late of notice).  If not, we will probably be leaving for China on August 11th.  We know God's timing is supreme (for instance, a few months ago we thought we might travel in June...and God, in His infinite sovereignty, knew we needed to be in Missouri during Tammie's death); however, we are praying that if it is His will and timing, that the July 28th departure date would happen as this would allow us to return (August 11th) prior to school starting. 

We are enjoying summer activities with Mora, Bryce, and Bennett and are stepping up our travel preparations. We painted Maren's room this past weekend and have begun making packing lists.

Today, we received an email from our agency with current pictures of Maren and some current information.  She now weighs 20 pounds and is 30 inches tall.  She is barely on the chart for both.  We anticipate her being able to be "on the chart" with a loving family who will feed and nuture her well!  We were so glad to see pictures of her, yet at the same time our hearts are breaking as we desire for her to be under our care as soon as God deems it possible.  Please continue to pray for her comfort and loving care and for her nannies to be strenthened and encouraged each day. 

We will let you know when we have travel dates (how exciting to be at this point of this journey to our Maren-dear!).

LOA is here!!!

On Monday we received a phone call saying our LOA was here!  This is a necessary document, so we can proceed to the next step - I800 approval. Our adoption agency overnighted it to us, we signed the document, and turned around and overnighted the paperwork to the next place (immigration).  Also, this week we sent off the necessary paperwork for our (Danial and Michelle's) visas (to enter China).  We should receive the I-800 approval and our visas in the next 3 weeks. Here is a picture of this official-looking (and highly important - to us) document:

We now know to anticipate travel in August! We will not know our exact dates for travel until 2-3 weeks before travel. We are enjoying our preparations for Maren: picking a paint color for her room, journaling about this time, and learning to wait on Him.  It is amazing how our Lord works.  Our small group is reading "Broken-Down House" by Paul Tripp. The chapter last week was on learning how and why God calls us to wait. Here are a few quotes of his, "...waiting will always reveal the true character of your heart" and "Waiting will always reveal where you have placed your hope. Your heart is always exposed by the way that you wait." My favorite: "Waiting, therefore, is not a sign that your world is our of control. Rather, it is a sign that your world is under the wise and infinitely attentive control of a God of fathomless wisdom and boundless love. This means you can rest as you wait, not because you like to wait, but because you trust the One who is calling you to wait." Also, "In calling us to wait, God is rescuing us from our bondage to our own plan, our own wisdom, our own power, our own control."  God has used this chapter to convict, comfort, and encourage us the past few weeks.

Please pray for God to protect Maren's heart and prepare her (and our family) for a big transition, and for us to graciously wait as God molds our hearts. 

Waiting for LOA

Several of you have asked about the paperwork we need and the timeline to go get our sweet girl. Here is a general overview:
1) LOA - we get this document from China; it takes between 1 - 3 months from our referral to get this; we are praying for God to work in a mighty way to get this document to us as soon as possible
2) 1-800 approval - from US immigration; it takes approximately 3 weeks; we cannot get this until we send a copy of the LOA to immigration
3) NVC letter and cable - another US document; it takes several weeks
4) TA (travel approval) - we get this from China once all the paperwork is in their possesion; takes several weeks; once we have TA, we can travel in 2 - 4 weeks.
5) CA (consulate appointment) - this is the date and time which China tells us to be at the consulate to adopt Maren

We should travel in September; however, we are praying for God to make a way to get our Maren even sooner. We know though that He knows the best timing and plans for His purposes. We would appreciate your continued prayers for: Maren's protection, love, and care in China; her nannies - to be strengthened and encouraged; each of us (Mora, Bryce, Bennett, Danial, and Michelle) as we learn to wait on God and as He prepares us for Maren's arrival.

Introducing.....Maren Miao Boatman

We are overjoyed to have heard about our new daughter last night.  Close to 6PM last night, our adoption agency called with the good news.  They immediately sent us her file and pictures. We are praising God for orchestrating her into our lives.  He has wonderfully created her.  She is 17 months and is missing a portion of her left leg and the 3rd, 4th, and 5th digits on both hands.  The name given to her in China is Miao, meaning "wonderful," so we have decided to incorporate her given Chinese name as her middle name.  We now pray for a speedy process to go and get her.  Typically, the wait is 5-6 months. 

Disappointed, but Good

We had been informed late last week that China would be releasing information for children with special needs today; however, we found out tonight they released very few children, so we were not matched.  We are praying they begin to release the information as quickly as they had been doing a few months back.  To be honest, we were a little disappointed...but count on Him to brighten the day with His work.  In the mail this afternoon, was a letter from Show Hope (Steven Curtis Chapman's foundation for assisting orphans) saying we were a recipient for their grant. We had completed the grant process in October, so we were not thinking we were a strong consideration. God is clearly working out the details and timing, not us (though we try to take on that role even though we know better!). We are so grateful for God's provision through Show Hope!

Our Journey to Maren

For some of you this will be a review, for others a summary of the past few months/years.  We have had the desire to adopt since we were first married. God's orchestration of the details and timing have come to fruition this summer.  We kept feeling the Holy Spirit prompting us to pursue adoption more readily the past 2 years.  We spoke with various adoption agencies, prayed as a family, and then sat back for months at a time.  We have cycled through this several times.  However, this past summer it seemed as though God was almost shouting at us to move forward (through fervent prayer, Matt Chandler's study of Philippians, and time in God's Word).  We began the application process for bringing home our daughter, Maren, on July 14th. We actively watched as God orchestrated our path for China's Child of Promise program. We feel God has moved us to parent a child with a special medical condition. With this will come blessings and challenges. This will not always be easy, but with God in charge...all will be well.

Fast forward 5 months: we have completed countless forms, medical exams, the home study, and all our paperwork was sent to China on December 22.  We were informed this past week that we should receive our referral for our daughter soon.  At that time we will have less than 72 hours to review her file, have physicians review her file, and complete the necessary paperwork.  As this time approaches, we would appreciate you praying specifically for us to have clarity, peace, and emotional strength to follow God's will.

Please continue to pray for Maren's well-being, that she would be loved on, fed consistently, and cared for in a timely manner.  Please pray for her nannies in the orphanage to be strengthened and encouraged in their work. Pray most of all that God will be glorified and honored in this adoption journey.

Michelle and Danial