Here He is!

How exciting it is to introduce our soon-to-be 7th child, and our first adopted son from China. We first saw his adorable face on October 23, and our LOI was sent in on October 24. We received PA on October 29. We have decided to name him Hudson after the missionary Hudson Taylor who served in China during the mid to late 1800's. I read his biography to the older children a year or so ago. He lived for the Lord and for telling others the Good News of Jesus. His life story is amazing so if you have never heard of him, read his biography. As I read the book, I knew if we ever adopted a boy, his name would be Hudson. (David agreed although he was a bit hesitant at first :) ) This little fellow will turn 2, sadly without us, on February 20, 2010. In his original file, he was described as "quiet and introverted". I thought that would even out our family as we have several strong-willed children. They shall remain nameless, but if you know us well, you know exactly who I am referring to!

We are in the midst of the paperwork madness. Our homestudy should be in the hands of the US immigration folks next week, and we hope and pray to receive our fingerprint appointment next week as well. Our dossier, minus the immigration approval, will be sent next week to DC for authentication at the US Consulate and the Chinese Embassy. We are praying for God's timing which is perfect. God's timing is usually not early and many times late- by our standards, but always perfect because He knows exactly what we need and when! I keep telling myself that over and over. Hopefully Hudson will be home sometime next summer.

Look at who has grown up quite a bit. We received this new picture and an update last week. Not only has he changed physically, but guess who is no longer "quiet and introverted"? Yep, God has quite a sense of humor. The opening sentence of Hudson's update was . . .is a very strong willed child." No! Can't be! What happened to "quiet and introverted"? Hopefully, this is typical personality for an almost 2 year, and this "strong willed" phase will pass- before next summer- please!!!

There you have it! We are all so excited to be on this journey again. Ellie wants a sister, but other than that, the children are thrilled to be gaining a new sibling. God has placed adoption on our hearts and called us especially to the plight of the orphans in China. Many may think we are "crazy or sick" (yes, we have been told that), but we are not here on this earth to please man. We are here to follow God's commands and to be like Christ. Caring for orphans is commanded in scripture so we feel we are doing exactly what God would have us do. So many may ask us "Why?", but we feel God will ask "Why not?"

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27