Bria Pic's

A sweet friend I met at a Lifeline travel meeting traveled to China a few weeks ago to get her sweet baby.  She brought back several pictures of Bria too!  This was the best present we could have received.  It brought water to a thirsty soul!  I can't wait to kiss these sweet checks!

Orphan Sunday

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Heart Breaking! Aug 31 was graduation day for many orphans in Europe. This is the day they aged out of the orphanage and was forced to sleep on the streets for the first time! Praying that God will be with these kids and for him to convict hearts to avoid more being left for the streets next year!

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday

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This video was originally created as my Senior capstone project in college (original: http://vimeo.com/12307403). When Orphan Sunday contacted me about using it…

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Thank you God for leading us to Bria!  I'm so thankful that she will be with us!  I can't imagine what these children are feeling that was put out on the streets this weekend!

Last Holiday wihtout Bria

Tomorrow will be Labor day!  This is the official last holiday we will have to endure without our sweet Bria!  Her birthday is September 26 and I am BEGGING & PRAYING for God to allow us to celebrate her 2nd birthday with her.

As of Sep 3, our Article 5 will be picked up and we start the TA wait.  This is simply China giving us our date to travel!  I'm setting on go now!  October will be a challenging month to travel b/c there is a 1 week holiday in China and all the affairs offices are closed.  There is also a 2 week tradeshow and triples the prices for traveling to China.  Again, Begging God to get us to China and work out the petty details to celebrate Bria's 2nd birthday!

I can't beleive we are almost to the end of our adoption!  The waiting, paperwork and work has been so emotional and tiring!  However, I would do it again to get our sweet Bria home!  Our family can't wait until we have her and it's complete.

The journey has been so sweet to see how our children have prayed for her!  Its so sweet to her them ask God for her protection and to please meet her needs and allow us to get her Soon.  There hearts are longing for her too! 

Yard Sale

Our last fund raiser!!  We have went thru anything and everything to sell in this yardsale!  We are around $5,000 shy of meeting our goal for China.  God has been faithful to provide and I know he will provide for our trip.  My sweet mother & father n law has worked so hard cleaning out their basement to find items to sell too.  They worked so hard and done the yard sale for 3 days for us while we were at work!

We raised almost $1,000 from our yardsale!!! 

China Doll Celebration / Shower

Today was so fun!  We had so many great family & friends come out to support us by giving us a awesome shower!  We are so blessed to have so many awesome supporters!  My heart is over whelmed with appreciation.  I could never express to everyone how they have touched our hearts!  We will never forget the support and encouragement we have received throughout the process.  Because of so many peoples Prayers, support, encouragement & gifts, we are getting to make our God Dream come true, bringing Bria home!

Tonight I'm putting all the clothes, toys, diapers up in Bria's room and I'm bursting with joy!  She has received SO many things!  All the pieces are coming together and I could just sit in her room thinking about her all night!  She has several princess pieces!  She will be the Princess of our home! 

LOA

Finally, we have received our LOA!  It took WAY longer than expected but after a 4 month wait, we received our LOA at a Lifeline travel meeting.  I have been begging God for weeks with my heart heavy to receive this approval.  God has a perfect plan and I believe he is molding me with patience and reminding me that I'm not in control of everything.  I could explode today with joy!  We are now getting so close to getting sweet Bria home!  I can't wait!!!

Update for Mattox family

We received the below update about Bria today along with pictures!!!

1.     weight: 9.6kg

2.     she is competitive, she likes playing with other children, sometimes Sometimes she would fight for toys

3. she sleeps with her foster mother on a big bed, she sleeps well.

4.she is a picky eater, she doesnt like meat very much, she likes sweet food and apples.

5. compare with her peers, She has some delays about her language,social intercourse, communication and cognize.

6. she walks and sits freely.

7. she likes playing with toys, such as plastic cup, spoon, dolls and building blocks.

8.when someone takes away her toys, she would be unhappy; When she is in a strange environment or meets strangers, she would be unhappy.  If she is not happy, you can hold her, comfort her  or praise her.

9. Now she usually won't diarrhea. she had a fever or diarrhea occasionally.