COURT

Hallelujah, what a Savior, I owe everything to Him!

At 4:24AM, after a looong night, we got word that everything went "very well" at Mei-Li's court date and the birth parents even gave up their right to contest--they waived the waiting period! We are told that the papers should arrive (at the orphanage) in 2-3 weeks and we can begin travel plans in about a month. We are praying for SOONER than that!

Thank you for your prayers! We are exhausted and overjoyed!

15-17This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!-Romans 8:15-17 (MSG)

Mei-Li's Court Date-TONIGHT

Tonight at 2:25AM(technically Wednesday) Mei-Li will be at court with Ted (the director of the orphanage and our attorney) along with her birth parents. Her birth parents took her to the orphanage after she was born because they felt (for reasons we will never understand) that they could not keep her and give her the life they wanted for her. This, contrary to how it sounds, was actually a very unselfish, humble and loving decision. On July 28th at approximately 2:25PM in Taipei, Taiwan, they will make their decision again, in front of a judge and sign a contract. They have the option not to sign, but to take her home with them. While this is not likely, it IS possible. This contract, if signed, will officially make this lovely 4-month-old an orphan. This is also what will free her to be taken into our arms as our daughter.

As I explain this, I can't help but think of how God must feel as he watches everything we knew, everything we found comfort in, our whole world die. It is only after these things are given up--completely surrendered by us that we can be welcomed into His loving arms. This death is our salvation.

From a technical standpoint, after the contract is signed, the birth parents have 10 days to change their minds. In the past, the judge asked the BP(birth parents) if they wish to waive the 10 day waiting period. Many did. Recently, however, one BP came back during the waiting period and took her baby back. It is understandable that in light of her change-of-heart, the judges are hesitant to bring up the waiver option. Unfortunately, the waiver adds time to the wait to unite orphaned babies with their forever families.

God knows the desire of our hearts(Brandon and mine)--in our minds, Mei-Li is already our daughter and we want to bring her home YESTERDAY! However, as I ask God to fulfill this desire, I express the deeper , more difficult truth. I know God's plan for this child and for us is better than mine--arranged from a perspective much larger than the speck of my world that I can see. So I ask you Lord, to comfort the birth parents, guide the judge and Ted; and give us the strength to wait and believe in your unchanging love for all the parties involved.

Court will commence at 2:25 AM TONIGHT Eastern time. She's all yours, God.

July Pics!

So not only did we get a court date yesterday, but we received an email with our July Picture! It looks as though she was squirming and messed up her hair bow. :) She's surrounded by goodies Mommy and Daddy sent. Her bear has Mommy and Daddy's voice recorded on it. The outfit she's sporting in one I (Mommy) picked out for her. It's 0-3 months, so hopefully she's not too big yet. She looks like a fun little trip! We hope to bring her home in late August(or sooner, God?).