Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a distant country.  Proverbs 25:25

Oh friends – a beautiful email arrived in my box which included TWO pictures of our handsome Vernon!!

But wait!!

A couple of months ago we had the privilege of sending a package to him.  In the package we had a giant book I had made for him introducing Vernon to his mom and dad and all of his sibling and nieces and nephews.  Each page of the book was in simple words in Chinese, “Dad, Mom, Big Sister, Big Brother, Little Sister, Little Brother, etc.”  To help him understand that five of the bigs are married, each of their pages had a map which highlighted where they live.

A different page had a picture of our home and on our map which highlighted Phoenix!

I can just imagine him sitting for hours staring at the book, page by page, memorizing the faces, anticipating the family he has prayed for for so long for!

I’m guessing this smile says it all – he knows he’s loved and really, really wanted!!

But friends, I know many of you pray for our family and many are praying for our treasures coming home soon.  Many have also given generously to help them come home.  (Thank you!)  

So I’m making myself vulnerable and asking that you pray for Vernon’s heart.  As exciting and wonderful as adoption is, it is not without significant loss, grief and many challenges.    

There is no doubt that Vernon has prayed for a family, yet the reality is that everything he has ever known is about to change.  And as much as one can try to imagine the changes coming, it is impossible to really, truly prepare for them.  

Vernon will be leaving behind his friends knowing that there is no chance of all of them ever being adopted.  He will leave behind the nannies who have cared for him and all life as he has known it for the last 13+ years.  

He will have so many new things to get used to – including food, smells, sounds, language, bed, bathroom, weather, everything.  

Would you pray with us that God would prepare his tender heart?  That God would give Vernon great comfort, peace and even joy in the process?

We are so grateful for these new updated pictures!  And for the measurements they sent!!  Guessing at clothes sizes is way too hard for this mama!!

Yesterday as I was driving down the road talking to our agency discussing travel ideas {Lord willing more on that soon!} I kept welling with tears remembering – from a simple text message 13 months ago to preparing to go to get our next two treasures – I am so overwhelmed with the goodness of the Lord!  He keeps His promises!!

Friends, would you please pray with us for God to continue to prepare him and us in every way?