Joy's birthday party

Our Joy Jinhua had her birthday in China, waiting for us to come pick her up.

It has been over 8 months since we first saw Joy Jinhua’s picture. She met her Daddy for the first time 6 months ago. School has been out for four months, and Joy Jinhua is waiting to come home. All we know is that she is working on her English and that she has watched the other orphans go back to school while she waits.

China has given final approval of our application. We are now waiting for US immigration to complete the final stage for Joy’s citizenship requirements. If the final paperwork continues at normal speed, we should be invited to pick her up the second week in November.

Here you see a picture of the birthday cake we sent her. Her birthday was on August 13th, the same day as our wedding anniversary!!!

We are so grateful that with donations and the sales of Max’s Volvo and our Motor home, we have been able to meet more than two-thirds of the adoption expenses. The balance of our adoption fees is due by November 1st. Many of you have requested information on how you might help with the adoption. There are two specific ways:
1. Please continue to pray for our family, and Joy, as we prepare to travel and make arrangements for our children who will remain home during the two weeks while we are gone.
2. If you would like to donate a financial gift, we have set up a fund with a non-profit organization whereby your gift will be tax-deductible. The proceeds will not go to us; but directly to the adoption agency to cover the final adoption expenses. Please contact us for more information.
Please pray with us that she will have a heart full of peace and excitement; yet patience as she waits to be united with her forever family.

Joy's birthday is listed as August 13th - the same day as Max's and my anniversary date! We sent this birthday cake, candy for all the children in the orphanage, and the necklace you see her wearing. On a silk red cord there are 8 knots (one for every person in our family), and the jade circle which symbols eternity (we told her this symbolizes our forever love for her).