Getting ready for Seoul!

Fro Yo in Old Town Albuquerque

Don't be bugged, it's just the Bugarium

Incredibly, last year at this time, we were knee-deep in adoption-related paperwork. In God's timing, we leave for Korea on Sunday morning, just over 48 hours away! No, I'm not ready. But I'm getting there. Andy's gracious mom has flown in from San Jose, California, to hold down the fort with Titus, Zeke, and Carys, through Thursday morning while Annaliese is with us in Korea. She has to get them to school before 8:00 am and it's 30 minutes away. AND it's the first week of school. (Sorry we're missing your first day of school, Zeke! #thirdkid) AND she has to do homeschool with two of them on Tuesday! She's pretty awesome! 

The Lord has also provided a wonderful sitter who will be helping us for the remaining three days. She is amazing and will also be helping us during the school year as well. God has provided for all of our many needs!

Highlights of the timing of our adoption so far...

• 6/7/17 Mailed our home study application to All Age Adoptions Plus, our local agency
• 7/28/17 Met a local birth mother (we were open, but she chose another family, then decided to parent)
• 8/11/17 Submitted initial online application to AAC, our agency in Colorado
• 8/29/17 Received special permission from Korea
• 10/28/17 Home study completed
• 11/1/17 Paperwork sent to Korea
• 12/20/17 MATCHED with our little guy!
• 3/8/18 EP Submission (Emigration Permission) 
• 5/3/18 EP Approval by Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare
• 6/20/18 Family court date of 8/17/18 set
• 8/12/18 Andy, Annaliese, and I leave for Seoul!

What is not shown in this timeline is that before the world began, God knew that this little boy with black hair would be born. He knew while our family was still feeling overwhelmed with all of life with 4 kids that He was preparing both our family and our little boy to be joined. In God's mysterious ways, He has designed that while the world might see this little guy as a mistake, the Lord has destined him to be loved by us before we've even met him, become a Dollahite (finally, a black-haired Dollahite ;) move to the US, and hear the good news that Jesus loves him and wants to be his Lord. Miracles, people. It's a theme. 

We have been so blessed with our family's support with the kids, friends helping to provide dinners while we're gone, neighbors watching the kids a bit while I get prepare for the first week of school and pack for the trip, friends helping with paying our sitter, our capable and trust-worthy sitter taking the time to live here for 3 days, and our entire church body and many more lifting us up in prayer. We appreciate all of you and give glory to God.