You've got the Visa

Celebrating this morning for the news about getting Ava's Visa and you have flight plans home!
So thankful for only a short delay home and that you were able to stay together as a family.

Praying more prayers of thanks and celebration.
Praying for the journey home to go smoothly--specifically for the process checking in and arriving back in US .
Praying for a relaxing and restful flight from China to US.
Praying for comfort and calm for each of you, but especially Ava, on flight.
Praying for your transition home.
Continuing to pray for Ava's language development and your communication with her.

So excited for you to be home.
So thankful for your open and warm hearts .
Blessed to be your friend.

Praying for travel mercies for your trip home!

Another step closer to home

Just read your email about your Consulsate appointment, ehich is awesome news and I'm sure s huge relief.  So this morning I pray;
A prayer of thanksgiving for Gods hand continuing to be in this journey.
Thankful answered prayer....that was answered the way we were praying, not some other plan
Thankful for your family
Thankful for Ava's sweet voice(so fun watching the video)
Asking God to continue guiding this journey
For Ava's Visa to be completed in a timely manner
For your flights to be scheduled and to go smoothly.
Praying for bonding and trust to continue to build for Ava with her family
Praying for rest and relaxation as a family during your final days in China
Praying  for Ava as she transitions to a new country and culture, for language development and communication .

Asking God to continue to bless your family!

Final days in China

As you are winding down your time in China, I pray;
-you'll continue to cherish your time there, even though you're anxious to get home
-the medical check for Ava went well and she is okay
-the consulate (or whoever it is) is able to process your paper work so you have a timely departure
-for the people that help make your itinerary go as planned, that they are focused, friendly and help make your trip home as planned
-for Ava to become more trusting that you will be back, for her to "just  know" that your her family and you are taking her home
Continuing to pray for bonding among all of you
Praying for your travels and days ahead transitioning from hotel living to life at home
Thankful for faithfulness and seeing Gods hand in all that is happening.
May blessings continue to be abundant!

Happy Mother's Day!

When you wake up tomorrow, it will be your first Mother's Day with TWO blessings to be thankful for!

So thankful for technology to help share back and forth. Thankful for all the smiles in the pictures. Thankful that Ava's heart is warming up to Jake. Thankful for all the bonding that has already occurred in only one week's time. Praying for a smooth process with all the paperwork and Ava's medical check. As the time draws closer for traveling back home, praying that Ava accepts Daddy to help make travels easier on everyone.

Enjoy every moment of the rest of your time there. We're anxious to have you home, but we know this is a special time that can never be reclaimed.

Prayers

Thankful for your time in Ava's city/area
Thankful you were able to get passport
Praying you had safe travels to your next city
Praying your transition staying in another new place for Ava and each of you goes well
Praying for Ava's medical check.
Praying you all continue to bond.
Praying for Jake and Ava
Praying for Ava as she learns a new language and culture
Praying for all the paperwork and processes that need to occur to go as scheduled
Simply praying you've had a good day today.

And....praying for Liz to have a very blessed Mother Day tomorrow!

Prayer list

My prayer for your family tonight is:
    ~for your safety
   ~for your health
    ~to continue to bond
    ~for your family to cherish this time that is uninterrupted from the day to day tasks of home
    ~for the people preparing the paperwork, etc that you will be getting/need
    ~ to thank God for your friendship
   ~ for communication and understanding
   ~ for blessings to surround you

The Family of Four

Got a FaceTime call from China tonight! So good to see everyone, including little miss Ava!

Family Time

So thankful to see pictures on your blog.
Ava is precious!

Praying for your family of four.
Praying that Ava and Liz will continue to bond. That there will be some very special mommy-daughter moments during this week that will strengthen the connection. That Ava will sense the love of her mommies heart and that its been there  for her for a long time.
Praying for Ava to see the very kind and loving heart of her daddy. That they will also have very special moments singing and being silly that will connect them forever--- and that make that "not so sure of the guys look " go away( smart girl checking those guys out carefully--:  )
Praying for Luke and Ava to have special moments as brother and sister in her homeland that will be remembered and bond them together. Lord let them pray to you and see and understand how much they are each loved, not only by their earthly parents, but you, their Heavenly Father. Let them laugh and play and enjoy each others company.
Lord, thank you for this special family! Thank you for their faithfulness. Thank you for their willingness to hear your call and follow it.
Bless them, keep them safe and provide for them what they need.

Sending Prayers from Kansas!

Lots of prayers headed your way from Kansas! We just wanted you to know that you've been in our thoughts and prayers. Good to hear that little Ava is attached to you Liz, some how you just have your own special way of making everyone feel special and loved. Sounds like the boys might have a little work to do tho, but I'm sure it won't be long and she will have them wrapped around her little finger for sure!

We'll pray that you all stay safe, the adoption process will continue to go smoothly, easy transition and patience. Enjoy your awesome experience and just embrace this time while you all start connecting with little Ava and become a new family of four!!

We love you!

A Blogger Mess

Well...blogger is somehow blocked or something in China!
Go figure!
Soooooooo, onto Plan B.
Liz is sending her blog posts to her sis-in-law who is posting them for her hassle free!
You can keep posting your prayers on here if you want as a reference for them later on.
I will also try to get 'em to them as well while they are still there.

Ava has attached herself to Liz.
PTL!!
However, gives Jake and Luke the stink eye!
I'm sure she already has them wrapped around her little finger,
She just needs to figure it out and work it!  :)

They now have until Friday to just be.
No appointments...just them.

Praying for the adoption process

My prayer for you is:
That Ava Mae is becoming closer to you. That she is feeling the love and care you will provide.
Praying the paperwork and adoption process goes smoothly.
Praying for all involved in the adoption process.
Praying for patience.
Praying that each of you are adjusting to your new pace.
Praying you're feeling Gods presence and love
Praying for joy and laughter.

Praying for a peaceful night

Good morning Kansas girls , good night our sweet family in China!
Praying for bonding and connections being made. Praying for Liz and Jake as they meet the specific needs of each of their kiddos and each other during this time of transition.
Praying for a peaceful night for the new family of four. Praying for a good nights rest.

Thinking of your family on this special day!!!

What a joyous day you have ahead of you.  Just thinking about it takes us back to the day we met Hannah for the first time.  What a wonderful experience awaits you.

Praying for all the paperwork to be in order and that you will have a smooth transition as you complete your family.

Sending prayers your way!

I wanted you to know that prayers are coming your way right now! Praying her heart is open and ready for her new family! I know she is going to love you!! I will continue to pray for safety for the 4 of you also! Have a great time and soak up every minute!! Love you guys!

Lynn says hi too! :)

Good Morning Schmidts

Trissa wrote a beautiful list of prayers that we will also be sayingfor you. Just want you to know the Fishers in ML are wrapping our arms around you in prayer for your Gotcha Day!
May your day be filled with peace and joy.

Gotcha Day!

While you all are still in dreamland, I just had to start getting excited for you!
Today is THE DAY!
I can't imagine all the emotions that go into a day like today.
But God can.
He is right there beside you and Ava for the whole process.
He placed her in your hearts long before this and He's there to see her united with her new family.
And with this excitement and joy, I pray.

I pray for Ava's journey...that He calms her heart and eases her fears.
I pray for recognition when she sees her new family.
I pray for her care giver as she relinquishes Ava for the last time.
I pray for Ava in these moments of good-bye and hello.
I pray for you and Jake as you step into mom and dad for her.
I pray that God's love will be the ultimate language translator.
I pray for a peaceful transition of becoming a family of 3 to one of 4.
I pray for Luke as his role in the family is promoted to big brother.
I pray for safe travels for all.

Today's the day!!!
The day you have been preparing for for over a year now.
Today's the day that the Lord has made!  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!
Now...go get your daughter!  :)

Thinking of you

Thinking of you for the millionth time today. Great to see picture of Ava Mae when I woke up this morning. I was checking the blog before I was out of bed!
Trissa thanks for update.

A Quick Update

The internet is throwing a little kink in the blogging process from China.
Liz is posting on her blog, For the Love, but for some reason, it's not publishing.
Maybe things will improve soon and we'll be able to share in their story!
I have heard from them and they are all doing great.
Especially now that they have been able to catch up on their sleep!  :)

Prayers for Sleep...

My prayer for you tonight (it's weird that I write this at 10:54 in the morning, though)
Is for you to get a good night's sleep,
To get acclimated to the new time zone you are in,
So you can be ready for the big day when you meet little miss.

We Made it!

Thank you all for the prayers!!!  The flight went very smooth and Luke did great.  He has slept a lot, I guess traveling has worn him out.  We're just resting at the hotel this evening since we have an early morning.  The guys are ordering nachos from room service, this could be interesting : )
Thank you again for all your prayers!!!

Almost There

Addison and I just checked flight tracker and we see that you're finally over land again and only have about 3.5 hours left until you get off the plane!  I'm sure you are ready to have your feet on the ground again!  Hopefully you were able to sleep on the plane.  Praying the rest of the flight goes well and that you arrive at your hotel safely and are able to get some rest.

Halfway There

According to my calculations, you should be halfway there right now.
My prayer for you all is that restlessness is at a minimum...
That you are finding ways to spend your time...
That anxieties of what is to come are put to rest...
And that you are not experiencing any turbulence!

Enjoy the rest of your 13 hours of nothingness!!!

Praying for Travel Mercies

Praying for travel mercies for L,J &L