Journey to China

This blog documents the Spitlers' progress towards the adoption of Xia Ping He (Noah Spitler) from the PR China. It also documents Noah's medical process in pursuit of a total repair to his CHD (congenital heart defect).

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

TA & CA Yeah!!!

I am sorry to keep you all waiting on new information but things have been crazy around the Spitler home. The girls and I went to Columbia last week to visit family and to spend Friday at Carowinds. We had a great time. It was a little hot but it wasn't nearly as crowded as I had anticipated. I continued to check my cell phone all day because we were waiting for the "call" that we had received our (TA) Travel Approval. The call never came. I must admit is was very disappointed. We got back to my parent's house around supper time. We ate supper and then I decided to check on the Chinese Adopting Forum to see if anyone had received their TA's that day. Several people had and so that made my disappointment turn into frustration. I then decided to check my email. Well, I was very surprised to find that we too had received our TA. Our agency had emailed me instead of calling me to let me know. I was always under the impression that it would be the "BIG" call, not an email. I was so excited and quickly called Adam to let him know. We were so happy that we finally completed that next step.
Next, the agency had to get our CA (Consulate Appointment). This date is what drives the actual trip. It would then allow us to finally buy our plane tickets. We were told they could take several days to get this information to us. We really were not expecting to get anything until Wed. or Thurs.
We returned from Columbia on Saturday and then drove to Atlanta on Sunday. We had a great visit with Adam's brother and his family. They are always so much fun!!! We then drove to the Children's hospital in Atlanta on Monday to check it out in case that is where we end up taking Noah for his surgery. We also drove by the Ronald McDonald house to see where it was located. We were very impressed with everything we saw. All of the facilities were very nice. As we were driving back to Statesboro that afternoon I decided to check my email just to see if I had gotten anything important. We had gotten an email from our agency that we had our CA (Consulate Appointment). Our CA is on 7/27. We were hoping for the week prior to that but we are resting in the Lord that the date we received is right for us. We are overjoyed that this time has finally come. It has been a long road but we know it is all worth it. We know that Noah is our son and that the Lord sent him to us. Our hearts are breaking without him. I know that probably sounds strange to all of you but it makes perfect sense to us. We love him so much and can't wait to show him.
The Lord has sent us on this journey and we are so blessed that He chose us for it. We have learned so much in this last year and I know that it is for our good. When you focus on the Father it sure makes life easier. I can't imagine this life without the Lord.
We are leaving on the 14th of July and returning on the 31st. We will try very hard to keep you all updated until we leave and while in China. We ask that you continue to pray for Noah and his heart (physical and spiritual). God's blessings on all of you and thank you so much for all the prayers.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Getting Ready for Noah





We received a phone call from our agency and they said we should be receiving our TA either tomorrow (Friday) or Monday. This gives us a lot of encouragement. We still need prayers for our CA (Consulate Appointment) to be as early in July as possible. We were told we would probably travel either the 7th/8th or 14th/15th. We are praying for the earlier date.
We were very excited to get Noah's welcome home sign finished. We are very happy about how it turned out. It says, "Welcome Home Son", in Chinese. We are looking forward to traveling to China to get our son.
God's blessings to all of you who have prayed for us and have supported us through this process.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Second Day of Summer Pictures

These are a few of my favorite things: flowers and wildlife. I cannot wait to share some of these things with Noah when he gets here. I know it is way too hot to be outside much these days but I love going outside in the mornings to enjoy the great outdoors.
We didn't receive our TA today which is a little sad for us. I am still holding out hope for this week. We did receive an email from our agency about when they think we might travel. It wasn't exactly as soon as we had hoped for but you never know what can happen. Just keep praying.





Monday, June 21, 2010

First day of summer... still waiting...

Hello everyone! Today is the "official" First Day of Summer (according to my calendar). I took some extra time this morning to sit on my back deck and enjoy the birds singing. I also loved the slight breeze and being able to see all that the Lord created for us. He is so amazing and loving. I cannot get over the fact that He died for me. I don't feel that worthy but I am glad He did.
I must admit that this past week and weekend was very difficult for us in some ways. We are so ready to go to China and get Noah. For those of you that have been where we are you fully understand the feeling of not being able to love and take care of your own child. The fact that so much of this is out of our hands and in the hands of the government does make it difficult. When I start thinking about that I then realize, it isn't in man's hands but in the hands of the one who created ALL things. This gives me peace when I start to feel anxious. I also feel so much better knowing that all of you are praying for us. Thanks so much.
We are still in wait for our TA. We really thought it would come last week but they had a three day holiday (The Dragon Boat Festival). This set us back a week so we are really praying that it will come this week. We then have to hurdle through and hope the CA's (Consulate Appointments) are not as booked up as we have been hearing. ***Prayer Alert*** I just thought I would add that to the list. As soon as we know something we will let you all know. Thanks for keeping up with us and our process. To be continued...

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

While I am on a Role...





I figured since I was on a roll today I would add some family photos from Easter. Better late than never huh? Thanks for enduring the sparse blog posts. I am not the best at keeping up.

More Carowinds Pictures


Trip to Carowinds


The Lord is so good to us. We are healthy, fed and have a roof over our head. For the last two days I have been talking to the girls about how blessed we are. There are so many children (and adults) who don't even have food to eat. I am starting to feel an urgency to really pray for people, even more than before. I just read a story recently about a child who had a very abusive childhood and it really hit me hard. Children are the most innocent of all and they need the security of knowing their family loves them and supports them. There are so many children who don't have a family and they need us to step in on some level and be there for them. I am really going to pray the Lord will lead me (us all) to find out where that level is in our life. He may ask us to do something in a small way or it may be in a big way. Just follow wherever He leads.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

I also wanted to share some of our pictures from Carowinds last Friday. We took our girls and our two nephews. We had a great time and look forward to going back again very soon.

We ask that you all continue to pray for our TA (Travel Approval)to come through very soon. We are praying that it will be processed in God's timing and we are really trying to be patient. Thanks for the prayers everyone and we pray you have a blessed summer break!