Praises & Prayers

Day 3 of TA wait brings: Praises and Prayers...
(Plus new pics, so please read all the way to the bottom.)
We have so much to God praise for...

I was recommended the following blog http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/
The author has a great perspective and I LOVE her posts already!

We have really stepped out in faith, obedience and continued giving this year as we carried on this adventure to Eli & Kai now too. And this blog just encouraged me all the more. BELOW is a questionaire she is doing for those adopting two and traveling soon... um, us! (lol) She will read them all and choose 7 families to highlight on her blog. Please pray we are chosen. We believe God will use people from everywhere to bring our boys home, all to bring about His glory. We will never be abel to say WE adopted these boys. But God enabled us to adopt them because He called us to, just as He has adopted us into His family.

Here's the Questionnaire that must be copied, pasted, answered and posted.
Each question must be answered honestly. There is no wrong answer, the only thing that matters is truthfulness. In the interest of most people reading your post, it would probably be best to be brief with your answers. I have questions that I feel honor the Lord, promote stewardship responsibilities as well as obedience to scripture allowing those willing to share what resources they have to get to know the folks participating.

1. How many children are you adopting? 2

2. What names have you chosen and what are their ages?
 

Kai Joseph FeiLong Patton - 13

Eli Joshua Xiao Patton - 11

{Please post pictures if able.}

3. Are any of the children you are adopting considered "Special Needs"?
Yes, both boys do.

4. If yes, specifically what Special Needs?
Besides being older children, Kai has complex congenial heart defects, including TOF, Pulmonary Atresia, Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome; and Eli is labeled developmentally delayed, having had Rickets left him with pigeon chest and bent spine.

5. What country or geographic area are you adopting from?

China
 

6. Have you adopted before?

No

7. How close to travel are you?

3-4 weeks

8. Do you attend church regularly? If so, what type of church is it?

Yes, Assembly of God Church
 

9. Do you tithe with each pay {at leastthe scriptural standard of 10%}?

Yes. The way we see it, how can we expect God to be faithful to His word, if we are not faithful to obey. We also believe in offerings and giving above your 10%, and we pray God bless tenfold those that give to us. *Note: I personally believe Tithe is not just in money, but time too.
 

10. Yesterday, did you participate in any way with the day of Praise, Prayer by giving praise on the link and then posting your request?

I am not sure if I did it right, but I was referred to this blog. I read the post and placed my praise report and prayer request in the comment section. Praising God is important. We teach our children that God is not a Santa Claus in the sky. He desires a real relationship with us and loves it when we praise Him.

11. How did you hear about the Link up? Brooke Henningfeld tagged me on facebook.

12. Is there anything, briefly, that you would like to share with our orphan-lovin', God-honorin', Jesus worshippin' bloggy friends reading this?

Only that we are God loving people who are living to serve Him and answered His call to adopt these boys out of obedience and faith… something that has completely changed our lives and we are so happy we did. We have not even got to bring them home yet, and we are so blessed already. If God calls you to it, no matter how scary or not in “your plan”, follow His lead. His plans are always better! And even if it looks impossible, remember ALL things are possible with God. We didn’t have savings to worry about having to “dip into”,but God created funds for us to use to bring our boys home. Our boys are older and have waited a LONG time for a forever family. But that only adds to the testimony of God’s love and faithfulness. He heard their cries and is sending us to answer them. I challenge you, if I may, is God calling you to answer someone’s prayers? Trust Him! I promise, you won’t regret it. www.adventure4eli.blogspot.com

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Finally, understanding that each gift received through this "Response Time" has been entrusted generously for our use from our loving Father, we promise, in the unlikely event that we would be unable to or decide not to adopt the children we are advocating for, we promise to return all of the money gifted to us as a result of this link to International Voice of the Orphan so they can, at their discretion, give to other families adopting.

{Please place your initials on the line.}
Yes, I will submit___SLP___ No, I am unable to submit to this ________

Now I hope you all go and read her blog, that it touched all of you.

And I hope these do too. Next Prasie report:
We got to Skype with Kai Joseph last night!!!

 

He was much more comfortable with us this time. He was so happy! :) He got to meet Cory this time. He showed us "his family" off to SFCV staff as they came into the room. It was so sweet! He is so excited abotu joinign our family and us coming to China next month. 

This was his reaction to Steve telling him he would bring "Temple Run" (video game) to China for the trip. They share the love of the same game.

Here he is showing us how tall he is... lol
We're guessing maybe 5' 3" tall. He says he weighs 35 kg, which converts to about 77 lbs. We are going to have to get some weight on my boy.

This pic says it all... In the past, he hasn't liked his pic taken. But when I asked if he would look at camera and smile he glady posed for us. (heartfelt sigh)

Tim Baker, SFCV Co-Founder/Director, even stopped in to say hello.

We did math on the chat part, as I asked him problems and he answered them. He just beamed when I told him good job. I can not wait to get him home and see him blossom!

We have so much to be thankful for...

Thank you to all our prayer warriors. We covet your prayer.

God bless tenfold,
Sherry & family