The Countdown Is On...

...Or at least we're acting like it definitely is. 

This process is so full of analyzing dates and timelines and possibilities. I go over them in my head, and with Josh, and with other waiting moms I know and talk to regularly, that sometimes I forget I haven't updated everyone else. In fact, over the past few days, I've received a whole lot of "Oh wow! I didn't realize you were that close to the end!" comments. That made me realize that once again, I've neglected to update you all properly. So, here it goes: 

We are getting on a plane in 3 weeks. Maybe. 

We don't actually know, but there's a good chance. We are waiting right now for Travel Approval (TA). This is our official invitation from China to come and get Zach. It's also the last official milestone/document from China in this process. Once we have TA, our agency will set up our appointment with the American Consulate in Guangzhou, which is the last hoop to jump through on the U.S. side of things, and also the date around which the entire trip is arranged. Once we have a Consulate Appointment (CA), we get travel dates. Sounds simple, no? 

... Of course we all know by now that nothing in the adoption world is ever quite so simple. So, here's what we're looking at: 

1. We need Travel Approval by the 15th of January. If we don't get it by then, it will pretty much be impossible for us to get on a plane in time to beat the deadline for travel prior to Chinese New Year (when everything shuts down and delays the whole thing by a few weeks... we don't want that). Realistically, the 15th isn't too far of a long shot. It's within the estimated wait time given by our agency and also falls within the statistical averages that we waiting moms discuss, observe, and obsess over diligently on a regular basis. However, any unforeseen hiccups and we are out of the game. 

2. Assuming we do get Travel Approval in time, we need there to be Consulate Appointments available. There are lots of families hoping to beat Chinese New Year. The Consulate only allows a certain number of appointments per day. If there are none available in the last few days before Chinese New Year, we will be forced to wait several more weeks for travel. 

So, that's all. No biggie. Only waiting around to find out if we need to pack or not... and in the meantime work out the finances, the childcare, the school plans, the doctors visits for travel medication, the packing...

We watch price trends for flights, but can't book them yet. We make lists of things of remember and do, but many of them can't be put into action yet. We're in the wait.

I'm incredibly thankful to be so close. I'm ready to get moving. The volume of things that need to get done is enough to make me have an eye twitch that hasn't gone away for the past 2 weeks, but I'm ready to move! 

So, I'm asking you all to pray with us for a few specifics: 

1. Pray that our Travel Approval comes in time and that we will get our Consulate Appointment so we can get Zach before the shutdown.

2. Pray for us as we prepare... with both the packing and household preparations, but also (and more so) for our hearts as we prepare to meet this little stranger whose entire world is about to be disrupted. 

3. Pray for our kids. Their world is changing again, and some aren't dealing as well as others. 

4. Also, please pray that we will be able to visit New Hope. Both of the boys received such excellent care there, and we haven't ever been able to visit. However, if we don't get some sort of update on Zach's current whereabouts, we've been told we won't be allowed to go. 

5. Pray for peace. Regardless of whether we do make it before the shutdown, regardless of how smoothly the preparations and packing go, regardless of how much the rest of the bunch acts out because they're feeling anxious or excited about what's to come, and regardless of whether I get to check off all items on my "Things to do in China" list, I need to be reminded that the God who arranged every step leading up to this is still the One who has planned out every step to come. I want to rest in that peace, regardless of the storms that rage around.