Prayer Requests

THURS. Feb. 10th : Pray for safe travels as we drive two hours to the airport and fly to Beijing on a 14 hour plane trip. Pray for good weather so that there will be no delays. Pray for Kathy and Amy as they care for Oakley and Colston here at home.

FRI. Feb 11th : Pray for our America World travel group as we bond and get to know the other eight adoptive families. My hope is we will be a supportive, encouraging group and positive US representatives. Pray for safe travel for Lynne’s parents driving up from VA.

SAT. Feb 12th : Pray for our guides (Chinese nationals) who will be taking us to Tienanmen Square and The Forbidden City. Their names are Lineker and Sherry.

SUN. Feb 13th : We get an amazing opportunity to worship at an international church. Pray that we see and are changed by the glory of God reflected in creation through the different nationalities. As the group tours the Great Wall pray that our energy levels would continue and the time adjustment would be complete before we meet our children.

MON. Feb 14th : Pray for safe flights from Beijing to Guangzhou (the very south of China). Today at some point we will meet and gain temporary custody of Joni. This will be an emotional moment for her, us and possibly the nanny that brought her. Pray that Christ will meet all of us in the grieving and rejoicing process. Pray for safe travels for Scott’s parents as they drive down from Syracuse.

Tues. Feb 15th : Pray that God would begin supernaturally bonding parents and baby. That a strong sense of healthy attachment would begin. Pray for patience, understanding, and strength as we help our daughter through her grief.

Wed. Feb 16th : Pray for the small details like being able to blog, weather, organization of documents, sleep at night, finding things Joni likes to eat, etc.

Thurs. Feb 17th : Pray for the health of everyone, including Oakley and Colston. In particular pray for no headaches for Lynne and no stomach issues for Scott.

Fri. Feb 18th : Pray for Oakley, Colston and the grandparents. It is now over a week since we left them and both they and we are missing them. Pray that they would behave for their caretakers and feel comfortable communicating their needs. Pray also for the grandparents that they would have the energy and patience to get through each day.

Sat. Feb. 19th : Pray a special blessing on all those who’ve supported us through this process including our family, friends, LC family, Grace Fellowship family, online adoption forums, America World family, and Show Hope.

Sun. Feb 20th : As children grieve and attempt to bond with their new parents it is common that they attach (physically and emotionally) to only one at first. Please pray for the one parent experiencing rejection and the other parent who might not be able to even go to the bathroom alone.

Mon. Feb 21st : Please pray that as we take trips to the orphanage and founding area that we can gather as much information about Joni’s past as possible. Pray for open doors and helpful people.

Tues. Feb 22nd : Please devote this day of prayer for Joni’s birth family. Especially her birth mother who probably carries an unspoken emotional wound and was pressured to abandoned by her husband/elders. Pray that she would come to know a person named Jesus who loves her unconditionally so that Joni may one day meet her in heaven (if not sooner).

Wed. Feb. 23rd : At this point we are likely ready and anxious to be home. Pray that we would finish the race strong and still look to be loving and serving to others. We want God to help us appreciate each minute spent in this amazing place and the two-on-one time devoted to Joni.

Thurs. Feb 24th : Please pray for Joni’s transition into our family as she takes on new roles of daughter,
sister, niece, and granddaughter. Pray for acceptance by Oakley and Colston and that they would not feel displaced or overlooked. Help all of us be patient and serving as God molds us into a family that depends on Him. Pray for our journey by road from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.

Fri. Feb 25th : We come HOME! Pray for the 15 and half hour plane ride and two hour drive with a 14 mo. Old who we don’t know and doesn’t know us. I am dreading this. Pray also for Aunt Stacey as she drives up from Balt. A few days earlier and drive out to pick us up at the airport. Please PRAISE the Lord for all the good things He has done. He has been faithful throughout the long 5 year process and His heart for the orphan has been reflected in Joni’s adoption.

Finally, if Joni ever crosses your heart in the future, please pray for all her Chinese brothers and sisters left behind.