Things are HAPPENING.....!

After months of seeminlgy sluggish progress, things seem to be happening at an almost alarming rate!  ""Alarming" because Karl is still mudding and taping Phillip's bedroom and bathroom as we speak and because we are still looking to God to provide funds, but we could get our travel approval in as little as 4 weeks. (We would LOVE it if it were earlier because that would allow us to have Phillip home for more of the summer before school starts and Brit and Kyle have to return to Corban.)

We received "Provisional Approval"  last week and then on Saturday, we received an important notice from the National Visa Center which was immediately scanned to our adoption agency.  The next step is for our adoption agency to apply for the "Article 5" certificate which is couriered to the CCCWA immediately.  "TA"  or travel approval should follow in 3-4 weeks. ( AGAIN, it would be better in our human eyes if we could go sooner, but please pray for GOD'S perfect timing.)  After that, we apply for a consulate appointment in Guanzhou where all adoptive families spend their last days in China.
When we get TA, Phillip will be told about his adoptive family!  Whoop!  Whoop!

Homestretch prayer requests!
God's blessing on those who have so faithfully encouraged, supported, and inspired us along the way.  Thank you so much for supporting us financially and prayerfully!

1.  Resources for travel for all 4 of us, for the in-country costs, to finish the Phillip's rooms, and for Phillip's continued medical care.  (We have prayed about all of us traveling and feel it is important for bonding and for all of us to be able to assist with traveling with Phillip for the first time.  Kyle and I want Karl and Brit to experience China and Shepherd's Field Children Village themselves so that they can see how and where this journey started and to understand Phillip's history.  We all know that the heart that God has given us for missions and for China's special needs orphans will never end. )

2. Please pray that God would prepare our hearts for that moment when we meet Phillip as a family for the first time.  May that moment be one that sets the stage for a lifetime of bonding.  May we all be unified in Christ  in the transition process and throughout the future to be obedient to God's calling for our family.

He will make a way where there seems to be no way!

The Bringing Phillip Home Benefit Concert was last Saturday.  Although we were all nervous to share and feared getting emotional on stage, we were all able to verbalize what God had put on our hearts. Becky Evans was the MC.  Kyle introduced and described Phillip.  I talked about a few of the divine appointments and prayers that God has answered along the way.  Karl told about how God worked in his heart after Kyle asked him to pray about adopting Phillip.  Brittany and our nephew, Hunter, played an updated version of I'll Fly Away.  We showed a power point of all of the pictures of Phillip that we have including all of the fun ways that we have found to spell his name.  Chuck Evans played some AMAZING original worship song. Chuck and Hunter ended the evening with worship songs.  We were so encouraged to see the church full when each of us got up to share on stage.  We hope that our story blessed and encouraged all of those that were present.  It is so humbling to be in this position and to have opportunities to rehearse all of our blessings and God's faithfulness to us.  The support group around us was so visible at the concert.  We're thankful for every person that gave up their Saturday evening to join us.     

BRINGING PHILLIP HOME BENEFIT CONCERT

BRINGING PHILLIP HOME BENEFIT CONCERT

We're into the homestretch.  The bulk of the paperwork and red tape is DONE! We will be traveling to China to get our boy sometime in the next two months.  We continue to watch as God moves in the area of resources to complete Phillip's adoption ,to travel to China, to make our home wheelchair accessible, and for his medical care.  

The benefit concert idea is the brain child of Becky Evans who teaches at Valley Christian with me.  She has a heart for kids with special needs and has been eager to do something to help with Phillip's adoption.  Her husband, Chuck, who is a worship leader has agreed to take the lead in sharing.  (Thanks Chuck!)  Brittany and Kyle have agreed to share as well.  We have some surprises up our sleeves and will be posting others that will share as they confirm. (We have some amazingly talented family and friends that we hope to recruit to share.) If you'd like to help with Phillip's adoption costs, thank you for caring and sharing!  Another friend of Phillip's, Dan Dubell, has set up a way to donate on this blog.  Know that your encouragement, support, and inspiration are a huge blessing to our family!  We look forward to celebrating at the benefit concert with you and to introducing you to Phillip Croft this summer!  (Okay that made his mama CRY!)

BRINGING PHILLIP HOME BENEFIT CONCERT

OPPORTUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

PINES ROAD IN SPOKANE VALLEY

7PM ON MAY 19TH