Friday, March 25, 2016

Adoption: For Such A Time As This....

Three years ago I started this blog to document our journey serving Jesus around the world for 8 months.  I knew that time would be life changing for our family... and it was.  I wanted the kids to be able to look back many years from now and perhaps show their own children what they did, what they learned, and how we grew as a family and as followers of Jesus Christ.

A few months after our return we had another major life and family event as we nearly lost our Hayleigh and at the same time our 5th child, Isaiah, came into the world.

While family milestones and significant life experiences have certainly continued the past 27 months since I last posted, it wasn't until this week I felt it was time to post something new to the blog.

WE'RE ADOPTING!  



After much prayer (and much paperwork!), Rachel and Sarah are on their way to China to pick up our two newest daughters.

As they meet each child, starting with the older one, I will post more details about our journey to each child, explain their names, and introduce you...our friends and family....to our daughters.

For now, here are their pictures....




Words cannot explain how excited we are to welcome these two blessings into our family.  Please pray for safe travels and that everything goes well in China.

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."  James 1:27

God bless,

Andrew

PS  Sarah and Rachel are literally on their way as I'm writing this post.  For a variety of reasons we decided it would be best for me to stay here with most of the kids and for Rachel and Sarah to travel to China.  They will be gone 16 days and return home April 10 and then we will be a family of 9!!!!

Here are the first pics from my excited wife and daughter....


Rachel really likes this one with Sarah kind of glancing at her out of the corner of her eye...


Of course, during their layover in Chicago they had to have Chinese food ;)



And, apparently, Rachel needs some work using the correct side of chop sticks.  She is a quick learner...



China is 12 hours ahead of East Coast Time in the USA.  They will be arriving 725PM Beijing Time and traveling northeast from there to Shenyang arriving 1135PM Beijing time March 26.  After a rest day they will pick up our nearly 14 year old daughter on March 28.  Til then...God bless!

NEXT POST:  A Mother's Thoughts, A Father's Thoughts  http://tsfga.blogspot.com/2016/03/adoption-mothers-thoughts-fathers.html

12 comments:

  1. Oh my word, Andrew,--I am so excited for you, your family, and your two, new blessings. Love all of the pictures and can't wait to hear about the journey to China and the return when the entire Scott family will be united. God bless you, all. Linda McCoy

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  2. From email: Did not post so here it is. So excited for all of you. Also so proud and grateful for the new life you are giving these two beautiful girls -- not just opening your home but also your hearts. Love you, Mimi

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  3. Praise The Lord! Good Friday & Easter weekend of all the weekends in a year I don't believe there could be a more perfect weekend. Good Friday the disciples were heart broken in Angst! 3 days later they were filled with JOY! I am thankful to of been able to watch this unfold. May God keep your girls safe. May God go ahead and prepare your daughters to feel peace that surpasses understanding. To love, bond & attach to Rachel, To Trust Rachel. TO have great fellowship with other adoptive families. God bless y'all.
    A. Sisler
    Small World Adoption

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  4. Wow wow wow Andrew! We are so excited for you guys (and in awe frankly - we struggle with our small family of 6).

    You guys are amazing. As my youngest daughter just said, "We have to meet that huge family one day!"

    Amen.

    Happy Easter!
    Scott and the Andrews gang

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  5. How exciting! Two new daughters! I can't wait to hear more about them. It appears that the older daughter is hard of hearing like Hayleigh and me. God is good. He knows the plans He has for the Scott family. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11). My prayer is that the trip from China goes well, as well as learning to communicate, trust and love the Scott family.

    In His Grip,
    Susan Koester (Laurel's Mom)

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  6. Amazing journey! My love for your family continues to grow even as it grows! Bon voyage Rachel and Sarah!
    Uncle Richie

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  7. Thank you Andrew for sharing your life w others. Your life is becoming an open book for the world to see. When I think of you and your family I think of the following NT passage in Matthew:
    ““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

    Our lives must be. Lived out in the open so the world can see Jesus in us....Andrew....I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for your example of living out the Christian Faith and not hiding it! You and your family are being used by God to reveal truth and when ever Truth is revealed a battle will unfold. I will be praying for protection from the evil one ...because any time we take a stand for Truth and live it out in the public life the Enemy will try to use people to squash Truth. The awesome thing about it is that Truth can't be squashed because Jesus is unsquashable!
    Thanks again Andrew and tell Rachel that we are praying for you and that we appreciate your lives because it is an open book for the world to see Jesus...With you guys Jesus is exalted. Thanks, From a Good Friend in Christ

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  8. How awesome that you would open your hearts to these two precious girls.....you are certainly the hands and feet of Christ, showing His love to them. Prayers are with all of you that the Lord would provide a smooth transition into your wonderful family! Much love to all of you!

    Lynne Spearing

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  9. Wahhoooo!

    Amen and amen.

    I am looking forward to seeing this journey unfold for y’all. Much love and blessings to you and your family.

    Tommy Nika

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  10. This makes me giddy! We already adore your family forever and beyond, and now we get to love EVEN MORE Scottsesesss! Many prayers for safe travels, incredible first hugs and kisses with your new daughters and a lifetime of joy. <3

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  11. I love how this will be a new life for the girls just as God gave us new life through Him and that it all came together at this season where we celebrate HIs life given for us to have new life. Blessings and prayers to you all.
    Liza

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  12. Deborah's and my prayers are with you. We specifically pray that you, as we do, fulfill God's plan for your lives, and that they be filled with His grace, love and joy. We are very grateful to be able to celebrate with you this great step in your journey.

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