Happy Chinese New Year!

Today marks the beginning of a new tradition for our family: the Chinese New Year! I was planning a big Chinese feast, and was going to make a few Asian inspired creations for dinner with some new recipes I've been saving. But a virus way-laid my plans and I have to roast the turkey that's been thawing in my fridge. So, we'll celebrate the Chinese holiday with a very American feast! Maybe I'll glaze the turkey with an orange teriyaki sauce for some Asian flair.

I'm very happy to share with you all today an exciting update in our adoption process. The following includes some excerpts of a letter we sent to our family informing them of our news. We have decided to pursue a special needs adoption through our agency, Living Hope. While the term "special needs" may sound pretty scary, we have actually felt an increase of compassion towards these little ones and feel the Lord tugging our hearts in that direction. We've been considering this direction since late last summer and actually received the application/informational packet in October. (I know, you are all shocked that I kept it quiet so long, aren't you?!) Since then, we've been praying, talking, and researching information about the conditions that these children are facing. What we're finding is that some of the "special" needs these children have really aren't that scary at all. Especially when we compare those needs to the alternative of a precious child spending the rest of her life in an orphanage or foster home without the love of a family who will be hers forever.

After consulting with our agency, the International Adoption Program Docs at CHOP, and friends who have been through the adoption process, we've decided as a family to go ahead and put our names on the "waiting child" list (China's way of designating orphans who have special needs). This doesn't take us off the track (regular, non-special needs) that we've been on for 2 years, it simply offers a secondary "track" through which the Lord may bring us our Aidan. There are many changes happening in China's Waiting Child program, some of which were announced just this week.

There are several reasons why we feel strongly about moving in this direction. First, and quite frankly, it will most likely bring Aidan home sooner. We've been praying for 2 years that the process would move swiftly and we feel like this decision aligns well with that prayer. Secondly, and maybe more importantly, we see this step as an unfolding of God's will for us that we were unable to see when we started the process. We didn't set out to adopt a special needs child but as we've tried to listen for and obey His voice, it's been pretty thrilling to see the ways He's confirmed our steps and encouraged us along the way - in all areas of this adoption, not just in this decision. Thirdly, we are part of a hospital community that offers the best pediatric care in the country and that is internationally known for its expertise on many of the conditions we are considering. This, too, may be part of that unfolding of His plan.

So please pray with us. We need continued wisdom for the decisions we will be facing as the process continues. We need continued financial provision, especially in light of the fact that this secondary track could move more quickly. Finally, we need prayers for Aidan, for her birth mother, and for the people that will be caring for her until we can claim her as our daughter. Thank you all who have already begun praying for these things. Your support has been priceless and we feel so encouraged by it!