"Saddle up your horses!"

Thanks, Steven. I'm beginning to understand "The Great Adventure."

1) In spite of the doubts, John Gidley contacted Dave this week. We're going to PR for sure!

2) Everyone--about 15 of my closest friend--who know about our adoption investigation have been REALLY supportive.

Ben's response: "I think it's awesome!"

Andi's response: "REALLY?!! Oh, that's wonderful!"

Anne's response (via Andi): "She's so excited!"

Eva's response: "I think it's a great idea."

Patty's response: (a soft mother's look) "I think that's wonderful!" (Of course, Patty, for some reason, thought I was about to tell her we were getting a divorce; I scared her to death.)

Karen's response: (via Brett) "Really? Your dad is actually going thinking about doing this?" (He said she went through a series of reactions--shock, skepticism, slow dawning, a grin, then a huge smile. For some reason, that one has gotten me the most--mostly, I guess, because she's a mom of two Chinese girls now.)

Renee's response: "Well, I didn't think that an email could make me cry, but you sure did! Incredible!! Prayers, prayers, prayers! I think it made me cry because it has long been a dream of mine, but I do not have any support for doing it. So allow me to dream vicariously through you :-) You are brave and I am soooo excited for you. I hope blessings pour over you as you pursue this goal. I know it won't be easy, but that's not a reason for stopping.

(I wish there were computer symbols for thrilled, excited, envious, delighted, etc.) "--Maybe THIS one got me the most, after all. Renee had to have special procedures in order to have her twins because she has a problem that does not allow her to have children "in the normal way." She knows more about the dream of a child than I do.

Julie's response: "How exciting!"

Roberta's response: "That's wonderful."

Judy's response: "That's exciting!"

Of course, I'm missing the three most important responses. I didn't tell the first two. They guessed.

Brett: "You're going to China, aren't you?" Then a hop and a high-five. The enthusiasm lingers. He's still insistent that we're doing this regardless.

Bart: "I think I know what it is! I hope!"

Brennan (whom I did tell): (slow grin) "I won't be the youngest anymore!" (Leave it to Brennan!)

And today....

Today Roberta Rush took time--being clueless all the while of what we're doing--to tell me that God does the impossible. Chuck Swindoll (when did he go to 7:00 PM) was speaking on the disciples seeing Jesus feed 5000, then panic at the storm (and at the "ghost) later. His theme, of course, was God doing the impossible.

Then a website had this:

"God's heart is to provide a home and family for the orphan. We have seen Him work very creatively for families who take their needs before the Lord in prayer and are willing to step out in faith. Many families have seen the Lord provide through anonymous donors, church family, friends, and family members. Other families have received an unexpected raise at work, or had someone offer to pay for their airfare, or received an unexpected large tax return. We encourage you to take your adoption to the Lord in prayer and watch Him work. Your adoption can be a lesson in faith and a testimony to His provision for the needs and desires of your family."

I'm reminding God (if you can do such a thing) that He is going to have to fund this if He wants us to do it; I'm also reminding God that flying isn't our favorite thing, so He's going to have to take a lot of fear out of us--or, better yet, help us to work through it.