The Embassy was actually very easy to work with after we got our paperwork in.  We were also informed that we do not have to wait two years to get her US citizenship.  We were uncertain of that, but she will automatically become a citizen because we, her parents, are citizens.  As long as we keep her Thai passport renewed she can maintian dual citizenship. 

This evening we met back up with the Scotts at a park here in Bangkok.  It was a beautiful night and another great time of fellowship.   How blessed we have been.  We also found out today that Rachel's roommate will be on our flight back to the States.  That will be fun too.  Hey Becky,  how many songs from So Long Farewell do you think we could sing on the plane before being kicked off?

We probably won't have internet after tomorrow morning so America this may be the last you hear from us before you see us!  Thailand, We haved been blessed to get to know and love you.  We will miss each of you so very much.  Thank you to everyone who housed us, fed us, gave us a ride, translated for us, directed us, made arrangements for us, prayed for us and loved us.  It is truly the family of Christ.  Mommy Rachel, Chay "Prince Charming", Aree "Baby", Jirapa, We will miss you and love you more than any other.  You are each talked about and prayed for several times a day. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

1. Approval from the Thailand Department of Social Development and Welfare (Adoption Board)
2. Approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly the INS) - part of the US Dept. of Homeland Security
3. Approval from the US Embassy Consulate - part of the US State Dept - here in Bangkok

We finally passed through step number 2.  I will write more about this later...We have our interview with the embassy tomorrow at 10am, that's 10pm eastern for most of you reading this.  We're shooting for the visa to probably be issued Thurs, and leave Thailand on Friday.  Lord willing, that's what should happen.  I don't know if I've said it or not, but I want to say a special thanks to everyone that has prayed, sent a kind word, whatever it is, many of you have been a great support to us through this...some of you from the very beginning.  To quote a lyric from the The Fray - "Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same"  I don't think they were thinking of adoption when they wrote this...but it sure fits our last two years. 

We switched hotels yesterday....I think I mentioned that....I really can't remember.  Anyway...We love this new place...it's definitely the place we wish we had been last week....spacious.....one bedroom apartment...for those of you that remember my apartment I lived in Clemmons, this room is bigger than that.  Having Internet all the time has been the best thing.  I took for granted not being able to just get on whenever I wanted.

I got the ATM thing figured out.  So we have cash again....we had it, just couldn't get to it.

Hmmmmm...anything else?  I know why the people (for the most part are so thin).  They eat rice and noodles all the time and walk everywhere.......I can't wait to weigh myself when I get home....maybe I lost some weight?.....probably not. 

Am I rambling?  Maybe I should go to bed. 

I had prayed that we would at least see her village if nothing else, and we did.  However, as we left that day I felt incomplete.  I had a deep desire to meet her mother, but felt as if the Lord was saying that it wasn't the time.  I left Chiang Mai feeling as if I needed to be content never meeting her, but I couldn't stop praying that one day it would be possible...expecting years down the road to visit.  I was very frustrate with the INS office, but felt again that there was a very specific reason.  I NEVER thought that I would board a plane fly back up here and meet her mother.  God IS so good.

She is a precious lady who loves Rotjana very much.  I will never forget the tears that filled her eyes the first time we met.  She is soft spoken with a kind and loving demeanor.  I had also prayed, NEVER thinking God would answer this, at least on this trip, that I would be able to get a photo of her with Rachel and I.  Yet, if I can get the site to work you can see for yourself. God is bigger than anything we can think or imagine.  What an incredible time and opportunity. 

Above all else Rachel was able to share with her that we are Christians and that Jesus loves her.  Jesus loves Janaa.  While she wasn't there Jesus was and has taken care of her the last 4 years.  She was also able to give her mom a short book explaining her value in Christ.  I think we both feel as if she has already read it, but please pray she has.  She seems to have a very tender heart and she knows that we love both she and Janaa.  Please pray that Rachel will have an opportunity to be involved in her life and continue to share Christ's love through Janaa's story.  We also have an open door to send her mail so pray that I will have the right things to say and send to her.  Though God's plan was not for her to live her on earth with her, I pray we will have eternity to glorify God for the great and wonderful things He has done.

I fly out tonight at 10:15.  I'm feeling about as exhausted as I've ever felt in my life.  I know the Lord is carrying me through.  There have been moments where I thought I just couldn't take another step or open my eyes.  Such as my trip to Cambodia. Yep, never thought I'd go there. My visa expires tomorrow so Ed took us up to the border and I've seen Cambodia, not much to report.  I only saw a few yards and they were very filthy, but I do have another stamp in my passport. 

We hope to fly out on Thursday.  Pray that our papers are accepted tomorrow and we can come home.

Rachel has flown up to Chiang Mai on a mission to get some papers that are vital to the adoption.  That's all I'll say for right now.  Please be in prayer for her tomorrow.  As you're reading this on Sunday evening/night, she'll be on her way to trying to complete her mission.  She's flying back to Bangkok tomorrow night. 

So Janaa is behind me in the bed asleep, I'm trying to get a hotel for monday night through wed night, and our hope is to be on the plane back to America by Thursday morning.  We'll see.

Two things you can pray for us right now, ok three....

1. Everything that Rachel listed on the previous entry
2. That I can find a hotel with wireless internet in the room, that I don't have to pay extra for...or at least didn't use cigarette tar as the paint for the walls...
3. We're having some issues with our bank cards and ATMs....when you need cash, you need cash.....

We were given a bit more information on our documents today. Everything is still on hold at the moment. The US Government will not accept the Thai documents that we have saying that her mother released her parental rights therefore at the moment she is not “adoptable” according to the US Government. This shouldn’t be a terrible problem, but you never know. The orphanage that she was under is having to go find her mom and have her sign new papers. If they can’t find her they will try to get the Thai Government to sign an abandonment paper. We were told that from there it would be up to the US Government. We know that God is sovereign, but it’s is still frustrating.

The hospital was so easy. It was extremely nice…those of you who know how I hate hospitals…It was the stop I dreaded the most. You wouldn’t have even known it was a hospital if the words were written somewhere. They really didn’t do much of an exam which was nice. Janaa was really scared of going to the doctor, especially since it wasn’t her friend, Doctor Sonpon (sorry about the spelling).

When you think of us in pray, please pray for

· All documents to be finished and accepted tomorrow.

· For us to be a testimony to our driver.

· Janaa to continue to do well with all of this.

· The government officials to be accurate, kind and understanding.

o Yesterday she spoke harshly of Janaa’s birthmom. There are some things that she doesn’t understand yet and in a meeting I don’t have the ability to explain it her. She picks up on everything. She took a fact about her mom and her twin and put them together. It’s very confusing for her.

· For her birthmom. J’s birthday is 2 weeks away and she’s having to resign papers. I think it would be very difficult, especially with the timing. Also, that the Lord would use this to open her heart to His love.

If the only reason we have to wait is to open doors for her salvation it would all be worth it.

We have to check out in the morning so we are going to repack everything and pack small suitcases for the last few days we’re here. We are leaving to visit with the Webbers tomorrow through Sunday, I believe. It will be a great distraction for us. We are looking forward to catching up with them and meeting their new addition. It will be good for Janaa to have friends to play with too. She’s very excited to see the new baby, JayJay.

From there we went to INS or Department of Homeland Security.  Please pray about our papers.  We have hit a big road block with some of Janaa's documents.  We're hoping it will only take a phone call in the morning, but it's hard to not worry when your child really isn't your's on paper yet.  God is faithful so "In Him Will I Trust".

She got her passport today.  I don't think she'll be more excited on Christmas.  It was as if that were the greatest gift a 3 year old could've received.  She grabbed it, hugged it and said, "Oh, my passport.  Look, I have my own passport.  There I am.  I'm so cute.  Now I can go to America." She told Rachel today that doesn't have a stamp yet though.

Well, I only have 15 minutes before I'll have to leave the business center. 

Not a ton has happened today.  We are getting tired of living out of our suitecases, but thanks to those of you who allowed us to bum yours off of you.  I did get a bit of Christmas shopping done for Janaa today.  Not much, but then again, I think we're getting a family for Christmas all the way around. 

We are loving every minute with her.  She generally happy all of the time.  She is a blast to be around.  Well, I'm off to get some sleep and double check the list for tomorrow.  Good night to Thailand and good morning America!  We miss all of you right now!

Sorry, I can't get photos to work again :(.

We are ready to be finished with this part of our trip.  It long, confusing and stressful.  We will have meetings ALL day tomorrow and Thursday she'll have to have another physical even though she just had 2.  The US government only accepts them from 1 of 2 hospitals here in Bangkok. Annoying! 

We are glad to be away from the beach.  Those were an extremely long 2 days.  The Lord is good and knows what we can handle.  Kosharah was coming to Bangkok for business and brought Rachel and Emma with her to spend Monday and Tuesday with us.  What a HUGE encouragement.  The goodbyes are always hard, but it is now part of our life.  It was better than the first goodbye.  We are beginning to realize though that you can't have "hellos"  if there are no "goodbyes". 

Janaa has been doing amazing. She does miss home, as she should, but she is also having fun and attaching well to us.  We are blessed beyond words.  Each day that passes and I see more adoptions I am even more thankful for Rachel.  Janaa wouldn't be where she is at without having such a great mom to train her so well. 

Uncle Bill , J says we have to send you a Carolina hat....sorry ;).  Lilla, we read your book daily.  Aunt Theresa, You can sow anything she says.  Amy, you would still be sick without Dr. J.  Becky, I think we've learned part of a new song from So Long Farewell...Rain drops on roses.  Mint, she says she likes to eat mints...even you.  She talks about everyone from home.  We all miss you much.

Home in the States...we miss you all.  We're ready to back to our house with our own sheets, towels, power and cars.  Can't wait for ya'll to meet the most adorable little girl, or at least we think so :).

Thanks for praying for us so much.  We know that we are not alone in this and that is more valuable than anything.