I'm so excited about going to China that i could just pop. However, there is much to do! The Tour wrapped up this weekend. And what an awesome tour it was. What an honor to get to travel the country encouraging Believers and sharing the Gospel with those who don't know Christ yet! God did some great things and we have been greatly encouraged by the letters and emails from concert go-ers!
We have done 82 concerts since the tour began last September. The first half of the tour was with Matt Redman, and the last half of the tour was with Caleb(SCC's boys), Kutless, and 10th Avenue North. We traveled about 81,000 miles in 5 buses and 2 semi-trucks with 52 people(with more than 6 kids) to 38 states plus one concert in Canada. There were about 350,000 people that attended and helped us sponsor more than 10,000 children for World Vision. Wahoo!! Go God!!!
And now I am turning the page to a new chapter! Our JOURNEY to HOPE! ! !
I was thrilled to find 13 new pictures of Hope in my inbox early this morning! How cool is that?!! We had mailed a disposable camera to her orphanage a month ago and today was the Fruit of that investment!! New pic posted soon.
God is so Good!
Today was spent trying my best to get school stuff wrapped up with the kids and then spent the afternoon with Susan Dose (my assistant) trying to find all of my adoption travel documents. It was a bit crazy. Its been a 3.5 yr long process and I can't believe the culmination of all this paperwork and paperchasing is almost here.
I'm trying my best to be a good steward of my time and yet there is much to do. Still trying to work on some details for the Crowns Concerts in the Summer. Also need to pack. And then there was that trip to Toys R Us last night. (That was fun!) Praying for Productivity tonight!
Thank you for your prayers.
Clinging to this promise:
"Those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
Comments
Hi!
My name is Pam and we adopted a daughter from China back in September, 2008. We had an LID of May 15, 2006 but like you our focus changed two years ago to special needs and that is when we found our beautiful daughter, Carissa Joy-Le.
I am friends with Pam Lopez, one of the members of your church and she directed me to your blog. I love following other journeys in the adoption process.
Enjoy your time in China and will pray for good attachment and bonding with your precious little Hope.
Her hair is growing out a bit!!! Get those hairbows ready to go. :) Can't wait to see pictures of her in your arms, Melanie! Have you flipped through the book?
Your little girl looks so sweet! My hat is off to you for your patience in waiting 3 and 1/2 years. My husband and I have paperwork into Bulgaria for adoption and just found out the wait to be matched could be up to 24 months. Any advice on how to make the waiting less frustrating?
She is beautiful. Wishing you Godspeed and a wonderful journey as you unite with your most recent family addition.
My wife and I adopted from Kazakhstan in 2004, and our son (now 13) is a huge Casting Crowns fan. We saw you guys on your tour and had a blast. We wish you well on your trip, and please know that you are in our prayers.
Hi!
I think you guys are so cool! And I love your music. And I think it is so cool you are adopting from China! There is a blog by a mother who also adopted from China, here is the link http://ourlittletongginator.blogspot.com/
She is a really neat lady and her blog is AWESOME. She is also a Christian. Anyway enjoy! Thanks so much for your music!
I am so excited for you. Maybe you want to keep this private, and I understand if you do, but I'm really curious about when you're going. I mean, is it tomorrow, or a week, or a month? Sounds like it's soon. I hope you will put some details somewhere, your fans want to hear all about it (when you have time).
Melanie, She's beautiful and that trip is in May. God is so good and hears our prayers. And..the Hope is Coming sign I told you about has been moved to in front of a Seventh Day Adventist Church. How do they know!!?? See you soon, Renee
God is so good!!! My family and I will definitely be praying for you. Strength and prayers go with you as you delare your HOPE in the Lord. We've seen you guys many times in concert and as a youth minister myself, your encouragement is always so greatly appreciated. My husband and I feel more and more pulled into the ministry and we too are waiting on God. We have dealt with infertility and still know that God's plans are so much better than ours. He will send us the child or children He has planned. I will serve Him not for what I have or want but for who He is!!! Regardless of my path or plight...HE IS GOD!!!
I just want to say thank you for using the gift that the Lord Jesus gave you to touch others. I love the lyrics and music that you do. and congrats on the award and the new baby. Mark - Your cousin - Eddie Garrett always keeps me posted on the great things that are going on with Casting Crowns. and cant wait for you guys to come to Little Rock, AR. When I am having a hard day, I listen to "Always Enough". It up lifts me and reminds me that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"
May God continue to bless all of you.
She is gorgeous! Bless you and your family and praying for a wonderful adjustment, travel mercies, etc! I have 3 special needs children adopted from China and 2 bio teenagers. ..ALL blessings from God!!
The snap of a little girl is really nice. I must appreciate your patience and faith in God.
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