Making Room for One More--Diplofam is Expanding!

Dear Family and Friends,

 

It is with great joy and anticipation that we announce the pending arrival of our 5th child-a precious little girl.  Unlike our first four children, she was not born to us. She was born to a family in a province in southeast China about two years ago.  For reasons we will never fully know, she was abandoned at three months of age near the city gate of her hometown.  She was taken to the Social Welfare Institute and named.  We believe the biggest reason she was abandoned was because she has Down Syndrome which is considered a curse on a family in China.  Adam and I do not believe she is cursed--we believe she is beautiful and perfect despite her imperfection.  It is our desire, as a fulfillment of God's unfolding plan, to bring Tulip (whom we will rename later) into our family.

Although we have a realistic view of what her limitations will be and the time, effort, and patience it will take to parent her, our focus will be the same as with our other children--to love her deeply, introduce her to Jesus, and help her find her gifts and place in this world.

The paperwork associated with International adoption is astounding and we have spent the summer months filling out applications, collecting documents, and visiting various government offices.  Our part of the paper chase has been completed so now it is a waiting game.  Although there is always the possibility of an unexpected delay we have been told that we can anticipate traveling to China within 6 months.  In the meantime, we are asking that you remember our family in your prayers.  We have felt God's leading (maybe even pushing) over the past five months and as we wait for the process to be complete we are clinging to His promise to us and to Tulip-“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14:27.