A Week From Today

Next Monday is Sherry's birthday and the day we get Sophie...how awesome is that!!! We will be leaving for China this Wednesday out of ATL at 7:30am. The first few days we will be in Beijing adjusting to jet lag as we tour around a little with the other families that are adopting. Of coarse the tour is not our goal, we just want our little girl. But as we have learned, putting some money into the economy helps keep good standings among adoption agencies and China. We will take advantage of it and find little gifts for Sophie to give her each year for her birthday until she's like 18 or 35. It will be important to help her keep some connectivity with her native country. We are about to go crazy, this has been a long road and now the end...or beginning is in site. Bobby and Larry, two of my pastors are counting down the days for me every time I see them.

Please pray that God would be preparing Sophie for a great Monday. Pray that in her grieving process she would allow us to comfort and love on her and that we would bond quickly. Thank you for your prayers and support. You are great friends!

Posts from China

We may not be able to post from China using Blogger but we will try. Another place to view videos will be Marc's Godtube videos

http://www.godtube.com/uvideos?UID=28650&type=public

November 6, 2007 Referral Day

This was our Referral Day. The day we received pictures and documents about Sophie Mei.

Bring Me Hope

Here is a video that I found today.
Caution: you will be gripped.
You may need to click twice on the play button.

The Day is Drawing Near

Friends and Family,
I'm sorry I've been so negligent on updating everyone. Our heads have been spinning getting everything ready. We found out the day before Thanksgiving that we are leaving 2 weeks earlier than we expected. What a nice change, earlier rather than later. We will leave on December 12, that's 10 days from now! I just wanted to share with everyone and ask you to be praying for us during this time. Please pray for the following:

1. Thoroughness of preparation. Details don't come naturally for me, please pray that the Lord will help us keep our heads on straight so that we can think for the right things.

2. Travel goes smoothly. We will leave on the morning of the 12th, fly to San Francisco with only an hour layover. We will fly straight to Beijing from there. We will come home on the night of December 28th.

3. It is our understanding that Sophie was moved back to the orphanage for the last two weeks before we get her. Please pray for her little heart and mind as she has so many transitions taking place. I'm sure it was very difficult for her to leave the only home she's ever known as well as the woman she has known as "Mama" for the last 10 months. Please pray for her foster mom as well.

4. Also, that the Lord would supernaturally be preparing Sophie for us. I know she will be frightened by the strange white woman who is weeping uncontrollably the minute they put her in my arms. Maybe pray more for me that I will be able to hold it all together so I don't make a disturbing memory for her. :-). But seriously, I'm really trusting the Lord for that initial meeting. I'm trying to go with no expectations but to be as sensitive to her emotions as I can.

5. And finally, that He would just allow us to walk by faith through this whole experience, and to be looking to Him the entire time.

Thank you so much for everyone's love and support. I may not be able to return all the emails and phone calls but you will be sure to hear from us soon.

God Bless You,Sherry and Marc

Beautiful one

Sophie Mei Lewis, my daughter, my precious,

Today I saw you for the first time, but it's not the first time I have loved you.

Today I wept over you, but again, not the first time.

Today I told your mother I loved her; the first time was 10 years ago.

Today you made me smile.

Today you made many smile.

Today your hair is awesome and sticking up. Mine is turning white.

Today I learned of your weight. I am trying to forget mine.

Today I learned that you have been living with foster parents. Answered prayers.

Today I thanked God for you, I know He's smiling with me.

Today you're on the other side of the planet, but your in my heart.

Today you still don't know who I am, I know you.

Today you're awake for the day, I am about to go to bed. I hope to see you in my dreams.

Today your new family celebrates over you.

Today I think of your birthparents, I love them.

Today I need you to be patient with me, I'm coming sweetheart.

TodayI need you to smile and love your foster parents, they love you.

Today I need you to eat good, rice soup can be yummy.

Today I need you to know that you're mine, but only entrusted by Maker.

Today I commit again to taking care of you and your mommy, you're going to LOVE her, she's so crazy about you.

Today I put your picture up all over the world, many friends are praying for you.

Today is cold in Georgia, but you have warmed my heart.

Today God's Spirit will hold you, I ask him to do this often. Don't ever resist Him my precious.

Today you made me laugh.

Today I long to hold you, soon I will.

Today has been a day we have waited for before you were even born, but Providence knew.

Today I ask Provider to take care of you.

Today I ask Banner to cover you.

Today I ask Peace to fill you.

Today I ask Wisdom to lead us.

Today I ask Savior to walk with you and speak of His life.

Today I ask Spirit to point to Savior the Beautiful One.

Today I ask Love to hug and kiss on you.

Today I ask Joy to tickle you.

Today I ask Kindness to look over you.

Today I ask Warrior to protect you.

Today I ask Grace to give us belief.

Today is a great day, a very very great day.

Today I am satisfied with you and your mommy, but more with Christ, He fills me so I can love.

Today I love you, but I have already told you that, get used to it, but not unmoved by it.

Today I need you, my beautiful one.

Pa-Pa

November 6, 2007

Lewis Referral!!!!

We proudly introduce you all to our precious baby girl, Sophie Mei Lewis. Her Chinese given name is Yu Cai Guang. She was born on January 19, 2007. We got the call today and they emailed us this first picture. Tomorrow we will be receiving a Fed-Ex package with two other pictures and all the history they have for her. Marc and I are on Cloud 9. I'm really exhausted about now because I haven't slept very well in the last couple of days, we've been anticipating this phone call since Friday. We are hoping to travel to China in late December or early January. I will post more later when I'm able to process a little more.

Love you all!!!!