I am blessed to work with such caring colleagues at White Oak. We have felt all of the prayers sent our way for this journey. On the way out this morning to the airport, I got this most excellent email from Mitzi and Jerry Neely. With her permission, I am reprinting it here:

Good morning Floyd Family!

I want to bring greetings on behalf of the Neely family as we share in the joy, excitement and adventure of adding Alexis Lin to your precious family.

Our prayers for you will come in increments: 1st – One has already been answered with your safe travel to Houston. 2nd – Our prayer is for safe travel to Hong Kong (please be sure to stretch your legs during this plane ride so that you are all healthy and strong when you get there; we didn’t recommend high-impact aerobics because of limited space, but the walking around part is absolutely necessary because of the circulation needed for your legs. 3rd – The next prayer is for safe travel from Hong Kong to the location where Alexis is (Scott told me the name of the province? but I would be remiss if I attempted to spell it).

4th – Prayer for any meetings, paper work, etc. needed to be taken care of before you get to meet Alexis. 5th – Prayer for Alexis and your family that she will feel an immediate connection, peace, feel safe and secure and that Christian melts her heart, as only a brother or sister can sometimes do. We are praying for your hearts to be calm, although as humans the anxiousness overruns us sometimes, and finally, for the transition to be as smooth as possible for all of you. 6th – Prayer that your time together will be one of joy and that you will be able to see the sights, learn about Alexis and her little personality characteristics, and that this will be an adventure of a life time for your family. 7th – that your return trip will be safe and that you will experience minimal trials or frustrations with what ever you are dealing with. Remember to walk around on the long flight home — your legs need circulation:) And Finally, 8th – that you return safely from Houston to Longview (Gladewater), and that while you may be experiencing sleep deprivation, etc. you will be full of joy that your family is complete. Believiing too, that while Alexis is a gift from God, you all are a gift to her. None of this is by accident–for all has been planned and made possible by our Heavenly Father.

We will close with this:

‘As you Look into the day that stretches out before you, you see many choice-points along the way. The myriad possibilities these choices present can confuse you. Draw your  mind back to the threshold of this day, where I stand beside you, lovingly preparing you for what is ahead.’    Lamentations 3:22-26; Psalm 34:8 from Jesus is Calling

 

We Love You!

Mitzi and Jerry Neely

It is messages like this one that have gotten us through the four long years of waiting and we know will continue to build our strength in the weeks to come while in China. Thank you, my dear friend, for this timely email.

Photo Credit: Derrick Tyson via Compfight