Last Post from China!!

IT WAS COLD TODAY IN CHINA!!!!

Our last full day in China has come to a close. It was cold and rainy so we spent most of the day resting and packing our bags. Annalyse and I got out to get some formula and successfully navigated two cab rides, purchasing and actually did it with ease! Of course, now that we're comfortable, it's time to leave :)

What an amazing two weeks. This trip was so different than our first. This time we knew the ropes, knew the system and just were able to relax more. Staying in one place the whole time helped as well! In many ways, it seems like we just arrived and in others, I feel like we've been here a month!

I cannot wait to get home to my girls!!!!!!!!! My mom says they are spoiled rotten, but I told her I'd take them anyway I could get them :) Spoiled and all!! I'm ready to have all my chicks under the same roof!

"Thank You" doesn't even seem adequate to those of you who have given, prayed, emailed, txted and just LOVED us over the last few months. The Lord hand picked the people who have joined us on this journey, and I couldn't be more grateful. I can't wait to introduce this precious child to you!!!!! He will surely take your heart like he's taken his mama's :)

Although this journey is over, the new one is just beginning. We have a ways to go to get his baby caught up, but I have no doubt he will soar once we get him home. He, and all these kids, are survivors. And the vast majority of them thrive and excel when loved and cherished by their families.

I'd be remiss of I didn't end with this. Adoption is a miracle. Plain and simple. The day Asher's paperwork was complete, his life totally changed. His old "self" will never be again.

He'll never be orphan, no matter what he does.

Even his name was changed. Although he is who God created him to be, he'll never "not" be a Flynt.

Absolutely nothing can change that.

In the same way, the Bible says that when we come to Christ through the gift of His Son, we are totally changed for eternity. 1 Cor. 5:17 says, "if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation...the old has gone the new has come." When I was 15 years old I made a decision to accept Christ as my savior and my life has never been the same. Although I am who God created me to be, my eternal future was forever changed.

I even got a new name...Redeemed, Forgiven, Beloved!!!

Nothing I can do will ever change that, and nothing I can do will ever bring me back to the place I was 18 years ago.

It's no wonder God thinks adoption is so cool!!! It's a picture of what He has done for us in Christ!

If you would like to talk more about that, I'd love to make contact with you. My email is rebsandhogs@juno.com... please send me an email if you have any questions, or would just like to chat. Nothing would be more honoring to Asher's life and his story than to know that a life was changed by his story. Jay and I pray that his life would continue to do that for now, and for all of his days!! This little boy is gonna change the world for the Lord, I can feel it :)

We're headed out at 9:30am for the airport!! I don't even have to ask for prayer, I know it's coming! We'll be checking for my bag in ATL so extra prayers that it shows up by Thursday evening! I would love to end the trip with that in my hands.

I'll continue to update this blog as we adjust to life back home. If I can answer any questions about adoption or whatever, use the email above. I look forward with anticipation to see how Asher's story has already created ripples out there in the deep waters of God.

I love you, friends!!!!!!

"Now to HIM who is ABLE to do far more abundantly than we could ever ask or imagine....TO HIM BE THE GLORY!!" Ephesians 3:20

"What, you mean we don't live in a 5 star hotel with a maid, a cook, a driver and a flat screen TV in my bedroom?? And I have HOW MANY MORE SISTERS???"