We would like you to meet our new daughter!

Praise Jesus! We've got our match and she is pickin' precious! Her Chinese name, which we're still trying to find out the meaning, is Liu Yi Jing and she's 9 months old! She was born on January 8, 2009 and has some developmental delays. We'll have to see what the extent is once we bring her back to the states but we feel confident that after helping Lily through her delays, we're perfectly suited for this precious baby! We have received the "pre-approval" from the CCAA so everything is official!!!!

We would like to ask for all of your prayers as we still have a total of $15-$17k to raise, almost $5k of that we have already. The thing is that we could be traveling as quickly as 5-8 weeks to go get her instead of the 3-5 months that we were originally told! If you or anyone you know drinks coffee, please consider buying a bag from our store. (See the earlier post for the link) We also have 1 grant agency that will be reviewing our file in December so please pray for that as they may be able to give us a grant to help w/the expenses.

The bottom line is that God knew way before the beginning of time, that He would ask us to be obedient to sell our house for much less and knew that the proceeds wouldn't be enough to cover our adoption. He knew that we would have to go through a horrific situation at our church and have to leave the support system we had for the whole 7 1/2 years we've been here. He's known all of this and He has a plan and we are trusting Him to provide. Praise God for His provision and more importantly, Praise God for our new precious daughter, Jasmine!!!!!!

We'll keep you all posted as we move forward as this will probably move very quickly. Yea God and thank you all for your prayers!

Calling all COFFEE LOVERS!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you know that we are launching the coffee fundraiser to help bring home Jasmine. If you are a coffee lover or know of people who are, would you consider buying a bag or two from us? Every bag you buy sends us $5 towards our adoption costs (tshirts & accessories as well) and would help us out tremendously! Additionally, a portion of their proceeds also go to assist an orphanage in Ethiopia so you can buy coffee that supports 2 different causes! Please go to our store at http://www.justlovecoffee.com/TheYoungs for more details. All items are affordably priced and would be a great way you can help us bring Jasmine home. Thanks for your consideration and support!

Snow in September...

Hi everyone! What a trip...snow in September & ice in October! Boy, it's been a while since we last blogged! We have had quite the crazy last 2 months or so. Lily started preschool the first week in August and that has continued to go well. She loves her teachers and seems to be thriving w/the students in her class. It's been nice for me as I've gotten a chance to know a few of the parents. There sure are some wonderful families in our neighborhood!

We've also recently left our church home of 7 1/2 years. A serious situation came to the Elders' attention back in the beginning of August that had us on our knees. After a TON of prayer, wise counsel and scouring the scriptures, we came to a definite belief on how things needed to be handled. Once it was determined that things would not be handled in a way that honored God, we felt it imperative to leave. While we continue to pray for our old church body and for God's will there, we are also trying to move forward and heal. We've tried 2 churches so far and hope to try 1 more before we make any final decisions.

We FINALLY have some resolution on our new house! We are due to close on October 21st and are very excited to be able to finally call this house our home. Thank you, God, for your PERFECT timing and your provision. This home and this neighborhood have been such a HUGE source of blessing and healing to us. We are truly thankful!

We continue to wait on our China adoption but know that God is in the tiniest of details in this as well. He has perfect timing for our precious Jasmine to come home and we are trusting Him for that.

I will update again very soon but wanted to share a passage that really hit home tonight. Psalm 91 has been something we have lived through w/this trial w/our church and God has been so incredibly faithful. We hope it encourages you in whatever you may be dealing with. We love you all!

Psalm 91
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”