Welcome To The United States Of America

“Amazing 7 words,” my daughter-in-law expressed upon hearing the news of Audrey’s approved green card! YES! You read that right, Audrey is now a permanent resident of the USA. No more evidence needed. No more waiting and wondering and worrying. Our long awaited prayer was answered. With letter in hand, we all breathed a deep sigh of relief and gratitude. We could not have done this without Jesus. 

There have been many times in this 17 year journey of adopting and immigrating Audrey that I have felt all hell fighting to prevent it. I know that’s strong language but it’s true. Many over the years told us we were facing an insurmountable mountain.

Lawyers told us we’d never be able to adopt Audrey. They were wrong. We did; all praise to Jesus! As we worked on her immigration, one lawyer told us to wait until she married an American because he didn’t see any other way to immigrate her. Well he was wrong. She’s now a permanent resident; thank you Lord!

If I would write out all the aspects of this story that looked impossible…all the times when people told us this would never happen…I would fill pages. So many moments in Audrey’s story involved a huge boulder blocking the way. Stones that seemed immovable, BUT GOD!

Nothing is impossible with God! NOTHING.

Thankfully, we’ve finally received the long awaited welcome letter. By the end of the week, we should have her actual green card in hand. And the next step….U.S. Citizenship. Her green card is good for 10 years, and it looks like she has to wait 5 years to apply for citizenship. We are researching to make sure this is the correct time frame for Audrey’s case…if so, then with the Lord’s help in June 2027, Audrey will take her final step in this adoption/immigration journey and become a U.S. citizen. 😍

Weeks before we left for Thailand in 2004 to pursue adoption, God gave me this promise from Exodus 33:14 The Message…God said, “My presence will go with you. I’ll see the journey to the end.” This is a promise we have clung to and will continue to cling to until the end comes.

Step by step, the Lord is clearing the way!

Audrey turns 18 on July 19th. She’s gonna go straight to the DMV and take her driver’s license test first thing. That’ll be a monumental day! Audrey’s green card opens many doors for her. She can get a job, apply for more grants and scholarships for college, and travel abroad. She can actually go to Thailand again! We can’t wait for the day God provides for us to take that trip with her. 

We are so thankful to the Lord for His help and provision over the years. I’ve often declared out-loud that the government is on His shoulders. God never failed to make a way over all these years. His time. His way. He did it! Thank you, Jesus!

We are also so very thankful to all the people who stood with us in this journey and prayed for a miracle. Your prayers moved the mountains and upheld our arms in the battle. Thank you. We are thankful for those who financially gave as well. The fees were endless and expensive in this journey. Thankfully each one was covered. Praise the Lord. This isn’t just Audrey’s green card….in truth it’s all of ours! Each person who has prayed and given has a part of this card to claim as their own. It is so special to partner together and see the hand of God move in our midst. 

Speaking of partnering…we just want to say thank you to all who partner with us in this missions journey we are on. Not only has your prayers and gifts mattered in Audrey’s story, they matter in ours too. 

Right now we are in a tight season financially. I think a lot of people are. I’ve heard many in our mission community talk about financial difficulties. Richard and I are needing to see financial miracles for us to continue here with YWAM. Audrey’s story this week has encouraged me to keep clinging to Jesus, no matter what! He is our Provider. He makes the rough places smooth. He removes the boulders in our path. His time. His way. He does it!

Thank you for your continued prayers and your continued support. Every gift matters. Recently we got a gift for Richard and I to go on a date and also a little extra to go for ice cream as a family. It was such a sweet and fun reminder that God does see us. He not only cares about the big needs but the little ones too! ❤️

I hope this good news of Audrey’s green card will bring great joy to you today! May it encourage you as well to know that God sees and hears you. Keep clinging to Him.

You are loved dear ones!

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it. (1 Thess. 5:24)