Fasting & Prayer for Xiao Qian

Victoria and I are going to fast and pray for Xiao Qian from sundown tomorrow night until sundown the following day. We've invited our extended family to join in with us during this day of loving sacrifice to Jesus for the sake of one of the fatherless, and we invite anyone else to join if you're so inclined. We fast and pray not because we think it will make everyone's life that much easier, but out of love and honor to our King, believing that He's pleased and will extend mercy and grace in measures He's already ordained to those who glory in Him.

Here's the e-mail I sent to my family last week:

"Dear Family,

Mom and I will be observing a day of prayer and fast from sundown Monday to sundown Tuesday to remember Xiao Qian and pray for her throughout the day. You do not have to join in but are more than welcome. We'll be praying for the following things on her behalf:

1. A peaceful entry into our family.
2. A quick and strong bond with our family.
3. A communication connection that moves through the natural language barriers.
4. A comfortable household connection with Willow, Poppy and Barret.
5. A patient, longsuffering and persistent fortitude for Mom and me, especially when we get tired and exhausted.
6. A constant remembrance of the eternal value and investment into God's Kingdom, for all of us.
7. A safe traveling journey to and from Asia.
8. A soothing and calm period for Poppy and Willow (and Barret) while we travel out of town.
9. A quick realization by Xiao Qian that we walk by faith in Jesus, and that she would be attracted to His free gift offering.
10. A love between us all that will spring from wells eternal that never run dry.

There are so many other things we can pray for, but I wanted to jot these down while I'm thinking about it. If others come to mind, I'll forward them along.

Mom and I love you so much, and we cannot thank you enough for continuing to open your hearts to the "least of these". We know it requires sacrifice on your part, and we're confident Jesus' grace will more than satisfy whatever vacuum left by stretching your heart into areas you never dreamed possible.

We love you,

Dad & Mom"

Day's are ticking by to weeks, and weeks to months, and we're quickly approaching the time when we'll embark upon an aircraft and fly across the Pacific Ocean to meet, greet and enfold Xiao Qian into our household. We want to seize the remainder of our time left before then to ensure we've done all we can to prepare for this momentous transition.

Thank you for your love and support,

Tom (& Victoria)