You've got mail

We got something VERY cool today.

Kennedy sent her U.S. friend an email that is basically a reply to a couple of emails that we have sent over the last couple of weeks. 

This is a huge deal for us.  We already knew that she had read our emails and seen the pictures.  Now, we finally get to hear her side in her own words.

The subject of the email translates to something like "Message writing to mommy, father."  When we initially read the email, we weren't 100% sure that it was written to us.  Some of the translations could have indicated a third person message written to her friend about our emails.  But, this subject line seems to support a message written to us, through her friend.

In her message, she said that she was happy to receive our email and that she would like to see (meet?) us.  Another translated clip says "I feel very fortunate to have such a good father and mother, I'm really happy."  Some of the translations looked a little bit different, but that's the one we liked best!  She also said that the photos we sent made her happy. 

We had not received any feedback before today.  We were unsure about how she felt when she read our messages.  We are so relieved to know that she's excited about meeting us too.

A family that we've met during this process left today for China to adopt one of Kennedy's good friends.  We will be praying for them during their trip.  They were kind enough to take a small care package for our daughter on their trip.  We shipped a box with some personal items and some candy and this family will deliver it to Kennedy in the next few days.  If everything works out, they may even send us some pictures of her receiving the package.  Very exciting!

FYI, the next big step in our process is Letter of Approval (LOA).  We are asking for prayers that we get this quickly.  We think that it can come anytime, and sooner is better than later.  We really want to travel before the end of the year and can't do it without mustard seeds and mountains.  The estimates that we've seen seem like we could travel 3-4 months after LOA.  If we get it in September, then December is definitely possible.  Pray, people!