Waiting.....

We're waiting, AGAIN.  Anyone notice a theme here?  Something I am supposed to be learning from all this waiting on God?

So we started to wait for TA, travel approval on March 8.  Today was day 14 and we still have not been approved.  Probably most frustrating is that others who have been in line less time have been approved.  That happened a lot for us for LOA.  It happens.  It is not a perfect system, but it is really frustrating.  

Once we get TA, we then have to request our CA, consulate appointment.  This takes about another 24 hours. Travel approval gives us permission to come to China, but when we go is determined by the CA.  The CA is at the very end of our trip, so everything is backed up from there. We are hoping to leave on April 3, with a CA around April 16.  We have to have at least 8 days before we travel, according to our agency.  So that means we have to have CA and TA by next Tuesday.  We serve a mighty big God, so it could still happen, but it is cutting it close.  We have many reasons that we want to be in China at that time.  After looking at several factors, we have determined that is the best time for us.  But I am reminded that it is not up to us!!!  We are getting everything ready to leave April 3 and if not, we will aim for a later date.  :(  (Insert Big sigh and crocodile tears.)  Either way, Caitie will be home soon and I am trying not to worry. 

Here are some verses I am pondering in the mean time.  All copied over from Bible Gateway.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Philippians 4:6 
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Matthew 6:25-34
²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.