First Approval!!!

Y'all. JESUS is AMAZING!! Seriously.
I will begin with a story.
So, when Conner and I were shopping on the Monday after Christmas (12/28/15 to be exact), we were looking for a dresser to go in Nate's room. We were leaving Angel's Antiques, about to get in the car to head home to measure his room to see if the dresser would fit, and a lady from across the parking lot kind of loudly said, "Umm...excuse me". We were literally about to get in our car but stopped and said "Yeah?" We thought she maybe needed help getting her purchases into her car but she surprised us and said, (talking to Conner), "I saw that your shirt says 'Chosen' on the front and all of a sudden the Lord started to speak to me. He told me to tell you that you may be in a time of waiting but he is just using this time to strengthen your faith.... Does that resonate with y'all at all?" Y'all. We were speechless. We were like, "Uh, yes! Yes it does actually." The lady apologized for being so "random" and told us to have a good day and we got in to our car. I was freaking out. I was like, "Conner, did that just happen?" So as we were driving away and freaking out, we started thinking we should have gone over to the lady to tell her our story, but regretfully we didn't. Instead, we got in the car and were literally at a loss for words.
Then today happened. So this morning when I was getting ready, Holt (our agency) called. I heard my phone ringing while I was in the shower but didn't think anything about it. Then when I got out, my phone said I missed a call from Holt International. It was JP saying that she had some news from Thailand and I needed to call her back. So when I did, she didn't answer and I had to leave a VM. The longest 5 minutes of my life went by and she finally called me back. So, she said we got FIRST APPROVAL, which is basically the very first step in the travel process!!! Another freakout moment! She said that we are expected to travel in May, June, or July!! We will know more when we get our Article 16 Letter sometime around the end of the month. Until then, we will work on a little bit of paperwork (it's never-ending!) and just wait some more :)
Y'all. This is an answered prayer for sure! We have been going crazy with him being half a world away from us. It's the hardest thing I've ever gone through and it hurts but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel! We have been at this for more than 2 years now, but God is so faithful! He has been with us throughout this whole process, even when we were doubtful, anxious, impatient, and hurting. He is always there and always faithful. I can't even explain how excited I am that this is really and finally happening!!
To our prayer warriors: Please be praying for Nate and his foster mom and dad. I can't even imagine what they will be feeling like on the day they hand him to us. Such a bittersweet moment. He will be hurting and confused. Please pray for his heart and that he grows to attach to us and love us. Please pray for peace and blessings over the foster family. They are such a selfless couple to do all that they have for Nate and the other kids they have loved on over the years. Please be in prayer that the Lord would prepare his heart and ours for this transition.
We want to thank everyone for being so sweet and supportive. This would not be possible without the love of our Lord Jesus and our loving family and friends! Y'all are seriously the best!