Thankful for 2008

As we close out the year today, I just wanted to reflect upon 2008, and give thanks.

I am thankful for my wonderful husband. He is my rock in times of trouble. He can always make me laugh or put a smile on my face when I’m feeling less than happy. He’s always there to lend a helping hand, or pick up my slack. We have so much fun together. He’s a wonderful father to our children, and together we make a great team. I don’t know what I’d be without him.

I’m thankful for my daughter, and the beautiful person she is becoming. We’ve had our struggles, but she’s has grown up so much in the last year, in many ways. She’s smart and funny and caring and always wanting to please us. As I think back over the past nearly-3 years she’s been with us, I can’t believe how much she has changed and grown. I can’t imagine my life without her spunk added into the mix!

I’m thankful for our two children who aren’t home yet, and for the process we’re going through to bring them home. The process is a long and winding road, but it’s that road that has brought me closer to God. I love these two for their little personalities. They’re cute and funny and happy-go-lucky, and I smile when I think of them. They really make me think about what’s really important in life. They have taught me much over the past year. I’ve only seen them a total of 12 days, but they’ve been growing in my heart all 366 days of this year.

I’m thankful for our extended family. You’re always there for us, just a phone call away. We’ve had some sad times and fun times, but we know and are thankful that family is always there. They’ve helped us in many ways this year. We’ve cried on each others’ shoulders. We’ve celebrated some fun times. We can’t choose our family, but if I could, I know I’d definitely choose the one I’ve already got. God knew what he was doing!

I’m thankful for our friends, both old and new. We’ve had many fun times over the years, and we continue to share good times. We’re grateful for all we’ve shared with you – laughter and tears, games, Bible study, walks, conversations, emails/blogging/web chats, shared babysitting, play dates, trips, meals, volunteering, prayers, anniversaries, birthdays & Baptisms, etc., etc., etc. The list could go on and on… I’m so thankful for our friendships.

There are so many other things I’m thankful for – job, home, vehicle, food, clothing, safety, medical care, education, etc. But these seem so trivial compared to the people in my life. I know I don’t say enough how thankful I am to all of you. The people in my life are what make everything else worthwhile.

But most of all, I’m thankful for a God that provides for all my needs, even before I know I have a need. He may not answer all my prayers the way I’d like, but I trust that He knows what’s best. I could not go on without the promises I have in Him.

“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Spring Break in Haiti?

We got a message last week about dates for the next scheduled mission trips to the orphanage, and some more information today. We were planning to not make another trip to Haiti until Elijah & Josephine are ready to come home, but the longer we wait in each step, the longer it pushes back their homecoming timeframe. When they posted the dates, we started thinking really hard about going, and I think we're going to try to make the trip. Finances will be a little tight, but gas prices are down, we're working on refinancing the house to lower our interest rate & payments, and we definitely don't need to eat out as much as we do - probably our largest unnecessary expense.

This time is a little more complicated than our last trip, with Kaylen in school now. Last Feb/Mar, it wasn't a big deal for her to be away for a week, and when I went in July, she stayed home with Jock. Although, this trip would be partially during her spring break. So we're looking at our options before we book our flights. Jodie said flights went up already just in a few days though - sheesh!

We're also looking at collecting donations to take to the orphanage. One of their largest needs is for baby formula. We'll try to take all of our own things in one suitcase and our carry-ons, so we should be able to take a total of three Rubbermaid tubs of donations. We can't fill them 100% with formula, as they'll go over weight, but we can fit a lot in and pack around it with some clothing. Let me know if you'd like to donate anything for us to take.

News Story

My friend Jodie shared this news story with me. Some Colorado Springs Christian School students held a benefit concert for our orphanage last night. They talked to one of the band members, and to Linda Kohn, the director of For His Glory Outreach, which is the US non-profit that supports the orphanage in Haiti.

The text story is here, with a link to the orphanage website and many ways you can help the children. I think the publicity is awesome, and can only help to spread the message to others that might be able to help the children. Feel free to pass this on to others. Jodie says they do follow-up stories based on interest, so click away.

Wishing You All a Very Merry Christmas!

from Jock, Lisa, Kaylen, Elijah & Josephine
(click to show full-size)

The week in Pictures

Studying flashcards with Daddy. She's getting pretty good at addition, up to 10+10. Still using her fingers to count, but she's starting to memorize some.






Playing tic-tac-toe on Daddy's I-Touch.









We made haystacks and almond bark pretzels today... (She turned into a princess while I was cleaning up.)









We got some foam curlers at Walmart the other day. I'm not very good at rolling them yet, but we wanted give them a try. See below for the resulting curls. My mom used to do this to my hair every Saturday night when I was little - so fun to share this with my daughter now!







I forgot to take a picture before we left for church. This was right after church and changing clothes, so pardon the static. I don't think her hair holds curl as well as mine did as a kid, but still curly and cute! I think next time I'll roll smaller chunks of hair onto each curler, especially the back, and try to make the curls more spiral.

Haiti Adoption Prayers

I am reminded today: "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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jer 29:11-13

I'm so encouraged tonight by thoughts of four families that I know that are traveling this week or next to the same orphanage that we're adopting from, to bring home their daughters. It warms my heart thinking of what a blessing it will be to the families and the girls, to have them home for Christmas. Congratulations! My prayers are with all of them as they prepare for travel, bring their children home, and celebrate together the birth of our Lord and Savior.

I pray for the many families (mine included) that are in process and long for the day that they get the call that their children are out of this or that step of the process, and ultimately for the day they can bring them home to their forever families - however near or far that day may be. God will bring them home to the families he's called to adopt them. I pray for the hearts of the children and parents, siblings, extended family & friends, that God would prepare us for those days ahead.

I also pray for the people of Haiti; for the director, staff and children at the orphanage; for our adoption coordinator, processor and staff; for each and every person people in various government offices - both Haiti and US - that are working on many, many dossiers. May each document that crosses your fingertips be a reminder of you to the importance of the work you are doing for God's children. I am thankful for the blessing you all are to us as we pray and wait for our children to come home.

To all of you, I wish you a very Merry Christmas from my family to yours. May your hearts be filled with the Joy and hope that only Jesus Christ can bring.

Lifted Up

There's a now Yahoo Group for families that are adopting from our orphanage. Currently there are various ones - some for people adoption through various agencies, and one for those in process independently (which we were told was going to be phased out - those who have their children home were already removed). One adopting mom started a new group for all of us. It just started this week, and already it's been a great blessing. (Thank you Terry!)

We're reconnecting with some families that we've met on our trips to Haiti, some who we know in "blogger-land", and others that we haven't "met" before. Lots of questions have been asked and answered. Prayers have been raised up. Encouraging words have been shared. We have praised God for the joys and miracles in some recent process updates.

This is all very encouraging to me. It's exciting to see this group gather around one another. And especially encouraging to me have been the process updates people have received this week regarding some huge obstacles they've overcome. I'm praising God for these miracles, and for the families that will be celebrating homecomings very soon. All the while I'm imagining the day that our children can come home to us. What a blessed day that will be!

Also, last night at our small group Bible study, we focused on how difficult it seems the call that Mary and Joseph received from God. Being very young, not even married, traveling for days when very pregnant to another city that they may not have even been to before, no room in the inn, stable for a birthing suite, manger for a bed, etc... Yet, this is what God chose for His Son, and they following His purpose for them, however difficult it may have been for them. Why? Well, how much more glory can it bring to God when things are difficult and He brings us through them, than if we just remain in our comfortable lives, choosing to ignore the calls of God to do something that is out of our comfort zone, that may be difficult for us to face.

Bringing this to the context of our adoption process... There is little I can do about some of the circumstances of our adoption process (namely the long wait). We know that God has called us to adopt these children, and we will endure what ever is required to bring our children home. I never imagined how difficult this process was going to be, and I can tell you that if I'd known how long and hard it would be, I'm not sure that I would have embarked on this path. However, we have fully invested our hearts, our home, our finances, our prayers, etc., in adding Elijah & Josephine to our family. With God, nothing is impossible. I know that I'll have hard days, and that I will get frustrated and angry and sad and much more. But I will continue to look to God to help me through these tough times, and he will bring us through it. May the glory be all His, each step of the way.

I thank God today for my friends and family. This network of individuals that have kept us in their prayers, encouraged us when we've been down, shared verses with us that have specific meaning to what we're going through... has been such a blessing to our lives this last year and a half. That is one of my greatest blessings this CHRISTmas! Know that we are also keeping all of you in our prayers as well, and we pray that whatever God's call is on your life, that you can find His strength to persevere.

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Some verses from last night's Bible study, and some of my own related favorites:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ... Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:2-4, 12

"... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28(and surrounding context, esp. v 8-32)

"A man's heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:6-11

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillippians 4:6-7

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34

"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all you ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Others: Psalms 28, 33, 37, 40, 84

Our Fun CHRISTmas-y Weekend

We had a busy but relaxing weekend. Friday night when we got home, we quickly ate supper, and then got busy decorating for CHRISTmas. We brought the tree up from the basement fluffed it, and then decorated it. We have lots of ornaments - some newer ones we've bought the last several years, many of mine from when I was a kid, and now Kaylen is starting to accumulate. We also try to each get one new ornament each year, so it's fun to remember what we got new last year. We have yet to go out and get our new ones for this year. We then put out the other snowmen and Santa trinkets decorations for the house. We got it all done except for the Nativity set, before finishing off the night with hot apple cider.


Saturday morning I made french toast for breakfast, before heading out to the grocery store to ring the Salvation Army bell for an hour. Our Bible study group signed up for 10-3, and each family took a one-hour time slot. It was cold and very windy today, but the store entrance with the bell had a corner for us to stand in that was very nicely shielded from the wind - and with the sun shining on us. It was a good experience for us - I don't think I ever would have signed up to do that, but I'd glad we did it, and would definitely do it again. Afterwards we went over to our friends' house for soup, snacks, hot cider/cocoa.

We had a pretty lazy Saturday afternoon. Kaylen and I both took a nap, while Jock was on a computer game. Jock had an Optimist club dinner meeting, so Kaylen and I headed to a city CHRISTmas event. It was at the fire station because of the cold weather, and was it crowded! They served hot chocolate, popcorn and cookies, did a count-down to light the CHRISTmas trees outside the city hall, and then ushered people into another room to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, whose elves (looking rather bored) were passing out candy goodie bags. We then determined that popcorn and cookies/candy weren't the best supper, so we stopped by McDonald's on the way home for a cheeseburger and chicken nuggets. (Yes, I forgot my camera, so the pictures are from my phone - and a little fuzzy - sorry!)

Sunday at church, the children ages 3 through 5th grade got to lead the congregation in a Joy to the World sing-a-long. We again forgot our camera, but some friends from our Bible study group said they had a couple pictures they could send to us - watch for those later. The kids did awesome! I'm so used to the small town church that I grew up in that had 10-15 kids, and they were always too shy to sing out. There must have been 75 kids up there (just for the 2nd service!), and they all were singing out (and they were mic'd). Kaylen didn't know all the words to the second and third verses, but the words were up on the screen, and I could see her reading as she was singing along - most of the kids her age and younger were just trying to read the lips of their teachers, but not Kaylen - so cool!

Sunday afternoon we set up our Nativity scene, and read part of the CHRISTmas story from the Bible. Sunday school gave out suggested Bible verses for each day this month, and what their Sunday teachings will be about, so we're also going to try to follow those and do a little bit each day. We want to focus on the real meaning of CHRISTmas, not just the commercialism that is somewhat unavoidable. Kaylen's already well-versed in this, but it doesn't hurt for all of us to hear it again every year... We're also thinking of seeing "The Nativity Story" this year together as a family. Anybody seen it, recommend it (or a different one) for our family?

Our pastor challenged us to say, "Merry CHRISTmas," instead of the standard "Merry Christmas," as a reminder of what we're really celebrating. It's that fear of looking foolish (that Mary and Joseph likely also felt given their circumstances - see Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25), that might hold me back at times, but I'm working on that.

Hope you all are enjoying this CHRISTmas season!

Process Update Nov-08

This Christmas season is a bittersweet one for me. I have two children that I am not able to be with. I know they'll be spending Christmas with many friends and their loving nannies, but I miss them.

Our process update was as we expected: "Your dossier is currently in Parquet. There are currently 13 dossiers in this office and 5 dossiers have received approval." After last month's update: "I have not received specific information on your dossier. As far as I know your dossier is still in Parquet," I contacted our liaison. Due to some issues with changing their email addresses, I didn't get any answers back until last week.

I had been concerned because we know other families whose dossiers had been rejected at Parquet because they have biological children or are under 35 and had not gotten Presidential dispensation. Their dossiers are now being sent back to IBESR until they receive dispensation. When we were in IBESR for 10 months, and we understood part of the hold-up was because of having to get dispensation, so I wanted to hear that we for sure did receive it. We were assured that our dossier does have the dispensation, that there have been no other challenges from Parquet regarding our dossier. So, we're just waiting on the slow, out-of-order processing in this office.

Since 5 dossiers from our orphanage have been released in the last few weeks (and we rejoice with the two families (3 dossiers/children) that we know are in this category - don't know the other two), we know things are working. We pray for continued efficiency in this office, and for our dossier to be released very soon - this week even!

Also, since I went to Haiti in July and signed our I-600, US Immigration is able to start their orphan investigation. A key part of this is interviewing our children's birth parents to ensure that they are unable to care for them (meeting the US' definition of orphan), and that they legitimately brought them to the orphanage with the plan to relinquish their parental rights and have a family adopt them. Sometimes a DNA test will be requested if they don't believe that they are the biological parents. This would cost us a little more for these tests, and take more time - although since this can be happening while the processing is continuing on the Haiti side of things, it right now is not delaying anything.

Given the chaos in Haiti this year (food crisis, riots, hurricanes), I was concerned with the time it is taking contacting Elijah's mother and Josephine's father and get their interviews scheduled and completed. Sometimes birth families do not keep in contact with the orphanage, so if they move, it is difficult to track them down when the time comes. Our liaison assured me that our processor/birth-parent locator do know where both birth parents are located. Josephine's father recently started a new job, and does not want to take time off work to go to the interview. They are working with him to find a time that will work. Elijah's mother is now in the countryside and has not come to the orphanage at their request. They'll be sending someone again to speak with her about this. Praying things work out for both birth parents to make the interviews soon, and for them to go well, with no DNA tests requested.

***

As far as the time line until E & J come home, we still don't know. I appreciate everyone's concern and asking how things are going and when we think we'll have them home. However, it is a difficult question to answer. Not only because the waiting is hard for us, but because we just don't know. It's hard to tell at this point. We are in Parquet. This year, families that have received Parquet approval had been in this office for anywhere from 2 months until 12 months. I don't know how I could bear 12 months, and of course was hoping for 2 months! We've been there for 4 1/2 months now. After Parquet, it can take 3-6 months to get through Judgement, 2nd Legal and Archives, and apparently a new step of verifying the archive signatures, before getting into MOI. Then MOI has been taking 3-6 months as well. After MOI, they'll print the passports, which can take a week to a month or two, depending on whether their printer is working and they have a supply of paper. Once passports are printed, our completed dossier is sent back to US Immigration where they'll approve the I-600s, schedule the Visa appointments, and then issue the Visas - I think all of this can take about a month (or so).

There are so many steps, and so many IF's, starting with the big one of when we get out of Parquet, then how long it takes to get into MOI, then how long in MOI, then how long for passports and visas. IF we get out of Parquet this month, and we're on the short end of both 3-6 month time frames, and passports/visas take only 1 month, we could have them home in July or August. I really didn't want to believe that this process would take 24 months to get them home, especially when we started we were told 8-15 months. But, that's what it's looking like. Our dossier was in Haiti at the end of June and our referrals were in order at the end of July last year.

Please pray for a miracle. I'd love to have them home at the beginning of summer. That (in my mind) would be ideal, so we could have lots of outdoor time during my 12 weeks off work to spend with them and get adjusted. Kaylen could spend time with us over summer break, we could save money on daycare, and we could go places and do fun things... However, I know that God's timing is perfect, and He will bring them home when He knows it is right. I pray for His grace and mercy, for speed in this process, but most of all for me to accept what it is, and not get discouraged in this process. I need all the encouragement I can get during this Holiday season.