I heard part of this read on the radio station on my way home from work tonight, and it had a good meaning for me. But by the time I got home, I couldn't even remember the passage or what it was about - only that it was from Lamentations. I'm thankful that Lamentations is a short book. Wow! What a tough book to read (the LORD's wrath!), except for these verses... :)
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young -
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Look upon our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
O LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young -
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Look upon our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Summer Break, 2009 is Over!
Kaylen started 1st Grade this past week. Monday night we went to meet her teacher and drop her school supplies, find her desk and locker, etc.
Wednesday was the big day. We got up at the same time we had been for about a week, had breakfast, got her new outfit on, and then I fixed her hair pretty before taking a few pictures and then rushing out the door to daycare. Daycare takes her to school in the morning and picks her up in the afternoon.
Kaylen's teacher seems very nice, and Kaylen said the same after the first couple days of school, so I'm glad. I was worried because she seemed very soft-spoken, but she's been a teacher for 9 or 10 years, so I hope that means she's experienced enough to not let Kaylen take over - as she has a tendency to try to do. Also though, the teacher will be having a baby in December, but they already have the sub lined up, and she's a retired teacher that regularly subs, so I think that'll work just fine too. I think Kaylen will have a good year.
Asking Kaylen what she's been doing in first grade, you'd think she's been bored. Sounds like they haven't done much learning of math or reading yet. She said they went over the rules a lot. I kept asking if they did any worksheets - math or reading or spelling or anything like that, and on Friday she told me they did one worksheet for math, and she said they were easy and she knew them all. I'm guessing/hoping it was a little testing to see what level they're at. I'm also hoping they'll get busy with things this week and start challenging her.
Kaylen's favorite thing was recess - go figure! She did say she got frustrated by people budging line to hang on one part of the new equipment. She apparently told the supervising teacher, but by then it was too late for her to have time before recess was over - such a rough life! Kaylen liked the lunches the first few days also. We've already gone through the lunch menu thru September and marked the days we'll have to pack her a cold lunch. She's had art, music, and library already for specials and they'll also have P.E. and library. They're on 5-day schedules this year instead of 6, so that'll be much easier for me to keep track of! She's got an extra pair of P.E. shoes in her locker so we don't have to worry about those days, but we do have to remember which day to take library books back.
She's also already determined she does not like one of her desk-neighbors at school. The teacher has them sitting in groups of 6, 2x3, boy-girl-boy, girl-boy-girl. Kaylen's on the end, and the boy that sits next to her apparently is a trouble-maker. According to Kaylen, amongst other things, he's been pestering her a lot - even hitting her with his pencil a lot - she got annoyed and told the teacher. Hopefully that's kept on top of, but we'll see.
Wednesday was the big day. We got up at the same time we had been for about a week, had breakfast, got her new outfit on, and then I fixed her hair pretty before taking a few pictures and then rushing out the door to daycare. Daycare takes her to school in the morning and picks her up in the afternoon.
Kaylen's teacher seems very nice, and Kaylen said the same after the first couple days of school, so I'm glad. I was worried because she seemed very soft-spoken, but she's been a teacher for 9 or 10 years, so I hope that means she's experienced enough to not let Kaylen take over - as she has a tendency to try to do. Also though, the teacher will be having a baby in December, but they already have the sub lined up, and she's a retired teacher that regularly subs, so I think that'll work just fine too. I think Kaylen will have a good year.
Asking Kaylen what she's been doing in first grade, you'd think she's been bored. Sounds like they haven't done much learning of math or reading yet. She said they went over the rules a lot. I kept asking if they did any worksheets - math or reading or spelling or anything like that, and on Friday she told me they did one worksheet for math, and she said they were easy and she knew them all. I'm guessing/hoping it was a little testing to see what level they're at. I'm also hoping they'll get busy with things this week and start challenging her.
Kaylen's favorite thing was recess - go figure! She did say she got frustrated by people budging line to hang on one part of the new equipment. She apparently told the supervising teacher, but by then it was too late for her to have time before recess was over - such a rough life! Kaylen liked the lunches the first few days also. We've already gone through the lunch menu thru September and marked the days we'll have to pack her a cold lunch. She's had art, music, and library already for specials and they'll also have P.E. and library. They're on 5-day schedules this year instead of 6, so that'll be much easier for me to keep track of! She's got an extra pair of P.E. shoes in her locker so we don't have to worry about those days, but we do have to remember which day to take library books back.
She's also already determined she does not like one of her desk-neighbors at school. The teacher has them sitting in groups of 6, 2x3, boy-girl-boy, girl-boy-girl. Kaylen's on the end, and the boy that sits next to her apparently is a trouble-maker. According to Kaylen, amongst other things, he's been pestering her a lot - even hitting her with his pencil a lot - she got annoyed and told the teacher. Hopefully that's kept on top of, but we'll see.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Congratulations
Over the past year or two, we've gotten together with 4 other families in the process of adopting from Haiti, that live in our area. We get together to let our kids play together (the ones we have home - adopted or bio), commiserate about the adoption process - kind of a support system, dream about when our kids come home, etc. We got to know them through online message boards. One is adopting from the same orphanage as we are, and the other three families from three different orphanages - all in various stages of the adoption process.
I am happy to share that two of these families are in Haiti right now, to bring their 5 (3 and 2) children home! One family is flying in tomorrow, and the other early next week. We're going to the airport to greet one family as they arrive. The other family will be flying into a different airport a couple hours away, so they're not having a celebration at the airport but will wait a few weeks to have a picnic with friends and family to meet their children.
I cannot tell you how excited I am for these two families. As you well know, this process is VERY long and a huge test of faith and patience. As I see these families coming together, I can only imagine how awesome it will be when our children arrive, and I hope that when they arrive, many of you who are helping us get through this wait will be there celebrating with us. I pray that it's not much longer until that day comes when the Lord brings our two children home to us!
Please pray with us for these two families:
- for safe travels - yesterday & today, through tomorrow next week for one family.
- for no snags in the printing of these 5 precious children's visas.
- for no delays getting through immigration in Florida on their way home to Iowa.
- for smooth transitions for the parents and all 8 children in these two families - 5 adopted and 3 bio.
Praise to our Lord for the blessing of families being united! He has moved mountains too numerous to count, and provided the strength for them to get through, until this time of celebration! May He continue to do marvelous works in these two families and many more!
I am happy to share that two of these families are in Haiti right now, to bring their 5 (3 and 2) children home! One family is flying in tomorrow, and the other early next week. We're going to the airport to greet one family as they arrive. The other family will be flying into a different airport a couple hours away, so they're not having a celebration at the airport but will wait a few weeks to have a picnic with friends and family to meet their children.
I cannot tell you how excited I am for these two families. As you well know, this process is VERY long and a huge test of faith and patience. As I see these families coming together, I can only imagine how awesome it will be when our children arrive, and I hope that when they arrive, many of you who are helping us get through this wait will be there celebrating with us. I pray that it's not much longer until that day comes when the Lord brings our two children home to us!
Please pray with us for these two families:
- for safe travels - yesterday & today, through tomorrow next week for one family.
- for no snags in the printing of these 5 precious children's visas.
- for no delays getting through immigration in Florida on their way home to Iowa.
- for smooth transitions for the parents and all 8 children in these two families - 5 adopted and 3 bio.
Praise to our Lord for the blessing of families being united! He has moved mountains too numerous to count, and provided the strength for them to get through, until this time of celebration! May He continue to do marvelous works in these two families and many more!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Our Orphanage
Two of our three children currently reside in an orphanage. It was our wish that they would have been long home by now, but because of many factors in the adoption process, they are not yet home. We hope and pray that the Lord will bring them home to us very soon. In the meantime, they live in an orphanage.The orphanage’s name is Maison des Enfants de Dieu, and is located in Port Au Prince, Haiti. The orphanage is overseen by For His Glory Outreach, a non-profit, 501c3 organization here in the United States.
The orphanage provides phenomenal care for my children and many others (approximately 130). I’m thankful for these wonderful women, who work tirelessly day in and day out to make sure my children and many others are well cared for.
The orphanage clothes my children and many others. Several women work all day most days of the week hand-washing clothing and bedding for the many children that live at the orphanage. I’ve “helped” them - it’s a tough job! They do it with a smile and a song.
The orphanage feeds my children and many others, three meals per day, plus snacks. This is a privilege that most children in Haiti can only dream of - if they even can dream of such a thing. Several women work all day in the blistering Caribbean heat over open fires to prepare meals for the always-hungry children.
The orphanage provides my children with clean drinking water, a rarity in a country such as Haiti. This helps prevent many illnesses (parasitic and otherwise) that are rampant in Haiti.
The orphanage provides medical care to my children and many others, in a place where medical care is severely lacking and impossibly expensive compared to the average wages of less than $2 per day. A doctor makes rounds at the orphanage a few times each week, and there is a nurse on hand 24/7.
The orphanage provides for my children and many others, a place safe from the sometimes deadly voodoo practices of local society; a place where they can come to know the Lord, and be treated as the precious children of God that they are. The orphanage director and at least one of the school teachers (for the older children) are Christian pastors. The babies’ and toddlers’ nannies stop at set times during the day to sing and chant in prayer over the children. Women from local churches visit the orphanage regularly to pray over the staff and children
The orphanage provides safety for my children and many others, in a country and city where danger looms. The orphanage walls and 24/7 security guards secure the buildings and grounds from a world of uncertainty.
The orphanage has countless other staff that work behind-the-scenes to make life better for my children and many others - cleaning crews, maintenance staff, drivers, parent liaisons, adoption processors, management staff, and probably many others that I am forgetting.
The orphanage management work tirelessly to make life for my children and many others, a little better each day. They have a heart for these children, and for their families. But they cannot do it without support.
The orphanage is struggling financially right now, along with many other orphanages and missions in Haiti and around the world. Prices of food, water (both clean drinking/cooking water and wash water), diesel (for transportation and generator power) have skyrocketed in Haiti in the last couple of years. The adoption processes have slowed down tremendously, making adoption funds having to spread thinner to cover both processing and childcare costs. The slowdown of worldwide economies has caused donations to drop off.
The orphanage where my children and many others reside is facing a six-figure deficit this year. They are in need of donations and sponsorships to continue, and possibly expand, their ministry to the children of Haiti.
If you are in a position to help defray some of these costs, please consider a one-time donation or on-going support. There are countless ways to donate, many of which are listed on FHG's website. There is some information on the homepage, or click on the “catalogue” link for more information about the costs of maintaining the orphanage.
If you are a coffee drinker, CoffeeXperts has an offer to donate 50% of the proceeds to FHG to support the orphanage. If you make a purchase, be sure to specify this on your order.
If you live near Colorado Springs, where FHG is based, they are collecting monetary donations and donations of clothing, food, baby formula, etc, the next two weekends at Mountain Springs Church, where both the FHG director and many adoptive families attend services.
Another mom recently shared this Bible verse, with regards to the financial needs of the orphanage:
“And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at theI’m not asking you to sell your land and homes, but consider giving of your excess. Maybe sell that old furniture in your basement on Craigslist, ask your friends to donate items for a garage sale, go out to eat one less time this month, or fire up your at-home coffee maker in lieu of the $4 Starbucks cup. If you are not able, please share this with your friends and family.
apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone has need.” Acts 4:33-35.
If you have any questions at all, please ask me. Leave a comment here or send me an email. My anonymous email address is at the bottom of my sidebar… Although I don’t check that address very often, so if you email me there, please leave a comment here to let me know to read it - or if you know my personal email, email me there - or leave me a message on Facebook.
I pray today this message to be spread, to touch the hearts of many, and for cheerful givers to come forward to support this great ministry to a country and a people in need.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Aug09 Photo Update
We got new photos of our two far-away kiddos. I LOVE Elijah's smile here, and Josephine has her standard confused/perplexed look, but both look well. Josephine's hair is really getting long - can't wait to put some pretty bows or beads or barrettes into it. :)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Red Cross Level 1 Conquered
Kaylen took Level 1 of the Red Cross swimming lessons again this summer. Last summer it was too late at night for her at that age, and she had a hard time paying attention, and was requested to take it again. I think she could have done all the stuff, if they'd really worked with her, but with 10 kids in the class, and 3 teen teachers who were barely in the knee deep (to an adult) water with the kids, it just wasn't happening.
We went to a different pool this summer, and she did awesome! I was happy to see that the pool was deeper water (about 3 1/2 feet deep - so no cheating), there were only 6 students in her class with one (more mature) teacher who actually got in the water and showed them how to do things, and sang songs and played games that made it fun. I think it was more her maturity level, and her having more experience in the water. She's been going to the water weekly with daycare, and since she's in a daycare class with all the school-age kids (entering 1st grade up to 6th), she's of course being motivated by the bigger kids.
So, things went very well. I actually didn't know she could do as well as she could! Level one is supposed to be able to:
1) Blow bubbles (3 seconds)
2) Front and back float (supported)
3) Bounce up and down in chest-deep water 5 times
4) Supported kicking on front and back
5) Safety rules
The teacher, a couple days in, let Kaylen do the floats and kicking unsupported, because she can! In fact, by the end of the 2nd week, she barely watched Kaylen do it. She didn't however suggest that she move Kaylen up to the next level - that's probably a sales tactic - they'll hold them back but not let them move up. Oh well - it did give her some confidence. She was so proud of herself. On the 4th of 8 days, it was a parent-watch night, and she was so excited to show me a surprise - that she could do it without the teacher supporting her like she had to with the other kids in the class.
Level 2 will add the following to Level 1: holding breath under water for 5 seconds, unsupported floats for 5 seconds and recovery, submerge and retrieve objects in shallow water, front and back gliding 2 body lengths. I'm not sure if she could do the 2 body lengths gliding (maybe though - see video below), but I'm certain she can do the rest - she was doing it in lessons this year. We talked about doing lessons this fall or winter again, so she doesn't lose what she learned. The pool we took her to for lessons is an indoor pool, but it will depend on whether it conflicts with fall soccer.
A few pix of her new techniques:
The back float:
...and the front float (that's the teacher standing at left, nowhere near Kaylen):
Some (very short) video clips (note - the last one is the funnest - turn off my music and turn on your volume and listen to the song that goes with it):
We went to a different pool this summer, and she did awesome! I was happy to see that the pool was deeper water (about 3 1/2 feet deep - so no cheating), there were only 6 students in her class with one (more mature) teacher who actually got in the water and showed them how to do things, and sang songs and played games that made it fun. I think it was more her maturity level, and her having more experience in the water. She's been going to the water weekly with daycare, and since she's in a daycare class with all the school-age kids (entering 1st grade up to 6th), she's of course being motivated by the bigger kids.
So, things went very well. I actually didn't know she could do as well as she could! Level one is supposed to be able to:
1) Blow bubbles (3 seconds)
2) Front and back float (supported)
3) Bounce up and down in chest-deep water 5 times
4) Supported kicking on front and back
5) Safety rules
The teacher, a couple days in, let Kaylen do the floats and kicking unsupported, because she can! In fact, by the end of the 2nd week, she barely watched Kaylen do it. She didn't however suggest that she move Kaylen up to the next level - that's probably a sales tactic - they'll hold them back but not let them move up. Oh well - it did give her some confidence. She was so proud of herself. On the 4th of 8 days, it was a parent-watch night, and she was so excited to show me a surprise - that she could do it without the teacher supporting her like she had to with the other kids in the class.
Level 2 will add the following to Level 1: holding breath under water for 5 seconds, unsupported floats for 5 seconds and recovery, submerge and retrieve objects in shallow water, front and back gliding 2 body lengths. I'm not sure if she could do the 2 body lengths gliding (maybe though - see video below), but I'm certain she can do the rest - she was doing it in lessons this year. We talked about doing lessons this fall or winter again, so she doesn't lose what she learned. The pool we took her to for lessons is an indoor pool, but it will depend on whether it conflicts with fall soccer.
A few pix of her new techniques:
The back float:
...and the front float (that's the teacher standing at left, nowhere near Kaylen):
Some (very short) video clips (note - the last one is the funnest - turn off my music and turn on your volume and listen to the song that goes with it):
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Happy 3rd Birthday, Elijah Ralph!
Today is Elijah's third birthday.
This is the earliest photo we have of Elijah, taken in May, 2007, by another adoptive mom, who was visiting the orphanage the day his mom brought him in:
A more recent photo of him (bottom right), from just a couple weeks ago, with some of his friends:
We love this little guy so much, and can't wait until he can come home! Praying he's home soon, and that he has a wonderful day with all his friends in the toddler room.
This is the earliest photo we have of Elijah, taken in May, 2007, by another adoptive mom, who was visiting the orphanage the day his mom brought him in:
A more recent photo of him (bottom right), from just a couple weeks ago, with some of his friends:
We love this little guy so much, and can't wait until he can come home! Praying he's home soon, and that he has a wonderful day with all his friends in the toddler room.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
July'09 Adoption Update
Well, we got our update on Wednesday, a few days early this month. Our files still have not been submitted to MOI. They are waiting for the abstracts to be ready. I was so bummed to hear this news this week. But I had a good cry, and I'm back at waiting on God to make this happen. This waiting is harder and longer than we ever could have imagined, before we started this process!
We did hear a tiny bit of news on the birth parent updates. Josephine's father is ready for his (they have to make sure they have a proper photo ID, and time available to go. So, we're praying that he'll have that completed soon. We're also praying for Elijah's mother, although there was no update on her. I assume that the staff is working on getting her back in the city long enough to make sher she has her proper identification, and stays in PAP long enough to set up and go to an appointment. Please pray with us on these, and that there are no DNA requests that would cause more issues getting them into yet another appointment.
We know several families, from our orphanage and others, that have just gotten out of MOI (office that approves Haitian passport), have just had passports printed, are waiting on the US to approve or print their children's visa before they can come home. These are the steps we have left, and we're excited to see these children united with their forever families.
We did hear a tiny bit of news on the birth parent updates. Josephine's father is ready for his (they have to make sure they have a proper photo ID, and time available to go. So, we're praying that he'll have that completed soon. We're also praying for Elijah's mother, although there was no update on her. I assume that the staff is working on getting her back in the city long enough to make sher she has her proper identification, and stays in PAP long enough to set up and go to an appointment. Please pray with us on these, and that there are no DNA requests that would cause more issues getting them into yet another appointment.
We know several families, from our orphanage and others, that have just gotten out of MOI (office that approves Haitian passport), have just had passports printed, are waiting on the US to approve or print their children's visa before they can come home. These are the steps we have left, and we're excited to see these children united with their forever families.
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