Waiting--Thanking--Trusting

God's time is always perfect. We will wait with grateful hearts. Grateful that our children are safe and fed. Grateful that we are healthy and happy. Grateful that we are not facing tornadoes and floods. Grateful that we love each other and our marriage is strong.

We are praying for a few very specific things at this time. Already the Lord has provided 1/5 of our current financial needs. We are applying for a grant to help with the rest. Last weeks prayers were answered and this weeks requests are in His hands. Several children are coming home and we know ours will soon. In the mean time, Anna passed her swimming class with flying colors and Beth is loving summer and pretending to go the farm with her grandpa each day. The girls and I are going to visit my parents and brother's family for a few days. Great fun in the Flathead!

Happy Father's Day to my great Dad, to my wonderful father-in-law, and my amazing husband! You guys are the greatest gifts any mommy and little girls could have.

The Waiting Place

The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

We are waiting for June 26th when our USCIS birth parents interview will take place. After the interview, we will receive immigration approval and then a Visa appointment will be scheduled. Our children will have a medical exam and will attend their visa appointment. Then, once the visa is issued and printed, we will be notified that we can travel to get our kids.

One Year Ago

It was a year ago today that we got a call and emailed pictures introducing us to the children that would one day be ours. Although they have not yet even entered our home, they are very much a part of our hearts lives and family. They have filled our thoughts and dreams and soon they will fill our beds. We are looking ahead to they day we are together as a family with longing and wonder. To hold and smell and hug them. To learn the sound of their voices and the pattern of their breathing. What will they love? What will make them laugh? Will they sleep in in the morning, or rise with the sun? Will they like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? What an exciting (and slightly terrifying) transition awaits.

It was also one year ago today that the Christian community held its breath and prayed as the news came of the loss of Steven Curtis Chapman's precious little daughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with them today. God be near as their Abba Lord.

May God bless you as you celebrate today for all it's memories and hope for the future.

April Update

Thank you to all of you who have joined us in praying for joy and contentment for little Ronese. This month's report was so different from her winter reports. Keep praying! It is reported that she has gained nearly a pound and "smiles, waves or laugh in response to positive adult interaction. She is also showing interest in new and other activities. Initiates play with others. Wants to do favorite activities over and over again." We are so happy to hear this. It is so hard to wait when you know your child is always so sad.

Wiguerson's report was much the same. Smart, happy, polite and playful. We are very thrilled at the possibility of spending the summer playing together in Montana! Thank you for your prayers and support of our family. We will keep you posted on the progress.

Happy Mother's Day

Today we got the news that we (our kids) have passports! The promise that some day, in the not so distant future we will race to the airport and get on the plane to go get our kids! Also, we traded our Subaru for a mini van today. A few more weeks, a few more steps and... Yea!

Wait

Everlasting God

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Happy Birthday Ronese

Oh precious little one, how we miss you today. Your first birthday was tragic for you and the beginning of a year of waiting. 365 days later you are still waiting and have no way to know it is getting closer. We are celebrating your growth, your survival and your strides. We wish so much that you could be with us. We would hold you and sing to you. We would even let you have icecream! Know that you are loved beyond measure. We are praying for Joy and Contentment in your heart. Jer. 29:11

Good bye MOI

Our papers were signed out of MOI on the 21st! We are now applying for passports and preparing for the American side of things. This quick turnaround in MOI has once again given us hope that we could have the kids home in time for a 4 year old birthday party for our little boy!!! Wouldn't that be fun to have a birthday party without pink frosting. Now it is time to face the car shopping reality and find a minivan for our 4 Little Monkeys and their carseats.

Purse Party

Check this out! Haitiancreations.com We had a purse party last night and you can too. The Purses are beautiful! They are made in Haiti by Haitian women enrolled in a sewing school. They sell their purses and by the end of their schooling have the opportunity to buy a sewing machine to start their own business. It was so fun to look at all the bags and try them on. Everyone chose something different than I thought they would. It was so fun to see the bags, know a little about the ladies who made each one and the Banana Flambe was good too. If you are interested in ordering a purse or having a party, just click on the website and go for it!