Monday, January 18, 2010
Kids get to come home!!!!
Great news for all of my friends and Chances for Children family who are pending their adoption in Haiti: it's official!!!!! Secretary Napolitano Announces Humanitarian Parole Policy for Certain Haitian Orphans
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Earthquake in Haiti
There is very little information available right now, but the news from our orphanage is that the building, kids and staff are safe. We will pray for the people in Haiti and look for opportunities to do something tangible.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The "How" Of Our Adoption
It started nearly two years ago. Now we want to tell you how God did it.
Before this all began, in the fall of 2000, I heard Steven Curtis Chapman share his adoption story for the first time on Focus on the Family. One of the things he said was, "Don't let the cost of adoption keep you from it. If God asks you to adopt, He will provide."
Only a coupe of weeks before the idea of the Haiti adoption came up for us, we were interviewed by the local news station as part of the November "Adoption Awareness Specials". The reporter asked what we would say to someone considering adoption, and I quoted Steven Curtis Chapman about the financial part of adoption. When I discovered that the Haiti adoption, was going to be about $30,000, I immediately thought, "Oh, never mind; we could never do that." In that same instant I heard myself telling the reporter, "Don't let the cost of adoption keep you from it. If God asks you to adopt, He will provide." With a deep breath and a big sigh I nodded my head and prayed, "God, that's us. We can't do it, but you can."
With in the first weeks someone paid our initial agency fees, and another fee was waived. We were given an application for a grant and were awarded $1000. Another family with a huge heart for adoption paid our in-country fees for one of the children, and someone else sent a check for the entire amount of their inheritance - with interest! We received checks in the mail and donations on our blog through PayPal from long lost friends, family members and also from people we did not know. Each time there was an amount due, the money was there. We were so excited because in only two months the Lord had provided $18,000 of the $20,000! Because of God's amazing provision, we were not even concerned about the rest.
We shared our story in church to thank and encourage everyone. God was doing what we could never imagine. Then, someone whose heart was touched by our story, wrote a check for the remaining $2000. So amazing! At the end of our wait to bring the children home, a friend decided to have a mail box shower for us. We did not need toys and normal shower things, and people are very busy in the spring; so she sent out letters asking people to write us a note of encouragement, and if they wanted, to send a gift. Every day we were showered with blessings from friends and family. Our five-year-old waited outside on the porch each day for the mail lady to see what kind of nice words people would send to her.
We applied for a grant for $4000 to help with travel expenses to go get the kids, but were denied. Joel just said, "God's going to do something great, and we will just wait." Yes! The checks that came the week before we left and the week after we got home were the exact amount needed. Then, two more checks arrived in the mail, and our post-placement bill was paid.
Oh, there have been so many other blessings; things the Lord did not have to do, but He did. Like giving us the opportunity to meet and hold the little boys that were "Not for Us".
This journey has not been easy. At times it has not been fun, and at times the sacrifice has seemed greater than I wanted to make. But, oh the joy of obedience! I hope you get to meet our kids. They are awesome. Their smiles and laughs will touch your heart. Their stories, yet untold, will in some way change the world and the Kingdom for eternity.
If you are waiting, may God bless you! If you are thinking about adopting, may God lead you. If you know someone who is adopting, may God use you to bless them.
Before this all began, in the fall of 2000, I heard Steven Curtis Chapman share his adoption story for the first time on Focus on the Family. One of the things he said was, "Don't let the cost of adoption keep you from it. If God asks you to adopt, He will provide."
Only a coupe of weeks before the idea of the Haiti adoption came up for us, we were interviewed by the local news station as part of the November "Adoption Awareness Specials". The reporter asked what we would say to someone considering adoption, and I quoted Steven Curtis Chapman about the financial part of adoption. When I discovered that the Haiti adoption, was going to be about $30,000, I immediately thought, "Oh, never mind; we could never do that." In that same instant I heard myself telling the reporter, "Don't let the cost of adoption keep you from it. If God asks you to adopt, He will provide." With a deep breath and a big sigh I nodded my head and prayed, "God, that's us. We can't do it, but you can."
With in the first weeks someone paid our initial agency fees, and another fee was waived. We were given an application for a grant and were awarded $1000. Another family with a huge heart for adoption paid our in-country fees for one of the children, and someone else sent a check for the entire amount of their inheritance - with interest! We received checks in the mail and donations on our blog through PayPal from long lost friends, family members and also from people we did not know. Each time there was an amount due, the money was there. We were so excited because in only two months the Lord had provided $18,000 of the $20,000! Because of God's amazing provision, we were not even concerned about the rest.
We shared our story in church to thank and encourage everyone. God was doing what we could never imagine. Then, someone whose heart was touched by our story, wrote a check for the remaining $2000. So amazing! At the end of our wait to bring the children home, a friend decided to have a mail box shower for us. We did not need toys and normal shower things, and people are very busy in the spring; so she sent out letters asking people to write us a note of encouragement, and if they wanted, to send a gift. Every day we were showered with blessings from friends and family. Our five-year-old waited outside on the porch each day for the mail lady to see what kind of nice words people would send to her.
We applied for a grant for $4000 to help with travel expenses to go get the kids, but were denied. Joel just said, "God's going to do something great, and we will just wait." Yes! The checks that came the week before we left and the week after we got home were the exact amount needed. Then, two more checks arrived in the mail, and our post-placement bill was paid.
Oh, there have been so many other blessings; things the Lord did not have to do, but He did. Like giving us the opportunity to meet and hold the little boys that were "Not for Us".
This journey has not been easy. At times it has not been fun, and at times the sacrifice has seemed greater than I wanted to make. But, oh the joy of obedience! I hope you get to meet our kids. They are awesome. Their smiles and laughs will touch your heart. Their stories, yet untold, will in some way change the world and the Kingdom for eternity.
If you are waiting, may God bless you! If you are thinking about adopting, may God lead you. If you know someone who is adopting, may God use you to bless them.
Friday, October 9, 2009
What Remains
The Love Chapter for Parents
If I spend my days building skyscrapers with blocks, assembling cool stuff out of LEGOs and creating relationships with other moms at Starbucks, but have not love, I am only the siren of the kids' ride-on fire truck, annoyingly stuck on hold.
If I have the gift of knowing which child attempted to flush the Hot Wheels down the toilet and which one pushed her sister, and if I have faith that somehow we'll survive life's emergencies, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I save all my box tops and give outgrown clothing to the local shelter, and if I surrender my body to stretch marks and under-eye circles (without the benefit of BOTOX, tanning salons or diet bars),but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient when someone isn't ready to use the big girl potty. It is kind when my husband has a hard day. It doesn't envy my neighbor who drives the new sport utility vehicle I can't afford.
It is not rude, snapping at my spouse or children when things don't go my way. It is not easily angered at perceived or real injustices.
It always protects the smallest, sweetest family confidences; always trusts God to provide my children's needs; always hopes in the freshness of tomorrow and the bright future of family; always perseveres amid hardship and doubt.
Where there are sleepless nights, they shall end. Where there are diapers, Little League and dioramas built from shoe boxes, they will cease. Where there is knowledge of baby care trends, discipline strategies and boy-girl problems, it will pass away.
Now these three remain: faith, lived out in my daily circumstances and instilled in my children; hope, of one day rejoicing with my family in heaven; and love, which covers over a multitude of less-than-perfect moments.
But the greatest of these is love. It is what remains... long after I am gone.
By Cindy Sigler Dagnan
Published by Focus on the Family
August 2007
Used without permission
If I spend my days building skyscrapers with blocks, assembling cool stuff out of LEGOs and creating relationships with other moms at Starbucks, but have not love, I am only the siren of the kids' ride-on fire truck, annoyingly stuck on hold.
If I have the gift of knowing which child attempted to flush the Hot Wheels down the toilet and which one pushed her sister, and if I have faith that somehow we'll survive life's emergencies, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I save all my box tops and give outgrown clothing to the local shelter, and if I surrender my body to stretch marks and under-eye circles (without the benefit of BOTOX, tanning salons or diet bars),but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient when someone isn't ready to use the big girl potty. It is kind when my husband has a hard day. It doesn't envy my neighbor who drives the new sport utility vehicle I can't afford.
It is not rude, snapping at my spouse or children when things don't go my way. It is not easily angered at perceived or real injustices.
It always protects the smallest, sweetest family confidences; always trusts God to provide my children's needs; always hopes in the freshness of tomorrow and the bright future of family; always perseveres amid hardship and doubt.
Where there are sleepless nights, they shall end. Where there are diapers, Little League and dioramas built from shoe boxes, they will cease. Where there is knowledge of baby care trends, discipline strategies and boy-girl problems, it will pass away.
Now these three remain: faith, lived out in my daily circumstances and instilled in my children; hope, of one day rejoicing with my family in heaven; and love, which covers over a multitude of less-than-perfect moments.
But the greatest of these is love. It is what remains... long after I am gone.
By Cindy Sigler Dagnan
Published by Focus on the Family
August 2007
Used without permission
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Big Day!
Ready
Set
Go!
Mommy and Abby walked Anna to school on the first day. She was ready, curious, and confident. She blew me a kiss as she walked into class and had a great day!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Five Weeks Home
We have been together as a family of six for five weeks now! I just read the Post Placement report written by our social worker at 3 weeks. What a difference!
The little girls are playing together more every day.
They are holding hands and sharing things.
Every one is going to bed with out Mommy in the room and with "close the door".
The only person sleeping with Mommy is Daddy!
Anna has convinced Emery that it is really the "Muffin Man" and not the "Button Man".
Every one is loving Emery's laugh and sense of humor! What a funny boy.
We are all learning and growing every day. There are still challenges that surprise us and dinner was mac and cheese tonight, but we are getting there. Maybe this week i will make something for dinner that does not have spaghetti sauce. Any ideas? Thank you for praying! and Thank you to the Hodge's for giving up your Saturday to serve us!!! We are so very blessed.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Let the Fun Begin
This week we have been to 2 wading pools and a spray park. Emery is a fish. He has a bath each morning asking for "big water" "Emery fish, swim." with lots of gestures and a huge smile. Today there were tear when i had to lift him from the tub so the girls could have a turn. He loved the spray park until we got in the car on the way home. Then, "no spshhh water, Mommy. Big one. Big big water. Emery Fish Mommy." The crazy thing is he can hold his breath and swim under water.
We have been enjoying the evening Thunder showers from the garage and continue to have our evening parades around the block. Also enjoying the company of a few friend again.
More pictures later. Until then, thank you for your prayers and calls. We re so blessed. Continue to leave messages as we have not yet turned the ringer back on on the house phone. :)
Saturday, August 8, 2009
How Was Haiti?
Hot!!! Even the Haitian’s thought it was hot. Four showers a day and cold drinking water kept me sane and the headaches never got out of control! Praise the Lord and thank you all for praying.
As for the kids: it was amazing! Emery was ready and did not even want to show us his bed but only find his new bed in our room. Abby was not ready, but we held her, returned to her room, let her hug her favorite auntie and held her again. In less than an hour she was not crying with us. At bed time she defiantly wanted to go back to her bed, but we went for a walk, talked and prayed. I explained to her that God had put us together and He would take care of all of us. She acted like she believed me, smiled and laid her head on my shoulder. She slept well and was walking to me with big smiles the next day. They both have the greatest laugh. We took them to Mama Duncan’s swimming pool one day and they both loved it. Emery can not swim, but has no fear of the water and thinks he is a fish.
Monday was our day to go to town with the kids for the Visa appointment. A staff member went with us to the appointment and it was quick and easy. A couple of signatures and a quick look at our passports and we were done. The kids passports/Visas were to us on Wed. along with all of our other documents making it even harder to wait until Friday to go home. The kids were anxious to “fly” and we were very ready to take them.
Our suitcase with our family’s clothes and personal items was not at the airport with the other bags when we arrived. Despite emails, phone calls and a few people going to the airport, we still do not have our bag or any hope for it. While packing all the donations and things I put the dress clothes we needed for our Visa appointment in a bag with donations and had the “great idea” to split up the underwear. Thank you Jesus! We each had 3 pair of unders and the clothes for our Visa appointment. Other than that, it was what we wore on the airplane. We washed the clothes in the sink each night and they dried quickly. I found a little knit dress in the donations to use for a night gown. We were able to use the orphanage clothes for the kids while we were there and then all wore our Visa appointment clothes home. Guess we learned a thing or two there.
Before we flew out on Friday we were able to meet the kids’ birth parents. They were wonderful people. We were able to assure them of our love and care for the children and they were able to share with us their great love for them and to entrust them us and to God. I am sure that the pictures taken will be greatly treasured by the kids as they grow and by the parents as they continue. There was a pastor there with them and we were glad to see his heart to bring comfort and counsel to the family.
We are home now and learning and growing together. The kids have both gotten a new tooth and Anna has lost one, gained the new one and has another loose one now. We eat together at the table as a family, say please and thank you, excuse me, and I’m sorry. Baths are big fun and so is playing outside. Yesterday Anna got out the dress up clothes. Emery wanted her white “wedding” dress so he could be a princess. Anna convinced him to take the pink wings instead. He donned the wings, declared himself a butterfly and raced outside. Returning in only one minute to announce they “no work. “ Emery no fly. Emery no butterfly!” We asked him to tell us what he did, how he knew they did not work, etc. He told us (while laughing at himself) that he jumped off and fell, “no fly”. We all laughed and then wondered aloud why a boy would think he could fly. Have you ever seen a boy fly by? Nor have I.
As for the kids: it was amazing! Emery was ready and did not even want to show us his bed but only find his new bed in our room. Abby was not ready, but we held her, returned to her room, let her hug her favorite auntie and held her again. In less than an hour she was not crying with us. At bed time she defiantly wanted to go back to her bed, but we went for a walk, talked and prayed. I explained to her that God had put us together and He would take care of all of us. She acted like she believed me, smiled and laid her head on my shoulder. She slept well and was walking to me with big smiles the next day. They both have the greatest laugh. We took them to Mama Duncan’s swimming pool one day and they both loved it. Emery can not swim, but has no fear of the water and thinks he is a fish.
Monday was our day to go to town with the kids for the Visa appointment. A staff member went with us to the appointment and it was quick and easy. A couple of signatures and a quick look at our passports and we were done. The kids passports/Visas were to us on Wed. along with all of our other documents making it even harder to wait until Friday to go home. The kids were anxious to “fly” and we were very ready to take them.
Our suitcase with our family’s clothes and personal items was not at the airport with the other bags when we arrived. Despite emails, phone calls and a few people going to the airport, we still do not have our bag or any hope for it. While packing all the donations and things I put the dress clothes we needed for our Visa appointment in a bag with donations and had the “great idea” to split up the underwear. Thank you Jesus! We each had 3 pair of unders and the clothes for our Visa appointment. Other than that, it was what we wore on the airplane. We washed the clothes in the sink each night and they dried quickly. I found a little knit dress in the donations to use for a night gown. We were able to use the orphanage clothes for the kids while we were there and then all wore our Visa appointment clothes home. Guess we learned a thing or two there.
Before we flew out on Friday we were able to meet the kids’ birth parents. They were wonderful people. We were able to assure them of our love and care for the children and they were able to share with us their great love for them and to entrust them us and to God. I am sure that the pictures taken will be greatly treasured by the kids as they grow and by the parents as they continue. There was a pastor there with them and we were glad to see his heart to bring comfort and counsel to the family.
We are home now and learning and growing together. The kids have both gotten a new tooth and Anna has lost one, gained the new one and has another loose one now. We eat together at the table as a family, say please and thank you, excuse me, and I’m sorry. Baths are big fun and so is playing outside. Yesterday Anna got out the dress up clothes. Emery wanted her white “wedding” dress so he could be a princess. Anna convinced him to take the pink wings instead. He donned the wings, declared himself a butterfly and raced outside. Returning in only one minute to announce they “no work. “ Emery no fly. Emery no butterfly!” We asked him to tell us what he did, how he knew they did not work, etc. He told us (while laughing at himself) that he jumped off and fell, “no fly”. We all laughed and then wondered aloud why a boy would think he could fly. Have you ever seen a boy fly by? Nor have I.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Fun Times
We are taking tons of walks to the school and to the park, or just around the block. Emery asks for the park because he wants "Emery tractor in sand box". We have 2 red tricycles. Our two oldest children are very competitive and both want to be first or at least keep up with the other. I now know the top speed of a little red "motocycle". I just laugh out loud to see those four little legs pumping as fast as they can. Running head to head, Emery's bike is a little bigger so he has the advantage there, but Anna is more coordinated and determined so she gets the upper hand by a thread. The little girls are into touring with comfort: feet propped up and lounging in the wagon or little car, being towed by their parents. That could only be made better by adding snacks to munch on while the parents do the work.
Saturday morning's trip to the park led us past 12 or so garage sales in the 5 blocks to the park. I kept wondering what Emery was thinking about these people putting all their stuff outside to show everyone. He, however, did not seem to notice. I was not thinking what all the Americans sitting with the stuff would be thinking about our normal little family on a walk to the park, but as luck and culture would have it, I did not have to wonder. Someone just said, in their out loud voice, "Oh, here comes the parade." Then I thought we should throw candy to them. No, wait; We have the kids, they should throw candy to us. Either way, no candy. But we did have fun times at the park and the parade continues mornings and evenings somewhere between Avenues B and D and 17th and 20th streets. If you see us, wave but don't throw anything.
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