“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
I think this verse supports an orphan ministry having an adoption aspect to it. I think that those that have been through asoptions are great mentors for those going through an adoption. It means a lot when people tell you that they are praying for you, but there is a different sense of comfort when someone that has adopted tells you that they are praying for you. There is more of a connection because they understand some of the emotions that you are feeling. It is easier to be open with them and tell them where you are struggling because they have been there and may have some suggestions. Please be open and willing to listen to and pray with people that are going through trials that you have faced in the past (whether that be adoption, a sick child, or anything).
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Why?
Isn't this the most annoying question when you are asked it repeatedly by a preschool age child? But isn't it the question that we ask so many times. Why can't the Haitian government just sign the stupid paper saying it is okay for Michael to have a passport? Why can't the US just fix the immigration laws so that My Son would be allowed to come home on a US passport? Aren't both of his parents US citizens? So, shouldn't he be one also? Why is it that landing on US soil is the determining factor for making him a US citizen? Why doesn't God say yes when we are asking for something that will benefit all that are involved? Why does it have to hurt so bad? Why do some people take their kids for granted and some even hurt or kill them or some never even give their children the chance to live outside of the womb because they think it is their choice to kill ("abort") them? Why do some people have to get so angry about stupid things? Why is it so hard to ask for help? Etc. etc. etc.
Why is race such an issue? My oldest son is in kindergarten. He come home today with a paper in his bag saying that they started a drug resistance program called "paper people". I didn't get to read much of the paper yet, but I saw that the first lesson was on everyone being special. So as we drove home from my in-laws this evening, I asked Matthew about if he learned something about "paper people" today. He said yes. I continued to pry, and asked what he learned. He said that he learned that people are different. Some people have light skin like him, his brother, and me, and some people have dark skin like his sister. I asked him what he learned about that. He said that people have different light or darker skin so that their mommy's and daddy's can tell which baby is theirs. I said that didn't really work with our family. We then went on to discuss how God is the one that made our skin lighter or darker and that the lightness or darkness of our skin didn't make us any better or worse. Skin doesn't make us good or bad. But I can't get it out of my head that they would tell the kids that the skin tone is so the parents can tell which kid is theirs. I saw my daughter when she was three days old. Her skin tone at that point would have matched her to a set of Hispanic parents. Now her skin tone would obviously match her to parents of African descent. But what about kids from interracial relationships. My cousin is white and her husband is black. Their boys skin tone is between theirs. Maybe I am way off, but even my white sons have different skin tones than me. What in the world does skin tone have to do with a parent being able to tell which kid is supposed to be theirs. I guess I will have to finish reading the paper that was sent home and follow up with the teacher if necessary. I wish I would have known about this lesson ahead of time.
Well, I guess I have ranted about that enough. Maybe I made sense and maybe not, but I feel better getting it off my chest.
Praise God for His wonderful love. God created each one of us to be unique and special in our own ways. My family is very special. Matthew is very smart and loves making new friends. Alisha is very energetic and learns songs very easily. Kevin is full of smiles and is very easy going. Michael has beautiful eyes and seems to be very easy going as well (of course, I'll be able to tell you more about him when he finally comes home). Praise God for giving us the opportunity to raise four very wonderful children.
Why is race such an issue? My oldest son is in kindergarten. He come home today with a paper in his bag saying that they started a drug resistance program called "paper people". I didn't get to read much of the paper yet, but I saw that the first lesson was on everyone being special. So as we drove home from my in-laws this evening, I asked Matthew about if he learned something about "paper people" today. He said yes. I continued to pry, and asked what he learned. He said that he learned that people are different. Some people have light skin like him, his brother, and me, and some people have dark skin like his sister. I asked him what he learned about that. He said that people have different light or darker skin so that their mommy's and daddy's can tell which baby is theirs. I said that didn't really work with our family. We then went on to discuss how God is the one that made our skin lighter or darker and that the lightness or darkness of our skin didn't make us any better or worse. Skin doesn't make us good or bad. But I can't get it out of my head that they would tell the kids that the skin tone is so the parents can tell which kid is theirs. I saw my daughter when she was three days old. Her skin tone at that point would have matched her to a set of Hispanic parents. Now her skin tone would obviously match her to parents of African descent. But what about kids from interracial relationships. My cousin is white and her husband is black. Their boys skin tone is between theirs. Maybe I am way off, but even my white sons have different skin tones than me. What in the world does skin tone have to do with a parent being able to tell which kid is supposed to be theirs. I guess I will have to finish reading the paper that was sent home and follow up with the teacher if necessary. I wish I would have known about this lesson ahead of time.
Well, I guess I have ranted about that enough. Maybe I made sense and maybe not, but I feel better getting it off my chest.
Praise God for His wonderful love. God created each one of us to be unique and special in our own ways. My family is very special. Matthew is very smart and loves making new friends. Alisha is very energetic and learns songs very easily. Kevin is full of smiles and is very easy going. Michael has beautiful eyes and seems to be very easy going as well (of course, I'll be able to tell you more about him when he finally comes home). Praise God for giving us the opportunity to raise four very wonderful children.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
One Year Today
Today marks one whole year since we received our IBESR approval for Michael's adoption. IBESR is like the Haitian social services and they are responsible for approving families for adoption.
Snow Day!
Here are some pictures of the snow that kept Matthew and I home from school today. What a wonderful day wi
th my kids (and my mom). I was very thankful that my mom walked over to stay in the house with the baby so that I could go out and play in the snow with the other two. Plus the rottweilers got to play wi
th us in the snow.
I didn't get any pictures of Anya but I did get a picture of Bailey (the mutt) and Basko (my beautiful boy rottweiler). Alisha didn't last very long out in the cold but she seemed to enjoy playing in the snow for a little while.
Matthew had a blast. He doesn't seem to
notice the cold very much.
We tried to get Anya to pull him in the sled. She looked at me like I was crazy. So we had her pull it empty to get used to the idea. Then Matthew got on... and she turned around and jumped on the sled behind h
im. So we gave up on that idea. Basko enjoyed catching and eating snowballs.
Here is Matthew's snowman. I only helped him get the snowballs started and he did the rest.
th my kids (and my mom). I was very thankful that my mom walked over to stay in the house with the baby so that I could go out and play in the snow with the other two. Plus the rottweilers got to play wi
th us in the snow. I didn't get any pictures of Anya but I did get a picture of Bailey (the mutt) and Basko (my beautiful boy rottweiler). Alisha didn't last very long out in the cold but she seemed to enjoy playing in the snow for a little while.
Matthew had a blast. He doesn't seem to
notice the cold very much.We tried to get Anya to pull him in the sled. She looked at me like I was crazy. So we had her pull it empty to get used to the idea. Then Matthew got on... and she turned around and jumped on the sled behind h
im. So we gave up on that idea. Basko enjoyed catching and eating snowballs.
Here is Matthew's snowman. I only helped him get the snowballs started and he did the rest.
Tricia Got to hold baby Gwyneth
What an awesome praise. I have watched this amazing couple in their journey of faith over the past few months. If you haven't followed this story then you have to take some time to check out Nate's blog. God truly is awesome and I am thankful for what he is doing in Nate, Tricia, and Gwyneth's lives.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
New Pictures
Alisha's room is so small that there was no room for her to keep her toys. So we bought her a "loft bed". She was very excited to have a "big bed" with a ladder.
This is Alisha's play "house" under her new bed. It is nice that she will actually have room to play in her room now.
Here are two of my boys. Won't it be nice when I can take a picture of all three of my boys together.
Here is one of the precious baby smiles from Mr. Kevin. He is really a sweet baby. I love his smiles, kisses, and laughs.
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)
This is Alisha's play "house" under her new bed. It is nice that she will actually have room to play in her room now.
Here are two of my boys. Won't it be nice when I can take a picture of all three of my boys together.
Here is one of the precious baby smiles from Mr. Kevin. He is really a sweet baby. I love his smiles, kisses, and laughs.
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Let's Pray this is True
I got an email from the orphanage this morning telling us that our file has moved back into MOI for the final passport stage. If this is true, we could have his passport in hand within the next two weeks and then we will just need to get the visa.
Some prayer requests regarding the visa:
1) that the orphanage will be able to get Michael's physical done quickly and be able to get a visa appointment soon after the passport is in hand
2) that Michael's birthmother will be cooperative in coming to meet with the people at the US Consulate to verify that Michael is her son and that the consulate will not require DNA testing (that would add several hundred dollars and several more weeks onto our wait)
3) that his visa would be processed quickly
4) that we would be able to get an economical escort to bring him at least to FL and that we would be able to find deals on the necessary plane tickets
Some prayer requests regarding the visa:
1) that the orphanage will be able to get Michael's physical done quickly and be able to get a visa appointment soon after the passport is in hand
2) that Michael's birthmother will be cooperative in coming to meet with the people at the US Consulate to verify that Michael is her son and that the consulate will not require DNA testing (that would add several hundred dollars and several more weeks onto our wait)
3) that his visa would be processed quickly
4) that we would be able to get an economical escort to bring him at least to FL and that we would be able to find deals on the necessary plane tickets
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