Michael is Growing Up

I know that is a truly profound statement, but... We got an email from an adoptive mom that just visited the orphanage. She told us that Michael can sing his ABC's. That brings back memories of when we visited the orphanage in July of 06. The security guys and the nannies would sing songs with the little ones as they got ready for bed. Jesus Loves Me and the ABC's were two songs they sang in English every night. She also told us that he enjoys feeding the babies their bottles. So he just needs to come home and feed his brother a bottle. She says she took lots of pictures and videos. So if I get some, I will post them.

Romans 8

A friend of ours that is adopting through the same orphanage as we are shared this passage a week or so ago and I keep going back to it. Thank the Lord for giving us His word.

Romans 8:18-28

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

28 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.

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, I never dreamed that I would be celebrating another holiday without my Michael being home. But I have so much to be thankful for. God has truly taught us some valuable lessons through this lengthy adoption despite the frustrations. We all need to take time every day to think about all of the things that we have to be thankful for. I am very thankful that all four of my children are healthy and are being loved and cared for (even if I am not the one caring for all of them). Please continue to pray with us that Michael would make it home for Christmas. I truly believe that God will grant this desire of my heart. I bought Michael's winter coat today. He now has a Carhartt to match his big brother. I knew he would need something very warm when he comes home.
If you read this blog entry, please do me two favors: 1. Pray for our Christmas miracle and 2. Write a comment about something you are thankful for that God has taught you this year. (He has really worked on me about being thankful so I am focusing on that and some of the little trials in life don't seem so bad. i.e. - when my daughter "disappeared" in the store yesterday because she had run over to the price scanner to check how much her tights cost even though she can't read the numbers.)

Pictures of Michael

Update from Lawyer

Well, I got an email from the lawyer today. She said that our file is still in MOI. She is hoping that she does not have to send it back for anything in regard to the name change because the department it would have to go to is taking over three months on some of her files. Please pray for a miracle. We are "preparing for rain" and praying for him to be home for Christmas. Please join us in praying. Please post a comment if you are praying with us for our Christmas miracle.

We got pictures of him with his "no hair" haircut. I'll try to post some this weekend when I have time. Now that I am back to work, I have limited time on the computer.

No hair

Well, we got a call from a very cute little boy with no hair. The orphanage sent out an email this afternoon to let everyone know that they probably wouldn't be able to make phone calls this week because of the clouds. When there is too much cloud cover they don't get very good reception on their satellite. But I was really hoping for a chance to see my little man, and they said they were going to try a few calls, so I logged on and set up my webcam and speakers. I forgot to turn the volume on, so I missed the call but they left a voicemail and the box popped up on my screen. I was looking something up for my mother, so I saw the box and switched gears to call them back. We called back and they answered right away. Michael has no hair. He got a haircut this week and they shaved his little head. At least that way it will keep him cool and it will last longer. Even without hair, he is so very cute. They had one of the bigger girls holding him in her lap today and she helped to encourage him to talk and interact with us. She got him to say "love", "dada", and "bye-bye". She also got him to wave to us. I woke Matthew and ALisha up so they got a chance to see him. Matthew does not wake up very fast, so he just stared at his brother. Alisha on the other hand, wakes up quickly and talked to her brother. I am so glad that the orphanage allows us to see and talk to him. I can't wait for him to be home. Please pray with us that he will make it home for Christmas.

Adoption Update

Well, we got an update. Our file never actually got sent back to the last phase of the process it is still in MOI. MOI has agreed to give our file back to the lawyer, who is supposed to take it back to the court and recind the name change. The name change is supposedly why MOI won't sign our file out. Hopefully, once that is done, they will be able to get his passport. Please pray that this won't take long and that once our file is back in MOI, they will sign it our quickly so that we can then get his passport printed and apply for his visa.