In IBESR!!!

Adoption Update: I think I have almost been too afraid to post this for fear I was dreaming but I wasn't..... We have moved another step in the process... a huge step. Again, it's hard to explain how adoptions work in Haiti but there are TONS of "pit stops" that adoption paperwork goes through.... and it's actually paper work, not electronic. It it literally carried and hand delivered to various places and offices for various checks. Our paperwork was at a stop that basically determined if we could continue on or if we would be "rejected". There are lots of reasons why they reject families and it happens a lot so we've been waiting for our official numbers stating that we could move on and praying, praying really hard that we wouldn't be rejected and have to stop the process, wait another year or start over. Well.....we got those numbers today!!!! It seems so small but it's such a big thing. Each of these updates gives me a little more hope and reassurance that our kids will be coming home soon....that they will have a real family and they will know the love of a mom and dad. It breaks my heart I can't be mom to all the kids at the orphanage, or in Haiti, or the world but I have to focus on the fact that for these two, our family will make a world of difference in their lives and that we are doing what we were called to do. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers and encouragement. I can't wait post that we are bringing them home!

To be like Christ

I wish.... I wish that being a Christian in today's society didn't turn so many off. I wish that when people heard the word Christian they actually thought of Jesus, His love and His life instead of corrupt leaders/churches, judgement and discrimination. I hope.... I hope that I can be one that helps others see love...His love. I hope I can do more to show that Christians have a set of standards they live by but it doesn't mean we judge, hate, or don't want to be around those who live or believe differently. I hope to not just talk about Christ but to be like Him. I wish the world was different. I hope I can do more to change it.

Another note...

Why do people assume that just because a Christian has a different view or opinion from others that we automatically must hate people who have the view/opinion we disagree with? I'm not sure when disagreeing = hatred

Adoption Progress

Yesterday I got some very encouraging and exciting news about our Haiti adoption...there has been progress!! It's hard to explain the process because it's just not like the US adoptions BUT I can say that we are actually getting closer to actually bringing them home instead of just sitting idle and waiting... however, there is still a lot more sitting and waiting to be done and a Haiti adoption is never a sure thing until they are on US soil....so keep praying for us! I appreciate all the love, encouragement and support we've gotten. I don't post a lot about it because there isn't always a lot to say except we are waiting but it's so encouraging to have so many supportive family and friends.... even if some of you think we are crazy. :)

Phoneraiser

Phoneraiser for adoption. If you have any old cell phones or printer ink cartridges we are collecting to help raise money for the adoption costs. There's a company that will pay for them...some are only worth a couple dollars but others are worth a little more. Every little bit helps. If you work at a business and can put up a collection box that would be awesome too.
Update:

I'm getting a great response to the Phoneraiser for our adoption. Just found out in addition to old cell phones and ink cartridges I can all turn in old: Laptops & Netbooks, MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, Digital Video Cameras, GPS Devices, Radar Detectors, Kindle & Sony Book Readers. If you have these laying around (outdated, broken, unused....) or want to put up a box at your work, let me know. They aren't worth a whole lot individually but together it will add up and every little bit helps. If you don't live close by but want to help I can send you a label to ship in directly to the company for us. Thanks so much!

Color Blind

So I've been a terrible blogger.  There is much to say about our adoption process.... the wait, the papers, the comments of those who don't support it or don't believe it will ever happen or should happen.... did I mention the pain of the wait?  I spend a lot of my time analyzing everyone else's blogs and timelines and helping others in the process of their Haiti adoptions.  I pour over the pages of several FB Groups filled with other families and mothers who understand what it's like to love a child conceived in your heart and not your womb.  There are few that really get it, and I'm okay with that.  I don't believe we are all called the same things in this world.  We each have our own calling, our own purpose and I would never tell you that the desires of your heart were wrong or that you shouldn't follow them so I don't understand why people think it's okay to tell me my dreams or desires or passions are wrong.  I was under the impression those desires were put there by God, not by anyone down here so if I'm wrong I'm sure He'll let me know.

I've been reading about fitness trainer Jillian's recent adoption of a little girl from Haiti (and secretly a little jealous that she's home so quickly) however, it's the comments people make on those articles that is causing me frustration.  They are the same comments I have gotten myself and the same ones I read after the earthquake in Haiti and I'm sure they are the comments that people say in their heads but are at least nice enough to keep them there. 

"Why adopt/help a child from another country when we have people here that need help?"

I have several thoughts and responses to this.

1.  If all those complaining about people who help others out of the US would step up and do something themselves here IN the US then there would be so much help given that they would NEED us to help other countries because all the needs would be met here.

2.  Since when did those born in the US become more important and valuable than anyone born any where else?  Jesus made it clear in the parable of the Good Samaritan that it's not about your physical neighbor and those closest to you in distance....it's about seeing a need and meeting a need.  For me, that need is in Haiti.  Where's the need you are supposed to meet and what are you doing about it?  Don't spend so much time getting upset with others who are using their lives and resources to help others simply because those aren't the ones you would help if you were doing something.  Take that energy you have worrying about us and go do some good for those you are worried about.

3.  A child is a child is a child.  How can anyone get upset at anyone helping a child?  As a former foster and adopted child from the US I really do get the need for domestic adoptions.  I am a product of it, but I don't see how it matters what system an abandoned child comes out of, that child needs a home.  If you are worried about the kids in the US foster care system then become a foster or adoptive parent yourself.

4.  A child is a child whether that child is white, tan or black.  I guess I must be color blind because I just see children in need.  I see them in our schools, in our foster care system and in the orphanages I work at in Haiti.  I just see kids....I see eyes that tell a story there aren't words to....I see smiles from a simple hug....I see hearts in need of love and somehow, somewhere along the way I miss what color their skin is.  It's probably because I'm not looking at that.  When I see a need I don't decide if I should help them based on where they live or what color they are.  I help if and when I can as often as I can.


This was put out there for those who "just don't get it".  Maybe you still don't get it but maybe you will at least understand how or why I do.

My Sweet Wanna

I have a 7 year old daughter who reminds me of one of my favorite childhood actresses, Punky Brewster.  She is full of life, love and spunky personality.  As we started making our trips every 4-6 weeks to the Cabaret Baptist Children's Home in the months following the Jan. 2010 earthquake, I saw my own daughter in Wanna.  I saw a girl so full of love and life but so desperate to be held and loved.  I saw a girl too grown up for her age yet still holding on to innocence.  I looked at Wanna the way I did my own daughter and felt the tug in heart from God telling me to love her as my own.

 As I continued to lead teams on short term trips, I continued to fall in love.  It was never my plan.  I know the process to adopt is intense and long.  I know the current law says I have to be 35 and 2 years after meeting them I'm only 31.  I know many things stand in the way but I know that God put this on my heart, on Chris' heart and Christopher and Destiny's heart and they are our family already. 

It's very hard to go through the motions of our lives knowing our kids aren't with us but knowing they will be one day keeps us going, hoping and praying.

My Little Fritzon

The other day on FB I was connected with a woman who was at the orphanage the week they found Fritzon in a trash pile.  He was so week he could barely open his eyes, his ribs were sticking out and they weren't even sure he'd make it.

Breaks my heart to know what he went through those first 2 years.  It's been 3 years since then and he is so handsome and strong.  It breaks my heart that he's still waiting for that motherly love I know he has missed out on.  I know he is happy and in a place where he has many friends but having been through foster care, I know the pain that lingers.  I hope and pray I will be able to love him through it all.