Several years ago I worked at the Green Mill with a gal named Patience. We became friends but after I quit working there, we didn't keep in touch. I wonder, if my name was Patience, would it help? Would I have a daily reminder to embrace this virtue, this gift which is "fruit" from the spirit of God? Or would it become so... comfortable, so "normal," that I would forget what it means?
Excerpt from my devotion today, written by Barbara Bush, on the topic of patience:
"Patience is a more positive trait. It is the ability to bear affliction, delay and interruption with calmness, perseverance and confidence in the goodness of God. It is inward peace as well as outward control. It is the submission of our schedules, our viewpoints, our dreams to the greater plan of God, with the conviction that he has a good reason for every delay he allows to come our way."
And we pray this in order that you may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1: 10-12
First Family Photo Together
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Longing
From the heart of a mama who longs for her baby boy to come home ~
I had a dream last night that I was holding my sweet baby boy -- in this dream he was actually an infant, not the 2 year old toddler that we've seen in the pictures! The dream itself was really weird (you know how they do that sometimes) but I was so thankful for that precious moment of being able to hold him.
I feel so far away from him right now and I know he won't remember his mommy and daddy when we go back to pick him up. However we pray that he "knows" us as his mommy and daddy, that he's not afraid, that we can comfort him despite the huge changes that are coming his way. Our little toddler has no idea what is in store for him: that he will be on an airplane in a matter of weeks entering a different world, a different climate (average temp in Haiti right now is 83!), with new people (very white people I might add!) and a strange language. At night we pray together and Caden and Cali have the sweetest bedtime prayers for their baby brother--they pray for his safety, his health, and his fears to be comforted. They help us pray for the completion of all the adoption steps. They are very excited and seem much more patient than mommy. :)
This week we need 2 things to be accomplished:
1. MOI needs to give final approval and move our paperwork into passport stage
2. Ryan's background clearance needs to be finalized (mine was done last week) so our final revised homestudy can be completed and sent into USCIS
Please help us pray. Thank you!!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
I had a dream last night that I was holding my sweet baby boy -- in this dream he was actually an infant, not the 2 year old toddler that we've seen in the pictures! The dream itself was really weird (you know how they do that sometimes) but I was so thankful for that precious moment of being able to hold him.
I feel so far away from him right now and I know he won't remember his mommy and daddy when we go back to pick him up. However we pray that he "knows" us as his mommy and daddy, that he's not afraid, that we can comfort him despite the huge changes that are coming his way. Our little toddler has no idea what is in store for him: that he will be on an airplane in a matter of weeks entering a different world, a different climate (average temp in Haiti right now is 83!), with new people (very white people I might add!) and a strange language. At night we pray together and Caden and Cali have the sweetest bedtime prayers for their baby brother--they pray for his safety, his health, and his fears to be comforted. They help us pray for the completion of all the adoption steps. They are very excited and seem much more patient than mommy. :)
This week we need 2 things to be accomplished:
1. MOI needs to give final approval and move our paperwork into passport stage
2. Ryan's background clearance needs to be finalized (mine was done last week) so our final revised homestudy can be completed and sent into USCIS
Please help us pray. Thank you!!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Nothing new yesterday or today. We thought MAYBE we'd get that final approval from MOI yesterday now that they have "everything" they need, but no word has come in.
Next week, they should be able to give us final approval and send everything into the passport office so Carson can have his passport printed. Again, we have no real idea how long this takes but are being told that it can take 2-3 weeks.
If all goes as planned (does it ever?), then I'm predicting:
1. MOI approval next week
2. 2 weeks for passport
3. 1 week to get his formal medical exam done
4. 1 week to get everything to USCIS
5. 1 week for them to approve it all and give us a VISA appt.
This brings us to the first week in March. I feel like I've been saying, "4-6 more weeks!" for the last 6 months, I know I have!
We are having family movie night tonight, Daddy is getting "Tangled" ready to watch in our cozy basement with the fireplace on. Enjoy your evening.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Next week, they should be able to give us final approval and send everything into the passport office so Carson can have his passport printed. Again, we have no real idea how long this takes but are being told that it can take 2-3 weeks.
If all goes as planned (does it ever?), then I'm predicting:
1. MOI approval next week
2. 2 weeks for passport
3. 1 week to get his formal medical exam done
4. 1 week to get everything to USCIS
5. 1 week for them to approve it all and give us a VISA appt.
This brings us to the first week in March. I feel like I've been saying, "4-6 more weeks!" for the last 6 months, I know I have!
We are having family movie night tonight, Daddy is getting "Tangled" ready to watch in our cozy basement with the fireplace on. Enjoy your evening.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Thursday, January 26, 2012
One step closer
We are told that Carson's paperwork was completed by MOJ and sent to MOI today!! This means that we should go into the passport stage next week -- though we don't know for sure, yet. I can't put down a date of final approval by MOI until we have confirmation. Carson has already had passport pictures taken but he will have to be brought to the passport office during this stage, I suppose they need to confirm that it is, in fact, really him!
Carson did have a medical exam yesterday by a physician in Haiti and we are told that he is doing well. I thought this would have been the exam that is required before his VISA can be issued but it is not. This exam was done to try to stay ahead of the game and treat any conditions that might need to be taken care of before he can enter the USA.
This feels like baby steps but we are one step closer and sooooo grateful that Pastor Steve was able to help out so much this week.
I'm looking at our Christmas tree. Yes, we still have our tree up. We were so disappointed that Carson wasn't home for Christmas that we decided to keep the tree up, and his presents underneath it, until he comes home. So far, we've had 2 strings of lights burn out since we put it up at the end of November. I hope we don't have to buy all new lights for next year :)
Happy Friday everyone.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Carson did have a medical exam yesterday by a physician in Haiti and we are told that he is doing well. I thought this would have been the exam that is required before his VISA can be issued but it is not. This exam was done to try to stay ahead of the game and treat any conditions that might need to be taken care of before he can enter the USA.
This feels like baby steps but we are one step closer and sooooo grateful that Pastor Steve was able to help out so much this week.
I'm looking at our Christmas tree. Yes, we still have our tree up. We were so disappointed that Carson wasn't home for Christmas that we decided to keep the tree up, and his presents underneath it, until he comes home. So far, we've had 2 strings of lights burn out since we put it up at the end of November. I hope we don't have to buy all new lights for next year :)
Happy Friday everyone.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Hopefully...
Pastor Steve went back to MOJ (Ministry of Justice) Tuesday to get the remaining paperwork that MOI (Ministry of Interior) is requesting, but they said it wasn't ready yet. They told him to come back on Thursday to pick it up. So, hopefully it will be ready on Thursday and either Pastor Steve or the orphanage director will be able to bring it to MOI before the end of the week. MOI states this is the last step before they will give us the final approval--so we've been told. After this, we then move on to passport stage and expect this will take a few weeks (possibly less, possibly more) to be printed. Notice the wording here is always cautious: "hopefully... possibly... probably... maybe... " Nothing is definite in Haiti!
Carson should be going in today for his medical exam. He may be poked for blood work and vaccinated, I'm not sure what to expect. I only wish I were there to comfort him after his ow-ees are over with. Cali assured me that the nannies will probably give him hugs for us :) She does have such a tender heart.
That's all for now. Hopefully I'll have more news tonight.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Carson should be going in today for his medical exam. He may be poked for blood work and vaccinated, I'm not sure what to expect. I only wish I were there to comfort him after his ow-ees are over with. Cali assured me that the nannies will probably give him hugs for us :) She does have such a tender heart.
That's all for now. Hopefully I'll have more news tonight.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Monday, January 23, 2012
Thank you!
Pastor Steve is in Haiti helping the orphanage director get things done! Yeah Steve, thank you! They have been running around from one office to another figuring out what paperwork needs to be completed and in the meantime, waiting a lot. Things are so different in Haiti. You get up really early to travel through traffic and people everywhere, divert potholes and battle the heat, then when you get where you are going, you wait for hours to talk to someone, only to find out that the person you need to talk to isn't there today, and by the way, the papers you need are across town at the other office. So you then trek again, through crowded streets of cars and people, potholes and trash, to get where to need to go. Then you get what you need and try to organize everything (for 5 different families adopting several children) and make sense of it all. Then you start all over the next day getting the right people the right forms for the right children with all the correct information translated into Creole! All the while, it's hot and you are lacking for good food and water and a good night's sleep. Haiti is a very difficult place to be.
We have become so accustomed to getting things quickly: cell phones, email, fax, fedex, driving on decent highways -- rarely overheating, and grabbing a quick bite to eat or a Starbuck's for the road. It is easy to become demanding, frustrated, and angry. Anyone who's traveled to Haiti, will likely hear the phrase, "This is Haiti, it's not America." They are truly different worlds, yet only separated by a small bit of the ocean.
More news to come this week... !
We have become so accustomed to getting things quickly: cell phones, email, fax, fedex, driving on decent highways -- rarely overheating, and grabbing a quick bite to eat or a Starbuck's for the road. It is easy to become demanding, frustrated, and angry. Anyone who's traveled to Haiti, will likely hear the phrase, "This is Haiti, it's not America." They are truly different worlds, yet only separated by a small bit of the ocean.
More news to come this week... !
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Learning
Oh sweet boy, mama is missing you tonight.
Sunday nights have always been difficult for me, even as a child. Now, with my new work schedule, I have decided take Mondays off. This has been such a great change and quite a blessing for me. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity! I can only hope that another week will bring good news regarding our adoption. We have hope for the week ahead.
While listening to KTIS this morning with my daughter, we heard a short devotion about dealing with life's challenges. This reminded me again that we tend to pray for the end result: the child coming home, the healing, the blessing, the "want" that we have, etc. When instead, we should also ask God what he wants to teach us through this process. How does he want us to grow in faith and grow in our relationship with Him? Maybe our end result is NOT what God sees as the most important result of getting through difficult times. When I mentioned this devotion to Caden on the way to church, he commented about how Tim Tebow wrote about a similar situation when he couldn't play football in college due to a shoulder injury (he's reading Tim Tebow's book!). He also reminded me of Job. We talked about how God allowed sickness and death and much pain in Job's life, yet Job continued to TRUST and have faith in God. (Caden is a pretty smart kid!) We talked about how we pray for Carson to come home, yet what can we learn while we wait? TRUST ME, says Jesus.
We had a great teaching moment this Sunday morning. Caden and Cali seemed to understand our discussion and I was a very proud Mama -- this was one of those parenting moments you hope for :)
Sunday nights have always been difficult for me, even as a child. Now, with my new work schedule, I have decided take Mondays off. This has been such a great change and quite a blessing for me. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity! I can only hope that another week will bring good news regarding our adoption. We have hope for the week ahead.
While listening to KTIS this morning with my daughter, we heard a short devotion about dealing with life's challenges. This reminded me again that we tend to pray for the end result: the child coming home, the healing, the blessing, the "want" that we have, etc. When instead, we should also ask God what he wants to teach us through this process. How does he want us to grow in faith and grow in our relationship with Him? Maybe our end result is NOT what God sees as the most important result of getting through difficult times. When I mentioned this devotion to Caden on the way to church, he commented about how Tim Tebow wrote about a similar situation when he couldn't play football in college due to a shoulder injury (he's reading Tim Tebow's book!). He also reminded me of Job. We talked about how God allowed sickness and death and much pain in Job's life, yet Job continued to TRUST and have faith in God. (Caden is a pretty smart kid!) We talked about how we pray for Carson to come home, yet what can we learn while we wait? TRUST ME, says Jesus.
We had a great teaching moment this Sunday morning. Caden and Cali seemed to understand our discussion and I was a very proud Mama -- this was one of those parenting moments you hope for :)
Friday, January 20, 2012
Another week
Two things to report on:
1. MOI is now requesting MORE paperwork for the adoptions. What in God's great earth more do they possibly need? I feel as if we have opened our life to them and I have no idea what else it is they are asking for. Carson should be getting his medical exam next week and we are hoping he has no infections or illness that make him "inadmissable" to the USA.
2. GCAA has been wonderful and quick with helping us get our homestudy revised and updated. However, as part of this process we also had to redo our background studies and we have to wait for those results, which can take 2 weeks more. Yet, remember that we did get Ryan's SS card in a matter of one week when they told us it would take 3 weeks -- and that was over a holiday week!
Another day, another week, we wait and pray... God is good, ALL the time!
Have a great weekend, stay warm, drive safely.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
1. MOI is now requesting MORE paperwork for the adoptions. What in God's great earth more do they possibly need? I feel as if we have opened our life to them and I have no idea what else it is they are asking for. Carson should be getting his medical exam next week and we are hoping he has no infections or illness that make him "inadmissable" to the USA.
2. GCAA has been wonderful and quick with helping us get our homestudy revised and updated. However, as part of this process we also had to redo our background studies and we have to wait for those results, which can take 2 weeks more. Yet, remember that we did get Ryan's SS card in a matter of one week when they told us it would take 3 weeks -- and that was over a holiday week!
Another day, another week, we wait and pray... God is good, ALL the time!
Have a great weekend, stay warm, drive safely.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Thursday, January 19, 2012
A Father's Love
Sometimes it is hard to "feel" God's love when we cannot physically receive a hug from Him or hear Him say, "I love you, I'm proud of you child." Since we often relate God's love for us as our earthly father loved us, it is often hard to understand the true nature of God. We all biologically come from a mother and a father, and we all have a human nature as well. That human nature is imperfect. Our parents have made mistakes, those of us who are now parents have made mistakes. Parents die, children die, loved ones die. Some earthly fathers are absent, some are physically present but distant from the lives of those who love them. Fathers learned from their fathers; we are imperfect. Yet GOD is not. He is the most present, most perfect, most loving Father that we can never imagine. I believe we cannot even fathom His love for us because all we know is human love and human nature. We can, however, catch a glimmer of this amazing love if we read His word in the Bible, the most perfect truth in all the world.
From Psalm 103:
Praise the Lord, oh my soul...
...who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion...
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love...
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him...
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him...
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
May you begin to understand the Father's love for you today.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
From Psalm 103:
Praise the Lord, oh my soul...
...who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion...
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love...
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him...
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him...
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
May you begin to understand the Father's love for you today.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Stuck
We collected the documents that USCIS requested and our adoption agency is working on our revised homestudy. We need to get these forms in ASAP.
We are one of five families who are adopting children from this orphanage in Haiti through the same adoption agency, God's Children Adoption Agency, Inc. A pastor who is also working with our adoption agency is going to Haiti soon to check on the children and all of the paperwork. We hope that he will be able to help get the children in for their medical exams, plus go to the MOI office with the orphanage director so we can get some clarity about what is going on down there. We have now been on hold in the MOI office for 8 weeks. After just two weeks in MOJ (Ministry of Justice), we never expected to be "stuck" here for so long.
Another week, almost done, what are the chances that we will get good news in the next 2 days?
We are one of five families who are adopting children from this orphanage in Haiti through the same adoption agency, God's Children Adoption Agency, Inc. A pastor who is also working with our adoption agency is going to Haiti soon to check on the children and all of the paperwork. We hope that he will be able to help get the children in for their medical exams, plus go to the MOI office with the orphanage director so we can get some clarity about what is going on down there. We have now been on hold in the MOI office for 8 weeks. After just two weeks in MOJ (Ministry of Justice), we never expected to be "stuck" here for so long.
Another week, almost done, what are the chances that we will get good news in the next 2 days?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Unforeseen
Well, we've had another unepexted issue... Since we had to redo our fingerprints for the US government (USCIS office), something came up and they now want an updated homestudy. For those that don't know, the homestudy is a major step in getting all your adoption paperwork in order. We are working closely and quickly with our adoption agency to get this done ASAP. This may need to be a revised homestudy or it may be just a matter of adding an addendum to our current homestudy. This updated version may need to be notarized, legalized, authenticated and translated, AGAIN! Our agency will let us know what else we need to do, hopefully soon! If we can get this all done before everything else is ready to go to the US Embassy in Port au Prince, Haiti, then we'll be okay. If this delays things on OUR part and Carson is then waiting for us, I will not be a happy camper. Sometimes it really does feel that there is an external source that is fighting us, and this process, every step of the way. Yet, our God is so much bigger than anything else, we know that He will ultimately have the say in everything that happens. We are in His hands (though not always easy to remember this when it feels so hard!) Ugh. So close, yet still so much left to do.
Hold on sweet baby boy, Mommy and Daddy, Caden and Cali love you so much; we just can't wait to bring you home. We'll be there soon!!
Hold on sweet baby boy, Mommy and Daddy, Caden and Cali love you so much; we just can't wait to bring you home. We'll be there soon!!
Friday, January 13, 2012
No news, again.
Another week and no updates. I sent Amy a brief email asking if there was anything at all to report. She states no, but that it doesn't mean there is anything wrong, they probably just didn't get to it. Ugh.
Maybe next week... I'm going to bed.
Maybe next week... I'm going to bed.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
January 12, 2010
Today is the 2 year anniversary of the massive Haiti earthquake that had changed Carson's life forever. He was just 5 1/2 weeks old at that time, and was brought to the orphanage on January 16, 2010. However, even the orphanage became unlivable by the erthquake and the children and nannies were living in the streets for many months. God's Children Adoption Agency, Inc in Fergus Falls, MN found this orphanage through a series of connections (and miracles) and agreed to sponsor them. With the help of generous donors, they helped the orphanage director and his wife find a new home (orphanage), purchase a generator, purchase a truck, and provided many supplies for the nannies and children.
This link is for the video remake of We Are the World. It was recorded in February 2010 in the same studio that the original We Are the World video was recorded in, now 27 years ago. The people of Haiti have so little and yet the children can still smile!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glny4jSciVI&feature=related
In case you were curious about the original video, I've included a link for that one too. When Cali saw the original, she said, "Wow, big hair!" Yes, my child, that was the 80s and your mama had big hair too! Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcwblvqir-s&feature=related
No news on the adoption front yet...
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
This link is for the video remake of We Are the World. It was recorded in February 2010 in the same studio that the original We Are the World video was recorded in, now 27 years ago. The people of Haiti have so little and yet the children can still smile!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glny4jSciVI&feature=related
In case you were curious about the original video, I've included a link for that one too. When Cali saw the original, she said, "Wow, big hair!" Yes, my child, that was the 80s and your mama had big hair too! Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcwblvqir-s&feature=related
No news on the adoption front yet...
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Hope
One of the most amazing things about faith in Jesus Christ is that we ALWAYS have hope. There is always hope for the future -- this doesn't mean you have guaranteed happiness or fun or wealth, but it does mean that you have hope in knowing that God is good, He is in control and He WILL take care of you! If we recognize that we all have a human nature that struggles with sin (selfishness, greed, lust, etc) and try to turn away from that sin (He will help you, just ask Him!) and then TRUST Him, we can know that we will have a life of awesome eternity after we leave the trials and challenges that are so prevalent on this earth.
Some of these days have been so difficult and I truly believe that if it wasn't for this hope and the strength that God provides, I wouldn't be the person, wife, mommy, daughter, sister, friend that I am today.
"...but those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength. They will SOAR on wings like eagles; they will RUN and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
I'll pray for you today! Sincerely, Elizabeth
Some of these days have been so difficult and I truly believe that if it wasn't for this hope and the strength that God provides, I wouldn't be the person, wife, mommy, daughter, sister, friend that I am today.
"...but those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength. They will SOAR on wings like eagles; they will RUN and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
I'll pray for you today! Sincerely, Elizabeth
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Nothing yet
So the orphanage director was to go to the MOI office today and see what is going on; we haven't heard anything yet...
The new picture of Carson is one that was posted on the orphanage Facebook page. Ryan wanted me to state in the caption, "Whatch you talkin' about Willis?" :)
Maybe I'll have good news tomorrow.
- Did he make it to the MOI office ? Did the truck overheat and he couldn't drive it ?
- If he did go and we haven't heard anything, then there must be no change ?
- Maybe he did get there and heard good news, but wasn't able to contact Amy and let her know ?
- Maybe the paperwork wasn't corrected the way they needed it to be and something else has to be changed ?
- Maybe he did contact Amy but she is really busy (she does have several children of her own!) and hasn't been able to send us an update yet ?
The new picture of Carson is one that was posted on the orphanage Facebook page. Ryan wanted me to state in the caption, "Whatch you talkin' about Willis?" :)
Maybe I'll have good news tomorrow.
Endurance
No news yet...
Run with endurance the race that is set before you, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Run with endurance the race that is set before you, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Holding Steady...
So it's really late and I'm a little loopy from working 12 hours today and just watching Parenthood (that show is so good!). The orphanage director is supposed to be going to MOI on Wednesday to check on the status of everything. We will be anxiously waiting for an update tomorrow!
Carson will have a medical exam soon by a physician appointed by the US Embassy. I guess these are pretty strict. Children can be determined to be inadmissable to the good old USofA. This seems so silly to me -- doesn't our own country think that we can provide wonderful health care when our children are home?
We are also hoping that we can get Carson's passport in a matter of 1-2 weeks instead of the sometimes several weeks that it takes for others. This usually requires an extra fee to expedite things and Amy is figuring out how to do this.
I am a little worried about the timeframe that the US Embassy (USCIS) will give us for our VISA appt. We have reason to believe that someone from Amy Klobuchar's office might be able to help make sure that we get this appt ASAP instead of waiting several more weeks.
We are soooo close, yet so many things are up in the air. And so the rollercoaster goes on and on and on and I'm getting motion sick ...
Will update tomorrow! Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.
Elizabeth
Carson will have a medical exam soon by a physician appointed by the US Embassy. I guess these are pretty strict. Children can be determined to be inadmissable to the good old USofA. This seems so silly to me -- doesn't our own country think that we can provide wonderful health care when our children are home?
We are also hoping that we can get Carson's passport in a matter of 1-2 weeks instead of the sometimes several weeks that it takes for others. This usually requires an extra fee to expedite things and Amy is figuring out how to do this.
I am a little worried about the timeframe that the US Embassy (USCIS) will give us for our VISA appt. We have reason to believe that someone from Amy Klobuchar's office might be able to help make sure that we get this appt ASAP instead of waiting several more weeks.
We are soooo close, yet so many things are up in the air. And so the rollercoaster goes on and on and on and I'm getting motion sick ...
Will update tomorrow! Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.
Elizabeth
Monday, January 9, 2012
He's Walking!
The orphanage director posted pics of the children on his Facebook page and Carson is standing and walking! (yes, even in Haiti where there is incredible poverty, they still manage to have Facebook!) We knew in the fall that he was starting to stand up and possibly taking steps.
Amy received word today that our paperwork SHOULD finally be approved by the end of the week, BUT these are hopeful words that we have become very cautious about taking too seriously. It is so difficult for me to understand why the delays are sooooo long... one provides what they are asking for (SS cards and corrected paperwork) and then they simply check it off and state : APPROVED! right??
Is anyone else having a weird day today? I have been in tears today, then both Caden and Cali have been super sensitive and in tears also. Then I realized, there must be a full moon! Wallah!! I was right. While I am not at all superstitious, I've seen enough weird stuff with people at the time of the full moon. Anyone else who works in healthcare can probably say the same thing. I'm working in Mpls tomorrow, yikes, that should be interesting after an evening of the full moon :) Great.
Have a good week everyone. Thanks for reading and taking this journey with us.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Amy received word today that our paperwork SHOULD finally be approved by the end of the week, BUT these are hopeful words that we have become very cautious about taking too seriously. It is so difficult for me to understand why the delays are sooooo long... one provides what they are asking for (SS cards and corrected paperwork) and then they simply check it off and state : APPROVED! right??
Is anyone else having a weird day today? I have been in tears today, then both Caden and Cali have been super sensitive and in tears also. Then I realized, there must be a full moon! Wallah!! I was right. While I am not at all superstitious, I've seen enough weird stuff with people at the time of the full moon. Anyone else who works in healthcare can probably say the same thing. I'm working in Mpls tomorrow, yikes, that should be interesting after an evening of the full moon :) Great.
Have a good week everyone. Thanks for reading and taking this journey with us.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Today's Devotion
I Samuel 1 – 2:1-11
Hannah knew heartache stemming from the longing and despair she felt for a child. A longing that her husband and Eli the priest couldn’t comprehend, a longing that may be unique to women.While my womb is not barren and I have not lost a child through miscarriage or death, I have also had this longing for my child to come home. Is this a God-given desire: to bear children, to nurture a child, to have all our children home, to have a sense of completeness for our families?
Hannah wept and prayed in the temple with deep anguish and grief. Eli spoke to her and said, “Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” She left the temple that day in PEACE.
Soon after Hannah and her husband returned home, the scripture says, “The Lord remembered her.” Hannah conceived and bore a son, Samuel.
The Lord is always faithful, always good, always loving. His timing is not my timing. In this time of waiting, there is a process, a growing, a maturing, a learning that occurs. This may be even more important than the end result. What do we do in the time of waiting? Always trust God. Some days are long and difficult, some days are peaceful and contented, but through them all, remember that God is faithful and good.
Romans 8:28
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.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Fingerprints done!
We had our appointment today with the USCIS office St. Paul to redo our fingerprints for the US government. No word from Amy this week about any approval through MOI. SIGH... maybe next week. Have a blessed weekend.
Sincerely, Elizabeth
Sincerely, Elizabeth
Thursday, January 5, 2012
More Paperwork
We received an email from Amy (the executive director at GCAA who has been a wonderful blessing through all of this!) today. She let us know of some of the paperwork we'll need and the expectations for when we travel to Haiti in the coming weeks/months. She stated that our paperwork is still in MOI --hopefully they now have the copy of Ryan's SS card, and hopefully the corrections were made on our translated paperwork (Ryan's name was listed as Bryan!) -- so now they just have to give the final approval. We hope and pray this happens Friday so we (they) can move on to getting Carson's passport printed.
Amy also had some words of encouragement in that she believes we could be traveling in 4 weeks! We are cautiously excited as we thought we were in this very timetable back in July when we thought for sure Carson would be home in August. We pray... a lot :)
Ryan and I are also committed to helping Amy find a forever family for a little boy we met at the orphanage named Sebastian. Please contact me or Amy if you'd like more information about Sebastian or adoption : elizabethhedlund@msn.com or amybtwedt@gmail.com
Sincerely, Elizabeth
Amy also had some words of encouragement in that she believes we could be traveling in 4 weeks! We are cautiously excited as we thought we were in this very timetable back in July when we thought for sure Carson would be home in August. We pray... a lot :)
Ryan and I are also committed to helping Amy find a forever family for a little boy we met at the orphanage named Sebastian. Please contact me or Amy if you'd like more information about Sebastian or adoption : elizabethhedlund@msn.com or amybtwedt@gmail.com
Sincerely, Elizabeth
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Welcome To Our Adoption Journey!
I assume that you are reading this because either you know us, are considering adoption, or are on your own adoption journey and searching blogs for anyone else who might be also and you need some encouragement! I have done just this and found myself in tears watching You Tube videos of adoption homecomings. Oh, how I long with the depths of my soul for that day to come!
Yet, like many, we wait. Every step of this journey has been a test of faith, patience and trust. How comforting to know that God our Father is in control and He places children into the homes of their forever families, and in His perfect timing. This has not been easy however. Trust me, I've had my moments of doubt but I've also had great peace. My faith has grown in ways that it never could have if we hadn't experienced this process.
We are a family: Ryan--daddy, Elizabeth--mommy, Caden--our 9 year old son, Cali--our 6 1/2 year old daughter and Carson--our 2 year old son that we hope to bring home soon. Carson is living in an orphanage in Haiti and has been since he was about one month old. After the massive earthquake in January 2010, Carson's birthmother selflessly chose to relinquish her parental rights knowing that an adoptive family could provide him with love and laughter, and meet his basic needs.
As our adoption journey is closing in on Carson's homecoming day, please follow us if you'd like. I hope it blesses you in some way.
Sincerely, Elizabeth
Yet, like many, we wait. Every step of this journey has been a test of faith, patience and trust. How comforting to know that God our Father is in control and He places children into the homes of their forever families, and in His perfect timing. This has not been easy however. Trust me, I've had my moments of doubt but I've also had great peace. My faith has grown in ways that it never could have if we hadn't experienced this process.
We are a family: Ryan--daddy, Elizabeth--mommy, Caden--our 9 year old son, Cali--our 6 1/2 year old daughter and Carson--our 2 year old son that we hope to bring home soon. Carson is living in an orphanage in Haiti and has been since he was about one month old. After the massive earthquake in January 2010, Carson's birthmother selflessly chose to relinquish her parental rights knowing that an adoptive family could provide him with love and laughter, and meet his basic needs.
As our adoption journey is closing in on Carson's homecoming day, please follow us if you'd like. I hope it blesses you in some way.
Sincerely, Elizabeth
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)