Only on Mondays and Thursdays

He is working so hard to get our adoptions finalized, but there just seems to be one challenge after another.  The orphanage director went to the USCIS office early this morning (this is a 2 hour drive from the orphanage) only to be told that they only accept adoption papers on Mondays and Thursdays!!  So he will go back on Monday to drop off the documents.  Thank you God that he is so persistent and working so hard for us!

Do not be dismayed

We have been notified that the orphanage director is bringing the confirmation letter requested by USCIS  this week and the medical certificate (from Carson's medical exam 3/9/2012) to the USCIS office today in Port au Prince, Haiti.  This should complete things as we have not been notified that anything else needs to be done/revised/fixed/altered/corrected/etc/etc/etc/etc.  As stated in the email to me, they should now be able to "proceed to a final review of the case before it is adjudicated." Yeah!!!  We are hoping to hear of our visa appointment next week which means we could be going to Haiti in 2-3 weeks!

One of my dear friends reminded me of a great verse:
"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  I will help you.  I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10  This journey is long, these challenges are hard, but as difficult as some days are with my limited vision and selfish human nature, I am so comforted by knowing that God is always there, He is always in control, He will have victory, no matter what happens!  His will is perfect, His love is never failing, He will NEVER let us down if we trust in Him and His Holy purpose.  Easter is approaching, without the true reason for Easter Christians would not have a firm foundation of faith.  Glory be to God that HE IS RISEN, and HE IS VICTORIOUS!  I know that nothing happens to me or my family that God doesn't allow, for a reason, in a season, and He will walk with me, beside me, or carry me if need be.    Find peace and rest in Him today.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

16 seconds

"Oh sweet baby Carson, I hope we hear some news today that this issue with our paperwork is resolved and we can come get you!!  Mommy, Daddy, Caden and Cali are so excited to have you here with us.  Cali pulled the empty high chair up to the table yesterday and said that when you are here, she will share her food with you and help to feed you.  We pray for you every night that God will protect you, care for you and bring you home to us.  We love you so much!"

A sweet glimpse into the world of Carson -- this is a 16 second video from when Amy was last visiting the orphanage in September 2011.  The picture is too dark but the sound of his laughter is wonderful.  This was our last update with photos, videos and personal information that we received for him -- 6 months ago!  (However, Pastor Steve was recently there and has said that all the children are doing well.)

Enjoy!

Day 15...

Received an email from USCIS in Haiti today, they need a confirmation letter before they will approve our adoption.  Apparently there are 3 different dates given for when Carson was brought to the orphanage and they want to know the exact date... oh my.  Doesn't this seem like a moot point at this time?  Our adoption agency is hard at work trying to get this completed for us ASAP!  Amy seems to think this is an easy fix and most likely it is just a "typo" in the documents. 

Oh goodness, so another week comes and goes and there will likely be no visa appt given this week.   My hopes were so high in anticipation for good news this week.  As Ryan said when I told him, "There is always something."  We won't be secure until we step off that plane holding him tight!

~ Elizabeth

14 days and counting...

As I write this it is Tuesday 6:08 pm in Haiti as they are one hour ahead of us.  I believe all government offices are closed for the day so there will be no news today.  My heart was racing every time I checked my email today, wondering if this life changing email would be there.  I honestly don't know what I will do when I finally read it and find out when we can go pick up our sweet boy: maybe laugh, cry, weep, tremble... all of the above!  My heart aches just thinking about it and I can't wait to smooch those sweet cheeks of his!

12 days and counting...

Sunday, day 12 and counting... unless when they said that they have 30 days to give us a visa appt they meant 30 business days, well then we could be only at day 8, but I'll assume the best on this one, for now anyway.  I think we will hear something this week, maybe Wednesday or Thursday, it seems pretty reasonable to me.  :)

We went to an amazing concert last night for a band called Gungor, named after Michael Gungor who leads the band with his wife Lisa.  They have incredible talent in writing and musical ability.  A young boy who was recently adopted from Jamaica by our dear friends sat behind me.  I heard him singing the lyrics to one of the songs, Beautiful Things, and I pictured Carson's face.  I cried listening to that sweet music and his sweet voice.  This is not my video from last night, but a short clip from YouTube.   

 

I don't think I will believe that Carson is ours until we step off the plane in Minnesota with him in my arms!

Have a blessed week and enjoy time with your loved ones this week, kiss their cheeks and hug them tight!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth

7 days and counting

Well, our paperwork has been with the US Embassy now for 7 days.  They have 30 days to give us a visa appointment, so sometime in the next 23 days we will be getting an email from them notifying us of our appointment date.  Do you think I'll be checking my email 100 times every day??  YES!   Nothing else new to report, just waiting and praying, waiting and praying...

Thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth