THE ADOPTION DECREE IS SIGNED!!!!

We received a call a few hours ago telling us the adoption decree is signed!!!!
THANK YOU Mr. Judge #3 Sir!

Will post more details tomorrow. The computer lab is closing now.

I think we will be home by the 10th or 11th !!!

Pete's birthday is the 14th!!!


Thank you one and all...
Thank you Lord -

Love,
Deb

The Bus...

I have determined that if you are going to ride the bus on the back roads in Tenjo, Colombia, you really should wear a sports bra!

Resting -

As I type I am sitting outside on a blanket in the little yard of our cottage. There is a fence around the cottage, and the entrance to the yard is a gate, taller then me, covered by a small roof. The inside of the fence is lined with different shades of purple flowers… deep purple, violet, white with the tips purple, some red flowers and some deep dark pink flowers. (I was going to say magenta, but don’t think I know how to spell it!)

I have been here most of the day. Today has been a true respite. The most special part for me though is not the beauty, the flowers, the cool breeze, the trees, or the birds singing. The most special part for me is this sweet young lady who has been next to me on the blanket all day.

This morning I pulled a rocking chair outside and Heidy wanted one too, so I grabbed the other one for her. We sat quietly and read for a bit. Then I grabbed a blanket and put it in the shade to rest and read my bible. Heidy followed me, went back inside for a minute and came back with two pillows and a book. She was smiling and peaceful and all she said was “Fun!” as she plopped beside me. It is just after lunch right now, and I am sitting on the blanket typing and she is beside me with a few toys.

I think it is fair to say I didn’t think this moment would come. This peaceful… it’s gonna be ok kind of feeling….

It was a very, very…very… hard weekend. I just couldn’t let myself be content. I wanted to go home so desperately that when I wasn’t crying, I was trying not to cry. The tears would come…. And go…. And I would think “Good… that’s over…” I would be fine, having fun even, and the next thing you know I’d think about home, and the tears would flow. And, you know how it is…. At least for me…. First I would be crying about being home, that would usually transition into missing my dad – then I would really cry… then I would be mad b/c I was crying… so I would cry more…

I am so thankful to be here. Andres and Hiedy played all week end with the girls here. They painted and went to the park and watched movies and made up games to play. I really wish I had a camera. If I did I would of snapped a picture of Andres with face cream all over his face…. Smiling real big!

I reached out to a handful of friends and they all sent me back scripture and encouragement. They told me to rest and enjoy being here. They told me the Lord has good things for me/us here, and to… well… basically to get a grip! So today… after another big hard cry, and after talking to Carol, our amazing friend who assured me she has my family covered… I just let myself be here, and I just let myself feel loved. And I just rested in the shade in the cool of the day. I imagine the tears will come again, but I think/hope I am on the other side of the abys. Maybe next time they won’t be desperate tears… maybe they will be healing tears…. Or happy tears…!

Well… back to Heidy and Andres….

Last night Heidy didn’t feel good. I have never seen her sick. She came to me as I was skyping home and crawled up on the table I sitting at and layed down and looked at me with the most pitiful eyes. She was shivering and she was trying not to cry. I quickly got off of Skype and we came home. I wrapped her in blankets and snuggled with her. After a bit, still shivering she looks at me and says….”Madre… Uno?” I couldn’t believe it! So we played one game of Uno, one of Skip Bo and one game of Yahtzee. She was shivering the whole time. She slept in this morning. I heard her stirring and went in to rest with her. She was so quite.

I just kept wondering how she was cared for in the foster homes when she was sick. I wonder if anyone ever just snuggled with her, or held her, or was cozy with her.

You know… this language barrier is a good thing sometimes. If I could of communicated with words to her I would have. As it was… we were both just quiet and cozy and I rubbed her back… for a long time… each in our own quiet thought..


And Andres….

I must admit… I was TOTALLY shocked and feel very honored and loved….

As you know… our potty has been backed up… for 5 days! They were able to fix it yesterday. Yeeaa!! Last night I realized that it really, really needed to be scrubbed. I told Hiedy and Andres I was sorry and that I would take care of it today. So…. I was kind of avoiding it… really wishing Pete were here…. But knowing I had to suck it up and do the gross work. In I went…

And…

The potty was sparkling! I was absolutely shocked. I cried out… “Who cleaned the potty?”

And Andres popped around the corner with a BIG smile and said “I did!” (Yup, in english even!)


Thank you to ALL who are praying, encouraging, cooking for, and serving our family. Please know that you are participating - literally...in rescuing these 2 sweet children we will soon be able to call our son and daughter.

Muchos Amor –
Much Love –
Deb

Teachable Moments Part 2

Sheesh….. you would think I would of learned and typed the prior blog in Word… like Rachel told me to…. So I wouldn’t lose it… but nooo…..

Well… here I am in Word… finshing the story, that I already finished and lost…..


To finish the story….

I told Andres that in our family we show respect and love by valuing other people’s time.

(My brother is probably cracking up right now b/c our family had an issue with time when we visited them! - Hi David!)

Anyway… I told Andres that in our family if we stole other people’s time we had to give even more time back.

I could see he was starting to understand the concept so I continued …

I told him he could give Claudia back her time by washing all the lunch dishes ( 46 + girls ), he could give Heidy back her time by doing her chores and he could giver me back my time by serving the people that are serving me/us and do the yard work with the Rafael.

It was like a cartoon! As he read his eyes got bigger…. And Bigger and BIGGER…. And he looked at me with a look of disbelief. I couldn’t help but laugh : ).

I told him I would not ask him to do those things this time b/c this was new to him, but now he knew, and he was accountable.


It is those teachable moments with our children that I love. If I can stay patient, and pray, and see the opportunity, it always brings us closer.

I am grateful to be here, in this beautiful, quiet piece of heaven so I can slow down enough to enjoy these initial opportunities to shepherd Heidy and Andres’ heart.

Hmmm…. It just occurred to me…
Maybe God has me here in this beautiful, quiet, piece of heaven so He can shepherd MY heart.

Lord please help me to stay in the moment…. And not long for home so much that I miss You…. Amen

Teachable Moments...

So..... we had a teachable moment this morning...

It is amazing to see the understanding click for Heidy and Andres...

This morning Andres was late to breakfast and Hiedy was taaaakkkiiing heeerrrr ttiimmmmeeeee.

I gave them 5 more minutes, and they were not finished.

Blah, Blah, Blah..... I will spare you the details but suffice it to say they DID eventually eat their breakfast... all of it... even cold scrambled eggs....

And we got to talk about the concept of stealing peoples time.

I explained that they stole Claudia's time because she had cooked for them, and my time b/c I was choosing to sit with them... and that Andres was stealing Heidy's time b/c it took him forever to finish the cold scrambled eggs and we waited for him...

When I say I "told" them about important things, I mean I use the computer to translate my typing. We call is "Bing" b/c it is the Bing translator.

It is funny b/c we call talking "blah, blah, blah..."

So if I am not understanding the children will literally say:
"Madre.... blah, blah, blah Bing?"

WHEN WILL WE BE HOME? GOOD QUESTION...

WHEN ARE WE COMING HOME????

Hmmm…..

Good question!

We are coming up on the completion of our 3rd week here. Everything has gone smoothly. The first 2 steps are completed…. The bonding period and the review documenting that all the necessary documents are in our file.

From what I understand our petition to adopt passed the review and is now with Judge # 3….. Who I affectionately think of as “Mr. Judge # 3 Sir!”

Mr. Judge #3 Sir received our petition on August 22. He has 10 business days ( 2 weeks ) to approve the petition and grant us the adoption decree. This is a very BIG deal b/c that means Heidy and Andes are officially McIndoe children!!

I was hoping Mr. Judge #3 Sir would have reviewed our petition this week…. Week one… but I have not heard anything, and it is 5:00pm on Friday, so I think we are pushed into next week. That means we should hear something by Friday, September 2nd, or before.

*** Sad news flash… I just got an e-mail from our agency saying the Judge has finished with our petition but now it has to be signed my lots of offficials. “That could take one or two more weeks.”

After we receive the adoption decree we fly to Neiva, the children’s home town, to sign the decree and to receive the children’s new birth certificates.
( Pete gave me power of attorney to sig for him. )

Heidy Johanna McIndoe Crawford
and
Andres Camilo McIndoe Crawford.

In Colombia children take both parents last name. When we readopt in the states their last name will be McIndoe.

After receiving the adoption decree we fly back to Tenjo and then go to stay in Bogota for the last week. This is a very busy week with embassy appointments, dr. appointments, visa appointments…. Etc….

Once we receive the Heidy and Andres visas we get to come home!!!!

So… if I lay all that out on the calendar I think we could/should be home the week of September 12th if not before. ***Or with this new news… it could be as late the week of the 19th. What a disappointment. I wrote a note back and begged to have things move more quickly. I am SO bummed…. We need to be home… we really do…

Heidy, Andres and I are doing fine. We get to Skype home almost every day. That is fun. It is especially fun to hear everybody squeal and cheer when they talk to Heidy and Andres!

Today the girls at the foster home went to play tennis. They invited us to come with them and they let Heidy and Andres play. Oh my… I discovered new things about our children…. Heidy is very competitive, and Andres has a good arm on him! I asked him if he ever played baseball and he said no…. It will be so fun to see them blossom at home!

I am trying to be peaceful and trust God for His perfect timing.
If I think about home for too long I get tearful quite easily.

But, when I let myself be in the moment, in this beautiful place that the Lord has provided for us, with Heidy and Andres… I am peaceful, content and grateful.


Jeremiah 29:11-13

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

OUR DAYS AT TENJO!

Here we go….
This is my third attempt at entering a Blog!
I keep losing them….

So Rachel, a girl here from New Zeland has show me how to write it in Word and then copy it to the blog!
WhooHooo!!!!


So….
Our days here in Tenjo are Delightful!

When I think about being at home I get tearful pretty quickly, so I don’t let myself “go there” very often.

When I let myself be here, at CDA and in the moment, I am filled with awe and gratitude. CDA stands for Corporacion Dios Amor… GOD IS LOVE! This is where God has us at this time… it really is amazing.

Our days are gentle and easy.
Breakfast at 7:00
School 8:00 – 10:30 and then 3:00 – 5:00
We go to our cottage after lunch until school at 3:00.

When we are at home we do a shool together…
Bible, English and Math flash cards.

We are reading the book of John Heidy and Andres have memorized John 3:16 I Spanish and are working on it in English!


The high light of the day is after dinner. We go back to our cottage for some pretty competitive rounds of UNO. We are in an ongoing competition. So far I lead with 23 games, Heidy is next with about 20, and Andres with 12. It is very fun…. We got some treats at the market especially for the evenings playing UNO. Treats for Heidy and Andres are cheese, yogurt cereal, chips and marshmellows!

Our competition has taken on an added twist. Heidy and Andres are neck-in-neck to see who has the most “toots!” They really crack themselves up, laughing so hard the are rolling on floor. I have chosen not to participate in this particular competition, but I do keep score for them. Hiedy is up to 12 or so… Andres up to 15! ( Cummulative!)

As we wrap up UNO Hiedy and Andres usually get quiet and cozy. We sit quietly on the couch together, each having our own thoughts. Sometimes one of them will fall asleep. This is my most treasured time with them. Being close, safe, cozy and praying for them.

Eventually someone initiates going to bed.
“Good night! Love you!” “Love you too!”
There are some special times I want to share, but I will do that at another time because this is long already.

As I close I will share 2 thoughts that have crossed my mind these past few days.

1) Am I really going to be a mom of 8 children? Lord…. Please guide me and lead me….

AND

2) Why didn’t anyone tell me not to put toilet paper down the potty b/c if you do… after about 2 weeks, the potty will clog, the maintance man will be frustrated, and we will have to go to the outside potty when needed… (((sigh!)))

                                          Heidy and Andres in our hotel, Casa Blanca, in Neiva!

Highlights!

 - The people here at CDA are amazing.  They have invited Heidy and Andres to do school with the students here and the teacher is even picking out work specifically for each of them.  This morning they invited me to their staff devotion time.  I understood not a word....  but I understood a lot...  if you know what I mean!

- Each day has been filled with joy and fun for Heidy and Andres.  Of course, there are some challenges as well, but staying here I have time to be patient, pray and shepherd.  I can't say that it has always been easy... but it has been very good.

- Here at the CDA home for girls they eat dinner around 6:30pm and the children are in bed by 8:00pm.  I want to emphasize IN BED because the place it pitch black and there is not a peep!

- This morning, I walked over to the the kitchen at about 5:45 am.  To my surprise happy little girls, all in school uniforms had already eaten breakfast and were playing with kited while waiting to go to school!

- I am very, very close to getting everyone at home ready for school and wrapping up detail so they don't fall through the cracks.  It  has been much, much more than I bargained for.

-Carol is certainly a gift from the Lord for our family.  I keep her in the loop on all the details and she seems to be on top of it all.  Often at night, on skype, I will remind the children of something and they say:  "Mrs. Leland already helped us with that!"

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!!!

                                              HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY MATTHEW!!!!
                                                        You are a joy, and a gift!
                                                                       Love you!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!

                                               HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!

   Rachel Grace!  It was fun skyping with Rachel and family this morning while she opened her presents!
                                            
                                                   I LOVE YOU SWEET GIRL!!
 

THE TOP TEN THINGS I KNOW FOR SURE...

                                    THE TOP TEN THINGS I KNOW FOR SURE...



10. Clothes are over rated...  these girls have 3 outfits and one pair of shoes,  and they are happy...

9. A jacket is a need, not a want when you go from 100 degrees to 50 degrees in a day...literally.

8. There are kind people who will share jackets!

 7.  If there is no plug in the bathroom you can still do your hair in the kitchen using the reflexion on
       the microwave and a curling iron.

6. You can eat food that you don't what it is .... and still live a good life!

5.  By God's grace we can "win" the important challenges with our children, and let the rest go.

4. By an extra measure of God's grace we will know what to let go.

3.  Sometimes focusing on the just the next thing is all we can do...  and God will see us through...

2.  Community is a verb... an amazing experience...



                                  And the #1 absolute thing I know for sure...

 1.  When you find a Love that's tender,
      When you find a Love that's true,
      Thank the Lord
      He's been doubly good to you....






  




                          
    

My aching heart... and God's faithfulness....

 

                              This is the precious cottage the Lord provided for us in Tenjo, Colombia!

I wish you could see how vibrant the colors are...  beautiful!

                                                       This is the view all around us!    

When I see them each day, I pray and ask the Lord to give me vision of what he has for me...

I fear my vision is small...  Often I am enjoying the animals, the animals, the people here...  

Then I glance up.... and each time I do I am almost surprised... taken... by the view.  It speaks to may heart giving me a longing have a bigger vision than just today.

                             Last night while Skype with Rachel, Amy encouraged me...

                "You will be able to look back at the time and remember God's faithfulness...."

                      I think that is the vision God has for me.  This is not just about today...  

                                                There are also many animals on this campus!

                                                       This really is a beautiful place.  

                              It is quiet and peaceful... with the sounds of lot of little girls playing and giggling! 

Pete left yesterday morning so yesterday was our first full day on our own.  We did ok, but it is not the same without him here.  Nothing replaces the touch of a father...

We spent our day getting to know the staff and children.  We went to church with them last night.  We drove in a huge bus, through lots of pot holes that would make us pop out of our seat!  The church service was all in spanish, yet I found myself worshipping right along side everyone else.  It was a blessing to see 4 young girls, our girls' age, worshipping through dance.  It instantly reminded me of my girls.  This is what our girls get to experience in Ohio with Guidance Dance Co.  Once again I was struck..  Gods people are everywhere!

Just to be transparent..  it is not easy being away from my children at home.  It doesn't get any easier the longer I am away either.  I thought as the days ticked by I would feel excited about getting closer to coming home...  but when I think about all of them...  I can't help but long for our family to be together.  Tomorrow is Rachel's birthday and Tuesday is Matthew's birthday.  I never thought I would miss my childens' birthdays...

Pete gets home today and all the children come home today too!  I am sure it will be a joyous time, yet Rachel is not buying it....  She, especially is having a really hard time.  Seeing her tearful eyes on Skype is almost more than I can bear...

                         I know God has us here, in this beautiful place, at this time.

                                        Yet, my heart still aches to be at home...

"CONGRATULATIONS!" (From our attorney, Humberto)

We celebrated with banana splits!!

What a gift...  the social worker came to our hotel yesterday morning for an evaluation of our integration/bonding period.  This is the final and last step for the adoption agency to release us to move forward to the legal process in the courts.  It's a pretty big deal because they are very careful and very intentional. We know of recent families who have not been granted this priviledge  right away.  They had to wait another week or so for another evaluation.

Our interview was serious yet relaxed and pleasant.  Heidy and Andres got to tell the social worker all we had been doing and we got to share how well Heidy and Andres are doing.  She graciously granted us the certificate saying we are suitable to adopt!  

On our way to Bogota!

Now the next steps are with the court system.  

We will enter the court system and will be granted a judge. Maybe yesterday / maybe Tuesday

1) The courts approve all the necessary paperwork for our petition to adopt.  3-7 business days

2) The judge has up to 2 weeks to issue our adoption decree.  Up to 14 business days

3) The adoption decree is isssued and has to be signed by the authorities. Same day/ A few business days

Yesterday the mission house picked us up at the airport and brought us to the one of the most beautiful place Pete and I have ever seen!  Mountains, beautiful flowers, trees, cows, chickens, goats, sheep and a sweet, sweet cottage. This place reminds us.... to the detail... of  Neskowin, Oregon, where Pete's side of the family grew up and where many, many family reunions are hosted.  The weather is cloudy and cool and the flowers are vibrant!

THE LORD IS A LAMP UNTO OUR FEET!

What a fun day yesterday!  Sorony, our interpreter spent the whole day with us.  It was a nice slow day.... Pete claims he likes "Colombia time" better!  There is a much slower pace here... something we would would love to bring home with us!

Yesterday we went shopping for a few things we didn't get the day before, played on the play ground at the plaza, came back to our hotel and sat on the patio for a long time playing Yahtzee, visiting and laughing, and made plans for today and the coming weeks.

I got a bit teary as we walked around the plaza...  realizing for myself that would be the last time Heidy and Andres would be in that plaza...  a place they know so well, a place where they are comfortable.  I asked Andres if he wanted to take pictures of some his favorite places and he smiled real big, his eyes twinkled and he said yes.

We went to the book store in the plaza.  Heidy and Andres picked out books and we were able to find a workbook to learn english.  Last night Andres got out the workbook and we worked in it together.  It was fun to have him initiate learning english!  While we worked in the book, Heidy sat with us and painted her nails and chimed in quite a bit!

                          This is a picture of Heidy and Andres with Sorony, our interpreter!

Today is an important day:
We meet with the adoption social worker for an interview.  The purpose is to assess how this bonding week has gone.  We were talking about the interview last night with Heidy and Andres.  They are excited to share and take the next steps toward coming home.  This is really an amazing journey....

                                                         Dad and Andres at the park

                   Heidy's  bonita ( pretty) hair she had done at the salon the day before we were reunited!
                  

We will fly to Bogota this afternoon and a person from the mission house will pick us up.  It is so amazing to us that step by step God really is providing for us.  People we don't know, going out of their way to serve our family.  This is no short putt  as Tenjo is quite about an hour and half away.  We will get settled in the mission house and Pete will be with us tonight.  Tomorrow he flys to Ft. Lauderdale, and early Sunday morning he flys home!

Pete and I will miss Hotel Casa Blanca and the people who work here, as Sorony, our interpreter, and Humberto our attorney very much.

Acutually "miss" is such a weak word for what we are feeling.  It is much deeper than that.   A piece of our hearts are here.  Our new friends have truly taken us in as family and served us with love and generosity.

Jolanda, who mangages Casa Blana, surprised us last night by giving both Pete and I a small "purse" for our phones.  She was laughing  and teasing us. The staff at Casa Blanca has taken time to get to know us, Sorony has been amazing in shepherding us, and  Humberto is peaceful and always tells us... in english, with a heavy spanish accent...  "Don't worry"...  "Take it easy"... "I am in charge... it's ok..."

                                               These two know how to make anything fun!

                   It is so fun to be able to share our journey!  We are humble, blessed, and excited!
The Lord truly is a Lamp unto our feet...  one step at a time... we are learning to trust him as  He provides the path... step by step.... for us to come home!

"I AM GOING THERE TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU!" John 14:2b

Hola!   We are having a wonderful time in Nieva, truly experiencing God's grace, and are enjoying being with Heidy and Andres very, very much!  The culture and the people here are beautiful.  They have servant hearts and a sparkle in their eyes.  I remember a song I  heard years ago by Sandy Patti...."Love in every language....Straight from the heart....pulls us all together...."   Oh if only I could sing it to you!

So... aside from losing my my phone yesterday... all is well.  Heidy and Andres were taking pictures in a park... like the picture above.  Heidy handed me back the phone, we got into a  taxi, we went to the office to make reservations for Pete to come home...Heidy asked for the phone while we were there...  uh-oh...no phone.

I am reading a book...  Life Interrupted by Pricillla Shirer.  It gives me perspective on losing my phone... an interruption we would of liked to avoid.   I think the way Pete and I handled this stress was/is a testament to Heidy and Andres.  It is ok...  not preferred, but nothing to get mad about, or blame...  or shame.  Somehow they thought it was their fault the phone was gone.  We got to assure them they were not responsible...  I was, and even if they were...  no big deal in the grand scheme of things.  Pete's take...  grace, grace, grace to me...  My take...  I didn't lose our passports so all is well!

Yesterday we got to see downtown Neiva.  Our interpreter spent the day with us.  She is a gift.  We went to the adoption office to make plans for Pete to come home, to the airline office to make reservations, lost my phone, got in yet another taxi and retraced our steps, went shopping for Heidy and Andres... clothes, shoes.... etc...  fun!  And then...  a delightful evening... That was all the stuff one could see...

But this morning I am reminded...
Life is much more about the unseen!

In the unseen God was/is preparing a place for us...
(And you too in your journey...literally and figuratively!)

We made a call yesterday morning to a Dr.  ( Connie) here in Neiva..
Our interpreter talked to Connie on the phone and told her that our friend, of a freind, of a friend... of Missys "introduced" us to Missy back in May.  Missy encouraged us to call her..

Back in May -
My friend Diane
Introduced me to Connie
Who "introduced" us to her friend
Who "introduced" us to Missy
Who introduced us to Connie!!!

God's people are everywhere!   And here is where the miracle continues....
Our interpreter made a call to Connie and said something in spanish like....
I am an interpretor for Debbie and Peter...  they are friends, of friends etc... of Missy's.  Missy encouraged us to call you!"

( Have I mentioned that we have never met Missy? !)

Connie was laughing so much last night.  She said on her end she received a call from a number she did not know... and the person on the other end was talking about friends of freinds etc...  and she was not sure where this was going until she heard Missy's name! Then it all clicked for her....!

As only the Lord can orchestrate...  Connie travels all over Colombia for the God is Love ministry clinics.  She has been in Neiva only a few days on this visit, and last night was her last night here...

Connie and her friend came to pick us up last night.  They treated us and our interpreter to a wonderful dinner and wonderful sharing.  It was amazing because I got to tell her that months and months ago... I was crying with Diane... ( My 1st friend of friends noted above...)   I was telling Diane God was calling us to adopt Heidy and Andres, but we had NO idea how we could possibly afford this call.

 I remember a very poignant moment when it seemed as if God was speaking through Diane...  she said that He would provide and we were called to move forward!   And here we were... with Connie... a friend, of a friend of a friend of Diane's...!!!   I hope that makes sense...  for us... it is amazing testament of the unseen plans that God is making on our ( and yours too...) behalf...

Today is our last full day in Neiva.  Heidy and Andres are excited to go go Bogta, but a bit sad too.  I am sure I will never totally grasp the emotions they must be feeling as they transition out of the only life they have ever known...  into a hope and a future prepared for them by the Lord.

Where will we stay in Bogota?
Missy invited us back in May to stay in a missionaly  house in Tenjo, about an hour or so out of Bogota.
I had e-mailed Missy 2 weeks ago when we found out we were coming to Colombia, but she had never received our e-mails.  Missy actually lives in Texas , but her father is the founder of the ministrty CDA...
in Spanish that stands for ...  God is Love!  She has been in contact with the staff at Tenjo and is telling us there a driver will meet us at the airport tomorrow.  

A few days ago I was feeling...  gosh ....  I think almost ashamed because I thought I was "presuming" that God would meet our needs.  I sure don't want to take His provisions for granted.

Today...  I am feeling...  gosh... I think ashamed again...because I was thought I was presuming and not trusting.  I am learning these are 2 very different things.  I don't quite have words for it  yet...  but I am thinking there is deep heart lesson in this for me and our family.

We have long wondered and hoped that this journey of faith would be a blessing to others.

As it turns out, our interpreter ( Sarani) was sharing a medical need with Connie last night.  Connie is stepping in to help Sarani.  Sarani needs a last exam and then surgery as soon as possible.  It is not life threatening...  I don't think...  but very painful and very expensive.  We are THRILLED that God led us to Connie and Connie to Sarani...   God's people are everywhere!!

After dinner last night we got to Skype!!  We got to Skype the boys and Olivia, Pete's parents and his sister and her family!!!!   The children were SO excited to see each other.  Olivia was crying...  I though she was crying because she missed Pete and me...  But noooo....  she was crying because she was so happy to see Andres and Heidy!!

We are longing to Skype Rachel and Emily...
We are in contact with them briefly on text and e-mail....   and we maybe able to Skype Rachel this evening!

Lastly, as we shared our journey with Connie last night, she said God's story for our family is giving her hope for His provision for a clinic CDA ( The God is Love ministry)  is being called to start in Neiva.
The current clinic is very, very small.  There are many people in Neiva who need medical care.  The new clinic will serve 25,000 people.  The need is great.  She was tender as she shared her heart for the people in Neiva, and her hope and trust for God's provision.


Today...
Hmmmm.... I don't know...
Maybe find my phone?  We are praying!
Some legal stuff....

Then...
Back to the store for a bathing suit for Heidy, and a sweatshirt for Andres.

Maybe some last day things  Heidy and Andres want to do...
( They say there isn't really anything special they want to do...   I think they are beginning to transition and are ready to move forward...)

Definitely ice cream!!!

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!!!!

What an amazing day!  Gosh...  highlights.... 

We went downstairs early to help blow up balloons and visit with the people.  The people here are very kind and they were excited for us.  As the 11am hour approached the minutes could not tick by fast enough!  The hotel has a resturant on the first floor that opens to the street.  We waited outside...  and waited... and watched every car that came by... and waited...    and THEN Pete said ...."There they are!"

Apparently they had parked about the corner and were walking towards us down the side walk with an entourage of people around them...  the psycologist, the doctor, the nutritionist, and 2 social workers.  Oh my...  their smiles were so big.  Pete and I took off running towards them...  hugs...hugs...hugs....  a few tears...  more hugs....lots of smiles!   It seemed like all the activity on the streets and even the people who accompanied Heidy and Andres faded away.  It was a wonderful reunion!

Heidy and Andres had made us gifts...  a bracelet, and a phone holder, and Heidy had painted a ceramic deer.  Elana, their foster mom, sent a photo album of Heidy and Andres since they were about 3 years old. She also sent a few Colombian crafts.  It was all so special.  We spent time looking at the photo albums...  then we slowly realized the Social workers etc... were there!  We were very grateful they seemed to allow us to have that time to ourselves.

Then we met with the whole group.  It was clear that the Dr. was in charge!  She quickly told us what to expect..  including that the bonding period would last  one week...  until Tuesday.   After they told us lots of details our interpreter asked us if we wanted to ask the Dr. if the bonding period could be shortened so Pete could get home for Rachel and Matthew'a birthday on Monday and Tuesday.  She seemed to connect with us...  but said they would let us know on Friday.  Our interpreter reminded her we needed to make plane reservations....  she smile.... and said ok, Pete could come home at the end of  the week!   Thank you Lord....  thank you!

So...  everyone left... and it was just us! We had lunch here at the  hotel, and Pete played chess with Andres.  Heidy and I did a craft, and then  it was time for a siesta ( Except for Andres who put together a loge set)  After that... legal stuff.... attorney... notary...  all very kind and helpful.

Heidy and Andres are joyful and happy.  There is a lot of laughter and hugs.  They do say they are a bit sad as well...  We expect that and want to make it ok to talk about. 

Thank you for praying, helping and celebrating with us!

This IS the day the Lord has made!

Today... watching and enjoying our children, and missing and longing for our children at home...  I realized...again... that God chose us to be their parents...each and every one... their family...  forever...   

And I realized again, that this is God's story...   and that He invited us to join him on the journey...  I am  left with a deep awe and wonder...     Thank you Lord...  and thank you to all who are helping us to say yes to God's call...

WE ARE IN NEIVA!!!!

We made it!  It has been a great day. We have met quite a few very kind people.  On the plane to Bogota we had huge comfortable seats.  Pete worked, and I tried to figure out how to use the mac I got back in March!  About 1/2 way through our 3.5 hour flight, the guy behind me stood up to take a break and commented on that he saw I was using a mac.  Yes, I said, but not really, because I didn't know how to use it... to which he replied he worked at the Apple Store in Florida and he could help me!  That was fun because I really, really wanted to learn how to organize my pictures and he helped me!  As we landed he commented that he hoped my spanish was better than my computer skills.... sheesh!

We landed in Bogota without any problems and Costanza's brother, Diego, and an interpreter met us at the airport.  It was very fun.  He took us to the mall where we met up with another family who got in a few days ago.  They hosted their children, 2 boys, 13yrs. and 2 yrs old, back when we hosted Heidy and Andres.  We had lunch with them.  They told us about the area they were staying in.  ( At a friends house)  We got a phone and added minutes, but can only use it in Colombia.  Then we went back to the airport and flew to Neiva. 

Here in Neiva Constanza's other brother, Humberto, who is our attorney, met us with his wife and 2 interpreters!  They brought us to our hotel and spent about an hour with us answering questions and telling us what the process is. Pete commmented that we had the right guy as our attorney.  Humberto is kind, but very confident in the adoption process.  He told us not to worry about a thing...  that he was in charge!

Tomorrow we get to see Heidy and Andres at 11:00am!  At Diego's suggestion we asked the hotel for a party... we didn't understand what they said they would do...  but I think they said cake and balloons!

More tomorrow!
Buenos Noches!

WE'RE ON OUR WAY!

We are SO excited...  and exhausted!  As I type we are at the airport in Ft. Lauderdale getting ready to board to plane to welcome Heidy and Andres into our family!  

I wish I could describe the vast amount of effort, time, love, gifts and prayers you, our community, has offered us along this journey.  A few weeks ago, at our church, the service was about celebrating adoption.  They asked each family who has adopted to come to the front. After they prayed, people started standing...  and clapping.  As they stood, I started crying. I wasn't crying for us...  I was crying because I was really wanting people to know how important community has been in helping us bring our children home.  I wanted to clap for those who were clapping!   I was praying:  "Lord, please let each and every one know that without a supportive, helpful, prayerful community we could of never adopted."  In my heart I was deeply celebrating the community that surrounds adoptive families...  Thank you for walking this journey with us!  Thank you....

Soon we board to go to Bogota, then to Neiva.  We get to see Heidy and Andres tomorrow morning at 11:00am local time.  They will then be with us for the remainder of the time we are in Colombia before we come home! 

These pictures are of Heidy dancing in an annual festival in Nieva, and of Andres...  in a bumper car?!  Peter laughs at this picture of Andres.  He says that is Andres' look for "What am I doing here?!"

It has been an amazing ride trusting God to meet all the various needs of this journey.  It will be fun to see how he meets this next need...  housing in Colombia.  A few of the options we thought would work have fallen through.  We know where we are staying in Neiva for the first week, but after that, in Bogota, we are not sure!  I look forward to the post celebrating God's provision!