I promise to update with pictures and all the happenings of David's trip home. Until then, I will leave you with a few pictures.
Monday, January 21, 2013
DAVID MAXIM IS HOME!!
Sorry that I haven't updated my blog the last few days. David and Daddy's homecoming was fast and needless to say, we are all pooped out!!!
I promise to update with pictures and all the happenings of David's trip home. Until then, I will leave you with a few pictures.
I promise to update with pictures and all the happenings of David's trip home. Until then, I will leave you with a few pictures.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
GOTCHA TRIP - DAY 4
The call that Curtis has been waiting for finally came....GOTCHA DAY IS TOMORROW!! Our facilitators having been working hard on our behalf and were able to get all of our paper work submitted to the embassy, which eliminates one of Curtis' appointments. We ask for prayers as they have a long day of travel tomorrow by car and the roads are bad with ice and snow.
In a matter of just hours, David will grab Curtis' hand and walk out of the orphanage FOREVER!!!
In a matter of just hours, David will grab Curtis' hand and walk out of the orphanage FOREVER!!!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR THIS INCREDIBLE GIFT!
Monday, January 14, 2013
GOTCHA TRIP - DAY 2 & 3
There isn't a whole lot to update. Curtis spent the weekend visiting David for a couple of hours twice a day. He can tell that David knows that something is changing. He is showing more emotion, wanting to hug, kiss and be close to Curtis. He has even seen him cry which we never saw before. David knows that he is going with Papa to America on an airplane.
"Gotcha Day" is planned for Wednesday. Curtis is ready to bust him out! The orphanage he is in is nice and the staff is really great, but it's still an orphanage. Curtis is ready to be home and start settling into our new family. The kids and I are all anxious to have the boys home as well. Counting the days......
Here are a few picture that Curtis took of the town square. It was fun for me to see the tree all decorated that we watched being assembled while we were there a few weeks ago.
"Gotcha Day" is planned for Wednesday. Curtis is ready to bust him out! The orphanage he is in is nice and the staff is really great, but it's still an orphanage. Curtis is ready to be home and start settling into our new family. The kids and I are all anxious to have the boys home as well. Counting the days......
Here are a few picture that Curtis took of the town square. It was fun for me to see the tree all decorated that we watched being assembled while we were there a few weeks ago.
 |
| At the orphanage |
Friday, January 11, 2013
GOTCHA TRIP UPDATE - DAY 1
I was on my way to school with Johnathan this morning and he started to cry. I pulled over and we talked. He is missing daddy and so we went back home. I knew that if we were going to be able to talk to Curtis, it would be this morning, as it is night time in David's country. So, we came home and waited for the "online" to show up on Skype. We sat around the computer and listened to daddy tell the happenings of today.
Curtis was picked up at 6:30a by N**o, our facilitator I***a and headed off for P*****y. They got to the orphanage around 9a and picked up David Max and then got back in the car and headed for C*******v to apply for the David's passport. Curtis explained that David was needed because the had to retake his passport photos because there was something wrong with the background on the first set that was already taken. It was another 2 1/12 hours to C*******v from P*****y. Not knowing how David would do with the car ride, I had Curtis pack anti nausea meds, Dramamine, plastic zip lock bags, and wipes. Apparently, I***a had given David a tangerine to eat in the car and not long after Curtis noticed David holding his stomach. He had I***a ask him if his tummy hurt and David said no. Curtis took action anyway. Good thing, because not long after David cupped his mouth and threw up. N**o pulled over, got out and smoked a cigarette. Curtis and I***a cleaned David up. Curtis gave him the meds and they were back on the road.
When they arrived at the office where the passport needed to be done, I***a sent N**o in to do it. She told Curtis that the lady in the office is a "woman hater" and it would be best if N**o did it. After that was all taken care of, they got back on the road and headed back to P*****y. I***a told Curtis that this region is very hard and messy towards the end of the adoption process. It was best if David went back to the orphanage and stayed. They took Curtis to the hotel there where we stayed and were informed that "there was no room at the inn". Apparently New Years is still being celebrated and the partying wouldn't end until the 13th. The hotel staff said then they will have room. After traveling 12 hours in the car and not feeling well, he just wanted to find a bed and crash. After some calls, the hotel staff said they could put him in a room that was being renovated. Curtis didn’t care, he just wanted to sleep.
He went on to share that the I***a got a call from the local social worker and she was freaking out. Crying and yelling that we hadn’t come to get David by the end of December. WHAT???? Doesn’t she know her own laws??? I***a tried to explain to the SW that we couldn’t take him until all of the proper paperwork was done and that we couldn’t get it done before the end of the year because of the 10 day wait and holidays. Why I***a needed to explain that is beyond all of us. I***a was frustrated as well. Then, I***a was also told that more paperwork needed to be done as the government changed some laws, AGAIN. How frustrating that must be to never have consistency.
So, Curtis is in P*****y and will be visiting David at the orphanage for just 2 hours, twice a day. Hopefully this will only have to be until Wednesday. They are all hoping the passport will be done, get David and head back to K**v to get the embassy appointments done.
When I asked Curtis about David’s reaction when he first saw him again, he said that David looked at him with shock and was then shy. He warmed back up to him while they were in the car. When he took him back and said good bye, David was happy and okay.
This has to be the most confusing thing for David. My prayer is that he doesn’t think this is what a mommy and daddy does. Curtis is doing everything he can and being advised by our facilitators. This is tough. I just want them both home as quickly as possible.
Please pray for Curtis as he is so very tired and not feeling well. Pray for David and his heart and mind to know the truth. Pray for the people in charge, that they would do the right things and as quickly as possible.
Curtis was picked up at 6:30a by N**o, our facilitator I***a and headed off for P*****y. They got to the orphanage around 9a and picked up David Max and then got back in the car and headed for C*******v to apply for the David's passport. Curtis explained that David was needed because the had to retake his passport photos because there was something wrong with the background on the first set that was already taken. It was another 2 1/12 hours to C*******v from P*****y. Not knowing how David would do with the car ride, I had Curtis pack anti nausea meds, Dramamine, plastic zip lock bags, and wipes. Apparently, I***a had given David a tangerine to eat in the car and not long after Curtis noticed David holding his stomach. He had I***a ask him if his tummy hurt and David said no. Curtis took action anyway. Good thing, because not long after David cupped his mouth and threw up. N**o pulled over, got out and smoked a cigarette. Curtis and I***a cleaned David up. Curtis gave him the meds and they were back on the road.
When they arrived at the office where the passport needed to be done, I***a sent N**o in to do it. She told Curtis that the lady in the office is a "woman hater" and it would be best if N**o did it. After that was all taken care of, they got back on the road and headed back to P*****y. I***a told Curtis that this region is very hard and messy towards the end of the adoption process. It was best if David went back to the orphanage and stayed. They took Curtis to the hotel there where we stayed and were informed that "there was no room at the inn". Apparently New Years is still being celebrated and the partying wouldn't end until the 13th. The hotel staff said then they will have room. After traveling 12 hours in the car and not feeling well, he just wanted to find a bed and crash. After some calls, the hotel staff said they could put him in a room that was being renovated. Curtis didn’t care, he just wanted to sleep.
He went on to share that the I***a got a call from the local social worker and she was freaking out. Crying and yelling that we hadn’t come to get David by the end of December. WHAT???? Doesn’t she know her own laws??? I***a tried to explain to the SW that we couldn’t take him until all of the proper paperwork was done and that we couldn’t get it done before the end of the year because of the 10 day wait and holidays. Why I***a needed to explain that is beyond all of us. I***a was frustrated as well. Then, I***a was also told that more paperwork needed to be done as the government changed some laws, AGAIN. How frustrating that must be to never have consistency.
So, Curtis is in P*****y and will be visiting David at the orphanage for just 2 hours, twice a day. Hopefully this will only have to be until Wednesday. They are all hoping the passport will be done, get David and head back to K**v to get the embassy appointments done.
When I asked Curtis about David’s reaction when he first saw him again, he said that David looked at him with shock and was then shy. He warmed back up to him while they were in the car. When he took him back and said good bye, David was happy and okay.
This has to be the most confusing thing for David. My prayer is that he doesn’t think this is what a mommy and daddy does. Curtis is doing everything he can and being advised by our facilitators. This is tough. I just want them both home as quickly as possible.
Please pray for Curtis as he is so very tired and not feeling well. Pray for David and his heart and mind to know the truth. Pray for the people in charge, that they would do the right things and as quickly as possible.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
GENEROSITY
Today is a busy day in our house. Curtis is home and we are checking off the remaining "to do list" items. He is so very much excited and it does my heart good. When we came home three weeks ago, we decided that he would return alone. I was relieved that I wouldn't have to make to long trip, but also sad that I would not be returning to the place that now has a piece of my heart. I also wondered if Curtis was really going to be okay with doing this by himself. He is a strong man and loves adventure, but still - this is a huge undertaking. Seeing the excitement radiate from every part of his being is pure joy for me.
From the very beginning of this adoption, people of graciously showered us with not only their support spiritually and emotionally, but financially. We have been gifted so much! To say that we couldn't have done it without you, isn't just a fluffy statement. IT IS THE TRUTH! We have been humbled in so many ways. But to be honest, the fundraising and putting our need "out there" has been the most difficult part. We have always enjoyed being able to be the ones to meet other's needs. Being on the receiving end has been hard. At first I felt ashamed to ask. During our fundraisers, I cringed a bit putting the "donation" jar out. It didn't feel good. But once we were able to share our story and listen to people, I started to understand why God had shortened our own hands. They were sowing into the life of a child and giving God an opportunity to reach people. It wasn't about Curtis and I not having the money to do this, but about giving many people the opportunity to be a part of this and be blessed because of it.
We are excited to share that through all of the ups and downs, twists and turns, we have almost been completely funded - again! One month ago we wondered how we were going to come up with almost $5k to replenish Porter's fund. LOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED!! It is basically done!
Curtis and I can not say thank you in enough ways to truly show everyone just how grateful we are. I said it before and I will say it again....A HUGE WEIGHT HAS BEEN LIFTED. How incredible is this?!!
From the very beginning of this adoption, people of graciously showered us with not only their support spiritually and emotionally, but financially. We have been gifted so much! To say that we couldn't have done it without you, isn't just a fluffy statement. IT IS THE TRUTH! We have been humbled in so many ways. But to be honest, the fundraising and putting our need "out there" has been the most difficult part. We have always enjoyed being able to be the ones to meet other's needs. Being on the receiving end has been hard. At first I felt ashamed to ask. During our fundraisers, I cringed a bit putting the "donation" jar out. It didn't feel good. But once we were able to share our story and listen to people, I started to understand why God had shortened our own hands. They were sowing into the life of a child and giving God an opportunity to reach people. It wasn't about Curtis and I not having the money to do this, but about giving many people the opportunity to be a part of this and be blessed because of it.
We are excited to share that through all of the ups and downs, twists and turns, we have almost been completely funded - again! One month ago we wondered how we were going to come up with almost $5k to replenish Porter's fund. LOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED!! It is basically done!
Curtis and I can not say thank you in enough ways to truly show everyone just how grateful we are. I said it before and I will say it again....A HUGE WEIGHT HAS BEEN LIFTED. How incredible is this?!!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
TRUMPED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD
Today is Sunday...a restful day for me and the kids.
As I sit here reflecting on the past month, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude for the even the confusion. I have seen and felt what complete rest in Him looks and feels like.
I have to admit that I was still unsettled when we got home three weeks ago. I kept asking God why He did it this way. Why did He have to make this seem like such a complicated, confusing, and scary journey. It wasn't until Christmas Eve while I was alone in the car driving, when He answered.
He shared this with my heart:
#1 - This isn't our journey. It is His.
#2 - It isn't just about us or an orphan, but about many. The more "ground we covered" because of all of our twists and turns, the more people affected.
He reminded me that He is in the business of saving lives. When He asked us to say "yes" He was asking us to be tools. He equipped us with everything we needed, when we needed it, and how we needed it even though it didn't always make sense to us.
God also affirmed that researching, planning and preparing are all good things. BUT, we had to get to the point where we allowed Him to trump those plans. Saying "yes" doesn't mean getting in the driver's seat. It means getting in the car when He pulls up and being willing to go where ever He goes.
I have shared how scared I was during our meeting where we had to quickly pick a child out. "How could I be certain that we were doing the 'right' thing?" When I think back to that moment, I begin to see that it didn't matter how we got there, we were EXACTLY where we were supposed to be. The end result was the right result, because God had already planned it. I didn't need to be afraid.
This is what trust looks, feels, and tastes like.
I get it!
As I sit here reflecting on the past month, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude for the even the confusion. I have seen and felt what complete rest in Him looks and feels like.
I have to admit that I was still unsettled when we got home three weeks ago. I kept asking God why He did it this way. Why did He have to make this seem like such a complicated, confusing, and scary journey. It wasn't until Christmas Eve while I was alone in the car driving, when He answered.
He shared this with my heart:
#1 - This isn't our journey. It is His.
#2 - It isn't just about us or an orphan, but about many. The more "ground we covered" because of all of our twists and turns, the more people affected.
He reminded me that He is in the business of saving lives. When He asked us to say "yes" He was asking us to be tools. He equipped us with everything we needed, when we needed it, and how we needed it even though it didn't always make sense to us.
God also affirmed that researching, planning and preparing are all good things. BUT, we had to get to the point where we allowed Him to trump those plans. Saying "yes" doesn't mean getting in the driver's seat. It means getting in the car when He pulls up and being willing to go where ever He goes.
I have shared how scared I was during our meeting where we had to quickly pick a child out. "How could I be certain that we were doing the 'right' thing?" When I think back to that moment, I begin to see that it didn't matter how we got there, we were EXACTLY where we were supposed to be. The end result was the right result, because God had already planned it. I didn't need to be afraid.
This is what trust looks, feels, and tastes like.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
I get it!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
TIME TO BRING DAVID MAXIM HOME!
When Curtis and I left to come back home in December, we knew that the return trip to bring David Maxim home would be delayed due to the holidays. The reality of just how long it would be before he was actually home didn't really set in. We said goodbye on December 14th. We just received the "green light" to travel again a couple of days ago. This time Curtis will be going by himself while I stay home and care for the kids as we prepare for David's arrival.
Curtis is headed back next week. If everything goes smoothly, they should be home in about 2 1/2 weeks from now! Wow, this is really happening.....
Many of you have contacted and shared how you have been praying and sowing into this adoption. It has been amazing to see how complete strangers have gathered around us. THANK YOU.
We were contacted by a wonderful family that has offered a matching grant to help close the gap in our fundraising. They are wanting to donate $500!! We have UNTIL JANUARY 8TH to meet it. For for EVERY $1 DONATED HERE it will automatically be DOUBLED. Once our grant reaches $17,204.91 we will have reached the grant.
Why are we still fundraising.....didn't we meet our goal before we traveled? Yes we did. You can read about what happened here.
We are only $1,868 away from meeting our expenses. Once the matching grant has been matched and donated, we will be under the $1K mark before leaving next week. This would be huge.
Please pray, share, blog, tweet........
Curtis is headed back next week. If everything goes smoothly, they should be home in about 2 1/2 weeks from now! Wow, this is really happening.....
Many of you have contacted and shared how you have been praying and sowing into this adoption. It has been amazing to see how complete strangers have gathered around us. THANK YOU.
We were contacted by a wonderful family that has offered a matching grant to help close the gap in our fundraising. They are wanting to donate $500!! We have UNTIL JANUARY 8TH to meet it. For for EVERY $1 DONATED HERE it will automatically be DOUBLED. Once our grant reaches $17,204.91 we will have reached the grant.
Why are we still fundraising.....didn't we meet our goal before we traveled? Yes we did. You can read about what happened here.
We are only $1,868 away from meeting our expenses. Once the matching grant has been matched and donated, we will be under the $1K mark before leaving next week. This would be huge.
Please pray, share, blog, tweet........
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)