This Poetic Present

If Faith Can Move a Mountain...

2012-02-08T11:36:00.000-08:00

When my alarm beeped at 6AM I was in a deep sleep having a brief, but glorious dream. I had to lay there for a moment and consider the dream that gave me such joy and peace.

In the first short scene, I was outside. Someone was playing golf in the background (random, I know) and all the sudden I knew I was supposed to get on my knees on that sidewalk and pray - no matter what anyone thought. As I prayed I remember feeling every anxiety leave. I felt full of faith and had no fear and I knew I had God's attention. I don't remember what I was praying about. It was just the sense that I wanted to pray in this way all the time because it was so satisfying.

In the next scene I was in a car with some people in Alaska looking at a snow covered mountain. All the sudden I watched an entire side of the mountain fall away into an avalanche. Then, BEEP BEEP BEEP... I was awake. Right away, my thought was - God's getting ready to move our mountain and bring Sunny home and all the rest of the waiting HCRM children will follow like an avalanche! All the barriers are about to crumble.

I quickly brushed my teeth so I could sit with the Lord for a while and sip my coffee. In my devotional for today the title was "Asking God" from the book "A Year With God" edited by Richard Foster and Julia L. Roller. I excitedly read today's word. (Bold print and underlining - my personal additions....)

Luke 18: 1-8a

"Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent..' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them."

If you followed our adoption of Gracie you may remember that the week we received her referral was the same week we finally sold our home that had been on the market for a year. Also that week Billy signed a contract with a record label. It was as if everything that had been held back was released at one time.

Well here we are in a new city, Billy has been given a new (and awesome) job! And today it has been confirmed that our house in San Antonio is under contract and certainly set to close on March 9! So....though several steps still must take place to bring Sunny home, I believe with all my heart that we are close. I can still recall that feeling from my dream of complete faith, no fear and absolute certainty that God is listening and about to answer my prayers - so I am praying for justice today as I have day and night for 2 years, but this time I believe the mountain is really moving. As Christy Nockel's song "Waiting Here For You" says...."If faith can move a mountain, let the mountain move! I'm waiting here for You, with my hands lifted high in praise. And its You, we adore, singing Hallelujah!"

Find Me...A Morning Prayer

2012-02-02T21:58:00.000-08:00

Find me in the quiet place and talk to me
Tell me great and mighty things, your mysteries
Show me more of who you are
Restorer of the broken heart
Give to me your joy 'til I am glowing

Find me in the quiet place and sing to me
Set upon my heart and lips your praises free
Like a father to his child
Sing your mercies, tender, mild
Give to me your peace that's ever-lasting

Find me in the quiet place and move in me
Lift my head, make me stand to walk with Thee
Be my light and show the way
Do not let me waste this day
Give to me the chance to bring you glory

Poetic Present Songs (c) 2012

Confessions of a Waiting Mom

2012-01-30T19:46:00.000-08:00

Before my list begins let me say, this is a vulnerable, honest list in hopes that healing fully comes in saying it "out loud". I don't walk around all day feeling every one of these things at one time...but they are all ever present in my flesh. And I pray that others walking through long adoptions will be encouraged when they realize they are not alone in these faults. But that God is working in each of us to complete the good work he has begun...a plan that started while we were yet sinners. He is good. I am not. But he's making something out of me and he will do the same for our Sunny too.

Confessions of a Waiting Mom...

#1: On days when I have many things to get done and two beautiful children at my heels, I often vanish into the imagination of what the day will be like when I realize I can take Sunny home. "Imagination" isn't exactly the right word. I almost go to another place, transcend into another world and fully feel the overwhelming joy and relief that day will bring. I cry like it's really happening right at that moment. A well-written play to be acted out in my mind regularly (drama-queen, I know). This morning I entered that place thinking of the moment Sunny and I step out of pastor's car at the airport realizing I will miss his dear, deep eyes and pleasant smile but relishing that I don't have to leave Sunny ever again. Tears well up at the thought, as the scene plays out in my mind....
And then I snap back to reality...another reason to cry. The time has not yet come.
I don't walk around crying all day, just in case you were starting to feel concerned for me. But I do have those moments when I imagine Sunny is home and hope has been realized rather than deferred.

Jesus protect my heart from the sickness that comes when hope is pushed back and fill me with joy in the honor I have been given to wait on you. Help me live in the present fully; enjoying the children you have given me as I wait for Sunny to join us. Help me tear down imaginations that can lead to false expectations so I can live in the authentic reality of this journey, worshipping you in this present waiting.

#2: Watching other adoptions move beautifully through to completion for other friends is so beautiful.... But it also stings. I'm jealous they get to move on and enjoy life with their new child while Sunny still has to wait. At the same time, I have a number of friends even further behind in their adoptions....who will wait even longer than we have for Sunny. Perspective is a must-have that is not easily grasped.

Jesus, give me a heart for every orphan, like your heart. Let me fully rejoice for each one's homecoming. Let me fully devote to pray for those who must wait longer. And help me wait better....selflessly.

#3: I have faith God hears me and sees Sunny and that he will bring her home eventually. But I often doubt he'll really move mountains for us. Sure, I have moments of great, doubtless faith... But after two years of waiting - those two years including watching her face grow and change, it's hard to really believe this is the moment when everything will change and He will make it happen.

Jesus, increase my faith.

#4: There is a beautiful, godly older orphan who has taken Sunny in at HCRM...she's like Sunny's mom. While I find this good and important and reassuring that she is being watched and cared for, I am also jealous that she gets to be Sunny's mom-figure right now and I grieve when I think of how much Sunny will miss her once home. How can I have so many mixed emotions about this simple act of love? God has provided for Sunny an important, emotional attachment and yet I am wanting that all for myself. The ache is so big.

Jesus, teach me to trust in your plan even when it hurts. Help me to see that you are loving Sunny well in giving her this precious mother-figure.

#5. I cannot think of even one reason that would make delaying Sunny's homecoming worthwhile, but God has not brought her home and I must continue to trust the potter with Sunny - his living, breathing, growing, needy clay.

Jesus, help me not to doubt your goodness. Remind me your ways are higher than mine and that my ache for her is a small portion of YOUR ache for her. Amen.

So, what's your "waiting-mom confession"? Let's bring all our doubts and fears into the light together so they can be conquered and our waiting be made fruitful in every way!

Blessings friends,
Cindy

Sad, Sweet and Healthy

2011-11-09T19:11:00.000-08:00

This morning I overheard this:
Libby to Gracie: Do you miss your Ethiopian mom and dad?
Gracie: yeah.
Recognizing this was most likely something that Libby was struggling with but had diverted to Gracie I asked Libby: "Do you miss your Chinese mom and dad?"
Libby in her little-girl-scared-to-tell-the-truth-voice: No! I love you, mommy.
To which I replied, "Well, I know that, but it's ok if you wonder about your Chinese mom and dad. That is very normal. Do you miss them?"
Libby, still afraid to reveal her deepest thoughts replied: "sort of."

Such are the conversations in an adoptive family. Sad, but sweet. And most importantly, healthy. When I shared this with Billy he asked how a 5 year old could be aware of that kind of thing. Its because we talk about her story and we pray for her biological family so she has words for it. Little ones are more aware of their emotions than we think. If we give them words for it, there is healing. Now she knows I'm not scared or threatened by talking about her feelings for her biological family. And one day, she'll open up completely. For today, this is enough. Makes me cry. Makes my heart ache for her, for the unknown biological family. But it also makes me happy that we were given a glimpse into Libby's heart/world. Trust, light, love.....so good.

Legacy Bracelets!

2011-11-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

I want one!! And I want to buy them for my mom, my sister, my in-laws, my grandma, my best friends! They are that awesome, uh...the people and the bracelets! You can find out more about the bracelets by visiting my sister-in-law's blog where she is doing a one week giveaway of this beautiful bracelet: www.carissagraham.com. Or you can check Legacy Bracelets out on Facebook. They have a page there you can "like".

That's all...just thought it was worth your time to know about Legacy Bracelets and the giveaway this week.... And I'm trying to win one:)

C

I Have No Worries. A Devotion for the Adoption Journey

2011-11-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

You can read the entire post for this devotional here, where I'm trying to post a new devotion each month (but I skipped October, sorry!) If you're short on time, here's the cliff notes. It was all inspired by a chapter in a book called "The Jesus Storybook Bible":

A song I'm working on says:

This is my song declaring I believe
The King of kings, He cares for me
I have no worries
I have no worries
This is my song to sing when everything
Is crashing in on this belief
The One who made me
Will meet my every need
This is my song.
(c) 2011 Poetic Present Songs

Maybe you need to remember this today, too. Maybe your adoption journey feels like it will never end. Maybe your emotions for your child-to-be are so heavy you can’t move. Maybe your sense of timing cannot fathom how God’s timing can be right. Maybe your prayers for your child don’t even have words anymore because the journey is just that hard. Maybe you are getting ready to travel to your child’s country and your head is spinning with packing lists and before-travel jitters. Maybe you are about to meet your child’s birthparents and you wonder if you’ll have the right things to say, the right questions to ask. Maybe you are waiting for your first child and you are scared to become a parent. Maybe you owe money for the next step of adoption and you have no idea where the money will come from. The list of maybe’s goes on.
While the list of things you could possibly be worrying over never ends, one thing remains true, faithful. Jesus. Your Maker loves you. Your child’s Maker loves him/her. And the story is already written for you both. The only thing missing is a heart ready to sing in the midst of earthly trials, “I have no worries because My Maker loves me and will meet all my needs.” Declare it today. Remind yourself. You have no worries. This is your worship song of trust today.

September 2011...including a trip to Haiti!

2011-10-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

September 2011 could be summed up in about 10 separate posts, but here I am cramming it into one.

Above: The girls and me just hanging out. I love them more than I will ever have words to describe.

Below: Gracie's first day back to Mom's Day Out. She arrived in style:)

We spent a Saturday morning at a party for one of Libby's friends where the girls rode all sorts of cute rides.

This face is the sweetest I've ever known.

One day while Libby was in school I had a morning alone with Gracie so we did a little photo shoot of her sassiness...

Below: A little fun at the mall never hurt.

We are always dressing up in fun costumes around here.

After school one day, Gracie fell asleep like this. So sweet.

And then there was my first trip back to Haiti since February. Sunny had grown up so much in the seven months in between. But she didn't forget momma. She was BEAMING and didn't leave my side for at least 24 hours. She held my hand and took me around to see all her friends. It was a blessed re-uniting for a very special week. I went to Haiti in faith that even though we had not exited IBESR yet I could get my embassy appointment done and trust the Lord to deliver us from IBESR soon.

First moments back together after 7 months. She's such a sweetheart!

Below: There she is holding my hand...

The fan was fascinating to her. She has seen them before but I guess because it was small and battery operated she thought it was more like a toy.

The cell phone is a much sought after item among this crew...

Oh how I love that smile!

My newest talent - balloon shaping!

Me and Stephania. She helps care for Sunny at HCRM. She is precious!

Above: This is how Sunny and the older girls climb to the top where their room is.

Gettin' her hair done.

Sunny still chews on random items, but not near as much as she used to.

Sleeping sweetly.

We both look extremely tired here for a reason. It was 4 AM. Why were we up that early, you ask? EMBASSY APPOINTMENT!!! She knew how important this day was and she was EXCITED!

Above: After Embassy Appointment. Success = RELIEF!

Hanging with her friends...

I caught her off guard in this picture, but still even without her smile, she is a beauty.

Above: This is one of my favorites of her. I gave her that necklace on this trip. It said, "my family makes me whole."

And there's that smile again!

Once back home, I hit the road running again. Back to home school and all the fun projects that come with it. This time - self-hardening clay box. Little did I know this was a project for the garage - not my kitchen. Took FOREVER to clean up all that mess.

Above: Sleeping beauty

Below: Engergizer bunny...also beautiful.

And the best part......... Two days after I returned from Haiti we received the long-awaited news that our papers were finally out of IBESR!!!!!!!! So we celebrated with frozen yogurt at Aspen Leaf, YUM!

Above: This picture is absolute evidence as to how much the last 7 years of adoption journeys have aged the two of us. My goodness!

Below: The last few pics for this month are of the precious Crawley family. They have 2 bio-sons and 2 adopted girls, one from Ethiopia and one from China. Our adoption stories are kind of woven together. The Lord used our family to confirm they were called to adopt from Ethiopia. Andy and Alli are serious about the Lord and they knew they were called to adopt special needs. When we went to ET to pick up Gracie we had the honor of meeting the Crawley family's girl (Addi) and pray over her. At that time she couldn't walk. A few months after she arrived home she began to walk. A few months after that the Crawley's were called to adopt a girl from China with brittle-bone disease. They named her Sunny. She is precious. Long story short, Alli did not know we were adopting from Haiti when she kept having a dream of a young girl. She heard we were adopting and thought the dream might be about our daughter. I sent her a picture of then, Keemberlie, and it was the girl in Alli's dreams and she was bright and radiant. I later decided that "Sunny" should be Keemberlie's name as well because her disposition is very bright and sunny. And it seemed fitting that our 2 daughters should carry the same name.

The Crawley family came to San Antonio to finish Sunny's re-adoption and we had the chance to see them for the first time since before they ever brought Addi home from ET. It was a blessed time with amazing friends.

Above: This is beautiful Addi.

Below: Beautiful Sunny Crawley.

Above: Catcher and Libby

Below: The Footes and Crawleys

It was also during the month of September that we received a firm word that Billy was being accepted for a new job. Trinity Fellowship in Amarillo has asked Billy to come on staff as Pastor of Composition. He will be developing a team of songwriters for the church and writing for the church. Its an awesome opportunity for Billy! More about this in a later post...

October is next!

August 2011

2011-10-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

August 2011...the adventure continues...

Grammy and Papa Boots were here for several days. We went to Fredericksburg for a little shopping and, of course, picture taking...

I really love this pic of the girls with Grammy.

This one turned out great too!

Grammy and Papa took the girls shopping and they scored BIG TIME. Check out these adorable outfits!

Hanging out at the Martine's!

And then it was time for CHINA CAMP!

China camp lasts 3 days. This year Billy and I had to lead worship in Dallas on the night of China camp's day 2. So Libby spent the night with the Harrells while Billy and I took Gracie to Dallas for the quick trip. We didn't return until 2AM that night. The next day was picture day for China camp kids and their moms. While I love this picture and how Libby is just resting on me, I look SO TIRED! And that is why folks!

Libby and Maliah

Libby and her Chinese Friends...all of whom she ADORES!

Libby and Lily

Lily and Elissa

Cristie and Maliah

Rhonda and Ava Claire

Shawna and Olivia

Jennifer and Kaleigh Mei

Lily and Hope (our newest addition to China camp!)

a satisfied Libby on the last day of camp. She enjoys nothing more than being with her Chinese friends and eating Chinese noodles!

Our 12 Year Anniversary!

Just hanging out in their pjs...aka long t-shirts

After China camp and our anniversary came parent training for Libby's school. It was a full week, let me tell you. Lots of new curriculum to conquer. Immediately after that we were headed to Amarillo to give the job offer (mentioned in previous post) some serious consideration. Did you know Amarillo is about a 9 hour drive from San Antonio? IT WAS SO LONG! But we had a great time in Amarillo and came away realizing God was probably calling us to move.

And then came..................

Libby's first day of school!....tears..... Not much going on here, right? NOT! Adoption, first baby's first day of school, new curriculum to learn, a possible move.... yea... I was an emotional being, for sure!

she is so beautiful

Gracie really missed her big sister that day.

Billy and the girls on Libby's first day of school

Libby at her school desk.

And as if I was not emotional enough...we received news that my grandfather (my mom's father) had passed away. I made a quick trip to Charleston to be with my family for his funeral. I had the special honor of singing with my little brother for Pepa's funeral. I enjoyed singing with him so much! He's good!!!!!

Kelly (my brother) and his little girl, Sage.

Taylor sporting aunt Cindy's iPad.

Camryn - this girl is a character!

My sister, Becky.

Me and my mom, all healed and new and perfect!

My precious sister-in-law, Carissa, and Kelly.... and somehow I don't have a pic of their son, Hunter, from this trip:(

I returned home to these funny beauties...

And a school project....the globe by way of paper mache

During this entire month I was expecting DAILY (second by second) to receive news from IBESR. Sometimes I just had to do something whimsical/spontaneous just to shake the stress off. On this day, I bought Halloween costumes really early....Introducing my African Chicken and Chinese Dragon....

Some sweet, new friends Justin and Michelle and Gabi Graves invited us to join them for the Jungle Book Play in downtown San Antonio's Magik Theatre. It was AWESOME!

And just that fast, September arrived....

How To Catch Up....Let's Start with July

2011-10-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

July 2011. Everything was about to change and we had NO idea. Camps were underway for the summer along with the stressful wait for adoption paperwork to exit IBESR in Haiti. To relieve my stress, I looked to the future joy of bringing Sunny home. I bought her "coming home" dress.

And then we were off to Glorietta, NM to lead worship for Fuge Camp. As soon as we arrived in Glorietta we saw a beautiful double rainbow. The week was full of girl-time as each band member brought their wife and child(ren)....all girls!

On the way home from NM we bookended our trip with another beautiful double rainbow. This one showed up in the middle of a dust storm before the rain ever fell. It was AMAZING!

Looking back, it was during that week that we received a call regarding a new job opportunity for Billy. The seed was planted on a week that began and ended with reminders of God's faithfulness to fulfill his promises. Go God!

We were home one day before we had to repack and head to south TX for Camp Zephyr. Each time we are at Zephyr we spend some chill time on the back deck overlooking the water and try to get cute pics of the girls. It was another year of success on that account...

Once home, I avoided the frustration of a slow adoption process by taking the girls to the pool - a lot! Billy took them as well - almost everyday. And since it didn't rain for months on end and it was over 100 for like 90 something days, the pool was the only way to go...

aren't they so cute!

Gracie has no fear of the water at all!

Libby is an awesome poser...I mean swimmer.

and I just couldn't leave out this picture of Libby.

Every now and then I'm really proud of a meal and have to take a photo hence....

And before I knew it, summer was ending and it was time to prepare for the coming school year. Libby was becoming an official Kindergartner and Gracie was all about making new friends at Mom's Day Out. We started our preparations with new backpacks and matching lunchboxes.

Libby is getting good at painting/drawing. After a day out running errands, I came home to this painting of the double rainbows we saw in the dust storm in NM. Its our car driving by the beautiful scene.

And here is the precious girl in her school uniform. We are homeschooling, but using the University Model. So she is in an actual school/classroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And homeschool at home M/W/F. She looks so grown up in this uniform and she wears it with such pride.

She loves putting it on for guests. This time our special guests were Grammy and Papa Boots!!! We were so excited to have them in our home!

And that was July. August updates/photos coming soon...

WE PASSED COURT!!!

2011-10-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 4PM, after many challenges only Haiti can deliver (I'll share more at a later date) we passed court for our adoption of Sunny. She is now a FOOTE! However, she cannot come home yet. There are still many not-so-clear steps to go, but we are making progress people!!!!

Praising the Lord for this long-awaited step forward!

So much to share, but completely swamped.

Blessings,

Cindy

Drum Roll........

2011-09-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

WE GOT OUT OF IBESR TODAY!!!!!!!!!!! Two days shy of an 8 month wait in just one office of Haiti, God delivered! I just returned home from Haiti two days ago with no assurance that we'd get out of that office anytime soon. I was happily buying groceries without kids in tow (they were both in class today) and was approaching the register when I noticed the out of country phone number. I rolled back the cart to a more quiet section of the grocery store and heard Pastor say "My sister, you can now say 'Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!'" He was giggling and just as excited as I was saying over and over again, "it such good time, God is so good, Hallelujah". I was speechless and my groceries were thawing. I called Billy immediately, rushed through the register line after dropping $220 into Harry E. Butt's pocket and started going through the long list of prayer warrior family/friends that I needed to call to share the great news. I wasn't able to call everyone. It just got too hectic once the girls got home. BUT OH THE JOY to tell the story over and over again.

The dream I shared in an earlier post where I had to go somewhere alone and God protected me - that sums up my trip to Haiti. And after that faith-walk, God showed his might and mercy to me today.

God is so good. Foote family ate ice cream in celebration. Tomorrow we make VICTORY BANNERS!

So what's next?... Our papers go to Parque. This should move quickly for us because we have no bio-children and Keemberlie has no bio-parents. After that Keemberlie's aunt will have to appear in court before a judge to sign some papers. There are other legal stops along the way on Haiti's side. On the US side, Keemberlie's orphan-status will be investigated as well as all her documents. At some point she will have to have a medical exam by an Embassy doctor. Pastor will be working towards getting our passport during all of this and eventually I will go to Haiti one more time for a Visa appointment and if that goes well, she'll come home. If I had to guess - we're looking at another 4-5 months....hopefully that's all.

Either way - we now have Haiti's approval to adopt our sweet K-girl, aka Sunny. And we are rejoicing in God's faithfulness in bringing this about at....JUST THE RIGHT TIME!

He heard our cries. He is mighty to save!
Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement,
Cindy

Post including pics from my recent trip soon to come.

A Modern Day Psalm

2011-09-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

Why, Lord do you wait
Why do you let your enemies seem triumphant
Why, O my God, do you save your words of power for another day
While our tears flow and our hearts ache?
What must we do to change your mind? What more can we say?
What praises have we not already uttered in song and speech?
What day has passed that we have not called on you,
Declared our dependence on you?

If we were delivered yesterday or if we are delivered tomorrow
You get the glory either way,
So what good comes from making the orphan wait for her deliverer to come?

You say you are the Father to the fatherless
You have proven in the past that your compassion is great
And your mercies are new every morning
I know if I feel compassion or long for justice
That it only comes from You.
But what I do not understand is how,
If your compassion is this intense, this full,
How is it that you do not move this mountain now?
How can a heart this passionate and this ready to rescue
Not act now?

But I trust in you, my God.
For nothing good is in me unless it comes from you.
And my longing for this orphan is good and right.
I am finite, lacking in every way. Powerless to change these circumstances
Except for you.
I surrender and trust though I can not understand,
Though I do not see your hand coming to save.

So come, Lord Jesus, speak your words of comfort while we wait
Care for our daughter, speak to her heart. Convince her she is not alone.
And when you choose to show your victory
We will lift a banner up in your name
Saying, "Our God did this! He rescues. He saves."
We will bless our daughters in your name
And they will love you. They will serve you.
They will know you rescued them because you delight in them.
They will hear every day, "Our God is mighty to save!"

You have heard us, but we will say it again everyday
Until we see the victory with our own eyes.
Move, Lord Jesus, in your compassion, by your power,
Rescue this orphan, this day.

Privileged

2011-09-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

Privilege:

a. A special advantage, immunity, permission, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or caste.

b. Such an advantage, immunity, or right held as a prerogative of status or rank, and exercised to the exclusion or detriment of others.

When I think of someone as privileged, I imagine someone who's grown up with wealthy parents, wears designer clothes and attends some high-class school. It doesn't carry the most positive connotation in my mind. Until today.

Let me back up. Warning....this could take a while. I don't write for mass numbers. I write to share our stories. Stories take time.

We've been working on adopting Sunny from Ha*ti since January 2010. Before we were even officially matched to her we had a social worker in our home getting our home study ready. We were hopeful for humanitarian parole (that's a long story, don't ask:) but deep down we knew this would most likely be another adoption journey. Journeys, like stories, take time. From the very beginning it was suggested this journey could be a brief one. Sunny could be home very soon. From the beginning we've been dying to those expectations.....over and over again. In the last year I've been to Haiti 4 times. It took 10 months to get our papers from the orphanage's hands into the big, important office known as IB**R. That was a long wait. On Feb. 1, 2011 our paperwork (dossier) finally entered this office. It was a huge relief. But the journey's end was still long, long away.

The last week of January 2011 I had a very interesting dream. I was in love with a military doctor. I couldn't see his face - just his fatigues and doctor's bag. His face was like the sun. In the dream I was distraught because he was being called overseas for the next 6 months and I knew I would miss him so much. He reminded me that I needed to finish school and that would take up the six months of waiting. I woke from the dream with such a heaviness. I immediately thought - that's what this adoption feels like.

As the day went on I asked the Lord to show me what the dream meant, if anything. At the end of the day I knew that God was the military doctor - a great warrior/defender and healer. I knew that the "school" in the dream was the Lord showing me he would be my teacher in the "school of prayer" for the next six months. I thought the "defender" part was for Sunny. But I wasn't sure what the "healer" part was all about.

A few weeks later I was in Haiti with a friend. The Lord had prompted both our hearts to go to Haiti and pray over all the orphans of HC*M and over the orphanage itself. We saw some amazing things that week. But one of the unexpected things was my friend asked me a question that led to my telling her about a family member who used to be a freemason. She "just happened" to have a book that detailed how to pray over the curses that often fall on family members of freemasons. I realize I'm freaking some of you out right now. That's not my intent. Again, this is my story, and its true. We began praying against all the 50 something degrees of freemason and without going into all the details, we KNEW God was doing some good things. I was led to pray for this family member's forgiveness, particularly on behalf of my mother who was most greatly affected by this family member. My mother has been sick for many years, about 27 to be exact. So we began to pray over her as well.

Now, first of all, my dad is an amazing man of God and he has been faithfully praying for my mother's healing for all these years. Many others have been praying as well. God heard their prayers and as an answer to their prayers he sent me all the way to Haiti to land right in the middle of this amazing prayer time with this particular friend. It was a sweet time of prayer. I was at peace with having forgiven this family member and that was the end of it for me as far as I could tell.

Follow me carefully here - I'm mixing up a couple of big stories to get to my point. In May 2011 - four months after the dream and 3.5 months after praying in Haiti - three of the families adopting from Sunny's orphanage had made it out of IB**R. Two of the families had entered that office before me. One after, and this family had only been in this office for 2.5 months. Our papers were nearing 4 months in IB**R by that time. I was so happy for those families but so sad we had not made it through. However, I was hopeful we would exit IB**R soon.

A few weeks later, I traveled to SC to visit my family. During this trip I was concerned my mother was dying along with the previously freemason family member. It was a really hard trip. My mother was so sick.

I returned to San Antonio so sad. A few days later I received a phone call and my mom was headed to the hospital. I've shared this story in a previous post so I'll skip to the good part. Within a week my mother was off all her pain meds, all narcotic meds and was recovering from many of her ailments. She was walking, talking and aware again. It was nothing short of a miracle. The week of her healing the Lord reminded me of the dream back in January. He had come as healer before 6 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was blown away by his sharing this with me. And, true to the dream, he had taught me something about prayer. Sometimes healing only comes when curses are broken - which often comes by way of forgiveness. The week was bittersweet, however, as my sister miscarried at 3 months during this time.

It was now July. Time for leading worship at summer camps which equaled lots of travel. As we led worship from stage all I thought about was worshipping the Lord as part of the battle in gaining Sunny's deliverance from orphan-life. As we arrived at our first camp in NM we saw the most beautiful double rainbow. I was thinking to myself this was a reminder that God is faithful. I was beginning to think that Jesus would deliver our papers from this office by the six month mark since in my dream the time frame of 6 months was stated twice. Six months would be August 1st. I was hoping God would show himself as deliverer for Sunny by that date and this double rainbow - each rainbow having 6 colors (I know, I'm kinda being a romantic here) was filling me with such anticipation. To top it off, my daughter, Libby, got out of the car, grabbed my hand and said, "God sent that rainbow just for us." I was moved to tears.

On the way home from that trip, a dust storm was stirring up and in the middle of the dust storm, with no rain just yet, another - even more brilliant - double rainbow glowed on the horizon. At this point I am sure - absolutely certain - God is showing me He will do this. But I also recognize the dust storm around his promise. Could it be that I would have to endure more "storms" on this journey?

At some point in July we found out only one signature was still needed. I immediately began praying blessings over the person who needed to sign, asking for God to give us favor with her, asking God to change her heart. But it became clear this would not happen fast.

August 1 rolls in and out. Crickets and tumble weed is all we could hear. Actually - it wasn't silent. There was lots of talk about private adoptions in Ha*ti becoming illegal. There was also some information shared that made it seem like getting the third needed signature would demand a much longer wait. Despite the less-than-encouraging news...Still we prayed. Still we worshipped. The six month mark was long gone, but our hope was not.

On August 22, I heard from our orphanage that our dossier was finally signed along with 5 other family's from the same orphanage. But a person in charge there was refusing to hand them over (all 6 dossiers).

Ours was the only family aware of this information at that point. A burden too heavy to carry alone, we asked a few friends to pray. Each day - as with the rest of the summer since May, we yearned for the phone to ring with good news - all. day. long. every. day.

I had planned to visit Sunny back in June but postponed the trip thinking we may get out of IB**R any day and if I waited then I could file our I-600 at the embassy on a later trip. Now, it was time to go see Sunny whether out of IB**R or not. I have not visited her since Feb. That's 7 months with no visit. I just need to see her and let her know we are moving forward and trying to make progress on her adoption. I bought tickets for a fast approaching week of September- hopeful that maybe, just maybe, we would exit IB**R before then and be able to file papers. This would also allow me the opportunity to look Sunny in the eye and say "next time I come to visit you're coming home with me."

So, as you can imagine, we have continued praying. In the meantime we had to make an unexpected trip to Amarillo. A few days later I learned that my grandfather had died - my mom's father. I traveled to SC for the funeral and had the wonderful opportunity to lay eyes on my mother for the first time since she was healed. She looked magnificent. I spent my 72 hours in SC somewhere between speechless disbelief and utter tears of joy. After my grandfather's funeral that Friday, I checked my phone. A message from the pastor of the orphanage sounded hopeful. I called him back. He was excited to tell me that FOR SURE our dossier would be in his hands by next Wednesday. Four long days of waiting to go after a whirlwind 2 weeks of unexpected travel and the chaos of a new school year for this homeschool mom. Can you say tired?

Tuesday night I worshipped the Lord with all I had as Wednesday rolled in at 12AM. I sang nearly every hymn in the hymn book in the quiet solitude of my master bathroom. I was so excited to see God finally deliver us from this part of our journey. If we got out of IB**R we could possibly have Sunny home in 4-6 months. And time is running out for being able to get an embassy appointment during my upcoming trip, which would mean having to make another extra trip to Ha*ti soon.

Wednesday afternoon I found out that only two dossiers were going to be released. No one knew which wo family's dossiers and we would have to wait one more day to find out. I was fairly certain ours would be one of the ones released simply because we have been in that office 6 months and 31 days. Surely the Lord would deliver our papers before month 7 rolled in. It was our time. One more night of waiting.

So I woke up this morning hopeful, but the Lord clearly has a different plan. The 2 dossiers released today did not include ours. The lawyer returned to IB**R twice today to fight for us. They don't know what is going on. And they were met with unwavering staff.

When I received the disappointing news today I was in a bit of shock initially. Just needed to cry and think. A sweet friend was here and immediately prayed over me. I felt kinda speechless for the next few hours. But as the day went on I realized I had a beautiful opportunity to choose to hear the Spirit over my flesh. In my flesh I could be angry. I could fret. I could be bitter, feel hopeless...or at least defeated. But the Spirit kept putting a smile on my face. Seriously. Even through my tears I felt this still, calm and co-grieving presence telling me to hold on. To trust.

I don't understand why the Lord healed my mother within the 6 months but did not show me his deliverance of Sunny in 6 months. But do I have room to complain? My mother is HEALED!

Perhaps I interpreted the dream wrong. I did have another dream two nights in a row in August. The first time I dreamed it, I was a student having to walk alone early in the morning before the sun was fully shining. I knew I should be concerned about being alone so early in the morning but I made it to the classroom just fine. The second night I had the same dream but a bear tried to attack me along the way. He bounced off me like I had a shield around me. I was protected and walked off the path into the woods. Along the journey I saw a tiger, a python, a panther...all kinds of animals that were there to harm me. But still I arrived at school safe and sound. In my quiet time the next day, the entire passage was about God protecting me and delivering me from all harm. That was the first time I considered that maybe his showing himself as "defender" was just for me all this time. A protection over me as I learn to pray for Sunny. Maybe he was right on time after all (I say this realizing he is ALWAYS on time).

I'm not protected by my father's wealth. I'm not wearing designer clothes. I'm not in a high-class school. I am, rather, protected by my Father, clothed in the garments of salvation and learning from the Master about how to talk to him and battle alongside him. I am privileged to pray for Sunny. I am called to it not to be defeated. But to fight the good fight until its over....even while wounded. Just as my father faithfully prayed for my mother's healing for 27 years, so I am called to faithfully pray here in our 21st month on this adoption journey. I have been given the great privilege of watching my dad consider his calling a privilege when most would have considered him greatly under-privileged. I have big shoes to fill and no excuse to disobey.

Great is Thy Faithfulness is fast becoming my anthem song. My brother and I sang it in my grandfather's funeral. I've been singing it all summer..."strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow". My Teacher gives both. I had enough strength for today. I still have hope for tomorrow. Pray with us for our dossier to exit this office. Your prayers have kept our heads lifted, our hearts strong. Thank you.

Lead On, O King Eternal

2011-08-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

From my quiet time today out of the book "Come Away My Beloved" by Frances J. Roberts:

"So praise is like a two-edged sword: One side brings health to your own spirit while the other side cuts down the enemy."

So true. And because its true there are praises going out tonight from this room. And because the following song has a hundred different meanings for me tonight, in the midst of praise - I thought I'd write all the lyrics out for you too:

Lead On, O King Eternal
words: Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1888

Lead on, O King eternal
The day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest
Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King eternal,
We lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King eternal,
Till sin's fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords' loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy
The heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King eternal
We follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning
Wherever Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted over us,
We journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.

The Cry For Justice

2011-07-28T20:07:00.000-07:00

I don't have the words yet. I simply can't write it all out. The adoption process continues along its roller coaster track. The roller coster being emotions, not the actual process. The process is.....at a standstill.

One signature. One signature is all we need to move out of the office we are in. And its downhill from there. One signature. Other families have come and gone through this office with speed. We still need one signature.

I wish I could describe my prayer life to you...the things I bring before the Lord regarding Keemberlie and this adoption. One minute I am at complete peace, resting in God's timing. The next minute I am wrestling with God, crying out for his justice and swift victory.

Something was said to me recently that made me question how deeply I long for God's justice for Keemberlie. The next day I found myself praying that the Lord would lessen this deep passion if he saw fit - if somehow I was out of balance. Then He reminded me of a passage in Revelation in which the martyrs (people who die defending their faith in Jesus) in heaven are crying out for the justice of God in the end times. And it occurred to me: If martyrs are crying out for the justice of God to rise up while in the very presence of Jesus - where one would think they would have complete rest and comfort - it must be a seriously deep desire. One that God loves. And that makes it right.

I want justice for a 7 year old girl who never has a Haitian relative visit her in the orphanage; who has not known family for nearly 3 years; whose knowledge of family before that was a grandmother who could not feed her or care for her.

I want justice for a 7 year old girl who calls me mom; who cries desperately when my visit to see her comes to an end; whose sisters pray for her daily; whose room is ready; whose table is set; whose coming-home-dress hangs in her closet.

I want justice for a 7 year old girl whose mouth/brain/body long for the healthy food we eat all day; whose skin is tired of itching from scabies; whose soul and world-view are beyond her years; whose mind/knowledge lag behind with no education.

I want justice for a 7 year old girl who needs the protection of a father; who needs parents to answer when she cries out with bad dreams; who needs words of life spoken over her daily for the renewal of her mind.

This longing is real. It runs deeper than any desire I have ever known. And it is right.

And her name will be....

2011-06-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

I know I've changed it a few times. If you followed our journey to Gracie you remember the 5 names changes that took place along the journey. So, I know you're not surprised:)

But seriously, we've decided absolutely, positively, no doubt on Keemberlie's name once she comes home AND we have her approval.

Her name will be........ Sunny Eliza Foote. We'll call her Sunny.

Her disposition is always so cheerful and our prayer is that she will always look to the Son of God especially in the darkest times. Eliza has a special meaning as well.

Love knowing we've chosen the right name. Once less thing to figure out:)

Keep praying over our paperwork. God is on the move! We are so close to getting out of the social services department I can almost feel it.

Thank you!
Blessings.

He Gives and Takes Away

2011-06-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

As you can see by the last 5 posts or so, life has been traveling at the speed of light. We have had a FULL summer and its only June 25. But what I haven't shared is the emotional roller coaster we've been on in the midst of all the other activities. For starters, during our vacation we found out 3 of the families adopting from HCRM got out of IBESR (the social services department in Haiti) where our dossier has been sitting since February 1. We were overjoyed for these families but disappointed we were not also making progress. Two of the families were submitted to IBESR before us, one a month after us. And somehow our dossier was looked over. Nothing in Haiti makes much sense to us linear thinking Americans. But I'm sure there's a good reason...a God-reason for this delay. But that doesn't always soothe this aching-momma's heart. When we found out the other families made it out of IBESR we were at least hopeful our dossier would pass through there soon, maybe even a matter of days. So the long hold-the-cell-phone-all-day wait began for that precious phone call. Day after day, nothing. Week after week, nothing. This coming week will be six long weeks of intense waiting.... and almost 5 months of waiting in all since entering IBESR....or, as I see it, 1 year and 5 months since the process all began for us. I'm learning how to wrestle with God and rest in God. Actually- I'm learning to surrender. I've fought all I can fight in the spiritual realm and now I'm sitting and waiting for God to move. I canceled my trip to Haiti for June thinking we may get out of IBESR and get a court date soon. Since that has not happened I have been sad that I didn't go visit Keemberlie. But some friends have visited and they say she is doing well. When I can't be there, it is a comfort to know the Spirit is there - protecting her, teaching her, watching her, recording her days that I cannot see.

The week after returning home from Charleston I received a phone call from my dad. I could tell immediately something was wrong. Without going into all the details, during my stay in Charleston I wondered if my mother was dying. She has been very sick for 26 years.... that is the understatement of the century. The woman has been through it, as has our family out of concern for her. I was sure my dad was calling to say she had died. His voice sounded that bad. But as it turned out, he was taking her to the hospital (again, skipping details out of respect for my mother's privacy). During her stay, the hospital decided to reduce some meds she had been on for years. We were very concerned about withdraws and how her body would handle it. But surprisingly her withdraws were not bad. A week later she returned home free of these specific meds which was, in and of itself, a complete miracle. We were excited about this new change. But hesitant as we were not sure it would last.

The next day, the day before the No Double Yellow Line event, I received another sad phone call. My dad was in tears not for my mom this time, but for my sister. At 12 weeks pregnant she was miscarrying. She has two beautiful girls and had survived the first 12 weeks of exhaustion and nausea with excitement that she may have a son this time around. As you can imagine she was devastated...and we were all devastated for her. The morning of the Event she had a DNC. I would have much rather been in SC with her at this time. I was carrying around a heaviness for my sister that weekend that no words could express. She is doing well now, though still grieving. Please pray for her and her family as they process what has happened and look ahead to the future.

Fast forward to the Saturday before Father's Day. My dad texted me, "give us a call when you can". I immediately worried that something else was wrong. When he answered I could hear joy in his voice. He put the phone on speaker so I could talk with mom. This is not unusual. You see, my mom - among her many physical problems - has had strokes that we had assumed caused her to lose the use of her voice as well as caused her to sit and walk completely hunched over - head hanging down to knees. She was also sleepy most of the day - to the point of falling asleep while eating. So, my dad often used the speaker phone so she wouldn't have to hold a phone to her ear and also so he could tell me what she was trying to say since I could barely hear her.

Well, imagine my surprise when my mother starts speaking in the voice I remember her having when I was a child. I couldn't believe it. It must have been the drugs causing her to think she couldn't speak. I was having my first real conversation with my mom in YEARS! I was amazed!

And it just got better. On Father's Day I received another text from my dad. This time it was a picture of my mom all dressed up for church - with hair fixed and makeup on, a dress and she was SITTING UP! I know most of my readers have nothing to compare this picture to, but trust me when I say it is evidence of a MIRACLE!

I immediately texted dad back telling him she looked so beautiful. Then I thought - CRAZY GIRL - CALL THEM! So I called and dad said mom was crying tears of joy because of my response. We had our second great conversation. Both of us in tears over what God was doing before our eyes. She is being healed. The restoration has been miraculous - I mean seriously miraculous. After 26 years of constant struggle, she is coming back to life! I cannot tell you how big this is for our family. The joy I hear in my father's voice is....well....it leaves me speechless. I keep reminding myself that I can now call and talk to my mom, share life's adventures with her. I have her back after all these years! Nothing I can say here will put to words how big this is...how mighty God's power is to save!

He gives and takes away. There is so much I don't understand. Why isn't Keemberlie home yet? Why isn't our paperwork moving along? Why did my self-less, always serving sister have to lose her baby? But in the mystery of his ways, I'm learning to trust and fully believe. Because, though he takes away he also saves. He redeems. He brings the dead back to life.

My dad sent my brother, sister and me the most beautiful email a couple of days ago. Only my dad could put 26 years of struggle and pain into 21 of the most beautiful sentences ever written. He's not a man of many words....but oh the depth. He wrote,

How do you explain a miracle. You can't! A journey of 26 years has possibly come to an end. For what ever reason, for what ever purpose God has chosen to heal Nancy. I have often wondered how so many people could be praying for one person for so long yet no answers. But that is how God works. It is of His time and His choosing and when you least expect it. Only He could have a hand in it and work all things for His glory. There is no other explanation. Should I be angry, should I be mad at the wasted years and money. I chose to be happy and thankful. Always remind me of that if I fail to head my own advice. Will this last? I do not know, but I plan to relish the time of healing. Thank you for all the positive comments to your mother. It will be a continual encouragement to her ongoing healing. Who knows what lies around the corner. Satan is always prowling about the earth seeking whom he may devour, but our God is powerful, loving and merciful. Only He knows the future and He holds it in His hands. Praise be to Him and His Son, Jesus, whose blood covers a multitude of sins. We have all sinned and fallen short of His glory.

Love,

Dad

Summer Fun, Part Dos!

2011-06-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

What is summertime with sunflowers! And let me do a happy dance right here and now for actually growing a plant and not killing it! These beauties grace our backyard and make me look like I know what I'm doing...if but for a season...

And speaking of flowers.... below are pics of the BEAUTIFUL flowers my sweet friends Mark and Whitney Allen sent me the day before the event. I was so surprised and blessed!

watercolor on faces because watercolor wouldn't be fun enough on paper

dinner, puppet show and costume sharing with new friends, the Sims family

And more pool time!

The Sunglass Gang

And introducing - the most awesome child-throwing dad at the neighborhood pool.....

Life After The Event = Summer Fun! Part 1

2011-06-25T21:21:00.000-07:00

Life after the event was much less stressful:) ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............. Time for some summer fun!

The very next morning we enjoyed some splish-splash, google-wearing fun with our drummer's wife, Angela and their girls Kennedy and Addison...

And then I hauled all of us to the airport by lunch to see Rood come home!!!!!!!! Rood became an amputee orphan in the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He is now home with a new family on a medical visa to get the aid he needs for his prosthetic! YAY!!! So fun to gather with all the Haiti families at the airport to see him arrive home. Can't really see him in the picture below - but you can see some of the crowd gathered to celebrate! Such joy!

No Double Yellow Line Event

2011-06-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

While most of the spring was spent getting the No Double Yellow Line EP ready, May and June were spent getting ready for The No Double Yellow Line Event. It was the night of my EP/CD (whatever you want to call it) release concert in conjunction with Ground To Cup Coffee's child sponsorship launch of a CarePoint (Warancha) in Ethiopia through Children's HopeChest.

I was a nervous wreck thinking about speaking on stage. Singing is one thing - speaking - ENTIRELY another. But as I laid my head down to sleep the night before with my stomach all tied up in knots I prayed for God to give me peace and I heard him ask - "What really matters?" And I knew - only Him. And I fell asleep and experienced the most peaceful sleep. I woke with peace and finished with peace. It was great walking in the Spirit through it all. I was able to let go every issue with the sound, every worry about what to say, every ache in my body for things to go just right, every thought that I might mess up and just say what God was telling me to say.

The night was a special one. Ground To Cup Coffee raised 25 sponsors that night - and probably more stepped up to the plate after that night. The awareness of orphans was heightened. Many wonderful stories came out of that night. God worked on hearts. It was good.

There are MANY thank you's to share.

Thank you to Doug and Cristie Martine for inviting me to play such a big part in the night. They allowed me the freedom to take the time I needed to share all the songs on a night that was primarily about the work God was doing in their hearts for the orphans of Ethiopia - from which, they are currently adopting. Thank you for all the preparation you did to make this event beautiful and meaningful. I know it was stressful at times (especially the change of venue part:) but you handled it all beautifully.

Thank you to CrossBridge Community Church for allowing us the use of their facility. Thank you Debbie Ashton, facility coordinator, for your sweet spirit and wonderful help.

Thank you to Hillside Fellowship for allowing us to use your sanctuary for rehearsal, for free.

Thank you band - Jon Meyer on electric (who also wrote out all the chords and ran our rehearsal time for me:), Brady Redwine (who brilliantly played banjo, dobro, B3 organ, keys, mandolin), Kevin Peters on drums, Isaac Brown on bass, Billy Foote on acoustic guitar and Greg Jones on harmonica (who took on that task just one hour before the event began:)

Thank you Jennifer Verme for taking on the center pieces and coming up with the most creative arrangements I think I've ever seen. You have such a gift, girl. Thank you also for the pictures you took that night. They are included below. Jenn is an awesome photographer. Check out her work at: www.bendthelight.com

Thank you Angela Peters for watching my girls during rehearsal. Thank you Angela and also Alysia Brown for arriving at event early to help set up and run the CD table.

Thank you Firoozeh and Shahram for coming early to help set up and run last minute errands. You were so precious...and I know you were also praying! Thank you!

Thank you Billie Gill and Kitchen team for preparing the most fabulous meal!!! I know it took an incredible amount of time/prep. You did an awesome job!

Thank you Ground to Cup Coffee for providing the brisket for the meal.

Thank you, Corene, of Photography by Corene, for offering to come out for free to photograph the evening. I am very much looking forward to seeing your work!

Thank you Mike Vinson of Children's HopeChest, for making this launch possible and for flying in from RUSSIA to share your heart/vision.

Thank you guests - friends, community - for supporting the event by joining us, sponsoring children, buying coffee, necklaces and CDs. Thank you for your words of encouragement and thank you for sharing the stories of how God used the night to move your heart for the orphan.

I sure hope I'm not missing anyone!!

And here are the photos from the night by: Jennifer Verme of Bend The Light Photography:

Mike Vinson of Children's HopeChest

Cristie Martine

Gracie's 2 Year Anniversary of Gotcha Day!

2011-06-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

On June 9, 2011 we celebrated Gracie's 2 year anniversary of Gotcha day.....um, er....actually it was a few days after that - but we did celebrate it!! Libby and I made a cake for her. We had a special dinner and then family time at the pool. Gracie enjoys when her daddy tells her her adoption story. She likes to think about being that once tiny little baby. As I recall all that transpired the summer of 2009, I am amazed that we all survived! It was a tough summer. But Gracie was the sweetest new addition and worth all the challenges the summer brought our way. She is a thriving, 3T-wearing, curly-Q cutie pie. She and Libby play so well together (as long as Gracie is following all of Libby's instructions:)) and we are so very happy to be family, with Gracie!

Gracie, you are SO silly!

There's that flirty/sneaky look she always gives....

not the best pic, but proof we did go to the pool that day;)

A little story behind this pic: The girls and I made a plate and mug for Keemberlie that we set on the table for dinner every night. On the plate is painted the Scripture "He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies". I want my girls to get the idea that just as Keemberlie cannot see this plate set for her we cannot see the table set for us in heaven - but it is just as real. Well, the girls took it even further and used all their play food to make a feast for Keemberlie. So, Keemberlie - on this Gotcha Day celebrating Gracie you were not forgotten. We long to have you home. We pray with tears for your gotcha day. But in the mean time, even though you cannot see it right now - a table and a feast is set for you in faith that YOU WILL COME HOME!

Trip to SC

2011-06-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

Two weeks after vacation, the girls and I headed to SC to visit my family while Billy flew to Washington state for a songwriter's retreat with our label, Centricity. Billy had a fabulous time with the Centricity gang and did some AWESOME co-writing....I believe you will be hearing a song or two in the near future:) Meanwhile, the girls and I enjoyed Charleston beaches, family and friends....

Taylor, Libby and Camryn (the two blondes belong to my sister, Becky)

backyard pool fun

nothin' but cool goin' on

and pom poms

Folly Beach, I have missed you.

Becky and Camryn

checkin' out the waves

three amigas...the fourth was being a princess:)

fun in the sun

peak a boo hiney

all the colors of the rainbow and more

so. stinkin. beautiful.

sweet, sweet, sweet Taylor

SISTA!

My granddad (far left), dad, and mom..... I really thought this might be the last time I would see my granddad. He had cancer and many other troubles. This was also the most alert my mom was all week. She has been sick for nearly 26 years and I also wondered, during my trip, how long it would be before she left this earthly home. But God had something HUGE in store.....more about that in another post to come!!)

Pepa, my girls and me

Hipsta Libsta

My brother, Kelly, with our beautiful and all-grown-up niece, Taylor

We celebrated Sage's first birthday! (Kelly, Sage, Carissa)

The Sweet and Pretty Birthday girl!

Hunter and Libby playing with the train track. Hunter looks just like my brother did at this age. So adorable!

Sage, Carissa and baby-loving Gracie

my dad taking my girls for a "snake hunt"....wasn't too sure about that but they sure latched to his hand for the walk....which was probably my brilliant dad's plan all along:)

long layover in Houston on the way home. Gracie spent the time loving on her babydoll

Vacation, May 2011

2011-06-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

Our family has not been on a vacation alone since, well, since we became a family. We decided this year we would vacation in South Padre. We spent a week a the SunChase IV condo. And if there hadn't been construction on our roof for the first four days, it might have been a great location. We made the best of it and enjoyed the beach when we could. It was not quite warm enough the first few days and the wind was brutal a couple of other days. It took us about 4 days to really settle in. Guess we needed vacation more than we realized:) The pics are not all in the right order, but you get the idea - cute kids on the beach! Great memories. We are grateful we had the opportunity to get away, laugh and play.

Libby

Gracie - a.k.a. princess - she did not like the seaweed and sand.

Seriously growing up too fast....and too pretty.

once a seaweed-free-pathway was made, she was good to go...hauling water for her sister, of course.

first evening on beach. really calm evening.

Libby and Daddy

full moon

breakfast on the balcony every morning = NICE!

Built many castles. This was one of our best.

my favorite pic of the girls from vacation

wind.

warm and cozy watching the cheesiest movie in all of history - Yogi Bear

Really, could she be any cuter?

checking out the sea turtles

sisters:)

love this!

Billy took Libby on a fishing boat for a day. She caught 12 - more than anyone else on the boat...of course.

Girls in their pretty dresses

Gracie, wearing sass.

sweet.

the girl would simply NOT look at the camera.

Love that throw-back-her-head laugh/smile

precious hands

chocolate toes

Honestly....

2011-06-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

If I were to take off my "adoption advocate" hat and my "I'm learning so much in this process" hat and then lock up my entire closet of pro-adoption hats.... The truth is, I'm tired of adoption journeys and ready for this one to be over. Ready for Keemberlie to be home. Ready to have my family complete and settled. Ready to stop waiting. The end.

Moon

2011-06-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

Moon

You look peaceful as you float the sky

But you powerfully shift the tides

Fullest moon while you're up high

Would you please upon my child shine

Remove the oceans in between us

Waive the endless sands of time

Guide her eyes to gaze upon your glowing

And do not hide your face from mine

Share your cosmic space if just a moment

Be our meeting place in still of night.

for Keemberlie, love Mom

No Double Yellow Line Release Is Here!

2011-05-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

That's right! It's May 23 and the day has finally arrived to share this project with you! EP (which just means that it is shorter than a full length CD...specifically its 7 songs long) can be purchased/downloaded at: www.nodoubleyellowline.com under the "store" tab. OR you can click HERE and go directly to the store.

And to entice you a bit...here's a new video featuring a song from the EP as well as our youngest daughter, Gracie. If you like it, please share with your friends via blog/facebook and twitter to help me get the word out. Thank you!

Bring Our Children Home

2011-05-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

Two months and no blogging??? I apologize!! I've been up to something a little time consuming, which I will share in a minute. But first, for anyone wondering what is going on in our Haiti adoption journey here's the update. All we can hear (as my friend Elissa would say) is crickets and tumble weeds. Yep, that quiet. Our papers have been in Haiti's social services office since Feb. 1 and, as far as I know, they are still there...sigh. After we exit that office there will be more steps to accomplish before bringing Keemberlie home. In the meantime, however, she is doing well...just growing up too fast without her family to watch and enjoy. But we're praying, praying, praying and practicing faith without sight daily. We trust Jesus and declare our dependence on him daily in this process. Jesus, bring her home.

Libby and Gracie are fabulous. They pray for Keemberlie daily too. Libby is wrapping up her first semester of Kindergarten by way of homeschool and is reading the "I Can Read It Book 3"...the last book in the series before she begins regular books like Dr. Seuss and such. I am so proud of her!! Gracie is as sassy as they come. The sweetest smile and the sneakiest tricks has she. She completely skipped 2T clothes and is well into 3T, though she is only 2 years and 4 months old. Yes - TALL! Can't imagine my life without her.

And on to the time consuming, but FUN thing I've been up too.....
A NEW EP!!!!!!!
The No Double Yellow Line EP has seven songs, all inspired by our adoption journeys or orphan care and it releases MAY 23! That's one week from tomorrow. One of the songs on the CD leans more towards being a worship song. Its called Bring Our Children Home and you can hear it in the video below. The others are the kind of songs you listen to while you drive or clean the kitchen....though, you may want to have tissue nearby.

You can read much more about this project at: www.nodoubleyellowline.com. If you feel compelled, join the e-newsletter and you may discover a few freebies or discounts along the way. This project is only the beginning of what God's put in my heart to do, and my newsletter members will be the first to hear new details when the time comes to share.

For all the waiting families, enjoy this video... and if you do enjoy it feel free to share it. Thx! And don't forget: You'll be able to purchase the CD at the site above starting May 23!

Sisters

2011-03-12T20:05:00.000-08:00

Looking cute and stopping to pose before church one Sunday morning.

I'll hold you.

A big chair to fill! Boerne, TX

The coolest sisters on the block (or at the SA zoo, I should say)

Sassy Gracie Enjoying Sea World

Bay to Fun was truly fun!

Sleep the sleep of the righteous, baby girls.

Josie, your sisters are waiting for you. They ask about you everyday. Gracie told me a few mornings ago in her sweet toddler voice, "Mommy, I sad. Pray Keemie home". So we prayed. And we all keep praying. We've been in IBESR for about 6 weeks. Hoping to hear good news soon.

I'm Coming Back

2011-02-28T21:50:00.000-08:00

In February, I traveled to Haiti to visit Keemberlie for the fourth time since May 2010. This trip was not just to visit Keemberlie. This trip was about prayer. God teamed me up with another adoptive mom, Karen, and we prayed over every child, every room, every dynamic, and even over Haiti itself. It was an incredible week. We saw Keemberlie set free from some things and so much more.... too much to tell. There is only one story I will take the time to tell here.

On all previous trips, Keemberlie has shut down all emotion the day before I had to leave her to go back home. For the first time ever on this trip she didn't check out on me when it was time to pack my bags. This time I looked up from my bags to see a sweet face with tears streaming down sitting quietly in the middle of the room. This was the first open, completely vulnerable I-hate-saying-goodbye between us.

I wasn't sure what to say or do to comfort her. The language barrier is torture in these kinds of moments. But I had taught her a few English words that week of items around our room - bed, pillow, food, etc. So I swooped her up and with my own tears streaming down, I put my hands on each side of her face and had her look me in the eye. I said, "Keemberlie, you can't come home yet, but you will one day. We have a bed for Keemberlie. We have a pillow just for Keemberlie. We have food for Keemberlie." This was my best effort to help her understand there is a real place for her and I am coming back to take her there as soon as I can. She smiled through her tears and I think she understood.

As I talked to her about her future home I had the most amazing realization. Jesus said these same things to his disciples before he went to the cross. I've read it a hundred times but in the past I've always thought of those words as simply something Jesus said to comfort the disciples. I knew it was true and I knew it must be comforting to the disciples (and us!). But I've never stopped to think of the emotions Jesus felt as he said those words. He was leaving his friends. He knew how they would suffer before coming to their heavenly home. He knew the pain they would feel in his going. And He longed for them to come with him.

As I sat with tears flowing down trying to comfort Keemberlie I was overcome with emotion realizing there was no way she could fathom what is in store for her future and no way she could understand why I must go home without her this time.... This is what Jesus must have been feeling. And that passage, for me, in that moment became so real. No, more than that - the depth of His love and the glory of heaven just filled me up. I haven't shared this story once without wanting to bawl my eyes out. If nothing else, this adoption is teaching me about love and heaven by the way this adoption on earth mirrors my adoption in Christ. I have a Heavenly Father! He loves me. He's preparing a place for me. And if He prepares a place for me I must believe He is coming back! He will return!!! He's coming for me!

John 14: 1-3 Jesus Comforts His Disciples:
"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

I pray Keemberlie believes me when I say, "I'm coming back to receive you and take you home." Jesus must be praying the same for us. And I bet He's even more excited about coming back to take us home than I am about going back for Keemberlie. How deep, wide is the love of God!

Vineyard Restaurant, Asian Festival, Lady Antebellum, Rodeo, Family, Friends, Super Bowl, Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cupcakes, Chocolate Cake again....

2011-02-27T21:02:00.000-08:00

What do all those things have in common - MY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND included them all!
We started my birthday weekend with a double date night out with Mark and Whitney Allen. Billy and I met the Allens for dinner at the romantic Vineyards Restaurant and had an incredible meal followed by some great conversation at Starbucks. It was a fabulous evening! Thank you, Mark and Whitney.

The next morning our family bundled up, packed a picnic and headed to the Asian Festival. I've always wanted to take Libby and this year it fell on my actual birthday -the 5th. While it was a bit unorganized getting started, it ended up being a fun experience.

Billy took the girls home from there and I met up with my sweet friend Elissa for a Lady Antebellum concert at the Rodeo! YES! LOVED it! So much fun!!!! Wish I had pics of this, but I didn't even think about it while I was there - stink! Had so much fun, Elissa. Thank you!

Came home to my sweet family who surprised me with a huge balloon, decorations and cake. A bit later our dear friends, the Singletary's, came over with an amazing lasagna dinner, salad and cupcakes. We ate some serious calories and enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you, Singletary's!!

The next day, Sunday the 6th., we enjoyed church at Hillside Fellowship (our new church home:)) and followed up with Super Bowl fun at the Harrell's house where a Football FEAST was placed before us. We ate up some finger-lickin' good food and enjoyed more great conversation. Did I mention the home-made, beautifully designed birthday cake? It had chocolate chips inside the cake.... yum!!! btw - how did I not get a picture of Elissa in all of this??? We need to remedy that soon!

I don't think I've ever had such a full and blessed birthday in my adult life. It was AWESOME! To top it off I received gifts from my in-laws and my family in SC and some sweet cards. Feelin' the love!! Thank you, my precious friends and family, for making my 36th birthday extra extra special!

February... Brrrrrrrrr!

2011-02-27T20:26:00.000-08:00

Bundled up for mom's day out!

Yep, it actually snowed in San Antonio - enough to write in it:)

Nothing a warm blanket and a fire in the fireplace can't fix.

January 2011 in High Speed

2011-02-20T21:02:00.000-08:00

In a nutshell - This was January 2011:

1. Enjoying all the Christmas gifts (especially the costumes)

2. Four cities in 10 days leading worship - San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Corpus Christi

3. Celebrating Gracie's 2nd birthday (multiple times) - and what a precious little girl she is. I simply cannot imagine my life without her. I learn from her everyday how to be full of love and joy.

4. Homeschooling: Libby started her Kindergarten curriculum including the first field trip of the year - a trip to the zoo with our friends Elissa and Lily. Also had a playdate with Maliah but since Libby and Maliah mostly played in their underwear and socks I cannot post pics - hee hee!

5. One year anniversary of Haiti's earthquake. We hosted a gathering of all the families adopting from HCRM on that night for prayer/worship

6. The start of my CD project - inspired by our adoption journeys

7. Finally received the long-awaited confirmation number from IBESR for our adoption of Keemberlie - which simply means our papers are now officially in the social services office in Haiti with still a good ways to go.

7. Canceled trip to Haiti - but did end up going in Feb. so be looking for that post to come soon!

And here is January in Photos:

On Gracie's actual birthday we were in Corpus and she was sick. But we did have a little gift for her and had some chocolate cake at Chili's!

So fun watching their relationship grow. They play so well together!

The outfit Grammy Foote gave Gracie for her 2nd. birthday. Lots of glitter for the glam-girl!

Journey To A Lost Coin

2011-02-02T22:03:00.000-08:00

“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8-10

As I read this passage a few weeks ago, my first thought was, “When Josie (Keemberlie) gets home I can’t wait to send out party invitations that say, ‘Come rejoice with us for we have found our lost coin!’” My heart skips a beat every time I think of that. And the day will come, Lord willing, though we don’t know when. But many thoughts have come since that first one regarding this passage that take the meaning of it to deeper levels for me in this adoption journey. Isn’t it great how Scripture can keep getting fuller, richer as we understand it more and more!

Our journey to Josie has been our hardest adoption journey. In part, because Josie is already seven years old (we’ve already missed so much time with her!) and in part because we’ve met her and spent time with her. She isn’t just someone who will one day be our daughter. She feels like our daughter right now! And if Libby or Gracie were stuck in Haiti without us, I would move heaven and earth if I could to get to them. So, that is what I feel like doing for Josie (Keemberlie).

I think adoption mirrors so much of God’s love for us. Often, during our journey to Josie, I think about what we’re doing to love her, visit her and make her ours and then I realize – that’s how God feels about me! And I’m overwhelmed.

The parable of the lost coin is one of three consecutive parables we see in Luke where Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven by depicting how much He loves the lost. He’s not indifferent to the lost. He’s welcoming. And more, He seeks them out! Willing to leave the 99 for the 1. Willing to diligently search. Willing to open arms and accept the repentant sinner. Oh for the church to be more like Jesus, both in their pursuit of the lost and the orphan.

And that’s just the tip of what the Lord’s been showing me in regards to this passage. Since October (really since May, but more intensely since October 2010) I’ve been waiting for news that our paperwork has moved from the orphanage’s hands to Haiti’s social services office where it can be processed and we can be approved to adopt Josie. Each week I’ve been told, “by next week”. And then something would happen; sometimes crazy things. Once, the pastor was even shot at, delaying his work yet again! That was on top of political riots, cholera outbreaks, hurricanes and let’s not forget that Haiti has not recovered from the earthquake – not by a long shot. Then January rolled around and I thought, surely it will happen soon. But I received word that an important document was now missing and would have to be found before it could go to the ss office. With that news I began to have some questions for God. There is sin behind the following questions and I’ll get to that in a minute. But for honesty and confession’s sake here’s what I was asking/saying:

1. You said the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective so why isn’t anything happening?

2. You said you set the lonely in families, so why isn’t that happening faster?

3. You said you defend and love the orphans and care for them, so why aren’t you bringing her home?

4. If this adoption doesn’t happen I’m going to have some really big questions to ask you.

5. I don’t feel heard so I’m not feeling loved right now.

6. If I love Keemberlie so much, why don’t you show that you do too?

And I better stop there… but that’s the kind of thought process that began to regularly occur in my prayer time, which was also accompanied by many tears.

We traveled to three different events in three different cities in a ten day period during mid-January. So I was also tired during this season. But in that third event I had childcare and was able to sit in on the message. Our friend, Neil McClendon, was preaching about “Endurance with Gladness”. I knew I was about to hear something I needed to hear. The main thing that struck me was how Jesus agonized over having to die on the cross to the point of sweating blood drops but “for the joy set before him” He did it. And my heart swelled with humility as I recalled many of my questions.

If Jesus never did another thing for me outside of salvation, He is still good and He is still enough. He is the ultimate “joy set before me”. He doesn’t have to prove his love for me. He already did. And besides, of course He hears me. He promises that He does. And a man/God willing to die for me is also true to His Word. And, of course He loves Josie (Keemberlie)! There is nothing in me that is good unless it comes from God. So if I love Josie it is because HE put that love in me for her. If she never comes home to us, His love for her is still evident in that He has sent us to visit her and called us to pray for her. She has food, a roof over her head, and friends. She has access to food most of the time. She hears of Jesus and sings to Him. God is still Father to the fatherless even when they are not set into families.

So, I began to confess to Jesus my sinful thoughts and questions. And I began to understand my wrong-thinking as His Word redirected my thoughts and increased my faith. Some of you are thinking, “how was your faith increased in this if you think He’s still good even if she doesn’t come home? I mean, if she doesn’t come home, you’ve been sent on some crazy, emotional journey for nothing.” But it wouldn’t be for nothing, would it? And my faith IS increased because I am mindful of God’s true character – that He DOES hear, He DOES love, He DOES care – which allows me to pray even more boldly for her homecoming to us! Because He IS good. He IS love. He IS Father! And it’s not me loving Josie and making way for her to come home (because I would fail terribly at this if I were on my own) but it is HIM who loves her through me, and HE IS ABLE! Able to do more than I can ask or imagine. And now, I have not just the firm and sure “joy set before me” in Jesus. But also the “joy set before me” in faith that she will step off a plane with me in San Antonio one day and walk into her new life with us.

In all the agony of waiting I’ve also been reminded that Jesus must feel much the same way for His chosen to be fully sanctified and living in heaven for an eternity with Him! He lives in us, but we can’t see him, touch him or even fully understand him like we will one day in heaven. And every good father wants to be face to face with his children. So we are not alone in the ache of waiting.

Back to the parable of the lost coin – because I am finally getting to the point of this looooooong blog post yet to be longer….While Luke 15: 8-10 is about Jesus searching out the lost and rejoicing over them, I think we can glean much from this passage for our adoption journeys – our searching out the orphans and rejoicing over them.

The woman who has ten coins and loses one does three things to find this treasured, valuable coin. I find that these three things come in waves along the journey; waves that take us deeper and deeper into our walk with Jesus, not just for our further bonding to our Father, but also to break down strongholds that keep our prayers from being fully affective so that He can deliver on answering those faith-filled prayers we keep crying out. I think I’ve personally been through these three steps a hundred times and with each adoption it just gets deeper and better, though not less emotionalJ.

First, the woman turns on the lamp. The lamp symbolizes the Word of God in both the Old and New Testaments. A few other references to the “lamp” in scripture include: Jesus as a light to the world; our eyes being a lamp/window to the soul; and Proverbs 13:9 says, “the light/lamp of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out”. Ah, there’s that idea of rejoicing again!

So in our applying this to the adoption journey we must first make sure the light in us is the light of the righteous and not the wicked. Nothing selfish should be found in our decision to adopt. And if there is something selfish in the decision or along the journey, it will be discovered in His light along the way. Our battle with selfishness is a daily “taking up our cross” matter. So selfishness can sneak into the journey at any point.

We must also “turn on” the Lamp – the Word of God and the Spirit within us. We must be attuned to it, guided by it and bonded to it in the same manner that we hope our adoptive children will bond to us – freely, fully, immediately, intensely. We must open our eyes (the lamp/window to our souls) to see truth and follow it. And furthermore, we must rejoice in it even when the Word and the Spirit lead us in a way that we do not expect or do not really want. We must embrace the journey for what it is… a battle for our adoptive child’s soul and a battle for our hearts and devotion. For the woman in this parable, turning on a lamp meant burning valuable oil. The journey, we must remember, can be costly on many levels. But it is worth it!

Second, the woman sweeps out her house to look for the lost coin in places she may not be able to see right away or to reach on her own. Her house probably had a dirt floor. Our souls and our minds often have lose dirt that need to be swept away – sin, like mine found in my self-centered questions – must be confessed and healing must reach into the deep places of our hearts where we might not be able to see or reach on our own. Again, if our prayers are to be effective, we must be right before the Lord – with no unforgiveness in our hearts among many other things. So our “sweeping” out our souls/minds is an active pursuit of our lost coins in that it allows us to pray affectively. We’ll hear the clinking of that coin when we sweep in just the right place!

As I said before, with each adoption this takes me to a deeper place. With my first adoption I was fearful of becoming a mother (I mean REALLY fearful). With my second I was fearful of Gracie’s health/starvation issues and was brought to complete exhaustion on the literal journey to her and brought to even further exhaustion and illness when she came home to us. It was a tough year and I was not a self-less person, unfortunately. I was sick, tired and brought to the end of myself. With this third one I am going deeper into my secret areas of unbelief. And those secret areas are scary!

I also think of the woman’s sweeping as an active pursuit. She is not still and hoping the lost coin will just appear one day or jump into her lap. Like her, we must physically prepare our homes, sweep for every document on the planet that is needed to do an adoption, and pray, pray, pray. When paperwork is finished and we are waiting, we must pray and be active in our faith! If the light within is righteous, our “house” will not just look/appear orderly to others, but it will be clean, pure, guarded and on alert – unable to be invaded by evil.

Third and lastly, the woman searches carefully. I think this is where we find her “being still”, though in an active sense. She’s not sitting. She’s still searching, but she’s careful. She’s not throwing things around. She’s not in a hurry. She’s not in an uproar. She is diligent, cautious, leaving nothing unturned but keeping the house orderly at the same time. This is a delicate balance, not easily achieved. She wants that coin badly, I assure you. It’s worth an entire day’s wages. But she searches carefully even still. She knows that if she is careful, she will find that coin. The “joy set before her” is worth the trial, the time, the effort set before her.

I’m resting in that concept. I have a joy set before me that is worth the trial set before me. And interestingly, once I really got that, our prayers were heard and a confirmation number we’ve been waiting for was delivered to us yesterday! Ching! Did you hear the coin? We’re getting closer! Praise Jesus! Its just one of many steps to Josie, but it was a looooong (as in much longer than this post, if you can believe that) wait for that step. Our papers are finally logged into Haiti’s social services office known as IBESR. We have no idea how long the wait will be. But I’m seeing the work of the Lord in me throughout the journey and its good, really good…. Though, I’m certain, I too have a long way to go.

But wait, that’s not all. There was a fourth thing the woman did. In her joy at finding her lost coin, she threw a party. One day I’m going to get to do the same thing! All our close friends and family will receive an invitation to this celebration that reads…

Come, Rejoice with us! We have found our lost coin!

And we are going to do some serious rejoicing and dancing in good company!

For the joy set before me,

Cindy

Bye Bye Twenty Ten.

2011-01-19T20:57:00.000-08:00

Well, it just made sense to spend our last day of 2010 with the cute, new Haitians on the block - the Allen Family! The Allens have three precious Haitian kids here on student visa that they are loving. One is Keemberlie's best friend. Included in the Allen bunch are Mark and Whitney (such dear friends) and their two beautiful bio-kids Kalynn and Micah. The Allen family treated us to some seriously thick and delicious grilled burgers and such. We had a blast just enjoying their company and looking towards the hope that 2011 brings for Keemberlie.

Libby was beside herself with all the swords, play-guns, toy cars, and attention. 3 boys and her big-sister's best friend all ready to play with her! What! It was almost too much...almost. It was a chilly night so we had Gracie's cuteness all bundled up. Here are a few pics of the kids as we rang in the new year.
Give us whatcha got twenty eleven!

the cutest bundle of warmth

can't wait for Keemberlie to see this pic

nothin' but joy

star wars smiles

The Smug Look... Isn't he so handsome!

she couldn't scare a fly

happy to be sisters

awwww!!!!!!

darth vader in purple wields her terrible green light saber.

gettin' kinda sleepy

chocolate rapunzle, hee hee!

the best smiles

star wars meets bible man!

Christmas in San Antonio

2011-01-19T20:18:00.000-08:00

After the long drive home from Charleston we noticed Gracie had a fever. By the next day her fever was up to 103 and it wasn't budging. Over the next 7 days (and yes, that included Christmas day and beyond) we ended up in the ER twice with crazy high fever... the second time her fever hit 106... serious business. We knew Gracie had a virus as she followed many of the same symptoms my dad had while we were in Charleston, but after further testing we discovered she also had a UTI. The two illnesses combined is what sent her fever sky high. I had some panicky moments, let me tell you. And some seriously long nights. Really don't want to repeat that ever again! After Christmas we had some more testing done and found out Gracie has kidney reflux where her bladder sends urine back up to one of her kidneys. So, to prevent further infection and keep her kidneys healthy, Gracie is now on antibiotics for the next year and then we'll retest to see if she's grown out of this condition. The first time we tried to pick up the antibiotics the cost was going to be $400/month with insurance. We were like, uh, no. So the doc picked another one and it's $9 every 9 days. Can do.

Christmas eve, despite the illness, was still wonderful. We had a "Happy Birthday Jesus" family party. This year I made an out-of-the-box tres leches cake. It was AWFUL! After Billy took a bite he sadly said, "happy birthday Jesus." And I said, "we tried." and Libby wrapped it up with "and we're sorry!" We had a good laugh about that. Christmas Eve supper was delicious though and we just might have to make it tradition: homemade potato leak and sausage soup... yum.

Christmas day, what can I say. I'm eager for the day my girls get the whole real idea of it. I'm also eager for the day Libby allows us to see her excitement without trying to hide it. She would not let on AT ALL that she was amazed by the big basketball hoop taking up our living room space. That silly girl! Here's our Christmas in SA in pics...

the Eve soup.

the present set-up

the love connection

the christmas morning walk

the christmas morning attitude

the medieval castle with dragons and knights. best buy of the century. Libby loves it - which we figured out eventually.

the closest thing to a barn we'll ever have. Gracie's special gift.

the $15 stroller that could have been Gracie's only Christmas gift and she would have been totally content.

the balerina doll and my pretty chocolate

finally a smile. let it go girl! vulnerability rocks!

"water painting" as Gracie calls it.

Christmas in Charleston

2011-01-19T19:32:00.000-08:00

So, before we went to Charleston we celebrated Christmas with our friends the Singletary's and the Nolan's. Here, Libby and Gracie pose in front of our Christmas tree. And below that is a pic of Terry, Karen and me.

And then there was Charleston.... Billy drove for two days so that we would have our own car in Charleston. But the girls and I flew to Charleston because we just couldn't imagine having Gracie in the car for 2 days there and later 2 days back. We were sure that would cause insanity. Gracie is the sweetest, easiest baby until she's in the car. She talks our heads off asking for one thing after another when we're driving. She doesn't stop! So the girls and I had a fabulous flight there and drove with Billy on the way back. Gracie did great on the way back. We were shocked. But later we found out she was really sick... more about that later... Here's our Christmas trip to Charleston in pictures:

Gigi, Gracie and Papa

Camryn LOVES Billy. She was like a little monkey on his head. So funny!

We finally met sweet baby Sage! This is Sage and her beautiful momma (my beautiful SIL) Carissa

Libby and Taylor had a love/hate relationship. By the end of the week Libby had made a solo debut on Taylor's "Naughty List". It was hilarious. Libby picked on her too (and enjoyed tattling every chance she got) and then at other times (most of the time. really) they played beautifully together. Lots o' WRESTLIN', Chinese style. All kidding aside - they had so much fun!

Gotta love those smiles

Adorable Hunter (big brother to Sage). He is all boy and completely precious!

I have way too many pics of her compared to the rest of the family... but how could I leave this one out? Cheese!

Libby and Camryn enjoy ice cream while Taylor's in school. Sorry Taylor! We missed you!

Camryn with my beautiful sister, Becky.

All aboard the greyhound.

Giddy up.

Carolers from my parents' church came to sing for mom. It was really precious. Brought tears to my eyes.

Libby posing at Magnolia Gardens. She had a special outing with her daddy that day.

My siblings and all our families got together to do a special photo for our parents' Christmas present. Really amazed the photographer was able to get a pic with every child facing the camera. That's six kids all under the age of 7. WOWZA!

We had our family pic done too.

There is a special place in Gracie's heart for Uncle Jason. She's in luv! She couldn't keep her eyes off of him. She just kept batting those sweet eyelashes and calling his name. I think he's in luv too!

Gracie with her great-grandfather. My mom's dad - Bob Strickland, recently found out he has cancer.

Gigi and the girls.

Papa Santa

My seriously talented brother, Kelly, and his youngest, Sage.

Taylor enjoys her new costume. Isn't she beautiful!

Geography

2010-12-27T21:06:00.000-08:00

Adoption begins with obedience, continues through challenges and ends with blessings. For me, during the challenging part of the journey to Keemberlie (currently still going on!), special blessings have come to encourage me along the way. One of those blessings is the Lord's unlocking some ideas in my heart/mind and turning them into songs. I'm not typically the songwriter in the family. Billy, as you may already know, is THE songwriter among the Foote clan. He's penned some well known worship songs such as "You Are My King (Amazing Love)", "Sing to the King" and "You Are God Alone". I've been watching and learning over the years, but the words to express my thoughts have been locked up somewhere inside, unable to break through. All that to say, I'm very excited about this new gift of words and even more excited to share that Billy has given a thumbs up to begin working on a CD that includes some of these new songs - songs that tell our family adoption stories from some creative angles. I've shared lyrics for "Ready" and "Your Little Girl". Today I'd like to share the lyrics to one of my favorite songs so far -

Geography
Words/Music: Cindy Foote
(c) Poetic Present Songs 2010

verse 1:
That's where you are from
The coastal city of Xu Wen
Newspaper's been telling me
The day of sweet discovery
A miracle on Second Hong Qi Road

chorus:
Geography, never mattered much to me
Til gravity changed my course
Now I'm studying the land and seas
With my children from all around the world
In San Antonio

verse 2:
That's where you are from
The very heart of Africa
Biography's been telling me
The story of a baby
Prophetically born in Hosanna town

chorus:
Geography, never mattered much to me
Til gravity changed my course
Now I'm studying the land and seas
With my children from all around the world
In San Antonio

Verse 3:
That's where you are now
An island in Atlantic Sea
Tragedy's been happening
But better days are coming
For you at 17 Laboulle Road
You're coming home!

Geography's been telling me tonight
Distance is ready to loose the fight.

This is Keemberlie Josephine ("Josie" is what we will call her) - our daughter in Haiti, age 7.

P.S. I was given an opportunity to write a guest post on a special blog of a fellow Ethiopia adoptive mom - Kari Smalley Gibson - www.mycrazyadoption.org. My guest blog post will show up tomorrow (the 28th). Would love for you to click over there and read my post: "Jesus is the Prize or the Orphan is the Idol".

Pre-K Wrap Up

2010-12-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

Libby and I jumped into the homeschool world last January. So this December brought the fun realization that we have now completed our first year of homeschooling together and Libby is now done with Pre-K. Kindergarten here we come! Tonight we had a brief little celebration with Libby letting her know how proud we are of all she has learned this year. She's memorized 90 timeline cards, over 12 Bible verses, and many more facts. She's reading short words with short vowel sounds! I've read a TON of books to her (thank you Sonlight!), completed four workbooks full of auditory, visual and memory skills tests and..... we survived. More than that, we've enjoyed it (for the most part ;) ).

This is the certificate we gave her tonight for completing pre-K:

Keemberlie Turns 7!!

2010-12-07T19:47:00.000-08:00

On December 6, 2010 Keemberlie turned seven while still residing at HCRM orphanage in Haiti. For me, it was a tough day emotionally. I wish I could say the paperwork is moving along and we are closer to bringing her home, but I really have no idea. The pastor who oversees the orphanage is working hard, this is for sure.

Anyway, we began the day, as usual, praying for God to bring her home. Later, while Libby's friend Maliah was with us we baked a birthday cake for Keemberlie. We knew we wanted to celebrate her birthday whether she was home or not. I think its a great picture of how heaven probably celebrates over us and things we do for God's glory and we just don't know its going on. Keemberlie doesn't really know how we pray for her and celebrate her, but one day she will see a record of it.

The day got a whole lot better when I was able to reach a fellow adoptive mom, Elisabeth, by Skype who was at HCRM on a visit. As soon as Keemberlie was in view on the computer screen I heard her say, "I love you, mom. I miss you soooooooo much." Oh how I love her!

Billy held Gracie while Libby and I gathered with them to show Keemberlie how we all had our birthday party hats on and then we all sang happy birthday to her and showed her the birthday cake we made. Our friend, Jon Meyer, was here and he took a picture of us just as we were singing the last note of the song to her. I love this picture:

We also checked up on Keemberlie's tooth that busted out when she fell recently. It was a bottom, baby tooth, which is good news! Permanent upper teeth are still there! We introduced Keemberlie to a name that we have chosen for her. On my last trip to Haiti she told me she did not like the name Gabby that we were thinking of using. So we spent some more time searching for a name she might like. When we told her the name she smiled and said she liked it. So, looks like we will name her Keemberlie Josephine Foote and call her "Josie" for short. Josephine means "Jehovah Increases"... I like that. And Joseph, in the Old Testament has always been my favorite person in the Bible (ok, other than Jesus, of course!). I love the way he forgives his brothers for abandoning him as he says, God allowed this to happen and he made good out of it. (paraphrased). I pray Keemberlie can look back on her first seven years and have that kind of outlook... God redeems and makes good things come about out of all kinds of tragedy.

So, Josie - for your future enjoyment - here are some pictures from your 7th. birthday celebration:

A homemade cake - yellow cake, chocolate icing and lots of sprinkles!

birthday dinner = sausage, spinach and cheese tortellini soup with cornbread and peach tea

at the table: Libby, Gracie, Billy and Jon...and me with the camera

Dad feeds Gracie her piece of cake and she LOVES it!

Awwwwwwwwww!

chocolate chin = yummy cake now devoured

this face says, "please come home now"

More Birthday Celebrations and Thanksgiving in Longview, Oh Wait...Christmas Too!!!

2010-12-07T19:16:00.000-08:00

We headed to Longview for the Thanksgiving week, but that particular week in the Foote family is not just about Thanksgiving. BC, Billy James and Libby all have birthdays in November. And since we switch each year's celebrations between my side of the family and Billy's side, whoever we are with for Thanksgiving gets an early Christmas too! Needless to say, it was a BUSY week of PARTIES and CELEBRATIONS! We celebrated each of the special moments in Wendy and Robbie's new and beautiful home. It was the perfect place for gathering. The pictures below tell the story of the week...

Papa is just as silly (maybe more) as Gracie

the big girls eating...and see, Papa Boots really is silly

Wendy gets her Gracie love

These three amigas had a blast together

For Billy and Libby's birthday party Winky made half the cake a soccer theme for Libs and half a fishing theme for Billy. Really cute!

The birthday pair

Libby: "I can't wait to hear the crinkle of paper."

Helping Papa Boots open his birthday present from us

party hats and cute girls

Libby and Grammy with their sweet Grammy

Thanksgiving Day family photo

Thanksgiving Day Family Photo with BC, Winky and Tompkins family

A very cool trio

sisters in green

Winky's mom, and Robbie's mom

Karen, Wendy and Robbie

The complete family photo adding in great grandparents and Stark family

sorry this one is sideways, it won't fix for me...but its so cute I can't leave it out. Grammy buys the girls new matching pjs every year and these red gowns are just beautiful! Grammy even bought one for Keemberlie so it's here waiting for her when she comes home!!!

more pjs!

Christmas celebration included gifts of various dress up clothes. Libby got a knight costume, a police uniform, a doctor uniform and an indian costume - some from birthday gifts and some for Christmas. Brooke got this adorable outfit and a matching one for one of her dolls. All the girls got a TON of gifts - board games, clothes, baby dolls...you name it! Now to find a place for it all.

BC and Winky with their three grandbabies

Gracie got tictacs in her stocking because she asks for them ALL DAY. She walks around saying, "Tac Tac, pwease." And if I say no she says, "Oh pwease mommy" as she bats her eyes and grins.

A special Christmas gift for Keemberlie from Grammy. It was an ethnic Barbie doll and doll clothes along with a coloring book and other things she received in a stocking. Can't wait til she's home to play with it all.

Robbie opening his gifts.

Me and Gracie opening Christmas gifts

Gracie ADORES the baby dolls she received from her grandparents and her aunt Wendy and Uncle Robbie. She kisses them, talks to them, feeds them... just so precious.

The beautiful Christmas tree in entrance to the Tompkins home.

Once we arrived home Libby went through all her costumes over and over again. She makes a really cute Indian, don't you think?

Gracie in the precious outfit Grammy gave her for Christmas. I love it!!!

In all, the week in Longview was a fabulous one with memories to cherish forever! Thank you to the Foote and Tompkins families for making our visit so special!

Soccer Special

2010-12-07T18:19:00.000-08:00

Grammy and Papa Boots made a very special trip to see Libby play in a soccer game this fall. It was so sweet of them to drive 6 hours just to see one of her games. Here are some special pictures from that day:

Libby wanted to show Grammy her Halloween costume the night before the game.

Papa and Gracie

Grammy and Gracie - Gracie calls her Gigi

Ready to play!

Sweet picture

on the sidelines - still having fun

Chinese Domination

2010-12-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

This fall Libby and her dear friend Maliah joined the same soccer team - The Baracudas! And it was clear after just the first game... Chinese Domination!!! These two sweeties ruled the field and helped their team win almost every game. After the final game of the season they were both given trophies that said "CO-MVP" !!!!! We had a blast watching them pass the ball to each other, guard each other, look across the field for one another. They truly played as a team and looked after one another.

And Then She Turned Five....

2010-12-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

Our first baby girl, Libby, turned five on Nov. 23, but before her actual birthday we had birthday party round one. And where would a five year old ask to have a party??? Chuck-E-Cheese, of course! It was a blast!

Libby is maturing into a bright, considerate, witty, sweet and always beautiful girl. She's a tremendous helper to me and loving big sister to Gracie. I'm so proud of her! In her short five years she has transitioned moved from China to San Antonio, traveled the States with us for 4 years, worked alongside of us cross-culturally with refugees in our city, waited on baby sister Gracie, traveled with us to Ethiopia under some really difficult circumstances, transitioned to being a big sister, waited for Keemberlie and has been with me to Haiti twice. I'd say she's been through a lot for a five year old!

Birthday Girl at home before the party.

Libby with Proud Daddy

Love holding my big girl. Will take any hug I can get!

The set up at Chuck-E-Cheese

Party favors

Gracie and Mooj having fun at the party

Sweet Lane and Beautiful Donna

The Batman Cake

Gracie makes her way around to Mrs. Cristie to remind her that Mrs. Cristie's Ethiopian son-to-be will be really cute and lovable just like Gracie.

Maliah and Olivia

Mark and Shey - Mark and Whitney's Haitian kiddos came to the party and handled the chaos very well. I can't imagine what was going through their heads. They've for sure never seen such entertainment before!

Malea and Dakota having big girl fun

Libby meets Chuck E and receives her birthday crown

Lily brings her present to Libby. I love how well these two play together these days. SO FUN!

Libby chose Maliah to join her in the ticket cage where the tickets blow around everywhere while they catch as many as they can. ADORABLE!

Makayla and Mark

Ticket Blast!

Daddy bought Libby her first pair of waders for her birthday. Fish in the Guad - watch out!

Play Room Painting

2010-12-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

Since we moved into this home 2 years ago I have wanted to paint the playroom and do something fun with it, but time was not on my side. I finally decided this fall to just make it happen. I painted the walls a happy yellow. Then I found a children artist print online of a zebra with a blue background that I loved. But the print could only be ordered in a 12x16 size or smaller. These walls needed something bigger than that so I bought two canvases and recreated the artist's ideas with acrylic paints... check out the funky giraffe and zebras below. I can't remember the artists' name... I need to look him up again and post his info here since I totally ripped him off (sorry, Mr. artist). Last, I cut out felt leaves in different colors and a tree trunk, then tacked some black felt onto a framed corkboard. Now we can use the tree leaves to do some math concepts and the kids can change it around however they like.

Dressing up!

2010-12-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

For Halloween Libby dressed as Buzz Lightyear and Gracie dressed as a Renaissance princess. They were adorable to say the least. Gracie still asks everyday for a piece of "tandy". She has a major sweet tooth. And Libby will dress up like Buzz on demand. Our friend Larry went along with Billy and the girls for the candy hunt while Terry, Laura and I handed out candy at the house.

Gracie at 21 months

2010-12-01T20:43:00.000-08:00

Gracie is the sweetest baby born on earth. She simply loves to love. She hugs and kisses us constantly. She rarely meets a stranger. And once she knows who you are she will say hi to you like your the most special thing in the world to her even if she just saw you ten minutes before. At 21 months she has learned many more words - although mostly she says just the first part/syllable of a word. The ending sounds or extra syllables aren't there just yet. She still walks out of balance. She wobbles. No developmental delay - just a natural wobble that she manages well. I couldn't enjoy anything more than watching Libby and Gracie enjoy one another.

Haiti, My third trip

2010-12-01T20:18:00.000-08:00

My lack of journaling is evidence of the the busy-ness of our lives this fall. I have much catching up to do. For starters - my third trip to Haiti to visit Keemberlie. Libby went with me again (her 2nd trip). It would take too much time to share all the details. So the short version is this:

1. Traveled with a large travel group of other families also adopting from HCRM and enjoyed getting to know them very much
2. Went with expectations that proved to be too high regarding moving our paperwork along
3. Keemberlie showed me a backpack full of all the photo albums I've sent plus a Bible Libby sent via me on my previous trip. I was so excited to see that she actually still had it and even more - that she cherished it all. When Libby saw the Bible she said, "I did it mom! I told her about Jesus!" I about fell over in a heap of tears.
4. Keemberlie came down with a stomach bug and threw up for two days (beginning on our first afternoon there) leaving Libby in a funk because they couldn't really play together
5. Libby discovered a racing game on another mom's iphone and decided to immerse into that world rather than Keemberlie's or mine. But at least she found something to do and enjoyed it.
6. Did not get near as much done as I had desired regarding Keemberlie's paperwork (did I already say that?)
7. Was not able to meet Keemberlie's biological grandmother (had a good cry over that since this is my third adoption and I've personally been prevented from meeting each of my girls' biological mothers.
8. Enjoyed every second with Keemberlie, especially the afternoon she let me hold her and sing over her
9. Felt guilty/torn between Libby, Keemberlie and paperwork matters the entire time
10. Enjoyed watching Libby play in the "fort" I made with a sheet hanging down from top bunk - making our shared bottom bunk a hideout (which ended up being quite a needed escape a few times)
11. Discovered I am really unable to take such cold showers without feeling like I'm having a seizure.
12. Highlight was the impromptu dance party in our room with several of the orphans and Libby and Keemberlie on our last night.
13. Lowest point - Realized on the last night that Keemberlie thought I had come to take her home this time and had to find a way to tell her that it would be much longer through a translator...which was a kid who can barely speak English. Have no idea what actually got communicated.
14. came home sick
15. papers still not in IBESR and now its December! IBESR is where the adoption paperwork will be processed and where the wait time is completely unknown
16. currently - no end in site and Keemberlie's 7th birthday is Monday the 6th.

I realize most of that sounds negative... Not trying to sound like a downer. Its just the reality of this last trip. I did get a few great pictures once Keemberlie was feeling better! And no matter how discouraging the trip might have been - seeing Keemberlie made it all worthwhile. And seeing Keemberlie and Libby enjoying one another was icing on the cake.

So - here's the enjoyable part of this entry - the happy memories caught on camera:

our first minutes at HCRM

Libby has outgrown Keemberlie by two inches even though Keemberlie is two years older

I knew Keemberlie didn't seem like herself because her smile was reserved. That afternoon is when she started throwing up. Poor thing!

not my best photo day. I look tired and weird! But I love my girl Keemberlie!

Sunday morning. Keemberlie was too sick to go with us but I still dressed her up to get a cute photo. Still, she was unable to smile her usual smile.

Have I mentioned how much I love her???? WHEN will she come home???

My favorite photo of my two big girls and me on this trip

Hero of the faith - Dr. John Leininger - with widow woman being given a home which someone donated a year's worth of rent to give her a roof over her head.

Lovin' the matchin' LOVE Ts.

strangely - their feet are almost identical other than their color.

we were able to deliver some packages to several children on this trip. These three were discovering the faces of their soon-to-be family through their first care package and photo albums!

A coloring party

Keemberlie sleeps on this bed with about 5 toddlers. It seems that she helps keep watch on them and cares for them.

Another sweet face we were able to deliver a first care package to!

same sibling group as mentioned a few pics above. Just love this photo of them!

Keemberlie getting a lecture from her teacher per my request. She was not interested in sitting and learning AT ALL. But, if you saw/heard everything going on in that one room you'd know why she was struggling with it.

This picture sums up each of their favorite things to do on this trip: Keemberlie = eat. Libby = play video games

such adorable models! I heart this photo!

pure sweetness

trying to find a place to be alone with my girls... it lasted about 2 seconds, but it was sure fun while it lasted!

Received a call from pastor a couple of weeks ago letting me know Keemberlie fell and busted one of her baby teeth out of mouth. It was so kind of pastor to call and let me know. Sure wish I could have been there to hold and comfort her. Until then.... we keep praying!

Digging Through the Roof of Unbelief

2010-10-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

The battleground of adoption (and any other God-sized adventure) is waged right where flesh and Spirit meet. Just when the flesh wants to take over and deliver a large load of discouragement the Spirit steps in and says, "Hear this..."

One recent morning, our family Bible study retold the following story from Mark 2.
"A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"

And as you may already know, Jesus healed the man a few verses later. Amazing!

As I read this story to my girls I sensed the Spirit saying, "the roof you need to dig through is unbelief." The day continued and as I was driving I considered that thought and the Spirit began to unpack it for me. This is what I heard....

"Cindy, you think the adoption system in Haiti and all its offices are bogged down. You think the Pastor has too much on his plate. You keep considering how many families are in your exact situation with this orphanage as you try to estimate when Keemberlie may come home. But what you are not considering is that there is no "polite waiting line" to get to Me, the one who moves mountains. You are considering the earthly realities around you, but not the supernatural realities about me. You are thinking that you, your family and Keemberlie are just another few people in a crowd. Well, let me assure you, daughter, I care for you and your family. And I care for Keemberlie. I desire her homecoming more than you! You are not just people in a crowded system. You are my daughters. Dig through your unbelief in this and you will find Keemberlie at my feet as I call up to the rooftop saying, "I see your faith and she's coming home." Pastor may be busy. He may get distracted. Haiti's gov't offices may be crawling at a snail's pace. But I am the One who makes things move. I am Momentum. I am Force. I am. And you have access to me. You can sit back and listen to these words or you can start digging. Those who sat in the crowd and just listened to me were not the ones who were healed and forgiven in this story. The ones who were made right with me and given miracles were the ones who decided I was/am not the kind of God to say, "get back in line and wait your turn". I am the God of compassion with lavish love that moves swiftly when I see my children coming.... Dig, sweetie, dig! For unbelief has blocked your path and your faith will break it down."

I don't know the situation you (blog reader) may be facing. I don't know what you long to see Jesus do. But if it lines up with the heart of Christ I encourage you to stop waiting in the crowd like an interested by-stander and start digging your way to the One who already knows you and gave you these longings. He hears, He sees and He's ready to answer, if only you believe. Don't look around you to see if anyone else is moving toward him. Fearing people's judgement or opposition doesn't please the One who died for you. Don't worry if your digging makes a mess. Go on and break a sweat and dig like you believe He's ready to answer you!

Be encouraged and actively pursue the work of Christ in your life!

cindy

Good News!

2010-10-18T20:58:00.000-07:00

Today, after over a month of expecting this to happen "tomorrow", I finally have good news from the Pastor in Haiti!!! Keemberlie's birth mother's death certificate has been drawn up and is currently in the hands of Pastor's brother-in-law. Pastor is in the countryside of Haiti doing some special work until later this week. So now we're praying that this important document will remain safe in the brother-in-law's hands until Pastor can retrieve it from him. And THEN... our dossier can finally move to IBESR, which I'm hoping will happen before Libby and I arrive in Haiti on Friday afternoon. And THEN... we wait some more. And no, we still have no estimated time frame. None. Nada.

BUT, Jesus is showing me so many good, rich things in this journey and there is a whole lot brewing in me to be shared in the near future. I just don't have the time to write it all out until I return from Haiti.

Titles of future posts to come...
1. Digging a Hole in the Roof of Unbelief
2. The Orphan Idol
3. Thoughts on Spiritual Battle in International Adoption

For now - its packing time and family time. Libby and I fly out e.a.r.l.y. Friday morning and return very late on Tuesday the 26th. Prayers over our trip are appreciated - particularly for Libby's safety. Prayers over Billy and Gracie while we're away are also appreciated.

Garments of Praise Are On!
Cindy