Dancing the Night Away

Hunter and Jillian recently returned to Haiti after a trip back to America to visit family and report to supporting churches.  They brought back a wii with them for the kids including a dancing game.  Jimmy loves any games or competition.  So, this was right up his alley.  Check out his smile.

So they say

A Haitian adoption website recently posted an update on the adoption processes in Haiti.  The word is that dossiers are beginning to go out of IBESR again.  They had pretty much stopped since the government transitioned to a new president. The news is that dossiers should leave IBESR within two months of entering.  They are also signing presidential waivers, which we will need because we have two biological children.  We hope this is good news and means we will actually see progress soon.

Rylan began writing in a prayer journal.  He lets me read it.  Every prayer includes "Please let Haiti stamp our papers so Jimmy can come home".  Please pray this prayer with us. 

Rethinking

1 Corinthians 10:31

 ³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
 ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Since my last post, I have been thinking about what I wrote and how I was feeling.  God really put it on my heart to reevaluate my outlook.  These two verses kept coming to the front of my mind.  Was I really behaving in a way that was glorifying God?  Maybe.  Was I rejoicing and giving thanks?  Maybe.  Does God want me to maybe do what he wants?  No!  He wants me to do life and the adoption journey His way.  So, I have committed that  I am going to rejoice, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, and do all of it for the glory of God.  I am still human and will faultier.  Even in the times of disappointment and distraction, I know that God's will is better than mine. 

For an update:
We continue to pray for our dossier to be approved by IBESR.  It has been in the IBESR for 4 months and 8 days. If you remember the timeline says 4-6 months.  Please join us in our prayers that God will allow us to move on to parquet. 
We are thankful for the internet.  I know we all can't imagine what life would be like to be disconnected.  It is so great to be able to skype and message through facebook with Jimmy and his friends. 
We give God the glory for bringing us to this point.  Although we have felt sadness and stress, it has been nothing we can't handle.  I know God's hand has been on us throughout.  Never in a million years would I have believed ten years ago that we would be on this journey today.  I am so amazed and thankful to have a God who loves me enough to push me until I am out of my comfort zone and into his. 
We are rejoicing that God is providing another opportunity for Rob to travel to Haiti and serve the people there.  He leaves on February 2 and will return on the 6th.  He will be blessed to serve alongside good friends and our son.  I cannot think of a better way to bond than through service.


We still have 28 quilt blocks to sell in our fundraising quilt.  Only $25 dollars per square.  Paypal, personal check, or cash.  Let's get this quilt finished! We can't do it without you.

December trip

My friend, Cindy, and I left for Haiti Tuesday, December 6 early morning.  We drove to Dallas to catch a plane to Miami.  When you fly to Haiti, all the flights leave in the early morning.  So, we got to Miami in the afternoon and stayed the night.  We got up early the next morning and headed to the airport, full of excitement and nerves.  We got to Cap Haitien about 11:00.  I am not sure how to explain how it feels to be in Haiti and see Jimmy again.  There is usually a period of awkwardness to actually be in each other's company.  I am so thankful to have Cindy there.  It makes it easier on us and the boys.
It is so hard to find the words to express how the I feel when I get to Haiti.  It is a mixture of exhilaration and dread all at the same time.  I am thrilled to be there and to hug Jimmy and spend more time bonding with him.  I also dread the awkwardness that comes with the getting reacquainted.  I dread the idea that always lingers over that the time will go by quickly and we will have to say goodbye once again.  The bonding and leaving is like gluing two broken pieces together then dropping it on the floor and they break apart again.  Just when being together feels sweet and natural it is time to leave again.  I am very ready for the leaving to stop.  For the bond to be permanent.
Anyway, here are a few pics from our trip.  We had a great time and had lots of fun.  The pictures are kind of out of order but you will get the idea.

Jimmy and Me on the roof at Children of the Promise

At the beach. 

We had a great time going to the beach this time.  Richard and Jimmy each brought a friend.  We went to the beach at a very nice hotel.  We played in the water, ate, and lounged.  It was wonderful!

Jimmy and Biverly.  I noticed this time how much Jimmy loves the little kids.  He is very patient and loving toward them.

More beach pics.

In the toy room at CHCH.  This is Chinalove.

This is where we stayed.  It is the guest dorm.

Jetro, Me, Jimmy

The boys

Richard, Jimmy, Jetro, Rosemond

We visited the infant care center, Children of the Promise.  This was the room where the very sick babies lived.  Jimmy was checking this little one up close.

We also went to another orphanage down the road from CHCH.  Love this baby.  I could kiss these cheeks all day.

Another pic from Tabitha's orphanage.  This little boy would laugh so big.  When I would put him down, he would immediately want back up.  These babies are starved for one on one contact. 

At CHCH with Wenchy.

The boys were in school taking exams while we were there.  Here they are all dressed up for school.  They get up very early.  The night before, I had told Jimmy I wanted to take his picture before school.  So, he woke me up (at 6:30) so I could take it.

I brought Jimmy Christmas and birthday gifts.  I guess US customs needed to take a look at the tshirts and letters from our youth group.  They were nice enough to wrap it back up with this pretty green tape.  It matched the wrapping paper though.

Guinness book of world records

Puzzle time with some of the other boys.

The little ones were stringing beads.

I can't wait to go back.  Rob will go on a medical mission in February.  Jimmy is counting the days.  I asked him if he liked me coming to the orphanage or going on the trips to the medical clinics when we come.  He said medical.  So, I am sure he is looking forward to not only seeing Rob but also participating in the medical clinics.  He gets the opportunity to use his English while translating and finds all the medical stuff interesting.  He takes it all in.  Please pray for the whole team going.  I know their work will glorify God and help the Haitian people.

Well, do you know WHEN he will get here?

This is the question I hear just about everyday from one well-meaning person or another.  I appreciate that people care and are thinking of us, but that question is getting harder and harder to answer without tears.  I looked it up today and it has been 10 months and 22 days since we sent off our application.  That is 325 days of waiting, praying, waiting, and praying some more.  Almost 47 weeks of skyping with Jimmy and assuring him that we are doing everything we can and that God's timing is perfect.  7800 hours of wondering where our dossier is and who has it in there hands.  468,000 minutes of dreaming about what it will be like to have him here with us and being a family together in one place. 
I can remember being pregnant with Rylan and Kyndal and thinking we had waited an eternity to hold their precious little hands in ours.  I can now tell you that was a piece of cake compared to this.  We knew a time that they would be here.  Not an exact but for sure a deadline that they would have to make their appearance before this date.  With the adoption, the due date or deadline for Jimmy is non-existent.  We have no idea when we will have him home, able to tuck him into his bed under our roof. 
Please pray strongly that we hear something soon.  Pray God will be our strength and comfort.  This family is growing weary and Satan works best when our hearts grow weary.  Thank you.
Also, we are still working on the adoption funds needed.  We have 80 quilt blocks sold.  You can buy #81.  There are only 108 blocks in the quilt.  When they are all sold, we will draw a winner of the quilt.  You can also buy a tee shirt from WildOlive tees. That fundraiser ends January 6.  The company extended our last deadline.  Please go to their website and go to the fundraising tees.  Put our code SCHLUP0910 into the coupon code.  We appreciate your support.

** We have friends who are in the Ukraine right now preparing for their adoption court date.  Their boys, Ruslan and Andrey will be home by the end of the month. Please pray for the Hinson's that everything continues to go well, and everyone comes home safely and quickly.