A Vicious Circle

Well, we received an "update" on our case today. It's not real encouraging and we're not exactly sure what the solution will be . It appears that PGN has admitted that they were wrong in sending our case to investigations. They have said that the document which needed correction could have been corrected through administrative channels and the case should not have been turned over to the investigation division. The investigation division says there is nothing for them to investigate, as they've looked at the document and concur that it should be fixed administratively. Here's where it gets crazy. Because it was sent for investigation, by law, it has to be investigated. PGN is apparently not allowed to just get the case back. But since there's nothing to investigate, the investigators won't do anything with it!!! The "solution" being offered by investigations (I think) is to send it to a judge for him to rule on it. Once the judge rules on it, it would then be sent back to PGN to start all over. The biggest challenge to that "solution" is that it takes 6-8 months for the judge to rule on it and then an unknown additional amount of time to clear PGN. I know this is probably very confusing to you, it certainly is to us.

At this point, we're praying for some kind of miracle. Our attorney is trying to get the case back to PGN without going through the judicial system. God is going to have to show up and show off to make that happen. Amazingly, as I type this, I don't feel panicked or concerned or even frustrated. There's truly a peace that passes all understanding that covers our lives when we surrender to God's plan. That doesn't mean I don't want him home, but I have to remember that God is in this and none of this is a surprise to Him.

We look forward to God resolving this and will continue to keep you posted. Thanks again for hanging in there with us!

Blessings,


Psalm 135:13-14 -- Your name, O LORD, endures forever; your fame, O LORD, is known to every generation. For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.

We're Home

We made it back, safe and sound. Samantha and I are heading out to get her brothers and sister in just a little while. She's been wandering around the house asking for them, so I know she'll be thrilled to see them.

I still can't quite put into words what happened at the orphanage. It was much harder than we had expected it to be. The good news in that is that Geovany really bonded with us and seems to undestand that we are different somehow. The prayers for God to connect our hearts across the miles seem to have been answered...a miracle that helps me as I pray for Geovany now. Our prayer is that he will not feel abandoned by us, but that God will place in his little spirit a hope and a knowledge that Mommy and Daddy are coming back for him.

Rob will be visiting him in January while he's in Guatemala for a Work & Witness trip with our church. I know the time between now and then will pass quickly. But my heart is still heavy today and I have questions that only God can answer. And right now, He choosing not to. And that's okay, but hard.

Thanks for praying us home and being part of our journey.

Blessings,

Dueteronomy 31:8 -- Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor forsake you."

Geovany's little bed and some of his friends

Hasta pronto...see you soon!

11 Months Ago...

Eleven months ago, today, we signed a power of attorney, stating that we were willing to walk this bumpy road of adoption one more time. Agreeing with God to go where He leads, to follow the quiet whispering of His voice, to step out in faith and see what God could do. And we have seen Him do GREAT things. But this morning, as I read the blog of a friend, I was reminded that miracles don't have to be BIG to be miracles. Last night was long, Geovany didn't sleep well, Samantha was very restless, one of those nights where you watch the clock, willing it to be morning so the sun will shine again. And now, the sun is shining, and my two children are quietly snoring, breathing in rythym together, and isn't that small thing a miracle? As I read Paula's blog, I realized that those little things, if we recognize them for what they are, keep us hoping, praying, believing in the big things. The miracle of life itself gives me hope that God will move mountains and complete our adoption. The miracle of friends made when we don't speak each others languages or share each others customs help me believe that we can raise our children to respect, embrace, love other cultures, other people.

Eleven months ago, I never dreamed that this adoption would take so long, require so much. But we have grown in our faith, we have seen God move, we are different because of what those eleven months have cost us. Last night, as I cried out to God, asking Him how He expected me to take my son back to an orphanage, to endure the pain of seperation, He quietly reminded me that He knew my pain too well. Several thousand years ago, because of His love for me, He endured the same pain of seperation. The difference is, I didn't know what this journey would cost, most days I walk in blissful ignorance. God knew exactly what it would cost Him and His Son, and He did it anyway.

Blessings,

Tonight

Tonight, there just aren't words. We wouldn't trade this weekend for anything, but our hearts are sad knowing that tomorrow will be here all too soon. We are asking God for a miracle, trusting His grace is sufficient and praying for the strength to keep walking where He's asked us to go. We know that the prayers of our friends will carry us through the day, out to the orphanage and back home to our waiting family. Thank you so much for being part of this journey. For praying. For caring. For walking with us.

Blessings,

Hebrews 4:16 -- So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.

Football Americano

This video is from our first day together. Geovany loves playing football with his Daddy. Lookds like Isabella Faye's Daddy was right, there could be a future in it for this "little" guy...or at least a college scholarship!! =)

Today we're off to the zoo. Hoping to meet up with Chris, Amy and Mya this morning. Maybe they'll be able to join us. We finally got a full night's sleep last night, so are feeling better today. Gevoany won't sleep in the crib or on the bed, but he loves sleeping on the floor. So, we've thrown the comforter from the bed down on the floor next to us and he sleeps well.

Our first day here, Rob took Geovany down to the lobby to talk with someone about our computer. Samantha was watching Dora, Diego and Boots and Mommy was happily knitting. All of the sudden, Samantha realized Daddy and "Banny" were gone. She jumped up, ran to the door, opened it and ran out. I jumped off the bed dashed into the hallway and didn't see her anywhere! The hotel staff was doing maintenance on the room next to ours, with the door open, and Samantha had ducked in there!! I heard her saying "Daddy, Daddy" and the maintenance guy saying "No, no, nina...no, no." Well, I quickly scooped her up, turned around and realized that the door to our room had closed...and I was without a key! So, Mantha and I headed down to the lobby in our stocking feet to get Daddy, and a new key as Daddy had left his in the room too! Needless to say, we now lock the top lock when we're in the room with Mantha and I keep a key in the pocket of my jeans at all times!!

Time to get ready for breakfast...more pictures later.

Blessings,

Day Two

This has been a day that I can't quite process yet. We've done so many things, spent time with old friends, and watched our son blossom. The changes we've seen just today are incredible. I think what's most amazing to me is that he seems to prefer us, somehow, he knows that we are his Mommy and Daddy. He was comfortable around our friends, but when it came to being held, wanted us to hold him. I can't even describe it. I know it has to be an answer to prayers we have prayed and so many of our friends have prayed...that somehow he would know who we were and God would connect our hearts across the miles.

We spent most of the day enjoying the fellowship of our friends, eating lunch, breaking a pinata, touring an incredible 3D map of Guatemala, venturing into downtown Guatemala to see the annual lighting of the gigantic Christmas tree...I will be processing all that's happened for some time. So, for now, enjoy the pictures and the videos.

Blessings,
Amy

Pinata Time!

Playing at the park...Mommy's arms are getting quite a workout!! =)

Tickles from Daddy

Breakfast...food

Kisses for Daddy

Some video of Geovany and Mommy reading the Cars, Planes, Trains book. He is delightful!

Blessings,

Day One

Geovany is doing well. We picked him up at the REMAR offices instead of at the orphanage. We'd never been there before. It was interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes. By no coincidence, our attorney "just happened" to stop by while we were there. Not knowing it was him, we weren't introduced. Our translator, Sonia, had gone out to move her car, so we almost missed an incredible opportunity. However, when Sonia came back in she asked if we'd met our attorney. When we said no, she immediately had the social worker call him on his cell phone. He hadn't left the parking lot yet, so came back in to introduce himself. He assured us that he believes our case has about a 95% chance of completion, we just have to be patient. He also asked us to send photos of our visits with Geovany along with copies of our passport stamps and receipts from the Radisson proving we were here.

Geovany was a little unsure at first, we've had some tears, but McDonalds and naptime have helped greatly!! He's talking, which is an amazing thing to hear. I brought along Spanish board books from the library. He loves sitting in my lap, reading. He's said Mama and Dada and many other words I don't quite understand! =) After reading our first book several times, I asked for a kiss and got my first kiss on the cheek from our sweet boy. It's a pretty amazing thing to be so in love with someone you hardly know!

Enjoy the pictures.

Blessings,
Amy

We're Here!

Our trip down was very uneventful. Samantha was a stellar traveller. She slept through both take-offs and at least an hours into each flight. No signs of ear trouble, for which we're very thankful!! We're heading down for breakfast and then out to the orphanage to pick-up Geovany. I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

We had a wonderful meeting at the airport with the Prados and their extended family. They were so excited to see Samantha. They've invited us to their home for lunch tomorrow and then will spend Sunday with us going to the zoo and to see the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in downtown Guatemala.

Blessings,

A Visiting We Will Go!

When God is in charge, it's so amazing to sit back and just watch things happen. With the recent kick-out and the news that Geovany won't be home before the end of the year, we decided we really wanted to visit. God worked some pretty incredible miracles to make that possible, not the least of which was getting tickets for almost half of what we'd been seeing them going for. So, November 13th, we head to Guatemala with Samantha to visit Geovany for the weekend. To say we're looking forward to it would be a great understatement!

There are some specific ways you can pray for our trip:

• That everyone stays healthy and has safe travels
• For the "big" kids as they spend some fun time at Gma and Gpa's
• For us as we spend 4 precious days with Geovany...and as we return him, once again, to the orphanage on Monday the 17th
• For Samantha...we'll most likely be seeing her foster family...that this won't create any feelings of fear or insecurity for her
• That God might work one more miracle and allow us the opportunity to meet some of our adopting friends, whom we've met on this journey, in Guatemala...there's a good chance two families will be there picking up their children while we're visiting...we'd love to meet Beth & Isabella Faye and Amy & Mya

It's shaping up to be yet another adventure of a lifetime! Thanks for continuing to journey with us.

Blessings,