Monday, November 30, 2009
Majestic Whispers
Monday, October 19, 2009
Friday
Monday, September 21, 2009
An Opportunity to Pray
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Challenging Questions
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Struggles
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Friday
Monday, August 24, 2009
Seriously...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Our Visit
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Today
We met with our attorney this morning. He is cautiously optimistic about what we've seen this week. It sounds like, if the criminal judge who is getting our case will approve it, then it's just a matter of time. With her signature on it, MP will release it and sign off. With their signature on it, PGN will feel safer and release it and sign off. With the criminal judge's signature, MP's signature and PGN's signature, family court will feel safer and sign off and we'll be bringing him home. We've asked for the name of our criminal judge so we can let you know and we can all be praying specifically for her by name. In some ways, it reminds me of one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books, "All Because a Little Bug went KACHOO!"
On another note, we had a wonderful time with our friends last night. Throughout this entire week, as I've read your comments and been reminded in so many ways of the people who are praying for us and for Geovany and for his case, I've been brought to tears. It's truly humbling and amazing to me that so many of you continue to care about the fate of one little child. Last night, as we shared about Geovany's case with our friends, Evelyn said that she believes in miracles. Her church believes in fasting and praying and she will be asking them to do so for Geovany. I completely lost it. Across language barriers and cultural differences and 1,000 of miles, people are coming together to intercede on behalf of our precious son. And maybe that it what this week was all about.
Thanks for being part of our journey. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Today's Update
Well, not much good news today. The judge who will be receiving the case has refused to meet with us. She says she'll deal with our attorney, but not us. Don't want to make her angry, so we'll let that go.
PGN doesn't want to meet with us because they don't have our file. Which, I suppose, makes sense. Until the file is actually released from the MP and is back in their hands, what can they really tell us? They were "kind" enough to give us an appointment though, for next Weds. Guess we'll be canceling that one since we go home on Saturday, a fact they knew when they gave us the appointment.
Tomorrow, we'll meet again with our attorney. We need to sign some paperwork, as our previous power of attorney was missing a page. Then, we'll discuss what's next and go from there. It would appear, that for now, the meetings are over. If nothing else, we got some good news yesterday, so will hold on to that for now. We have lots more questions for the attorney, so hopefully, he'll have more answers.
Still plan to go to REMAR on Friday. Looking forward to seeing our boy and playing with all the kids there. Will try to get pictures of as many of our friends' children as we can. We know how important those little things are!
Thanks for praying. I still believe that we witnessed a miracle this week.
Blessings,
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Our Meeting with the Ministerio Publico (MP)
Once the judge receives it, she will decide if it goes through PGN - the old system - or through CNA - the new system. Our translator is continuing to pursue a meeting with PGN, as of right now, they are very hesitant to receive us. However, with the new news that MP is signing off, maybe they will be more open. She is also working with our attorney to get a meeting with the judge who will be receiving the case. Rob commented that he was pleased it was a female judge. Maybe she will have greater compassion and a "Mother's heart".
Our translator was very encouraged by the meeting today. It would seem that God is beginning to open the floodgates and allow our case to move forward.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Ministerio Publico
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Moments
Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweet Boy
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Here
We made it safely. No delayed flights, no lost luggage. Enjoyed catching up with a friend over dinner. Hoping to head to Antigua tomorrow. We'll be speaking with our translator tomorrow evening to go over the schedule for the week. As of right now, we only know of one meeting, set for Monday morning with our attorney. It's good to be back in Guatemala. We really do love it.
Reports from Grandparents are good. Samantha did well this morning. Kayla made monster cinnamon rolls and cinnamon bread for breakfast. Looking forward to seeing pictures of those! All in all, we're witnessing God's grace in action not only in our lives, but in the lives of our kids. His grace is sufficient for each of us as we follow in faith.
Blessings,
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Grace Alone

Sunday, August 2, 2009
Traveling Again
It's been too long since I've posted. A lot has happened and yet nothing has happened. We've been told that there's a very slim chance of our case finishing and that if it does, it will be at least another year. After much prayer, we have scheduled a trip to Guatemala to meet with officials and see what can be done to resurrect our case. We leave this coming Saturday, and will be in-country for a week. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we take yet another step of faith and follow God's leading, out of our comfort zone once again. I promise to do a better job of blogging while we're there.
We won't be taking Geovany out of the orphanage this time. Returning him to REMAR was too hard on him last time, and we're blessed to be given permission to even visit, as the judge says he doesn't want to raise our hopes or Geovany's. We hope to get to REMAR at least one day, maybe Sunday, to just spend some time with our son and the other kids. I've purchased some of our favorite children's books in Spanish and have been working on learning to read them. Geovany turns 3 the day we fly to Guatemala, so we'll leave the books as his birthday present. Not exactly how I expected to spend his 3rd birthday, but at least we get to be together.
As we've prayed, both Rob and I believe that God is asking us to take this trip. In so many ways, He continues to confirm that this is part of His plan for our family. We don't know what to expect, but we know that God is going with us. In many ways, it's reminiscent of a trip we made almost 2 years ago that started this entire journey. We don't think God is done yet. We have no peace in quitting now. Some may say we're foolish, some may say we're naive, some may think we're just throwing away money. I guess we're past caring what "some" may say and walking in faith, trusting what God is saying. Crazy? Maybe. Comfortable? Not at all. Exciting? Definitely!
Specific prayer requests include:
- Successfully scheduled appointments
- Hearts softened towards our case - PGN officials, minor's court officials and the judge over our case
- Safety for our kids who are staying home with grandparents and strength for Grandma and Grandpa and they care for their four wonderful, energetic grandkids
- Good visit with Geovany, I'm not even sure what that would entail!
- Peace while we're there and as we come home, trusting that we've done what we've been asked to do
Blessings,
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
My Wish
I've been thinking about this post all day. I know it's been some time since I posted...too long, really. There hasn't been much news to share on Geovany's case. We're no further along than we were before and maybe further away, but that's not what I wanted to write about tonight.
While nothing may be happening with Geovany, God is doing much in my life. I continue to learn more each day about trust and failure and growth that follows when we admit our weakness and curl up in the lap of our merciful Heavenly Father.
Over the last few weeks, we've watched good friends make big decisions regarding their adoption cases. Decisions involving big changes, stepping out in faith, taking risks and trusting. And we've begun to wonder what God is asking of us. Are we once again being pushed out of our comfort zone? Being challenged to take some risk? To experience God in places we never dreamed we'd have to go? I've prayed and cried, hoped and despaired. Wondered if we were done, only to be encouraged, through God's Word. Encouraged to keep going, to not give up, to cling to the hope I have in Him.
This brings me to my wish. I met with God this morning. And what appeared at first to be a regular, everyday morning, was quickly transformed to a mountaintop, awash in God's presence experience. I wasn't searching the scriptures for answers, I wasn't crying out in agony or despair, I wasn't begging God to hear me. I just walked humbly into His presence, coffee in hand and sat down to listen. Opening my Bible study, I read these verses...
Isaiah 42:10-16 -- Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants. Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits; let the habitants of Sela sing for joy, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory to the Lord , and declare his praise in the coastlands. The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes. For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor; I will gasp and pant. I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools. And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them."
As I read that last verse, it was as if God spoke directly to me. A promise, written thousands of years ago by a prophet of God became a promise for me. I do believe that God is asking us to walk down paths we have not known. To trust that He will bring light to the darkness and level the rough ground. All day long, I've thought about this and thanked God that I didn't miss meeting with Him this morning. Because there have been mornings where I have missed Him. Where I slept in, or talked but didn't listen. Mornings where He had something to say and I didn't stay long enough to hear it.
So, what is my wish? My wish is that each of my friends, would experience this same amazing God-experience. So often, it's easy to skip a quiet time, to find an excuse not to meet with God. To become lazy and complacent, to feast from God's Word only on Sundays and miss meeting with Him during the week. Whether it's rising early or staying up late or turning off the TV during nap time, please, take the opportunity this week to curl up in the lap of God and listen to what He wants to say to you.
Praying for you this week...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
They Meet Again
So, the news for today is that our attorney will be meeting with the head of Minor's Court on Tuesday of next week. PGN continues to be uncooperative, so nobody knows where this will end. Our attorney asked when our immigration docs expired, hoping that if they expired soon he could use that to push the case. Being the good adoptive parents we are, we renewed those documents, so they don't expire until July 2010. Guess that won't help us!
We continue to wonder and wait. It's a frustrating place to be somedays. This last week has been one of the hardest yet. We will never give up on Geovany. As long as there's even the slimest chance of bringing him home, we will persevere. Yet the dream of having him here grows dim sometimes.
We're not really expecting any great or exciting news to result from the upcoming meeting. Our agency director leaves for Ethiopia tomorrow. She will be out of the country until July 1st. We understand why she's going and will be praying that her trip is successful; however, with her out of the country, contact with our attorney pretty much comes to a standstill. Yet another opportunity to trust and wait.
I'm trying to apply some things I've been learning lately. Trying to ask the "right" questions... not, "When will this be over" but "What can I learn while we wait?" Not "How do you expect me to continue waiting?" but "How can I glorify you in this?" Not easy questions to ask or answer. If I didn't believe that God was in this, I'd really be a mess! How thankful I am for His presence.
As always, we thank you for your prayers and your continued support of our family.
Blessings,
I've been reading and praying Psalm 37 over the last week or so. It brings some peace to my heart in light of all we're going through. I've included just a few verses, but if you have the time, read the whole Psalm. It's a beautiful prayer and declaration of Who God is and what He can do.
Psalm 37:4-9 and 34
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.
Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.
He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others-- it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.
Don't be impatient for the LORD to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
No Change
Just wanted to let you know that there is no change in Geovany's case. PGN continues to be uncooperative, but our attorney is confident that he will finish this case and that Geovany will come home.
Reminded this week that patience is one of God's attributes...He is patient with me when I question, stumble, fall flat on my face, lose my temper, or miss an opportunity to share His grace. The God of patience does supply all my needs. He gives me patience and comfort and grace and strength. There is such peace and joy in trusting and resting. As I've prayed these last few days, I've felt more at peace than ever. Deep in my heart, God has confirmed to me that someday soon Geovany will come home. In the meantime, there are great lessons to be learned in the waiting.
Blessings,
Rom 15:5
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
Isa 9:6
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Rom 15:13
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hbr 13:20
And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Together
A Family of Seven!



