Seriously...

So, maybe instead of praying for compassion, we should be praying for integrity. That people who say they're going to do something actually follow through and DO IT! Truly, I knew that there was a chance that the nice gentleman in the MP office was being just that...NICE. However, after grilling our translator and our attorney, I had hope that maybe he was being honest. Now, it would seem, our case is stuck again. Waiting the clarification on some things, but it appears our attorney has been told to come back and check again on Sept. 4th. Sometimes is feels like you mark those dates on your calendar only to watch them pass by and have nothing happen.

One of my friends remarked that it seems like your case only moves when you are there to push it along. Another family is currently doing just that. They have 6 weeks to get their case done, or their children age out of the system. Once a child reaches a certain age, they are no longer adoptable. Crazy, but true. They are currently in Guatemala, daily appealing to people who have their case, trying desperately to accomplish what some people think is impossible. I am praying that they are successful, that the children they have come to love as their own will be able to join them. We are also praying for wisdom. Should this family be successful, it may change how we approach Geovany's adoption process.

So much to think about and pray about. How thankful I am to know that God has not forgotten us. He is still in control. He does hear us. He does guide us. He does love us.

Blessings,

I cried out, "I'm slipping!" and your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. --Psalm 94:18-19

Our Visit

It was a beautiful way to end our trip. I'm still processing much of what we learned and experienced this time. Still not sure of all the reasons why we went. Don't know that I need to know. Maybe someday God will reveal it to me, but for now, my heart is truly at peace.

We arrived at the orphanage just before lunch time. We went upstairs to the room where all the little kids were. As we walked in, Adrian - who is Geovany's sweet friend - looked up and began to yell "Papa de Geovany! Papa de Geovany!" He ran over, grabbed Rob's hand and pulled him to the sofa where Geovany was sitting. He kept repeating over and over "Papa de Geovany." It brought tears to my eyes, as it was obvious Adrian knew exactly who Rob was and who he belonged to. Adrian is the sweetest little boy, as outgoing as Geovany is shy, and a perfect companion for our son. Upon seeing us, Geovany began to cry. I held him in my lap, read him books, nothing worked. He just sobbed. Lunch time was announced, so we took him downstairs with the rest of the kids. I tried feeding him, but he wouldn't have anything to do with that! Through our friend Tommy, we asked the house mother if we should go outside in hopes that Geovany would calm down and eat. She thought that would be best. Not ten minutes after we left, Geovany came out, smiling a little bit. He had eaten all his lunch. We were allowed to take him into a private room where he opened right up. We colored and read books. We built block towers and knocked them down. We counted and laughed for about an hour. It was a wonderful way to end our week.

There are still many hurdles that must be overcome before we get to bring Geovany home, but this visit gave me the renewed courage to keep fighting. It's an uphill battle, but we aren't fighting alone or in our own strength. The week didn't end the way I wanted it to, we weren't allowed to bring our son home, or meet with all the people we wanted to met with, but I can rest in knowing it's all in God's hands. Just because He didn't work the way I wanted Him to, doesn't mean He wasn't at work.

I've updated the prayer requests on the sidebar. There are some specific people you can be praying for and we hope that you will join us in doing so. Thanks again for sticking with us and for carrying our requests to the Father. The love of so many for our little boy continues to amaze and humble and overwhelm.

Many Blessings,

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!

Blessings,