Conference Call #1 and my Cool Hubby

Some information that Daniel and I got last night on our 1st conference call concering our upcoming trip to Haiti:

-The entire team of 12 people will be flying together to Florida. The team consists of 9 men and 3 women.
Let me take a minute to state here the significance of this number. 9 men. More men than women. On a mission trip that is focused all on playing and interacting with children. In a country where children relate to men as unstable and violent, the love and compassion that these 9 men will bring to the orphans will be profound. Anyone who works with children in any capacity knows the impact that good men can have in a child's life. I feel blessed to see first-hand how these men play, love on and bless these kids!

-The guest home we were originally going to stay in was booked full! So a change in plans to our housing is being worked out at this time. Apparently the accomodations that are being done are quite similar to the original. Not alot of difference, just more work for our poor family coordinator!

-Immunizations. Ugh. That's complete this week for both Daniel and I.

-Airfare. Wouldn't you know it. Daniel and I are the only 2 on the trip that they can't book a same day flight into Florida. So it is looking like we may have to do an overnighter in Dallas before we fly into Florida on the 25th. Oh well, that's life.

-We will have the option to raise funds or bring items to donate to the orphanage. Formula is much needed for their infant/toddler facility and am thinking of purchasing cans to take down with us.

-I am most excited about this! We get to actually plan out activities to do with the children! I am stoked to use my past experiences working with children to see if I can pull off days of fun and interaction! My brain is going a mile a minute on what kinds of fun arts, crafts, games, sports and Bible teachings I can bring to these kids!

-DON'T OPEN YOUR MOUTH IN THE SHOWER! and of course only drink bottled water:)

I think the coolest thing about this whole day leading up to our conference call was a call that I got from Daniel about an hour and a half before.

He found out that a 'poker' friend of his knows a family that recently adopted 2 Haitian children. He said how important it is for us to contact them and know their story. How important it will be for Oscar to know a family that is culturally-similarly structured to ours. I love my hubby. He is soooo smart. He's falling more in love with our Oscar:)

All glory to God. He's doing things right in front of my eyes that some days I can barely believe. If you've considered adopting, don't worry. He's gonna carry you.

God Bless and much love!

Terry

There Are No Coincidences

It's been so busy that I haven't had the time (and sometimes the energy) to blog lately. But wanted to update those who haven't heard on our exciting news:


I don't believe in coincidences. I think when something amazing happens, it is God throwing open a door where one had been closed previously. So often He does not get the credit or glory for it.

Let me share one of God's miraculous 'coincidences' with you all that has happened within the last month since the previous post:

One of Daniel's greatest issues with the entire adoption process was that we don't get to 'pick' our child. He was hoping to identify a child when we go on a missions trip with Shadow Mountain Church to Haiti in November. He simply misunderstood the referral process. After the Homestudy process is complete (hopefully the beginning of March), we will get a picture and information on a child the agency and orphange think would be a good match to our family and, hypothetically, we could reject that child, but that only means the waiting process starts all over again. I can't tell you how much this hurts my heart when I think of 'Oscar' waiting for us longer, and us waiting to bring him home.

So after a full day (January 19) of talking, praying, talking, asking God what to do, talking, arguing, praying...you get the point, I realized that if I have to wait longer, I will have to wait longer. Daniel MUST be comfortable, bond and connect with the child we select. I had to come to terms that I am not driving this adoption bus, God is. If His work in Daniel took longer, I had to exercise patience.

Miracle in the works:


THE NEXT DAY, (Jan. 20th) I received and email from America World (our adoption agency) with information on an upcoming trip to Haiti. During this trip a group of 20 would spend time at America Worlds PARTNER orphanage, playing, interacting and spending time with the children. We would also get to do small projects around the orphanage if needed. America World wanted to offer spots on the trip to families adopting from Haiti before opening up and advertising the trip to others.



PARTNER ORPHANAGE???? Um, THE orphanage that our 'Oscar' will come from??? I sat stunned looking at the email. The enormity of the email struck me immediately.



Playing and interacting with the children. Among the approximately 80 children that the orphanage houses, there is 'Oscar.' These will be the children that our referral comes from!



I believe God knew Daniel needed to visually see and bond with the children. He opened an opportunity that not only will allow Daniel to feel comfortable with our choice, but is giving us an opportunity as a couple to meet and spend time with our child.



There are no coincidences. There are only doors and opportunities that God puts before us. We jumped at the chance and I emailed Michelle at America World and said YES!



So now the journey of prepping for an upcoming trip (March 25 thru March 30) to Haiti begins. God has opened the door. I won't lie. I'm petrified. I've never been out of the US. I've never seen poverty on such a devastating level. I've never met an orphan in my life. I'm uncomfortable. Daniel is scared.


But we will go. God never said it would be easy. But when He calls, we go. We are scared, but we obey.

As we draw closer to completing our homestudy and dossier, things are picking up speed and 'Oscar' is becoming more than just a name that I gave so that my kids could identify. He's becoming real. He's becoming family. The unknown of it all is scary...but we are walking through God's open door.

God Bless,

Terry:)