2013 Haiti Calendar Cover Model

The God's Littlest Angels fundraiser calendar is in print now.  Julner is on the cover.   We are so thrilled!!

8 updates, 2 birthdays and NO signature!!

Oh how I can not wait for the day when I can finally post that the President has signed our dossier.  Each week we wait expectantly for that email saying our dossier has been signed.  I was looking forward to going to Haiti before the end of 2012.  I want to touch our children.  I want to see them smile in person.  Here are some of the pictures we have received from the October update: Julena who had her 6th birthday yesterday is to the left of the teacher.

Julner with his friends.  He is in the orange shirt.  Love his authentic smile.

Vindy with his classmates.  He is in the red shirt that says Dad's best friend.

Please continue to pray for us.  We have had to start getting refingerprinted and an updated homestudy because they have expired.  US immigration department requirements.  More cash extraction.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Wade turns 44 and Jack turns 9 that day.  It doesn't seem possible that 9 years ago I celebrated Wade's 35th birthday with a hospital provided cake.  I am a blessed woman.

September update and October 1

Our cuties in the classroom.  They officially start school on October 1 after the summer break they had.  There is also a birthday coming on October 7--Vindy turns 4.    We are planning a Sponge Bob party for him.  The Haitian Social services department opens back up on October 1.  I expect to hear this week or next the good news we all have been waiting for.   Then I hope to hop a plan to Haiti before Julena's 6th birthday on November 16 to finally meet these awesome gifts God gave us.  Please pray for us.

Closer

This was the August update picture.  We also found out in the beginning of September that we are the next in line to get our dossier signed.  Yes..we are closer and I expect to post in the next week that we have the Presidential signature we need.   Do you see the light starting to come from Julner's eyes now?  Every month the hurt seems to be a little less in his eyes.  Our God is good!!

Happy 8th Birthday Julner!!

                                     

So today our son Julner turned 8.  We thought we would throw a party for him and video us singing Happy Birthday.   I just emailed it to the orphanage and hope he gets to see it.  We did a Mickey Mouse theme hoping that it is universal enough that he will understand it.    I can hardly wait to make my first custom cake for him which I hope will be next year.  This date August 16 holds dual meaning for me.  10 years ago today I said goodbye to my mother until eternity.  Only my great, merciful, wonderful Lord could take this date and turn it into a joyful one.  No longer will I be sad on this day due to the life of this little boy Julner.  God has turned my sadness into gladness and reminded me that He brings life out of death every single time.  He is worthy of all my praise!!

Good News: They know we are adopting them.

Yes things are moving slowly but surely. I received the July update today and cried as I read and saw pictures of our Haitian Sensations being introduced to their forever family.

This is the part of the report:

Julner, Julena, and Windy were THRILLED to learn about you this month in detail for the first time. Previous to this they knew they would have a new family, and that one was waiting for them, but until now they did not know your names and faces. Joyce sat and talked with them about you, how you will make one visit to meet them for a few days, and then you will come again and they will go home with you to their new lives. She talked with them about what a family is like, trying to introduce the concept that they have never really felt before. Julner took it all in quietly, almost motionless, eyes glued to the photo on your album. Julena, smiled, giggled, fidgeted, said “YES” repeatedly, and overall beamed. Windy looked from Joyce, to his big brother, to his big sister, and then back to Joyce, trying to understand how he should be feeling from what Julena and Julner were. They loved the album, and took long moments on each page, only flipping forward when Julena could no longer contain her excitement to see what was on the next page. Julena being more verbal than Julner at this point about it, commented that her new Mama is beautiful. She pointed to Emily and declared that she wanted to be her. They were concerned by the Halloween costumes, and as Joyce explained what they were for they shook their heads at the oddness of it, and flipped on. They are all pretty certain they want to swim in the pool in your neighborhood, so good luck if you get them home in the winter months. And they would like to have ice cream with you in the photo.

After they took their time and flipped through the album again and again Joyce showed them the plush animals you sent, they tried to guess which was for who. Julena was certain the blue one was for her, so GREAT job picking it out! The boys have swapped back and forth several times already.

They would like to say “THANK YOU” for the album, and the toys you sent. They said they would like to say “Hi” and “How are you?” and “We want to see you.” And since they can’t communicate with you in person they each “wrote” you a letter, or more accurately drew you a page. They are scanned and attached below. Hope you enjoy a little something from the hand of each of your three loving, spunky, excited little ones here.

May Update

This months update was especially difficult for me.  The last Sunday in May Haiti celebrates Mother's Day.  Our update was written in the children's voices.    I can not tell you how much I love these children that I have never met.   I have been having days lately that I wonder if that President is ever going to sign our dossier.  I keep reminding myself that all I have to do is believe it--that what God has started He will finish .    Look at the difference a year makes.  I see so much joy.  It's amazing to see how children are transformed when they just get the basics on a daily basis.