Kids Camp

We are having a GREAT time with Dave this week at kids camp.  Dave and I have dreamed of the day when we could take our own kids to these camps and have them experience first hand what it is that dad has been doing for the last 10 years. (boy are we getting old)  Tonight as the night began Emma notified me that she was heading up front to sit.  She said she was going to make a friend and sit with them.  And that is what she did…front and center… there she was in a room of 1200 kids.  She loves every minute of SL kids camp.  I think Kayleigh is falling in love too.  Izzie even sat through the whole night session tonight.  The kids are zonked tonight and we’ll be ready for our last full day of camp tomorrow.

I’m prepared for tonight and a good night sleep as well.  Just popped some Tylenol PM and I should be good to go.  Now hopefully no one needs me tonight because I’m afraid I may sleep through the “dad ate my lolly pop dreams or I can’t find my blanket ordeals!”

a bad night sleep

I had the  worst night sleep in a long time last night…..In the order that my night went down this is how it happened…Maybe this is why???

1.  Dave decided to take my side of the bed.  Why oh why does he always think my side is better than his.  It’s the same mattress! He let us come to camp with him so I don’t make an issue out of it.

2. An hour later the air in our room kept going on and off with a bang.

3.  An hour later…Dave’s little sister was sleeping very well…  who knew she snores?

4. An hour later we heard something in our snack bag.  Yup a mouse.  We are in a new hotel, only opened 4 weeks and the mice have found us.  Please don’t ask me how Dave handled that one.  How he wears the pants in this house amazes me.  It was taken from our room in our snack bag outside somehow….

5. A few hours later Izzie wakes up screaming/hysterics…. I ask her what is wrong (after I’m up and out of bed again) She says… daddy ate my lolly pop!  I told her that I was sorry and she should go back to bed. (some dream that was)

6. An hour later Emma wakes up yelling for me asking “where is my blanket?”  I don’t know I told her. (I’m up out of bed again… what parents give their kids things that they have to be dependent on… shame on them!)

7. The alarm goes off… breakfast at 8 and ready to start our day.

PB & J

What is new this summer???  How about this mom is serving up some major PB&J.  Today, Izzie alone had one for breakfast, one for a snack, 2 for lunch and then one for dinner.  Her request….no joke….beat that!!!!

Wayfarer Camp

This picture about sums it up for me.  Wayfarer Camp came and went.  So much preparation went into this past weekend.  I was so proud of our whole team who spent SO MUCH TIME making sure everything we did had a meaning and purpose to lead students on an amazing journey.  I sat in the last session on Monday morning with so many thoughts going through my head.  And in my heart there was such a peace as all of our families continue to do what God calls us to do.  My eyes were opened to a fresh and amazing “New Normal” for us at Wayfarer.  It will be different, it won’t be the same… but I believe that God will continue to do even greater things within or organization that we could ever have imagined.  Praying the same thing for all places out there busting each day doing Kingdom work.

Finding Gracie in the Journey

I woke up this morning and immediately the Woodard family came to mind.  This morning they have left.  Left on a jet plane to start their journey to bring Gracie home.   So before my feet hit the ground and the kids could drag me out of bed I said a prayer for them and asked God to give them an amazing final journey.

I missed church yesterday and I was so sad.  Had a good excuse.  We were finishing up Wayfarer camp but I so longed to be in the room yesterday to send off this family with blessing.  I saw our pastors blog this morning telling what happened at church and all I can say is… of course that happened.  We serve a God who meets needs.  So I’ll let Steve tell you what happened.

Heading to China – Bring Gracie HOME!

Yesterday we had a prayer of dedication for pastor Brian, Rachel, and their three kids – they leave in the morning for China to bring home their beautiful adopted baby girl: Gracie

Brian told us yesterday of God’s amazing provision over the last three years and how they have seen almost 30K come to them from the hand of the Lord. I asked Brian this question:

“How much do you still need to have it all covered” – He said, “about $3000″.

After the service, guess what happened? A lady they didn’t even really know came up and gave them a check for  (drum roll here?) $3000! A few other gifts came in as well, so they leave tomorrow knowing this: OUR GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN CHRIST JESUS!

What a testimony to his kids – they were stunned and thrilled! Brian told me today that he and his daughter just feel to the floor thanking God for this awesome answer to prayer! The kids have never even been ON an airplane, so what a great way to “break into the friendly skies” – a 16 hour flight over Alaska to mainland CHINA!   All I can say is :YEAH GOD!!!

Rachel has been an amazing encouragement to me with Frankie.  She’ll be on my mind these next few weeks.  I”m sad I missed their send off and I’m sad I’ll miss their homecoming… (we’ll be away at a camp when they return) BUT I can’t wait to see how God continues to use them all as Gracie finds comfort and love withing their walls.

Nanny School

I’m sorry to all of you out there who may get tired of opening my blog page just to see more adoption thoughts…. I’m not really sorry but thought I would attempt to put it out there in words to let you know that I know I talk about it a lot.  It’s a huge part of me and our family so thus the reason.  And at the same time if you know me you do know that our lives do not stop just because we are in this process.  We keep going on and enjoying life as we get it each day.  However I must share about Nanny School…..

This week in Haiti at Maranatha… I think Frankie has been in VBS all week.  If that is so then this VBS seeking mother is very happy.   Emma has already knocked out 2 this summer with Izzie on the back burner waiting to go at some point.  But also this week at Maranatha they are hosting Nanny School.  This wait is to hard but it’s relieved a thousand times over because we believe Frankie is in the best possible hands and the people that are with him and who are responsible for him are doing everything they can to prep him to one day join our family.  It’s scary knowing we will be bringing a 4 year old into our home and knowing that a lot of who he is will be grounded in him by then.  We are very thankful that Frankie has nannies who are being trained to help him… especially with attachment issues and other things. 

So this week they are having Nanny School and not only are they helping the Nannies at Maranatha but Nannies from other orphanages as well.  Here is what Beth wrote on their blog… and look at these ladies…  what a great picture!!!!

 

We planned for 30, have first aid kits for 30, prizes for 30 and lunch for 30.  We are now at 43 with 5 more nannies coming tomorrow.  John is making a pharmacy run in the morning for additional items for the first aid kits, Shelley is cooking more food for lunch and we are adding more chairs daily.  We love it!
Nannies are coming from several different orphanages and learning better ways to care for kids.  They are the best students I have seen in a long time.  They clap, they sing, they shout, they nod their heads in agreement and they stay focused and alert through the teachings. 
Some have asked for copies of the powerpoints to share with others.  I got chills of excitement  at their response (a pretty hard thing to do in this weather) to teachings on how to make sure a baby makes an attachment.  They shouted with the teacher “don’t shake the baby” over and over!  Their zeal is wonderful because we know it translates into better care for the orphans of Haiti.
Nanny school is a lot of work!  Preparation, food, transporting 30  American volunteers from place to place, making sure everything happens on time.   But you know what, it’s a lot harder for an adoptive parent to rebuild a broken child, attach to a child who has been neglected and abused and try to make an abnormal child normal.
This week will make a difference.  I am moved by these students who want to learn, who want to grow, who want to love.  And I am amazed at the 30 volunteers who brought 62 suitcases of supplies to make it happen.
Nanny school – the school of love! 

Beth McHoul

There are nannies from six crèches at the year’s Nanny School

 Today I am thakful for th McHouls and their teams of people and I’m thankful for special people in Frankie’s life… his Nannies.

I can’t shake it

I’m amazed how some chunks of time can go and you think… ” I made it a few weeks and that was not so bad…. and then I’ll have those few days where my heart or mind can’t rest from thinking about Haiti or thinking about our son.  The past 24 hrs have been that way for me….   In the very simple things… I am reminded of Haiti… of Frankie…and I can’t shake it.

• I rode in the back of a pick up truck last night with some of the girls on staff at  Wayfarer camp (I won’t mention the college boys who gave a few whistles to us 30 year olds..made us laugh) and the wind blowing on me and the air…. made me think of how it is to ride around in Haiti piled in the back of a truck.  … I can’t shake it.
• Little Miss Molly Smith was at camp today dropping off her big sister.  The Smith Family has been so encouraging and supportive with our whole adoption process.  Miss Lisa told me that Molly prays for Frankie all the time…. I can’t shake that.
• One of the youth ministers at camp this week just returned from Haiti with some of his students.  It was their first time visiting.  As he sat and said he could not articulate what the trip did for him… I just stood there with tears trying not to well up in my eyes because at that moment we both knew and understood.  He can find no words and to that…I can’t shake it.
• People…  There is this this girl that has volunteered her time and has given up 4 days to help Wayfarer do camp.    I never met her until yesterday but I knew of her much before that.  She and her husband have played a role in our journey with Frankie.  I was so glad to finally meet her.  To put a face with a name.  And being so thankful that we finally crossed paths….. and I can’t shake it.
• Got an update this week on how Frankie is doing….part of the update was this.. “Frankie is doing great!  – I can’t see him or hold him or love on him without thinking of you – and I often think how much he looks like you – although I can’t exactly put into words just why.  He has been doing this really cute thing the last two or three weeks where he is clapping “big” – like he starts with his arms open clear wide – and then watches them both to make sure that they clap together.  It is SO CUTE!!!  He is bright and happy and wonderful.”  Oh my heart finds much rest in this.  I know he is loved, cared for, enjoying his time with his nannies and friends… but I long for him to be home with us and there is a long road ahead of us, and we know that, we have always known that…..but still I can’t shake it.

It’s late.  I’m spent.  I want to try and sleep but my mind just seems to keep on racing.  I’m afraid it’s going to be another night of Advil PM for me.  Much love to you all.

Will you join me in praying?

I’ve met some amazing people on our adoption process through Haiti.  Three families have all this week emailed in with SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUESTS this week…  would you join me in praying for them in the process.

The Ivey’s.  Jamieand her husband Aaron are adopting these precious children from Haiti.  It’s been a long journey for them.  They are currently in MOI and are wanting to be out of there yesterday.  Would you pray that their files would get out of MOI today….  I’ve looked to Jaimie each step of my own journey.. Her realness on this process has kept me sane many times.  God has used her in my life so many times to comfort me and know that the road I journey has been taken before and it is possible to process this whole crazy wait.

Jamie and the kids….(so you can know who you are praying for)

I met Jason and Sarah last May when I returned to Haiti after many years.  It was their first trip to the country.  Since then Sarah has been back 2 times and they are in the process of taking their family from 4 to 6.  They are adopting Naomi from Maranatha where Frankie is at.  Naomi lives in the girls home and Frankie lives in the boys home but they get to interact with each other each day.  Jason and Sarah are waiting on their files to be submitted into IBESR.  They have had some complications with some of the laws that Haiti has… read about that here.  Would you join me in praying specifically for their files these next few days?  Pray that when they are submitted that they would be excepted without any problems at all.

Here is Jason and Sarah with Naomi taken just last month…

And last on my heart this morning is the Woodard Family.  Rachel and I have formed a wonderful email friendship (since we don’t get to see each other often) She has been a HUGE encouragement to me.  God has used her at some very hard times to send just the perfect amount of encouragement my way.  Rachel and her family are flying out of here next week to head to China to pick up this precious little girl… Gracie…  They started this process back in 2006 and next week begin the final step of this journey.  Would you pray for safe travels for them and that with the whole Swine Flu (that China is taking very seriously) that they would get through each check point with flying colors.

 

Gracie  has NO IDEA what is in store for her life.  None of these children.. Amos, Story, Naomi, Gracie, Frankie… have a clue at how God had laid it on the hearts of some of his people to desire to add to their family through adoption. Through that process and through our own stories and these precious children’s stories we have all found each other.  Their lives will be different.  All will leave their home country and journey to a land that is not their own..  But I know all of our prayers for all of our children is that God would take their journey’s and use them.. use their lives and our lives to make such beauty out of such potential brokenness…. 

And so please pray specificall for these three families these next few days with their specific needs…  And if you ever want to follow a great journey, put them on you blog readers!  Pray, Pray, Pray…

VBS and my new BFF

Summer is on.  Week 2 and we are already in our 2nd VBS.  Emma is having a blast at this one.  They let the kids do crazy things like… pass around applesauce with their hands, slide down tarps loaded with jello and slime and well you get the picture…  And of course she’s leaning lots about Jesus.

Here is how she came home last night…

The smile was due to this…

and this…

And while Emma is out playing each night, I have found a new best friend… her name is Izzie.  I love this little girl.  Tonight we walked  up to Great Nana and Papa’s who we discovered were not home.  We snuck in their house anyway, made us some ice cream cones and then walked home hand in hand.  She’s in love with her hat right now and she’s giving me lots of laughs.  Too cute!

What to say?

What to say…..

That seems to be the problem these days.  I have a lot to say but the reality is, what do you say?  Where do you start when there are millions of things on your mind?  Do I talk about…

• how I’m amazed at how God always crosses every T and dots every i when he has called you to do something?
• Emma and her VBS adventures already this summer.  If you have it and we find it, we will come.
• thoughts on how EVERYONE these days seem to have a cause… and I often wonder if many people even know what the cause they are fighting for is for.. make sense?
• the bunk beds that just went up in our house and how I just realized this family will no longer ever need a crib.
• missing Frankie… trying to know he’s ours but knowing we have 2 years ahead of us and how to process all of that.
• how everyone seems to have their own ideas on God, church, worship, community, life, what it means to give, and somehow my head spins and thinks what in the world has this generation created?
• wondering if I’m crazy that I’m ready to get Frankie’s room done now even though he won’t be here for such a long time.
• working part part time…  I woke up this morning wondering if our family is doing the right thing? 
• loving that my girls are really embracing sisterhood together… playing and having fun.  Every morning Izzie wakes up Emma so that she can take her to the potty.
• moments of begging God to please use our family… please use Wayfarer… please allow our community to make a difference.
• tired of a lot of Christians…
• always amazed at people’s perceptions of me…  more and more I find out that who they think I am is not really who I am at all…  how does that happen?  It has given me a real personal disturbance.  Am I not being real with people or do they have pre conceived thoughts of me that need to be shattered.
• running….  it’s very hard to run when your other half is never home.  Never thought treadmill running would happen when it’s so beautiful outside.
• Eating out of our cabinets…  With Dave gone I’m on a mission to eat us out of house and home.  PBJ has become our best friend.  We even had it for breakfast today.
• Love bloglines and the people I get to keep up with.
• Coffee and how the BEST GIFT I’ve ever been given is my Kerig.  I’m the only one in this house who drinks coffee and it’s been a life saver.  Can’t live without coffee.  My coffee stained teeth will let you know that.
• Kayleigh – this is Dave’s 7 year old sister.  I was just thinking yesterday driving her and Emma to VBS in the car…  I can’t believe I get to be in this little girls life on a daily basis.  Overwhelmed.
• The adoption community – thank goodness for internet and blog friends that make me know that I’m not alone.  I’m super excited about one of my friends heading to China next week to get their daughter.  It’s been a 3 year process for them?  I think that is correct.
• Met a family in our neighborhood last week.  They just moved here and have 4 daughters.  One is Emma’s age.  They all have terminal brain cancer. Still trying to shake that fact.
• Summer – it is here.  I’m enjoying some time alone with the girls and praying that transition days with Dave are the best we have ever had..  That is the hardest part of the summer… He comes and goes but the hardest times are adjusting to when he gets home until he heads out again.  Makes for some interesting drama with us at times… Ha!
• So anyone else have some bullet points to share?