I don't remember what it was like when I was awaiting Emma's birth, because I was only 3 at the time. Waiting on Berline, and not knowing what the next day will bring is an incredible journey, and will forever be unforgettable. At times though, it can be very stressful. I often find myself trailing off from my train of thought to think about this little girl 1,600 miles away. I can't wait to meet her, and I can't wait for her to be here with us! Learning about the hard things she has to go through, and about her lifestyle makes me realize just how little my life is, and how fortunate I am to live where I do and to live with the people I live with. I am very excited to be a big sister... again.
I love you Berline. I can not wait for you to be with us!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Are We CRAZY? Part 2 by Rob
Berline the Cheeto Face!
Let's get rolling on part 2 of this adventure. I was excited for Christy when she went to Haiti on New Year's Day. I know she was being obedient to the will of God and I knew it would be a blessing for her. Before she left I jokingly said, "Go down and find our daughter". What I didn't realize at the time that was exactly what was going to happen.
From what I understand Haiti is an incredible place. It is filled with poverty and desperation but the people are so loving and beautiful. They have so little but have such big hearts. Christy has stated on many occasions that you can really hear God in Haiti. There are so few distractions that your heart is at peace and you can just listen. I am excited about experiencing that but back to the story!
Christy called me the second night she was there and simply said start the paperwork. It was a decision that I was 100% in line with and I couldn't believe that she was willing to take that step after two days. I waited until she got home just to double check that she felt that way. She told me that she couldn't imagine not feeling that way now that she had met the girls in Camatin. We talked about it with Emma and Vanna and they both said let's move on it. Then the question became who do we adopt.
For days the girls and I listened to Christy's stories of Haiti and her time there. We looked at pictures and spoke about the personalities of each of the girls Christy had contact with. We prayed and discussed - discussed and prayed. Each of us kept coming back to three little girls - Gelralda, Berline, & Benia. Christy said that she had spent time with each one and they were all wonderful. Gelralda & Benia were about 8 years old while Berline was the baby at 5. We continued to talk and pray - each day I was pushed a little more toward Berline. She was a spunky, ball of energy that posed for every picture like it was a fashion show. It was a no brainer for me -- She was the one. Part of it may have been for selfish reasons, I loved t-ball, I remember carrying my girls on my shoulders, digging in the sand at the beach, riding bikes, etc but I also know I was drawn to her for some specific purpose. I am sure that I will discover it someday.
It is awesome to say that I am now the father of a 5 year old Haitian girl. I am anxiously awaiting March 23 when I step off of that tap-tap at the orphanage and I get to see her for the first time in real life. What a joy that will be!
BTW: No we aren't crazy, just called for a higher purpose!
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Bondye Bon!
Christy called me the second night she was there and simply said start the paperwork. It was a decision that I was 100% in line with and I couldn't believe that she was willing to take that step after two days. I waited until she got home just to double check that she felt that way. She told me that she couldn't imagine not feeling that way now that she had met the girls in Camatin. We talked about it with Emma and Vanna and they both said let's move on it. Then the question became who do we adopt.
For days the girls and I listened to Christy's stories of Haiti and her time there. We looked at pictures and spoke about the personalities of each of the girls Christy had contact with. We prayed and discussed - discussed and prayed. Each of us kept coming back to three little girls - Gelralda, Berline, & Benia. Christy said that she had spent time with each one and they were all wonderful. Gelralda & Benia were about 8 years old while Berline was the baby at 5. We continued to talk and pray - each day I was pushed a little more toward Berline. She was a spunky, ball of energy that posed for every picture like it was a fashion show. It was a no brainer for me -- She was the one. Part of it may have been for selfish reasons, I loved t-ball, I remember carrying my girls on my shoulders, digging in the sand at the beach, riding bikes, etc but I also know I was drawn to her for some specific purpose. I am sure that I will discover it someday.
It is awesome to say that I am now the father of a 5 year old Haitian girl. I am anxiously awaiting March 23 when I step off of that tap-tap at the orphanage and I get to see her for the first time in real life. What a joy that will be!
BTW: No we aren't crazy, just called for a higher purpose!
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Bondye Bon!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Spreading the News...By Emma
Just recently I asked my mom and she told me I could tell my BFFEAE (best friends forever and ever) Ellie. So, I went over to her house and told her and her parents together. She was sooooo shocked and I really don't think she saw it coming when I told her I needed to tell her something. She had a very confused look on her face or the rest of the day. She came over to my house and that was all we could talk about. We talk to each other in Creole a little bit from time to time at school. I'm really glad I decided to tell her.
One I went into school early urgent to tell my teacher, Mrs. Parmly, the good news. My mom came with me. As I told her I thought I could see tears coming from her eyes. She was extremely shocked. She said I could
talk to her when ever I needed.
I told my neighbors next. Mrs. Ashley and Mrs. Shanon. They were probably the most suprised of anyone. They asked all the details, and wanted to know everything about her. They loved the idea of having a little black neighbor though. I was really suprised at how much they were concerned and wanted to know.
I'll never forget the awesome feelings I had spreading the news about the adoption.
One I went into school early urgent to tell my teacher, Mrs. Parmly, the good news. My mom came with me. As I told her I thought I could see tears coming from her eyes. She was extremely shocked. She said I could
talk to her when ever I needed.
I told my neighbors next. Mrs. Ashley and Mrs. Shanon. They were probably the most suprised of anyone. They asked all the details, and wanted to know everything about her. They loved the idea of having a little black neighbor though. I was really suprised at how much they were concerned and wanted to know.
I'll never forget the awesome feelings I had spreading the news about the adoption.
Badda Bing Badda Boom...by Rob
Yesterday was a big day in the world of international adoption. Christy and I finished our Psych Eval (yes I did pass) and we got our Power of Attorney from Oregon. All we have left is the Home Study. I really hope those of you reading this will say a prayer that Carolyn's schedule opens up so that she can finish it by March 4. If that happens I will be able to take the Dossier down when I go to Haiti in March. Right now it feels like we are gaining momentum and the process will move smoothly. Other times it feels like we are stuck in the mud and can't move forward. Also yesterday I added a PayPal button for donations to the "Bring Berline Home" fund. It is on the right side - Wink, Wink, Wink!
Today however I can report that we finished the last item (g-28) that we have to get notarized. All we have left is the Home Study and the Psych Eval. Christy went to the Knox County Clerk and got all of the Knox County documents certified. I am going Monday and getting the ones from Campbell County certified.
Also I plan on meeting Kevin next week to ship the POA to Haiti along with a bunch of money to Nathalie so the process can start on the Haitian Legal Front. Slowly but surely we keep gaining momentum.
Bondye Bon Tout Tan!
Today however I can report that we finished the last item (g-28) that we have to get notarized. All we have left is the Home Study and the Psych Eval. Christy went to the Knox County Clerk and got all of the Knox County documents certified. I am going Monday and getting the ones from Campbell County certified.
Also I plan on meeting Kevin next week to ship the POA to Haiti along with a bunch of money to Nathalie so the process can start on the Haitian Legal Front. Slowly but surely we keep gaining momentum.
Bondye Bon Tout Tan!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Arrrrrrrrrg! - by Rob
This week has been eventful to say the least. With every international adoption you always have glitches. No matter how perfect the paperwork is something happens that requires you to submit something else or have something redone....blah....blah....blah! BUT it is not supposed to happen the first time.
We sent our Power of Attorney to the Haitian Consulate in Chicago on the 16th of February. The POA is one of the most important documents initially. It gives your lawyer the right to act on your behalf in the Haitian Court System. We were anxiously awaiting the return looking for that white truck with FedEx on the outside and it came on Monday, Feb. 21.
Well I opened the package and the there was a stack of documents in the carrier. Unfortunately none of the documents was ours. The Haitians had sent us a Home Study / POA and other incredibly valuable documents for a lady in Oregon, Melissa Freels, who is adopting a boy from a town outside of PAP. I immediately called her and left a message that we had her documents. She called back within 5 minutes in a bit of a panic but I was able to assure her that I would send them out that night. She was so thankful but we still had a problem where was our POA? She owns a business in Oregon and told me that she was off on Monday. She would check on Tuesday and see if our POA was in her envelope. It was a long 24 hours but I am happy to say that Melissa called me on Tuesday afternoon and told me that she was shipping out our POA and we should have it by the end of the week.
I realize that there will be mistakes and glitches that will happen in the process but not with the first document.
There is one positive I made a new friend and someone Christy and I can share our experiences with.
Truly - Bondye Bon Tout Tan!
We sent our Power of Attorney to the Haitian Consulate in Chicago on the 16th of February. The POA is one of the most important documents initially. It gives your lawyer the right to act on your behalf in the Haitian Court System. We were anxiously awaiting the return looking for that white truck with FedEx on the outside and it came on Monday, Feb. 21.
Well I opened the package and the there was a stack of documents in the carrier. Unfortunately none of the documents was ours. The Haitians had sent us a Home Study / POA and other incredibly valuable documents for a lady in Oregon, Melissa Freels, who is adopting a boy from a town outside of PAP. I immediately called her and left a message that we had her documents. She called back within 5 minutes in a bit of a panic but I was able to assure her that I would send them out that night. She was so thankful but we still had a problem where was our POA? She owns a business in Oregon and told me that she was off on Monday. She would check on Tuesday and see if our POA was in her envelope. It was a long 24 hours but I am happy to say that Melissa called me on Tuesday afternoon and told me that she was shipping out our POA and we should have it by the end of the week.
I realize that there will be mistakes and glitches that will happen in the process but not with the first document.
There is one positive I made a new friend and someone Christy and I can share our experiences with.
Truly - Bondye Bon Tout Tan!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Home Study - By Emma
Yesterday, President's Day, was the home study. We had all of our individual interviews too. Mine wasn't very hard at all. I am pretty sure the home study went well. Mom is really stressed. I don't exactly know why. I'm really excited about this whole thing.
Are we crazy? - By Rob
First let me thank Shannon Kelley of Shannon Kelley Photography for the incredible pictures of Haiti and of Berline.
Where do you start? To quote that lyrical poet that I am so fond of...
"Lookin' back at my background wondering how I ever got here,
somethings are still a mystery to me but others are much too clear"
We have all been subjected to different types of catastrophes through out our lives especially with the availability of news coverage. I can remember all of the big events starting with 4th grade when President Reagan was shot, Desert Storm/Shield, the tsunami in Indonesia, September 11th, the second war in Iraq, and all the way up to last year's earthquake. I am sure there are some that I have missed but it is safe to say that there have been some major calamities during my lifetime. Things that changed the world.
Throughout our entire married life Christy has wanted to return to the Caribbean on a mission trip. When we had just met back in the early 90's, she had gone to Trinidad on a mission and was stuck in country due to a Coup d'Etat. I remember the story of how she broke curfew and snuck out to get on a flight back to the U.S. She always talked about wanting to go back and do some type of mission in the Caribbean. I always believed that she should go - Hey if God calls then you should follow His will. I will happily sit here in our nice house, take care of the kids, and support you fully. That was the extent of my involvement in missions. Little did I know at the time what a joke that was.
I had always been active in church during my life. I was the good little Baptist. I went to church on Sundays and Wednesdays. I participated in all kids of youth activities. I gave to missions. I did it all or so I thought. When Christy told me that she wanted to take Savanna to Haiti in February of 2010 I was very happy. I knew it would be a great thing. Savanna could go and see that the rest of the world was not like the United States and Christy could fill a need that she had to serve plus I could spend some time with Emma. I didn't have to do anything except throw money at missions(my good Baptist upbringing) and everyone would be happy. Then the earthquake hit in January and our world changed forever.
I remember getting a call from Christy telling me that Haiti had been rocked by a major earthquake. The country was in chaos and there were possible hundreds of thousands of people dead. At that time I did not realize the extent of the devastation but I began to watch the news reports and stories coming out of Haiti. There have been many horrible earthquakes through out my life. Iran, Turkey, and China have all suffered with thousands being killed. To me this was no different initially because it was a foreign country a long way off but then we heard that the orphanage at Coq Chante, the one that Whitestone supported, had been destroyed and know one really knew what had happened to the girls there. We went to a prayer service the next night at Powell Church for the orphans. This was really the turning point for me. The connection that I witnessed that night between a group of believers and a tiny island country was incredible. The genuine out pouring of love and support was unbelievable. I realized at that point something had to be done, I had to get off the couch and do my part.
Christy and I went to several meetings about the situation in Haiti and the orphanage at Coq Chante. We even threw our names into a pool of applicants to host the girls in the event that they could get out of Haiti on Humanitarian Parole. That for me was the key. God helped me to realize at that point that I had a greater responsibility to do more than I was doing. I knew at that point that if I was willing to open up my home and family to a stranger in need for a temporary time then why not go even further and change a life for ever. Christy and I began discussion the possibility of adopting a child from Haiti.
To be continued .....
Saturday, February 19, 2011
An incredible smile
Thank you Shannon Kelley for sharing your incredible God given gift of photography and for taking this photo of our beautiful Berline.The adoption process starts- by Christy
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4: 6
The week I got back, Rob, Savanna and Emma ask me lots of questions about each of girls. Somehow Rob kept going back to Berline. I knew by now that God was in charge and ask Him to guide us to the little girl He had prepared for us. We soon met with Mark and started the process. The past few weeks have been full of every emotion for me.
Monday, January 17- We met with Clarity Group Adoption Consultants (Kevin & Kurt Rudd $1000)
Sunday, January 23- Share our news with our immediate family (priceless)
Tuesday, February 8- We met with Carolyn Kiser for our first homestudy visit. ($750)
Wednesday, February 9 - Start collecting references- Bruce Crabtree, Jason Gilleran, Marci Wasson, Thea Yoder, April Meyers
Thursday, February 10- Get Power of attorney notarized by Jim Moore
Friday, February 11- Take the cat to vet for homestudy paperwork, get POA certified ($5)
Sunday, February 13-Rob and I drive to Nashville for paper work ( $250+ gas and hotel)
Monday, February 14-Get POA authenticated ($2) and pick up certified state copies of birth and marriage certificates ($60) and got background checks ($10 each) and applied for home loan to help us finance lawer fees and other expenses.
Tuesday, February 15-Happy 40th Birthday Rob! Get POA interpreted to creole (free this time) and my health screening and letter from Dr. Cloud ($25 co pay) and meet with the elders of Whitestone to receive their blessings in order for us to proceed with Berline. This is a requirement of the orphanage. It was an awesome experience to be surround by that group of Godly men. Productive Day!
Wednesday, February 16-Mail POA to Haitian Consulate in Chicago for legalization ($25+ $40 shipping) and Rob's health screening and letter from Dr. Cloud ($25 co pay)
Thursday, February 17-Rob finished letter to IBESR and ran credit reports
Friday, February 18- Rob made copies of all necessary documents for 2nd homestudy visit that will take place at our home on Monday.
Upcoming dates:
Monday, February 21- home study home visit
Thursday, February 24- psych letter visit
Wednesday, March 23-28- Rob leaves to meet Berline and ask her if she wants to be our daughter
Tuesday, May 31- Savanna, Emma and I will spend a week with Berline in Haiti
Tuesday, June 7- Rob spend a week with Berline in Haiti
September ? Dad and I spend a week with Berline in Haiti
Goals:
Monday, February 28- send POA to Natalie (attorney in Haiti) with Harvest Fields so they can start the abandonment process with Berline's parents.
Friday, April 25- Have Dossier complete including home study and all certifications and authentications to send to Haitian consulate
May 31- hand deliver Dossier to Natalie in Haiti
NOW--Re-read the Bible verse at the top of the page and understand why!
The week I got back, Rob, Savanna and Emma ask me lots of questions about each of girls. Somehow Rob kept going back to Berline. I knew by now that God was in charge and ask Him to guide us to the little girl He had prepared for us. We soon met with Mark and started the process. The past few weeks have been full of every emotion for me.
Monday, January 17- We met with Clarity Group Adoption Consultants (Kevin & Kurt Rudd $1000)
Sunday, January 23- Share our news with our immediate family (priceless)
Tuesday, February 8- We met with Carolyn Kiser for our first homestudy visit. ($750)
Wednesday, February 9 - Start collecting references- Bruce Crabtree, Jason Gilleran, Marci Wasson, Thea Yoder, April Meyers
Thursday, February 10- Get Power of attorney notarized by Jim Moore
Friday, February 11- Take the cat to vet for homestudy paperwork, get POA certified ($5)
Sunday, February 13-Rob and I drive to Nashville for paper work ( $250+ gas and hotel)
Monday, February 14-Get POA authenticated ($2) and pick up certified state copies of birth and marriage certificates ($60) and got background checks ($10 each) and applied for home loan to help us finance lawer fees and other expenses.
Tuesday, February 15-Happy 40th Birthday Rob! Get POA interpreted to creole (free this time) and my health screening and letter from Dr. Cloud ($25 co pay) and meet with the elders of Whitestone to receive their blessings in order for us to proceed with Berline. This is a requirement of the orphanage. It was an awesome experience to be surround by that group of Godly men. Productive Day!
Wednesday, February 16-Mail POA to Haitian Consulate in Chicago for legalization ($25+ $40 shipping) and Rob's health screening and letter from Dr. Cloud ($25 co pay)
Thursday, February 17-Rob finished letter to IBESR and ran credit reports
Friday, February 18- Rob made copies of all necessary documents for 2nd homestudy visit that will take place at our home on Monday.
Upcoming dates:
Monday, February 21- home study home visit
Thursday, February 24- psych letter visit
Wednesday, March 23-28- Rob leaves to meet Berline and ask her if she wants to be our daughter
Tuesday, May 31- Savanna, Emma and I will spend a week with Berline in Haiti
Tuesday, June 7- Rob spend a week with Berline in Haiti
September ? Dad and I spend a week with Berline in Haiti
Goals:
Monday, February 28- send POA to Natalie (attorney in Haiti) with Harvest Fields so they can start the abandonment process with Berline's parents.
Friday, April 25- Have Dossier complete including home study and all certifications and authentications to send to Haitian consulate
May 31- hand deliver Dossier to Natalie in Haiti
NOW--Re-read the Bible verse at the top of the page and understand why!
The trip that forever changed my life.- by Christy
Our late November trip was posted to New Year's Eve due to political unrest in Port Au Prince. Little did I know at the time, the next several months of my life would be dictated by unrest in Port Au Prince. Rob would now would take every chance he got to discuss possible adoption. 15 new little girls had been placed at the orphanage which was now located in Camatin, just a few miles from Coq Chante where only a foundation remains. For several weeks before I left Rob would say to me things like, "you are going to meet our daughter soon". I had still not hit the 100% obedience mark yet and had a hard time believing his words.
A team of 22 left Knoxville on a dark rainy New Year's Eve. I was well armed with cars (machines), dum dum suckers (pewilees), and an assortment of medicine, art supplies, baby dolls, shawls, and candies (bon bons). Fortunately, travel was uneventful. We arrived at the orphanage by mid afternoon, Saturday, January 1, 2011. I was greeted by 25 beautiful smiling faces. Farah immediately wrapped her arms around my neck and popped a big kiss on my cheek. It was like we were Disney characters in a parade and the children could surround you with hugs and smiles.
I spent the next several days marveling at the beauty of the Haitian people. They had nothing and were so incredibly grateful for everything we had to offer. It was usually a simple hug or sucker, but the hugs and joy we received in return weren't comparable to anything we had to offer. I called Rob on Tuesday night and told him without a doubt, I had hit the 100% mark. God was too loud to ignore here. I believe I used the phrase "If you can start the process, call someone tonight". I couldn't imagine not bringing a beautiful child home if there was even the smallest possibility we could do it. It was a beautiful place where daily long to be but at the same time, the saddest place I have ever seen. There was so much suffering there. Life is so hard for everyone.
The night sky was like nothing I could have imagined. You could watch falling stars fall for what seemed like minutes. I spent some time on the roof of the orphanage. Sometimes the team would go up at night and decompress from our day through prayers and songs. Sometimes I would go up by myself and ask God to let me be His hands and His feet. I often used those exact words. I knew my life was forever changed by these people and this small piece of land in the middle of the Caribbean.
I spent my spare time during the day with the girls who stayed on the first floor of the orphanage. Our rooms were on the 2nd floor and the girls were not allowed to come up there without permission. I once took a 100 piece puzzle of cat down. We never got it worked. Guerline, a feisty girl about 8 and full of energy, would take the pieces apart at the same rate a few other girls and I would put together. I passed out cars one day. It took a while to get them to roll them back and forth to each other. The girls would immediately put them in their pocket. I finally got them to roll the cars to each other. Berline sat on the steps one day for a long time rolling her car. I took playdough down and quickly learned the words Pa Manje- Do not eat! They loved the playdough and had fun after I finally showed them what to do with it..
We spent our last full day at the beach. Berline and Benia attached themselves to me that morning. Berline fell asleep on my lap in the truck. Benia sat on my right side halfway laying in my lap. I loved being needed by 2 precious souls. I spent the day with all the girls playing in the Caribbean watching them drink Coke and eating chicken, until there was nothing left but splinters of bones.
We loaded the big white truck early on Friday morning. It was so hard to leave the tiny faces I had grown to love over the past week, but I knew I would see them all again.
A team of 22 left Knoxville on a dark rainy New Year's Eve. I was well armed with cars (machines), dum dum suckers (pewilees), and an assortment of medicine, art supplies, baby dolls, shawls, and candies (bon bons). Fortunately, travel was uneventful. We arrived at the orphanage by mid afternoon, Saturday, January 1, 2011. I was greeted by 25 beautiful smiling faces. Farah immediately wrapped her arms around my neck and popped a big kiss on my cheek. It was like we were Disney characters in a parade and the children could surround you with hugs and smiles.
I spent the next several days marveling at the beauty of the Haitian people. They had nothing and were so incredibly grateful for everything we had to offer. It was usually a simple hug or sucker, but the hugs and joy we received in return weren't comparable to anything we had to offer. I called Rob on Tuesday night and told him without a doubt, I had hit the 100% mark. God was too loud to ignore here. I believe I used the phrase "If you can start the process, call someone tonight". I couldn't imagine not bringing a beautiful child home if there was even the smallest possibility we could do it. It was a beautiful place where daily long to be but at the same time, the saddest place I have ever seen. There was so much suffering there. Life is so hard for everyone.
The night sky was like nothing I could have imagined. You could watch falling stars fall for what seemed like minutes. I spent some time on the roof of the orphanage. Sometimes the team would go up at night and decompress from our day through prayers and songs. Sometimes I would go up by myself and ask God to let me be His hands and His feet. I often used those exact words. I knew my life was forever changed by these people and this small piece of land in the middle of the Caribbean.
I spent my spare time during the day with the girls who stayed on the first floor of the orphanage. Our rooms were on the 2nd floor and the girls were not allowed to come up there without permission. I once took a 100 piece puzzle of cat down. We never got it worked. Guerline, a feisty girl about 8 and full of energy, would take the pieces apart at the same rate a few other girls and I would put together. I passed out cars one day. It took a while to get them to roll them back and forth to each other. The girls would immediately put them in their pocket. I finally got them to roll the cars to each other. Berline sat on the steps one day for a long time rolling her car. I took playdough down and quickly learned the words Pa Manje- Do not eat! They loved the playdough and had fun after I finally showed them what to do with it..
We spent our last full day at the beach. Berline and Benia attached themselves to me that morning. Berline fell asleep on my lap in the truck. Benia sat on my right side halfway laying in my lap. I loved being needed by 2 precious souls. I spent the day with all the girls playing in the Caribbean watching them drink Coke and eating chicken, until there was nothing left but splinters of bones.
We loaded the big white truck early on Friday morning. It was so hard to leave the tiny faces I had grown to love over the past week, but I knew I would see them all again.
The Beginning- by Christy
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is within us; the God of Jacob is our fortress...The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46: 1-11
January 12, 2010 I had just arrived home from work. My friend Barbara sends me a text asking if I had heard of the earthquake in Haiti. I turn the television on CNN and keep it there for the next several weeks. Savanna and I had planned on going to Coq Chante, Haiti for a week long mission trip with Whitestone church in February. We had both spent the past several weeks committing a group of little girls faces and names to memory. We had spent time praying for these girls and ultimately falling in love with children we had never met. The following day we learned that the orphanage had collapsed and the smallest girl Atanie had not made it out of the building. We spent that evening at a prayer service grieving all this small island nation had lost.
Whitestone's church mission was then to get the girls who were now homeless home to the US if at all possible. Rob and I agreed to attend a short meeting discussing possibilities. If the US would pass the humanitarian law we agreed to open our home to one of the girls. We knew the chance of this would be small on so many levels, but we had to do something. 4 little girls and 1 boy already in the process of being adopted came home almost 1 month later. The others have not yet.
Over the next few months Rob and I discussed over and over the possibility of adding another little girl to our family by way of a Haitian adoption. He was 100% for it for months. I was lets say 92% for it. I prayed about, worried about, thought about it. I have 2 perfect girls. An incredible athletic 14 year old freshman at Anderson County High School and a perfectly gorgeous athletic brainiac 11 year old who is about to finish elementary school. We have: a great home, a couple of cars, a boat, we vacation when we want, eat out when we want. Life is simple, easy, predictable, scheduled. I like all those things. I truly felt God's calling and sometimes think I felt his shouting, but refused to give in to the difficult and unknown.
Well, a few opportunities came and went for me and Savanna to go to Haiti again. It seems there was always a conflict: ball, a friends wedding, school. I gave in on a Sunday in October. I was sitting in church singing "I want to be your hands. I want to be your feet. I will go where you send me. Go where you send me." I couldn't ignore the shouting any longer! Rob and the girls went to the car after the service. I walked straight to Mark and said "Please sign me up for the next trip to Haiti." He said, "just you?" I said "yes".
January 12, 2010 I had just arrived home from work. My friend Barbara sends me a text asking if I had heard of the earthquake in Haiti. I turn the television on CNN and keep it there for the next several weeks. Savanna and I had planned on going to Coq Chante, Haiti for a week long mission trip with Whitestone church in February. We had both spent the past several weeks committing a group of little girls faces and names to memory. We had spent time praying for these girls and ultimately falling in love with children we had never met. The following day we learned that the orphanage had collapsed and the smallest girl Atanie had not made it out of the building. We spent that evening at a prayer service grieving all this small island nation had lost.
Whitestone's church mission was then to get the girls who were now homeless home to the US if at all possible. Rob and I agreed to attend a short meeting discussing possibilities. If the US would pass the humanitarian law we agreed to open our home to one of the girls. We knew the chance of this would be small on so many levels, but we had to do something. 4 little girls and 1 boy already in the process of being adopted came home almost 1 month later. The others have not yet.
Over the next few months Rob and I discussed over and over the possibility of adding another little girl to our family by way of a Haitian adoption. He was 100% for it for months. I was lets say 92% for it. I prayed about, worried about, thought about it. I have 2 perfect girls. An incredible athletic 14 year old freshman at Anderson County High School and a perfectly gorgeous athletic brainiac 11 year old who is about to finish elementary school. We have: a great home, a couple of cars, a boat, we vacation when we want, eat out when we want. Life is simple, easy, predictable, scheduled. I like all those things. I truly felt God's calling and sometimes think I felt his shouting, but refused to give in to the difficult and unknown.
Well, a few opportunities came and went for me and Savanna to go to Haiti again. It seems there was always a conflict: ball, a friends wedding, school. I gave in on a Sunday in October. I was sitting in church singing "I want to be your hands. I want to be your feet. I will go where you send me. Go where you send me." I couldn't ignore the shouting any longer! Rob and the girls went to the car after the service. I walked straight to Mark and said "Please sign me up for the next trip to Haiti." He said, "just you?" I said "yes".
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| January 6, 2011 |
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