Adopting Jude

What's a Life Book?

2011-05-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

There's a new venture on the move, inspired by Jude! Adoption facilitators encourage adoptive families to create life books for their children. It's similar in concept to a baby book; it captures the child's story in a keepsake format. However, when we looked into this...we didn't find much. There were a couple of options that were pretty anemic...few pages, black and white. Then there were the "guides" we found that encouraged families to either write the child's story (novel style!) or to scrapbook a life book.

As it turns out, there are a few books I'd like to write...but this isn't one of them (yet), and I am NOT a scrapper - and I have no aspirations to be!

So, we decided to publish a life book. Check it out! www.celebratelifeincolor.com

Tell everyone you know in the adoption community! This is full-color, high-quality, fill-in style life book with 55 pages that you can insert in the order of your choosing. Our need prompted us to solve a problem...the adoption community has very few truly quality life book resources.

Thanks to Jude, we're trying to change that.

Car Wash!

2010-10-17T01:38:00.000-07:00

So here's a funny one: Jude LOVES the car wash. By that I mean that he gets positively giddy at the very thought of going through one. We always pick an automatic one because it's those that he seems to love the most, and we try to pick a nice long one. Tonight we spent the evening just the three of us: Papa, Mama, and Jude, and we found ourselves at a car wash. Take a look...

Growing in the Lord

2010-10-12T05:19:00.000-07:00

I was pointedly reminded the other day that I had not made a post for some time, so I thought a video might be good. Jude attends the Wednesday evening kids club at our church and his teacher extraordinaire is Mrs. Rose Lybrink. Here's a little of what he's learning...this one's for you, Mrs. Lybrink (or just plain Brink as Jude sometimes calls you - as in, "Mama, are we going to church to see Brink now?"). Enjoy, and thanks for pouring out into the lives of so many little ones.

Laughin' time

2010-07-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

From time to time Jude says to me, "Mama, is it laughin' time?" It's cute, and I think it's because sometimes we say things like "dinner time", "church time", and "sleeping time". My response to that question is, without exception, this: "Son, it's always laughin' time!" Life is just too short for any other response. The video's grainy, but well worth a listen. Enjoy!:

We love our Chiro!

2010-07-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

So...we switched chiropractors some time ago. As you know, sometimes you have to makes these kinds of switches in life when your philosophies don't line up. Anyhow, we're now with Dr. Grigg at Chiropractic Unlimited in Grand Rapids and we love him. He is SO good with Jude. Check it out:

Mama's Graduation

2010-06-20T04:35:00.001-07:00

In addition to raising Jude this last year and nine months, I've also finished my master's degree. Jude got to see his mama in a graduation ceremony, and in another year or so, he'll get to see his papa in one also. What better way to send the message that education is important than to value it ourselves? Jude was great - the morning of the ceremony we had to leave for Big Rapids by 6am and we didn't get home until the afternoon. He was very well behaved, and it was such a joy to look up into the stands and see my family, including my two guys - the most important family I have.

Babe's First Trip to the Barber Shop!

2010-04-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

We haven't had Jude's hair cut since he's been home for a couple of reasons:

I love his fantastically coiled curls, and everyone I've talked with wants to cut, cut, cut them off - not cool. God made them, we love them, and we're keeping them as long as we can!
We wanted to find someone who knew what he was doing and who would walk with us to care for Jude's hair well.

Well, we've found him! Today I took Jude to see Paul Frazier at International Profyle Barbershop in Kalamazoo. Paul came highly recommended, and we are well on our way to becoming fiercely loyal! He is clearly accustomed to trimming up little guys, as he was great with Jude (very patient with those three-year-old wiggles). He was also patient and kind with my sometimes ignorant questions, which I deeply appreciated (seriously, Paul, if you're reading this...more than you can imagine), and Jude's looking as darling as ever.

I have to say, Jude wasn't too sure about climbing up in that big chair and he wanted me to stay very close...but Paul won him over in no time. Take a look:

After Jude's appointment, we went to see his Papa at work, and Matthew, of course, told him he was looking good. Then, he called his Grandma LaLa and left her a message that said (in "Judanese" of course), "Gamma, I dot a hurcut. It went gate. Uhm lookin' good. Bye!"

A Bubble Machine for Easter

2010-04-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

We don't really do baskets for Easter, but we do give token gifts in celebration of Christ's resurrection. This year, Jude got a bubble machine, and he positively loves it. Take a look....

Still needed at GLA...

2010-04-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

The need in Haiti is still dire. Thanks to so many, there's been a huge outpouring of donations to GLA. If you would like to know how you can help, take a look at this. Scroll to the bottom to see what's currently needed.

When Mama and Papa Bring Me Home...

2010-04-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

Jude continues to keep us laughing, as three-year-olds are wont to do. And, he's as sweet as they come. We talk about Haiti frequently, as we want him to know about and be proud of his national heritage. We want him to know how much we loved it there, and what a joy it was for us to be able to go there. The other day, he saw a photo from before he came home. "Who is that?" I asked. "Dis id baby Jude when mama n papa bring baby Jude home," was his reply. Very cute.

So, in honor of those wonderful memories, here's a picture from just after he came home. Those of you who see Jude frequently know that it's been a long time since he fit in a sink!

Underwear Basketball

2010-02-08T12:30:00.001-08:00

So, my guys love to play basketball, and Matthew is teaching Jude quite a lot, so we think he's pretty good for a little guy. Why underwear basketball? Because Jude is now mostly using underwear and he doesn't like to wear clothes...he loves to be in his drawers! Take a look...

Helping Haiti

2010-02-06T11:26:00.000-08:00

Some have expressed to us that you want to help the people of Haiti, but don't know what to do. May we strongly encourage you to consider sending your resources to God's Littlest Angels? GLA is not just an orphanage, though that is much of what it does. GLA is a Haitian baby ministry. Its staff nurses sick children sometimes so that they can go back to live with their families. It employs around 100 Haitian staff member, providing good jobs for those who work there. Right now, GLA needs more help than ever. Donations are being used to purchase tarps and blankets and other supplies, and the staff is currently packaging these to be given as care packages to families in the two communities near Port-au-Prince immediately surrounding GLA. GLA is using this time to provide humanitarian aid to those in need right within its reach. Please consider giving at the GLA website.

Fundraising for Haiti

2010-02-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

Matthew, Jude and I were recently honored - yes, honored - to be present at the Friday assembly at Tobey Elementary School in Vicksburg, Michigan where our niece Natalie attends. You see, Natalie and two friends decided they wanted to do a fundraiser and they decided to do it for God's Littlest Angels orphanage in Haiti, where Jude lived before coming home to us. Several days later, the earthquake struck, and the fundraiser gained new meaning. The school raised funds for a few weeks, and asked Matthew and Jude and I to come talk to the kids at the assembly at which the principle would reveal to the kids the amount they raised. We talked to the children about GLA, its history, and what it does today for children and families in Haiti. Take a look:

After hoping for $500 for the fundraiser, Mr. Mike Barwegen, principle of Tobey Elementary, presented the girls who started the fundraiser with a "check" for $2,516.75. We gave Mr. Barwegen the appropriate information so that he could send the money directly to GLA. It was such a joy to be asked to be part of the girls' efforts, and we were touched as GLA and Haiti have become so dear to us.

A subsequent article was written in the local paper and I will post is as soon as it becomes available online.

Incidentally, this inspired my Dad who works at Bay Valley Foods in Wayland to begin a fundraiser as well. At present time, the team at Bay Valley has raised over $300.

God's Littlest Angels - The Toddler House

2010-02-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

I cannot do this justice in my own post. Instead, I've included a link to a blog post created by Molly, who has charge over GLA's toddler house, located about a 15 minute walk from the main house where all the babies live. It gives a poignant look at the strength of the Haitian people. Please click the link and scroll down to the post dated 16 Jan 2010. GLA Toddler House Blog

There's so much information on the web - we could all spend hours and hours online daily. With all that's out there, however, I trust you'll find that the link above touched you and lifted you at the same time.

For love of Haiti...

2010-02-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

Our blog has been unfortunately all to quiet these last four months, and particularly this last month in light of what has happened in Haiti. Through the busy days of life, we have shed more tears this last month over the happenings in Haiti than we have in the past two years. Somewhere along the way, God has put in our hearts a love not only for Jude (of course), but for Haiti and its people. We have been heartbroken over the earthquake and the ensuing challenges faced by Haiti, including those exacerbated by UNICEF - more on that later.

A bright spot: no one at God's Littlest Angels was harmed. All Haitian and American staff (just over 100 total) were accounted for shortly after the earthquake. Some nights through the aftershocks the nannies and all the children slept outside in the driveway. Can you imagine 100+ people sleeping in the driveway?! That was only at the main house. Amazing things happened at the toddler house as well. See next post...

Changes Afoot for Baby Jude

2009-10-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well, life is busy and it's certainly been awhile since our last post. Jude is growing like mad. His life is changing once again as we have sold our house in Otsego and moved. We're in temporary digs for now as we search for another house, closer to family and church, but still mid-way for all the work activities we have.

Another change on the horizon: a new cousin! Uncle Mike and Aunt LeAnn (fondly known as that fine Asian couple Okoma and Akaya as Jude calls them) are beginning the process for their first adoption, so in the next year or so, Baby Jude will have a new cousin to fuss over. Who knows...maybe this will help him learn gentleness. He is a boy to the bone, as we say, full of wrestling and running and wildness.

Pictures below are of Aunt LeAnn helping Jude decorate his own moving boxes so that he would know for certain that his things were coming with us as we loaded the truck. Pushing the stroller up and down the ramp was great fun. There's also one last kitchen project with mama in the old house.

Hope for the sleepless!

2009-05-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

Baby Jude is doing wonderfully. A couple of months ago we began taking him to see a chiropractor. We told her of his sleep issues, and she examined him. She found that several of his ribs were out of joint, and that was putting pressure on other vetebrae (it's all connected, of course). I asked her how those kinds of things happen, and she explained that it can happen during the trauma of birth, it can happen just in the normal falling and bumping that little ones do, and any other number of ways; most of the time, it can't really be pinpointed. Matthew and I decided that whether or not it improved his sleep, clearly those ribs needed to be put back where they belong, and better while he's little yet than years later in life. So, he began recieving adjustments. Amazing; within twenty-four hours he began to bang his head much less during the night. In fact, that first night, as we recall, he slept until about three in the morning before he started banging his head or rocking his body. We were tickled. He still cries out in the night most nights, and still picks his head up and lets it fall occassionally, but it's not anything so severe as the slamming and banging he for months after coming home. In fact, I think we're up to about five hours of sleep most nights...doesn't sound like alot, but we'll take it and praise the Lord for it!

Here's Jude waiting for his appointment:

Jude with Aunt LeAnn and Dr. Diane Riddle of Acorn Chiropractic in Hastings. We are so fortunate to have Dr. Diane for Jude. She is very good with him, always allowing him to check out the adjusting instruments so he can learn what she's doing and be comfortable. She's so good with little ones that often he doesn't even realize she's adjusting him!

Baby's First Road Trip - Bringing Back the Free Bird!

2009-05-11T12:51:00.001-07:00

This one's photo intensive...

Well, we call Jude's Aunt Jessica the J-bird. She had moved to Tennessee to finish her undergraduate degree, and when she finally found a job here in Michigan so that she could come back, Jude and I and my parents went to Tennessee to get her. We like to joke that we clipper here little birdie wings so she wouldn't fly away again. Jude just adores her. He shouts her name "Jekkika!" until she comes to him or he finds her, and then shouts it some more - precious!
The trip to Tennessee was long (about twelve hours by the time we made our occasional stops), and Jude did great. He didn't really fuss until about the last three hours, and then Grandma kept him distracted with tickle games. Anyhow, here are some pictures from the road trip.

Riding, riding, riding...and kissing mama!

There was a park at Aunt Jessica's apartment complex...

...and even Grandpa became a kid!

Jude learned to drive through the apartment complex. We can't tell who's having more fun here!

Shopping at Sportsman's Warehouse (and testing products with Aunt Jessica) was great fun. Grandpa and Grandma bought Jude his first fishing pole...a simple, good old fashioned cane pole - and we'll be breaking it in this Friday evening!

We had dinner with Aunt Jessica and her dear friends, Shameca and Courtney. (Don't tell anyone, but Jude and Courtney like to make eyes at one another!)

Resting for the trip home the next day.

Jude loved getting into the back of Grandpa's "big truck!" each time we stopped. We also ate lunch in the bed of the truck. It was a good way to contain Jude with all those vehicles zipping about!

Jude was so glad to get home to Papa after three days away.

What a trip!

We just love having Aunt Jessica home!

Baby's First Illness at Home

2009-04-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

About six weeks ago the lack of sleep finally caught up with me and I became sick. Then Matthew...then Jude. That's just how it goes sometimes in a household - especially when it's cold outside so all the pathogens are trapped in with us because the windows are all closed up tight!

For about three days Jude didn't eat much, but he took his supplements like a champ and he rested a lot. So strange to see my little pistol resting so much through the day...

Speaking Judanese

2009-03-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked us if Jude understands English. There's not much, actually, that he doesn't understand in any language, as he reads body language and vocal inflection very well. He tries new words every day. We speak mostly English at home, but I also try to speak as much French as I can remember from the days when I was fluent years ago. Unfortunately, you sure lose it when there isn't anyone to speak the language to! Also, French seems to still be very soothing to him in a meltdown. But the reality is, we are actually tri-lingual in our home...here is a small portion of the French/English/Judanese language:

"Ah-bey" - Obey! (one of our favorites, of course! Jude says this while patting his own bottom in a mock spanking)
"Ah-bedda!" - All better!
"Ah lah tu" - I love you
"Ah-wi!" - All right! (a Grandpa Garrett classic)
"Ahf-wa" - Au revior (good bye)
"Ah, tum-ahn" - Oh, come on! (another, courtesy of mama...you really need to watch it around these babes!)
"Appo" - apple
"Arretez" - arretez (stop)
"Ba-BOH!" - Bravo!
"Be-be" - baby
"Be-be Du" - baby Jude (that's what Jude calls himself in photographs)
"Bieh" - Bien! (good)
"Bhooh" - spoon
"Bood-dah!" - good job!
"Buh-dee" - bonne nuit (good night)
"Dacco mama" - D'accord mama (Okay mama)
"Deshuh" - Jesus
"Ess Gama?" - Where's Grandma? (Or Grandpa, depending on who's missing)
"Hep pee!" - Help, please! (another one we love...much better than the alternative, which is a loud, frustrated whine!)
"I-ya!" - Pick me up (always accompanied by outstretched arms)
"It a ni-ni" - Just a minute
"Jekkika" - Aunt Jessica
"Lu-wah" - Aunt LeAnn
"Me-ah-meh" - Amen!
"No" - snow
"Noh!" - No!
"Oh metty" - Oh mercy (one he picked up from mama)
"Oh nah" - Oh no
"Papa" - papa...for some reason always called out in either a whisper or a shout, never a regular speaking voice
"Pata Da" - Pastor Dan - our senior pastor, who Jude loves to give high-fives to and say "amen" with
"Ubb uh bebby" - Rub your belly
"Uh-ko-mah" - Uncle Mike

So, that's just a small sampling of our strange third language; he also knows most of his body parts, and several other words I'm sure I'm forgetting. Funny how we understand so much of this new non-language. I think Jude's training us in Judanese by immersion...the best way to learn a language!

Tuesday Evening...Without Jude

2009-02-25T12:57:00.000-08:00

We must tell you that in light of that last post, the only thing great for us about being without Jude on the occasional Tuesday night is the sleeping. In fact, we sleep so hard on those nights that we have to set three alarms because we both sleep through the first two. Oh, and there's no need to make the bed; we can just slip out and flip the covers up since neither of us really move in the night. If you think that's sarcasm, think again...it's completely true!

However, hard sleeping aside, we sure do miss that little man when he's gone. After all, who wouldn't miss this?

Before you start to wonder why we would do this to the poor kid, let me tell you that he actually did this all on his own. One morning when his papa was shaving, he heard Jude giggling behind him. Matthew turned around, howled with laughter, and ran for the camera! This is the fun we live with.

Wonderful days. What nights?

2009-02-24T06:17:00.001-08:00

What nights? Well, I say that because nights are for sleeping and we just don't do that. Some people roll their eyes at us as thought we naive new parents don't have a clue. While there are many things about which we indeed do not have a clue, what they don't realize is that our sleepless nights are not normal. Jude doesn't wake us up a few times and we all go to sleep and wake up a little bleary-eyed in the morning. On the contrary, Jude does some things in the night that are very disturbing and keep us awake often from 11pm until morning. So, for almost five months, we can only think of two or three nights in which we've slept for more than three or four hours.

Those couple of nights we were able to sleep were because Jude stayed overnight with Grandpa and Grandma Bowen. They have an enormous bathtub and deer in the yard every night, and Jude loves both - and Bah-pa and A-ma, of course! No, that's not a typing error - he calls her A-ma, and sometimes Maaa-ma.

Thank God for Little Boys

2009-02-24T05:54:00.000-08:00

We recently received an email note with a link to the following blog post: http://zuidemas.blogspot.com/2008/10/it-is-not-ok.html, posted by a case worker we know, about boys. Because the overwhelming majority of people adopting want girls, there are many cases in which boys are considered to have a "special need" just because they are boys. The post is worth reading, and after you do, here is my response:

"My thoughts: 'here-here' as they say after a good toast at a celebratory event. Boys...precious boys. You know, girls are cute and precious and cuddly and soft and lovely and ruffly. But, as it turns out, I am not a girl mama. I, by God's grace and provision, am a boy mama, and I'm so glad to be. Harder to raise? Well, I wouldn't know...you see, I don't know much about kids. I only know about 'kid' - my kid. He's all boy right to his core. He's a rough-and-tumble, shout-out-loud, running, tossing, throwing, wrestling boy to the very core.

What some people forget - the people who want softness and light and ruffles - is that boys also sing to you through the day, cuddle when they're sleepy, grin with mischief when they wrestle with their mamas (knowing they can't wrestle the same way they do with their papas), and kiss you awake in the morning if you're not getting up fast enough. Seems to me that I, a boy mama, have been given the best of both worlds. What more could I ask?"

Surprising Papa

2009-02-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

For the first time since Jude's been home, I took the day away to do some shopping with my sister and mom. On January 12th, we went to Birch Run searching for deals. Jude stayed with Grandpa Garrett during the day and his papa in the evening. He surprised Matthew when they were getting ready for dinner and Matt said, "Hmmm...where did I put your cup, son?" Jude promptly took off down the hallway and reappeared with his water cup.

Funny...people ask us if Jude understands English. You bet he does - very well. We speak English and a little French at home, and he understands both. His papa had no idea he knew what "Where's the cup?" meant.

Jude Sees the First Snow

2008-12-28T12:37:00.001-08:00

Musings...

2008-12-28T12:14:00.000-08:00

Each night when we go to bed, we take a few minutes to look at Jude as he sleeps and consider how blessed we are. I've been told all parents do this. I don't really know. All I can tell you is that we do it, no matter how exhausted we are. Anyhow, when we turned the lights out last night, I said to Matthew, "So, what do you think of this life God has given us?"
He responded, "I love it."
"Even when it's hard?" I asked.
"Still love it, even when it's hard."

It was great to hear him respond that way. He is my leader, the head of our household. We are partners, but at the end of the day before God it is he who takes responsibility for the decisions and direction of our family. He feels the pressure of providing and leading and teaching our son and...he loves it. That sure does a wife's heart good!

We don't want to give the impression that our life is without challenge. It isn't. We have all kinds of challenges, the least of which is paying bills! We've learned how hard it is to continue to have a growing marriage when you have an adopted child who you have to work so hard to help feel safe that you can't leave them to have a date night very easily. We're challenged to make our schedules work so that we can both earn money and coordinate child care and be all the places we need to be when we need to be there and still spend time as a family. And it'll get harder as Matthew starts school in January. But, we've also learned that God meets our needs and teaches us along the way.

What do I think of this life God has given us? Well, it's a grand adventure, and you never know what God is going to do. I never imagined that having Jude would be this good. I never knew God would give Matt a desire to go back to school or that He planned for me to teach at a college. Some people say that you only go around once, so grab for all the gusto you can. I say, you only go around once. Do it in the will of God and it'll be a great ride.

Jude is...

2008-12-28T11:55:00.000-08:00

Here are some random quick thoughts to help update:

Jude is...
...enjoying the snow! He loves to be outside, and the cold doesn't bother him a bit.
...growing! He's gained five pounds and a couple of inches since he got home - we love hand-me-down clothes! He's grown out of his 18 month clothing and into a 2T...and now out of some of those!
...growing more! He has two new teeth since he got home!
...funny! He loves to laugh, and he makes us laugh all the time. His first real, unguarded belly laugh came about a month ago, and he laughs more and more all the time.
...a happy kid. He wakes up happy each day and sings and chatters through the day.
...learning! He says quite a lot. "Help, please" is one of our favorites. It's much better than the alternative screaming in frustration when he can't do something!
...beautiful! I know, we're biased, but nonetheless...I'm learning a lot about how to care for his hair and skin to keep both healthy, and he is very handsome!
..."a joy!" That's how his papa finishes the sentence.
...learning that he won't be hungry and that he'll always be fed. His food anxiety is waning little by little as he learns that mama and papa will always give him food when he's hungry.
...still sleeping restlessly. He sleeps through the night, but still does some crying and head-banging in his sleep. It's getting less and less, but still happens. This, too, shall pass, we are sure.
...still learning that he's safe. He still gets nervous and doesn't sleep after big experiences, like family gatherings in new places, etc. We went to a wedding recently and he had a fun time for the most part, but slept horribly for a couple of days after. He also gets nervous when we take him out and about and one of us has to run into a store while he and the other one wait in the car.
...a blessing to many!

Here's To My Great Men...

2008-12-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

I am so fortunate to have several precious men in my life. This Christmas Matthew and Jude and I had some much-needed reclusive hibernation at home. It was so nice to be home...just the three of us...for a few days. One day, papa (Matthew) decided to occupy Jude so that I could do some sewing downstairs in preparation for Christmas with my parents and siblings on New Year's Day. As I was working away at (what I hope turns out to be) something wonderful for my mother, I had the pleasure of eavesdropping on a father and his son upstairs. Matthew is a super papa to Jude. He had told me that he won't call him "bud" because he doesn't want to be Jude's buddy; he has been called to be his father, and he takes that difference very seriously. I listened as the two of them ran all over the house wrestling and laughing and shouting and singing...and I heard Matthew teaching and Jude learning...and I felt so blessed. As Jude's mama, it's nice to be needed. But it's even nicer to have a spouse who is a partner, capitalizing on teachable moments even at Jude's young age to begin helping him grow into a man who loves Christ and loves people. Here's to my two special men...

And then there's Uncle Mike. Muko-Muh, as Jude calls him, is very special to us. He is so fun with Jude, and like Jude's papa, he's like a kid himself. He, too, loves Christ and is a teacher to our Jude, and Jude loves to spend time with him. One of Uncle Mike's specialties is scaring people, and I'm sure that as Jude feels safer and safer he will learn the art of leaving people breathless with fear as well...I'd better be on my toes. I'm sure mama will be the butt of many scaring jokes soon enough! Here's a picture of Uncle Mike being inducted into God-parenting. (Aunt LeAnn gave him diaper duty. Once he realized she was serious, he stepped up like a pro.)

Jude also has two wonderful grandfathers who love him dearly. He and Grandpa Bowen like "big people cups" and everytime Jude is with Grandpa Bowen he comes to him over and over to drink from his glass. He loves it because "Bah-pa's" glass is large enough so that the opening covers his whole face, so he can see the water as it comes toward his mouth. Grandpa Bowen has all kinds of plans to make a fort for Jude on his property (remember, Grandpa, he'll be expecting you to "camp out" with him), and help us teach Jude how to fish, and all sorts of other fun outdoor things.
Bah-pa Garrett finds great joy in babysitting his grandbabies, and he has been a blessing to us on several occassions as he's come to watch Jude during the day. He's great fun, as he never seems worried about what's on his list of things to do at home; rather, he just comes to play and enjoy time with Jude. He is a blessing to us!

I praise God for the men he's placed in Jude's life - and in mine!

"How are things going with baby?"

2008-12-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago a friend asked me how things were going with baby, and I realized it's far past time to update our blog! Here is what I told him: First of all, everyone talks about the "terrible two" year. Well, we're still waiting for the "terrible" part. Jude understands what no means, and maybe that's a necessity to make the second year survivable...but we haven't had any terrible yet. We've only been blessed.

We are enjoying Jude so very much. He's funny and precious and such a gift. And, he's sure growing us up! I guess that's part of parenting...you have to finish growing up yourself. Ha!

Having Jude in our lives is fabulous. The reality, I told my friend, is that we are never so blessed as we are when we're in the center of God's will, and for us, being Jude's parents is exactly that.

All Sorts of Wild Fun!

2008-11-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay in posting! I'm just getting operational again after the hard drive crash. Check the previous posts, as I added a couple of photos. We're still working to recover the rest of our photos, but in the meantime...

By way of update, Jude continues to adjust very well. Aside from us, he's made connections with Uncle Mike and Aunt LeAnn, both of his grandmas, and he's starting to connect with one of his grandpas. This is really great stuff, and it's fun to watch. Our two big challenges are with food and sleep. He likes just about everything we put in front of him - even Brussels sprouts - so it's not that type of food challenge. His challenge comes from the experience of other kids taking anything he drops. So, if I even go to the counter he is beside himself because he's afraid that whatever food is up there he isn't going to get. Basically, if it isn't in his hands he's pretty certain he won't get to eat. His papa was blowing on his plate to cool his food one night and when Matt put his finger in Jude's squash to be sure it was cool enough, Jude pretty well came unglued.

Sleeping is up and down. When we have a big day, he sleeps fitfully through the night, banging his head on the mattress and crying in his sleep. Since his life is full of new experiences, we have a lot of "big days". Usually Sunday night is rough. He's getting pretty comfortable at church, because he sees Uncle Mike and Aunt LeAnn and both sets of grandparents there. But it's still a big building with a lot of people, so it's a big deal for him.

At home, however, he is good for all kinds of wild fun. And, we've been to pick apples because Jude loves applesauce! Enjoy the photos! (It was a little wet and chilly that day...thus the wrinkled up face!)

Adjustments for baby....

2008-09-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

For being here just a week, Jude is doing well, but overall he's had some challenges adjusting. He feels very safe in our house with Matthew and I, but anytime we go out of the house with him to visit church or anything else, we generally can expect a major episode either that day or the day after as he cries and just laments. I have held him through more than one forty minute crying session. Our hearts break for him.

On Monday evening, he went into mourning for a full twenty-four hours. He had a horrible crying session on Monday night, and then on Tuesday he literally sat on my lap the entire day either crying, sleeping, or just sucking his finger and staring at the wall. He only ate a little bit at lunch, and was just very sullen all day. In the evening, he started to perk up a little, and he's been off and on since. We are very watchful that he doesn't get overwhelmed.

Adoption is a wonderful thing, but it can be very difficult on the child for the first few weeks and months. To us, we have a wonderful addition to our family. To him, he's been kidnapped by strangers. One of the best things we can do for him is to "protect him" from so many wonderful and well-intentioned people who want so badly to touch him, because that's too scary for him. We've been as careful as possible to keep him away from crowds.

However, when he's at home and feeling safe he is a real scream. He's so fun and brings such delight. He is all boy, through and through, just how God made him: he likes to beat, throw, kick, push, chase and wrestle - and all of those things just delight him!

As soon as we have the computer with our photos back, we'll post some so you can see his fun little face!

Fly Away Home...

2008-09-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful experience while in Haiti. If you are looking for an organization to support, GLA is worthy of every penny or prayer. It's a wonderful place. We were able to tour the orphanage while we were there, and the nanny's love the little ones so very much. There are so many babies...

Jude was mostly quiet while we were in country, but every time we passed the balcony where the babies play each day, he would wave at them and talk and talk until they were out of sight again. He also chattered and came alive a bit when we went shopping with some of the street vendors in town. He pointed and chattered and touched things.

We kept him in a sling made for children up to 35 pounds, and he loved it (and still does when he's not feeling so secure). It was a blessing to have.

Saturday, September 20th was our big travel day home, and Jude was great on the airplanes! We were amazed. As long as he was attached to me, he either slept or looked around or munched some snacks...he was nervous on several occasions throughout the day, but he never cried in fear. It was a blessing and an answer to so many prayers. We had visions of a terrified child crying through each and every leg of the journey, and God had a different plan thankfully!

We were met at the airport by the grandparents and godparents, and all were blessed. We'll post more photos as we're able. The computer with all our photos experienced a hard drive crash on Thursday and is being worked on as we speak...

Oh, The Tales We Could Tell...

2008-09-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

We are back from Haiti. There wasn't much time to post to the blog while we were there, so now my mind is in overdrive trying to decide what to tell you all because there's so much. Maybe I'll post it little by little...

We're so thankful to all of you for your donations for GLA; They filled three suitcases to the max. After flying away with more luggage than we've ever traveled with, we arrived in Haiti on Thursday and our arrival and trip to GLA was a real sensory experience. Haiti is just so very different that anywhere else we know. It's a sad place with pockets of joy. Upon our arrival at GLA, we met Jude for the first time. It's funny...neither of us had any nerves. Jude has been ours in our hearts and minds for so long that going to get him just felt like the most natural thing to do; I say we met him physically because we've known this child since we first saw him. He delights us, but he doesn't surprise us.

He had his first major meltdown just a couple of hours after we had him. He wouldn't eat any lunch, and when we took him to our room in the guest house at GLA for nap time, I put him up on the bunk to take his shoes off and he let loose with cries of terror. Poor creature was utterly terrified...new people, new place (the children don't even see the guest house), nothing very familiar. I held him as he cried inconsolably, then gave him to Matt while I looked for something we'd brought in his diaper bag. I slipped into the bathroom to get him a tissue and the fear screams got louder, so I came and took him back from Matthew and he shut off like a switch. From that point on, he was attached to Mama, and I've hardly been able to put him down since. It was such a blessing to us that he bonded with one of us so quickly, but it's been a little hard for Matthew, as Jude has still not connected with him. After that, the only way we could get him to fall asleep was on me...

I'll post more later...

Get on the Airplane - Fly Away!

2008-09-17T05:55:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

This is our last post before heading to Haiti. We are so thankful for all of you. We have prayed often this last week for God's provision, and He has certainly provided - through so many of you! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for all of you who are so excited with us.

Thanks to you, we packed three huge suitcases FULL (as in jammed full) of donations. It was so fun to pack all of those things as we thought of all the kids who will be using them.

We'll be flying out at 3:40 this afternoon from Grand Rapids to Dallas to Ft. Lauderdale. We spend the night tonight in Ft. Lauderdale and fly to Haiti in the morning.

We'll leave Haiti Saturday afternoon, flying first to Miami (where we'll go through immigration with Jude), then to Chicago, then home late.

Thanks for praying. Watch the blog - if we can post photos we will!

Until we return...

Praises and Prayers

2008-09-12T05:45:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Friends and Family -

As we prepare to travel, we want to share our hearts with you all in terms of praises and prayer requests in the hope that you will join us in them in the coming days.

We thank God for:

Already having a visa, so soon after the orphan investigation meeting! We (and our caseworker) are amazed at this. It surely must be a God move.
Our caseworker, Belinda. I've just spent the last forty minutes or so talking with her, and she's guiding us along in our preparation for travel. We've often said that when you pay an agency fee, you aren't hiring someone to "do your adoption". Your paying for administration and getting a dear friend and confidante in return. We continue to be grateful to God for Belinda, who is dear to us not only for her "official" role in our lives, but for her heart as well.
John and Dixie Bickel, and the staff at GLA. These folks are so diligent. Because of them, we don't even have to go to the consular office when we're in Haiti. They've done everything for us. And they've cared for and loved our son for the last two years.
The gift of adoption. Obviously conceiving a child is different than this. But it couldn't possibly be better. No one will ever convince us that Jude is not our son. God has been too faithful for us to ever believe that he's not ours.

Please join us in prayer for:

Our travel preparation. We have lots of packing and planning to do, people to call, plans to make...phew!
Time management! We have much to do in the next week (less than that!) We have class assignments, projects to grade (for Valerie's teaching work), work, packing, planning, and much more. Please pray that we would be wise with our time and that we would be able to accomplish all that we need to before we go.
Our time when we arrive home. So many will want to see Jude, and we want that, too. However, we've been strongly advised by our caseworker to dramatically limit introductions to new people as part of Jude's transition. Our airport welcoming party will be very small, and there are many who we'll want to visit once we've been home for a couple of days. Please pray that we'll be wise, and that Jude will adjust well and attach to us quickly.
The people of Haiti. The news reported that about 150 people died as a result of hurricane Hanna. The reality is that 300 people in one region of the country died. We don't have a total number. But the devastation is extensive and I'm sure we'll see some of it when we're there. Please pray for food for the people, houses to be rebuilt, etc.
For more donations! We'd love to take as much as possible with us. See the previous post if you want to help!

Thanks to all - we'll be posting as we have more!

Getting Packed - Donations, Donations, Donations!

2008-09-12T04:09:00.000-07:00

Well, we're starting to get our heads together a bit, and we'd like to send out a last call for donations. We have quite a few items that we're taking along (see the photo - the left is Jude's, the right is donations!). However, we've been asked what the orphanage still needs in terms of donations we can take down. So, here's a list:

baby thermometers
powdered formulas
powdered premature high calorie formulas (22kcal or 24kcal per oz)
disposable diapers
clothes - especially for 18 mos and older (Remember, GLA has children up to their teens; one of the things they're especially low on right now is clothing for girls older than 18 mos.)
infant and children's vitamins (there are never enough of these, so we'll take all we can)

We are so grateful to those of you who have already donated. For any who still want to, please let us know, and we'll figure a way to collect your items by Wednesday of next week (9/17).

Also, please know that the clothing need not be new. If you have children with clothing that is in good condition and they've grown out of it, we'd love to take it down.

Time to Go!

2008-09-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

Here's what we thought would happen: a message telling us how the orphan investigation went, then another message in a couple of weeks with travel dates a couple of weeks out from that.

Here's what actually happened: a message today with travel dates of 9/18 - 9/20! Jude's visa is complete...apparently on the same day as the orphan investigation - we have no idea how that happened other than to say that we asked God for His hand in the orphan investigation and He answered with a resounding "yes"!

We'll post more later. We have to run now - plans, phone calls, etc....! Thanks to all for walking with us!

Good News - Orphan Investigation Update

2008-09-04T08:09:00.001-07:00

We have received word from our caseworker that Jude's birth mother has been found and that the orphan investigation has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 9. We praise God for this development. Please join us in prayer that in light of all the hurricane woes, everyone including Jude's birth mother will make it to the appointment. Please also pray that the appointment goes without incident and that the US Consulate approves Jude's visa in short order.

Hurricane Season - in Full Swing!

2008-09-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

As I'm sure you have heard in the news, Haiti has been pounded with hurricanes this season. Gustav was weathered well but Hanna brought a little more destruction to the area of our orphanage, God's Littlest Angels. See below, from the blog Bethany keeps on GLA:

"GLA is really noticing the presence of Hurricane Hanna. We just received an email from GLA. They are experiencing really high winds, but little rain. They were not expecting to be hit, and even right now, weather.com is not reporting much impact on Haiti. However, this is not the case. A couple of the metal panels providing cover over the balcony where the children play and the balcony where the children eat their meals have flown off. As well, the solar panels have flown off of the toddler house. The toddler house gate has also been lost. Inside all GLA buildings though, everyone is safe. Please be in prayer for GLA and for all others in Haiti who are being hit hard by Hurricane Hanna."

Then yesterday, posted on the GLA website:

"Hurricane Hannah brought destruction to Haiti last night, September 2nd. Gonaive had flooding with some deaths reported. Our area sustained downed trees, toppled brick walls, and roads blocked. People are already out cutting the trees blocking the roads. Our metal roofs got blown off the house and we lost the internet dish at the Toddler House. The wind was blowing so hard the rain came in around the closed windows of the orphanage and flooded our dining room table and floor! There seems to be as many leaves inside the house as outside! Thankfully, we are all safe and God kept us from harm. Now we just have to clean up from the storm. This was much worse than any storm we have personally seen in the 17 years we have lived in Haiti."

Please be in prayer for GLA and the Haitian people. Ike is next, and Josephine right after. The storms seems to be just lined up and coming in, like planes waiting to land at an airport.

August Jude Update - We Finally Have a Smile!

2008-08-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

This is a little bittersweet, because we weren't supposed to get an August update...we were supposed to be in Haiti getting Jude! However, we're encouraged that after months of photos with no smiles, we finally have a picture of Jude smiling. He's smiling in the pool because he loves the water. Maybe we'll only get smiles in the bathtub! Enjoy...

Visa - Orphan Investigation

2008-08-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

We have been told that the reason Jude's birth mother did not attend the orphan investigation meeting is because the US Consulate only gave the orphanage about 1 1/2 days' notice for the appointment, which is generally not even enough time to find someone in Haiti.

We are very frustrated by this. While we are sure that no one would do this on purpose, it would also seem that (working in Haiti) the Consulate would know that a day and a half isn't enough notice for such an appointment. Since many people in Haiti don't have telephones, the orphanage often has to call a family member to get a message to the birth parent that they are needed at the orphanage, and two or three days later they show up. We have no idea why the Consulate chose to make this appointment with such little notice. We have generally heard of a week's notice for others.

We've also been informed that the Consulate is currently short-staffed. Please pray for them as they seek to process paperwork. To our knowledge, the orphan investigation meeting has not yet been rescheduled.

As you pray for us, first praise God that He seems to be giving us extra grace to endure right now. We had a rough day a few Sundays ago, and have been doing well ever since. Life does not stop. There is no lack of things to do. So we go on, every now and then peeking into Jude's bedroom and thanking God. People have told us that we're doing such a great thing by adopting this child. The reality is that we are acting with pleasure in obedience to a call of God on our lives, and this child is His blessing to us.

We want to be very clear as we ask you to pray further. The delays of the last several months have not been at the hands of the Haitian government. Although very slowly, they have done everything they were supposed to do in our case, and because of this Jude's adoption has been finalized for months. His last name is our last name.

Our delays have been at the hands of our own US Immigration and US Consulate. With all our money and resources, we have a very convoluted and gummed-up system. Please pray for God's hand specifically in this Visa process. Pray for wisdom as our government officials staff the Consular office. Pray for the Consular General (Donald Moore) as he brings on new staff. Please pray for the Consular Adoption Unit Officer (Garry Pierrot) as he conducts orphan investigations and processes adoption paperwork.

At the end of the day, we need system reform. (Ah, what a lofty goal...politicians haven't made it happen, and yet here I state it.) But for today, we'll settle for getting Jude home, and we'll tackle system reform with our letter-writing pen "tomorrow". "After all, tomorrow is another day."

Blessings to you all, and thank you for your prayers. We appreciate you!

It's Hurricane Season!

2008-08-27T08:57:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Gustav has dropped 7 1/2" of rain on GLA, and it isn't finished. However, the worst of it has passed and the staff and children are all well. The orphanage is in the mountains, so they are on high ground.

More News - 08-15-08

2008-08-16T06:58:00.000-07:00

We received word Friday that while the orphan investigation was scheduled for Wednesday, it could not be conducted because Jude's birth mother did not attend. Dixie, our orphanage director is now seeking to find her (again), find out why she did not attend, and get another date scheduled for the orphan investigation. We have been told that the US Consulate is generally very quick about getting these back on the calendar when something like this happens.
Please pray that Dixie will be able to find Jude's birth mother quickly, and that she will attend the next meeting so that Jude can come home.
We are amazed. This adoption is final, and has been legally complete in Haiti for some time now. Getting this child home is proving to be almost a bigger challenge than getting him adopted!
Please join us in prayer. Until we have more news...

Finally - News!

2008-08-12T13:02:00.000-07:00

We just got word today that Jude's orphan investigation is scheduled for tomorrow. This is very good news! This is (finally!) the first step in getting his visa. Once this is done, the US Consulate can approve Jude's visa and have it printed up, and then we'll get travel dates.

We need this bathed in prayer. Please pray tonight and tomorrow whenever you think of us. Pray that everyone who needs to be at the meeting will show up, that Jude's birth mother would answer all questions appropriately, and that the meeting would go without incident.

Also, please pray for Jude's birth mother. Her name is Vanesse. I am sure that tomorrow will be a painful day for her. Pray for comfort to her spirit and peace to her heart.

Until next time...

Photos! Between updates...

2008-08-08T07:08:00.001-07:00

Good morning, all! We still have not heard anything from the US Consulate or Embassy in Haiti. They have about a three-week process to get Jude's visa done. Our papers have been there for two weeks, and to our knowledge, they haven't yet started with the first thing in the visa step. However, we were blessed to spend some time with our caseworker Belinda yesterday, as she has just returned from Haiti. She was kind enough to take a birthday gift to Jude from us, and she was able to spend some time with him there. These photos are so precious. Enjoy...

Jude was the first child who came to the balcony edge to see who was coming through the gate. I do believe he's waiting for us...

Our dear Belinda and our precious Jude. It's obvious as you look at the last photo above why we are so blessed to have Belinda in our lives. She loves Jude. There's no question about it.

Belinda couriered a birthday gift to Haiti for us, as Jude's birthday was on July 24.

So, Belinda said that Jude loves eating time. Just another confirmation that God intended him for us! Just look at that belly - fabulous!

Belinda also told us that when she got this out, Jude connected with it. This is the photo album that we sent to him many months ago...maybe even almost a year. He's touching a photo of us. It sounded like it was obvious that he had seen it before...he recognized it easily.

Please join us in prayer that God would still allow us to travel in August. You may have noticed that Jude doesn't smile much in pictures anymore. Belinda tried to get him to smile all the time she was with him and he never did while she was there. We believe that he's become old enough to have internalized that people leave, so he doesn't connect with new people. It's time. He needs to be home. Each day that goes by will make his attaching time with us longer and more challenging.

Also, pray for the staff of GLA, specifically for Dixie, Stephanie, and Melanie. These ladies work in the office, tracking paperwork throughout the process. They need much prayer that they will be successful as they work with various government agencies, including our aforementioned US Embassy and Consulate.

We are so thankful to God that He sent Belinda to Haiti! What a blessing it has been to us.

Getting Things Together...

2008-07-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

While we don't yet have a green light for travel, we have started to get things together for the trip (and we must give a huge thank you, again, to the ladies of Orangeville Baptist Church, as much of what we've gathered to pack for Jude was given to us by them).

One of the things we are planning to take along is a suitcase (or two) full of donations for the orphans. This is partly to replenish some of what Jude has used while he has lived there, and partly just to support the work of GLA. Well, guess what? You can help!

There are several things the orphanage needs: clothing (esp. 18 mos. and over), 1-pc pajamas (esp. larger sizes), crib sheets, infant and children's vitamins, no-spill infant sippy cups, baby bottles (plastic w/regular nipples), nipples for regular bottles, disposable diapers, powdered formulas, baby thermometers, and school and craft supplies.

This is easy. First, this is a great time to get kid's summer clothing (remember that it's warm in Haiti all the time) on clearance and at garage sales. Also, this is back-to-school time in the coming weeks, so when you're at the store picking up school supplies for your kids, think about purchasing an extra package of pencils or crayons or other supplies. Last, next time you're out and about at the grocery super-store, check the baby section for discontinued/clearance crib sheets, bottles, etc. No one person needs to donate a lot, if we have several people willing to pick up a few dollars' worth of things.

To make this even more easy, you don't even have to bring us the stuff! We'll figure out a way to get to you to pick it up, or have it shipped to us.

We'd love to jam-pack the most humongous suitcase we can get our hands on. Won't you help us love on the kids at GLA, and support this fantastic ministry? Please consider it, and thanks, as always, for walking this journey along with us. It's a blessing and a joy to share it with you.

Happy Birthday to Jude! - 07/25/08

2008-07-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Jude's second birthday. We had hoped to have him home by then, but it was not to be. Our caseworker is traveling to Haiti next week with her church and will be stopping at the orphanage, so we sent a birthday gift with her. We are blessed to have her in our lives.

The ladies of Orangeville Baptist Church gave us our first baby shower, and we feel so blessed! They gave kindly and generously, and now we have our high chair, some wonderful toys, precious clothes, and many other helpful and necessary items. We are so blessed to have these things before traveling to Haiti, as we'll need to take several things along with us. Thank you, ladies! We pray that God will bless you as much as you blessed us!

Nursery Photos! - 07/25/08

2008-07-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

Well, the nursery is ready, and Mom G did the quilt. Great job, Mom G - you can't even tell that it's a first quilt!

This room still smells like paint, so we keep the door closed and the windows open as much as we can, which is good. Walking by an empty nursery ten times a day gets a little tough. Keeping the door closed helps!

Jude's July Update - 07/25/08

2008-07-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

We got our July update for Jude; he's now 25.8 lbs. and 31" long. He had a volunteer for many weeks recently and we are told that it took him about four weeks to show any attachment to her. He's growing and we are anxious to get him home, as the longer he's not with us, the longer it may take him to attach to us. God's timing is perfect, and we trust His will.

Enjoy the pictures. The first is a picture of all the children who are now American, on the fourth of July. The next two are from the birthday party for the July birthday kids. And the last two...well, they're just a real scream.

Waiting for a Visa - 07/25/08

2008-07-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

We received word last week that the US Consulate did indeed receive our paperwork via DHL for Jude's visa. It had been cabled to them as well, but they do not begin the visa process with cabled documents, so we had to wait for the physical copies to arrive. Our orphanage director was planning to go to the Consulate and officially enter the application for Jude's visa either Friday of last week or this past Monday. The Consulate will schedule an orphan investigation in which they request to see Jude's birth mother briefly. This should happen next week, and then they have one or two weeks' worth of work to do and then the orphanage can give us travel dates. We're thinking that at this point, we could hear from them around August 11. We shall see...

Grant Results - 07/07/08

2008-07-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

Well, we got the results from our grant application with Shaohannah's Hope. We were denied. They get so many applications every month, and because all of our income verification is based on last year's tax information, we don't look like we have much of a need. As I like to say, it is what it is...

Progress! - 07/07/08

2008-07-07T14:06:00.000-07:00

Phew! The days are flying by and I've neglected to update on our status with Immigration. My sister and I went there last Monday...it was the strangest experience of my life. It's a bit of a different world there. At any rate, they finally processed our papers, (we got the verification sent by mail), sent them on to the National Visa Center, and the National Visa Center cabled (and sent via DHL) our paperwork to the US Consulate in Haiti. They have two or three weeks worth of work to do and then we'll get travel dates. At this point, we will probably not be traveling in July. Most likely it will be early August. The Detroit immigration office's inaction cost us about three weeks. It is what it is, however, and there's no point in dwelling on it. Onward and upward!

We've ordered a crib (which was a gift - what a blessing!), will be painting Jude's room in the next week or so, and this Saturday Mom G and I will be sewing away, getting Jude's crib bedding ready. That, and my master's class, and helping with Vacation Bible School this week, and trying to run a business at the same time (oh - and filing more paperwork required at this point in the adoption) is keeping us very busy...there's certainly no lack of things to do!

Until next time, happy trails...

Promises, promises... - 06/27/08

2008-06-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

This week our congressional representative has been trying to get a response from USCIS Detroit (immigration) as to whether or not they processed our I600 on Monday as promised. They had asked for additional copies of some documentation after letting our original documentation sit in our file untouched for 9 1/2 weeks. She got nowhere with them, so she finally called the immigration office in Washington DC and asked them to get involved. Today they helped us to discover that the Detroit office signed for our package on Monday and then promptly lost it, letting our case sit dormant for another week. We are deeply disturbed, unspeakably frustrated, and very angry. They committed to us that if we sent our package via Express Mail, they would intercept it and process. They did not keep their commitment.

We now have new instructions to redo what we sent last week and drive it to Detroit, which we were previously advised not to do. We have specific people to whom we're to give our package, then we're to call our congressional representative to let her know we've done the delivery. The Washington DC office is now overseeing the processing of our I600, and Detroit has been instructed that they are to process it immediately upon receipt Monday. We shall see what happens. This is increasingly amazing with each day that goes by.

We praise God for:

Belinda, our caseworker. She came back from a very brief vacation on Wednesday and dove right back into our case with the grace that characterizes her. She is a treasured confidante and has soothed many tears of frustration and bewilderment today.
Our church family who continues to pray for us and is planning to give us a baby shower on July 20 so that we will have some things for Jude before we go to Haiti.
God's plan. As my sister so gently reminded me, according to Romans 8:29 while we do not know why this all is happening, it means that if we are listening, still of heart, and open to God molding us and shaping us then Jude's Momma and Poppie will be more like Christ by the time he comes home. That's not something you trade in for any amount of ease.
Our congressional representative, Mitzi. She has been very helpful, kind and gracious as she has sensed our frustration. We appreciate her!

We pray for:

God to move the hands of the people in Detroit, and then at the National Visa Center, and then at the US Consulate in Haiti, so that we can go get Jude and bring him home.
Us to remain still of heart and clear thinking, and to continue to respond to these challenges with grace and kindness to those at fault.

Thanks for praying. Stay tuned!

Jude's June Update - 06/20/08

2008-06-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

So much has happened this week. It seems things have changed moment by moment.

One thing that happened today is a new update! We love those! Many volunteers have come to GLA this summer already and many more are scheduled. Seven children have been united with their families in the past month. This is great for the kids, as it helps them developmentally to have some individual attention.

Jude is getting a little more confident in his walking and has become more willing to walk. He's become strong enough to go outside of the orphanage for short periods of time and the rough terrain has been good for his balance. Getting outside the orphanage, he's now seen trees and mountains from ground level, and has seen cars and non-orphanage-related people and animals other than the orphanage dog for the first time.

Oh yeah - and we just go word that he's a real cuddler...you just have to love that.

This month marks the end of the rainy season, so everything is lush and in bloom. Therefore the theme is flowers, including Haiti's best flowers of all - the children of GLA. Oh...the cheeks...the eyes...the cuteness!

Jude's Passport Has Been Printed! - 06/20/08

2008-06-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

As I was on the telephone with the Haiti liaison at Bethany's corporate office, she received an email notifying her that Jude's passport has been printed and GLA has it in hand! This is very exciting! Next week they will be completing his medical exam.

However, this does indeed mean that the inaction of USCIS has now halted the progress. All they can do in Haiti is the medical exam. Then they sit and wait for the US Consulate to receive from USCIS and the National Visa Center what they should have received weeks ago. Normally once USCIS passes on our I600 paperwork to the NVC, it takes the NVC one to two weeks to get it to the Consulate.

So, given the lack of response from USCIS and the fact that they now are the cause of our adoption coming to a standstill, we have continued to work with our congressional office. The lady we're working with has committed to following up on Monday to be sure that our I600 was indeed processed by USCIS. Then, she's going to call the NVC and try to get their part expedited. We appreciate her!

We just may get this babe home by his birthday yet!

What a Week! - 06/20/08

2008-06-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to all of you for your prayers this week as we've worked with USCIS in Detroit and our congressional office. After constant (read: hours of) correspondence with the folks in Detroit, we've finally progressed! We were informed that, lo and behold, all the paperwork they have needed from us has been sitting in our case file since we sent it on April 11 and they cannot explain why. (I can explain why: it's because they didn't open the file when our caseworker initiated contact with them on April 29th!)

We now have a specific person there to whom we are addressing our correspondence and this person has informed us that they need certified copies of Jude's Haitian adoption finalization papers. We originally thought that meant copies certified by Haiti, but he clarified. For each of the twelve pages of Jude's paperwork we had to have a separate page of our signatures, notarized, stating that the copies we provided were unaltered to our knowledge. Amazing. That wasn't part of what they originally asked for, and no one has ever been asked for that before in Michigan that our caseworkers know of. You didn't know we were quite that special, did you?

Well, we found that out yesterday afternoon, completed it today, and sent it Express Mail to Detroit, where this particular person has committed to personally processing our I600 and forwarding it to the National Visa Center on Monday. Progress - praise the Lord!

This has been tiring, and we are thankful for those who held us up and held us close. A "walk and talk" with my sister Wednesday evening was a real encouragement, and we are thankful to God for ones He's put close to us. Happy Friday to all!

Fundraising Update - 06/18/08

2008-06-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

We mentioned the cleft bottle campaign, and it generated another opportunity, so golfers, check this out!

A very generous friend who is a PGA golf instructor has kindly offered to host a golf-a-thon during which he'll give one-hour golf lessons for ten hours and 2/3 of the proceeds generated will go toward our adoption!

Details:
Times are limited for your golf lesson! Lessons for the golf-a-thon are only available June 23, from 6am to 4pm. Call Scott Seifferlein at 616.802.4969 to set up your lesson time. You can check out his website at www.grandrapidsgolflesson.com.

With the purchase of the golf instruction session you will receive:

one hour of golf instruction
KVEST instruction (www.k-vest.com)
video instruction
take home CD
e-mail consultation
complimentary practice balls after your session.

This premium session is a $150 investment. Plus $100 of your golf instruction investment will be donated to Jude’s Adoption Fundraiser!!

Tell any friends who you think might be interested!

Working with our congressman - 06/18/08

2008-06-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

Well, the I600 we mentioned in a previous post has still not been processed and the issue is still not resolved. After a month of trying to get information out of USCIS (immigration) in Detroit and receiving only vague anemic responses, our caseworker has finally recommended that we go to our congressman as a last resort. I spent this morning gathering documentation and drafting a letter of consent (for privacy issues) to Fred Upton's office so that they could look into our case. Jude's passport will be printed sometime between this Friday and next (June 20 - 27), and if we do not have the I171 (which is the response to the I600), the whole thing will come to a stop. We need USCIS to process that I600 into an I171 in order to move on. If they do, we're within a month or so of traveling.

Monday I called the National Visa Center and they will not talk to me unless I have the file number off our I171, which we do not have from USCIS because they haven't processed the I600. USCIS is sending us to the National Visa Center. They will not acknowledge the lack of I171.

Our caseworker has been very specific with USCIS in what we are asking the status of and they have emailed in circles as they apparently do not understand the differences in their own forms. It's really quite amazing. They no longer allow people to drive to their office and just "show up" as they did years ago.

Needless to say, we are deeply frustrated, and need much prayer in this area. Pray that this will shake loose, and that in the meantime, we will wait and respond in a way that glorifies the Lord.

Bottom line: God is still on the throne and He is good, He knows our every need, and Jude is in His care as are we. We will choose to take a posture of worship in our hearts knowing that He is bigger than all of this. We are grateful for our case worker, Belinda, as well as for our congressman's office and his staff.

We'll keep you up to date as things progress. Thanks for your prayers - they are not taken for granted.

Fundraiser - 06/14/08

2008-06-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

All - we've decided to do a little fundraiser to continue to raise money to pay for Jude's adoption. We are going to order a dozen cleft palate bottles, which are not available in developing countries and are desperately needed to save the lives of cleft-affected babies. We'd like to place those bottles and have them filled with change. The change will go toward Jude's adoption costs; the bottles will then be sterilized and sent to an orphanage that needs them.

Please let us know if you would be willing and able to place a cleft bottle at your place of business or at your church. We'll get the bottle(s) to you, and we'll pick them up. You just need to set it out and let us know when it's full. Email us or post a comment and we'll follow up with you. Thanks in advance for the help!

Jude's Passport Approval! - 06/14/08

2008-06-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we got word from our case worker that Jude's passport has been approved and sent for printing! This is great news.

Now we await our own USCIS (immigration) approval of Jude's I600. Please pray about this. This is what we need in order for the US Consulate in Haiti to do what they need to do before Jude can come home. If we get the I600, we could be looking at about a month before we travel. However, our I600 has been at USCIS for longer than usual - approximately nine weeks. Monday I'll be placing a call to the National Visa center to try to learn whether or not it's made it that far from the Detroit USCIS office. Our case worker, Belinda, has been emailing the Detroit office to try to get status updates and has yet to get details on our case.

With this little glitch and even with all the time we've spent pursuing this adoption, we have to say still that we love adoption! We are passionate about this. It seems to be the very heartbeat of God in our lives. Some of you have seen Chariots of Fire in which Eric Liddell testifies that God made him fast and when he runs, "...I feel His pleasure." Well, that's how we feel about adoption. Never in either of our lives have we felt God's will more strongly. Through this process God has taken things we've known and believed, and He's written them on our hearts as deep enduring convictions...things like: God is good; miracles are real; God is at work in the world; He knows what we need; He is pleased to reveal Himself to us.

Over and again we thought we'd have Jude home by a certain date. The latest prayer has been that God would allow him to come home by his second birthday, which is July 24. But we've been so ready to let that go like every other date we've hoped for, and the thought that we might no have to is just amazing!

Passport printing takes 1 - 2 weeks; the I600 goes to the US Consulate in Haiti at which point they initiate Jude's Visa and his orphan investigation (during which they interview his birth mother, etc.). This also takes 1 - 2 weeks. Then we get travel dates. As you can see, we need that I600.

We don't take your prayers for granted - they are so appreciated! Pray about the I600, and stay tuned!

Also, please pray for the family of our caseworker, Belinda. They live in Iowa; her brother is a farmer and his fields have washed out three times this year. It's going to be a rough season.

Thoughts for May - 05/30/08

2008-05-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

This update includes a multitude of random thoughts...enjoy!

The Chapmans:

First, some of you may have heard that Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman lost their youngest adopted daughter, Maria, after she was accidentally run over in the family's driveway. This family has been a consistent voice for adoption throughout the world, calling God's people everywhere to fulfill the scriptural exhortation to care for orphans and widows. The tragedy of losing a child is unimaginable, and as I listened to the news reports I couldn't help but think of Job 1:21: "..."Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job had just lost everything and everyone except his wife...literally. He lost his possessions (including those which were his livelihood), his riches, every one of his children, his property, and then lost his health. And still the Lord was to be praised.

Strangely, I had just heard a message from Dr. David Jeremiah, calling parents to show their faith to their children by how we respond when our family experiences trial; those responses...reveal the reality (or lack) of our faith. As I prayed for the Chapmans, I couldn't help but wonder what God will ask Matthew and I to respond to throughout our lives, knowing that Jude will be watching and learning, and I couldn't help but ask God to give us grace for what moments our future holds so that Jude would learn the lesson we want him to learn: that God is good, His Word is truth, and our circumstances cannot change that no matter what they are.

Incidentally, the Chapmans are asking for donations to their adoption charity: http://www.shaohannahshope.org/, in lieu of cards and condolences, etc.

The Shiras:

This month also brought the news that the Shira family (also adopting from GLA) received approval for their girls' passports! We rejoice with them - fabulous! They are a dear couple with two boys and they are adopting three darling sisters from GLA: http://www.shiraadopton.blogspot.com/. Their girls' passports were applied for the week before Jude's. Maybe we'll hear something soon! Congratulations Shiras!

Jude:

Well, there have been personnel changes at GLA recently, so we're so amazed that these fantastic people even did updates this month...the energy they must have! We didn't get as much detail as usual, but we did get pictures, and those are most delightful anyway. :)

Jude hasn't gained weight, and he's only grown about 1/4", but his weight is redistributing and he looks much longer! This child is growing, and it won't be long now before he's growing here at home. We still hope to travel this summer, so it will be fun at the end of the summer to pick the garden with him and teach him that food comes from God and the ground He gave us...not Meijer! Grandma Dawn already has a book created with bright pictures of all kinds of vegetables so she can help teach him.

Check out this month's photos:

So that's our (long!) baby.

This month:

Earlier this month I (Valerie) went to Tennessee for the graduation of my youngest sister, and then to Pennsylvania for the graduation of our brother-in-law. College graduations...always inspiring. In Tennessee I was able to learn to braid and twist African hair. My baby sis has a friend who is a master at it. Thanks Courtney!

Hopefully soon we can tell you all that Jude's passport is approved. Until then...

Jude's April Update - 04/29/08

2008-04-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

We have new pictures, and news of what God is doing for GLA. We just love sharing this with all of you!

Yesterday we got an update on Jude. He's begun to walk very short distances between people and things, and stands strong on his own now with great confidence. He's also getting more vocal. In addition to "Mwem, mwem!" (me, me!), he now says uh-oh and bye-bye in the appropriate contexts and continually tests his voice with the volunteers and orphanage workers.

It seems that our baby is beginning to finally grow into a toddler, and while it is bittersweet for us as we must watch from afar, we are so grateful to God for the people he's put in Jude's life to help him grow and thrive as he should. Loving our son is their offering of worship to the God they love and serve, and we are thankful He called them to this mission in Haiti.

We also got news in the update of what the Lord has done for the orphanage in the midst of the chaos (rioting, etc.) in recent weeks throughout Haiti:

"Because of the problems downtown and the road blockages, we began to run low on supplies such as cooking propane and water. Just as our supplies had run out, we were blessed with successive miracles from His Grace: six water trucks, a large diesel shipment, and a fresh supply of propane. Each thing we thought we may run out of was suddenly replenished. These are continued examples of how we know that the work we are doing here is blessed by Him! Thank you all for your prayers during this time, as they lifted us up, and supplied our needs."

God is a God of miracles, and He cares for the hurting here and abroad. He meets the true seeker where he or she is and He supplies the needs of His children as they live in obedience to His will. He causes the rain to fall on the righteous and the wicked alike, and He provides His word as a salve to our hearts and a motivator to our hands and feet. He is good. Regardless of the time it takes to get this child home, we will stand firm in the knowledge that God is good and His timing is perfect and exactly what He knows we need.

We still must report that we are yet in the passport phase with the Minister of Interior. If he abides by his word to process passports more quickly (in one month), we should get word of Jude's passport completion any day. If he does not, the passport will not be complete for another couple of months.

This Friday we go to our local immigration office to be fingerprinted again...I still think it's funny that fingerprints expire.

Please join us in prayer this week. We thank God for:

Immigration returning our re-fingerprinting check due to a new policy that states that one re-fingerprinting appointment shall be free of charge - what a blessing!
The people described in this link (take a quick peek to put a face on those who are serving our son and our God): GLA staff
More work for Valerie - what a blessing from the Lord!
Belinda (our caseworker) and BCS (our agency) - we went last weekend to a session on fostering attachment and bonding with adopted children - it was enjoyable and helpful, and these folks gave up their Saturday to put this on for us and several other families
Our parents, who are interested enough and supportive enough in what we're doing and who love our son enough already to give up their own Saturday to come with us to the above - what fun it was to have them along!

And we pray for:

MoI and the passport processing in Haiti
The orphanage workers in Haiti
The masses of people in Haiti in utter and complete poverty; their needs are deep and staggering

Thanks so much for joining us in prayer. Now, on to the new pictures - enjoy the cuteness!

(Hmmm...already getting into things - yikes!

Update on the Situation in Haiti - 4/15/08

2008-04-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

There has been word from the orphanage that things are indeed settling down in Haiti. The orphanage workers are able to move about again, government offices are open again, and adoptions are moving along. This is good news.

We continue to keep the country in our prayers. They are literally a starving country, with deep-seated economic and political problems. Last weekend the prime minister was ousted, and there have been reports of people in some of the slums eating "mud cookies" (dirt mixed with butter) to keep from starving to death.

There are parts of the world experiencing pain we cannot even imagine. The people of Haiti have been made in the likeness and image of God, just as all people. They are in deep need of compassion, aid, and sustainable infrastructure. Band-aids will not fix the woes of Haiti and its people. They need the hope of the true gospel, and the live sustaining blessing of an economy that can support its people.

Happenings in Haiti - 04/14/08

2008-04-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the people of Haiti. Food, which is scarce to begin with, has skyrocketed from a price standpoint. GLA (the orphanage where Jude is) has experienced more than a 33% increase in the food costs for the children. In addition, gasoline last week was at $5.93 USD. There was rioting and looting in the cities. This didn't reach GLA in the mountains, but the high cost of fuel and the roadblocks placed to try to control the rioting have affected propane and water trucks getting to the orphanage. Last week, they ran out of propane and had to "get creative" to feed the children, as it's propane that fuels their stoves. As of Friday 4/11, GLA was out of water, but it seemed that things were calming and people were able to move around again. Roadblocks had begun to be cleaned up, but not enough for the large water trucks to pass. Please pray for the safety of the children and workers, and that things will indeed settle down this week.

Incidentally, this has affected adoptions in that the government offices had to close down for safety during the worst of the rioting last week. Demonstrators broke through the gates of the Civil Court and the Palace. They called for the resignation of the Prime Minister. The workers at GLA tried to take paperwork to the courts, and the clerk told them not to come. Courts, passports, visas...all on hold as of last week. Please pray that things will open again.

Hungry mob attacks Haiti palace
Haitian rioters storm presidential palace

More News - 04-08-08

2008-04-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Well this is wild. We got word today as we confirmed all the documents we needed to send with our I-600, that US immigration has a new person in the Detroit office and has been taking longer than normal with I-600 processing. What does this mean?

Well, the I-600 is what Haiti needs to complete what they call an orphan investigation. Normally it's done while waiting for the passport to be processed. However, if the Minister of Interior does indeed begin processing passports in one month as promised, we could be waiting on our own government next!

Add this to your prayers for us. Thanks to all; happy Tuesday!

-Matthew and Valerie

Developments - Please Join us in Prayer - 04/06/08

2008-04-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

We've just been on the GLA website and saw an encouraging update. Apparently there was a meeting last Thursday (4/3) that included the Minister of the Interior, the Director of Immigration, and all the orphanage directors in the country. It is the MoI that approves passports, and they have been taking a very long time this past year. Currently they stand at around three months, and this is good compared to the time they have been taking.

The Minister was questioned by one of the other officials regarding why passports are taking so long. He responded that he was not aware of the problem and agreed that there was no reason for the delay. At the passport stage, there is no reason to re-evaluate all the papers. They should simply be signed, as at that point the adoption is already legally complete. The attorney for the MoI was told that unless there are problems with the paperwork, passports are to be approved within one month of going into MoI. It was agreed upon.

Also - developments on the grant front: We were contacted this week by the Gift of Adoption Fund, and were told that they have tentatively planned to bring our application before the grant committee in the month of April! Getting this grant would be a huge blessing! We're also considering a "baby bottle drive" as a way to raise funds. There are orphanages that need cleft palette bottles, and we are considering buying a box, placing the bottles in various locations so people can fill them with change for Jude's adoption, then sterilizing the bottles and donating those an orphanage that needs them. Let us know if you think this is a good idea - post a comment; we'd love to hear feedback ahead of time.

Please join us in prayer for the following:

That MoI would abide by their commitment (this means Jude's passport could be done by the end of April instead of the end of June!)
That we would be awarded a Gift of Adoption Fund grant in the month of April

If MoI abides by their commitment and Visa applications also get a bit quicker, it is possible that God could work to have us travel at the very end of May or very early June. As always, we hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Adoption is a moving target!

I-600 - 04/02/08

2008-04-02T19:20:00.000-07:00

You might remember that in our post "We're In Passports! 03/28/08" that we mentioned the I-600 that we have to fill out while we're waiting for the passport papers to be processed. Well, a group of documents has to accompany it, and we got those documents today so we'll be submitting the I-600 in the next day or so. The approval of this document will allow the orphan investigation to be completed in Haiti so that Jude's Visa can be applied for when his passport is done.

What we didn't know is that those documents that we received would be Jude's Authorization of Adoption, Adoption Certificate, Birth Certificate, and Relinquishment Papers, all with their English translations. We were blessed to see that his legal name in Haiti is now Djouvens Derise Garrett. How about that!

With that said, it was bittersweet to read the documents. Things are so sadly different in Haiti. Jude's birth certificate wasn't created until October 10, even though he was born on July 24. No excited family waiting at the hospital for the joyous arrival of a new addition. Just a scared impoverished mother in the middle of the night bearing a child she would be unable to provide for. There were two witnesses with her at the creation of the birth certificate, and the certificate states "we signed it with the person appearing (Jude's birth mother) and without the witnesses. They did not know how." I cannot imagine not knowing how to write my own name...

The excerpt from the Relinquishment: "She declared to us that she is entrusting and giving her minor son unconditionally and irrevocably to the nursery 'God's Littlest Angels', run my Mrs. Dixie Bickel, who will place her above mentioned son for adoption either abroad or in Haiti, to be adopted by any couple who wishes to do so, conforming with the decree of April 4, 1974 concerning adoptions. Then she requested that we record her declaration. She was requested to sign. She did."

We have a photo of Jude's mother, whose name we choose to protect. She is lovely, slender and tall with high cheekbones and wide eyes, which Jude got from her. As I read this I see her signing, in my mind's eye, and I hurt for her. She will miss the joy that we will experience for the rest of our lives. She hasn't seen the smiles on the face of the chubby child we have come to know through monthly updates and photographs. She has given up a part of herself, so that he could become a part of us. Adoption is a bittersweet miracle.

GLA and Haiti - 03/29/08

2008-03-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

Since so many are walking this journey with us, we thought you might like to see where Jude actually lives right now. God's Littlest Angels is a mission orphanage in Haiti, started by John and Dixie Bickel as a ministry to the people of Haiti. They were serving in Haiti at a hospital and were deeply touched by the high infant mortality rate in Haiti, and the very high rate of premature births (largely due to malnourishment). At GLA (started in 1994) they rehabilitate some tiny little skin-and-bone babies so that they can then go back to their families; many others are placed for adoption.

For the story of GLA's beginnings: http://www.glahaiti.org/who_we_are
For before/after photos of children: http://www.glahaiti.org/photos/before_after_photos
For the latest adoption news posted by Dixie: http://www.glahaiti.org/adoption_news

Here are some pictures of GLA's current facilities...

GLA is currently raising money to build a new orphanage. With 150 children, lots of staff, director living quarters for the Bickels, and quarters for adoptive families to stay when they come to get their children, space is at a premium. Oh - and we mustn't forget an office where staff works through all the adoption paperwork! Rent is also expensive, and water must be trucked at additional costs each week. Below is a link to an architectural rendering of the new orphanage. Land had been purchased, and building is next! http://www.glahaiti.org/orphanage_building_plans

So, what is daily life like at the orphanage? Well, we won't know for sure until we get there, but why don't you just imagine diapers for eighty children, and laundry and feeding for 150! Oh - and check out the pictures below.

As for Haiti itself, we'll find out firsthand of course when we go, but as we see from here, it's beauty and squalor, culture and weariness...and need. The people are desperately poor, with nearly two thirds without official employment. Average income statistics have been stated in different places at between $377 and $450 per year. That's a month's groceries for many of us. There is little clean water; children die daily. Ministries like GLA set out to change this, one life at a time.

We can't take credit for these great photos. Some came from the GLA website, and some came from a page we found on-line: http://trentrollings.spaces.live.com/photos/
This young man has been to Haiti and GLA twice. If you're interested, you'll find his website is rich with photos and video: http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=9202285894695593340

If anyone wants more information about Haiti, we have it...we put together some research to help our niece write a report for school. We'll be glad to send along what we found. Just post a comment to that end, and we'll pass it on to you.

Thoughts from Isaiah 40 - 03/28/08

2008-03-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

Recently, one of our pastors asked us to study Isaiah 40 together as a couple. We were struck by verse eleven and its relevance to our lives right now: "Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes." That's the God we serve. He tends, gathers, carries, and gently leads. He is so tender toward us. It's funny...sometimes I think how silly we must look to Him as he watches our futile efforts to live in our own wisdom, and yet time and again, He choses to respond to us by tending, gathering, carrying, and gently leading.

Another take-away from Isaiah 40 comes from verses 28 and 29 and 31. "The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power." "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Those are great words for anyone embarking on a long journey, whether it's adoption or something else. We have at our disposal an endless source of strength, Who understands us and our challenges far better than we can ever hope to understand ourselves. That's our God.

He is the God who "vindicates the orphan and the oppressed" (Psalm 10:18). He is the God we serve.

Musings - 03/28/08

2008-03-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

We have been on the adoption journey since August, 2006, when we first contacted Bethany Christian Services. Along the way, although we've had our "weak moments", by-and-large we've trusted God for His timing. In the last year, we've heard all sorts of comments - from hostile to hilarious - from skin color to child-rearing - from friendly needling to the most "un"-helpful things to wonderful words of wisdom. We know it's only the beginning, and our Lord has heard it all right along with us, and watched as we've responded, and consoled as we have hurt, and smiled as we have looked to Him, and taught us much!

We've had so many random thoughts through these last many months. For example, my mother is known for being outside after dark just to pull a few more weeds, or water a few more plants. This past summer I found myself glancing at the setting sun as I fervently pulled weeds, getting the unmistakable sense that I was burning daylight and almost out of it, and I just might not get all the flower beds cleaned out like I'd hoped. I began to wonder...will my children love the garden? Do I do what I do because I've spent thirty years watching my mother do it, or because my mother's genes are woven into the fabric of my own being? I suppose it's both. I've heard strong opinions from both perspectives. My thoughts: My son is my son...no matter who he "takes after". God has called us to obedience, regardless, and that's where we find blessing. Who he's like...does it really matter? We think not.

There are things about adoption that no one says out loud...like you might not respond the way you think you will the first time you see your child. It might scare you when it becomes that real. Instead of seeing him and "knowing he's yours" you just might see him and think "oh my...it's real now - I hope we're doing the right thing." But that's just another one of the joys, and through it, you know yourself better, you learn God better (if you're listening) and you look forward to what else He has in store.

On a lighter - and funnier - note, my most recent "comment of the week" was from a dear-hearted well-intentioned elderly woman who, upon hearing that we were still waiting for the passport application to be submitted said, "Well gee...he's gonna be walking and talking and all grown up by the time you get him!" Super...that helps the wait! Thanks for the input! We smile at the contributions of the well-intentioned, and once we get over the ouch we usually laugh!

We're in Passports! 03/28/08

2008-03-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

All - we just got word that GLA applied for Jude's passport today! Praise God for His goodness! We are very excited. The two-week process for the legalization signature took two and a half weeks for us. It is what it is, and we are not into the next step. In the meantime, baby keeps growing...funny - that's how things work. We are praying to have him home by his second birthday which is on July 24th. We have passports and Visa to get through, and including the "sub-steps", here's what needs to happen:

Passports

Minister of Interior (this is the bulk of the passport time, where the paperwork is studied and approved)
Passport printing
While we're waiting for the above, we have to submit an I-600 (another piece of immigration documentation - this one requests to have Jude considered our immediate relative in the US now that he is legally ours in Haiti)

Paperwork review (spelling errors are common in Haiti, so after the passport is complete, GLA has to go through all documentation to have any needed corrections made.)
US Visa

Upon approval of the afore-mentioned I-600 (which will have already been done), the US Consulate in Haiti will complete an orphan investigation for Jude which will include the following:
an interview with Jude's birth mother
a medical exam of Jude by a US approved doctor in Haiti
GLA will complete another piece of paperwork (called a DS-230) and attach it to Jude's Visa application, and submit it to the US Consulate. They generally hear back within 1 - 2 weeks.

Travel!

After GLA hears from the US Consulate, they can schedule a Visa appointment and give us travel dates!

To have Jude home for his birthday, we must be out of passports in under three months. God can do that! Join us in prayer. For now, we are thanking God that in Haiti, at least, Jude is legally ours. How great is that?!

New Update - 03/20/08

2008-03-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

Today we received a precious new update from GLA about Jude. First, they expect his paperwork to be out of legalization any day now, and they'll be able to apply for his passport at that point. So, this month's update featured the passport photo they took of him. As you can see, it's not just adults that have to live with passport "mug-shots". Even the cutest among us have passports that don't show us in our best light! Poor little guy...kind of looks like he just woke up.

Second, part of our adoption paperwork from GLA asks that we send a photo album to our child (regardless of how young they are) as soon as we can. So, we sent ours to Jude a few weeks ago and when it arrived they photographed him looking through it. It contained photos of us, his new home, his aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and pastors...all important people in our lives, who will also be important people in his life. We are told that after a short time of looking through the book, he started "talking" to it.

We feel so blessed. Before we accepted Jude, someone else got him as a referral and they said no because he was born premature. We are so happy that God planned for him to be ours!

One Step Closer - 03/10/08

2008-03-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

We just got word that Jude's paperwork moved into legalization on Friday! This is the last step needed before the application for his passport is filed. Legalization generally takes two weeks, so he should be in passports (with the office of the Minister of the Interior) by the end of March. Join us in praise to God!

We're so excited for the day when we can all be in the same photo!

A Clarification - 03/10/08

2008-03-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

It has come to our attention that our last post (in combination with the new 'Donate' button) was not very clear, so we'd like to share with you some details regarding the request for help that was part of that post. Please note that this isn't meant to illicit sympathy; we just want to be transparent about the realities of why we've placed the 'donate' button on the site and what it's for.

We started this process at the end of 2006 with an income more than twice what it is today. In the fall, immediately on discovering the coming change in income, I went to see our caseworker to ask how it would affect our adoption. It does not change our adoption. The Haitian government has not stopped the paperwork; it's still moving through the process. With that said, we do still have about $11,000 in outstanding costs, and we'll need about $1,500 to travel (we think in June at the earliest now). We do not currently have this money.

Our first priority is to raise the money for travel. This is why we placed the donate button on the blog. Donations made through the blog go directly into a PayPal account we have set up specifically for this purpose. Anything above $1,500 will go toward the larger costs.

We have applied for two grants, and won't hear "rulings" from either of them until late April or May. The challenge we face with both of these grants is that the tax return information they are looking at does not reflect our current situation. While we anticipate some help from them, we're anticipating that it will likely be on the lower end of their ranges. Additionally, as part of our application with one of them, they want to know what we're doing to raise the money we need; if they're going to give us money, they want to know that we're making an effort as well. Their first suggestion is to ask family and friends, so asking you to help us is one of the main things we're doing to that end.

Even with all of that, we don't think adoption is financially impossible! It's a step of faith. You can't get help until you've already initiated an adoption. There's a lot of help out there through individuals, grants, and tax credits. However, it's only through individuals that we can raise money for the travel costs we need.

God is big. He will provide the money we need, whether it be through you as individuals, through more work for us, or through some other means. He will provide it and we trust Him to do that. He expects us to take responsibility, however, for the part we can have, and that is what we are trying to do by asking for help.

PS - If you prefer donating through our agency, please send your donation (marked "Garrett Adoption") to:
Bethany Christian Services
ATTN: Belinda Geertsma
12048 James Street
Holland, MI 49424

Belinda is our caseworker and has previously expressed her willingness to take donations for us, but advised that those monies would go directly toward the larger amount and not for our travel.

Garrett Adoption Update - 03/06/08

2008-03-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

I have been negligent in updating! We have many photos to share, as GLA has been sending our monthly updates as usual. First, here to your right is a belated Merry Christmas from Jude.

Oh - and since it's been so long, Happy New Year and Happy Valentine's Day from Jude as well. I must admit, I was a little taken aback at the pool photo because we got that update during one of our recent snow storms...and then I remembered how far away this little one is! They get to do that in Haiti...you know - swim in January.

Well, we've made it through the court system in Haiti, and are now just waiting for a couple more signatures before Jude's passport is applied for. We should be about done with the first of those two signatures, so we're hoping to have his passport application in to the Minister of the Interior by the end of this month.

We had news previously that passports were taking three to six months. They just were moving out of the MoI desperately slowly. However, we have heard word that three months is getting more and more realistic, and the GLA website continues to post updates that are positive in this area. Passports are coming out of MoI steadily now - Praise the Lord! At this point, we expect to go to Haiti in the summer. As always, we hope for earlier and expect later. That's just the way it works.

In the meantime, life goes on here in Michigan. Valerie has continued with her business, and while it's going well, she could use a bit more work. However, she loves being in business for herself! Matthew's workplace is experiencing some change and he's considering returning to school for a business degree.

Frankly, the winter has really nailed our pocketbooks. We've spent our Haiti travel money on our propane bills...ugh! You know, when you build a house and you have propane, the propane company comes and sets up a big "pig" in your yard...that's what they call the tank. Well, this winter it certainly has lived up to its name! We've used our fireplace quite a lot, and have enjoyed many cozy days because of it, but that pig just keeps eating.

We are trusting God to replace that money, and are doing what we can in the meantime, so if you feel moved to help bring Jude home, please click on the button to the left and make a donation! All monies collected will go directly toward his adoption costs.

We must say that we have been so blessed by knowing how many of you have been praying for us. Know that we do not take this for granted in the least. It's such a joy to know that we have so many interceding for us and for Jude. So, for you prayer warriors, please join us in the following...

We praise God for:

His continued provision financially as Valerie's business is so new
More people who want to hear our updates!
The adoption process is moving along again
Jude is healthy and happy

We pray that:

God would help us to raise the money we need to travel to Haiti and to finish paying for our adoption costs
We would be awarded two grants that we've applied for to help with the above (one is from Shaohannah's Hope, and the other is from The Gift of Adoption Fund)
God would give us wisdom as we consider where Matt should go to school and whether or not to sell our house
Valerie's business would grow
Passports would continue to move quicker and quicker out of the Minister of Interior's office

Thanks for reading! Until next time, enjoy these last few photos...does this look like a kid who's loving life or what?!

Matthew and Valerie

Garrett Adoption Update - 10/31/07

2007-10-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

Family and Friends,

Greetings from the Garretts! Our last update was three months ago, and at that time our paperwork had just been logged into step one (IBESR) with the Haitian government. We are pleased to report that we have now, as of Monday (10/29), entered step two, which is called Parquet. Our paperwork went through IBESR in almost exactly three months…maybe just under that by a few days. IBESR had been taking about 3 – 4 months at our last update from Haiti, so we are very pleased with the speed at which our papers made it through. As you may remember, steps are:

IBESR (social services)

Parquet (courts)

Ministry of Interior (passports)

Visa application

We are glad to tell you that things still seem to be moving along in Haiti fairly well for the most part. Dossiers (paperwork packages) are coming out of various parts of the process and moving on to the next. It’s never as quick as anyone would like, but movement is good. Good news: per an update posted on the GLA website October 26, 15 dossiers had come out of the Ministry of Interior (passports) in the ten days prior. The Ministry of Interior has hired two additional people to help process paperwork.

Much has happened in the last three months. First, as many of you know, I am no longer with Herman Miller due to a recent restructure. As strange as that has been, Matthew and I are seeing God’s hand in it, as we had been praying for a long time for God to show us a way to get more flexibility into my schedule before the baby comes home. He has opened several doors for me to do work on a contract basis, and we are very excited about that. I am currently working to get my LLC papers sent in and get everything else in place (business insurance, etc.) by the beginning of December. So, don’t feel bad for me – I’ve wanted to start my own business for years, and lo and behold, I now have the time to do it! The Lord cleared my schedule completely! I’ve also been able to take the time to help my folks move after selling the house they raised us girls in. Thirty years worth of life takes some help to move, don’t you know!

We are also happy to report that our brother-in-law, Mike Fritz (Valerie’s sister’s husband) has accepted a call by our church to come on board as the Associate Pastor, and will be moving back to Michigan in mid-December. We are very excited about this! Mike and LeAnn are very dear to us…a gift from God, really. It will be very special for us to have them local again around the time when Jude comes home.

Otherwise, we are well. For you faithful praying ones, please see below:

We praise God for:

*Mike and LeAnn’s pending move to Michigan (pray for their Pennsylvania house to sell!)

*contract work for Valerie

*good and helpful friends He’s given us; we have extra appreciation for them in the midst of the job loss

We pray for:

*officials in the Haitian government; they are scheduled to vote on a new set of adoption laws in November, which is supposed to clarify and streamline the process quite a lot

*our dossier in Parquet; while we are glad it’s moved to that step, Parquet has become a bit of a ‘black hole’. Only GLA’s attorneys are allowed to communicate with Parquet, and even that is limited. GLA is not allowed to go there to check on dossiers without an invitation, and dossiers aren’t getting out of Parquet very quickly. There are some dossiers that have been stuck in Parquet since April and May of this year. Please pray for these families, as well as praying that ours doesn’t become one of the ‘stuck’ ones.

*Dixie, John, and the staff of GLA, particularly in light of the Parquet issues. They cannot tell anyone where their dossier is in Parquet, and I am sure this frustrates all.

*Chris and Lea – these are two new staff members at GLA and they are the ones who send our monthly updates; please pray for them as they settle in and make the transition to Haitian life

On to the fun stuff – photos! We have attached a sampling of the photos we’ve received in the last three months. The first is a photo of Jude looking at a photo of us; this is first time he’s seen us. We sent that picture enclosed in the box that contained his birthday gift (the rubber duck pictured). And, as you’ll see from the September photo, apparently he likes the water. The staff said he could have stayed in there all day if they had allowed. Also, at our last update, Jude was 21 lbs. 3 oz, and 27.5” long. He’s now 22 lbs 4 oz., and 29.25” long. Enjoy the pictures, and thanks to you all for your prayers and support.

Matthew and Valerie

Garrett Adoption Update - 08/01/07

2007-08-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

Family and Friends,

It seems that just after we send an update, we get more information...maybe I should send one every week! Just kidding – I wouldn’t do that to your inbox. However, we really do have new news to share.

First, shortly after we sent the update last week, our excellent caseworker called to let us know that our paperwork had (within the last two days) been entered at IBESR! This is great news. Although we thought this had happened several weeks earlier, and it now means that it could be February before Jude comes home, we’re still grateful to know where the paperwork is and we’re on board with God’s perfect timing for all of it. By the way, we’re still praying for Christmas!

Second, things seem to be “shaking loose” in the Haitian government with adoption paperwork, and this is a real encouragement. The day we sent the last update, an update was also posted on GLA’s website. You’ll remember that there are basically four steps to the process after all the paperwork has been compiled and those are: IBESR, Parquet (a two step portion of the process – Parquet then courts), Ministry of the Interior (passports), then Visa application. The posting on the website stated that in the week preceding our last message:

11 passports were released (that 1/3 of what had been stuck there for months)

5 dossiers completed their course in IBESR

3 children were able to go home with their forever families

4 more families were coming to pick up children within the week.

Another update was posted July 26 and stated that President Preval was displeased with all the adoption troubles and had put pressure on IBESR, Parquet, and MoI to get the glitches resolved quickly and get things moving again. Then, late on the 26^th an additional message was posted stating that 11 dossiers had moved out of civil court (a part of the Parquet portion of the process)! All of this is very encouraging.

Last, when we got home yesterday there was an update just for us. Lea and Chris are the couple who has just started at GLA and are responsible for paperwork and updates. Jude is now 21 lbs 3 oz, and 27.5” long. New photos were attached as well, with a promise for a more detailed update next time. God bless Lea! She’s only been there a few short weeks and Chris won’t be able to join her until September, and we are so thankful that she took the time to get an update for us. The new photos are attached. Thanks for your continued prayers. Happy Wednesday!

Matthew and Valerie

Garrett Adoption Update - 05/24/07 - Happy Birthday to Jude!

2007-07-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

Family and Friends,

While we don’t have a green light to travel (and won’t have one for several months), we thought it was time for an update, as it has been two months since our last one. Much has happened since our last update. A flu virus has ravaged the entire country of Haiti. People were dying all over the country throughout the month of June. Our orphanage lost four babies and many staff members were out sick. With no place within the orphanage to quarantine the sick children, and not enough staff to help, the director had her hands full. Praise God “this too shall pass” – and it did.

We wish we had new photos to share, but since our last message we learned that the lady who did the updates has left the mission orphanage and a new couple has taken her place. They are still getting settled. Between the flu last month and the staff changes this month, we imagine things need time to settle down before we’ll get new photos of Jude, so we wait.

We have filled out paperwork for the James Fund grant, as mentioned in our last message. Please continue to pray that we would be awarded that, as it would be such a help to us.

Today is Jude’s first birthday. Last week we sent a rubber ducky to him as a birthday gift…the first thing we’ve sent to the orphanage. Now we are working on a small photo album that the orphanage director requests all the adoptive parents to send to the orphanage after their referral (match to a child) takes place.

We have had many ask us “What takes so long?!” So, we thought this would be a good time to give a few details. When we accepted Jude, his paperwork was coupled with ours and now has to make its long journey through the Haitian government offices. This is fairly complicated, but can basically be boiled down to a four-step process.

1. IBESR (Haitian Social Services) – paperwork needs four signatures – time: 3 – 5 months (has consistently been 3 lately)

2. Parquet (Haitian Court System) – paperwork needs two signatures which legalize the four signatures obtained in IBESR – time: 1 – 2 months

3. Passport Application – time: 4 – 6 weeks

4. Visa Application – 1 week

To our knowledge, our paperwork is still in step one, and likely will be through the summer. Currently, adoptions in Haiti, however are in much turmoil. Parquet seems to be challenging the authority of IBESR to approve adoptions, even though by law IBESR does have the authority. While most adoptions are still going though, this has precipitated much clearer legislation that will be voted on in Haiti in November of this year. The issue that is really pressing at this point is that the Minister of Interior (who has to approve passports) isn’t signing passport applications. Some have been in his office for over five months. Recently a delegation from the US and Canada traveled to see the MoI and the President of Haiti regarding this issue. The MoI agreed that the new process he put in place for passport processing is not working and that he needed to do something. He committed to personally looking into any passport applications that had been in his office for over a month and many adoptive parents were asked by our orphanage director to call Haiti to be sure their case we being looked at. Two days after that, a huge package of passports arrived at immigration. At the time of that update, it had not yet been verified whether those were for the adoptions in question or not.

It is our prayer that by the time our paperwork makes it out of IBESR most of these wrinkles will have been smoothed.

The other thing we’ve heard a lot, both in question form and statement form is “This must be so hard for you!” All we can say is that by God’s grace, we are doing just fine. We decided from the beginning that we would choose not to make ourselves crazy with the wondering. We would trust God and go about this knowing that this child doesn’t belong to us anyhow – he belongs to God. Certainly we have rare weak moments of longing for the child we love but cannot touch, but the reality is that Jude is in the hand of the Almighty God, and that’s the safest place to be. We go about “doing life” and practicing patience…learning how to let go well before the years will come when Jude’s age will require it!

There is something amazing about this journey. Adoption is as much a miracle to us as conception. The adoption world is a volatile one, full of quick changes, hurry-up-and-waits, hoping, longing, excitement, and opportunities for God to reveal his unending faithfulness and unwavering trustworthiness. As we look to Him daily, we can honestly say…it’s a good ride.

Thanks for your continued prayers,

Matthew and Valerie

Garrett Adoption Update - 05/24/07

2007-05-24T23:30:00.000-07:00

Friends and Family –

This is the message we’ve been waiting to send!

We received a call on Monday afternoon with a referral from Haiti. Djouvens, born two months early on July 24, 2006, was brought to the orphanage we are working with two months later, on September 25, 2006 (our wedding anniversary). At that time he weighed just 5 lbs 6 oz. He was immediately placed on IV, as he was both malnourished and sick. He responded well, and as you will see from the attached photos, has had little trouble catching up – he has all the baby chub he needs, and more! At ten months, he is now around 17 pounds. He’s a bit small for his age, they say, but that’s to be expected. His progress has been very good – he’s nearly caught up – and we’re told by the orphanage director that he’s a happy baby who smiles a lot.

After receiving photos of him (throughout his time at the orphanage so that we could see his progress) on Monday afternoon, we received his medical translations on Wednesday morning. As we looked through his documents, we discovered that he was born at the Hospital Jude Anne in Port-au-Prince. Months ago we had chosen the name Jude as one of two boy names. After much prayer, and reviewing his medical translations with a doctor, we called our caseworker this morning. In reverence for a sovereign God, we gave her the official acceptance of this child as our son, to be called Jude Manson Garrett. Jude – for the New Testament leader: a clear, strong, and unashamed voice to God’s people. And we are proud to make his middle name Manson, for Matthew’s paternal grandfather.

It has been a strange week for me. Matthew has been clear and steady, as always, with “big shoulders” as they say. I, however, found it so strange and almost disconcerting that we actually had a choice in the future of this child…that we could choose whether he became ours or not seemed so odd to me even though we knew that decision was coming and is just a part of the process. Having worked through that and other turmoil, however, I am now caught up to my husband and my God, and with worship in my heart, am very excited to have a son.

The question of the hour: how soon can we bring him home? Well, it’ll be at least six months (although some of you are sure it will be shorter – pray!). We are hoping he’ll be home by Christmas. We are thankful that the orphanage will begin sending us monthly updates with new photos, his new weight and length, and development and eating news so that we can see him grow from afar. We’ll be sure to send those along to all of you, along with any news about our standing in the process.

There are some delays in the process within the Haitian government. I have attached a document from the orphanage director that details these delays, so that those of you who wish to partner in prayer with us will know what to pray for. In the meantime:

We praise God for:

His unchanging character
His faithfulness to us
Jude!
The GLA orphanage and its director and staff, for whom their work is a calling (not just a job)
Our caseworker, Belinda, who is truly a gift. She sat with me for an hour and a half on Tuesday, just letting me “process” out loud.
My sister-in-law, Laurie, who sent a very encouraging message to us this week. There was much content, but the end was just what I needed to hear: “…here for you both…no matter what you decide.” Thanks Loulabelle.
Our mothers, who also helped me through the week

We pray for:

Obstacles within the Haitian government. Please see attached.
The James Fund – a grant our caseworker is recommending us for. Now that we have a referral, she is proceeding with the paperwork for the grant. It would be very helpful financially. It also would require us to share our adoption experience at Family Christian Store before groups of people, which we would be delighted to do.
Jude’s continued development and health.
Wisdom on the part of our orphanage director, as she considers petitioning the Haitian President over what’s happening with adoptions.

Thanks to you all for sharing this journey with us. It’s not over yet, and there is much to be done! Enjoy the photos. Be warned – you might want to pinch the cheeks. We wouldn’t want anyone breaking a finger as they hastily move their hands toward the computer screen!

Matthew and Valerie

Check out www.glahaiti.org

Garrett Adoption Update - 03/26/07

2007-03-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

Praying Friends and Loved Ones,

I suppose I should start this message by telling you that we do not have a referral yet. Sorry to disappoint if you just tuned in hoping for a cute photo of our babe. We thought it would be good to send an update anyway, as we have many asking how things are going and if we have had any news. By the way – never avoid asking; it will always be okay. We’ve had some people express concern that it might be a sore thing to discuss if we haven’t any news to share. However, we expect people to ask how things are going; we know they will ask because they care, and we are happy to talk. Expecting otherwise would be unreasonable on our part.

As we wait, there is no lack of things to do to keep us busy and occupied. Life, as they say, goes on. In February we attended a workshop on African hair care (yes, Matthew went, too, and loved every moment of it even though he wasn’t brave enough to practice on the kind people who were trying to help us learn). It was a great workshop. It was really nice to have a forum with people of another race during which we could ask questions (that we knew were ignorant questions) and not worry about being offensive. They were there to teach us, and they knew that we were there with a heart to learn. We owe a debt of gratitude to them, as they have made themselves available to field our questions anytime in the future. On a lighter note, you can begin to feel sorry for our child now. I didn’t do so well at the hair thing. I’m not really much of a preen-before-the-mirror woman. I spend about ten minutes before the mirror – tops – every day; that includes cosmetics and hair. (Those of you who are snickering, thinking that I’m stating the obvious and that you could guess that about me the moment you met me…it’s okay – laugh it up. I’m good with it.) Anyhow, I’ll need to buy a baby doll to practice on. I wonder how many thirty-year-old women Toys-R-Us sees…buying for themselves!?

Earlier this month we attended an educational session through our adoption agency that was all about becoming a multicultural family. This, too, had very helpful content. There was a panel of adult adoptees who discussed the importance in their own lives of learning about their home country and talked about their individual experiences. They also talked a great deal about working through relinquishment, coming to terms with the fact that someone, somewhere gave them for adoption, whether by choice or not.

Other than the adoption education, we are both working (two jobs for Matt), serving at church, and I’m still teaching aquatics one or two times a week, depending on the week. We have joked that we need a child to slow us down. You parents who think we are crazy or stupid to say such a thing should know that we only say it facetiously. The only thing that makes us believe we are ready for parenthood is that we serve a God who can create beauty in our children from the ashes of our mistakes – and I’m sure there will be many.

Now, on to the issue of a referral: The week before last, our social worker copied us in on an email message to the Haiti contact in the corporate office of our agency requesting an update on our referral, as she thought we had been waiting for a long time. We have tried not to focus on the calendar, but as it turns out, this Friday will mark three and a half months of waiting time. Anyhow, we heard nothing last week. Today we received a message from her that had been forwarded from the Haiti contact. Expecting news of possible timing, below is what we read:

“It is really very hard for me to say how much longer for a proposal. The families that have asked for a child under the age of 12 months will likely have to wait longer for theirs, as the demand for infants is definitely the greatest. Unfortunately I can't tell you much more than that. I'm very sorry. I can tell you that we are starting to take more children in as we see the potential of a number of children leaving soon. We are in the process of collecting paperwork for these new children. Again, I apologize I can't give you more specific information.”

So, more waiting is in store for us. While this is difficult for us as an individual waiting couple, we praise God for kindling passion in His people for the orphans of Haiti, as that is the cause of the delay. It’s a beautiful thing to be part of His work. The Haitian orphanage/adoption workers at our mission orphanage have been overrun with families wanting to serve God by defending the cause of the fatherless (Psalm 82:3-4). So, tonight, we trust Him through tears, knowing that He knows what’s best for us. We remember daily that God’s plan and timing is perfect. He will give us a child when He wants us to have one. He knew before the foundations of the earth that here, now, in 2007, we would be waiting for a child. And tonight, we wonder where that child is, and we are on our knees. Hopefully, again, our next correspondence will include a picture of our babe to share. Thanks to you all for sharing with us this journey we call adoption.

Seeking God’s face,

Matthew and Valerie

Garrett Adoption Update - 01/06/07

2007-01-06T21:12:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends!

We have just received great news from our social worker. It seems that the Haitian government has relented on their stringent rule changes for now, and we have been accepted by them! Below is a quote from an email sent to our social worker by the director of the orphanage we will be working with.

“We are telling families that at least one parent must be 28 years old, married at least 5 years and no more than 3 biological children for now. Exceptions, if they have 4 boys by birth and they want to adopt a girl or two, a situation like this, Haiti would probably let them.” -Dixie

This is truly the work of God. You see, there are some people in the Haitian government who believe that adoption is human trafficking. They, of course, have not had contact with any adoptees or the families who have adopted them, so they do not understand the blessed miracle of adoption. However, the orphanage director and her attorney worked hard to meet with the director of Haitian social services (IBESR) to discuss with her the reality that these new rules were not in the best interest of the many little ones who need forever families, and that many eligible families had to be turned away to other countries.

Apparently, the heart of the director of IBESR was changed as a result of that meeting. Our agency is now contacting some of the families that had to consider other countries. As for us – we forge ahead! We didn’t expect any news from Haiti until the end of this month, or possibly the end of February. Hopefully our next update will include news of a referral for a little son or daughter.

The most wonderful thing about this is that it’s so much bigger than we are. This isn’t about us. This isn’t about God giving us a child. This is about God Himself being a Father to the fatherless, caring for the orphan by ensuring that many will be welcomed into forever families. We simply have the privilege of watching Him work before our very eyes. So tonight we leave you with the beauty of the scriptures. In Psalm 10:14, the Psalmist says of God, “…You have been the helper of the orphan.” Isn’t it great that He still is, these many hundreds of years later?

Matthew and Valerie Garrett

Garrett Adoption Update - 12/23/06

2006-12-23T11:30:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all! Some of you have been recently added to our list, and as always, if you don’t wish to get updates, just drop us a note and we’ll be glad to remove you. Again – we won’t be offended…life is just too short for that.

You may remember that in our last update we told you of some changes taking place in Haiti, and we had a deadline of 12/22/06 to get out dossier in country. Well, much has happened since then! The only word that consistently comes to mind is: intense. This adoption journey is intense. In short, our dossier made it to Haiti by the 22^nd and we are in awe of God! Read on for details, and what’s next…

Praises:

*The man who did our psychological evaluation (required for our dossier, and yes – we passed…just in case you were wondering) is also an adoptive parent – he was an encouragement to us.

*The translator we were connected with is not only an adoptive parent, but her daughter is from Haiti. She still follows what is happening in the adoption world, knew of the changes in Haiti, and agreed to turn our translation around more quickly than normal and for no additional charge. She has also been an encouragement to us.

*We both have flexible employers which was a huge help in getting more than a month’s worth of paperwork around in a week and a half.

*The mission orphanage we’re working with in Haiti was trying to raise funds for a land purchase to build a new building. All financial needs have been met for this part of their project, and all by the deadline set.

*Safe travels as we have chased documents all over west Michigan in the last couple of weeks!

*This week’s miracle: On Monday we sent eight documents to the Haitian consulate in Chicago. I sent them overnight, with a return envelope that was also for overnight delivery. They needed to authenticate these documents and get them back to us so we could put them with the rest of the dossier, get it to our agency’s corporate office in Grand Rapids and make five copies so that all could be sent to Haiti. The catch: The Haitian consulate has a normal turnaround of about a week. We were getting skeptical about meeting our deadline. In fact, I remember telling one of you that if God wanted this paperwork in Haiti by the 22^nd, then He would need to do a miracle. Tuesday I checked the tracking numbers for the packages online to be sure they were received by the consulate. The consulate got the documents at 11:39am on Tuesday. Just for fun (I’m so entertained that you can track packages online…I know, I know – get a hobby) I entered the tracking number for the return package. It had been picked up from the consulate at 3:32…the same day! This does not happen; the Haitian consulate does not turn documents around in under four hours…ever. It cannot be explained humanly. This was a miracle from God that still has us reeling. When we got the return package, all documents had a consular seal and signature and had been processed correctly.

*Our social worker, Belinda Geertsma…she loves the Lord, and is a great guide and encouragement.

*Our parents and siblings, who are walking this intense journey with us, and who pray for us continually.

*Good friends who also love the Lord, and share experiences of their own that illustrate the goodness of God. (Thanks, Dave!)

*The Haiti contact in our agency’s corporate office, Jane Bradford. On Wednesday I got the package from the consulate, compiled the documents in the proper order, scanned everything and ran off the first copy. Jane was willing to meet with me that afternoon (late) to go through it all to ensure nothing was missing. I got to her office at 4:45. I was increasingly thankful for Jane as I watched the exodus of people leaving the office, while she led me in the opposite direction to her workstation! She and I were at the office until 6:00. I am so grateful she was willing to stay an hour late that evening.

*Accuracy and completeness! Belinda gave us a pat on the back, as she said a large percentage of dossiers have to be returned to the family who sent them because of some error or something missing. Ours was complete, accurate, and ready to be sent to Haiti.

Prayer Requests:

*We did find out on Wednesday evening that our dossier not only had to be in country by the 22^nd, but also had to have gone through the first step of being legalized in country. So, it is still possible that we could be rejected by the Haitian government. Dixie, however, who runs the mission orphanage, is not concerned. She thinks that because we currently have no children, we will still be accepted.

*Patience! It is one of the fruits of the spirit as outlined in Galatians. One of the ways God cultivates it is by making us wait! (Just so you all know, my mother needs it, too. She’s already told our social worker that she’s ready for a picture of this child!)

*That the Haitian government would repeal the changes they have implemented. Many families have had to be steered toward other countries by our agency because of these rule changes. These new rules are not in the best interest of the children who need forever families. Dixie and others have spent days in government meetings trying to convince the director of the IBESR (Haitian social services) that these rules will result in fewer adoptions. This has happened in the past, and within a couple of months they repeal them and go back to the former rules. Pray that will be the case here as well.

So, now we wait. Within the next couple of months, we’ll either get a referral (photo and bio of our child), or we’ll get a rejection from the Haitian government. It is in the hand of God, and we will accept whatever He has for us. In the meantime, we prepare for a referral and we pray.

Random thoughts that have come to my heart these last weeks: As we continue this adoption journey...this intense adoption journey, I am struck by the overwhelming nature of God. I am not surprised that He does miracles…I am overwhelmed at the kindness of them. As He continues to pour out blessing on us, I am struck by my absolute neediness for Him, and my lack of ability to give Him anything back. I am so relieved to be saved by grace...not because of anything I could do. And yet, it leaves me with the deep realization that this also means that I have nothing I can give back to Him...no "thank you" I have is adequate. I suppose that is the very meaning of grace…unmerited favor. Throughout this process, we have seen God work, in ways both small and large. From the people He has put us in contact with to the miraculous work He did in turning around a week's worth of paperwork at the Haitian Consulate in less than four hours, we have been continually blessed.

The reality is, God has already given us eternal life with Christ Jesus, which we do not deserve. He in no way owes us a nice life here on earth. He doesn't owe us blessing; He doesn't owe us affluence; He doesn't owe us anything. Yet He continues to give because that is His character. That is who He is. He is not punitive; He is just, and with that justice comes goodness and kindness and grace to those who follow Him. That is the God of the Bible. Does that mean that none of us will face hardship? Certainly not. Have you prevented every fall your children have had? Neither does He (in our best interest), yet He is there to pick us up and wash our bloodied knees and bless us as He dries our tears. That, my friends, is the God of the Bible.

And so, it is with reverence and worship that we look toward the manger, the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection this Christmas. We are glad to celebrate the miracles of the last two weeks with our families, including my sisters, who will both be in town for the holidays…another kindness from the heart of God. And we wish each of you, our friends and family, a blessed time with your own friends and family. Until we have more news…

Merry Christmas from Matthew and Valerie Garrett

Garrett Adoption Update - 12/07/06

2006-12-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to All!

We are delighted to report that our home study is done and our INS paperwork will go in the mail tomorrow. Very exciting! This moves us into the stage where we gather documentation for our dossier. We have twenty pieces of documentation to gather (letters from the police, birth certs, marriage cert, copies of bank statement and tax return, letters from the bank, more letters of recommendation…you get the idea). We also need a psych evaluation which I have been asked if I think I’ll actually pass because I live with my joker husband. We shall see, won’t we?

On the dossier front, we have an urgent prayer request for you all. We received a phone call from our social worker last night. Haiti is changing the rules, and one of the rules they are changing could eliminate us from the ability to adopt from their country. The catch: none of the changes apply to us if we have our dossier in country by December 22. Most of the 20 items we have to gather are in process and we expect to have the bulk of them compiled early next week. However, over half of the items have to be translated into French (one of the two national languages in Haiti). The dossier also has to be processed at the Haitian Consulate. These things – all before it goes to Haiti. With the Christmas season upon us, we have no idea how that could change schedules in the offices we need help from. We also both need to get into our doctors again so they can fill out more paperwork for us. Matt’s doc is no problem. Mine is a bit harder to get into, but I am sure if she knows what’s happening she’ll squeeze me in. We have less than fourteen days to get all this done. Oh yes – and we have to get many dollars rounded up…like several thousand. Monday I have an appointment, so I’m going to take the day as a personal day and run around the countryside trying to gather the documentation from various courthouses, police station, etc.

The reality is, we serve a God bigger than us, bigger than Haiti, bigger than adoption. He created all of it. Right now we just strive toward the deadline. Until the deadline has come and gone, none of these changes mean anything. Now, we move fast and pray hard. If God allows a hold up and the deadline comes and goes without our dossier in Haiti, then we look for His new will for us. Until then, we focus, mobilize, and do everything we can to make it happen, trusting that Haiti is still His plan for us. Barring divine intervention, we will meet this deadline. A child is chosen for us in the heart of God.

In the meantime – please pray! We need diligence, accuracy, and great speed in compiling this documentation. We need county clerks and city police and a translator and doctors who can and will respond quickly to our requests. Also, it is our desire to be used by God through this process. Pray that as the roller coaster continues to click up and rush down, our testimonies for Christ will be pure and that people would see Him in us…that we would handle this with the grace and trust that should mark our faith…that we would behave in such a way that others would see that our God is as big as we know He is.

We knew this could happen. Adoption is not a right, it’s a privilege. Any country can change any rule at any time during the game. The ball’s in our court.

Thanks in advance for all your love, support, and prayers. We appreciate you!

Matthew and Valerie