2, 4, and 7

Well, the summer flew by without much blogging. It was a good summer. Usually I complain that summer went too fast, but I felt like we really soaked it in this year. We relished in the relaxation and the play time. Lots of sleeping late, seeing friends, and time in the water. :) Probably the reason I didn't blog much is because this blog is mainly to keep up with our adoption and not a thing has happened. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

August 22 was one year since we "met" Grace and saw her picture for the first time. In some ways, it's hard to believe it's been a year. But, it also feels like it's been an eternity since we've longed to have her in our arms. This has grown my faith like nothing else ever has. The LORD continues to remind me that we are on HIS timeline and not our own.

Our dossier is in the same office it has been in since last September. The only thing we've been told is that they are waiting on a document on the birth mother. It's from a court and it's "tough to get". That's all we know.

In the meantime, many babies are going home with their families and although we feel like the kid stuck on the sidelines during the big game, it is encouraging to see movement happening.

Last week we began our FOURTH year of homeschooling! Hard to believe! What's even harder to believe is that we have a 7th grader, a 4th grader, and a 2nd grader. I am so very thankful that I have this time with them. When I meet people and they find out I homeschool, they usually say, "Oh, I don't have the patience for that!" What I want to tell them is that I don't have the patience either. I don't have the strength or the stamina or the self-control, or the energy.....BUT....the LORD fills me up each morning with just enough to do what He's called me to do. There's no greater calling. I have friends in our homeschool group who have dropped their kids off at college. They've completed their homeschool journey and they continue to remind us that are still in the trenches to keep on keepin' on because we'll NEVER regret this time. I love being friends with those "veterans". I love the encouragement I get from them.

The newest thing this year is that since Noah is in junior high now, most of his work and assignments will come from his co op classes. He will complete the assignments at home, but will be taught by teachers on Friday. I am so thankful for our co op. I'm so thankful that he can sit under teachers (even doctors!) who specialize in their subject area. It will enrich his education immensely!

I have made two big leadership commitments this year. I am still on our homeschool group's board, but changed positions. I'm now the Internet Tech instead of the VP. This is a job that I can do at home (and Robby has helped me tons!) and I think that will be a blessing when Grace comes home. Another position the Lord lead me to take is the coordinator position in our A.S.K. (After School Kids) Bible study. We were involved in this Bible study last year. I was a core group leader for the Kindergarten girls. A.S.K. is a branch of Community Bible Study, a non-denominational, international ministry. Being the coordinator will be very different. I am managing all of the paperwork and money instead of being with kids. But, again, this is something I can mostly do from home. The LORD continues to prepare our family for Grace's homecoming.

A few bits of summer....

July Update

The month of July is one of the busiest months here at God’s Littlest Angels.    This is partially because many of the full-time staff members took a trip home to visit their family and friends.  We have had a number of staff members out throughout the entire month.  This creates a different dynamic from week to week as we continue to host adoptive families, visitors, volunteers, and teams here on a weekly basis.  In addition to the lack of staff and typical in and out of visitors, our school sponsorship program is now open for applicants.  This means that literally hundreds of students from all across Haiti arrive at our gate to apply for the sponsorship program in hopes of receiving help with their tuition for the coming school year.  While they are here they present their report card from the year past, fill out an application, color thank you cards, and get photos and a video taken.  I coordinate this program as well so that makes July the busiest month of my year.  I am putting together updates a little later then I typically do this month and I want to apologize in advance if this month’s update seems to be lacking more then usual.
I chose a “Noah’s Ark” for the theme for July’s photo day at the main house.  I have been thinking about doing photos with this theme since I started at GLA three years ago.  I love the way that the story of Noah and the Ark reminds us, as believers, of God’s faithful and unending promises.
Here is a passage from the story from Genesis 8:15-19…
“Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.” So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on land—came out of the ark, one kind after another.”
It is important to remember, as you walk through your adoption process, that no matter where your file is or how long you have been waiting that God is faithful to the promises He has given to you.   The same as He has been and will be faithful to the promises He gave to His people after the flood.  I would encourage you to read through the entire account of Noah for some encouragement if you find yourself doubting God’s goodness or promises. 

Malozie has had an excellent month this July.  She continues to be a bright and friendly little girl.  She is adorable and she knows it.  She is not yet saying many words.  She does use some basic Creole words to communicate what she wants and needs but she is not yet forming sentences.  She is, however, a huge fan of noises.  She notices noises that most people don’t notice because it would be like background noise to them.  For example any time a dog barks she will run to the window or end of the balcony to see where it is coming from.  After looking herself she always wants to make sure that everyone around he noticed it as well.  She will call over whomever she can get to join her, point, and indicate that something has caught he attention.  When she is on the balcony she continues to enjoy spending time blowing bubbles, buidlign blocks, and playing in front of the mirror.
Malozie is healthy and growing:
Height: 80 cm
Weight: 22 lb 5 oz