A good point...

I appreciated this post at Rage Against the Minivan. We have experienced racism and bigotry in the past and it is not fun. Read the last part of the post if nothing else. It's important to educate your children about race.

bigotry, blindness, & basketball

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Things are moving...

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• We got our fingerprint clearance letter yesterday.
• We got our letter from MAT today.
• We heard from our lawyer three times in a week!
• He spoke to S. at Mercy's home about things.
• He said he will be writing up our affidavit and should be finished by Tuesday. We may be able to mail our paperwork in by next week!!!!
• I am feeling great and made up with my friend.
• We went shopping today and I bought some cute clothes at the local resale shop for Mercy. Mercy is wearing a size 5/6 and shoe size 12-13. (I am writing this so I can remember!)
• I also got some cute matching sheets for Mercy and Kylie's bunk beds.

Thank you for your prayers and please keep it up! God is moving!

Support System

I have been thinking about our upcoming trip. While we still don't know when it will be, it could be soon and most likely last minute. I have been in contact with a few parents who have some great bits of advice. Here is something that's really gotten to me as we prepare:

"I would encourage you to hold tight to your faith in God's great plan for you, your future daughter, and your whole family. My experience left me crying on the floor, but God still held me and still had a big plan for my daughter. It gets really hard to hold on to your faith when there are so many balls in the air, so many things that can go one way or another. I tried to take each day minute by minute and that really helped.

Do you have a big support system? I couldn't have made it without great friends who were willing to e-mail me every single day and call and do nice things for my family at home. I don't usually ask for help too often, but this time I accepted help from whoever offered and it was needed and so appreciated."

The support system. We have a small one. It will be hard for us to ask for help. J's mom said she would come and stay as long as she is needed. My parents will most likely spend time with a few kids at their home when they can. My friend has offered to help as well.

***Also wanted to add this about my mother in law. She is willing to come here, last minute, to take care of her grandchildren. She lives across the state. She may even have to give up her job, and she is willing to do that for us! What a wonderful woman. One who will need and deserves some help. She is not likely to ask for it.***

It terrifies me to leave our five children. It makes me sad to think how much I will miss them and they will miss us. My girls get teary eyed just talking about it. My little boys are so little. One is still forming attachments and bonding with us. One has special needs. Ugh, my heart hurts just typing this.

We will need support.

We will need help.

We will need prayer warriors.

We will need encouragement.

Here are some ways our local friends/family can lend a hand:

• offer to take one or a few kids for a break for my mom in law
• bring over a meal (even pizza is great!)
• offer to help with housework
• help in case something is needed with the house/property
• offer to run errands for my kids/ mom in law
• take a kid to an appointment if needed
• pray and send us emails with words of encouragement
• we may need help with unexpected finances while we are gone

Some ways out of town friends/family can help:

• call my family at home to encourage, check in, and pray
• send emails to us to encourage and lift our spirits
• send notes to our children
• send gift cards to favorite eateries for a special treat (you know, the places kids love!)
• pray pray pray for us!
• put us on your prayer chain at church, ask anyone you know to pray
• we may need help with unexpected finances while we are gone

Can you think of other ways people can help us?

Please pray about how you can help.

Beat down

Wow, I can tell that something big is about to happen. Because already satan is at work trying to tear me apart. Today I got an email from a close friend basically telling me all the things I have done to let her down the last few years. That she can't rely on me. That I am not a good friend. I have spent the last few hours in tears. I didn't know how to respond since it totally came out of the blue like a slap in the face. I wanted to defend myself and come up with all the things she's done to let me down but I prayed. I didn't say anything other than "I'm sorry, I had no idea" Then I just cried. My kids were very concerned about me. Elijah keeped asking if I am hurt. Try explaining what feelings are to a three year old! Not only does this hurt because the things she wrote were hurtful but because it came on top of other comments made to me by close family and friends as well. I feel torn apart and worthless. Add to the mix the cold/flu circling around and around our family. My body is weak and weary. Is this the enemy at work? I hope so, because if it is, I know who will win at the end!

An online friend/fellow adoptive mom warned me that adopting Mercy was going to be hard, to put on the full armor of God. I had no idea there would be personal attacks on me as well.

I read this excellent excerpt from a devotional on spiritual warfare:

While we don’t necessarily ignore thoughts and feelings from the past, it is vital that we don’t allow them to control our souls and emotions, but that we take them captive through prayers and declarations inspired by our spiritual mind. For example, is the enemy speaking rejection to me causing me to feel unwanted and unloved? I will respond that I am ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED and that the Lord has shown His love to me in many ways by His spirit and through His Body.

And this verse has been calling out to me as well:

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (New International Version)

⁸We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

UP!

We finally heard from our lawyer. Here is what he thinks:

As for the special needs cases the judges are more open to that right now given the current crisis at the Embassy. I would do that although i think alot depends on how the judges look at it nd especially whih judge we get!

Am not sure if all the judges subscribe to this special needs/circumustances approach.

At your instance i can proceed with it. If for any reason the judge does not agree we can then file for legal guardianship afresh while your here, is that acceptable?

Am not very comfortable with the special needs adoption because i do not think that is what the law says, it says in special circumustances a foreigner may adopt a Ugandan child, it does not say that the requirements will be waived for special needs children!

However the judges are the kings of the law and if that is how they interpreat it we can go along with that interpretation.

I guess am going to let u make this call.

Please confirm.

We told him we would like to go for an adoption. Please pray that we can move forward and submit our paperwork soon.

Thank you!

Looking up

Things may be looking up, depending on how you look at it. We got an email from the lawyer. Please continue praying for our situation.

Also looking up because I have been feeling very down. I am trying to be positive and full of joy, so I am not even going to write about it!

Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 14:27 (New International Version)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 16:33 (New International Version)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Quick update

NO NEWS...I didn't think I would get any by this weekend, but I am a bit disappointed. I am really hoping to get some news by tomorrow from our lawyer. He's been very busy but I hope he'll take a minute to check in with us.

Also, we've been hit with the sick bug yet again. And guess who gets the brunt of it? Yep, me. I have been sore, feverish and miserable the last three days. I am so tired of being sick. The little boys seem to pick stuff up easily and then share everything with me. Does anyone know if hypothyroidism can be related to poor immune systems? It seems I have been sick a lot this winter.

It doesn't even seem like winter here! The weather has been so nice. It's supposed to be 60 degrees today. Wish I was well enough to enjoy it.

Well, back to my fast. I just wanted to give you all an update and ask for you to keep praying. I am feeling very low and we need as much prayer as possible!

On persevering prayer: "I look at a stone cutter hammering away at a rock a hundred times without so much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the 101st blow it splits in two. I know it was not the one blow that did it, but all that had gone before." Author unknown.

“The great people of the earth today are the people who pray! I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor those who explain prayer; but I mean those who actually take the time to pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. That something else is important, very important and pressing, but still, less important and pressing than prayer. There are people who put prayer first, and group the other items in life's schedule around and after prayer. These are the people today who are doing the most for God in winning souls, in solving problems, in awakening churches, in supplying both men and money for mission posts, in keeping fresh and strong their lives far off in sacrificial service on the foreign field, where the thickest fighting is going on, and in keeping the old earth sweet a little while longer.” S.D. Gordon (Emphasis added)

I desire to spend time and press in prayer this week!

Patience

In a blog post from www.myownprivatehaiti.com, Katia Ulysse wrote about a recent half marathon where she met a more experienced runner.

"What’s your secret?” I asked her.

“Patience,” the lady said matter-of-factly. “I don’t have to finish the race in five seconds. Patience allows me to keep going while 90 percent of the runners leave me behind. With patience, I can run from here to the end of the world.”

I thought about the Haitian proverb: “Avèk pasyans, wa wè lonbrit foumi.” It takes patience to find an ant’s navel.

“Anyone can complete the distance,” the lady offered. “You need a big enough reason to start the race. But it takes patience to finish it.”

I am taking a little break from my fast to ask for more prayer. Please pray that things in Uganda will be resolved quickly so we can continue moving forward. Pray for our patience, and for Mercy. I am sure she is wondering what is taking us SO LONG!

Fasting

My stomach is hurting and I am so anxious.

I have been waiting for an update from our lawyer

regarding our adoption.

He emailed to tell me he doesn't really have any news

and will get back to us next week.

While I wait, what can I do to keep my mind off things?

I have a whole list of things I can do, but I keep going to this darn computer!

During E.'s adoption I fasted from the internet and it really was a great experience. I feel God calling me to do it again. I will be taking a break from blogging and facebook, and only will check my emails three times a day (morning, noon and night). That may seem excessive, but it's really important for MAT that I keep current on things. I will update when we have more info. and hopefully it is a PRAISE REPORT! Please join me in praying our little girl home.

She really needs to come home soon.

So weary

My stomach is hurting and I am so anxious.

I have been waiting for an update from our lawyer

regarding our adoption.

He emailed to tell me he doesn't really have any news

and will get back to us next week.

While I wait, what can I do to keep my mind off things?

I have a whole list of things I can do, but I keep going to this darn computer!

During E.'s adoption I fasted from the internet and it really was a great experience. I feel God calling me to do it again. I will be taking a break from blogging and facebook, and only will check my emails three times a day (morning, noon and night). That may seem excessive, but it's really important for MAT that I keep current on things. I will update when we have more info. and hopefully it is a PRAISE REPORT! Please join me in praying our little girl home.

She really needs to come home soon.

FOUR MONTHS!

Today marks four months of waiting. We went into this journey expecting to travel by now. We are waiting, and hoping. Last night I prayed that we would get word from our lawyer. God answered my prayers...here's what he said:

Hi Kimberly, my best regards.

Sorry am currently in nairobi doing an arbitration I will be back in Kampala on Saturday, should be able to get back to you in the course of the week.

Am also hoping that by then there will be a consensous with the Embassy.

Please keep in touch.

Also, I called about our fingerprint clearance letter. It was sent to our agency's old address. I had faxed them a change of address request. They didn't get it or chose to ignore it. The PO will not forward government letters to different addresses after delivered. I am trying to contact my agency to see if they may be able to track the letter down. Ugh, my stomach hurts. If they can't find it I need to call back on Monday. Hopefully they can resend the letter without problem if it's not found. I don't want to wait another TWELVE WEEKS!

Please keep PRAYING! I am feeling down and hopeless at this point. I don't like feeling this way. I know the delays are all for a reason. I just want Mercy to come home and be able to get the medical attention she needs.

One step.

Our son Elijah and Mercy with S. (taken while instant messaging on Facebook!) I think Mercy and Elijah look a lot alike in some pictures.

We got an email from our family pediatrician tonight. I love this guy. He is on vacation in HAWAII and took the time to email me with the attached letter we need for Mercy. How nice is that? I can pick up the signed one in his office tomorrow or the next day! That is one more thing done.

Now if we would just hear back from our lawyer. I sent him another email. Let me know if I am starting to not sound polite:
Hello I.,
I am not sure if the last message I sent went through. I still have some problems with hotmail. I was just hoping for an update for us. I am trying to be patient, but am worried about the health of Mercy.
Thank you for all you are doing!
K.
Here's the one from Friday afternoon:
Hi I.,
I was just checking in to see if you have any news. We are hoping things are getting worked out and would like to mail our paperwork within the next few weeks. Many people are praying for the situation. We still hope to get Mercy here as soon as we can so she can get to the specialists at the hospital.
Thanks and God bless,
K.

I am aware that things are on hold right now and there may not be anything he can do for us. But I would really love to hear from him, even if it's just to say "I have no news, we are waiting for this or that."

Thank you all for praying for us. My sister in law sent us a really nice email yesterday that warmed my heart. (I hope you don't mind me posting it, B.)

She is soooo cute! A. made me cry. She saw the photos of her and asked me if she had a mommy. I have no idea what made her ask that. She never says things like that. I got to tell her that no, she didn't but that God is going to bring her into our family with Uncle Jeremiah and Aunt Kim. She took it in stride, like that was so normal. But how did she know that Mercy didn't have a family? A. just seems to understand God. Sometimes she'll come up to me and say, "Momm, God loves me soooo much. God loves all of us." Our babies are such a blessing and I am so proud that God is working in your hearts to do this difficult thing. I want you to know we are praying for you and the blessing of your generosity extends beyond just what you can see.

Love, B.

Here are some more encouraging words I've been keeping in my inbox..I am going to be trying to clear the over 1000 messages on there.

This is wonderful news. The Lord has prepared you for such a time as this and equipped you to care for His precious creation, and you are an encouragment to us. In a time where children seem so disposable at every age it's so wonderful to see you guys "step up" and "step out" in faith. The Lord knows He can entrust this little one to you.

YIPPPPPEEEE! Congratulations. This is huge and wonderful and just perfect. Oh I am so excited for your family. I think Mercy is absolutely adorable. We will be praying for safety for her and a quick (if they can be) adoption. So much love and support heading your way.

Stilll. No. News.

I am getting so impatient, I find myself checking my email every ten minutes. It brings me back to a few years ago waiting for Elijah. I wasted so much time. I need to find something else to do. I have many projects, books unread and kids to tend to. But my thoughts are constantly on this little girl we have never met and only spoken to on the phone. There are hints of progress in Uganda but nothing yet confirmed. Please keep praying we will get some good news and update soon.

no pees

I get frustrated by cleaning up a nearly four year's bed more than two nights in a row. It's really irritating to spend money on pull ups and diapers when you find them used, on the floor near his bed before he even falls asleep. (he takes them off because they are already yucky and wet) Or when your husband forgets to put them on and sends little boy to bed in regular underwear. Everything this morning was completely soaked. Little boy reeked of urine from head to toe and was shivering from being wet most of the night.

And I am reminded by other adoptive moms that it could be worse. WAY worse. Thanks for the reality check.

Philippians Update

I did not make my goal for the week... I memorized this much:

¹ THIS LETTER IS FROM PAUL AND TIMOTHY, SLAVES OF CHRIST JESUS.

I AM WRITING TO ALL OF GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE IN PHILIPPI WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS, INCLUDING THE ELDERS AND DEACONS.

² MAY GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST GIVE YOU GRACE AND PEACE.

³ EVERY TIME I THINK OF YOU, I GIVE THANKS TO MY GOD.

My goal for next week will not be as ambitious. Here's the next segment:

⁴WHENEVER I PRAY, I MAKE MY REQUESTS FOR ALL OF YOU WITH JOY,⁵ FOR YOU HAVE BEEN MY PARTNERS IN SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT CHRIST FROM THE TIME YOU FIRST HEARD IT UNTIL NOW.⁶AND I AM CERTAIN THAT GOD, WHO BEGAN THE GOOD WORK WITHIN YOU, WILL CONTINUE HIS WORK UNTIL IT IS FINALLY FINISHED ON THE DAY WHEN CHRIST JESUS RETURNS.

Nearly a year

I am amazed at how fast a year can pass. E. came home from Haiti on March 5, 2009. The anniversary of this occasion is less than three weeks away. It seems like yesterday.

An update on how he's doing...he is going to be four years old the beginning of April.

• He has grown almost six inches!
• He has gained only a few pounds. He is now 32 lbs.
• He now can wear size 3T clothes.
• He can say a lot more words, but still is very hard to understand most of the time.
• He still has a hard time going to sleep at night, and doesn't take a nap anymore. (if he does he takes forever to fall asleep at bedtime)
• He still falls down a lot, but not as much.
• He has sensory issues, and we have not found therapy that works. We do fun at home things like swinging and playing. Pretty much what we were paying the therapist to do.
• He is healthy and has not been to the doctor for several months! (but has gotten a few colds)
• He eats A LOT, and most everything put in front of him, even veggies!
• His favorite foods are sweets, pasta, breads, carbs.
• He still loves to sing and dance and play outside.
• His favorite show is "Yo Gabba Gabba".
• He hoards objects like little random things he finds around the house. He sometimes even shoves them inside his pajamas before bed!
• He has a hard time remembering the polite way to ask for things, even though he is reminded EVERY SINGLE time the best way to ask. Right now it sounds like he is saying "wanapum..." trying to say "can I have some..."
• He whines, cries, screams and pouts if he doesn't get his way or gets in trouble...sometimes even when he is not in trouble or just because he feels like it.
• He doesn't play much by himself. He likes to be where the action is.
• He likes to tattle on siblings and is becoming very bossy.
• He can use the bathroom by himself, drink out of a cup without spilling, and feed himself without making a mess!
• He usually gets along well with others and he likes to go to Sunday School or playgroup.
• He is very ticklish and has a great laugh.
• We are waiting for several follow up appointments...speech evaluation, hearing evaluation, school screening, and another eye doctor visit.
• He really likes to lead the family in prayer at meal time. It's very cute.
• He loves to cuddle, read books together and hang out with the big kids or mommy and daddy.

waiting for an update

We are waiting for an update from the lawyer about the best direction to take...hoping to hear from him very soon. Haven't heard of much happening in Uganda. One lawyer representing some US families has been meeting with officials there. Not sure how things are going.

what's new with us...

The kids have no school tomorrow or Monday, so C.'s class is having a "friendship celebration" today. She wanted to go shopping for some Valentine cards, but I found a cute idea in the Family Fun Magazine for hand made cards. She loved the idea and we spent several quality hours together making 30 cards for her classmates and teachers.

We have had a cold work it's way through the crew, but nothing too bad thankfully. E. got the worst of it, and got a yucky sore under his nose. (doesn't he look so sad?) L. missed school yesterday because of a sore throat and headache.

The swing kit arrived last week and the boys have been LOVING it! It has been great to sooth senses, burn energy and help my sanity. Also, the weather here has been great (believe it or not). Last week we had sunshine, temps in the 50's and no rain/snow. So we went outside to play for several days in a row. The kids helped Daddy do some yard work while the little guys pulled the wagon around, played in the sand box, and ran in the grass.

K. had her seventh birthday the other day! She is such a sweet, beautiful little girl. We celebrated with ice cream cake from Baskin-Robbins, and spent the day together. She got to spend the night at Grandpa and Grandma's house the night before.

S. went potty in the potty chair a few times the other day! This may be the start of something... sorry, no picture to go with this one!

Gifts

Our friends in Uganda were able to meet up with Mercy's "mommy" to deliver her gifts from us. We sent a Mercy T-shirt, a photo album, some little girl jewelry and other little prizes. She looks so beautiful. I can't wait to hold her in my arms.

Big bumpy road...

We are experiencing some big bumps in the road of our adoption. I am not writing on this blog about our sixth child for privacy purposes during the process, but you can read all about her on the private blog I am keeping. (if you want to read I will send you an invite. I need your email address and a little intro about who you are!) Please pray for the process to smooth over quickly and that we will have some clear answers very soon. This sort of thing should have been expected, as there seems to be issues that rise up in nearly every adoption! But it really took us by surprise since things were going so well and quick. Please pray for us and several other families being negatively effected by changes in country.

Just wanted to put it out there...

We would love to bring a laptop to Uganda when it's our time to travel. It'd be great to email home, blog, maybe even do video Skype calls. We have a much older, cheap laptop that is not really set up well to do internet stuff. If anyone has a laptop they could let us borrow while on our trip, please let me know. It doesn't have to be fancy or new, just capable!

Ugandan updates

If you want to read current updates on what's going on, click here.

It is very hard to not get discouraged when you hear words like suspend, delay, and miscommunication. But we need to put all our trust in HIM! Please keep praying.

A new direction?

We heard from our lawyer this morning. We may be moving in a new direction with Mercy. I won't post specifics on here, but please keep praying. I feel it may be a very positive thing.

I participated in the prayer meeting yesterday. What a wonderful, emotional time to spend with like minded brothers and sisters in Christ. I hung up in tears, but not sure why. I felt like God will move and it will all be ok. The unknowns are so hard. International adoption is so hard. The enemy is working hard to hang on to these children. But the Lord will prevail!

This week we are praying

We are praying this week. For these specific things:

• That we will get our FBI approval this week. (Monday will be 11 weeks they have had our application)
• That we will get the letter from the doctor and the MAT letter this week.
• That we will get some good news about the process this week.
• That we will be able to send in our affidavit by the end of the week.
• That Mercy will continue to do ok with the medication she is on.
• That we will have an idea of when we may be traveling in the next few weeks.
• That I can get a lot done around the house. Trying to get things in order!

Memorizing Philippians
Someone on Facebook posted a link challenging us to join in memorizing the book of Philippians. I read the link, and thought to myself, "no way". I kept coming across the link and felt more and more convicted to do this. I will do it! If you want to join me, pray for me, or give some memorizing pointers, leave a comment.

THE FIRST SEGMENT TO MEMORIZE BY NEXT WEEK:

(NEW LIVING TRANSLATION)

PHILIPPIANS 1

1 THIS LETTER IS FROM PAUL AND TIMOTHY, SLAVES OF CHRIST JESUS.
I AM WRITING TO ALL OF GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE IN PHILIPPI WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS, INCLUDING THE ELDERS AND DEACONS.

2 MAY GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST GIVE YOU GRACE AND PEACE.

3 EVERY TIME I THINK OF YOU, I GIVE THANKS TO MY GOD. 4 WHENEVER I PRAY, I MAKE MY REQUESTS FOR ALL OF YOU WITH JOY,5 FOR YOU HAVE BEEN MY PARTNERS IN SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT CHRIST FROM THE TIME YOU FIRST HEARD IT UNTIL NOW.6 AND I AM CERTAIN THAT GOD, WHO BEGAN THE GOOD WORK WITHIN YOU, WILL CONTINUE HIS WORK UNTIL IT IS FINALLY FINISHED ON THE DAY WHEN CHRIST JESUS RETURNS.
7 SO IT IS RIGHT THAT I SHOULD FEEL AS I DO ABOUT ALL OF YOU, FOR YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. YOU SHARE WITH ME THE SPECIAL FAVOR OF GOD, BOTH IN MY IMPRISONMENT AND IN DEFENDING AND CONFIRMING THE TRUTH OF THE GOOD NEWS. 8GOD KNOWS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU AND LONG FOR YOU WITH THE TENDER COMPASSION OF CHRIST JESUS.

9 I PRAY THAT YOUR LOVE WILL OVERFLOW MORE AND MORE, AND THAT YOU WILL KEEP ON GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. 10 FOR I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT REALLY MATTERS, SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE PURE AND BLAMELESS LIVES UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST’S RETURN. 11 MAY YOU ALWAYS BE FILLED WITH THE FRUIT OF YOUR SALVATION—THE RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER PRODUCED IN YOUR LIFE BY JESUS CHRIST FOR THIS WILL BRING MUCH GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD.

Memorizing Philippians

Someone on Facebook posted this link challenging us to join in memorizing the book of Philippians. I read the link, and thought to myself, "no way". I kept coming across the link and felt more and more convicted to do this. I will do it! If you want to join me, pray for me, or give some memorizing pointers, leave a comment.

The first segment to memorize by next week:

(New Living Translation)

Philippians 1

¹ This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

³ Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. ⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

⁷ So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. ⁸God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

⁹ I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. ¹⁰ For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. ¹¹ May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

A woman adopting from Ethiopia wrote this on her blog to fellow adoptive parents...

"Many of you are called to adopt from Uganda, Haiti... even countries that are currently closed. It is a longer, more uncertain
route. It is your Red Sea experience. But take heart. The same Lord who parted the Red Sea is the same God you and I serve today! He is able!
He can make a way where there seems to be no way!!! Do not give up or lose heart!!!
The Lord wants you to NOT BE AFRAID, JUST STAND STILL AND WATCH THE LORD RESCUE!

THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU. JUST STAY CALM!

Praise Him, Praise Him that He fights our battles for us!"

Prayer Warriors, unite!

A friend is organizing a conference call prayer meeting this Sunday at 5-6 EST (for us that would be 2:00) Read the whole post about it here. I am so excited as I have seen God move mountains in adoption before. Can't wait to see what happens with this. Please consider joining in, even if you aren't adopting, to intercede for the least of these.

Would you please join me in a time of corporate prayer this Sunday, February 7th at 5:00-6:00 PM EST? We won't be spending time discussing the situation. We won't be asking or answering questions. Those who wish to pray can simply pray what is on their heart. I will open us in prayer at 5:00 PM EST and I will close us in prayer by 6:00 PM EST. Please join us for the entire hour or five minutes, whatever works for you.

Some particulars about the call:

*The call will ask you to introduce yourself. If you are calling in after we have begun, please just remain silent and join in the call.

*Please don't use headphones or put the call on speaker. This will prevent a lot of noise and make it easier for all to focus.

*Please press *6 to mute yourself once you join the call. Press *6 to unmute yourself if you want to pray out loud.

You can join in the call by calling:
Conference Dial-in Number: (605) 475-4850
Participant Access Code: 244388#

***UPDATE***
Within 10 minutes of posting I received two emails informing me I may want to change the time because the Super Bowl Pre-Show will be on during that time and the call would interfere with Super Bowl Parties. It is my opinion some things are more important than football, just sayin'...

Different

by Vincen Tabatha

How are we so "different"?

If "different" is just a thing.

If we all have certain features,

What does "different" bring?

People filled with hatred,

Can't possibly see,

That there's not really "differences"

Between you and me.

Looks can't show "difference",

If they're just there to be seen.

If you don't look like someone else,

Why are they so mean?

If being "different" is what is wrong,

I'd rather not be right.

And I'd want to finish living,

Doing the "different" fight.

A child from my son's middle school recently passed away suddenly. That's what the info sheet he brought home said. When asked about it I learned there are many rumors and speculations that he had committed suicide because of teasing and bullying. A few more questions brought about the fact that he was physically different than others. I am so sad about this.

Today I read a great post here, about her son's Jesus heart.

I think of my children, all of them different. A few with physical differences, a few with differences unseen. All in ONE FAMILY, there are seven people who are all different from each other. And you know what? God created every single one of us, and loves us all EQUALLY.

Update from Lawyer

Here's an email from our lawyer regarding our situation:

Hi Kimberly, i think u have been reading whats going on right now,
hopefully this will be settled soon, it usually happens whenever there
is a change in consulars,we had the same problem with the last
consular and now with this one.

Please keep in touch and tell me when u get all your documents.

God Bless,

Isaac

On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 3:32 AM, Kimberly Smith  wrote:
> Dear Isaac,
> I am sure you are very busy but I wanted to see if you have any insight on
> what's going on with legal guardianship and US visas.  We are still very
> hopeful that Mercy will be able to come join our family within the next few
> months. 
> Please let me know your thoughts.  I guess if worse comes to worse we could
> try to apply for a medical visa for Mercy.  We are very close right now to
> having all our paperwork ready, once we have the final affidavit we should
> be able to mail it to you very soon.
> Blessings,
> Kimberly

email from FBI

We received your information on 11-23. I will forward your request to the processing area.

----- Original Message -----
From: "K. Smith"
Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010 11:22 am
Subject: fingerprinting clearance
To: liaison@leo.gov

>

To whom it may concern,

My husband and I submitted our request for our background check mid November. I understand your offices are busy and it's currently taking 10-12 weeks. We are in the process of adopting a little girl from Africa who has severe epilepsy. She is not able to be treated in her country and we are trying to get her here as soon as possible. The only thing holding up our paperwork is the letter from the FBI stating our fingerprints are cleared. Is it possible in anyway to expedite things to help our little girl to get here quickly?

Thank you very much for your
> time,

Peace like a river..

I have been praying like crazy since the news about adoptions in Uganda happened. Last night as I was cleaning and doing laundry I was praying, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I felt this before with our son Elijah's adoption. I didn't think he would ever come home and I spend much of my time fretting and praying about it. One day I had been praying and I heard in my head a voice say to me, "Don't you trust me?" I relied on God to bring Elijah home and he did. I feel the same with Mercy. He has had his hand over this entire process, why now would he let go and let us fall? He will get her home.

In paperwork news...Jeremiah spoke to our pediatrician yesterday and I emailed Mercy's files to him to review so he can write the letter for our affidavit.

Please, please pray for the situation in Uganda. If things don't get handled properly it could shut down all adoptions from there.

so close and now this...

I logged on to facebook to see how my friend S. is doing in Uganda. She just had approval for her son's legal guardianship on Monday. She is going through all the steps to get his passport/visa and come home. She had some issues today while trying to get paperwork for his passport. Well that opened a whole can of worms on the internet and now I am hearing stories from several other families in the process. Here is the worst one, but seems to be accurate from what I can tell.

I just got an email from our

social worker with Generations:
I wanted you to be aware that we have heard that Legal Guardianship Immigrant Visa issuance in Uganda is currently on “hold” due to a problem with the wording used for the legal guardianship paperwork in the Ugandan courts. They have not shut down adoptions in Uganda, but the U.S. has asked them to put a pause on issuing visas until they can work out different wording with the Uganda courts. Our Ugandan attorney has a appointment at the US Embassy in Kampala tomorrow to obtain additional information and potential ramifications relating to this situation. Generations is confident that hearing directly from the Embassy will cut through a lot of rumors now circulating on the internet. I will email you again tomorrow to let you know information. At this time, this is all the information I have and will not have more accurate information until our lawyer meets with the Embassy tomorrow.

So, we are not exactly sure what will happen... some people are very positive that things will improve, some not so much. Everyone agrees that we all need to be on our knees. PLEASE pray that we will be able to bring Mercy here. I would be heartbroken, and I think she would be too....Pray for our friends in the process who are there right now. Pray for the future of adoptions and for the millions of children so deserving of a family.

Simplify

I have been working on simplifying my life the last few weeks. So far it's going slow. Here are some things I have done so far...

• Started a token earning system for the kids. They have to do chores to earn them, and can spend them on a special treat or activity, or tv/computer time. They can lose tokens by naughty behavior.
• I am editing my memberships to the several yahoo groups I've been part of. I get lots of emails in my yahoo box and most of them are from group discussions that I never even read. I just spend my time deleting. So I am taking the time now to remove myself from the groups I don't need to be part of anymore (like some Haitian adoption groups) and editing some so I don't get the emails.
• We bought a cabinet like the one below to go in the family room (it's not the prettiest thing but it was pretty inexpensive) to store stuff I don't want the little guys into (games, puzzles, playdough, craft supplies). Now I have the storage space for the stuff to put it where it belongs (dishes in the china cabinet, shoes and coats in the closet, etc.)

• I am going through everything and packing unused or unwanted items in boxes for an early spring garage sale. We are storing all the packed boxes in a room in the studio.

Here are some goals I have for the near future:

• finish painting the girl's room. It's more than halfway finished
• start doubling up on recipes and freezing meals
• continue organizing and purging

Nearly there!

I got so excited tonight...look at our thermometer on the side of this page! We are nearly halfway to our goal! We really just have travel expenses remaining. Hurray! God always provides. I've had a sense of peace since beginning this journey, and continue to feel His hand guide us.

Thank you to friends and family who have given to Mercy, we love you!

As far as paperwork...here's what's left:

• Our affidavit is being finished up by our lawyer. We have a draft right now. He says we should have the completed one by next week. This will tell us all of the documents that need to be mailed to Uganda. Once we have it, we need to make copies of all the included documents and get them notarized. Then get the notarized copies, copied. Make sense? I know, it's confusing.
• We need a letter from MAT explaining how we found out about Mercy. It is written, just needs to be notarized by a director, she's planning on doing that soon.
• We need a letter from our doctor stating that Mercy needs specialized care. I called our pediatricians office (who actually used to run an AIDS clinic in Africa) and left a message with the front desk. Hoping there will not be a problem with this. He's been helpful with adoption paperwork in the past.
• FBI fingerprint originals. Waiting on that. I actually faxed them the change in address today. I originally told them to mail them to our social worker. His office moved, and I realized that he doesn't need them at all, they are for our dossier. So hopefully the FBI will mail them to the correct address, ours.
• Mercy's home needs Ministry of Gender approval. Our lawyer told us that it's something we can work around if they don't get it soon. It would look better if they do. They had a health inspection last week. They are planning on running around this week for more paperwork duties.

That seems like a lot, but in all reality, we could be mailing in our affidavit/dossier by next week if things work out very well. More realistically, two weeks. Then, we will wait for a court date. I am not sure how long to expect to wait on that...but we have heard of two families who recently went with less than a weeks notice. We could be in Uganda by the beginning of March!

Pierced

My little girl got her ears pierced last weekend. I so wish I could have been there to hold her hand. I heard she did really well and loves her earrings. Then I read about why the girls in Mercy's home all got their ears pierced. As I was reading the email I let out an "oh my gosh"...ready?

S. wrote:

On Saturday we gave all the girls holes in there ears and earrings. Mercy did very good and she loves them.
It was important to do so because there is a lot of sacrifice going on. They steal children, take some parts from them and then kill them.It is all withcraft!! it is happening a lot but last weekend it happened to a girl in our Neighbourhood. (a family member of one of our workers) They believe that the children need to be complete and virgins otherwise they don't take them that fast. So when they have earrings they are not complete.

I guess I was a bit ignorant about the culture/lifestyle in Uganda. I knew that there was some voodoo/witchcraft but I thought Haiti was far worse.

I also read this, from a facebook friend..
I just recently spent 6 weeks in Jinja. It is a very dark place. There is alot of withcraft and child sacrifice. They pierce their ears right away and even stick a kind of fishing line or stick/twig in there if they don't have earrings. This piercing renders them "damaged" and they are not pure anymore for sacrifice. One mama said they have to be soooo careful because even FAMILY members will come during the day if the children are alone or whatever and take the kids off to be sacrificed.

I wrote:
do they do something for the boys or they not at as great of a risk of being taken?

her reply:
not sure...read something about circumcision, but I can't remember the context...girls are overall considered "more valuable" in Ugandan culture because they work. That is why there are always more boys available for adoption. "http://www.layscience.net/node/884" this article speaks to circumcision and ear piercing although I don't know if this is a reputable source..just came across it one day...

Please pray for the protection of the children at Mercy's home, and in her village.