The Painting

We received the Haitian painting of Samuel Chancelet in the mail (this was a fundraiser for the orphanage - great idea!) So, here is a picture of the painting (we had just opened up the package!) as well as the actual photo it was based off of.

While in Haiti for our I-600 paperwork, Joe also found some smaller B&W paintings, so we had those shipped back at the same time. I just love Haitian artwork: stunning, beautiful.

God Knows What Is Yet To Come...

We had a really good church service today; one I needed. Our pastor spoke about discouragement (Psalm 42) and it was about those times when you need to provide your own strength (like oh, say …maybe working your way through the day-to-day Haiti adoption process?!) He said that sometimes you have to encourage yourself through life, and rather than being miserable or waiting for someone else to encourage you - you have to rely on your faith/beliefs and work your way through. God knows what is yet to come, we need to remember that.

1. Say to yourself: It okay to ask yourself how come you feel the way you do – working through those questions is a good thing. It is okay go through “seasons of dryness” where there are no answers. These are the times to put your hope in God and talk yourself through. We tend to want a reason for everything; to blame, to hold someone accountable… when sometimes there really are no reasons.
2. Sing to yourself: Singing shifts focus off of oneself. Psalms is the raw expression being poured out to God. Be alone, sing – it takes faith for most of us.
3. Preach to yourself: Get in the Bible. See what God has to say to you. Scripture sustains hope, gives perspective.

I needed to hear this, as I have been feeling to be in my own dry spell lately... Frustrated, sad and not always feeling like God is hearing me. But I realized today that He is. And the fact that I am talking with Him is good. He does hear... and I believe that.

We also had the awesome pleasure of having Warren Barfield sing to us (one of his tracks is in the Fireproof movie.) It was a really good message for us. Sometimes life isn’t so easy for couples working through infertility/the Haiti adoption process, etc… I am so thankful for Joe.

He said he originally wrote this to his wife (not for the movie)...

Love Is Not A Fight

Capturing Memories...

Today is one of those days...

Scrapbooking is therapeutic for me, and I love re-living the moments.

Almost Back to Reality...

Our road trip across the US, has been a wonderful distraction from thinking about Samuel Chancelet and getting down about the process. Don't get me wrong, we have thought about him OFTEN and pray every night for his safety and for the Haiti process to start moving... BUT, we have been able to get out and just enjoy new things and spending time together.

We had a GREAT trip and other than 1 blow-up at Mt. Rushmore, we got along great! :-)

But we miss SC... so very much. It was so nice to meet Kent and Cathleen in Ann Arbor and just have time to chat about adoption and share feelings/thoughts. We talked and talked, knowing we had just been through the same experience in Haiti...

I miss my son. I hate not being with him right now. I look at pictures of his little hands and feet and I just want him next to me. I want to hug and cuddle him... I want to treasure him.

Heading East...

Follow us as we make our way across the USA!

http://wilkinstravels.blogspot.com/

Missed

 

To Those Wondering Why This Process Is So Long

This should help shed some light on the Haiti adoption “process” issues:

http://achildsvoiceinternational.blogspot.com/2009/08/updates.html

No Explanatory Words Needed Here...

Might Take A Moment To Load (click on the picture.)

Feeling Good

I am feeling excited:

• for a friend who is leaving for Haiti on Monday! I am giggling inside for them, as they head to Haiti for the I-600 paperwork. Nothing will ever replace the memory that is about to be made in meeting their son. Joe and I are "praying them through" this trip!
• to have my husband back at home TONIGHT! No more lonely nights, wallowing in self-pity… I get my best friend back! J
• because I had forgotten all about Samuel Chancelet’s Haitian portrait! I saw it while in Haiti and it’s pretty special! I can’t wait for it to arrive here in the mail!

Thanks to everyone who has sent emails and/or posted comments of encouragement & well-wishes… Knowing you are out there means the world to me!

Hope Now...

Today's Thoughts

It has been a rough day at work (make that a rough week…) I am tired, exhausted and not feeling like the woman I am meant to be... Sometimes I feel like I am playing a part in a play; acting a part - because it’s clearly “not me” making those decisions or thriving in that nasty environment. I will never be able to reconcile wanting to be who I am (or desire to be) as a woman… and the role I am expected to play in my work-world.

Today it seems that some friends have it so much harder than I do, which put things back into perspective for me… This adoption process is testing me to the core (which would be plenty enough for anyone to deal with) but I also have some “not-so-easy” stuff going on at work. However, I realized that these things don’t compare with some issues other adoptive parents are being faced with this week. So, I need to step back from my own problems and “up-level” my frustrations.

Thoughts:

• I think people going through Haitian adoption have to be incredibility strong people (not sure if I consider myself in this category yet, but know that I will be there by the time this is all said & done; there is no other option if you want your child to come home.)
• I wonder why we are tested in this way; seems as though most of us have been through some significant life dramas/traumas already (did we need more?)
• Hanging on too tight. I am finding that I wish I could go to my life “pre-Samuel Chancelet” – to go back to that point in time when I didn’t know him, and didn’t know what I was missing. A friend pointed out to me that was impossible at this point… She is right.
• I have been trying to be alone with God and just talk… asking Him to either a) speed up the process for all of us, or b) give me strength and patience to get through the next steps. I just want Him to know I will do what He asks of me… I just need help one way or the other.
• The hardest part, I think... I can't control any of what happens from this point on. I have done all that I can...
• I am tired of complaining and thinking about this stuff… I have so much other stuff to deal with in life (who doesn’t…)
• I miss my son.

Enough for now.

I will leave you with an oldie, but goody… thanks to Cathleen for sending it to me, right when I needed it.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.

Amen.

July Update - Just Arrived!

This month it seemed appropriate to have a bug theme for your children’s photos. We certainly have our fair share of bugs in Haiti, and many of your children are fascinated by the bugs they see. The older kids, especially, enjoy capturing and/or observing whatever bugs they may find.

This is also a good reminder:

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. ~Psalm 24:1

As you know, your boy is doing very well. Enjoy this month’s photos.

• Weight: 16 lbs
• Height: 27.5 inches (70 cm)
• Adoption status: Parquet

Mail!

The mail came today and look what showed up?! My "assortment" of wallets!

I have no idea why I ordered so many… but it’s better than not enough, right? J