Yes, I received some discouraging news this afternoon. Our Represenative stopped by the Hotel while I was out having fun with the Houseman family, and then called when I returned...I found out our court (Court 6 - a "good" court mind you) is going through some changes and will not be open until the END of February! Isabel, our Representative, shared how our attorney is going to work very hard to get our case signed early next week. She also shared how the Director of Pisingos told her on Monday that we were going to get Sentencia on Thursday (yesterday)...she did not tell me, because she knows he can say these things but, then they do not happen (future families, he is the most wonderful man-but a people pleaser)...well, it has not happended for us...and it will take a miracle to sign Sentencia next week! A MIRACLE if I am home by the end of the month!!!
So, how are we dealing with this?! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't mad...and sad...and my mind starts going back to our agency and the big "oopsie" they made with our paperwork in early September that costed us 5 weeks (yes, that would have put us in Colombia in early November)...and my mind can go to the "oopsie" Pisingos made with our Defender of Minors appt., costing us to not get in the courts until after the holiday shut down on January 12...I could really sit on this and become bitter and angry quickly...but, where would that get me?! No where...so, I just began to pray scripture and let it fall on my heart...and the Holy Spirit has poured over me shalom!! Is my saddness gone? No...I'm pretty heavy right now. How can I be peaceful and sad at the same time?! Peaceful because my God is faithful, He is my hope, my refuge...He is here, and this is where HE WANTS ME (and Caroline and Marta)...my HOPE is in Him, not the courts, or the judge...when I learn that I could be here until March, my heart longs to be home...and that is what makes me very sad!!!
So how can my feelings shift with one conversation from my Representative?! It's not a done deal yet...mentally, I prepared my mind to be here 10 weeks...I thought that is legit...gives the courts plenty of time, even with the "shut down." So, I can't jump to conclusions just yet. It just is a possiblity that never has crossed my mind. Having my visa expire?! But, even that...I feel I can handle...I am surrounded by some very special people encouraging me along the way (that would be Isabel, Carmen, Valeria, Juanita, and now, the Houseman family)! The hard part is when I'm tucking Caroline in bed at night and she is crying for her Papi and telling me she wants to live in Michigan...her heart is so ready...like I have never seen it...how does a little 4 year old comprehend what is taking place. Tonight I just wept right with her...her cry was painful, deep, one I have not heard yet, probably like the cry she had for her birth mom when she never came back for her...it's to much to hear, it does not seem fair that this precious little girl needs to ever wonder about if she is going to see her Papi again...she longs to see him! She is at a wonderful place to come home! And then, John and the kiddos back home...doing it...but, it's been hard...So, there you have it...a day ending with heavy hearts...hoping for a miracle early next week! We'll probably know by mid week if the judge will sign or we have to wait...
On to our adventures...the last couple of days have been fun. We met with Ernie, Christy, and their 3 boys, Jaider, Jerson, and ChooCho! Caroline lived with them at Pisingos for over a year...they were her buddies. She was so happy to see them for a bit and finds it very great that they are moving to the United States, too! She comprehends all this, and the whole walk home talked a hundred miles a minute about them, Pisingos, Michigan...she continues to amaze me how well she speaks, shares her thoughts and feelings...she is a leader I am discovering (sometimes a bit bossy according to Jacaob Houseman)...it was fun to see her interact with her amigos!
Caroline and Jaider...
And today we took a taxi to Park 93. It's a peaceful park, nice to see a new site...and the Houseman Family were gracious enough to let us eat at an American Resturaunt-Fridays. I have just started craving it a bit...the park was relaxing, the food tasted really good to me, and then we walked to "Atlantis" Mall (an upscale Mall a few miles from the park)...again, I was amazed how we navigated to the mall in our broken Spanglish...I was rather proud of us! The real adventure didn't begin until we were ready to head home. We tried to flag a taxi, but, for some odd reason none of them wanted to stop and pick us up...so, we began to walk, and walk, and walk...a few stopped, saw the big daddy stroller I was pushing, shook their heads and drove away...ok, at this point I'm feeling a bit angry with the taxi drivers...so, I stepped down into the road, saw a nice big taxi car (some are very small)...flagged him down, he slowed down, I walked towards him, he started shaking his head no when he saw the stroller, I got right up to his window, and don't even remember what came out of my mouth...but, soon, he got out of us car, loaded us up, and drove us back to the hotel...just in time before the rain came in...What a hoot! I'm not sure Dave and Tammy are going to want to flag a taxi with me again...the big double stroller gets a lot of rejection on the town!!
And on to Marta...oh she is just a riot! She remains stubborn, mealtime a total challenge yet, she loves to push her limits and then smile at you, she wants to talk so badly...she giggles all the time, sqwaks all the time during meal time (sorry Dave and Tammy)...her eyes bright, she's sharp, just can't express herself yet! Today when I heard the discouraging news on our case...she is right there slapping my arm, trying to tell me to tickle her and make her giggle...she totally has the ability to walk, just doesn't want to...a bit lazy...so, her clothes are always dirty...she's going to put holes in all her pants before we come home...she continues to be busy and into everything...she "power" crawls and is a speedster strolling along furniture...
She is getting bigger and rounder...and totally breaking my back...so, the other day, I did get a massage ($20 for an hour)...her eyes are always watching me...and they melt my heart...
Luciana is a little peanut next to her...Katya wants me to start slapping her hand when she sucks her thumb...I don't think so...I know a good orthodontist who can take care of her buck teeth...it's to precious...in Katya's defense, her thumbs are rather raw...no I should say bruised and puffy from all the sucking...
I love this picture...because she can't express herself she has become very animated...below she is saying "I don't know?!" Neither do we little Marta, neither do we!!!
"Consider it pure JOY, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because the testing of your faith develops PERSERVERANCE. Perserverance must finish it's work, so, that you may be mature and complete, not lacking ANYTHING! If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him! But, when he asks he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like the wave of the sea, blown and tossed in the wind...BLESSED is the man who PERSERVERES under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him!" from James 1
My new focus has become perserverance! Family, I NEED you to not get down and frustrated right now...I NEED you to perservere right along with me!!! This is God's way...let's end this well!!!!
Kris - we're in this with you sister, we're praying you through. God ways are not ours - His ways are perfect. We're here for John and the kids. Look on the bright side you could get to miss a whole Michigan winter. WE love you all so much and we know that God is your Advocate, Provider and Protection. Give Marta and Caroline huge hugs from the Smiths and let them know that we cant wait to see them and welcome them into our crazy family. We pray for them every day. we are watching God do miracles, giving peace in chaos is the best, and maybe He'll perform a miracle of getting you home early - we trust you to Him. We're perserving with you.!!!
ReplyDeleteKristi, This is the stuff that is really tough. You have been very patient and you had realistic expectations about the length of your stay heading into this part of the journey. And then you were told "soon". I'm sure this all led up to a "crash" in emotions when you heard from Isabel yesterday. So go easy on yourself - you deserve to feel the frustrations and let down. But you are also right, of course . . . what can you do but pray and make the most of every minute there. I still DO believe in that miracle. I've seen the folks in Colombia make things happen - if it is in there power at all, they will make this happen for you all!! I'm also thrilled that you have families that are friends from home coming there very soon. If you can't take your girls home yet, bring some of Michigan to them :) Thinking of you all and praying for peace in your swirling mind and mostly . . . for that miracle!
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ReplyDeleteisti,
ReplyDeleteWe are all cheering you on up here girl. Let's hope & pray for the best next week. Hindsight is always 20/20 - good thing our God already has hindsight !
Hang in there Kris - feel the prayers going up for you guys & rest in His peace.
Kristi,
ReplyDeleteIt has truly been an honor and a joy to be here in Colombia with you and your two wonderful little nina's. Although we would like to keep you here with us, we will be praying for a swift return for you to your Michigan family.
Oh Kristi -
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine a little of the frustration you feel right now, and I am glad you are letting go with some good cries!!! God is good, and this journey will come to an end. We pray that it ends sooner than later. We are stepping up our prayer warrior stances for you, and we are praying for you even more each and every day.
I marvel over your strength and know it can only be attributed to God's love for you and your precious family that you are handling these twists and turns with a positive, persevering spirit. Our arms are wrapped around you. We are rejoicing that God does not forsake... that you ARE persevering... that Marta and Caroline are learning what it means from you to love God no matter what - what a gift for them to see. We aren't perfect, but they can see that needing God in all of this is real.
We are praying for you each day, several times in my devotions, and I am gaining strength from you in your stance and strength in God in the face of so much :) You are amazing!!!!!
Love and hugs from the Holwerda Family
Oh Kristi...how much you are in our prayers. God is truly working through you, and you are ministering to all of us through your blogs. God is so good to give you peace through all of this...He does have the perfect plan for when you will come home...we just don't understand it sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAlso know that it's ok to be sad...and frustrated...we have been there (although not for that long) and it is so hard when you're ready to come home. Caroline is breakin my heart!
We're saying prayers all the time for you, and for your family here in Michigan...God works miracles!!!
Becky
Peace and Joy to you Kristi and John,Issy the Whizzy, Si Guy, Beautiful Caroline and Marvelous Marta,Our Dear Ones on this wonderful Lords Day, a gift from Our Loving God!!!! I got started this morning praying for you all.The verses I read were based on our thankfulness to God."When you have eaten and are full, you shall bless the Lord your God.[Deut.8:10] Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God[Deut.8:11] The story from Luke17:15-18 reminded me to be thankful.See also Romans 14:6 and Psalm103:1-4. Kris ,the crying of your heart via the blog and watching John doing yoeman's duty is most inspiring and we give thanks. We are thankful for tough annd difficult times, especially when the outcome is out of our hands and lay in the arms of our almighty whose everlasting arms are holding and carrying us. AWESOME THOUGHT!When we are weak, then we are strong.Kris and John, you are being tested by fire and will become pure as gold! That means ALL of you. We love you all and can't wait to see you in His perfect timing. Until then, GOD BLESS! Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteKristi --
ReplyDeleteWe've never met, but I've been following along on your journeys for years. We have two sons, adopted from Ayudame in 2004 and 2005 through BCS. I followed you via Caring Bridge on your first two adoptions and then found you again via Megan's blog (Colombianbrewed)
I wanted to encourage you that you just never know what is going to happen in Colombia! (as you well know, I am sure) When we were there in 2005 adopting our son, Mateo, Isabel came to us one afternoon about 5 weeks into the stay and told us to prepare our hearts and minds for a much longer stay. She said we had been placed in a court that had in the past not been favorable to Americans adopting Colombian children and that sometimes cases sat for weeks on the judge's desk. I can't remember exactly how many times in had to pass back through his hand (2, maybe) before we could go home, but she wanted us to be prepared to stay for several more weeks. We were crushed. Our first adoption had gone exactly as planned and we ended leaving Bogota earlier than our original return date. We spent that afternoon tormented over what to do...should my husband return home to work? Should he take our older son with him? How long before he would be forced to go back due to work? Could one of our parents come and help out and if so, how long could they stay? At the time this was only my second trip to Colombia (since then, I have traveled as a missionary to Bogota and Cartagena at least once, usually twice a year) so I was afraid to be there alone.
To make this already long-story much shorter...Isabel called again that evening...when we heard she was on the phone, we looked at each other as if to say "what now" What she said was " you will not beleive this, because neither do I, but you have Sentencia!" Our case had gone back and forth the required number of times in ONE afternoon!
Looking back, I only wish I has trusted God as much as you are everyday. He will bring you HOME! You can count on that!!
Your children are absolutely GORGEOUS! and so precious. I pray only the best for all of you in this last leg of your journey and in the days and years to come!
May God's blessings continue to rain down on you!
Brooke Wright
Cincinnati, Ohio
wrightb4@gmail.com
Praying for God's overwhelming grace and peace to be upon you and for mountains to be moved in the judicial system as you wait on Him. Praying for your heart, for the hearts of your family who are all waiting to be united again. Rejoicing with you in God's sovereignty - where humans may make many mistakes which cost us much - but where God has a plan to redeem each of those weary hurts and burdens for His glory and our good. As you walk through this, God has used you as a blessing to others in ways you will never know because you have had to trust Him through the mistakes of others and because you are wiling to do the hard things for Him. Praying for you daily!
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