Moving Along...

What a long day! You haven't heard me talk much about Carmen. She is by far one of my favorite people in Colombia! She is Isabel's assistant (niece), and typically helps families get through all the Sentencia paperwork. I adore this faith-filled, soft-spoken, wear her "heart on her shoulder" kind of a woman! So, today it was her and I on a grand mission.

She (and the taxi driver) picked me up at 8:30, we drove downtown Bogota to one of the worst parts of town. That was the notary where the girls were relinquished, and that is where we needed to get their new birth certificates. We entered into this run down notary (much different from previous adoptions) and it was jammed packed full. We looked at each other and thought it may be days before we receive their birth certificates...well, after standing for 2 hours...again, correcting a few mistakes...leaving for an hour...waiting for another 2 hours...we left with the girls new birth certificates (1st miracle of the day)...with little time to spare we called Valeria at the hotel, had her get the girls ready and out the door, so we could take them to get their passport photos and passports...the clock was ticking. We arrived 2 minutes before they closed. We ran in, rushed the girls to the photo center, and were the last ones that they let into the passport application center. Because the workers were anxious to leave, they did not check through our Sentencia paperwork (which we found 2 more errors after we left the courts yesterday)...this was good, because within 5 minutes our girls were issued their Colombian Passports...we were the last ones to leave the building (miracle #2)...Isabel quick called the Embassy Doctor to see if he could squeeze us in...and received a yes...off to the Doctor...he too, looked passed a few errors, checked the girls all over, gave Caroline an immunization for Measels, etc...and told me how "gorda" Marta was...and then issued what we needed to take to the US Embassy (miracle #3)...during that period Carmen was off to Pisingos to get the docuements sent off to ICBF...our paperwork chase ending at 7pm...the girls and I hungry and tired...

Big things happened for us today...and if ICBF continues to cooperate (new step in the process)...we will be able to go to the US Embassy tomorrow, pick up the girls Visas on Thursday...and be home by Saturday (if flights aren't full)...this is best case...it all hinges on whether or not ICBF issues the document we need for the embassy...we'll know tomorrow!

Carmen...she is sooo special...we had a lot of down time today as we waited...I learned so much about this dear woman who loves God so much...her life...living in South of Bogota which is known to be full of poverty and despair...I thanked her at the end of the day for all that she did for us...and she said, "I didn't do anything...that was all God!"

Answered Prayer...SENTENCIA!!!

That's right...God heard our prayers...and SENTENCIA came our way today!!! It's been whirlwind of a day. I was in the middle of getting my haircut at the hotel when Isabel called. She was very calm at first, sharing that she talked to our attorney this morning...the attorney had already spoken with the judge, and the judge told her that courts were closed...as you can see below (if you understand Spanish) that indeed Court 6 is closed the whole month of February...

...and the judge said NO. Isabel pushed harder...the attorney tried one more time with the judge, and the judge then agreed to meet her at the courts this morning. We still needed the Defender's signature (which they are allowed 5 business days)...but, the judge then convinced the Defender to sign off our case...I cried so hard when I hung up the phone. Caroline was right with me...I told her "Mami es muy feliz para usted es mi hija siempre!" She understood exactly what I meant (even though it was all "spanglished" up in emotion), and we hugged for a very long time...but, then she freaked out when she saw me getting ready to leave because she thought I was leaving to go to the United States without her...no kids allowed to come to the signing...thankfully Valeria was right there explaining everything to her...Caroline is still taking it all in! (please pray for her...I was gone a long time today and have to leave first thing tomorrow...her emotions are all over the place right now)!

At 1:oo pm, Johnny, Carmen, and myself headed downtown to court 6...after 4 hours of correcting errors on our final decree (like John's name, Caroline's birthdate, the girl's birth last name, my maiden name...) You know, we were actually in a good court, I discovered it was our attorney who dropped the ball on us! What she did in one day, Isabel and Carmen had been trying to get her to do 2 weeks ago. But, I signed, and that is what matters!!!

So, it's official!! Caroline Nicole and Marta Tatiana are offically Vander Maas'...we made it through the first step of many to come home!! Tomorrow morning first thing, Carmen and I are off to the Notary where the girls were relinquished. Please pray the documents we need turn in 1 day (usually takes 2)...if it does we have a good chance to come home by Saturday...if not, I'm quite sure I will be here until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week...regardless...it's a happy day! And once we get through all the paperwork hurdles (notary, passports, US embassy Doctor, Us Embassy, Visas)...we will be coming home!!! Prayer warriors...you're awesome!!! God heard...and ANSWERED!

BLESSED

To my El Puente friends, I'm sure you remember the face below with our girls...Nico! Last year Nico lived with the Fennema family in Holland, as an exchange student for 10 months. I got to know him a bit, as he always showed interest in our kids when he'd pick up Sammi (Isabel's friend) from Kindergarten. God blessed me on Saturday, and I had no idea that it would be through an exchange student that lived in MI, that I barely new...I was feeling a little blue from our discouraging news the day before and Nico was able to bring a little home my way (like telling me how much he didn't like the snow-I needed that reminder-how much he loved Russ'-and how special his little "hermanita" Sammi was to him)! He also shared more of this great country with me...

This day also reminded me what a gift our school is for the kids (and us as parents)...we read often in the Blue Notes... "Blessed to be a Blessing!" Last year Nico was blessed forever by the Fennema family...today God used him to bless me! Amazing that in a foreign land, seeing a familiar face from school was just what I needed being away from home...not only was he a familiar face, we had non-stop conversation for 4 hours...in MI I could barely communicate with him, but, the fact that he has learned more English, and I Spanish, allowed us to have a wonderful time getting to know more about each other's home lands...and that is why El Puente is so special...Saturday I experienced first hand the true meaning of El Puente ( "the bridge")...my world was opened up when I wasn't expecting it...Nico blessed me on Saturday...

And then on Sunday, Tias Isabel and Katya, took me out for the afternoon. I always wanted to go downtown Bogota. I've been to the "old" downtown, La Candeleria, and loved it...but, I wanted to see more of what went on in the heart of the city...it is not a place "foreigners" can just walk, as Isabel said she would never let a family come there with out her. So, again, I was blessed by our Representative, Isabel Romero. We took her car, had a blast walking the streets, having a pastry at some shop, walking the antique markets, having a goofy "old fashioned" photo taken of the 3 of us, and then ending with lunch. These 2 women have given of their time to our family...and today, I could enjoy just the 2 of them on a personal level. It was overwhelming once again taking in the heart of the city...the poverty great, the junk, pornagraphy every where (men here do not have a chance)...but, amidst all of that, the smell of the corn roasting, children laughing, music playing...there was beauty in the mess of it all...and I was so blessed!

And then that night I opened an email from my mother-in-law...and she shared some pics of the kids from Saturday. They are always on the back of my mind...and it was so fun to see what they have been up to that Saturday...Grandpa and Grandma VM took them on a scavenger hunt through the mall...

...and ended up at "Build a Bear" to make a special animal for Caroline and Marta...

...then back home to show daddy what they did...

Right now, while I am away...I have 2 sets of parents working hard every day to help John out with the kids...getting them off to school, helping with meals, doing laundry, homework, etc...and again...God reminded me...that I am so BLESSED!! And it doesn't end there...the emails I have received from friends and family (even total strangers) were so overwhelming...they brought me to tears and my knees praising God for all that He is doing and has done!!! "Blessed to be a Blessing"...a simple statement said over and over and over in my world...but, it is what we are here for, I don't think we can say it, or work on blessing others enough!!

Faithful Prayer Warriors...We need a Miracle!!

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!!!!

9 WEEKS!!!

Wowza! Did I just type NINE WEEKS?! I just flipped my calendar yesterday...funny how I have lost track of time and days while being here...my days are based on "Oh, it's pancakes for breakfast, it must be Sunday." I officially feel like I am becoming a citizen of Colombia!! I go to the bank and somebody tells me the machines are down, and I understand every word he is saying, I check out at the Carulla Grocery Store and I understand every single word they are speaking to me...amazing! Caroline tells me big imaginative long stories, and I get about three quarters of it! 9 weeks of being immersed in the Colombian culture, 3 adoptions later (equals a total of 20 weeks)...and I am FINALLY able to take in the culture in a way I always have wanted that I love so dearly.

My communication skills are very "elementary" but, I have navigated my way around, and have become very comfortable being out on the town...solo with my 2 precious hijas! This is no small town, either...9 million people from all different walks...it is just an experience to walk the streets. I love it!

If I were told when we adopted Isabel that I was going to be solo with a 20 month old and a 4 year old who do not speak a lick of English (well, one doesn't speak at all), that have had a traumatic past..I would have wanted to run to another life. I remember that it wasn't even an option in my mind for John to go home in our 2 previous adoptions...no way could I handle being alone in a foreign land with my baby...well, God has done a mighty work...it has taken 2 adoptions, and a 3 year journey to our girls...a total of 6 1/2 years...and here I am...laying in bed blogging, looking out at the mountains and blue sky, while my 2 little girls are sound asleep napping...I'm not home, I am here....this is where God wants me right now. And I am good. I want to be where my God wants me...everyday! If I did not have this faith, I would be very weak..because myself alone, I am so weak...I am walking on God's grace, relying soley on His strength, experiencing that His mercies truly are new every morning...and His grace is sufficient! God is my rock...and in Him I put my whole trust!! I am looking at my 2 precious ones sleeping peacefully...The last 6 1/2 years has brought 4 amazing Colombian born kids to the Vander Maas family...and I have to ask myself...who am I to deserve such precious treasures from heaven!?

I keep getting asked..."Kristi, when are you coming home?! Have you heard anything?" Well, let's just say today I heard it is going to be very soon...hmmm...what's soon?! Today?! A week?! Colombian time is so unpredictable...soon could mean anything (a family we're hanging out with tomorrow, arrived the 17th of January and going home on Friday, there is no rhyme or reason to the judicial system here, other than God has a plan for each of us)...I am ok with this...because God has been faithful on this journey and is slowly preparing our hearts, especially Caroline, to return home...

Family and faithful friends following along...I just love you all! Thanks for walking along side of us on this journey. The emails I have gotten are overwhelming, and in my down time have so enjoyed having contact with you...it is going to be so wonderful to see you all!! God bless you for your prayers and encouragement (you know who you are)!!! It truly is because of you that I am still smiling...I know what the girls and I have to look forward to when we return home...I find joy in the anticipation of it all!!

"Do you not know, have you not heard, the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary. His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary , and increases the power of the weak...But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Is. 40:28-31

Fitting how this chapter in the Bible is encouraging me right now. 3 years ago while John and I spent an hour of prayer in the Boiler Room in Grand Rapids...we prayed over this chapter. It was the very beginning of our journey seeking God's face on this adoption...that night we new God was stretching us to something more than a healthy baby...and wow, has He stretched us in a beautiful way! Glorify His name with us!

The Star of the Day

Introducing the newest Colombiana amiga coming to Hudsonville, Michigan...

Luciana Valentina Houseman!!!

Dave, Tammy, and Jacob have waited a very long time for their precious daughter and sister...and it has been fun to share in this experience with this awesome family!!

And Caroline has thoroughly enjoyed Jacob. He is such a little gentleman. Playing with him has helped in her excitment to coming to MI. I think she is going to learn more Engish from him in the next week than she has from John and I this whole trip. Amazing how kids communicate and can have fun playing in different languages!

So happy the Houseman's are here! I couldn't be with a more laid back easy family during my last days in Colombia! (Charps, they remind me of you guys)...a gift as this journey continues to become long...

You can follow their journey at www.thehousemanfamily.blogspot.com

No More Monkeys Jumpin' on the Bed

I love bed time with the girls. I have stopped speaking so much "Spanglish" with them, as Caroline is totally starting to talk like me. I don't want to ruin her communication skills as she is very articulate in the Spanish lanugage for a 4 year old. So, I am working hard at only speaking in English...little kid rhymes have been a good way for Caroline to catch on. She is a quick learner...and loves to be praised when she speaks an English word. She giggles everytime I say, "How are you?" and she replies, "Very well, thank you!" It's very cute!

Our favorite thing to do before bed is "No more Monkeys..." We act it out...

Marta ends up in stitches...

...Caroline falling into her "role"...she's very dramatic...

and then I tuck them in...and Mama jumps on her bed! It has made bed time much more fun and easier since John has been home! Our girls love life...this is such a gift!