So, many have asked, "Now what?" Some have said, "What's next?" Others simply, "When are you leaving?" I thought I would give a slight update of my plans. What we are waiting for now is a visa appointment. The file is in the Adoption Unit of the Consular Section at the Embassy. Once a file arrives in their office, the agent working with the parents must request an appointment. The appointment is scheduled and according to their
website "After all requirements are fulfilled under Haitian and American law, the immigrant visa is generally issued on the following business day." I sent everything needed for the appointment to Haiti last month with
Todd when he went to get Jonas. I had left everything there back in July, but just to be safe I sent it all again. You can never be too prepared in Haiti. ; )
Once we receive an actual date for the visa appointment I will book my flight. I am so ready for that HUGE step! I have wanted to go to Haiti since I received the call that he was back. However, I didn't want to spend a month or more there, not knowing when they would process his visa. You know.......been there, done that! And so, I wait. I wait for the appointment to be scheduled. I wait to book my flight. And as I've done since December of 2005, I wait to bring our son home!
While waiting we will be building benches to go with our remodeled kitchen table. As of now we don't have enough seating. We will also be looking for a different vehicle that seats 8. I will be unpacking size 4/5 clothes and making sure we are all set there. We will be buying a new pair of tennis shoes and packing a little bag of items for the airplane ride home.
I am still in such awe of the goodness of our God! He has given us the grace, peace and joy to endure this process. He has blessed us beyond measure with so many people that have encouraged us and supported us along the way. He has never left us. He has heard our cry......
Psalm 40:1 (Amplified) "I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry."
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Amplified) "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."
These scriptures have meant so much to me over these last few years. I had to share them. I know they are probably familiar to you, but I beg you don't allow them to become too familiar. Soak them up like it's the first time you heard or read them. The Lord WILL strengthen you as you wait, expect, look for and hope in Him!
One final thing, I want to thank the praise and worship team from
Port au Prince Fellowship. They may never read this, but I have to express my gratitude anyway. During my many visits these past two years(since I found PAP Fellowship), I have been strengthened through their ministry of song. Many times I was amazed by the songs they would sing and how they would lift me up and encourage me and caused me to feel as if the Lord was speaking directly to me. Well, He was of course! So many times they would sing one of my favorites,
Everlasting God. I'm not normally one to post lyrics of a song, but this one has been such a huge part of my "wait" that I have to include it. I pray it gets in your heart as it did mine and when you feel you can't wait another day you will sing.....
"Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord We will wait upon the Lord We will wait upon the Lord Our God, You reign forever Our hope, our Strong Deliverer You are the everlasting God The everlasting God You do not faint You won't grow weary Our God, You reign forever Our hope, our Strong Deliverer You are the everlasting God The everlasting God You do not faint You won't grow weary You're the defender of the weak You comfort those in need You lift us up on wings like eagles"
He's even handsome when he's pouting! Do you think I'll still say that in about six months or so? Probably not. Very similar to the fact that Camden's pout was cute in this picture, but it's not so cute now. ; ) 
