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| If you return to the Main Page, we hope that you will sign our guestbook. We hope to share the encouragement and kind words with Maria someday. |
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| 5/1/2006 Wow! I am in awe that it is May. Thinking about May, which is about one of my busiest times of year, with the exception of August and December, last May we didn't even know there was a Maria Elizabeth out there. We hadn't even considered adoption in Guatemala. Or really thought in depth of adoption at all. I didn't have a passport and only thought of one for a possible getaway to a resort. And life was simpler in some ways. But what joy I didn't know I was missing as the joy I feel when I walk into the office (of our home) and see Maria's face flash across the screen. Wow. I don't know where that came from. A big thank you to my dear friend from high school who knows WAY more about me than most people should. Melissa sent me a very encouraging e-mail and shared a personal story of faith and hope. In it, she mentioned a Romans chapter concerning Abraham. I have enjoyed several verses, but this one stuck out to me in light of my recent roller coaster ride of emotions. Romans 4:20, "He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God." Here is Abraham who was promised an heir that would supply generations of his name. He waited for years. True, he did try to take matters into his own hand on occasion, but overall, he did not waver in unbelief. I want to be like that. I do hope it doesn't take quite as long to do it as it did for Abraham. But I am praying to be strengthened in faith and that most of all God does get the glory. As far as the case, no progress that I know of. Today was Labor Day in Guatemala, so offices and courts were closed. And the US Embassy follows Guatemala's schedule. So we are still praying for some kind of movement. I just have to say a quick, "Woo Hoo", to Brent Nason, one of the fine young people I check on. He received some good news today in regard to his tumor. His mom (and entire family) is a model of faith for me. They amaze me at their faith in good times and bad. Oh, I just have to mention how PROUD of Hunter I was tonight. He sang the Arkansas Fight Song in our school talent show. He chose to do it all on his own, and he did it all on his own. I love you, Hunter Cloud. |
| Hunter and Lauren at Silver Dollar City...It is our favorite "mini-vacation" location... |
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| 5/2/2006 "Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, 'How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to your name.' Selah. Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men." Psalms 66:1-5 That set of verses sums up today's events. You know, you always have it pictured in your mind how things will go. Then it is nothing like that. I have had my phone set to ring the "Hallelujah" chorus if I get an e-mail from my agency or from the US Embassy. Of course I have been hoping and praying daily it would go off. But it didn't. And didn't. And still didn't. Then today I decided to call in and check my AOL e-mail (I can do it by phone). It was almost time for lunch. I thought there might be something interesting (it is solo week for my intern, so I was not just abandoning my students...:). I quickly deleted junk mail. Then I heard a strange address. I almost deleted it too until I heard the words, "Preapproval". I thought, "Is this what I think it is or is it for a credit card?" Then I heard "preapproval for this child..." I decided to forward it to my school e-mail so I could read it and make sure I wasn't missing something. I was shaking. Still am. Since I am doing it by phone, I had to push all of these buttons, send it, then wait for it to show up on my e-mail. Longest minute of my life. It comes up and I could barely read through the tears. God, in His usual fashion, surprised us. We were just hoping to get an e-mail saying we had been SUBMITTED to the Embassy. Apparently that happened not long ago. We are actually APPROVED for Maria. It is one of the three major steps. (We should be done or close to done with one of the others...) I ran out into the hall and found Katie, my co-worker out there. I just started crying and shaking. Then I had to call Mark and my mom of course. And I still sit here in awe of God's power, His goodness, "His doing". I shouldn't be...I should know by now what an awesome God He is. But sometimes He still surprises me. Thank you, Jesus! Now, the next step? PGN. That is like the "Attorney General" of Guatemala. It is a VERY unpredictable step. And there is a new director in there; in the last few weeks only a very few cases have been released. So this is a scary time. But you know what? God is bigger than PGN. He is bigger than our paperwork (which will be gone over with a "fine tooth comb"). And He is bigger than me. I am so glad He is in control. Please do pray for the case to go through quickly. When it is signed off for the last time...she is officially our daughter. We will still have to wait for a new birth certificate and an appointment with the Embassy. But again, that time is In God's hands too. (Remind me of that in three months. :) |