Waiting....

We are still waiting for our 30 day appeal to start. I think this part of the process has been the most difficult for me. The end is in sight... but we can't quite get there yet. Our process has been held up by the court district we are in and the judge overseeing our case. I wake up every single day and lay my request before God. It's more like a plea! I remind myself that HE is in control. He knows the time and date when we will be done and my family can be reunited. I can not wait for that day!!

So in the meantime....

Mercy and I loaded up her car and headed to a resort in La Romana. We did not travel light with a 4 month old, 1 year old and 2 year old! I truly enjoyed my time with Alex there playing in the sand, ocean and pool. It was a "rest" of the spirit - not so much a physical rest. I mean the boy is busy. We had a great time and we made the very best of our time there!

Love how Alex is cooperating....big smiles. :-)

We also made a trip to La Victoria where the Tucker family lived for 4 years as missionaries. I was able to see where they lived and the community center they started in the area. Biemba, the lady who has been cooking for us, lives there as well. Alex and I enjoyed being in her home and having lunch with her family and friends.

We traveled out to the Campo to visit some of the ladies Mercy knew. I am still trying to get my mind and heart around that. Especially one sweet girl named, Francie. She is in an abusive marriage and has a young son. She is probably only 18 or 19. When we arrived I thought she looked blank, no expression on her face. We were told that she got very sick and has lost her hearing. Please pray for her.

Francie's sweet little boy.

Having fun in the Campo. This is a swing made out of a rice sack! Pretty smart!

Alex also got his first haircut with me. I took him to a Barber shop in Villa Mella. He screamed his head off! Guess they don't provide suckers here in the DR to keep the kids quite. Fun times.

In front of the Barber shop with his friend Abner. Clearly Abner did not think it was so bad having his hair cut.

one small step

The Ministry is done with our file! It should be delivered to the Court tomorrow! Pray for a speedy process in paperwork and sentencing. The judge did say that he would make it a priority!
Pray - Pray - Pray

Pray for this week!

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Thank you all for your prayers as we head into the home stretch of our adoption. I am humbled by the emails I receive of encouragement, scripture and love from you. God is working in all of this for His Glory - His Purpose. I don't understand why this has to take so long... but I do understand that I serve a God who's plan is not to harm us, but to give us HOPE and a FUTURE. Oh - I am believing it!

So - join me (again) in praying that this week is THE week we start our 30 day appeal.

and this is a beautiful thing...especially after the day the two of us had! Whew. My 2 year old cutie wore me out.

Happy Birthday Olivia!

This sweet treasure of mine is turning nine today! Oh- how it hurts my heart that I'm not there to celebrate with her. JT is totally in charge of this day... with good instruction I might add.

Olivia chose what she wanted to do today. JT is taking her - along with 3 girlfriends- to Kabutos for dinner. Afterwards, back to our house for a sleepover! What fun!

Happy Birthday sweet girl. I am so very proud of you. You have shown me what a strong, special little girl you are as our family has been on this journey to the DR this summer and now as we are apart from each other. God has asked something very BIG of you because he knew YOU could do it! Alex is so lucky to have you as a big sister.

I love you!


`

Servant Hearts

Today Alex and I visited Pastor Mario's church in Villa Mella. I have loved going back to see our Dominican family. We are so loved on and prayed for by our friends there.

It was extra special, because I got to see the team that has been here all week from our church in Charlotte. Amber Eddings has led this trip for several years and she has such a heart for the DR. I was great seeing some familiar faces from home!

Seriously did my heart some good!

Alex most definitely has some new friends. He even decided to join them in front of the church as they talked about their week here doing construction on Pastor Mario's church. The congregation also prayed a blessing over the team. Alex decided he liked to be front and center. He is shy like that!

New friends

Old friends

We are hanging in there, would love to hear some good news from the Court this week. We are so ready to start our 30 day appeal. It looks like it will be October before we are all home together.

I am seriously missing the Thomas Girls!!! Their handsome, harmonica playing Dad too!

Like father- Like son

Lately...

Lots going on these past couple of weeks. JT traveled back to the DR to be with Alex, while the girls and I traveled back to the States to get them ready for school.

Our little guy was so happy to see his Daddy.

Bailey and Olivia's friends met them at the airport and were so happy to see them too!

School started for the girls on August 22nd. Olivia is in the 3rd grade this year and Bailey started the 6th grade! Middle School! Just can't believe she is in Middle school! Two days after school started the Middle Schoolers left for Windy Gap. Bailey had a blast....

First day of school. Gotta love those forced smiles for Mom!

End of Summer -Back to School chocolate cake.


Some very dear friends hosted a lovely shower for me while I was home. Bailey joined me in the festivities. It was such a beautiful day celebrating Alex.

I am so blessed by my sweet friends.

Bailey and my beautiful niece, Taylor.

Bailey enjoyed opening the gifts with me. We had fun telling stories about our Alex.

I am back in the DR with my guys. JT flies home on Sunday. Please pray for my family. Our Judge has FINALLY received the one document he was waiting on from Immigration. We are still waiting for our 30 day appeal to officiallly start. In the meantime I will stay here in the DR with Alex and JT will be in Charlotte with girls.

We are on the home-stretch and it is stretching me for sure!!!!!!!!

Jardin Botanica Nacional

Who knew there was such a lovely Botanical garden here in Santo Domingo!? It is absolutely beautiful. Just a little piece of paradise here in the Dominican Republic.

Mercy and I (along with her Mom) loaded up the kids and strollers for a long walk around the beautiful gardens. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch in the Japenese Garden.



It was a fun day.....but it was HOT! It may not look like we are in the DR, but trust me- WE ARE!



In some countries, adoptive families travel as a group. It becomes such a huge source of encouragement to each other as you go through your adoptions. Our agency did not connect our families. We did by chance, or really we feel like God brought us together. Just one of those details only he can do.




So meet our travel group (minus JT, Greg, Taryn and James)! We are on this last leg together.





...and I am so thankful.

Who's crazy child is that standing up in his stroller with just a diaper on?? Oh wait. He's mine.