April Update

So, here we are. The end of another month. Another update about how much our girl is growing and how much we are missing.
God is so sweet to continually remind me that HIS timing is perfect. We don't understand what He's doing right now, but He's up to something.

We have our dispensation. The president of Haiti has signed our approval to adopt our Grace. BUT, even after his signature, others have to sign before we can exit IBESR (Haitian Social Services). So, we wait. We've been waiting since September. Others who went in with us have exited and been to Haiti to meet their babies. Even more who went into IBESR after we did have exited and are traveling.

What's taking so long? We don't know, but we will wait.
I love this verse that the Lord lead me to last fall:
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." 

Our plans would be to have Grace home months ago, but we want His purpose to prevail more than anything.

Now, onto our update (The photo book she's referring to here is a little book with pictures of our family in it. I love that it's her favorite toy!):

Psalm 146:6-9 (NIV):  He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them - He remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed 
and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
 the Lord loves the righteous.  The Lord watches over the foreigner
 and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Because Easter was in March this year, this month’s photos are themed for spring with a twist of Easter mixed in, in the form of bunny ears.  It was fun to get all the little ones dressed up in Easter dresses and vests.  I hope you enjoy the sweet photos of Malozie this month. 

Malozie has had an excellent month.  She continues to be a loveable and sweet little girl who loves to cuddle and play.  She really enjoys looking through her photo book.  When her box is out on the balcony the first thing she goes for is the photo book.  She will patiently sit and look through all the photos for a long period of time.  She enjoys empting her box and any other bin full of toys one toy at a time until it is empty and then she will put them all back one at a time.  She is quite the organizer!  She really enjoys the cell phone in her bin and will pick it up, put it to her ear, and then look up at the adults with a sweet little smile of pride on her face. 

Malozie was not willing to give me any of her brilliant smile when she was sitting on the photo table but afterwards she brought them out and I was able to catch a few to send to you.  I hope you enjoy the sweet smiles that I caught.

Malozie is healthy and growing:
Height: 75.5 cm
Weight: 20 lb 13.5 oz

Thanks to Kristin, another adoptive Mom, for these sweet videos. It looks like our girl will be a water baby! I love how she's trying to pick up the water to drink it. Her little hands are so sweet. The second video makes me a bit sad to see all of the babies in their nursery clamoring for attention. When the "white people" walk in, they know that's their ticket out to go play. That's why they are all fussing and wanting to be held. But, there's our sweet, patient girl---just lying in her crib and sucking those fingers. She is waiting for her Mommy and Daddy to come get her. :)

Our Precious Purple Girl

Another adoptive mom, Amanda, was at GLA last week to meet her baby. She took LOTS of pictures of our babies. I just love the Facebook group I'm in. We are all adopting from GLA and we have all bonded over this journey. Amanda sent me 12 pics of Grace. I love the ones of her in this outfit because this is the outfit we sent her. It's just a cheap Wal-Mart Garanimals outfit, but it's my favorite color, so I couldn't resist.

In her monthly "photo shoots", she is always smiley and I'm guessing they are putting on a dog and pony show during that time to get all the babies to smile. I like seeing her candid expressions---and she has many. Her eyebrows are so expressive, too. I think her eyes are saying, "Mommy, come get me!" She has so much love to give and we have so much to give to her!

If you notice the box in the background, it has "Malozie" written on it. This is her box of personal belongings--toys and clothes we have sent to her. The donut stacker was a Christmas gift from Uncle Cory, Aunt Lanna, and Bailee. I can also see the Christmas PJs we sent and our photo book. I'm so thankful for this volunteer who is caring for Grace daily and teaching her who her family is. :)

Here she is playing with her doll and looking at her photo book. Each day, her volunteer gets out her box and gives her time with her toys and her photo book. Those eyeeeeessss!

Thank you, President Martelly!

After 6 months of praying, President Martelly has signed our dispensation! That means we are on the last leg of the social services wait time and should exit that office soon. As soon as we get word that we're out, GLA will tell us our travel dates.

Do you know what this means? We get to meet our baby girl!!!! Hold her in our arms! Kiss her sweet face--lips, eyes, cheeks, ears, yes, I'll get it all!

We have been praying since the beginning that God would allow us to bring our baby home with only one trip to Haiti. I have no doubt He can still do that. For now, though, we will proceed with the routine as it is now---traveling the first time to appear before the judge and traveling a 2nd time to bring Grace home.

This house is a baseball house. I was thinking tonight of how to explain this step. It's the 9th inning. Bases are loaded. There are 2 outs....we're almost there!

So, here's the crazy way I got our news today....I am in a wonderful, supportive group of families on Facebook. We are all adopting from GLA. Some of these desperate Mamas comb the internet every day searching for any clue about Haitian adoption. The online newspaper in Haiti posts the presidential dispensations. They posted the link today and another Mama recognized "Malozie" as our daughter! I wouldn't have even seen it if she hadn't tagged me in the post!
Here's the list. I had to play "Where's Malozie?" for a while before I even found it. God is good!

Numero 42-A paru le 12 Mars 2013

NUMÉRO EXTRAORDINAIRE
• Arrêtés autorisant l’adoption des mineurs suivants :
- Djeunie Casséus TELFORT - Montesquieu LAVOILE
- Giovani JEAN PAUL - Christopher Ronald LOUISNE
- Nathalie JEAN - Junia AZOR - Daniel JEAN PAUL
- Jean Richard Cédric MATHIEU - Mickenson CACHOU
- Samuel Moise HENRY - Junica JEAN et Jessica FELIX
- Bénia AUGUSTIN - Wilson JEAN et Sandeline FELIX
- Davidson FORTILUS - Anel et Wisline FONTILUS
- Malozie Ismond ISMOISE - Ashley et Bethiana HENRY
- Dieulando William DELZOR - Johanna CHARLES et Junior VILISMA
- Dieudeson FRANCOIS - Chadelin SERTINE et Madianie ANTOINE
- Salomon Miracle MITIL - Kenson JOSEPH et Francesca FLEURIMOND
- Leaticia GUILLAUME - Dierida DELVA et Mariana NEPTUNE
- Wednor JOSEPH - Sophenson AUGUSTE et Wilson Fils SYLVAIN
- Emmanuel LUNDI - Berlson DUPERA et Djeson LOUIS
- Youbenca SOUVERAIN - Sunshine et Seyca VILBRUN

Why We Wait

Tom Vanderwell wrote a blog post today that was just for me. Does that ever happen to you? You read something and you just know that the Lord had that message just for you. Ok, well, maybe others were encouraged by it, but I feel like God knew I needed it today. This is why we wait. We don't know what's going on while we wait. God is so much bigger than our wee little minds and what we think is best. For me, I think it would be best for Grace to come home RIGHT NOW. Then, in the next breath, God reminds me that His timing is perfect. Mine is not. He's in charge. I am not.

Tom is on staff with GLA as the Manager of Partner Relations (he helps to fundraise). He is a father of GLA kiddos and loves Haiti and GLA with his whole being. Read his thoughts and be encouraged as you continue to pray Grace home.

I have told Robby from the beginning of this process that God is going to do something BIG in our adoption journey. Bringing an orphan home is big enough in itself, but I've felt like from the start that God is going to do something bigger. We will see...

Story #11 – The Timing of Adoptions and the Power of God’s Plan

Posted by TomVanderwell

I know I’ve told some of you this story before, but I know a lot of you haven’t heard it. So, I’m going to tell it again……

First off, for those of you who are currently in the process of adopting, I apologize, 9 years ago when we brought our two kids home from GLA, the process took 10 months from referral to going home and we thought that was long! I’m sorry that things aren’t going that fast now. Know that every day I and many others are praying that the process will speed up.

Now, when we began the process of adopting, Dixie told us to expect 7 to 9 months. We got our referral in August of 2003, so that would have put us as coming home in March to May of 2004. Now for a little Haitian trivia question……

What happened between August of 2003 and May of 2004 in Haitian history (think something notable)?

Can’t guess? That’s when Aristide was ousted in the coup. Breaking down the story into one sentence, for approximately 6 weeks, the adoption world in Haiti was a great big ? and nothing moved. Surprise? Nope.

But after 6 weeks, things had somewhat settled down and adoption paperwork began moving again. In the end all it did was cause a fair amount of pain and anxiety and delayed things from a March to May timeframe to a June homecoming.

Now trust me, that extra month seemed really long at the time. But God had a plan.

Our original plan was that our older three (the vanilla kids) would stay with the grandparents while we went and got the younger two. But, because of the delay, we ended up traveling after the older kids were done with school. The volunteer situation was such that they were able to come down and spend 3 weeks as volunteers while Cheryl spent time with our chocolate kids and I came to join them the last week.

So, we ended up waiting 6 weeks longer for our adoptions to be finalized and because of that, our older kids got to see GLA. So what’s such a big deal about that?

Jump forward with me about 2 years, we were coming back from going out for dinner (all 7 of us – so I think it was some place cheap) and my second oldest chimes up from the back seat, “I think I know what I want to do.” It’s a Friday night, so I’m thinking it’s something like going over to a friend’s house, going to see a movie, something very here and now.

What?

“I want to become a nurse and go back to Haiti full time.”

Gulp.

I’m writing this today because tomorrow, my 2nd oldest, an RN like her mother, leaves to go to Haiti to spend 9 days working with Lori and Licia and Allison at Real Hope for Haiti. She is an RN, she’s pursuing her pediatric nurse practitioner degree and has led numerous teams down to GLA from our church over the last years.

If God’s timing had been our timing, she wouldn’t have gone down to Haiti in 2004.

If God’s timing had been our timing, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see and love on the kids in Haiti.

If God’s timing had been our timing, she might not have become a nurse.

God has a plan and He is constantly moving and using the events of your life and my life to impact others.

9 years later, we’re seeing that God’s plan and the delay in our adoptions of our two youngest has had a significant impact in the life of one of our older kids and the lives of many others as well.

I know it can really stink when you are stuck in a delay where your idea for God’s timing is way different than what it appears His timing is.

God looks at a picture way bigger than the one we do – trust Him and His timing…….

It quite often isn’t easy – but in the end, it’s the only way to do it.

Tom

Tom's blog can be found here.

Our Little Valentine

What a difference a year makes! This was our little Valentine last year.

A Blog Worth Reading

This couple recently volunteered at GLA. Although Grace didn't make it into any of the photos, there are some amazing ones here---the babies and just the landscape of Haiti.

Finding treasures like this while waiting is so priceless. Even though I've never met Christine, we have a common bond---a love for GLA. We have emailed several times and she has told me how much she adored Grace.

Grace & Friends

Another sweet glimpse of our girl from an adoptive Mama who just went to GLA. Looks like she has lots of friends to hang out with!

Sweet Video

This family is so inspiring. I wish I could meet them! What a blessing for all of these sweet kids to have a forever home. : )

January Update

We got our update a little early this month! Here's the scoop on what our baby girl has been up to:

December and January have been very busy and exciting months here at God’s Littlest Angels.  We have had more children transition into their new lives with their forever families and have welcomed numerous visitors and volunteers who help us love the children and get projects accomplished. 

I was honored to be here at GLA throughout Christmas for all the celebrations this year.  This is the first year in my three years at GLA that I am able to give you a first hand account of the holiday festivities and I am looking forward to it!

All of the babies began their Christmas morning with a new outfit.  The cutest thing was to walk into the NICU and see all of the littlest ones dressed up in a red and white outfit.  Some us staff members took a group of the two years olds up to the balcony to unwrap and play with new toys that were send as Christmas gifts while all the babies in the smaller nurseries each received a rattle or toy to keep and play with in their crib.  The kids who received Christmas gifts from adoptive parents were brought down to the living room the day after Christmas to open their gifts under the tree.  Malozie got a new outfit on Christmas morning and she was all smiles when she was given a new toy to play with when she is in her crib.  You will find a photo of her from Christmas morning attached.  There are also a few photo day photos of her with a gift that was received from an aunt and uncle I believe.  She enjoyed the toy a lot and it is now kept in her bin of toys to play with when she is on the balcony.  I am also including some pictures of her from her birthday in December.  We hold a monthly birthday celebration for all the kids who have a birthday in that month.  She loved the doll that you sent for her.. she touched its face and examined it closely.  She also liked the phone and looking at the photo of your family in her card.  She was the first kiddo to dig into the cake for herself.  She enjoyed it a lot!    I hope you enjoy the variety of photo included in your update this month.

Malozie is gaining strength in her walking.  She is not yet completely confident but she is venturing out on her own 2 feet and can walk across the room.  She always has a brilliant smile on her face when she is praised for her new accomplishment.  She sure knows she is cute!

Only one week after our Christmas celebration it was time to celebrate the New Year as well as Haiti’s independence day, which is on January 1^st.  The highlight of the day for most Haitians as well as the kids at the Main House is a celebratory soup that is traditionally served at lunchtime.   The soup is called “soup joumou”.  It is a pumpkin soup that has meat, carrots, potatoes, and cabbage.  Everyone looks forward to this soup that is typically only served in Haitian Independence Day.

The photo day theme for this month was “celebration”. In addition to celebrating all the holidays the last few months have held, it is a true joy to celebrate each milestone the children have.  I hope I am able to accurately describe and capture these things for you until you are able to bring them home and experience these moments with them. 

You will notice this update is coming a week earlier then usual this month.  I am taking a trip home to Wisconsin for 2 weeks starting on January 25^th.  I will return to the office on February 11^th and do my best to get your February update to you by the end of the month.  Hope you enjoyed hearing a little more about Malozie’s holiday celebrations this month.

Malozie is healthy and growing:
Height: 71.5 cm
Weight: 20 lb 

And now for the best part....pictures! And we have lots of them this month! 

Look at those eyes! This picture was taken by Jenny, an adoptive Mom who went to GLA this month. Grace is a finger sucker, I think. I've seen 2 pictures of her with those fingers in her mouth. Sweet baby girl!

These were the Christmas PJs we sent to her.

This is her baby doll from Nana D. and Poppy. She is seriously checking it out!

Our family!

I think she likes it!

 

A Face to Pray For

We have prayed and prayed and talked and talked about President Martelly. We need him to pick up a pen and sign our dispensation. Since we have biological kids, our dossier requires a waiver (under the adoption law in Haiti). Crazy, I know. It doesn't make sense. The good news is they are changing the adoption laws in Haiti, but we will be under the old laws.

So, here's a picture to have in your mind. Pray that President Martelly will feel the URGE to sign our dispensation---and many more. There are many families waiting on him to sign theirs, too. These orphans need to go home to their forever families!

Also, his stage name (he's a famous singer in Haiti) is "Sweet Micky". So, use either name. God will know who you're referring to.

Wordless Wednesday

When She Comes Home

Just came across this blog post.

So much to think about as we prepare to bring Grace home. I think a lot of these ideas are right on. We will learn lots as we go, but I am a "researcher" and like to read of others' experiences.
Check this out when you have a moment. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

What a gift we received from GLA! This slide show has every picture they have taken of Grace since she arrived. Many of them were new to us. She celebrated her first birthday on Dec. 11. Oh how we pray she'll be home for her 2nd! Enjoy!