SOMETHING TO CONSIDER IN THE WORLD OF ADOPTION

Pike's Peak

"Restlessness and discontent are the first necessities of progress."

- Thomas Edison

WE VOTED

We voted and the decision is in --

NO MORE of these crazy, past ridiculous, heart wrenching "mini" updates on all these documents they're trying to get ahold of. Dear Jessica called today to say it was a no go on getting the document today - will try next week...ONLY, we won't necessarily know the outcome since we've elected to have Jessica call us only when all documents are obtained and our file is ready to be submitted for a court date. I'm not sure what way is more torturous, but we'll see how this new plan goes.

We now brace everyone for a few more potential weeks of no news (based on the current speed of things).

Someone mentioned how balanced we sound. That was a generous statement! Maybe it sounds that way, but...TRUST ME, my emotions are greatly waxing and waning at this point.

Thank you for loving us through all of this...we love you, too.

smj

DOCUMENT # 1

A Journey to Document #1…

3/13 – News from Jessica that we are finally scheduled for local court on 3/16 to get Document #1.

3/16 – power outage at the local courts, try again tomorrow.

3/17 – power still out, try again tomorrow.

3/18 – power back on, but come back Tuesday 3/24.

3/24 – come back Friday 3/27

3/27 – Document #1 obtained, hopeful to get Document #2 next Friday 4/3.

4/3 – We’re in Haiti and get word that Document #2 was not obtained and that they will try again the following week.

4/7 – Jessica calls to say that Document #1 needs to be redone and that they will have to go back to local court.

4/8 – They are told to come back Tuesday 4/14.

4/14 – Jessica calls to say they’re not sure if they got Document #1 because the phone lines were down.

4/15 – Jessica calls to say they didn’t get Document #1. They hope to get it tomorrow (4/16) but aren’t sure if it will happen.

We now resign ourselves to the fact that Document #1 may not be obtained this week or for another week, or more, as we’ve grown accustomed to...

We are frustrated. Please pray for us.

Smj out

SUNSET

We are filled up, wide-eyed, moved, exhausted - all at the same time, upon finally making it home from Haiti today. We spent several hours at the airport in Port-au-prince yesterday, waiting to get on a very delayed flight that caused us to miss our connection out of Miami, spent the night there, then got up at the crack of dawn (no roosters crowing to wake us up like we experienced each morning at 2 a.m. in Haiti!), to get to Dallas, then finally in to Denver this afternoon. We will sleep well tonight. There is much to tell, but not tonight. In addition to our weariness, I am also still processing everything and everyone we saw and experienced face to face. Oh my, I will never forget all I saw, and now look forward to another trip to see our Haitian sisters, brothers, friends, someday down the road.

Sad news we recieved while in country - the news of dad's brother passing suddenly - shocking and difficult to imagine how his family is now trying to make sense of it all. It was something, hearing the news while being immersed in the story of the poverty and struggles that the country of Haiti is dealing with. The sun set that night on the hills outside of Jacmel, just the same way it sets over Nebraska, and everywhere - we are all connected around the world, we are all reminded that life is always changing, we are called to remember those who go before us, and we are called to honor those people in love by our truth and action - how we choose to live, what we choose to live for. (1 John 3:18) Haiti reminded me of this.

Mmmmm...so much to process - I promise to share more in the upcoming days. Promise.

Lastly, it seems that Document #2 in the adoption paperchase seems to be a bit elusive as well. The in country team was unable to get a hold of it this last Friday, so we are hoping for better luck this coming Friday. I will update again at the end of the week on the status.

love you,
smj out - to sleep.