Happy birthday and 6 month anniversary!

Another week of milestones!

On December 4 we celebrated our 6 month "gotcha day" anniversary.  With minimal planning, we left for the DRC in early June after hearing that our little girls were critically ill and might die. On June 4 (Darren's 41st birthday), we walked into a Congolese hospital room and met the little girls that have rocked our world and changed our lives forever. I have seen these beautiful videos and pictures of adoptive parents meeting their children.  We do not have any of those pictures or videos. Instead, we met 2 scared little girls who were struggling to stay alive. I remember being afraid to take any pictures of them those first few days because they were so fragile.  I remember holding them down for IV starts and blood draws and all of those awful medications.  What a way to meet your new parents!

Those first few weeks were rough with hours of crying at bedtime and naptime, relapsed malaria, a broken finger, a twisted ankle and parents who don't speak your language. I believe that God allowed us to spend 5 weeks in the DRC waiting for our immigration visas so that we could devote our full, 24 hour a day attention to bonding with Josee and Natalie. 

6 months later it is hard to remember all that these little girls have been through. They are so joyful and happy most of the time. They love to party. They love dress up and cuddle time and especially anything that involves My Little Pony. They are secure enough to throw tantrums and push boundaries. They love their sisters. They even love their cats and dogs (maybe the biggest miracle of all). They love story time and tickle time and being outside. They are crazy about preschool and think that Mrs. Moreno walks on water. Their English is perfect (makes this momma so sad that they have lost their Congolese accent) but they will still break out a Swahili song every now and then. They are still little (ok can we say short) but are healthy and growing.

Josee and Nat had 5 different birthdays on their documents from the DRC which made them anywhere from 2-4 years old. So, we had to pick a birthday and after consultation with our pediatrician, they will turn 4 on December 7. We had an early birthday princess party with their friends this past weekend and it was crazy.  The twins loved their My Little Pony cake and loved the presents even more.

During this time of anniversaries and birthdays, especially as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord, I am blown away by God's provision. I would never have imagined where this journey would have taken us. I look into the faces of these sweet, brown-skinned girls and know that God's plan for their lives is beyond anything I can comprehend. More than ever, I am grateful for my two older girls who love their little sisters beyond reason. I am beyond grateful to be married (for almost 19 years) to an amazing guy that keeps us all together and loves us so much!

Happy Birthday to us!

Congo June 2012.  Do we look tired or what?

Thankful

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  We are eating leftovers and feeling glutenous.  The fall decorations are gone and now we have moved onto Christmas.  Before we move onto the next holiday, let me briefly tell you what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for a wife who had the courage to mention adoption even when I said I done.  I am thankful that I had the courage to listen to the voice of God, telling me that I could do this.  I am thankful that I have two beautiful older daughters who endured 2.5 years of adoption process.  I am thankful for family who stepped up and helped out while we were in the DRC.  I am thankful for a church that surrounded us in love and food while we were gone and when we returned.

I am thankful for mother who could not take care of her daughters, and who was willing to let strangers take her daughters to a foreign land.  I am thankful for two little girls who lovingly look up and call us mommy and daddy.  I am thankful that we have truly become a family.

Thank you God for allowing this to happen in our lives.

The unknowns

We have this new conversation going on the house.  Well, it is not new, but it has come back to face us again.  The conversation goes something like this.  "I wish we knew more about their mother," Valerie says.  I say, "me too, but we don't."  In fact we know nothing except that she showed up for court 3 times to relinquish their rights.  Wow, can you imagine having to do that 3 times?  Even on the worst of worst days, I can not imagine doing it once.  This woman had courage.  This woman had fear.  This woman had strength.  This woman most likely had no other option in the world that she lives in.

After spending 5 weeks in the DRC, I have a better understanding of life in that part of the world.  There are some many words that would describe it, but not nearly enough would convey what people actually live through.  It is the heart of Africa.  A beautiful and magical place.  Filled with sounds and wonders that you can only imagine after being there.  The air can be heavy, yet light with fragrances of flowers and dust.  The people are strong.  They long for a better life.  They are spiritual in nature.  I think Africa does that to you.

So after spending 5 weeks in a city that could chew me up, I have learned this about their mother.  She was beautiful in heart.  She cared enough to give them a "better place" to live in.  She cared for their well being.  She desired that they live.  She was strong in stature.  She was humble enough to know that she could not care for her girls.  She was filled with joy at the thought of her children thriving and not just surviving.  She was able to conquer fear in the midst of knowing she would never see her daughters again.  Her fears gave way to desire.  Desire of hope and dreams that she could never fulfill as a mother.

Now the tangible parts of what I or we don't know?  Who is this woman that could return to court three times to relinquish her daughters?  What does she look like?  What is her life like?  How many children does she have?  What caused her to give them up?  Did she have a choice, or more accurately, was it her choice?  Did she have any idea where her daughters were headed?

So many questions, and we will never know unless one of us goes back and attempts to track her down.  She is already in her 40's.  In the DRC, this is getting close to the average lifespan.  Will we have time to do this, I don't know?  Is it safe to do this, I don't know?  All I do know is that we have two beautiful daughters that were born to fit into this home.

There are parts of me that would have loved to have paid a monthly sum to keep the family together.  I don't know that is realistic, based on the tangibles that can be associated with the DRC.  Life there can be down right miserable for women.  I love the thought of keeping the family together, but I hate the thought of not having them as part of our family.

So, as I finish this, I promise these things to our birth mother.  I promise to raise these girls as my own.  I promise to protect them at all costs.  I promise to wipe every scrape and kiss every tear.  I promise to give them my all, as you have given us your all.  I promise that they will have every opportunity to thrive.  I promise to love them as you would.  I promise all of these and more to you, because you gave us the the opportunity to complete these promises when you went to court each and every time.  

Natalie and Josee's world

I thought that today I would give our girls perspective.  The holidays have approached so fast.  In fact, we don't even understand what is happening at times.  There was this day where we all dressed up.  Daddy dressed like a woman and mommy like a man.  What is happening here.  Four months ago, we met these crazy white folks that showed up in our hospital room to care for us.  We were scared and not sure exactly what was going to happen.  Now here we are dressed up as kitty cats following our witch sisters around asking for candy.  This place is great!  Dress up like an animal and they give candy to you.  Say some special words like "trick or treat" and the treat you like royalty.

Now we have this other thing coming up called Thanksgiving.  We don't know what it is, but we love to read the sign that is hanging on our wall.  We call out, "that says happy thanksgiving."  Oh the joy of thanksgiving.  We have also heard about and seen this guy called Santa.  Supposedly, he brings gifts to good kids?  We also hear that there is an elf that sits around and reports on our behavior.

Wow!!!  What kind of magical world did we move to?

Here we can refuse to eat all of our food.  They will feed us later.  They will offer lots of choices and we get to pick.  How can this be?  No foofoo?  No mushy paste to eat?  How did we get so lucky that if we do things right we get tamu tamu?  Candy for those who don't know.

We have so many toys we don't even know what to do with them.  Sometimes we just sit and talk about imaginary things that we might do. (like go to the bus stop with our older sister's friends).

There are so many activities in this home.  We have to drive all over the place so our older sisters can go to different activities.  Sometimes it is soccer, dance or bike riding.  We want to do it all.  We want to do whatever our older sisters do.

Every night we ask if Abby will sleep with us.  She has become our favorite, because she always wants to play with us or take care of us.  We love her so much we ask about her first now.  We do have an older sister, Kate, but she has her own things to do now and sometimes wants to be by herself.  We want to be with her, but sometimes she is just not available.

When we lived in Congo, we had our foster mom.  We know her as mom.  When we wake, we normally see daddy.  "Where's mommy?" is our first question.  Is she still here?  Daddy, why do you take care of us?  This is really weird.

In Congo, we had names like Katie and Judith.  We now call each other by our American names.  We even use our last name.   Where did our names go?  Maybe it does not matter.  We go by Natalie and Josee.

We say hi to strangers.  We make friends easily.  We see photos of dark skinned people and wonder who they are.  We don't question why mom and dad look different to there face.  We might talk about it when they are asleep, but most likely we don't just because we are taken care of.

We have so many clothes.  So many toys.  Two bikes.  Two cars.  Two sisters.  Two dogs.  Two cats.  So much.

We are no longer sick.  We don't take dawa (medicine) any more.  We go to school 3 days a week and never want to leave.  How magical this place is.  Please don't let this end.  Don't let our dream end.

Oh, by the way?  What happened to our parents?  How did we get here and what is the purpose?

I know they don't think the last things yet, but someday these will come.  People continue to ask how they are and we respond great.  They have adjusted extremely well.  They know they are loved.  They know we will take care of them.   They know that we won't harm them at this point.  What they don't know is how they came to be with us.  These questions will come in time, but for the time being we will continue to exist in the dream.

This dream is a constant reality for us.  We are blessed by two beautiful, smart girls.  Our lives have been changed for the best.  How did we live without them?  How did we survive without them?  Things have not always gone smooth.  I have had fits.  They have had fits.  The older girls have had fits.  However, in the spectrum of things, we are well.  I hate to type things like we are doing great, because I know so many out there are not doing so great.  I pray that they may feel this dream.  I pray that they may feel the blessing that we have felt.  Pray for them.  Bless them.  Take care of them.  Love them.  They need it.  

Readoption complete!

Yesterday we picked up the mail and were overjoyed to learn that Josee and Natalie have now been legally re-adopted in the state of Colorado!  Woohoo!  We submitted the paperwork awhile back, including a request to change their date of birth, and had sort of forgotten about it in all the hustle and bustle of fall. We celebrated last night with a pizza party out on the town with Bibi and Babu!

It has been a crazy fall with school, soccer for the big girls, devo mountainbiking and dance for all. I think we are looking forward to our activity world slowing down a bit. The girls are doing well but each one (including the older girls) have their days and sometimes their weeks. This week has been challenging for Natalie and full of meltdowns and emotional drama. Seems to come in waves for the little girls as they continue to adjust. Fortunately, the little girls usually don't melt at the same time - thank God!  Lots of extra hugs this week for Natty.  I must remind myself of all her little heart has been through the past 4 months - not your average preschooler's challenges!  Please pray for her this week - it is hard not to know exactly what is going on in her head.

All four girls are loving school this year and we are blessed with wonderful and patient teachers. Nat and Josee are in preschool 3 full days a week and are loving it!  They love their teacher and are learning so many things - they came home the other day and counted to 20!  Kate is enjoying her community outreach "elective" and Abby loves everything about school.

Life is crazy right now but we are thankful EVERY DAY that our entire family is finally together!

Photo shoot

Here are a few photos from our recent photo shoot with amazing photographer Niki Bryant. Classic picture day scenario with child meltdown (including 9 year-old refusal to participate in family pictures), mother meltdown and confused father before the shoot. Somehow Niki took our crazy family, captured the kids' spirit with her camera and made us all look good.  Sort of what God does for us too...through his lens we are always beautiful!  I can't even imagine when we weren't a party of six!  These little girls complete our family. Kate and Abby are amazing sisters who continue to love and give so much to their little sisters.  Thank you God!  We could never have imagined the love and grace that you would lavish on us to get us here.  Through all of the dark days of bringing the twins home, you knew the plan!

The 2 Maries

How do you know if it's love

When I first started this blog, I thought I would have time to blog daily about the ins and outs of our daily lives.  If you check the last time I blogged, you will see that this is not happening.  No way do I have time to tell the world about me driving to soccer, dance and other various activities.  What I do have time for is to tell you that this is love.

When we first began this process of adopting I figured that the love part would come rather easily, especially when it came to kids that God had called me to.  I can honestly say I was wrong.  Was I wrong to adopt?  No way.  This has been the greatest adventure in my life.  I have been on some great ones, so this must rate rather high if I am saying this.  Was I wrong to think that I could love someone without knowing them?  No.  I was optimistic.  I was hopeful.  I was also naive.

God called us to this, and I thought that parts of this would be easy.  In fact, He calls us to take care of the orphans and the widows.  How easy is that?  Does this mean that we adopt the world, or do we take a different approach to life?  For us, this meant turning ourselves inside out and going through a gut wrenching process.  This meant turning away from the common and the known to the uncommon and the unknown.  It meant giving up things like new bikes and cars.  Things that rust in time.  What about love though?  Does it rust?  Does it tarnish?

When we returned home, we were on a euphoric rush.  We survived and lived to tell.  What about now?  What do we do now that we are home?  There were moments when I asked God why He called me to this.  There were moments when I felt utterly defeated and weak.  There were moments when I felt peace and joy.

Since returning we have had new moments constantly.  The first popcorn.  The first new shoes.  The first night of staying with the grand parents. (That means date night).   The first bike was interesting.  Finally and not exhaustive were the first family pictures by a professional photographer.  There are so many first, and I wish I had time to talk about them, but this is not the point.  We also had the first love.

I remember a time, when I looked over and saw two strangers looking back at me.  How did we get them, I remember thinking.  I must have PTSD if I can't remember that one.  I also remember a time at my parents where one of them came down the stairs and I thought "you don't belong here."  Was I wrong to think these things?  No.  I was bonding.  I was learning to love.  I had opened my heart to the orphan children and was creating a new life with them.  I was not just filling my home with kids, but I was filling it with love.

Today, I took them to the pool.  I watched Josee play in the water with amazement, as she moved beyond her comfort zone to a zone of pure bliss.  That was such a joyful moment for me.  I felt so proud of her.  I felt love for her.  Yes, love!!!  We have only been with them since June, but I can honestly say that I would do anything for these girls.  The great thing is, that I know that I will become even greater as time goes along.  Yes, even in those dreaded teen years.

I have learned to find joy in their tears and frustration.  I have learned to find joy in my complete lack of control in this situation.  I have learned that to be called is so much more than just bringing them home. I have learned that despite my weakness, God is faithful.  I have learned that this goes so much bigger than I can even imagine.

Love.  So much greater than we understand.  So much more complicated than you might ever imagine. So blessed to feel it.

Firsts

Today was the first day of preschool for Josee and Natalie.  As we arrived, Valerie was fitted to be tied.  The ever nervous mother hoping that it will all be fine.  The girls had new blankets and pillow pets to go with them.  Yea school, was the mantra.  Yea, Mrs. Fox (school director).

Mrs. Fox showed us the door rather quick and told us to call later.  So instead of worrying all morning, we spent it running up Animas Mountain.  This was a first for us.  We have not had any time as a couple since we picked them up in the DRC.  I am not complaining, but it was rather refreshing despite doing two loops up and down the mountain.

After our run, we called to check on the girls.  No problems.  No crying, fussing or anything like it.  Just plain ole fun at preschool.  This was such a relief to Valerie, as she was so worried about how they would do.  Now we just had to wait until the end of the day.

After picking up our older daughters we headed to get Josee and Natalie.  As we pulled up they were fully engaged on the swings.  Walking through the gate, Natalie saw us first.  Running in her funny way that she does she stopped at the slide set and began climbing and showing her skills.  No hug, just play.  Josee almost refused to acknowledge us, as she was engaged in swinging.  Just like our older daughters, leaving preschool was about to become a challenge.  If they only knew that going home now would result in a trip to Baskin Robins.

School completed, kids rounded up and a trip to get ice-cream.  Both are requesting to go back to school tomorrow which is good since they are lined up to go.  So here are two little girls who have only been in the USA for 5 weeks and they are experiencing a new and very different life.  I wonder what they are thinking?  This is not how it was supposed to be for them.  I have heard so many people say that they are lucky.  This is so not the case.  We are lucky that God has blessed us with them.

It has been a while since I have written, but it has been hard to get anything but cleaning and doing laundry.  Only this week did we actually feel like there is some breathing room.  Thank God for school.

So I my title is firsts.  Here are some of the firsts.

A pro bike race attended
School attended successfully
"Oh my gosh Kate, I can't believe it." Josee
rang cow bells like Tour de France fans
most likely their first going to school pics
wearing jean jackets
school clothes shopping
hugging the dogs and letting them lick them
sledding down a hill on sleds  (No snow yet)

I am sure there is more, as they are learning English so quickly.  I will post pictures soon.

Thank you for food

Every night that Valerie lies down with the girls they pray.  Most nights it goes something like this.  Thank you God for Kate, Thank you God for Abby, Thank you God for papa daddy, Thank you God for Momma, and then Josee says Thank you God for food.

This says it all.  I can't imagine what they are thinking right now.  They have 3 squared and snacks.  Did they ever get this before? It is very doubtful that they had anything like this.  When we first saw them they were bloated and looked really bad.  Now they are streamlined and they have definition.  Like I said, I can't imagine what is going through their mind.

Thank you God for food is my favorite.  I think of the times that God gave us sustenance while we were in the DRC.  Not only did he provide for us physically, He also met us spiritually and emotionally.  He took care of us when there was no answer to our questions.  He met us in our deepest darkest places.  He provided us with answers when there were none.  He provided our friends with rooms when they were supposed to be sold out.

Do you get what I am saying?  God is there when you need him.  He may not always show up the way we are expecting Him to, but He shows up.  For us, it came at the misfortune of our friends.  It came in a way of fear for our friends.  It came.   It reminds me of 2nd Corinthians 1:1-11.  He comforts us.

He comforts us with food and etc....  I could prolong this and talk for ever,  but I think the scripture speaks for itself.  Thank you God for food, and everything else you give.

New Experiences

I think the best part of adopting older children is new experiences.  Now, I am a newbie at this, so please don't tell me there are better right now.  I have been telling you that I am going to post new pictures, so here they are.  I am finding joy in the little things of life now.  This does not always happen in this crazy world.  We get caught up in the minutia of life and sometimes we get lost.  Please enjoy the pics of our new family as we experience new things together.  

Uncomfortable feelings

The 2 Maries?: Uncomfortable feelings

The2Maries.blogspot.com

Uncomfortable feelings

We have returned home to what you would call a happy ending.  All of the children are adjusting to the "new" family rather well.  Our biggest obstacle at this point is the animals, and we are making progress daily with this one.  So why write anything at all?

Let me tell you of my current struggle.  I want to be in the box again.  We have returned to the land of too much, and I am struggling with this.  I look around our home and I find things that can either be given away or tossed.  Don't get me wrong, I still feel materialistic, but something has changed.  Where I used to see happiness in something new, I now see excess and the eventual filling of the trashcan.

I recently received a gift card from my mother in law for my belated birthday, and now I want to spend it.  The real question comes down to how I spend it.  What do I want?  What do I need?  Do I need anything at all?  I am now confronted with a real life decision.  What do I do with my excess?

I really do miss the box we lived in.  It was so simple.  Life was simple.  I want to keep that perspective.  Preparing for my youth group tonight, I realized that God wants me to tell my story of the DRC all over again.  The story prayer and miracles.  Does prayer work?  Do miracles really happen?

First hand experience tells me that both prayer works and miracles happen.  Do they happen how we want them to?  Not always.  In fact, sometimes it looks like nothing is happening at all.  Why pray when you don't see results?  Why? Prayer is connection.  Connection with our Creator.  It is like picking up our cell phone and having a direct connection to the One who loves us.

Living in our little room in the DRC, I found this connection to be an important part of my day.  It was essential.  Now that I am back, I feel that it is still essential, but now it can get lost in the minutia of the day.  I find that I am having to sneak it in, rather than making it a purposeful part of my day.  Perhaps that what having 3 year olds does to you.  Perhaps, I am just lazy and feel comfortable in my big elaborate home.  Honestly, I know I need it.  I feel more likely to get frustrated by the little things.

Okay, God, put me back in the box please.  Let me feel the squeeze of the box so I can realize that there is more than me.  Challenge me daily so I grow.  Let me learn just like my girls are learning English;  trial and error.  Much more trial would be better though.  Just like my girls constantly asking what something is, God let me ask more of you so that you can ask more of me.

Finishing for today, I am struck by how God can open our eyes to things we have not seen before.  As I was preparing for my youth sermon, I wanted to look at the passage where God to me no more delay. As I was writing this I looked down and saw Ezekiel 12.  I never read the beginning when I was in the DRC.  What does it talk about?  Exile!!  Packing up for God.  I have a feeling that this is about to become epic.  I have a feeling that this journey is not done.  Perhaps we have just begun.  

New Awakenings

It has been a while since posting.  Since we have returned from the DRC we have gone back to "regular" life.  Ok, not normal with the two new additions to our home.  However, our new normal is going rather well.  I can honestly say that these girls were born for our family.  I know that this may sound funny, but it is true.  If they only spoke fluent English, then you would never know they were adopted.

It's funny.  They get along well with our girls.  No, strike that, they love our biological girls and our biological girls love them.  It's funny how you can learn to love someone in just 7 short weeks.  Like I said, if they did not speak Swahili, I would forget that we adopted them.  I must say, that things are almost perfect.  Is this the adjustment period?  Maybe the honeymoon period?  Whatever it is, it is wonderful.

Honestly, this has been the greatest adventure that we have been on.  I can't imagine not having these girls in our life now.  I can't believe it took so long for me to agree to adopt.  Isn't that how it is?  We always tend to resist the greatest parts of our life, until then we realize that it is the greatest part of our life.

The more I go over our story, the more I can see that God had a wonderful plan for our life.  It has been a crazy and wild plan, but I am glad that we agreed to do this.  Each day we wake, we look forward to new things with them.  I think the hardest part of this journey?  Keeping up with the blog.

When Valerie returned to work, I felt like a single parent until she came home.  I don't know how anyone could take care of 4 kids on their own consistently.  Somedays I feel that I struggle just to keep up with the dishes.  So, as I struggle with the small things of life, I am glad to wake up to smiling faces and new adventures.  I will post pics later.  Have to take them pee again.  

The "new" normal

Well, I guess it has been a while since my last post.  It was so crazy getting home that we have just been keeping our head above water.  We have managed to unpack and get things somewhat squared away.  Life seems to be the "new" normal.

What is the new normal?  Good question.  I currently consists of waking up to smiling kids.  That is, all but our oldest if she is awaken too early.  Next, is the egg breakfast.  How many times can you have eggs before you tire of them?  Guess we will find out.  The next part of the routine is getting dressed and going outside for a while.  Sometimes this means we go to a park or just play around the house.  Then lunch.  After lunch it is nap time.  Nap time gets morphed into cleaning the house and free time for the older girls.  Nap time over already?  Okay, snack and back outside again until dinner.

I did forget to mention that I have been a single parent until the evening.  We thought this was really going to be a challenge since Josie really does not like me at times.  However, she has done really well and has been working through her issues with me.  We are not perfect, but at least we are trying.

In fact, they don't even talk about their mom when she is at work.  When she does arrive they seem confused that she has magically appeared.  I know that this is how she wants it, but I think she was hoping for a little more fanfare when she returns home.

Anyway, the girls are doing well.  It is though they have lived here all of their life, except for the fact that they speak a different language and they are afraid of the animals in the home.  That will change.

Today was immunization day.  They have already had their blood drawn this week, and now immunizations.  What a long week it has been for them.  However, we did find out that they are currently malaria free.  Praise God for that one.

There are no spiritual elements to tonight's blog, just keeping our head above water.  Sometimes that is what you have to do in life.

Home

30 hours of traveling and a wonderful reception to our beloved Durango.  We are home.  It was a long trip filled with crying, fear, exhaustion and finally jubilation.  We almost did not make it out of the country on Thursday.  The paperwork was delayed and it was truly only a miracle of God that we were able to get the paperwork and get to the airport in time.

The airport in Kinshasa is the craziest place I have ever flown from.  It was so fast paced due to us arriving late, we almost left all of our adoption papers in the airport lounge.  Thankfully Valerie asked me before we walked out of the lounge.  Not only did I drop those, but I dropped my bag with my wallet and all of the cash we had left.  This would have been extremely problematic with no credit cards, etc......  Someone was looking out for us.

The ride to the airport was eventful.  Josee vomited on Valerie twice.  They routed on coming traffic onto our side of the road and there was a horrendous traffic jam.  Think New York City with carts being pushed in the middle of the traffic.  Traffic was so bad, our driver ran into the back of another car.  Luckily, no damage.  So, as you can imagine, it was a terrible ride there.

Once we were on the plane we felt comfortable.  Almost a let down.  We were now saying bye to the place we had just spent 5 weeks praying to leave.  Not only were we saying goodbye to the DRC, but to our girl's home.  This is bittersweet, feeling like we are saving them, but also ripping them away from all they have known.

The plane rides were uneventful, which is great considering how we started.  Each time we landed, we told the girls how many more flights we had before going home.  Each time we landed we did something new.  Lunch in Newark NJ, was McDonalds.  We don't normally eat there, but it is a right of passage.  Ben and Jerry ice-cream in Denver.  $10 for ice-cream that they really did not eat.  Awesome.

Let me quickly back up.  Arriving at NJ was interesting as we had to go through immigration.  We were hoping all of the paperwork was correct and that there would be no delays.  We spent a total of 10 minutes with immigration.  Most of it was just waiting in line to talk with the officers.  All paperwork done completely with no problems.

Finally around 9:30pm we arrived in Durango to a hall filled with family and friends.  This was a wonderful experience.  The girls had just woken up, but we not crying when they met everyone.  Josee did go to her normal pouty face and Natalie just looked at everyone.  We must have spent nearly and hour at the airport when Natalie decided that she wanted to get down and play with her toys on the floor.  She played and we talked and then they began to shut off lights.  Natalie did decide that she wanted to go to my dad before we left.  That was a big moment.

Today has been eventful.  We all went to bed around 1am because Kate and Abby were not home yet.  They arrive around 11:30 and then the girls became wound up like eating straight sugar.  This was a wonderful sight.  They were letting the girls pick them up and they were all laughing.  Of, course the laughter ended each time the girls saw the cats.  Shrieking and wailing every time a cat came near.  Poor cats.  They just want to love them.

We had one outing to the doctors office.  We went for immunizations, but we ended up just getting scripts for blood work.  Shots to come later.  Of course the ride there was interesting.  They rode in booster seats last night with no problems, they are really to little so we put them in car seats.  This was twenty minutes of screaming and pulling their arms out as we went to the doctor.  Of course they wore themselves out with all of that.  So now I write this as Natalie is out for nap number 2 or 3 today.

The girls are doing well.  We are figuring this thing out and life is moving forward.  As for the girls coexisting with the animals in the house;  well, that will come in time.  Thank you for the prayers and all of the support.  We definitely needed it.  

We are coming HOME!!!!!!!

The internet connection has been down due to a malfunctioning air conditioner, which leaked all over the router and the connection point.  We also run out of minutes on our in country cell phone.  Is this a sign?????   Maybe it is time to leave.  We are leaving tomorrow night.  Our flight goes out at 8:30pm and we will arrive in Durango around 10:00pm on Thursday night baring flight delays.

We have told the girls that we are going home.  We have shown them pictures and have a had many conversations with Kate and Abby.  We are all ready.  So as I sign off tonight, please pray for safe travels, quick reentry to the US and little to any crying, fussing, lost luggage, mental breakdowns, lost items, etc...........

Thank you for loving us and following us on this adventure.  It has only begun.

Darren, Valerie, Kate, Abby,Josee and Natalie

The David Analogy

So as I write today, we are coming to an end in the DRC.  We don't know when it is exactly, but we are hoping that it will be Wednesday.  After spending nearly a month here, we have been changed.  We discussed this change during nap time today.

How do we take all we have learned while here?  How do we remember that we live in a land of comfort?  How do we remember that we need God when things are going well?  How to live out of a sense of poverty while actually being wealthy?  Will I remember the stomach pangs when I am back?

These all are questions that challenge me today.  I have found hunger and lack of control to be a stimulus to learn to depend on God.  A struggle for sure.  However, it is so easy to return to the everyday feeling of control as soon as I hit the ground in the US.  I know this, and this is why I am questioning myself now.

Valerie and I had a great conversation today about our in country guy, David.  David is like Jesus to us.  I know that may sound blasphemous, but I mean it in a respectful sincere way.  Since landing, we have depended on David for everything.  He has provided transportation, guidance, representation, and at one point he put his life on the line with the local authorities.  There are many times that we don't see David, or talk to him for days.  This allows us to think that he must not be doing anything.  Maybe he is kicking back enjoying life in the DRC.  However, this is not the case.

David's job is to represent us.  To take our case to the authorities and to get us out of here ASAP.  When we don't talk with David, he is doing these things.  He is working behind the scenes.  He is quietly and diligently working on our behalf.  You would never know this if we did not ask him.  He is not one to call up and say "look what I did on your behalf."  In fact, if you want to know what is David is doing, you have to ask him.

Can you see how David is a good analogy for Jesus?  He has done all of this for us.  He represents us to His father constantly.  He took our sins upon Him so we could be washed of all that covered us.  He does so much behind the scenes that we never know.  How would we know if we don't talk to Him?  How would we know if we don't seek Him, like we have to David?

When I started this blog, it was supposed to be one of working through the process of adoption, but as I have written it, it became a blog of following and leaning on God.  I never intended this to be a spiritual blog, and I am sure that I may have lost some readers as a result of it.  However, this has changed us.  This has put a stamp on our life that can not be hidden.

Initially, I wrote early on that this is a blog of obedience.  I still believe that, but I would also say that this has become a blog learning how to live.  A blog of learning how to not only depend on God, but those He has placed in your life.  A blog of learning how to live simply.  A blog of learning to give.

We return soon, and I want you to know that this could not have been done without the people behind the scenes.  There are so many of you.  Too many to name or even mention.  In fact, there are many I don't even know.  So many people praying.  So many people crying.  One twelve year old that had the dream of getting two orphan girls that she did not know home.

I thought we could do this on our own.  I was wrong.  I was thankfully wrong.  Thank you for showing me that I was wrong.  Thank you for loving me through my stubborn ways.  Thank you for taking care of us.

Miracle visas full posting

So, here it is the long awaited blog about yesterday's post.  We have visas, as many know.  We received a call Thursday night that the consulate wanted us to sign paperwork.  They would not say if we had received visas or not.  When we arrived, we signed the paperwork and were told that we would have visas within the hour.

For a celebration, we went to the Hassan Market to buy groceries.  There was a hope that our information could be passed onto the authorities here so we could receive our exit paperwork, but unfortunately they did not make it in time.  After getting our visas we returned to our current home and spent the rest of the time with Sheresa's family.  Saying goodbye was bittersweet, but it was time for them to leave.  It was truly a blessing to hang with them for so many weeks.  As I write this, they are about 5 hours from landing at their final destination.


It is a national holiday this weekend, so of course Monday is also a holiday.  Our paperwork will be turned in on Monday night and hopefully we will have our exit visas from the DRC on Wednesday and we can get out that night.  We have sent an email to our travel agent to see if he could get us out of here on Wednesday, but won't know till after the weekend.  At least we can get out of here by Thursday if all goes well.

This process has always had road bumps and still does, but we are believing God that He will get us out of here quickly.  He has shown His faithfulness to us so far, so we are fully believing in what He has promised in Ezekiel.  (There will be no delay)  

The girls are doing great and we are becoming quite a family here in the DRC.  It will be interesting to see how we do once we are home.  I suspect we will do rather well.  I know there will be moments, because there are moments here where we are asking how did we get into this?  This has been a wild ride and we are so grateful for those who have come with us.  Thank you to everyone who has taken care of our animals, watched our girls, cleaned our house, walked our dogs, cleaned the cat litter, etc.........   We could never have done it without you.

We know that you are ready for us to come as we are ready to come home.  Please continue to pray for us this week so that we can get home without any hitches.

Helping the grounds people

Visas in hand at Hassan Market

Natalie with our driver Patrick

Natalie and Amber day of leaving

Hanging with Eli one last time

Play time this morning