tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26097253359382635392024-03-13T11:24:27.754-07:00With God ALL Things are Possible!“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." Matthew 17:20Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-76447467733366576562011-04-09T10:20:00.000-07:002011-04-11T14:07:43.462-07:00A Recap from Nepal with Pictures<div align="center">It all started with a dream, BANAU, on January 16, 2009...</div><br /><div align="center">2 Years, 2 Months and 14 Days later on...</div><br /><div align="center">March 30, 2011, 3PM EST, Dulles Washington DC...</div><br /><div align="center">our son, Trek FINALLY became a United States Citizen!!!!!! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X8Ezut-XLP4/TaCZpgrVLKI/AAAAAAAACHI/d9p4NE8jnnc/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593639675619519650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X8Ezut-XLP4/TaCZpgrVLKI/AAAAAAAACHI/d9p4NE8jnnc/s400/002.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center"></a></p>What a journey the Lord has taken us on! We have now been home for week and three days and Trek is doing wonderful! <br /><p align="center">For those of you who checked in for updates in Nepal, I apologize for not doing them. I'll try to fill you in on what we did. For starters we stayed with the PUMA girls and Mary and Fran. While there we were subject to the infamous KTM load shedding schedule, which meant we had up to 14 hours a day with NO power. This is part of the reason I didn't update. </p><br /><p align="center">Yup, we learned a lot on this trip. For starters....we take for granted being able to flip a switch and have lights <em>any</em> time of the day, use a microwave to <em>quickly</em> warm something up, bake something in the oven, use the computer at any time and have hot water when you feel the need to take a shower. These are just a few things that come to mind. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPpuevvJnRc/TaCcKnI2JCI/AAAAAAAACHQ/6CDmg4IVYqY/s1600/group%2Bphotos%2Bof%2Bboys%2B%2526%2Bgirls%2BCannon%2BMar%2B2010%2B003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593642443312866338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPpuevvJnRc/TaCcKnI2JCI/AAAAAAAACHQ/6CDmg4IVYqY/s400/group%2Bphotos%2Bof%2Bboys%2B%2526%2Bgirls%2BCannon%2BMar%2B2010%2B003.JPG" /></a> PUMA boys and girls minus Mary and Fran. We LOVE these kids! We need to go back and spend more time with them.</p><br /><p align="center">Okay so I don't know how much of this you all want to read, but I want to journal as much as I can remember so I most likely will break this up into several posts. We'll see how it goes.</p><br /><p align="center">We began our second trip on March 6 by driving down to JFK in New York. We had dropped the girls off with our wonderful friends (who happen to have 1 child and 3 teens...bless their hearts for taking our two) the night before so we could get an early start but we forgot a couple major items and needed to see them before we left. So on our way to NY we made a pit stop in Carmel. We forgot to leave some money with Linda and Robin forgot her coffee. We finally hit the road around 9ish with everything we needed in hand...the most important being my anxiety medication and scripture verses to meditate on. </p><br /><p align="center">When we landed in Kathmandu Nepal on March 8th after about 35 hours of uneventful traveling (thank God) and were greeted by Padam, Mary, Fran and Trek!! It was so wonderful to be back in Nepal to see our little boy, visit our friends and hear the honking of horns in Kathmandu! </p><br /><p align="center">Trek was all smiles and came right to us and even rode back to the house with us from the airport and didn't cry! That just confirmed the work the Lord was doing in his little life the time we were gone. </p><br /><p align="center">For the first week and a half we stayed at the boys home at night, but spend our entire days with the girls. Fran happened to be heading back to the States for a well deserved break and she offered us her room at the girls house once she left, which we took her up on her offer. We were much more comfortable in her room. We were sad to see her go, but did enjoy staying there. She is still in the US and is coming to Maine the end of this month and she'll be staying with us for several days! Can't wait to see her! Mary will be coming as well in a couple months!</p><br /><p align="center">Once we got settled in our room our first line of business was to get Trek seen at the IOM (International Organization for Migration) this is where he had his medical check/clearance to enter the US. Because he was over two he had to have a TB test which he hated, but passed. His paperwork was sent to the US Embassy on Monday the 14th and then it was just a matter of waiting for his visa approval. I guess this is a good place to talk about his visa. Just in case any of you were wondering....<em>I was<strong> convinced </strong></em>that his visa approval was going to be waiting for us at the Embassy when we landed. As a matter of fact as soon as we got settled into the house I sent an email to them letting them know we were in Nepal and gave them our in-country cell phone numbers and was sure that they were going to call us <em>that</em> day with approval. At the end of the day when we didn't get a call, I didn't worry too much and just figured it would come the next day or Friday at the absolute latest! Anyway I was pleased that we had his medical appointment over with and knew on Monday the 14 we would be good to go (literally)! I even called my mom and we talked about the possibility of trying to change our return tickets home so we could leave early. Well Thursday came and went with no call, Friday came and went with no call so I was pumped for Monday! Monday came and went with <strong>no</strong> call. </p><br /><p align="center">There were other families under us that began to get approvals while we sat there waiting. Up to this point the blog that was set up for pipeline families had been pretty 'spot on' as far as order of approvals, but for some reason once it became our turn....it all changed. I think now the Lord was teaching me <em>again</em> that everything is in His time. <em>Not</em> mine. </p><br /><p align="center">I tried to not worry too much and <em>just knew</em> that it would be there in a couple of days at the longest. Well the entire week passed and Friday the 18th came and went with no word from the Embassy. At this point, I was an emotional mess. I did not understand what was taking so long, why we continued to sit there waiting, wondered if our paperwork was missing, if maybe in was going to be an intent to deny.....I was totally 'fleshing out' (my sin nature) and not putting my faith into practice but instead I was letting the worries and what ifs fill my mind.</p><br /><p align="center">All I can say now is....</p><br /><p align="center">poor Mike.</p><br /><p align="center">He was so good and patient with me. He kept encouraging me to take some time to get alone with the Lord and read and pray and of course he also prayed with me all the time. He kept telling me everything would work out and to not worry. He reminded me in scripture that we are not to worry but take every thought captive. Even though at the time I probably didn't act like it, I really loved the strength he displayed and the certainty that the Lord was going to bring us through this. </p><br /><p align="center">I did begin to make phone calls and send emails to our attorney and someone in Washington who was working on these rebuttals/approvals to find out if they could at least tell us where our paperwork was and maybe how close they were to making a decision. I didn't get any real good feedback from anyone, so all I could do was wait. You know I've always had a bit of a problem with being patient, <em>and thought</em> I learned that lesson when we adopted Noelle. But the Lord showed me I hadn't learned that lesson and He was continuing to teach me. </p><br /><p align="center">I knew we wouldn't be getting approval over the weekend so I started looking at the calendar and knew that if we didn't get approval by Tuesday the 22nd at the latest, we would have to extend our trip. So we prayed hard over the weekend and again thought okay on Monday we'll be sure to get the approval. Yup, you guessed it. Monday came and went with no word! So with nothing left to do and having power so I could use my computer... I got on facebook and asked a couple of my friends to add this visa issue to the prayer vine at church. We knew we needed at approval the next day (Tuesday) or we were looking at more money to change our return date and being away from our girls even longer. </p><br /><p align="center">Tuesday, March 22 came and I decided in the night (because I couldn't sleep) that I was going to contact the Embassy to ask them some questions, like IF we got approval that day or Wed. would they be able to Trek's visa so we could leave on Monday the 28th as planned. I wanted to know if they knew where our paperwork was. I wanted to know if they would call or send an email with approval and what time of day did they make their calls. </p><br /><p align="center">I talked with April at the Embassy and she told me that IF we did get approval (which they didn't know anything about our case) we would need to be in country for another 8 to 10 days....which meant we would have to change our tickets. She told me she would call with approval and that if I didn't hear by 5:15PM it hadn't come. She tried to encourage me to sit back and just wait, because that was all I could do. They knew nothing. It was all up to USCIS and Washington at this point. So we tried to keep busy that day and Mary and I went to several places and did some shopping and came home around maybe 1ish or 1:30.</p><br /><p align="center">I was putting some of our stuff away in the room when my phone rang. I answered and it was April from the Embassy. I was not overly excited about her calling because I had spoken with her earlier and I had emailed some paperwork to her and thought she was calling about that. She asked me how I was doing and I said okay. She proceeded to say...."well, I'm calling because I have some really good news to share with you...." I began to trembled, tears started flowing as I sat in Fran's room and listened as she told me that Trek's visa was approved!!!</p><br /><p align="center">PRAISE THE LORD!!!!</p><br /><p align="center">I composed myself and then reminded her of our earlier conversation that day about us leaving on Monday the 28th at 8:30PM and wondered if there was anyway possible to get it by then to save money. She looked over our paperwork and saw that everything was there and said she would do everything in her power to have it for us before we left.... even if it meant picking it up on the way to the airport. AHHHH!</p><br /><p align="center">Well my kids want to eat so this is where I will end todays entry. I'll post more tomorrow about all the fun things we did while we waited for the coveted visa along with more pictures and how we got the visa.</p><br /><p align="center"></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594412527444956786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5UcaZ_ucQN8/TaNYjaFaFnI/AAAAAAAACH4/oqBpYz5Y234/s400/035.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">Philip and his wife and daughter. </p><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTL3BlNVs0g/TaNYi4l4OeI/AAAAAAAACHw/mPDp0TFaJB4/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594412518454344162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTL3BlNVs0g/TaNYi4l4OeI/AAAAAAAACHw/mPDp0TFaJB4/s400/032.JPG" /></a> Fran & Mary (I can't believe I didn't take more picture of them...with Trek...ugh!) <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7OFm6mbu-V4/TaNYit7GH_I/AAAAAAAACHo/E-mqizj-m9M/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594412515590545394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7OFm6mbu-V4/TaNYit7GH_I/AAAAAAAACHo/E-mqizj-m9M/s400/030.JPG" /></a> Daddy & Trek The store across the street had some soda and snacks. We visited them occasionally :) <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67vfp7Grfd0/TaNYiawusKI/AAAAAAAACHg/k67ZXKHS_k0/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594412510446792866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67vfp7Grfd0/TaNYiawusKI/AAAAAAAACHg/k67ZXKHS_k0/s400/025.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncn-Pie9gBI/TaNYh80NaMI/AAAAAAAACHY/FxvuwCwTUk8/s1600/022.JPG"></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKtSxufQaH8/TaNcMDCZQ2I/AAAAAAAACIg/8nk2wtEx1T0/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594416524167824226" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKtSxufQaH8/TaNcMDCZQ2I/AAAAAAAACIg/8nk2wtEx1T0/s400/028.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center"></a></p>Houses next to the girls home. A little boy Trek's age lives in the house on the right. Cute little guy (wish I had his picture too). I'm telling ya, my mind was not focused on anything but his approval over there. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x34X8-tLgEE/TaNcLpAte9I/AAAAAAAACIY/Mw9T6fDX2Dg/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594416517181438930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x34X8-tLgEE/TaNcLpAte9I/AAAAAAAACIY/Mw9T6fDX2Dg/s400/027.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center"></a></p><br /><p align="center">Building a new wall at the girls home. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ojwvg9o7OM/TaNcLdj_TEI/AAAAAAAACIQ/7nTFY1wF5Yk/s1600/026.JPG"></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594416514108181570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ojwvg9o7OM/TaNcLdj_TEI/AAAAAAAACIQ/7nTFY1wF5Yk/s400/026.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594418261758469666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvHRAlmv_xs/TaNdxMESZiI/AAAAAAAACIo/nXXAxtUPalU/s400/033.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">Me </p>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-14461410098985769252011-03-22T03:39:00.000-07:002011-03-22T03:43:49.064-07:00VISA APPROVAL!!<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M5ffBD1fdtw/TYh8eQWftwI/AAAAAAAACGg/WKgS6AQshXs/s1600/fireworks.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586852196980340482" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M5ffBD1fdtw/TYh8eQWftwI/AAAAAAAACGg/WKgS6AQshXs/s400/fireworks.jpg" /></a> Just shy of 7 months from the referral of our son....we have an approval to bring him home!!</div><div align="center">Thank you Jesus!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Trek loves to point at the airplanes flying over head and will get all excited and pat his chest. </div><div align="center">Trek, buddy...less than a week and you'll be on one on your way home...finally!<br /></div><div align="center"></div>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-74252443994543597652011-03-03T06:12:00.000-08:002011-03-03T06:34:22.878-08:00Last Update State SideWe are leaving for Nepal on Sunday, so this will be our last update state side.<br /><br />Visa approvals continue to come in almost daily praise the Lord! We currently are 4th in line and have been waiting 12 days so far. This means we're likely to get our approval next week! Who knows, maybe his approval will come tonight....wouldn't that be wild! <br /><br />Trek is doing fantastic! We Skyped him the other day. Of course we know he doesn't really understand what's happening, but Fran & Mary have been telling him Daddy and Mommy are coming to get him. He loves to look at the airplanes flying over the house and point to them while saying dada! Isn't that sweet. <br /><br />So I'm going to throw out some specific prayer requests....<br /><br />1. That his visa approval will be issued ASAP!<br />2. That the Lord will protect us while traveling and staying in Nepal and keep our girls healthy and happy while we are away.<br />3. That the Lord will prepare Trek's heart for the transition to come in the next week.<br />4. That the Lord will provide ALL we need financially before we leave. <br />Let me share what I mean by this....<br /><br />As of right now we have $812.00 to bring with us. Out of that we know we need to pay...<br /><br />$404.00 for Trek's visa<br />$100.00 for his medical appoint (hopefully not more)<br />$200.00 for our visas to enter Nepal for a month and all three exit visas<br />$250.00 for a rental car & gas to get us to JFK in New York<br /><br />These are just the necessities that we can think of and as you can see....we're running short. This is not figuring the cost of food while over there or leaving money for our girls while we leave...nothing extra. The Lord has always provided and we are believing He'll do it again for us. This is our final sprint to the finish line. Please pray with us about these things!<br /><br />So please pray with us that He will provide. <br /><br />Blessings,<br />Mike & Tonya<br /><br />PS. Once we receive Trek's approval, we'll open our blog again. Stayed tuned. Oh yeah, IF we get his approval before we leave....I'll let you know! Grace & PeaceTonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-21818898810491211862011-02-08T05:23:00.000-08:002011-02-08T06:32:44.449-08:00Okay, here's the update.Well, girls, I hope I don't disappoint you with this blog update : )<br /><br />Mike and I have been throwing around travel dates, airlines to travel with, and it's been so hard as to know when to leave. We had been praying we could take the girls with us and if we could this would all be so much easier. I'm tired of having my kids be on opposite sides of the globe. But we don't have enough $ and so just Mike & I are going back. We have some friends that are coming back to Maine and they will be staying with the girls the entire time we're gone.<br /><br />I think most of you know how much I <span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">dislike</span> flying. The strange thing is I can talk about going back, and I say all the time..."If I could bring the girls, I'd jump on a plane tomorrow and go over...." Well, talking is one thing, purchasing tickets is another. Last night after looking at several flying options we settled on our flight. That is why I'm feeling happy, excited and sick all at the same time. Girls, I'm just saying that once we made that final decision and I knew when I'd be flying my stomach started turning...for real...it makes me sick. My body just responds in a weird way and it's completely out of my control. It's the weirdest thing. I wish my body would stop behaving in such a manner...I mean good grief. Fear is an awful thing. Especially when we are fearing something that hasn't happened. This morning I decided it was time to dig out one of my books again. I took it with me last time we traveled to Nepal. This is one of the first entries....<br /><br />When fear shapes our lives, safety becomes our god. When safety becomes our god, we worship the risk-free life. Can the safety-lover do anything great? Can the risk-averse accomplish noble deeds? for God? for others? No.<br /><br />The fear-filled cannot love deeply. Love is risky.<br /><br />They cannot give to the poor. Benevolence has no guarantee of return.<br /><br />The fear-filled cannot dream wildly. What if their dreams sputter and fall from the sky?<br /><br />The worship of safety emasculates greatness. No wonder Jesus wages such a war against fear.<br /><br />So with that we are flying Qatar and are leaving on March 6 at 10:50PM from JFK and we'll have one stop in Doha. We'll arrive in Kathmandu on March 8 at 11:45AM. Our return flight....leaving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">KTM</span></span> on March 28 and with a stop in Doha, Washington D.C., and will land in Boston on March 29 at 8:30PM. I'll start picturing this photo in my mind and listen to her words of wisdom : )....<br /><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" >Did a little research and wanted to share it with you. </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;" ></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" > </span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" >Your chances of being involved in an aircraft accident are about 1 in 11 million. On the other hand, your chances of being killed in an automobile accident are 1 in 5000. Statistically, </span></strong><strong><span style=";font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" >you are at far greater risk driving to the airport than getting on an airplane.</span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" > However, the perception is that you have more control over your fate when you are in your</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style=";font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" > </span></b></span><strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" >car</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style=";font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" > </span></b></span><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" >than as a passenger traveling on an airplane. Experience</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style=";font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" > </span></b></span><strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" >shows</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style=";font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" > </span></b></span><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" >otherwise, considering that over 50,000 people are killed on the highways every year.”</span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" >So, Miss Tonya… I want you to know that I will be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ESPECIALLY</span> praying for you on your DRIVE TO THE AIRPORT… but once you’re seated ON the plane, my mind will be at ease, knowing that you’re safe and sound!!!!!!!!!!!! </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;" ></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" ></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;" ></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" ></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;" ></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" ></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;" >Also, I wanted to share a mental picture with you that really helped me on my 1<sup>st</sup> flight…I just kept envisioning the ENORMITY of the ALMIGHTY GOD compared to our teeny little plane and even our WORLD (which He holds in the palm of His hand)…. And I pictured Him gently gliding our plane along its path (which HE IS! Because He alone is in control of all weather, all gravitational forces, all EVERYTHING!!!!!) and it calmed me to just imagine His mighty hand lifting us along through the air towards our child. (kinda like this picture I’m attaching)</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:10pt;color:black;" > </span></strong></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TVFQHZ9U_SI/AAAAAAAACGY/LocwwYliAE4/s1600/GodPlane.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TVFQHZ9U_SI/AAAAAAAACGY/LocwwYliAE4/s400/GodPlane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571322302191435042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I think one of my biggest reasons for being a bit unsettled, besides the flying and leaving the girls again is the fact that we still don't have his visa. So this is again another step of faith for us. Some probably are wondering why we would we go before we get it. Well.....because as soon as we do get it we want to be there so we can bring him home and ticket prices are high already. If we wait and purchase within a couple of days it will be LOTS more. There is a blog for all the Nepal pipeline families and it has lists of all the families and where they all are in the process. So far everyone who received an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">RFE</span></span> (request for further evidence) and has submitted their rebuttal has gotten their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">child's</span> visa approved. Well there is one family who didn't get approval, but didn't get denied either. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">USCIS</span></span> needs some more info from them. The lawyer and investigator team we are using has won every case to date! We are just trusting and believing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Trek's</span></span> will be approved once it's reviewed.<br /><br />Originally we thought our rebuttal would be sent the 21 of Feb. well, the investigator got his work done quickly and our first draft of our brief has been written and it's in the hands of our attorney now. We have been told they plan to mail it out by the end of this week or first of next week. Praying for this week! Every day counts!<br /><br />Once our brief leaves her office it takes about a week to get to New Delhi and then possibly another day or two to be assigned to an adjudicator for review. There are a handful of officers and most cases are being approved at day 13,17 a couple at 23 days and one as early as 8 and one at 10 days. So it's really hard to know just when we'll hear. But based on that information we are thinking we may hear something by the week of March 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span></span>. Wouldn't it be wild if we hear before we even leave?! That's what I'm praying for!<br /><br />So you can imagine all the emotions running through my body.<br /><br />We got another picture of Trek the other day with a message from Mary saying that he "LOVES being silly!" Here's the picture of him soaking in the sun :) His cheeks are looking chubby! Oh, I can't wait to squeeze him and kiss him!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TVFLCcJ8XUI/AAAAAAAACGQ/QH9_hpjIlbQ/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TVFLCcJ8XUI/AAAAAAAACGQ/QH9_hpjIlbQ/s400/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571316719323733314" border="0" /></a>Keep those prayers coming!<br /><br />Oh yes, one more thing. We've had people wondering if we are collecting items to bring back to the orphanage or what our plans are. It's too hard to bring items with us. While we were over there last time we saw the huge need the children's home had. If anyone wants to help them with practical needs such as clothes, shoes, a sink for the home, etc. please use the Chip In on the top left side of the blog. We need all the money by Feb. 28 so we have time to get the cash to bring with us. <br /><br />Blessings!Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-53144559868708751932011-02-07T18:03:00.000-08:002011-02-07T18:07:48.124-08:00You girls are too funny!Just so you can all sleep tonight, I can tell you we did not get his visa <span style="font-style: italic;">yet</span>. So be praying about that still! Okay, I'll post tomorrow and get you all up to speed.<br /><br />Love you....good night!Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-86507229333985710312011-02-01T05:42:00.000-08:002011-02-01T06:54:50.791-08:00May God hold you in His hand until We can be with youI'm glad most of you are able to still follow our journey to Trek. It probably seems weird to go private just weeks before this part of the journey is over, but we felt it was the right thing to do until we have his visa in our hands. I usually don't get too many comments, so I was kind of surprised to see so many requests for invitations we got. I'm happy you're here :)<br /><br />So last Saturday we had our benefit dinner and auction. We were just amazed, humbled and blessed by all those who came, baked yummies, and donated auction items and food! We could have never done it without all of you! So thank you!!!! We were so blessed to have Mike's cousin and wife do the emcee & auction for the evening. If you guys read this....you're amazing....we love you....thank you! Kathy, a sweet lady at church, offered to do all the cooking! She wanted to help take some stress off of me and thought by preparing the food and having it served would help.....it DID!!! Thank you! I talked with her on Sunday and she thinks we served about 280 people! We had families coming an hour after we started. We had to ask people to give up their tables after they finished eating to make more room for others. What a blessing. The Lord is so awesome in that He is in every detail. We had been given 60 pounds of spaghetti and had about 13 gallons of sauce and we used every last drop with none left over, but had enough to feed everyone! We ended up with about 1200 roll, bread sticks and enough salad to feed 400!!! Crazy! Okay, I know you all want to know what we raised...some of you already know but for those who don't....once all the money is in we will have raised........$6200.00!!!!! Praise God!!!!<br /><br />Now you're probably wondering what does this mean for us and what's next. Good question. We had been praying for 10,000 which I know is a HUGE number, but the reason was so we could pay for the attorney, investigator, replace our travel money we needed to use to secure the A&I and bring our two girls with us to Nepal and wait there until Trek's visa is issued. Here's what we know now.....<br />1. The Lord abundantly blessed us with 6200.00 to work with!<br />2. Yesterday we mail the final pymt to our attorney. As far as we know she is PAID IN FULL!!!!!<br />3. We found out Sunday morning that our investigation is 100% complete and will be on our attorney's desk Tuesday morning (TODAY)!!! He had quoted us $3500.00 and he told us our investigation would only cost....$2600.00!!! Praise the Lord again!! I just have to say how blessed I am by this mans honesty and integrity. I'm just saying that he is a local Nepali and Nepal is one of the world poorest countries and he gave us a quote that we agreed upon and he rightfully could have charged us that amount, but is doing it for less. That impresses me. We wired his payment in full yesterday!!!<br />3. We have begun pricing tickets and with needing to pay for Trek's visa, medical appointment, our visas, Trek's plane ticket home we have just enough money almost to the penny for just two people to go. There are 4 of us. So know the conversations begin as to what two go. It's either Mike and I or Mike and Robin (our 16 year old daughter).<br /><br />We had been praying all along to have the opportunity to go over as a family and serve in the orphanage until his visa was approved at which time we'd come home. We think the only way Robin can be away from school for 5 weeks or so would be for her to home school the remainder of the year. She not digging that at all! She wants to go, but does not remotely like the sounds of home schooling. Noelle wants to go, but if Robin stays home, would it be easier for her to stay with her. We have some wonderful friends who have offered to stay with our girls the entire time we would be gone whether it is two weeks or five weeks.<br /><br />Unless the Lord provides in a way that we are not expecting it is looking like Mike and I will be the ones returning to Nepal, just not sure as to how soon to leave and what date our return date should be. One thing is final....we are no longer 'fund-raising' for this adoption anymore. Period. The Lord has been so gracious and faithful and we feel it's time to be done. If he lays it on someones heart to do something, that is between them and the Lord.<br /><br />So please be praying with Mike & I as we seek the Lord in making our travel plans.<br /><br />Trek is doing great! We got another update yesterday and he is doing wonderful. We can't wait to hold him in our arms again! We are so excited to have our family complete, all living together! What a ride this has been! We are thankful and excited to see another rebuttal approved yesterday! I really believe it won't be long now! Here's praying to a speedy rebuttal and approval!<br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i>KISSES IN THE WIND (The Waiting Child's Lullabye)</i><br /><i><br />I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.<br />You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.<br /><br />I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.<br />But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.<br /><br />Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...<br />Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.<br /><br />May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.<br />I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.<br /><br />Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.<br />But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.<br /><br />May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.<br />And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.<br /><br />--- © Pamela Durkota, written for Josh</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TUgefyjTlpI/AAAAAAAACGE/lNEOD_ZWPRE/s1600/IMG_1981.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TUgefyjTlpI/AAAAAAAACGE/lNEOD_ZWPRE/s400/IMG_1981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568734470738253458" border="0" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">I'm not a fan of Dixie Chicks, but I do like this song and it seems appropriate.<i><br /></i> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VqaBof47pmY" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>HALF A WORLD AWAY<br />By Jill Work<br /><br />A half a world away<br />Sometimes it seems we’re so far apart<br />But a half a world away<br />Is not too far for a journey of the heart<br /><br />My little one, my bundle of joy<br />I’m waiting for you<br />My precious son, my baby boy<br />I know you’re waiting too<br /><br />A half a world away<br />A child waits for a family of his own<br />While a half a world away<br />A family waits to come bring him home<br /><br />My little one, my bundle of joy<br />I’m whispering a prayer<br />My precious son, my baby boy<br />I hope to soon be there<br /><br />I hope that we<br />will no longer be<br />a half a world away.</b></i><i> </i> </p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TUgYrLKhUvI/AAAAAAAACFs/aiY-N3H6WJU/s1600/Patty%252C%2Bbabies%2B%2526%2BFran%2BJan%2B30%2B2011%2B031.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TUgYrLKhUvI/AAAAAAAACFs/aiY-N3H6WJU/s400/Patty%252C%2Bbabies%2B%2526%2BFran%2BJan%2B30%2B2011%2B031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568728069253976818" border="0" /></a><br />I think he likes ice cream :)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TUgcX5xIVuI/AAAAAAAACF8/k7rck6N29Oo/s1600/Patty%252C%2Bbabies%2B%2526%2BFran%2BJan%2B30%2B2011%2B033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TUgcX5xIVuI/AAAAAAAACF8/k7rck6N29Oo/s400/Patty%252C%2Bbabies%2B%2526%2BFran%2BJan%2B30%2B2011%2B033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568732136213075682" border="0" /></a><br />Brain Freeze<br /></div>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-90427928183798177802011-01-18T16:32:00.000-08:002011-01-18T18:54:00.802-08:00Did you miss me?It's been weeks it seems since I've blogged. It's been busy around here and if we're friends on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">facebook</span> you know why.<br /><br />I am in the thick of planning a benefit dinner and auction to raise the money needed for the legal fight we are in to get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Trek's</span> visa.<br /><br />I will tell you, I'd rather have a yard sale any day over this! There is a ton of work involved especially when you're doing 98% of it yourself. But I won't complain the Lord is faithful as always and He has provided all the food! We have Olive Garden providing 500 bread sticks and salads for 100 people, Angelo's is a local Italian restaurant and the are providing 60 pounds of spaghetti, Texas Roadhouse is giving us 400 rolls and their sweet butter....yum! We have another restaurant that is providing all the sauce and last but not least a small local pizza shop is going to pick up any slack in salads and or sauce!! Oh yeah, Pepsi is giving us 25 cases of soda :) So the food is looking and sounding great! We even had a group of ladies offer to prepare and serve the dinner! Yahoo!!!<br /><br />So I went back and forth with some of my friends on what to 'charge' for tickets. We settled on $5.00 a ticket and children under 4 are free. Do you know how many tickets one needs to sell to raise thousands of dollars??? I mean people, friends we are trying to raise in the vicinity of $10,000.00 dollars! Oh my...that's a LOT of tickets! So far we have raised about 670.00 in tickets, which is wonderful! Many from people who live out of state and even the country but want to show their support. We love you guys and couldn't do it without you!<br /><br />The auction is what I'm focusing on now. We are praying for large items to draw in the public. Also we are having a dessert table and hoping to raise lots of money there. I'm trying my best to not get too freaked out about what we need to raise and rest in the Lord and believe that He'll provide again like He has in the past. All I can do is what seems logical and leave the rest to Him. I know He is able!<br /><br />So for any of you out there that has not bought tickets...it's not too late!<br /><br />Now for an update on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Trek's</span> case....<br /><br />We have heard that the investigation is complete and now we wait for our attorney to get all the information and wait for her to write our rebuttal. Praying that she gets it finished ahead of schedule, which happens to be Feb. 21.<br /><br />Trek is doing wonderful! He looks like he is filling out. I think he's gained a little over 2 pounds! He is saying <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">dada</span> and mama! We were <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">skyping</span> him Sunday night and he was trying to rub Mike's head....so cute! As wonderful as he is being taken care of, it's so hard not being the ones to care for him! We are praying everyday that the Lord will provide so we can go over as a family in February and stay there until his visa is issued. So far every rebuttal that has been submitted has been approved thank God! Some people have asked how we could leave and not work....this is the neat thing.... the type of work Mike does allows him to do it anywhere in the world as long as he has the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Internet</span>. So as long as the Lord provides the means for us to get back over there Mike will continue to work. The other 'issue' people ask about is Robin's schooling. We would have to home school the remained of the year (I think) and she seems willing to do that or see what ideas her teachers might have. What I can tell you for certainty is... we are ready to be living together as a family the way the Lord intended us too! We think of the verse Psalms 68:6 often... "God places the lonely in families.... " I don't mean to be a broken record in saying we are so thankful for PUMA, but that is not his family. He needs to be with his daddy, mommy and two sisters who all want so desperately to be with him!<br /><br />So, I'm reading another great book, Radical (taking back your faith from the America Dream) by David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Platt</span>. I liked this particular quote I just read today...<br /><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span class="messageBody">This is how God works. He puts his people in positions where they are desperate for his power, and then he shows his provision in ways that display his greatness.</span></span></h6>We have seen this time and time again through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Trek's</span> adoption and I believe He will continue to display his greatness! Please keep praying with us and for our little boy! <br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzlg1aopvUq-3YlVXAlHCzci7vKdj23PG9ItsfI2ld5al9waeEBRyxXP5QJrQYia4nL-IS3I-NoCw6Gy3_gyA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxes32K2TNSYJRGkm0JqwRYKdSC81Sf4CRxmoRz1Ok5xiL9cpOFKWNpI30Og2raWFGGnfA98g3Nga-uHwMXnQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-4885017740941954922010-12-29T05:48:00.000-08:002010-12-29T06:24:52.402-08:00A Tandem Ride With God<p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" >I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him. </span> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" >But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal. I didn't know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord. He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. </span> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" >But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at break-through speeds; it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it often looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared", He'd lean back and touch my hand. </span> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" >He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found in giving I received, and still our burden was light. </span> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" >I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it, but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus. </span> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" >And when I'm sure I just can't do any more, He just smiles and says... "Pedal." </span> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" >(Author unknown)</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; text-align: left;">I'm thrilled to share with you that the money has come in for us to <span style="font-style: italic;">secure</span> the investigator and lawyer. This does not mean we have all the money needed. We still have a LOT to raise! </p><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; text-align: left;">I do want to clarify one thing. The dinner and auction is NOT tonight, it's January 29 @ 5PM.<br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; text-align: left;">Now that Christmas is over, I am beginning to work on collecting items for the auction and dessert table. So, if you're reading this and have a business or have something you'd like to donate or if you want to make some sweets for the dessert table please contact me at tonya@mpdcad.com.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; text-align: left;">Would you please pray for something else? We know God is in control of all that is going on and we totally believe He'll provide every penny needed to pay the lawyer and investigator. He's provided all along, why would be doubt it this time? Something that we have been talking about and praying about is this....somehow the Lord making a way for us to be able to leave the beginning of February and stay in Nepal until we are able to bring Trek home. The Lord would have to work out the details of course, but if Mike could somehow do his 'regular' job from over there and we are able to continue to pay our bills, he could work the times they have electricity and the times they are without it, we could work/teach/play with the children and didi's (care takers of the orphanage). It would be like a short term missions trip for a month or two serving in an orphanage! There is so much that needs to be done there and with wanting Trek in our custody as soon as possible this would just be an awesome thing to do. Would you please pray about this with us.<br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; text-align: left;">Please continue to spread the news about the <span style="font-size:180%;">petition</span>! If you haven't taken a minute to sign it please do it now. Click <span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.petition2congress.com/3867/bring-stranded-nepali-adoptees-home-now">HERE</a></span> to sign.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; text-align: left;">To make a donation click <span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=W0c11uSnNOzAXGSAAsIMy0MrWIo34kpjPg7OdNddSV_dIM7bs9Ir6uM6q5S&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b61f737ba21b08198ad5733caaf944cbac24b2728ea935a7c">HERE</a></span>.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in; text-align: left;"><br /></p> <object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A-WI4z27yGE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A-WI4z27yGE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-85506705877132187752010-12-26T03:58:00.000-08:002010-12-26T04:11:15.065-08:00Fighting the US Government to bring Trek homeOrrington family fights to bring Nepalese child home<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TRcuJ5BYS7I/AAAAAAAACFY/7VRTtrzHcYo/s1600/1293228905_e737.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TRcuJ5BYS7I/AAAAAAAACFY/7VRTtrzHcYo/s400/1293228905_e737.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554959412845104050" border="0" /></a><br />BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KEVIN BENNETT<br />“I’m excited about it,” said 16 year-old Robin Davis (left) at her Orrington home on Friday. “I’ve wanted a sibling forever, and I’ve always wanted a little brother.” To the right is her 4-year-old sister, Noelle, who was adopted from China.<br />12/24/10 07:50 pm Updated: 12/25/10 01:44 pm<br />By Nok-Noi Ricker<br />BDN Staff<br /><br />ORRINGTON, Maine — Trek was 5 days old when Katmandu, Nepal, police found him abandoned on the streets of the Asian country’s capital city. He has lived for two years in an orphanage with little food and no toys while waiting to be taken into someone’s home and heart.<br /><br />“He’s only 17 pounds,” said Tonya Davis, who, along with her husband, Mike, has fallen in love with the youngster. “He’s this little peanut.”<br /><br />The Orrington couple feel a calling from God to spread their love to children in dire need and adopted Trek earlier this month with hopes to have him home for Christmas. But U.S. government red tape is preventing the child from getting a visa.<br /><br />“Back on Aug. 6 the U.S. suspended adoptions with Nepal,” Tonya Davis said. “They did it because they believe the paperwork Nepal was providing is fraudulent.”<br /><br />The government of Nepal issued the Davises their referral letter on Aug. 1 approving their match with Trek, just beating the U.S. moratorium.<br /><br />The good news is that those already matched with a child are in the pipeline and their paperwork will continue to be processed, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website states.<br /><br />“There [are] about 80 pipeline families and we’re one of them, the only one in Maine,” Tonya Davis said.<br /><br />New adoptions have been suspended for abandoned children in Nepal because “the Department of State has concluded that the documentation presented for children reported abandoned in Nepal is unreliable,” the USCIS website states.<br /><br />The U.S. is not alone in suspending adoptions from Nepal. Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom recently suspended adoptions based on similar concerns, the website says.<br /><br />The State Department sent a team of investigators to Nepal in August to review the 80 adoptions in the pipeline and found nothing fraudulent, but even so it still is requiring adoptive families to jump through very expensive hoops, Mike Davis said. The pipeline families are now required to hire a private investigator in Nepal to look for the parents who abandoned their children, as well as a U.S. lawyer to process all the paperwork, he said.<br /><br />The lawyer and investigator are expected to cost about $10,000, and that’s money the Davises don’t have.<br /><br />Add to that the fact that a clock is ticking away toward a deadline.<br /><br />“We have 87 days,” Tonya Davis said.<br /><br />“Our countdown started on Dec. 3,” the day their adoption paperwork for Trek was completed, her husband said. “They are asking for the impossible.”<br /><br />“What kills me is these children have been adopted by U.S. citizens and it’s the U.S. that is denying the visas,” Tonya Davis said.<br /><br />People at the orphanage named the 5-day-old boy police gave them two years ago Pratik. The Davises have renamed him Trek Pratik Davis.<br /><br />The Orrington couple have a 16-year-old daughter, Robin, and adopted their second daughter, Noelle, from China in January 2008. Robin said she has always wanted siblings and is excited to have a little brother to share her life with.<br /><br />Tonya and Mike Davis left for Nepal on Thanksgiving Day and spent three weeks in the country trying to get everything done in order to bring Trek home. They returned on Dec. 16 empty-handed.<br /><br />“I believe it will happen,” Tonya Davis said.<br /><br />“We are committed to him no matter what,” Mike Davis said. “He’s our son.”<br /><br />The couple met a couple of U.S. missionaries online when they first started doing research into a Nepal adoption two years ago. The missionaries have taken their adopted son into their home to await his visa.<br /><br />“He’s safe,” Tonya Davis said. “We could not have left if he had to go back to that orphanage.”<br /><br />When the couple first met their son, he was malnourished and had burns on his face from being out in the sun all day long, every day. Those burns since have healed.<br /><br />The couple keep in contact with Trek and their missionary friends through the Internet telephone service Skype.<br /><br />Presents for their 2-year-old son are under the Christmas tree and a stocking has been hung for him, even though they don’t know when he will get to open them.<br /><br />“We’re still praying for a Christmas miracle,” Tonya Davis said.<br /><br />“Someone high up in Washington could sign the paperwork and he could be home by New Year’s,” her husband said.<br /><br />The Davises are holding a benefit dinner and silent auction to raise money at 5 p.m. Jan. 29 at Calvary Chapel in Orrington.<br /><br />Those interested in more information about Trek Davis’ adoption process can check out Tonya Davis’ blog, www.ifwehavefaithofamustardseed.blogspot.com.<br /><br />Tonya Davis said people also could support their family and other pipeline families by signing an online petition that is sent directly to U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives. So far, 10,491 petition letters have been sent, she said.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">The petition can be found online at <a href="http://www.petition2congress.com/3867/bring-stranded-nepali-adoptees-home-now">petition2congress.com/3867/bring-stranded-nepali-adoptees-home-now.</a></span><br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A-WI4z27yGE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A-WI4z27yGE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">If you want to make a donation click<br /><a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=lPHbyYA0Tx0vJ5JgM7CwSKrWlZNo1hqoiw_VPvlW4JH9TXvG5mabHyLbmfC&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b61f737ba21b08198ad5733caaf944cbac24b2728ea935a7c">HERE</a><br /><br />Would you also PLEASE re-post this on your blogs & facebook!<br /></span></div>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-86768026956668639832010-12-24T12:01:00.000-08:002010-12-24T12:08:11.577-08:00Please Help Bring Our Son Home!<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A-WI4z27yGE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A-WI4z27yGE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">PLEASE Re-post on your blogs and facebook!!!<br /><br />To donate click <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=Jm7LN76i_SBJXq0Qne5uaLYoaVrUmlR1Jup4EnvkqDJZRUdbamiuwnWBDOe&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b61f737ba21b08198ad5733caaf944cbac24b2728ea935a7c">HERE</a></span></div>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-55603991418749545722010-12-22T09:40:00.000-08:002010-12-23T05:13:01.371-08:00Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> to bring home Trek Davis from Nepal.<br />Calvary Chapel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Orrington</span><br />January 29, 2010<br />Time to be announced.<br /><br />Our son is stuck in Nepal because the United States won't issue his visa.<br />The US is adding additional burden to families by requiring us to hire an attorney and private investigator. These are added costs that we never expected to have to pay. It's going to be $7500.00 and the investigator will be either $2500.00 or $3500.00.<br /><br />Time is against us right now. We have 87 days to send in a rebuttal to the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">USCIS</span>) in New Delhi. The clock started ticking on Dec 3.<br /><br />The most urgent need for next week is the 2500.00 3500.00 to hire the investigator. Plus we will need to pay at least 500.00 to 1000.00 to retain the lawyer.<br /><br />It sounds like the lawyer will allow us the month to try and raise the additional money needed. So please pray with us that the Lord will bring in about 4000.00 or more in just a few days so we can get started.<br /><br />Keep the dinner and auction in prayer. Pray that business will donate all that's needed and that lots will come! We are going to try our best to get the local news to do a short interview with us announce the dinner. Please pray! I honestly don't want to move to Nepal for two years if it's not 100% necessary. I feel like we need to continue to fight for Trek!<br /><br /><br />Here's a signature on the new petition that I thought I'd share. It pretty much tells it like it is. Please re-post on your blogs, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">facebook</span>, twitter along with the petition link and the <a href="http://www.theywaitnepal.blogspot.com/">new blog with all the children waiting.</a><br /></span></span></div><br /><br />She's stuck in Nepal and it's getting cold there. Orphanage is subsisting on porridge and lentils. My daughter flew there and signed the adoption papers two months ago, but the U.S. Embassy still hasn't produced a visa for the toddler, and so the little one can't enter the U.S. SO frustrating. There are 56 American families stuck in this red tape tragedy. Go to this website to see PHOTOS of the little kids, and then click on the link there and PLEASE<a href="http://www.petition2congress.com/3867/bring-stranded-nepali-adoptees-home-now/"> sign the petition</a>. http://theywaitnepal.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Forward this to everyone you knows so they will sign and forward it too. We're hoping for 10,000 signatures by the end of the week. Maybe President Obama will grant the children humanitarian relief status and issue visas for them all. At this point, it's too late to the kids to be home for Christmas or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Chanukkah</span>, but maybe we could aim to have them all home by the New Year?????? <br /><br />When you read the<a href="http://www.petition2congress.com/3867/bring-stranded-nepali-adoptees-home-now/"> petition</a>, you'll know what the whole story is, but essentially, the Nepal Government had declared that all these kids are "orphans available for international adoption"; but the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security wanted to make sure that the children really were orphans so they took about four months to investigate all the kids' orphanage records, and then on December 15, 2010, both Departments declared that NO FRAUD, and NO CHILD TRAFFICKING was found in ANY of their investigations. Thank Goodness!!<br /><br />But then they said that they want each of the adoptive parents to produce evidence confirming that NO FRAUD and NO CHILD TRAFFICKING has taken place and they've given the adoptive parents 87 days to produce that evidence. Without the confirming evidence, the Embassy will issue a denial to EVER produce a visa. So the new parents have to hire Nepali lawyers and Nepali private investigators (which costs thousands of dollars) to try and track down some police officer or passerby who found the newborn lying on the side of the road two or three years ago. It's a nightmare of frustration because Nepal, like any other third-world country, is more interested in the basic human needs of feeding and caring for the foundlings than in creating official reports and filing them in triplicate so that some U.S. official can be satisfied with a Western idea of proper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">papertrails</span> years later. None of the adoptive families speaks the Nepali language, and most of them are back in the U.S., desperate to get their new children home. After paying all the normal costs of international adoptions, these investigations are draining the families terribly. Some are selling their homes rather than abandon their children. They've met the children, bonded with them, fallen in love with them, and just want to get them home to proper feeding, medical care, and LOVING FAMILIES. <br /><br />My daughter has been pursuing this adoption for three years now. I was so hoping my Mom would get to meet the little girl, but, at 99 years of age, my Mom passed this August. But, my 99-year old mother-in-law is still with us and so we can still have FOUR generations of our family together, if only that toddler's visa would come through in time for Great-Grandma Mollie to meet her.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theywaitnepal.blogspot.com/">http://theywaitnepal.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Thank you from the bottom of my heart.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TRI4PbHUmII/AAAAAAAACFI/8_dsXOJ541s/s1600/232323232%25257Ffp43446%2529nu%253D3245%25294%25285%252983%253B%2529WSNRCG%253D33%253B%253B736677326nu0mrj.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TRI4PbHUmII/AAAAAAAACFI/8_dsXOJ541s/s400/232323232%25257Ffp43446%2529nu%253D3245%25294%25285%252983%253B%2529WSNRCG%253D33%253B%253B736677326nu0mrj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553563128128903298" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.theywaitnepal.blogspot.com/">They Wait </a><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.petition2congress.com/3867/bring-stranded-nepali-adoptees-home-now/">Petition</a><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm adding a new Chip In button to help with the legal fight we now find ourselves in.<br /></div>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-42814977643689733552010-12-21T10:35:00.000-08:002010-12-21T10:36:58.115-08:00CorrectionI misunderstood something and need to correct it. I guess if we want to move to Nepal and start a business it would cost 25,000.00. This is NOT our intent. So disregard that. My brain is shutting down, so that's it for now.Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-74218742895042591622010-12-21T08:32:00.000-08:002010-12-21T10:34:55.730-08:00Home Sweet Home...but for how long?<div style="text-align: center;">When fear shapes our lives, safety becomes our god. when safety becomes our god, we worship the risk-free life. Can the safety-lover do anything great? Can the risk-averse accomplish noble deeds? for God? for others? No.<br /><br />The fear-filled cannot love deeply. Love is risky.<br /><br />They cannot give to the poor. Benevolence has no guarantee of return.<br /><br /><br />The fear-filled cannot dream wildly. What if their dreams sputter and fall from the sky?<br /><br />The worship of safety emasculates greatness. No wonder Jesus wages such a war against fear.<br /><br /><br />{Jesus} said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hand and My feet, that it is I Myself. Luke 24:38-39<br /><br />The LORD spoke his word to Abram in a vision: "Abram, don't be afraid. I will defend you, and I will give you a great reward." Genesis 15:1<br /><br />"Am I a God near at hand", says the LORD, "and not a God afar off?" Jeremiah 23:23<br /><br />It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Update on orphanage. Out of the $3600.00 that was given for the children at the orphanage, we were only able to get our hands on $1200.00 while we were there. Leaving $2400.00 left to be spent on them. We took care of the needs of the baby room and purchased food, bought emergency lighting for when they don't have electricity. $500.00 was used to give to a different children's home that was in need of blankets. We also brought Maya, Trek and the orphan girl to the hospital for their checkups.<br /><br />We will be going back soon and will be reassessing the needs. We plan to purchase shoes and jackets for all the children (something very needed). We know they have a huge need there, but at this point do not feel comfortable with giving cash to them. So if anyone wanted to give to help the children still can do so by contacting us (the Chip In has expired). We are looking forward to going back and blessing them in the name and love of Jesus!<br /><br />Okay now that, that is out of the way let me update you on Trek and what is happening. First of all, he is doing wonderful! I know we have said it a hundred times, but we are soo thankful for PUMA and Mary and Fran and Padam and just the group of believers there! Trek is happy and getting into a good daily routine, for his playtime, eating great, napping and he sleeps great at night. Praise the Lord for a strong little man! So he's doing wonderful and we miss him terrible! We can't wait to have him in our care, which brings me to the update on his visa.<br /><br />Still don't have the visa. We (group of parents & supporters) continue to send letters, make phone calls, try to get local and national attention to this issue, but still have not seen anything happen on a government level. Very frustrating! So we will continue this fight, but in the meantime we need to work towards our RFE (request for evidence). We were issued our RFE on Dec 3 (our adoption day) and have 87 days to send in a rebuttal. Up to now we had not gotten a lawyer because of two reasons....1. we truly believed that the Lord would intervene before we got to this point, 2. we don't have the money...again another reason we believed the Lord would work this out before we got to this point. But here we are and we are faced with some major decisions to make. We did contact a lawyer and she is working with lots of other Nepal families...and seems to be having success. She sent us a very encouraging email letting us know how she could help us and it was refreshing to read because of her optimism. I called the office to get the fees and about lost it. I guess I shouldn't have been shocked, but I've never needed a lawyer for anything and had no idea what kind of fees we'd be looking at. I have no idea who reads this and you may read this and think we're crazy and that her fees are fair and inexpensive....and you may be right, but we don't have a 'rainy day' account, we don't have retirement money being set aside, we don't have stocks and so on. We live week to week and that's just where the Lord has us right now and we will choose to be happy and rest in Him. So the lawyer is asking for a $6000.00 retainer. $250.00 for that is for our initial meeting to find out who to use for an investigator(an additional expense) and what our next steps would be. She needs the money ASAP! I told the office lady that we would love to have her work on our case, but we don't have the money. She said if we couldn't get the money then our only option would be to move to Nepal for the two years required. At that point we would pull our case and live in Nepal for the two years and then come home on a 'family visa' vs. 'orphan visa'. So as you can imagine my mind is racing wondering what we are suppose to do. My choice would be to not have to move, but we are willing to do whatever the Lord leads us. But if we were to move, there is still a ton that would have to happen to make that possible! We can't just leave when we have bills and things to take care of here. To work in Nepal one would have to purchase a working visa of some sort and that is $25,000.00 so if we don't have 6 thousand, how do we find 25 thousand??? Anyway...that's what is going on with the visa issue. We still pray for the Lords intervention and that we get word that the US government will just issue these and let these children come home.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">God is good all the time! All the time, God is good!<br /></div><br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TRDnyvWLiGI/AAAAAAAACEQ/4tQz3150fP0/s1600/232323232%25257Ffp43446%2529nu%253D3245%25294%25285%252983%253B%2529WSNRCG%253D33%253B%253B736677326nu0mrj.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TRDnyvWLiGI/AAAAAAAACEQ/4tQz3150fP0/s400/232323232%25257Ffp43446%2529nu%253D3245%25294%25285%252983%253B%2529WSNRCG%253D33%253B%253B736677326nu0mrj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553193199436793954" border="0" /></a>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-725844609780055392010-12-13T18:15:00.000-08:002010-12-13T18:38:36.971-08:00Goodbye Nepal<div align="center">Are you tied up in knots? "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Strong verb there. <em>Cast. </em>Not <em>place, lay </em>or<em> occasionally offer. </em>Peter enlisted the same verb Gospel writers used to describe the way Jesus treated demons. He cast them out. An authoritative hand on the collar, another on the belt, and a "Don't come back". Do the same with your fears. Get serious with them. Immediately cast them upon God.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Worry is an option, not an assignment. God can lead you into a worry-free world. Be quick to pray. <strong>Focus less on the problems ahead and more on the victories behind.</strong> Do your part, and God will do His. He will guard your heart with His peace....a peace that passes understanding.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair....For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory...For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:8, 17-18</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts You. Isaiah 26:3</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Please keep us in prayer today. It will be a hard day for us. We are leaving the hotel soon and will be bringing Trek to his temporary home. We are sad to have to leave him, but thankful the Lord has placed such wonderful people in our lives and Treks lives to help us through this. Please keep our travels in prayer as well. It's gonna be a long journey home! </div><div align="center">We have loved our time here in Nepal. The Lord has been with us.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Goodbye for now Nepal. We WILL be back!</div>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-38840038152180623902010-12-13T03:07:00.000-08:002010-12-13T03:57:38.770-08:00Last Full Day In Nepal<div align="center">Feed your fears, and your faith will starve.</div><div align="center">Feed you faith, and your fears will.</div><div align="center">Jesus could have calmed your storm long ago. But He hasn't. Does He want to teach you a lesson? Could that lesson read something like this: "Storms are not an option, but fear is"?</div><div align="center">God has recorded His accomplishments in Scripture. His Resume includes Red Sea opening. Lions' mouths closing. Goliath <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">topplings</span>. Lazarus <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">raisings</span>. Storm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">stillings</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">strollings</span>. </div><div align="center">His lesson is clear. He's the commander of every storm.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">LORD's</span> hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. Isaiah 59:1</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">Today was our last full day in Nepal. We met up with Mary and Fran and hit the streets to load them up on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">necessary</span> items for Trek and Maya. That kept us busy until about 3PM. Now we are back at the hotel gearing up to pack his stuff to bring over in the morning and of course get our stuff packed up for the long trip home. As you can imagine we have mixed emotions with leaving. We can't wait to get home and see our girls and friends and family, but it's so hard leaving our son here. We are so thankful for the PUMA family. Honestly if they couldn't take care of him one of us would be staying. I could NEVER put a child back into an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">orphanage</span>! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I know that doesn't sound like an exciting day, but that's about all we did. I did take pictures today for your viewing enjoyment. Note....the picture are all backwards. Not sure how to get them in order. I guess start with the pictures from the end of the day and work your way to the beginning.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH7nLRJZI/AAAAAAAACEI/EraqWCw8VNI/s1600/Picture%2B060.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550132311490635154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH7nLRJZI/AAAAAAAACEI/EraqWCw8VNI/s400/Picture%2B060.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH7OZrP2I/AAAAAAAACEA/WTuSjl4Y_8s/s1600/Picture%2B059.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550132304840179554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH7OZrP2I/AAAAAAAACEA/WTuSjl4Y_8s/s400/Picture%2B059.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH6f6Z91I/AAAAAAAACD4/IAHaUU32sMk/s1600/Picture%2B056.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550132292360992594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH6f6Z91I/AAAAAAAACD4/IAHaUU32sMk/s400/Picture%2B056.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>The one who HATED the elevator when we first got him, now likes it!<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH5vKLeCI/AAAAAAAACDw/RUH-SoS4MXI/s1600/Picture%2B052.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550132279273814050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH5vKLeCI/AAAAAAAACDw/RUH-SoS4MXI/s400/Picture%2B052.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH5CA7j-I/AAAAAAAACDo/-LmabvkZ5Ms/s1600/Picture%2B042.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550132267155427298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYH5CA7j-I/AAAAAAAACDo/-LmabvkZ5Ms/s400/Picture%2B042.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Wanted to get a nice picture of him outside the hotel. Guess not.<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHNYxWVkI/AAAAAAAACDg/x0wlzQ3lUMY/s1600/Picture%2B040.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550131517349844546" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHNYxWVkI/AAAAAAAACDg/x0wlzQ3lUMY/s400/Picture%2B040.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Maya enjoying her pineapple pizza.<br /></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHM1VVBvI/AAAAAAAACDY/hKnlqxpmtXw/s1600/Picture%2B036.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550131507837077234" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHM1VVBvI/AAAAAAAACDY/hKnlqxpmtXw/s400/Picture%2B036.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHMRyR2HI/AAAAAAAACDQ/M3WHHsIt5RM/s1600/Picture%2B035.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550131498294827122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHMRyR2HI/AAAAAAAACDQ/M3WHHsIt5RM/s400/Picture%2B035.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Maya loved her balloon. She kept <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">whacking</span> me on the head with it :)<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHLgrnJnI/AAAAAAAACDI/lKJgJ7tdevY/s1600/Picture%2B032.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550131485113525874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHLgrnJnI/AAAAAAAACDI/lKJgJ7tdevY/s400/Picture%2B032.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHK0i9igI/AAAAAAAACDA/Uu59MeDP_Kc/s1600/Picture%2B030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550131473266084354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYHK0i9igI/AAAAAAAACDA/Uu59MeDP_Kc/s400/Picture%2B030.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYD1AMEGeI/AAAAAAAACCg/m3O7HAGsIHM/s1600/Picture%2B028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550127799899265506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYD1AMEGeI/AAAAAAAACCg/m3O7HAGsIHM/s400/Picture%2B028.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Trek with father Christmas. Nope, didn't like that either.<br /></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYD0cYfEeI/AAAAAAAACCY/TCESHR9VbKg/s1600/Picture%2B027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550127790287688162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYD0cYfEeI/AAAAAAAACCY/TCESHR9VbKg/s400/Picture%2B027.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYDz3bfZiI/AAAAAAAACCQ/aEdEobGnq5M/s1600/Picture%2B023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550127780368180770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYDz3bfZiI/AAAAAAAACCQ/aEdEobGnq5M/s400/Picture%2B023.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>The children waiting patiently for Mary and Fran to find the two missing wheels on Maya's stroller.<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYDznBb-LI/AAAAAAAACCI/doaZ5PfREYI/s1600/Picture%2B022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550127775963936946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYDznBb-LI/AAAAAAAACCI/doaZ5PfREYI/s400/Picture%2B022.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYDzG_l1FI/AAAAAAAACCA/ad3Du4dUvZg/s1600/Picture%2B021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550127767366259794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYDzG_l1FI/AAAAAAAACCA/ad3Du4dUvZg/s400/Picture%2B021.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCXWf_q4I/AAAAAAAACB4/1SeBcd5PbwY/s1600/Picture%2B020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550126190980737922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCXWf_q4I/AAAAAAAACB4/1SeBcd5PbwY/s400/Picture%2B020.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Maya wanted to be held by Mike all day.<br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCXE8y-SI/AAAAAAAACBw/cxrw0ZvyMJk/s1600/Picture%2B015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550126186269702434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCXE8y-SI/AAAAAAAACBw/cxrw0ZvyMJk/s400/Picture%2B015.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCWjJgVjI/AAAAAAAACBo/dMszySr-5W8/s1600/Picture%2B009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550126177196201522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCWjJgVjI/AAAAAAAACBo/dMszySr-5W8/s400/Picture%2B009.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Trek in the taxi.<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCWPn7djI/AAAAAAAACBg/P1SP2m8gyDY/s1600/Picture%2B003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550126171955099186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCWPn7djI/AAAAAAAACBg/P1SP2m8gyDY/s400/Picture%2B003.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCVnTWWbI/AAAAAAAACBY/_z2UMddwK-E/s1600/Picture%2B002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550126161131362738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQYCVnTWWbI/AAAAAAAACBY/_z2UMddwK-E/s400/Picture%2B002.jpg" /></a>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-47049159586466842522010-12-12T17:38:00.000-08:002010-12-12T18:05:03.303-08:00Sunday In NepalI don't have a lot of time to journal this morning because this is our last full day here and there is lots to be done.<br /><br />Yesterday we pretty much hung out with the girls at the house. Which every day Trek does better and better. Praising the Lord for that. We took him, Maya and another baby from the orphanage to see the doctor. Trek HATED the doctor. I thought she was really nice and was excellent with the kids, but he would tell you different. She said his lungs were clear, no ear infection and he is tiny for his age, but with good food he'll gain quickly. He's been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">malnourished</span>. He weights 17.6 lbs and is 31 inches short :). Maya looks in good health too! He and Maya will be put on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span>-worm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">meds</span> in a few days. Sounds like about all the children that come from an orphanage get them from the water.<br /><br />The baby we took, we thought might have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">CP</span>. She's 18 months and has never stood. Her head is the normal size for an 18 month old, but her body is the size of a 6-7 month old. The doctor said it was from not eating enough. She said unless they start feeding her more or she can be moved to a different home or someone adopts her.....<br />So be praying for her!<br /><br />Oh yeah, we also visited some ancient place where the King lived like a couple hundred years ago. It was neat to see, but so sad....there are so many people that come here and worship gods/idols. I was able to share with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sumitra</span> that it did break my heart because those idols and gods can't help them. I shared with her that there is only ONE LIVING GOD....JESUS! They think the cows are gods.....<br /><br />He's the God of this City, Country!<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d61LamkXfwk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d61LamkXfwk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />Here are some pictures from our day.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-9EHBmNI/AAAAAAAACBQ/qeKQdsGrMUY/s1600/Picture%2B210.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549981703344330962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-9EHBmNI/AAAAAAAACBQ/qeKQdsGrMUY/s400/Picture%2B210.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-8hMdr8I/AAAAAAAACBI/FEyF2lX23YE/s1600/Picture%2B209.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549981693971902402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-8hMdr8I/AAAAAAAACBI/FEyF2lX23YE/s400/Picture%2B209.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-7pY14FI/AAAAAAAACBA/Fbqwi2Kp4bA/s1600/Picture%2B203.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549981678991433810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-7pY14FI/AAAAAAAACBA/Fbqwi2Kp4bA/s400/Picture%2B203.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-7CKRPvI/AAAAAAAACA4/f_tQRp40-So/s1600/Picture%2B200.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549981668461330162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-7CKRPvI/AAAAAAAACA4/f_tQRp40-So/s400/Picture%2B200.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-6wapxQI/AAAAAAAACAw/aOVX0O5jMpQ/s1600/Picture%2B194.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549981663698208002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-6wapxQI/AAAAAAAACAw/aOVX0O5jMpQ/s400/Picture%2B194.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-EiWVuII/AAAAAAAACAo/uYkhNOxasXA/s1600/Picture%2B185.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549980732209084546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-EiWVuII/AAAAAAAACAo/uYkhNOxasXA/s400/Picture%2B185.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-EOV3iNI/AAAAAAAACAg/NH99WsB3KA8/s1600/Picture%2B188.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549980726838397138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-EOV3iNI/AAAAAAAACAg/NH99WsB3KA8/s400/Picture%2B188.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-DgOIVrI/AAAAAAAACAY/tI1XKP5G1HE/s1600/Picture%2B184.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549980714457913010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-DgOIVrI/AAAAAAAACAY/tI1XKP5G1HE/s400/Picture%2B184.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-DBDe8lI/AAAAAAAACAQ/tehgvwg86xU/s1600/Picture%2B182.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549980706091758162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-DBDe8lI/AAAAAAAACAQ/tehgvwg86xU/s400/Picture%2B182.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-Cra3a8I/AAAAAAAACAI/zWiWdoAcifM/s1600/Picture%2B177.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549980700284251074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQV-Cra3a8I/AAAAAAAACAI/zWiWdoAcifM/s400/Picture%2B177.jpg" /></a>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-58166652117369807102010-12-11T17:08:00.000-08:002010-12-11T18:10:08.085-08:00What Happened To Friday?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQu3-P5tUI/AAAAAAAACAA/jag08mP8E0E/s1600/DSCN2792.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQu3-P5tUI/AAAAAAAACAA/jag08mP8E0E/s400/DSCN2792.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549612179964671298" /></a><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Strangely, I have no idea. Right now it's Sunday morning and yesterday it was Trek's second birthday. We feel blessed to have been able to celebrate with him, and we believe he'll be home for his third! We started our day with breakfast here at the hotel and then headed over to the PUMA home and went to church with them. Again we were blessed to worship with them. Doug was asked to speak about 5 minutes before they got there, so it was a blessing having him share. We understood everything...cause it was in English! Doug & Jen are adopting M and she will be staying with Trek until the visas are issued.<br /><br />After church we headed back to the house and had tuna sandwiches and cheese. Then it was time for the birthday party! Mike and Mary and two of the girls went to pick up 30 pizza's and a cake to feed 80! Mary opened in prayer, praying for the Doug & Jen and Mike & I and our little ones that we have to leave here for a season. She asked all the children/teens to keep us in prayer and to set a good example for them :) Each child was able to have two slices of pizza..... this is why we had lunch first. After we ate and cleaned up from the pizza the children put on a presentation for us. Oh my. It was beautiful. They sang several songs in English, had two special solos, and did a cardboard testimony. I don't think there was a dry eye in that room.<br />I will do my best to somehow upload videos to share. I'll get Mike on that.<br /><br />After we finished with the presentation the kids sang Happy Birthday to Trek and we had cake. It was YUMMY! They had a German bakery make it. Yummo! Trek LOVED it!!<br /><br />In all we had a wonderful, blessed day. One we will never forget. We took lots of video and pictures so I'll be done typing and just share pictures (we'll work on videos. If we're friends on facebook some will be there).<br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center">And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is God of judgment: blessed are all that wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18<br />We will wait. We will pray. We will have faith. We will believe. We will have hope.<br />We will have peace. We will do all these things with the help of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549603529396238066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQnAcXqtvI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/O2gY9Ip6SGU/s400/Picture%2B002.jpg" /><br />Doug speaking, Padam translating.<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQnAJHrU0I/AAAAAAAAB9I/9ejLZ3XQjNc/s1600/Picture%2B006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549603524228895554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQnAJHrU0I/AAAAAAAAB9I/9ejLZ3XQjNc/s400/Picture%2B006.jpg" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549603515479125666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQm_ohkbqI/AAAAAAAAB9A/l-7m5nADVns/s400/Picture%2B008.jpg" /> <p align="center">This is the building that PUMA is either renting or has purchased. It is being used for church services and for Pastors that come to Nepal to teach the ministers here. I think I heard someone say they might start a Bible college here as well. They are still working on finishing it. Maybe CC Bangor should send a team here to help :) I know Mike would come!<br /></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQm-sZkHfI/AAAAAAAAB84/6zTECxop-RI/s1600/Picture%2B011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549603499339423218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQm-sZkHfI/AAAAAAAAB84/6zTECxop-RI/s400/Picture%2B011.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn3vd6uZI/AAAAAAAAB94/NOxQ2mTl8n4/s1600/Picture%2B030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549604479415531922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn3vd6uZI/AAAAAAAAB94/NOxQ2mTl8n4/s400/Picture%2B030.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Philip, Padam, M, a local chicken farmer and of course Trek.<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn2-IUMLI/AAAAAAAAB9w/R1O28UyrPVg/s1600/Picture%2B025.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549604466171588786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn2-IUMLI/AAAAAAAAB9w/R1O28UyrPVg/s400/Picture%2B025.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn1-LMZeI/AAAAAAAAB9o/2Lkq_1GAdFg/s1600/Picture%2B023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549604449003791842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn1-LMZeI/AAAAAAAAB9o/2Lkq_1GAdFg/s400/Picture%2B023.jpg" /></a>Philip trying to get Trek to go to him.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn1Io_L3I/AAAAAAAAB9g/4awdbKo9T6k/s1600/Picture%2B022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549604434633240434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn1Io_L3I/AAAAAAAAB9g/4awdbKo9T6k/s400/Picture%2B022.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn0ncAXDI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/724NTsZXktA/s1600/Picture%2B019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549604425720421426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQn0ncAXDI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/724NTsZXktA/s400/Picture%2B019.jpg" /></a> </div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpeZTswuI/AAAAAAAAB-g/pgCheysSCkQ/s1600/Picture%2B043.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549606242993619682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpeZTswuI/AAAAAAAAB-g/pgCheysSCkQ/s400/Picture%2B043.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">Fran Didi<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpd1cAEdI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/CAkcfVRIi1A/s1600/Picture%2B038.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549606233364763090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpd1cAEdI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/CAkcfVRIi1A/s400/Picture%2B038.jpg" /></a> </p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpdGl9a5I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/WqQiBhsuOuA/s1600/Picture%2B037.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549606220790066066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpdGl9a5I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/WqQiBhsuOuA/s400/Picture%2B037.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpcm1zWPI/AAAAAAAAB-I/7lPVSEia1BY/s1600/Picture%2B036.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549606212266580210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpcm1zWPI/AAAAAAAAB-I/7lPVSEia1BY/s400/Picture%2B036.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpb8qpvHI/AAAAAAAAB-A/MoI7zOxR9LY/s1600/Picture%2B033.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549606200945523826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQpb8qpvHI/AAAAAAAAB-A/MoI7zOxR9LY/s400/Picture%2B033.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><p align="center">The girls home where Trek will be staying.<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq4u3V9fI/AAAAAAAAB_I/XJcHK8PWaDs/s1600/Picture%2B085.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549607794968491506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq4u3V9fI/AAAAAAAAB_I/XJcHK8PWaDs/s400/Picture%2B085.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq4JLwZMI/AAAAAAAAB_A/NozL7YKVMvk/s1600/Picture%2B083.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549607784853562562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq4JLwZMI/AAAAAAAAB_A/NozL7YKVMvk/s400/Picture%2B083.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq3pW4SFI/AAAAAAAAB-4/LO2VD9Uou6w/s1600/Picture%2B080.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549607776310282322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq3pW4SFI/AAAAAAAAB-4/LO2VD9Uou6w/s400/Picture%2B080.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq28BrikI/AAAAAAAAB-w/uAJaC-DHyuE/s1600/Picture%2B066.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549607764141771330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq28BrikI/AAAAAAAAB-w/uAJaC-DHyuE/s400/Picture%2B066.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq11wpn0I/AAAAAAAAB-o/2dmFgfHtR0E/s1600/Picture%2B064.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549607745279860546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQq11wpn0I/AAAAAAAAB-o/2dmFgfHtR0E/s400/Picture%2B064.jpg" /></a> PIZZA!!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQs32zya9I/AAAAAAAAB_4/4DVVAum3zUQ/s1600/Picture%2B123.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549609978944449490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQs32zya9I/AAAAAAAAB_4/4DVVAum3zUQ/s400/Picture%2B123.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>These photos are out of order. Sorry. He didn't scream tonight....as much. :)<br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsZUMPJiI/AAAAAAAAB_w/utbYoVl957Y/s1600/Picture%2B107.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549609454255679010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsZUMPJiI/AAAAAAAAB_w/utbYoVl957Y/s400/Picture%2B107.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsYnbEsbI/AAAAAAAAB_o/Hc8Pdjt1ZQ4/s1600/Picture%2B099.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549609442238312882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsYnbEsbI/AAAAAAAAB_o/Hc8Pdjt1ZQ4/s400/Picture%2B099.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsYEY5grI/AAAAAAAAB_g/zUJ6nEqoh_g/s1600/Picture%2B098.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549609432833950386" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsYEY5grI/AAAAAAAAB_g/zUJ6nEqoh_g/s400/Picture%2B098.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsXVB4GwI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/JPgpdL9OSIY/s1600/Picture%2B093.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549609420120922882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsXVB4GwI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/JPgpdL9OSIY/s400/Picture%2B093.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsW89nuJI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/jykz-8LTxCo/s1600/Picture%2B088.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549609413660620946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQQsW89nuJI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/jykz-8LTxCo/s400/Picture%2B088.jpg" /></a>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-8575517356680866812010-12-09T22:31:00.000-08:002010-12-09T23:11:18.757-08:00Thursday In Nepal<div align="center">Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:3</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Proverbs 30:5</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">We need to hear that God is still in control. We need to hear that it's not over until he says so. We need to hear that life's mishaps and tragedies are not a reason to bail out. They are simply a reason to sit tight.</div><div align="center">Corrie ten Boom used to say, "When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out? Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through."</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Next time you're disappointed, don't panic. Don't jump out. Don't give up. Just be patient and let God remind you he's still in control. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">It ain't over till it's over.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">Even though it looks very much like we will be coming home without Trek in our arms, we are still praying believing that God will move this mountain. If he chooses not to right now, it must mean He has an even greater plan. That does not mean this is easy...let me assure you it's NOT. I don't want to leave my baby here. I want him home with us. But God is good and we choose to have faith that He will work this all out in his perfect time. His perfect time and ours may not be the same.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">It's 12:30 noon in Nepal right now. Trek has been napping and still is. Once he wakes up we are heading over to the girls house for another visit. He did so good yesterday. Every day that we are there he opens up a little more to them. So guess what???? There is another Christian couple over here in the same boat we are and they have adopted a beautiful little girl only about 5 months older than Trek and she will also be staying with M & F!! So the little guy will have someone is own age to play with :) </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I think Mike is a little concerned about Trek hanging with 30 girls all the time, but M & F assured us that he would be hanging out with the guys and the boys home :)</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Here are some pictures from yesterday....</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQHREjRQtPI/AAAAAAAAB8g/GV7IyZPeaYs/s1600/Picture%2B133.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548946092014482674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQHREjRQtPI/AAAAAAAAB8g/GV7IyZPeaYs/s400/Picture%2B133.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQHRk5E9AHI/AAAAAAAAB8o/20PFtnvqRYY/s1600/Picture%2B136.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548946647624253554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQHRk5E9AHI/AAAAAAAAB8o/20PFtnvqRYY/s400/Picture%2B136.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQHSFPQyhiI/AAAAAAAAB8w/0kXj2uljyqw/s1600/Picture%2B140.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548947203335292450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQHSFPQyhiI/AAAAAAAAB8w/0kXj2uljyqw/s400/Picture%2B140.jpg" /></a>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-28225785474480536582010-12-08T22:07:00.000-08:002010-12-08T22:57:45.051-08:00Journeying In The Company Of The Holy Spirit<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB49wFM_qI/AAAAAAAAB7w/FN05OWyl5Ac/s1600/machhapuchhre.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548567743194529442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB49wFM_qI/AAAAAAAAB7w/FN05OWyl5Ac/s400/machhapuchhre.jpg" /></a>Machhapuchhre Mountain<br /><div align="center">Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:16-17<br /><br />Strengthen yourselves so that you will live here on earth doing what God wants, not the evil things people want. 1 Peter 4:2<br /><br />Our offering to God is this: We are the sweet smell of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost. 2 Corinthians 2:15 </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>You will never face the future without God's help. You have a travel companion.</strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>When you place your faith in Christ, Christ places his Spirit before, behind, and within you. Not a strange spirit, but the<em> same </em>Spirit: the <em>parakletos. </em>As Jesus sends you into new seasons, he sends his counselor to go with you.</strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>God never sends you out alone. Are you on the eve of change? Do you find yourself looking into a new chapter? Is the foliage of your world showing signs of a new season? Heaven's message for you is clear: when everything else changes, God's presence never does. You journey in the company of the Holy Spirit.</strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center">Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name you are Mine. </div><br /><div align="center">Isaiah 43:1</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:14-15 </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="justify">Not much happened yesterday and we didn't take any pictures! Sorry! We spent the afternoon visiting with the Trek's new aunties :) He did much better over there today. We believe and are trusting God is going to put a peace in his little heart about staying with them until the appointed time for him to come home. We know he'll be loved by all the girls there! </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Right now it's something like 12 noon over here on Thursday and I'm hanging out in the hotel with Trek. He had another bath which he HATES!!! He cried so hard he fell asleep and he's been sleeping ever since. One of our Christian connections picked Mike up on his motorcycle and took him shopping for 50+ coats, shoes, blankets, etc. They went to Themal (sp?) looking for better quality items and to hopefully find a deal. Please pray the Lord blesses their efforts and keeps him safe on these crazy streets!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">We are planning to go visit the home later this afternoon with some other Christian friends we have made. I'm expecting a wonderful evening of fellowship! </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Please continue to pray the the Lords perfect will to be done. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Blessings from Nepal!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I'm back. Mike just made it back safely from his shopping adventure. Sounds like he found some good stuff and good deals. I found a couple new pictures on the camera so here they are...</div></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9hAAQFsI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/ZfKXQx80b_E/s1600/Picture%2B065.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548572746810660546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9hAAQFsI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/ZfKXQx80b_E/s400/Picture%2B065.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9gwDsseI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/qVc266nQwO4/s1600/Picture%2B064.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548572742530150882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9gwDsseI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/qVc266nQwO4/s400/Picture%2B064.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9geRZWDI/AAAAAAAAB8I/kkVh-_NfVNg/s1600/Picture%2B062.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548572737755764786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9geRZWDI/AAAAAAAAB8I/kkVh-_NfVNg/s400/Picture%2B062.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9gM94FoI/AAAAAAAAB8A/9Vd-vh7-g90/s1600/Picture%2B061.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548572733110490754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9gM94FoI/AAAAAAAAB8A/9Vd-vh7-g90/s400/Picture%2B061.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9fkczIJI/AAAAAAAAB74/-1yDm0WSj5Y/s1600/Picture%2B059.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548572722234335378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TQB9fkczIJI/AAAAAAAAB74/-1yDm0WSj5Y/s400/Picture%2B059.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>So, yeah he loves ripping paper :)<br /></p>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-79274360745592114472010-12-07T19:43:00.000-08:002010-12-07T20:16:18.629-08:00A New DayJust want to give you all a quick update. Really not much has happened since we got word about our RFE. We stayed at the hotel till about 1:30 and then went to the Foreign Ministry today to pick up his travel document, which is good for one year. It's his one way ticket home. This is not the same things as his visa. We will be taking him to the doctor on Friday at 4 for his check up. This is required by Nepal for children under 2 (I think). He'll have to see one of two US appointed doctors before he can enter the US. That comes after we get his visa.<br /><br />After we left there we went straight to our friends home and visited with them. The Lord really is giving us a peace about him staying with them while we wait this out. They are precious sisters in the Lord and are so blessed that the Lord put them in our path. Trek will be in great hands! And I know he'll be loved. He'll have two special "aunties" and about 30 plus "sisters".<br /><br />We made contact with the police department through our friend and are hopeful to get some information about Trek's abandonment. Please be praying about this. We also have plans to contact our lawyer here and put an add in the paper and possibly TV asking for his birth mother to come forward so we can bring him home. This would be the best, easiest way to resolve this. We realize this is very unlikely, but we want to at least make an effort. This may help when we send in a rebuttal.<br /><br />Our plans today are to go shopping for the children at the orphanage. We are buying all of them a coat, shoes, and blanket. Also we will be praying that the director will give us more specific info on his case. Again, please keep this in prayer.<br /><br />Thank you to everyone who has tried making contact with Senator, Congressmen, etc. We're not sure how much they can help us, but it's worth trying. We did make a connection with someone in DC that may help us. Praying about this as well. It sounds promising. We are going to make contact with them tomorrow. Praying about this as well. So much to be praying about!<br /><br />Last evening we finally met a Christian couple also adopting and had dinner with them. It was a blessing to fellowship with them. I love how when you are with other believers even though you may not know each other very well, there is a connection there and you feel like family (cause they are). Please be praying for them as they just got word yesterday that their file has been sent to ND.<br /><br />Okay, so now that we are in this place with his adoption be feel it might be best to make our blog private. I know it's a pain to have to put in a password, but we think it's best. We still hope you will all follow along with us and be praying. Not exactly sure how this will work, but we'll do our best to figure it out so you all can follow along. I guess since I'm not sure how it will work maybe anyone who wants to follow along should email me their 'email address' and then I think I send you an invitation to read. We'll give it a try and see how it works. We'll also talk to other families in this situation and get their advice. Okay, I'll leave you will some pictures. We have a busy day ahead so I'm signing off. Please pray for the Lord to guide our steps and for our health. Mike and I both are not feeling the best....colds, allergies and Trek has a pretty bad cold himself. Love you all!<br /><br />Here's a devotion to share with you. I don't read my 'Grace Mail' everyday but did yesterday and it was a blessing. Thought I'd share.<br />"After leaving Marah . . . . " Exodus 15:27<br /><br />Marah means bitter. This was a place of bitter waters where God tested the Israelites. They had traveled three days into the desert after the miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea, and they were out of water. They arrive at Marah thirsty and in need so they bend down to drink, and the water is bitter! They begin grumbling and complaining, and then God changes the bitter water to sweet water. After being refreshed at Marah, they traveled to Elim.<br /><br /><br /><br />"After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water."<br /><br /><br />Do you know that Elim is only two hours from Marah? Isn't that a kick? Do you see how purposeful that test was at Marah? God could easily have said, "Moses, just go on another two hours, and you will find twelve springs and seventy date palms – shade, dates, and nourishment!" But, the Lord didn't do that. Instead, He said, "No, there's going to be a test first."<br /><br />Maybe two hours from the test you're in right now, the Lord has bountiful blessings in store for you. Don't fail the test! Actually, God's testing is not meant to show you up; it's meant to show you off. It might only be "two hours" before you'll encounter significant blessing. Just around the corner from Marah was Elim with twelve springs – one for each of the tribes of Israel. There were seventy palms, and those palms speak of rightness, fruitfulness, and maturity.<br /><br />Right around the corner from our most difficult times can be significant blessing. Don't give up! That's God's special word for you today – Don't give up!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8DiW8B6TI/AAAAAAAAB7I/9rRVMEfSqa4/s1600/Picture%2B009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548157154751539506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8DiW8B6TI/AAAAAAAAB7I/9rRVMEfSqa4/s400/Picture%2B009.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8DhhUKi5I/AAAAAAAAB7A/iW03MHj-Hlg/s1600/Picture%2B005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548157140357254034" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8DhhUKi5I/AAAAAAAAB7A/iW03MHj-Hlg/s400/Picture%2B005.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8DhDrNDVI/AAAAAAAAB64/FtbxX1P0gkM/s1600/Picture%2B004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548157132400823634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8DhDrNDVI/AAAAAAAAB64/FtbxX1P0gkM/s400/Picture%2B004.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8DgTk4_kI/AAAAAAAAB6w/EBV9HfHR3zs/s1600/Picture%2B002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548157119489441346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8DgTk4_kI/AAAAAAAAB6w/EBV9HfHR3zs/s400/Picture%2B002.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8EVwwTiDI/AAAAAAAAB7o/OQ3c5VFtlR0/s1600/Picture%2B028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548158037855012914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8EVwwTiDI/AAAAAAAAB7o/OQ3c5VFtlR0/s400/Picture%2B028.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8EVGUJR1I/AAAAAAAAB7g/_gKYFfnQeMs/s1600/Picture%2B026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548158026462611282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8EVGUJR1I/AAAAAAAAB7g/_gKYFfnQeMs/s400/Picture%2B026.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8EUZq5ykI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/z8QIWp8Psfc/s1600/Picture%2B023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548158014478469698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8EUZq5ykI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/z8QIWp8Psfc/s400/Picture%2B023.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8ET-iR6VI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/jYpjU11Gc8k/s1600/Picture%2B013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548158007194544466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TP8ET-iR6VI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/jYpjU11Gc8k/s400/Picture%2B013.jpg" /></a>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-38749578548980173972010-12-06T03:50:00.000-08:002010-12-06T04:29:22.819-08:00Sad Day<div align="center">We were having a good day up till this afternoon. We went out to visit the orphanage and Trek didn't want anything to do with anyone there....he's already attaching so well to us! Makes my heart glad :) We bought some more things for the kids today along with fresh fruit and they were very happy and blessed. We found out that all 51 children need shoes and coats, so we'll be busy doing that this week along with lots of other stuff.<br /><br />So then we went to visit Mary Ellen and Fran and it was a wonderful visit! I really love them already and they have such a willing heart to do and help in any way with Trek. We all have been praying for a miracle and it could still happen, but when we got back to the hotel today we were contacted by New Delhi and they have not approved his visa and now the burden of proof falls on us. We now must prove that he is an orphan under US definition. So unless the Lord acts and someone in a high government position changes this for everyone then Trek will not be coming home with us in December. It's been a very emotional afternoon for Mike and I. We are so in love with this little boy and he is our son now and we can't imagine not having him with us.<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPzWvx54flI/AAAAAAAAB6o/55Ec6TeuJYE/s1600/Picture.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547544957351919186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPzWvx54flI/AAAAAAAAB6o/55Ec6TeuJYE/s400/Picture.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>This is the only picture we took today. Trek was napping when we got word that ND did not approve his visa.<br /><br />I don't know what to say other than the Word of God doesn't change, His love for us and Trek doesn't change and we have to believe He has a plan. I'll be honest, I can't imagine what it is or how any of this is good for us or Trek, but that's not for me to question. We will be meeting with our local friend here and see if he can help us in our search for evidence. Please pray we find all that we need and that the local people will tell the US officials everything they need to know. We have something like 84 days to submit our evidence. At that point they will send out official so verify everything.<br /><br />Well, I guess that's all I have for you tonight. I'll try to post pictures later although with all that happened we didn't take much. Please keep us in prayer because all this is so hard.<br /><br />The count down is on..... 10 days till we're home! We are missing our girls terrible! Now we'll be missing our son terrible! We are so thankful he'll be cared for by Christian women who will love him and who love the Lord!<br /><br />Goodnight from Nepal </p>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-45204526259296600862010-12-05T01:17:00.000-08:002010-12-05T02:35:59.758-08:00Back at the hotel<div align="center">Good Afternoon from Nepal! Time for an update. Yesterday we left the hotel pretty early to head over to the PUMA home. It was our full intent to say there the remainder of the trip (about week and two days), but I'm embarrassed to admit I'm a spleeny, spoiled girl. You know, probably most of us Americans are. Things aren't perfect in the US, but we have a very comfortable life style. Much different than millions all over the world. So our friend Padam picked us up and helped to get us settled in our new room and then later in the day gave a nice tour of the area. They (PUMA) really do have nice facilities there and a very nice home. The plan was to say on the third floor,(which we did for one night) ,and there is a huge balcony where Trek was able to run around and play with his ball. That evening his wife made us dinner and it was really tasty.</div><div align="center"> So you're probably wondering if the house is so great why'd you leave. Why do I feel like I have to explain to all of you...I have no idea, but for my own 'records' I'll list a few. One, they (most of KTM), only have electricity for six hours a day and they split that up between the morning and evening hours. Hotels have back up generator so we have it all the time. We didn't have access to the computer (email) or our majicJack phone while we were there and we need to be able to check to see if we hear from the Embassy and also we want to be in regular touch with our girls. Second...I like having a regular bathroom. Although they had lots of room outside for Trek to play, he didn't have much room inside. </div><div align="center">Anyway, you all don't need to know EVERY reason :) Bottom line I told Mike I'd be much more comfortable being in a hotel with the baby...and being the sweet husband that he is, he brought me back. So now you all get updates, doesn't that make you happy!<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj3x9D-gI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/WtqpLpoxhYs/s1600/Picture%2B129.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547137175990303234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj3x9D-gI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/WtqpLpoxhYs/s400/Picture%2B129.jpg" /></a> Looking from the bedroom at the PUMA home.<br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj3WOE41I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/YanmrLozahQ/s1600/Picture%2B123.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547137168545473362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj3WOE41I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/YanmrLozahQ/s400/Picture%2B123.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Looking down from the balcony at the 'court yard'.<br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj2lkPTRI/AAAAAAAAB5I/n7Y3yMfvU9Y/s1600/Picture%2B120.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547137155485093138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj2lkPTRI/AAAAAAAAB5I/n7Y3yMfvU9Y/s400/Picture%2B120.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>On the balcony by our room.<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj2f7PIiI/AAAAAAAAB5A/VA0N-FmpMQw/s1600/Picture%2B110.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547137153970938402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj2f7PIiI/AAAAAAAAB5A/VA0N-FmpMQw/s400/Picture%2B110.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>This morning getting dressed. It was chilly!<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj10qZq-I/AAAAAAAAB44/EmN347YVFa0/s1600/Picture%2B109.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547137142357601250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtj10qZq-I/AAAAAAAAB44/EmN347YVFa0/s400/Picture%2B109.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Around 5AM, Trek was awake and feeling hungry.<br /><br />We went to church yesterday morning and it was wonderful! We didn't understand a thing anyone said, but we did recognize them singing How Great Thou Art. The worship was very emotional for both of us (teary). It's hard to describe but to be in the middle of a room filled mostly teens who were truly worshiping the Lord was a beautiful to witness and to hear them singing in their native tongue....BEAUTIFUL! Also I got emotional just seeing all the boys/young men and wondering how this trip is going to end....will Trek be coming home with us or will he be staying here and if so for how long? It tough people, really tough. We want to badly to bring our little boy home and I'm just so upset with our government! I just have to keep reminding myself daily, sometimes hourly that the Lord does have a plan and I have to believe it's a great plan. I can't keep typing about this or I'll get all emotional again. Just please keep praying! So this is what happened yesterday...now on to today.<br /><br />We went to the Foreign Affairs office and applied for his travel documents. They are good for a year I think. We applied today and will get it on Tuesday. Later in the week we are taking him to the doctors for a check up. Not the one that the US Embassy tells us to go to for his medical check up...we'll do that once the visa is issued. But the little guy hasn't been seen in a while I would guess and he does have a pretty bad cold so we'll have him looked at. After we filed for the travel document we went to the Civil Mall! It felt like home again :) Not that I go shopping all the time, but it was nice to go into a 'normal' store and pick up Trek a couple of things.<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk-PVOZAI/AAAAAAAAB6A/mTefVJmFX6k/s1600/Picture%2B140.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547138386467120130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk-PVOZAI/AAAAAAAAB6A/mTefVJmFX6k/s400/Picture%2B140.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>So this is at the Foreign Affairs office with tons of guys just staring at us white Americans with a child from Nepal. The guy closest to the car on the left here was even looking at the documents while they were being filled out. Can you say WEIRD!<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk9mW-LXI/AAAAAAAAB54/l-l3lLszmzo/s1600/Picture%2B141.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547138375468592498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk9mW-LXI/AAAAAAAAB54/l-l3lLszmzo/s400/Picture%2B141.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk9dDCapI/AAAAAAAAB5w/KHPJjE5JxJg/s1600/Picture%2B136.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547138372969065106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk9dDCapI/AAAAAAAAB5w/KHPJjE5JxJg/s400/Picture%2B136.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a> The guys checking out the food while we wait for Sumitra.<br /></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk9NWvULI/AAAAAAAAB5o/DwEXexGEe-U/s1600/Picture%2B134.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547138368756732082" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk9NWvULI/AAAAAAAAB5o/DwEXexGEe-U/s400/Picture%2B134.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>In the office.<br /></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk8jBZs8I/AAAAAAAAB5g/ew0nKikO3nk/s1600/Picture%2B133.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547138357392946114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtk8jBZs8I/AAAAAAAAB5g/ew0nKikO3nk/s400/Picture%2B133.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Trek LOVES dogs!! He's going around the room saying 'cukoor' that is dog in Nepali. Wicked cute! We'll have to video tape him saying that.<br /><br />The rest of the day we are just hanging out here playing and tomorrow we'll be going back to the orphanage to bring them some more stuff!<br /><br />Hope you enjoy the pictures.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtlzet2gBI/AAAAAAAAB6g/UK3dzH43T3k/s1600/Picture%2B107.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547139301130010642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtlzet2gBI/AAAAAAAAB6g/UK3dzH43T3k/s400/Picture%2B107.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtlykA4IBI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/DaXt7QYqwf8/s1600/Picture%2B106.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547139285372117010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtlykA4IBI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/DaXt7QYqwf8/s400/Picture%2B106.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtlyWC9_4I/AAAAAAAAB6Q/N67LV7gxDhw/s1600/Picture%2B105.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547139281622794114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtlyWC9_4I/AAAAAAAAB6Q/N67LV7gxDhw/s400/Picture%2B105.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtlx-gEC2I/AAAAAAAAB6I/h1Z56Kk12LI/s1600/Picture%2B101.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547139275302374242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPtlx-gEC2I/AAAAAAAAB6I/h1Z56Kk12LI/s400/Picture%2B101.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>I was going to put jeans on the little man this morning, but they are slightly big. These are 2T.</p>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-9483247821025797762010-12-03T07:44:00.001-08:002010-12-03T08:33:56.914-08:00Adoption Day!<div align="center">After two years of waiting and wondering how the Lord was going to add a son to our family....He did it! Today was the official 'hand over' ceremony of our son. He is now no longer an orphan, but the son of Mike and Tonya! We are in LOVE with him!<br /><br />So, let me share briefly how the day went. There is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">sooo</span> much to share, but I didn't get any sleep last night so I'm running on fumes. We started off our day with another wonderful breakfast at the hotel. Today we choose to sit out side with the birds. They were happy when we left so they could have a little bite to eat.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkYfCLbirI/AAAAAAAAB3A/w95gmhdSqIw/s1600/Picture%2B009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546491337523301042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkYfCLbirI/AAAAAAAAB3A/w95gmhdSqIw/s400/Picture%2B009.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkYejjgMxI/AAAAAAAAB24/gWWNxRhP2ls/s1600/Picture%2B006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546491329302770450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkYejjgMxI/AAAAAAAAB24/gWWNxRhP2ls/s400/Picture%2B006.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkYeNYHbDI/AAAAAAAAB2w/pEFCuHdkZ6E/s1600/Picture%2B005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546491323349429298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkYeNYHbDI/AAAAAAAAB2w/pEFCuHdkZ6E/s400/Picture%2B005.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkYdWHx96I/AAAAAAAAB2o/DzG9xoGml4E/s1600/Picture%2B003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546491308516964258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkYdWHx96I/AAAAAAAAB2o/DzG9xoGml4E/s400/Picture%2B003.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />We did some more shopping for the orphanage today. We spent 240.00 on food. That was an experience. So yesterday we did some shopping for the babies and went to the same store. We used our debit card and it went through with no problems, today however...it didn't want to work. Americans can not go into a little local store and spend over two hundred dollars and not draw attention to themselves....which I don't like. I don't want any attention. Anyhow, so when we went to pay...you guessed it....it didn't work. I stayed at the store with all the bags of groceries with all the local people staring at me while Mike went to the bank to exchange money. This really wouldn't have been a big deal, and really wasn't except it took him at least thirty minutes to do this all the while people are coming in off the street to stare at the American lady with all the food. Not fun. Thankfully Mike made it back, we paid, loaded everything into the trunk and we were on our way.<br /><br />At 11:30 we made our way back to the orphanage to pick up Trek and say our goodbyes. There is a ton to share about this visit, but I'm just to sleepy to get it out tonight, so hang tight and we'll fill you in. I will tell you two things to be praying about and something to praise the Lord about. 1. They love us and are so thankful for all we (YOU) are doing to help them. They said no other family has helped in this way or taken such interest in them. We told them we love them along with all our Christian friends and family. We shared with them that it's all about Jesus and that's why they see love through us. More about that later. 2. We asked them if we could come back to the orphanage at ANYTIME now or in the future and help with practical needs but with the stipulation that we can teach the children the Bible and share Jesus with them. With no hesitation they said YES! The Lord is given us an open door...what an opportunity! So be praying... 3. There is a precious little 1 1/2 year old girl who has some sort of handicap with her legs. She seems to be growing all but her legs and feet. They are tiny like an infants. They don't have the money to have her seen by doctors....till now. Thanks to everyone who has helped so far we will be taking her to see an American doctor. We'll have her examined next week and once we know that the problem is we will pray the Lord provides so we can get her the help she needs. There is so much more to share later!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZo457UZI/AAAAAAAAB3o/VJUwbmTYwcA/s1600/Picture%2B047.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546492606344286610" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZo457UZI/AAAAAAAAB3o/VJUwbmTYwcA/s400/Picture%2B047.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZOgqlRhI/AAAAAAAAB3g/g-TrHiwKSRM/s1600/Picture%2B035.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546492153160877586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZOgqlRhI/AAAAAAAAB3g/g-TrHiwKSRM/s400/Picture%2B035.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZOB6bsII/AAAAAAAAB3Y/ckreMophFcA/s1600/Picture%2B025.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546492144905859202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZOB6bsII/AAAAAAAAB3Y/ckreMophFcA/s400/Picture%2B025.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZNjHWaII/AAAAAAAAB3Q/vSGGPBq0Nno/s1600/Picture%2B023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546492136638539906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZNjHWaII/AAAAAAAAB3Q/vSGGPBq0Nno/s400/Picture%2B023.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZNPqHtuI/AAAAAAAAB3I/hUitKp0pTao/s1600/Picture%2B020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546492131415668450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkZNPqHtuI/AAAAAAAAB3I/hUitKp0pTao/s400/Picture%2B020.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />We left with Trek and went to the 'hand over' ceremony and all went smoothly. We met another US family adopting a little girl. There file is also in Delhi, so please be praying for them as well that they would be issued a visa without delay. Trek was sober the entire day. No smiles, no crying...nothing. Until we got to the hotel. Once we got settled he began to play and we had a wonderful evening with him! Lots of smiles, laughing, playing...it was great! We are so blessed and honored to be his parents! He is just a beautiful boy and I'm so excited I can share his picture with all of you!! Please keep praying about his visa! The Lord knows and we are trying to not let the enemy steel our joy buy worrying about all the what ifs. God is good...all the time! All the time, God is good!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkaiWHWp4I/AAAAAAAAB4I/FxdiLhm0jP0/s1600/Picture%2B056.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546493593437775746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkaiWHWp4I/AAAAAAAAB4I/FxdiLhm0jP0/s400/Picture%2B056.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkah7_lm8I/AAAAAAAAB4A/h8IuiF7Gl2U/s1600/Picture%2B054.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546493586425879490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkah7_lm8I/AAAAAAAAB4A/h8IuiF7Gl2U/s400/Picture%2B054.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkahaBelBI/AAAAAAAAB34/RDUpMOjkriA/s1600/Picture%2B052.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546493577307001874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkahaBelBI/AAAAAAAAB34/RDUpMOjkriA/s400/Picture%2B052.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkag2rPRQI/AAAAAAAAB3w/G86D7QkEUrw/s1600/Picture%2B050.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546493567818482946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkag2rPRQI/AAAAAAAAB3w/G86D7QkEUrw/s400/Picture%2B050.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />We leave tomorrow for the PUMA home at 9AM and will have church with them....can't wait!<br /><br />Okay, I'm signing off. I'm so tired and Mike and Trek are both asleep and I'm a bit jealous. :)<br /><br />One more thing. The Lord has brought in around 2200.00 in the last couple of days. I'm not 100% sure on the amount, cause our Chip In still shows 0 over here. Some have asked if we still need $ or are we all set. The answer is we still can use $ especially with this little girls special needs. There is so much this place needs that we can't do too much. IF that happened, we'd go find another orphanage....they are everywhere.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbesJoiwI/AAAAAAAAB4w/2UXQWccbAHY/s1600/Picture%2B089.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546494630145067778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbesJoiwI/AAAAAAAAB4w/2UXQWccbAHY/s400/Picture%2B089.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbeCQbc3I/AAAAAAAAB4o/sHrUtL4824U/s1600/Picture%2B084.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546494618899280754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbeCQbc3I/AAAAAAAAB4o/sHrUtL4824U/s400/Picture%2B084.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbdmyYNII/AAAAAAAAB4g/ExWUW1arCEo/s1600/Picture%2B076.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546494611525481602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbdmyYNII/AAAAAAAAB4g/ExWUW1arCEo/s400/Picture%2B076.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbdVxbvhI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/5PGAx3m_0Pc/s1600/Picture%2B069.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546494606958116370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbdVxbvhI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/5PGAx3m_0Pc/s400/Picture%2B069.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbcicKGZI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/zXwOy6VT9DQ/s1600/Picture%2B065.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546494593178671506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPkbcicKGZI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/zXwOy6VT9DQ/s400/Picture%2B065.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a><br /><br /><br />God bless you all! Good night from Nepal! </p><p align="center">PS. More pictures for tomorrow....just don't have the energy to post tonight.</p>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-48733964266414554442010-12-02T07:10:00.000-08:002010-12-02T08:13:19.065-08:00Another Amazing Day<div align="center">Today was wonderful! We started our day with another nice breakfast in the hotel restaurant. We then headed out to begin the shopping for the orphanage. We want to thank all of you who have given....they will be so blessed! So, we hired our first taxi guy to take us to a nearby market and we bought around 200.00 worth of baby items. We purchased 6 blankets, hats, socks, cloth diapers, baby soap, lotion, toy, plastic bin, toilet paper.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPfBng34AYI/AAAAAAAAB2I/bmSxAgzp0No/s1600/Picture%2B074.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546114350713405826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPfBng34AYI/AAAAAAAAB2I/bmSxAgzp0No/s400/Picture%2B074.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPfBnGrdUEI/AAAAAAAAB2A/Jo3hd922Uv4/s1600/Picture%2B071.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546114343682003010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPfBnGrdUEI/AAAAAAAAB2A/Jo3hd922Uv4/s400/Picture%2B071.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We didn't have long back at the hotel when we got a call that we were to be down stairs to head to the orphanage for another visit. We had a wonderful time with Trek and all the babies again today. The older children were in school. The didi's were very thankful for all the things we brought them! We got our first real smiles and giggles today! He seems to be acting more comfortable each time we are with him. Oh yeah, we also ordered fuel to be delivered. That made them very happy.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPfC2EYFzaI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/ZGbhM5FXOBA/s1600/Picture%2B098.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546115700273565090" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPfC2EYFzaI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/ZGbhM5FXOBA/s400/Picture%2B098.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPfD6mVwImI/AAAAAAAAB2g/nYRan22S0tE/s1600/Picture%2B082.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546116877621666402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPfD6mVwImI/AAAAAAAAB2g/nYRan22S0tE/s400/Picture%2B082.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Imprinting<br /><br />Once we left there it was off to the attorneys office. That was quite a ride. I wasn't sure what to expect with our meeting, but we had a great time with them. It was a husband and wife team. They have been to the US 18 times and have been to Maine once. They were super friendly and bought us momos, coffee and tea for lunch.... it was delicious!! We shared with them our plan in the event that we don't get his visa by mid December and they were totally fine with it.<br /><br />Back to the hotel to freshen up and then it was off to Thamel for dinner with three other American adoptive families. We ate at Roadhouse Cafe. The pizza was yummo! The ride home was horrible. I got so nervous at one point I thought I was going to throw up. So Thamel is this area with very narrow streets and tons of shops. People everywhere!!! Mike was offered hash marijuana and people were trying to get me to buy jewelry. So anyway we found this taxi guy and I offered him 200 rupees to take us back...nope he wasn't going to do it for less than 300...so fine, we agreed to the 300. We hop in and he takes off on all these side roads. At first it seemed normal cause it looked like the streets we had been on for dinner. But as he drove further and further away it the streets were less crowded and not many stores or lights. The road was more like a sidewalk rather than a street. Needless to say I was feeling very uncomfortable. I began asking him...so how much longer to get to the hotel....ummm....so where are the big main streets. Finally after what seemed like forever we made it to a normal street. We had a single mom riding with us and she was having that same not so pleasant feeling. She whispered to me that she was happy she wasn't alone.<br /><br />Now we are back in the hotel. Mike is once again snoozing while I try to get you all up to speed on what's happening. I really am wanting something sweet like ice cream and I thought he was fixing to get me some, but it's not looking like I'm getting anything tonight.<br /><br />Tomorrow is adoption day!! We meet in the lobby at 11ish and head to the orphanage to pick up Trek and head to the Ministry of Women to sign the papers and make everything official!! We've been waiting almost two years for this day! After that's over we will head back here to spend some alone time with him. I plan on giving him a bath right away. I expect there to be some major screaming...I would try to wait, but the little dude needs one ASAP!! We'll be sure to take video and pictures. I'm sure I don't need to remind you, but please don't stop praying for his visa to be issued ASAP! We want so badly to bring our little boy home for Christmas! I'll leave you with another great devotional reading from today.<br /><br />Biographies of bold disciples begin with chapters of honest terror. Fear of death. Fear of failure. Fear of loneliness. Fear of a wasted life. Fear of failing to know God.<br /><br />Faith begins when you see God on the mountain and you are in the valley and you know that you're too weak to make the climb. You see what you need...you see what you have..and what you have isn't enough to accomplish anything.<br /><br />Moses had a sea in front and an enemy behind. The Israelites could swim or they could fight. But neither option was enough.<br /><br />The Jerusalem church knew that they had no hope of getting Paul our of prison. They had Christians who would fight, but too few. They didn't need muscle. They needed a miracle.<br /><br />Faith that begins with fear will end up nearer the Father.<br /><br />God is the One who makes everything agree with what he decides and wants. Ephesians 1:11<br /><br />Our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Psalm 33:21<br /><br />Leave all your worries with him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7<br /><br />Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24<br /><br />If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Goodnight from Nepal!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div></div>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609725335938263539.post-82220102858717711232010-12-01T04:13:00.000-08:002010-12-01T05:32:39.986-08:00Another Amazing Day/ Door of Opportunity<div align="center">And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' </div><div align="center">Matthew 25:40 NLT</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">Mike and I just came back from spending time at Trek's orphanage. It's hard to put into words what we just experienced. This is why James 1:27 tell us (commands us) to go visit the orphan. Until you have gone and spent time in an orphanage it's just hard to really 'get' the need. I will do my best to try to communicate what we believe the Lord is putting on our hearts, just keep in mind that I'm a pretty simple gal and not very articulate.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Simply put....the orphanage is desperate need of basic items, people to come and show them love, spend time with them and most importantly share the love of Jesus! They don't have any faith in anything, anyone because they don't know who to trust. Of course we know it's Jesus, but you just can't walk into a place/situation like this and just tell them how great Jesus is and how much He loves them and expect them to believe. Actions speak volumes!! We are to be His hands and feet. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The Sunday before we came here we had our church pray about our trip, our son and his visa and also put it out there that if anyone wanted to send money with us we would make sure we bought food that the children needed. So out of a church of about 1200 we had 6 people who gave a total of 300.00 for food. We are so thankful for the 300, but now that we have had a chance to visit and can really see the need for ourselves, we see that they are also in desperate need of practical things as well. For instance in the babies room there are about 10 - 12 little ones and they only have about 5 blankets. Last night it was pretty cold and a window is broken and they had to pile the kids together and try to keep them all warm under just a few blankets. All the little kids have colds and runny noses and no tissues. They have run out of fuel to cook rice/food for the children and will have to wait until someone sends money until they can buy more. The need is HUGE! Mike and I have some money we can use of our own along with the 300, but we just want to put it out there that we will be here for two more weeks and IF anyone feels led to help we have set up another 'Chip In' and whatever is donated we will use to buy items/food and help as much as we can....doing it all in the name of Jesus! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We truly believe the Lord is opening a door to share His love with them. What better way could there be to begin building trust then to help in their time of need...."Doing it to the least of these....which is doing it to the Lord." </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We are here now and have been given an open door and have a liberty to act on this need.</div><div align="left">There are about 50 to 60 children residing in the orphanage and the age range is 1 year to 17.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Blessings from Nepal!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL9aNq2yI/AAAAAAAAB14/MOdFtnx1Ci8/s1600/Picture%2B068.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL9aNq2yI/AAAAAAAAB14/MOdFtnx1Ci8/s400/Picture%2B068.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545703509534104354" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL9BiqNHI/AAAAAAAAB1w/hTBIN5caNtI/s1600/Picture%2B061.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL9BiqNHI/AAAAAAAAB1w/hTBIN5caNtI/s400/Picture%2B061.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545703502911255666" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL8okulwI/AAAAAAAAB1o/cDLwuRzlQg0/s1600/Picture%2B057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL8okulwI/AAAAAAAAB1o/cDLwuRzlQg0/s400/Picture%2B057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545703496209045250" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL8LJcECI/AAAAAAAAB1g/7AQz3ERM8ME/s1600/Picture%2B054.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL8LJcECI/AAAAAAAAB1g/7AQz3ERM8ME/s400/Picture%2B054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545703488309956642" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL66swRYI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/SEnmfpYLnhE/s1600/Picture%2B051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CS4Us6p24MY/TPZL66swRYI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/SEnmfpYLnhE/s400/Picture%2B051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545703466714809730" /></a>Tonyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17195480511196168316noreply@blogger.com2