If we do still have any followers out there who aren’t on facebook, I wanted to give you a quick update. We are going back to Guatemala in October! We are so excited. It is a visit trip and Sarah and Davis are going with us. Believe it or not, we are making some slow progress on our adoption. Hoping for more and some final news soon.

If you are of the mind to want to help with donations, this is what is needed for Ashley and her outreach ministry: shoes-all sizes, new and old testament Spanish bibles, and devotional books in Spanish. The things needed for Hannah’s Hope we will be purchasing down there. They include: diapers, formula, milk, cereal, wipes, and groceries. So, if you want to help, just be sure to mail to us by September 30th. A little bit goes a long way so anything you can do is appreciated.

I know we have really neglected our blog lately. We are trying to decide what to do. Should we try to pick it back up or take a break until 2010? I have to admit the time we used to devote to it has gotten taken up by facebook. It’s so much easier to keep up with people and share pictures. Ho hum, what to do?

Today has been a hard day. My mind is flooded with memories of this day two years ago: the excitement of our first trip to Guatemala and the joy of meeting N and the other children at Hannah’s Hope and the opportunity to serve, not knowing what to expect.

I remember when we first walked into Hannah’s Hope. My heart was pounding in anticipation. My eyes were scanning the room for our precious girl who we have been so blessed to sponsor. After Ashley translated who we were, she came over to us and hugged us. I got down on my knees so I was at her level and told her in Spanish what I had practiced all the way there on the plane. I remember how she smiled back and how a few minutes later she grabbed my hand and led me downstairs to see her room. From that point on she had me hook, line, and sinker. Later that night in our hotel room, Phil and I marveled about this little girl and how God led us to her.

The week that followed was a life changing experience: working in orphanges, spending time with N, and falling in love with the country and its people. As we felt called to take the leap of faith for this child, who would have thought that two years later she would still be in an orphanage and we would still be here, hearts aching for this child.

We don’t know how this will all turn out. Presently both our files are in the CNA, and have been since January. We are still waiting on a document to get straightened out, five months later… What I DO know is, God has a plan for N’s life and ours. I do know that I am thankful that we have had the opportunity to sponsor, love, and know this child. I have been stretched and grown in this process. A change inside of me that I believe could not have happened if God had not put us on this path. We will just continue to take one day at a time and be thankful for any part we play in this little girl’s life.

I got to spend time with the most important men in my life today. My amazing husband who is a fabulous father and my dad who is the best, hands down. Here are a few pics from today.

So this is our dilemma…bring this sweet kitten into our family or not. What do you think? Leave us a comment.

While I was laying sick in the bed last week we got the news that there is ANOTHER delay on our case. What this all means…we wait some more. As always, I can’t show pictures or give specifics for the safety of our case. We are considering planning and making another visit trip down since the wait continues to just get longer and longer. However, that depends on vacation time and finances. We have recently got an update and new pictures. She has grown so much! She is a beautiful young woman, not a little girl anymore. She also has recently gotten her ears pierced. Guess who now wants theirs done, Sarah.

So please remember N and us in your thoughts and prayers as we still walk down this road that has an unknown end and sure has continued to have MANY twists and turns.

It is a privilege to celebrate the mother of my children today. Emily is a warm, nurturing mother — a blessing to Sarah and Davis and to me.

We had a nice family dinner out at the lake with Emily’s sister and her parents, and the kids were kind enough to sit for a mother’s day portrait.

On the way home from soccer practice with Sarah, we found a turtle in the middle of the road. Not wanting him to get squished, and not wanting Davis to miss out, we took him home with us for an educational moment.

Then on the way out to swimming at the Y we dropped him off where we found him, safely out of the road…

We are still waiting for a document on their end. Once it is issued, we can move forward. We hope… We’ve already been waiting for this for three months. We are assured that the lawyer is trying his best and I do believe he is. However, it is hard to continue to wait with no end in sight. In just two weeks we will have been at this for 22 MONTHS! She is worth every minute though.

In regards to the student and family we are sponsoring through Mayan Families, in March we were able to purchase a water filter for Mercy’s family so that they can have clean water. This was also possible with the help from Sarah’s teacher. She was so kind to want to go in on it with us. She has a great heart and cares for children so much. This month we also purchased a Semana Santa Basket for her family. It included, fresh fragrant bread that is traditionally eaten at Semana Santa and a block of chocolate to be able to make hot chocolate for the family to drink with their bread! The basket also included a chicken, carrots, green beans, oatmeal, sugar, and incaparina, ( a vitamin enriched cereal).

I admit I’m sad to not be planning a trip there right now. We have to be able to go when they say go, so we just wait. This time last year I was less than a month away to my medical mission trip there and preparing for that. May will also mark one year since I’ve seen N. I will update again when we have any news.

Sarah began soccer this month. She is doing 5, one hour sessions. The child with a parent learns the basics, drills, foundations of soccer. It is through a program called, Great Beginnings, and she and daddy are having a great time. Here are a few pictures from the first day.