Adjusting to Life as a Family of Five

Wisly is absolutely AMAZING!  Yes, we are only about a week and a half in, and there is usually a "honeymoon" period, but WOW, it is so clear that God is the one who brought the five us together.  We fit like a beautiful puzzle.  Praise His name!

Wisly is enjoying all the hugs, kisses and cuddles from the four of us.  Bedtime story reading and having family devotions crammed into our bed each night is especially sweet.  He and the girls are discovering that they really enjoy one another, particularly playing outside.  And their boisterous laughter is contagious!

Your continued prayers are appreciated, however, as our boy has a lengthy road of adjustment ahead.  He is experiencing a whole new life and we are learning to be parents/sisters to a new son/brother.  God is writing our story and we trust in Him!

Wisly's first bike...he was riding independently in about an hour!

Fun at the local playground

Playing legos

Welcome Home Shower at church.  Wisly was quite hesitant at first but after an hour of just hanging with his family, he happily joined a group of church kids playing "Spies". 

Our dear friend Carey made this delicious cake...Wisly loves him some BATMAN!

The church put on quite a spread!

Playing together out in our yard

Meeting our neighbor's dogs.  He likes them very well, from a distance.

First time with daddy trying to carry all three kids!

We are having Wisly work on Math and Reading online to evaluate where is he is academically.  We have been talking with administrators and will be easing him sllllllowly into public school.

Wisly is LOVING karate classes with his sisters and Sensei "Daddy".  He is a quick learner and very athletic.  It won't be long before he is giving Noelle a run for her money!

Emoji Pillows!

Emoji time!

Having fun first time with Wii Sports

TO BE CONTINUED... :-)

Bringing Wisly HOME!!!

Monday after lunch we drove 2 1/2 hours to the Nashville Airport.  It turned out to be a great smallish airport, easy and quick.  Got on our JetBlue flight (first time with them -- excellent airplanes and amazing crew!) and flew to Fort Lauderdale.  So much smaller, quicker and easier than Miami Airport.  Spent the night at the Hilton Express right close to the airport.  Another great place--friendly and helpful shuttle driver, nice staff, nice room, great hot breakfast.  Tuesday morning we were up early and on our next JetBlue flight to Port-Au-Prince.  We were so tired from the lack of sleep and intensity of the previous couple of weeks, but the excitement was really starting to build!

At the Ft. Lauderdale airport

On the ground in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti!

Literally only 15 monutes at the US Embassy to pick up Wisly's visa packet! 

We enjoyed meeting the young woman who conducted Wisly's visa appointment.

Driving through Petionville and headed to a local bakery to purchase a yummy cake for Wisly's farewell party.

We stopped for lunch and a bit of shopping at the Haiti Baptist Mission in Fermathe. 

Always love this view of the mountains!

At the crèche in Kenscoff.  At long last, our boy!

Sweet hugs

New clothes for the party

He and several of the boys "helped" us decorate the common room.

Balloons are always a big hit!

Wisly's good friends!  A bittersweet time...

Having a little visit with the crèche director and his wife. 

There is a lot of love between these two guys.  Wisly will really miss Noah.

Wednesday morning at the Port-Au-Prince Airport.

Tuesday, Wisly shed a few silent tears, but this day he was all smiles.

Wisly used my phone to take several photos of the airplane.  He was super psyched to get to fly. 

He said, "Mom, that airplane is BEAUTIFUL."

Enjoying the ride

First look at the USA!

After 30 minutes or so in the immigration office, we have our newest US citizen!

At the Nashville Airport!  Just a couple more hours drive and HOME!

God is so very good, loving and faithful.  Our hearts are full!

TO BE CONTINUED... {more pictures coming soon!}

Our Wisly is Coming HOME!!!!!

PEOPLE!!!

SO MUCH has happened over the last 30 hours.  Our adoption has been a rollercoaster right from the start, so why should the end be any different?? lol  But in the end, God worked out all the details.  He always finishes what He starts!  Amen and Amen.

➡ WISLY IS COMING HOME!!!

His visa has been issued, the exit letter from IBESR is in the works, and plane tickets are purchased.  Eric and I will leave on Monday afternoon September 5th and stay the night in Fort Lauderdale.  Tuesday morning we will fly into Haiti!!  We will meet the crèche representative and head right to the Embassy to pick up Wisly's passport/visa and *The Sealed Envelope* (a packet with important documents that will give Wisly US citizenship) that gets delivered to the Immigration officers back in the States upon arrival home.

After taking care of final details in Port-Au-Prince, we will head up the mountain to the Chances for Children crèche in Kenscoff to hug and kiss Wisly!!!  That evening we will host a Goodbye Party with all the kids at the crèche, spend the night together at the guesthouse, and leave for the airport Wednesday morning to fly home to Tennessee, arriving back home and to our sweet daughters later that night. ✈✈✈

Hallelujah Praise the Lord!!!  What a crazy but blessed day it has been.  And now we are exhausted.  Gonna try to get some shut eye.😴

Medical Reports, Visas and Exit Letters...Oh My!

This will be a biiiiig week.

Today, a Chances for Children representative is supposed to be delivering Wisly's sealed medical report to the Visa Department at the US Embassy.  Assuming he is healthy and has an all clear (TB is always a concern or any other communicable diseases), this should complete our adoption case with Immigrations.  Woot woot!

IF the report is delivered this morning, there is a very good chance his visa will be issued TODAY.  If the report is delivered this afternoon, we are probably looking at his visa being issued on Tuesday.

Just as soon as we receive the official email from Immigrations that includes the scan of Wisly's visa on his passport, we will immediately forward it to our adoption agency, who will then forward it to Chances for Children.  Then Chances for Children will apply for Wisly's Exit Letter from IBESR (Haiti Social Services).  That letter is THE FINAL document required for us to be FINISHED with Wisly's adoption and allows us to take him out of Haiti and bring him to the United States.

I've heard very conflicting reports on how quickly the exit letter can be ready.  It is that little piece of paper that will determine whether we travel THIS week to pick up Wisly, or NEXT week.

I'm on pins and needles!  Praying that his visa is printed today, early enough for the exit letter to be applied for, today!!  Eeek!!

It Finally Happened...WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR SON!!!

I am SO excited, but sooo tired, a bit overwhelmed, and fighting off a headache... BUT here's the scoop!!

Friday morning, at the advice of our adoption agency, I sent a polite lil "checking in" email to USCIS regarding our case.  A week had passed since we heard we were approved.  It just wasn't official yet.

We didn't hear back from them all day.  At about 3:25pm, at the urging of a few fellow Haiti adoptive parents who were already home with their kiddos, I called K, the gentleman at the US Embassy who schedules the visa appointments.  Several people had expressed how kind and helpful he was.  Even though he is in the visa department and not USCIS specifically, the general consensus was that he could probably find out what was going on.  I didn't catch him but did leave a voicemail explaining our situation.

Then this morning, about 30 minutes before the Embassy opens for business, I decided to send K a warm and friendly follow-up email.  Less than an hour later he responded with an equally warm email.  He told me that, unfortunately, our case file had not yet been transferred to his department.  He did express his desire to be as helpful as possible when he received our file.  I was kinda bummed but appreciative to get such a quick response.

Then I noticed that he copied the USCIS staff on his email.  "Oh good!  Maybe that will spur them on!"

Well...it DID.  

A half hour or so later we received our Official Approval Email!!! 

What a relief!  We knew it was coming, but we were stuck until we got it.  

Now to wait for the Visa Appointment email...  

They say to give their office up to 3 days to schedule an appointment, but it is usually quicker than that, often the next day.

Wellllll...

Only about 40 minutes later...

WE RECEIVED THE VISA EMAIL!!!

AND WISLY'S VISA APPOINTMENT IS THIS THURSDAY, August 25th!!!!!!!

WE GO GET OUR SON NEXT WEEK!!!!!! 

I still can hardly believe it.  God must be smiling, 'cuz even though the wait was loooong and the road was bumpy, He sure made it real exciting, real fast, right here at the end. 

Praise His Holy Name.  God Did It. !!!!!!!! ✝✝✝

We've Been Approved!!! Hallelujah!!!

👆✝ PRAISE REPORT ✝👆

Last week I requested prayer for the extremely important immigration meeting taking place in Haiti.  Many people shared that they were committed to praying with us.  We even had some who fasted with us.

The meeting was Tuesday morning and afterwards the adoption rep who had been interviewed messaged me to say he felt it went well.  My husband and I just knew God was at work.  We had so very many people from all over lifting up this situation to God.

I didn't hear anything all week, so by Friday around midday, I decided to email the US Embassy there in Haiti to see how the meeting went.  Within about 30 minutes they replied.  The email was brief and stated the scheduled meeting had occurred sucessfully.  Oh and by the way "Your case was approved."

HALLELUJAH!!!  I figured we'd have to wait several more days (or longer) to receive an update, but WOW.  This means our son has finally, after a very long wait, been APPROVED to get his VISA APPOINTMENT so he can come home to the United States!!!!!

We will get another email this week from US Immigration (the 'official' approval email) explaining the final steps of the process.  Shortly after that (usually 1-2 days later) we will receive an email from the Visa Department at the embassy, telling us when our son's visa appointment is.  Then we can buy PLANE TICKETS!!!  We will most likely plan to arrive in Haiti a day or two after the visa appointment.  That's usually how long it takes to have the visa printed and the IBESR (Haiti Social Services) exit letter ready to be picked up.  Then home to the US!

Friends, it is possible that we could be traveling to Haiti at the end of August!!! 😂 Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!!!  He did it!!!

Thanks again for praying.  God heard our prayers. ✝👆✝👆✝

NEWS!

This is what I posted Tuesday afternoon on my Facebook page.  Sorry for not updating sooner, but Tuesday I was extremely exhausted and crashed early evening, from the excitement of the day and having not slept all night Monday night (nervous tension/anticipation).  Then last night at church, our youngest broke her elbow and the night was spent at the children's hospital.  More on that later.

We like to keep things hopping around our household! 

* * * NEWS * * *
A short while ago our representative from the crèche sent me a message about "The Meeting" this morning at USCIS (US Immigration in Haiti).  He said that he feels that the meeting went well.  And he thinks they will approve us!!!  Praise the Lord!!!

Thank you all SO very much for praying!!! 😘😆😄

But please keep praying a while longer that they DO approve us!  I was hoping we would hear from USCIS immediately...but it may be later this week.

If (((...I mean WHEN))) they do approve us, Wisly will get his VISA appointment and should be home very soon!!! 😂😂😂

Don't stop praying! Keep on keeping on! We are close!  Answer-to-Prayer-Part-Two is coming...

Thank you, JESUS!!!  God is SO very good!!! ✝✝✝👆👆👆

PRAYER WARRIORS: Tuesday August 9th @ 11am

Today we received an email response from USCIS {see photo on left}. Our adoption agency thinks it sounds positive.  Eric and I are hoping that the interview is simply a run-of-the mill procedure before they issue us I-600 approval.  In my mind, everything has seemed so very serious because USICS has provided little information as to what is happening with our case.  Combine that with all the adoptive families I have lately seen languish for months in the last stage of their adoption process, and my thoughs kinda ran away...

Interestingly enough, I did reread the USCIS emails from the past couple of weeks and noticed something I missed.  They said the meeting with our rep is regarding the I-604 form.  Don't know how I missed this!  Of course I googled it.  Seems like it is something USCIS fills out with every non-Hague adoption case before issuing I-600 approval (then child is assigned a visa appointment).  If this is the case, it very well could be something simple, and we could possibly receive approval within a few days or weeks after the August 9th meeting.

Friends and Prayer Warriors, could you do Wisly and our family a tremendous favor, and pray (or Fast & Pray, as Eric and I will be doing) before, during and after this important meeting.  IF all of their questions are answered to their satisfaction, we could finally be at the end of this journey to bring our son home!!  We are praying for WISDOM for our creche rep as he answers questions, for COMPASSION for Wisly and his need to be home with his adoptive family, and FAVOR for our family and our adoption case.  God bless you all!!

This building is the US Embassy in Port-Au-Prince.  This is where our rep will be having his meeting Tuesday morning, and where Wisly's visa appointment will eventually be held.

Problems in USCIS - Prayers Needed!

Monday we received some very disturbing news regarding our adoption.  But first, the good news.

Our crèche representative believes he will have Wisly's corrected birth certificate back to USCIS on Friday.  If he is able to do so, that little hiccup lasted one month and three days.  I will be excited to hear when he gets it resubmitted.

On to the unpleasant news.  We received an email Monday morning from USCIS that stated, in reviewing our documents, they are unsatisfied with the information they have from the crèche regarding the circumstances that caused Wisly to come into their care and are calling the crèche representative to come before them for a follow-up interview.  They have to be fully satisfied before they will give us I-600 approval, the permission for Wisly to get a visa appointment to come home.

Ugh!! :(

I know about THIS!  I have another adoptive friend who just went through this, along with three other families from her crèche.  Our immigration situations are very similar.  With them,  USCIS demanded old documents be redone, new documents acquired, "got into it" with IBESR, and dragged their heels and added many weeks (for a couple families, six months!) before everything was resolved.

Lawyers were hired, Senators were called and USCIS finally just gave in without so much as a, "You were right, we were wrong.  Sorry we made you hire lawyers, pay extra money, and had your kids wait extra months to come home."

This is the bureaucratic mindset we are dealing with.  In too many offices that process international adoptions, children are a number on a manila file, not real human beings longing for hope.  Adoptive parents are merely strangers far away that keep bugging us with emails and phone calls.  And the ol' devil LOVES it all.  He's having a hey-day, disrupting and delaying kiddos coming home to their Forever Families where they will get love, care, health, security...healing.

The meeting was set for Wednesday morning (today).

Then yesterday afternoon I get a short email from USCIS saying they are canceling the meeting and pushing it off two more weeks...and no reason given.  Just "Sorry for the inconvenience."

What a punch in the gut!!

We have had such a large number of frustrating delays in this whole process, it is almost comical.  But, it isn't.  In May, we just KNEW we would be picking Wisly up by the end of May or early June.  Now it's the end of July.  I'm not guessing at his homecoming any more.

Praise God for His love and "peace that passeth understanding".  He is truly our Rock and Fortress.

At the advice of our crèche rep and our agency rep (both praying people, yay for that!), they said to send a firm but polite email requesting a sooner appointment than the August 9th.  Yesterday afternoon, I sent them an appeal. 

As of this writing, I have had no reply from USCIS.  So we wait and see...

I also have had about a dozen recommendation from various individuals-- call your senators, hire a lawyer, raise some <<bleep>>.  Eric and I are praying about our options and seeking wisdom.  We are also still praying for favor with USCIS and a softening of the hearts and compassion for our son.

I don't know what tomorrow holds, but it's in God's very capable hands.  Whatever the outcome, The Story God is writing will be beautiful and He receives all the glory!!

Thank you for your continued prayers! xo

The Evangelical Church Talks About Race

I want to share with my readers the link to an important conversationthat took place this past Sunday in Atlanta at North Point Church.  {Link below}  It is a candid discussion about race and racism in America.

How we can begin to understand one another, walk in someone else's shoes?  How can we start to see each other though God's eyes?  How can The Church be the impetus for true healing in our nation?

Praise God for the willingness and transparency of these two young men and Christian leaders (Sam Collier and Joseph Sojourner) to share their perspectives with Pastor Andy Stanley.

The discussion was followed by their Worship Team leading a heartfelt rendition of the song, "Lord, I Need You".

Oh how I wept!

God, I want to be Your hands and feet!  Change my heart and use me to bring healing and unity!

My friends, what a beautiful conversation...a great START to what God can and will do if we humbly seek His solutions. Christians, let's sincerely ask God to reveal His truth to our hearts, keep the conversation going, and then follow it with ACTION.

Please do yourself a huge favor and listen...then SHARE!!!

http://northpointonline.tv/messages/071016-message