Most adventurous?

Papa had to do a bio bit about himself at work this week to present on a teleconference. I haven't seen it, however I did email him some pics at work one night to use. One was of the 3 kids.

This teleconference included people from all over the country. It was well received. The last category to respond to was "tell us something no one would know about you". One of Papa's unknown facts was he had traveled to Thailand to bring home his son.

The director was making comments to Papa and asked him what he thought most adventurous about the trip.

Well, let's see........

We went to Thailand. Well, it is a global company, though many at his site have never even flown in an airplane. So no that's not it....

We went to Thailand, a place with beautiful beaches. True, but we weren't able to GO to the beach so best not to use that one.......

We live in the rural midwest. In a town of 130,000, the biggest town in the state. Enough said! But adventurous??

We don't speak Thai, culture shock, food changes.... Potentially overwhelming but most adventurous?

Oh, wait.....

We flew to Thailand and came home with an 8 year old son! Yes, THAT must be it, definitely most adventurous part!!

Neither one of us can imagine what else would be an answer to that question! I mean he DID have a picture of the kids!! LOL

Top Thailand Tips

Use Miss Oh!!!! She is a travel agent in Thailand and has an extensive understanding of the adoption world. She can provide transportation services if needed. (More cost effective to use cabs unless you have a big family, in my opinion.) She will take papers needing to be translated, drop them off, pick them up, check for errors and deliver them to you. We received way more than we paid for with Miss Oh! She brought sweets to our son the first day she met him. We were able to ask any questions we wanted like shopping and restaurant suggestions, sightseeing tips, writing names of destinations in Thai for us to use with the cab drivers. Most importantly, Miss Oh talked with our son explaining many things for us. She had conversations that produced many useful tidbits we never would have otherwise known. Like our son was really hoping to have a RED bike, he wanted to grow his hair longer like his Daddy's, (mind you Papa's hair isn't long but in comparison to the buzz look he was use to, it was) and was 3rd in his school class of 33 children.

Eat at Central Chidlom Department Store's FoodLoft! This place was awesome! Great choices for everyone, good food, inexpensive prices! We were so bummed we went there near the end of our trip because we would have gone back. They have one booth that was noodles! Our 8 year old was so excited about it and I would think it would be great for the 2 year old range also. His meal was very similiar to the food we saw him eat at the orphanage.

Buy this map NOW!! Nancy Chandler's map of Bangkok is so useful! I had heard about it and wanted to get one when we got to Thailand, which I did. However, it is so jam-packed with information you need to get it to plan before going. The map is truly amazing with it's details and information and the accompanying booklet is filled with useful info. Miss Oh even saw it and said it looked like it was THE map! So much detail it was even helpful to show our hotel valets to explain to the cab drivers where we wanted to go.

Thai Berlitz Kids 1000 Words book rocks! It can be found at this link to explain what can be found in the book. However I can't find a place on the web to buy it. I didn't search too long though. We bought it in Thailand at the AA Bookstore. Very useful words shown in english, Thai characters and Thai letters.

I would truly love to go back now!

Thailand travel Part 2

Well, as I mentioned the pilot had a few comments that left us all not too sure we would make it to our connecting flights. Due to the swine flu epidemic, we would need to remain in our seats while we were given a questionnaire to fill out. Let's remember the plane was huge!, even had a second floor for business class! Over 400 passengers! And many different languages being spoken, being questioned by the Japanese govt. And I must admit we did NOT expect this was what the individuals collecting the questionnaire's would look like!

If you lied about whether you had a sore threat or fever, it could be 6 months in jail.

It appears Japan takes possible epidemics seriously.

Thank goodness, we had a little over an hour between our flights. They claimed Japan would be holding all flights since all incoming flights were being questioned, however there was alot of last call boarding announcements. And alot of passengers running. It was a bit crazy!

I did stop in the bathroom, taking my camera with in case I got to see this. Alas, my tushie was not warmed! ;))

The next flight was fairly uneventful all things considered. Papa was comatos for basically the whole flight and I was able to sleep on and off, in between keeping Papa from using our row-mate as a pillow.

(Please excuse my spelling, it appears the Thais must be great spellers as the red squiggly lines don't show up here!)

So we landed and as we had a highly recommended gal meeting us to take us to our hotel, were feeling the end was near! Our high got even better when right at the end of the walkway from the plane a Thai gal was standing there holding a piece of paper with my name on it! No way, how awesome! Wait, no she wants to see my passport?... there are 3 of them to drive two of us to our hotel?....at 1 in the morning? HMMMM seems someone wrote the first number of my passport down wrong, making it a passport that had been lost. YIKES, I am surprised an armed guy wasn't standing there, but wait they did have those walkie talkies to call for back up......

Our night wasn't over! We couldn't find Miss Oh or her driver. We couldn't figure out the computers, phones or how to talk to anyone. I was very hot and tired by that point but we perserved and once we found out there had been a miscommunication, God directed us a good person. Within 15 minutes we were on our way to our hotel! Thank you, God for Your constant care and attention to all details for us. Many times through the trip we were mentally on our knees while we gave thanks for His provision.

Back tracking just a little, I would like to share with you my thoughts as we were flying over Thailand. It was such an incredible experience. Knowing those twinkling lights represented the country my son had been born in. He has history here. His biological family stretching back who knows how long. He has current history here. As in he has lived here for 8 years. Memories he would most likely remember. Time spent with us here he would hopefully remember and have pictures to prompt those memories. It was also very exciting to me to know we were THERE!! We had done it, we were about to land in Thailand. We were just days away from meeting our son! Days from becoming parents to 3 children. Days away from holding, touching this long awaited child. Those twinkling lights represented a new future...for our family, our son, our future generations. I just couldn't wait to see his land, his nationality, his birth country.

And I couldn't wait to see him!!

Here we are about 26 hours after leaving home in our son's birth country! Not too tired looking!!

Tomorrow you'll hear about us meeting him!! It was amazing and he is INCREDIBLE!

Hope you'll be back!

OOOPPPSSS, lost the siggie again!

Megan

It's all in the eyes

I have been thinking about the adventure we are about to embark on for quite some time lately. (Nothing like an extra 2 weeks to contemplate it all!!) For our first 2 adoptions, our children were escorted to the US. This will be the first of many for me.

It will be my first time seeing the birth country of my child. It will be the first time I have ever been in a third world country. It will be the first time I have ever seen or been in an orphanage. It will be the first time I will be physically taking my child from his birth country.

You see, I love little ones, babies and children. I always imagined I would have a large family. I love adoption. I believe very strongly every child deserves a home. I cry easily at those commercials showing hungry children, children in need of surgery, children in need of someone to call Mom and Dad. It is in the eyes for me. There is no way for the eyes to hide that sadness, that need, that hunger....for love, affection, attention.

And I want to do something about that for them all.

Going to the orphanage and leaving with only 1 child is going to be difficult for me.

There is our sweet son's best friend. We have pictures and video of the 2 of them that is priceless! According to those that visited, they are best buddies. His family is desperately waiting STILL for their referral and he has known since last year as well that he has a family. These 2 little boys are family to each other and my heart hurts thinking about the separation. I pray we get to spend time with both of them to make lasting memories for the boys. I am so thankful we "know" his family and will be in contact.

Seeing all the children waiting for a family and wondering how many will not ever get one is heart-wrenching now. And I haven't even been there yet to see those eyes. It is hard to look at the statistics--@59 Thai children came home to the US in 2008, Munchkin #3 has over 320 in the Babies Home of his orphanage. (Age 0-5, he has been held there to wait for us!)

Yet, I know I want to witness it all. It is my son's home, has been for the past 8 years. I would love to spend many days playing at the orphanage with all the children. I could honestly spend the whole two weeks there!

I have also had this deep inner feeling the last few weeks. A need to spend more time with Jesus, talking, praying, reading. I have felt almost like nothing else matters but opening myself up to Him. I feel God is leading me on a path. A specific path. I want to be open to His will for this trip, these experiences. I have always wanted to be able to share my passion for adoption with others. To encourage others to seek out adoption as a way to grow their family, as a way to serve and love God, a way to love thy neighbor. I pray I am able to absorb it all, keep it close to my heart and use it in a way that will glorify God and help orphans.

4 days to departure!!

Wonderful Plans

We have re-booked our tickets! We leave on April 27th to attend the May 6th meeting!! Thank you, God! Still hunting for a hotel, first hotel doesn't have availability for this stay.

We will return home on May 12th. Peanut's Homecoming day is May 11th, so we will have 2 to celebrate right in a row!

What blessed parents we are!

I am so overwhelmed when I think about how God knew these little beings were to be our children. To know His plan for our family extends to the other side of the world, to women who found themselves in very difficult situations, women who made choices that I can only imagine crushed their hearts, loved their children enough to carry them to term and make an adoption plan for them. I would never presume to say it was the best plan for their child, that they would have a better chance at life. In my opinion, my children have lost much. The loss of biological family is real, no matter how young they are adopted or how much we love them. They lose their birth country, family history, ability to look for their biological parents (in most cases), have extra identity questions related to adoption, etc.......It takes strong children to be able to handle all the aspects involved in being an adopted child in a multi-cultural family. Knowing God as we do from David in Psalm 139:13-16:

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

there is no question He has given my children exactly what they need to handle life. He knew His plan for them when He was knitting them in their first Mother's womb. To lean on the words, fearfully and wonderfully made and skillfully wrought gives me faith my children are well prepared to face all parts of their life and succeed!

Thank you, God for giving us our family and for reminding me Your plan for my life IS a precious one.

Travel delay

We have made the decision to put off our travel for tomorrow. We hoped to delay for a few days and travel on Friday or Saturday this week to still make our scheduled meeting on the 22nd. We felt that would allow for some of the unrest to subside and move to safer travel. However, the cost of changing our one ticket (non-adoption fare) was $1800, double the original cost of our ticket!! Not really workable, unfortunately.

We had to put emotion out of the equation and that was not easy to do. Papa and I both appreciated our agency's Asian countries director taking time to talk with us today. At the end, I very much appreciated her comments telling us we needed to not second guess ourselves after we made the decision. She said we needed to know either decision was wise. It is difficult not to second guess and it was VERY difficult to call our travel agent and cancel our flights.

We do know we will bring our son home. It is very disappointing to be waiting again. It is frustrating our expenses are rising and that it is even an issue.

I am thankful we were able to make a decision we both feel as comfortable as is possible in this situation. Prayers offered on our behalf gave us the direction and answers we were seeking. Thank you for taking our needs to our Lord and if you are so inclined, please continue to pray for peace in Thailand and a quick invite to the next meeting for us.

God will bring our son home! We will be victorious!!

Blessings to you all in this joyous Easter season~

Ready?

Seven days from right now, we will be on a plane, 9 hours in to our journey to the other side of the world.

Eight days from right now, we will be heading to the orphanage to meet our son!

I have moments where I am feeling well-prepared, on track with my to-do-lists. Yes, there are things to do, but it feels like it continues to come together more and more each day. I realize there will always be a list of things to do and some things on my list are not necessary. Though I must figure out what clothes I have to pack and what I might still need to buy! I seem to keep putting that one off and I am sure it should be considered a high priority!! ;))

Then I have moments where I wonder what I am thinking! I feel like I am missing something BIG, I am way too calm to be leaving the country for 15 days, leaving my 2 kids and bringing home a child who doesn't speak my language. I should be running around frantic about something, I feel.

Yet, I am not. And those above moments are fleeting.

Throughout the last few years, there have been times when God has given me complete peace when I could be really stressed. Or worried. God has allowed me to rest in Him, knowing that what is important, needed for my family will be done. He will provide, He will allow me to breathe, be the wife/mother I need to be if I trust in Him. Often in surrendering my "wants" or what I believe to be the path/plan to His will allows me freedom to enjoy it all so much more. I rest in Him, knowing full well the plans He has for me are so much more than I could ever imagine.


The Psalms 91

	He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2	I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3	Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4	He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5	Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6	nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7	A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8	Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9	Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation;
10	there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11	For he shall give his angels charge over thee, Mt. 4.6 · Lk. 4.10 to keep thee in all thy ways.
12	They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Mt. 4.6 · Lk. 4.11
13	Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Lk. 10.19
14	Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15	He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.
16	With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

I thank God for the peace that surrounds me and the knowledge that He is my rock. I give Him praise that we will have another little soul to raise to know, to love and to serve Him.

Now for that, I am ready!

Calling

Well, we are calling the travel agent today to find out what the travel costs become for April. ;((

We'll let you know what we hear. Pray please.

M

Travel?

There seems to be a strong possibility that we will need to go to Thailand to solve the problems we are experiencing to bring our son home. We would be traveling with an unknown time for returning to the states.

We need HUGE prayers for this situation as this would obviously increase our costs. Plus many other considerations: Would we take the kids with us? How would we leave them with family and not know how long we could be gone? That would add 2 more plane tickets--YIKES. Papa would need to be home to go back to work. How would I fare in a city on my own with 3 kids where I don't speak the language? I suppose munchkin #3 could do the talking! ;)) I MUST keep my sense of humor or I will completely lose it. I am shaking inside at the thoughts of all these things.

If only we were independently wealthy--I would take the whole family, go do what we needed to do, go down the beach in Thailand and stay there until the Embassy has it all worked out! I hear a beach vacation is a great way for the new family to bond together in the child's country and very inexpensive--like $30 a night at a resort right on the beach! We could count it as a field trip for school and all is good!!!!!!!

Well, a girl can dream, can't she?!

Please pray~

M

Paperwork issues--UGH

Ok, there are MORE paperworks problems. I am truly not sure how many more of these I can take. Please pray this is VERY temporary and that our agency mails our I800 out today via overnight mail.

At this point I need to accept the fact that traveling for the Jan. 14th meeting is very slim and that fact is really not settling well with me.

I really wanted to be in Thailand and have our son with us for his birthday, to celebrate with his parents as a very special boy on his own with his parents. It would be the first time his actual birthday would be celebrated on his birthday and not with a bunch of other kids having a birthday in the same month.

In re-reading this post, this thought came to me, I really wanted to be in Thailand a long time ago.

Enough whining

At least for now~

Please pray for the paperwork to move quickly and for me to enjoy the Advent and Christmas season with my family here.

M

P.S. Thank you!! The thermometer continues to move!

New Prayer Request Updates

Well, here it is December and we thought our son would have been home for 6 months by now! I guess that is what we get for "planning" in an adoption! It has been a rough few weeks but we seem to be turning the corner with some of our struggles in bringing him home.

The Thailand airport is suppose to re-open Dec. 5th. (Which means with the time change it should be open now) We will continue to pray to God that we can get in country and out before the possibility of more trouble arises.

We spent the last 2 1/2 weeks chasing papers that were to be mailed from our agency to USCIS, almost from one side of the country to the other. First, it couldn't be delivered due to being a P.O. Box and sat in the mail room for 1 week before being mailed back. Then right before the holiday was mailed from our agency but was "lost" by the mail service of choice and never moved out of that state till a week later when we asked about it! UGGGGGHHHH I am so thankful I have been obsessed following this case otherwise we would be losing even more time.

So it arrived at USCIS on Wed, yesterday and now needs to move through their mailroom to be checked for anthrax, bombs, etc..... (of course, because adoptive families are so suspicious, as if we haven't been fingerprinted and checked out enough!) Then our case worker can move forward with it.

I would appreciate prayers that it ends up in her hands tomorrow, Friday and she is able to approve us and we can truly move forward next week.

Our agency did indicate attempting to make it to one of the January meetings so it will be either the 14th or 28th that we will be there, God willing!! I personally vote for the 14th for many reasons, but most importantly is we would be with our son for his b-day--in Thailand which would be so special. It would just be Mama, Papa and him, so personal and special for his first b'day with us!! In the orphanage, they celebrate all the kids born in that month on one day with one cake. We would be able to make it SO much more for him.

We received our papers from Thailand that are needed to complete our 2nd step for USCIS (our government)!! Thank you God!

Thailand has been right on the ball with our case and indicated to our agency that they are very excited for us to travel and get our son. I don't think about the fact that if it weren't for OUR government struggles, he could have been home for Christmas. :(( But then the next prayer request would have been an even bigger problem~

That brings us to the nitty gritty money needed issue. A blessing of not traveling until January is that airfare will be lower, so total needed will be lower. Papa worked Thanksgiving bringing in extra money as well as he sold a guitar pedal. I have researched and called/emailed any groups affiliated with our church to see about grants/donations. Please pray for 2 possibilities I have found that might be able to help. We continue to work on the Papa Murphy's Fundraiser as well.

Please pray that we are able to raise the funds needed and go get in January as hoped for! Our guy has been waiting much too long for a family and we want him home!

Thank you for all your prayers and for helping us on this journey~

M

Political strife in Thailand

Things are getting tense in Thailand right now. The International airport is closed down and has been for almost a week now. I do know of at least one family with the Mother and her new child stuck there. Due to this situation, bombings have increased in Bangkok.

So far our government has not issued any warnings, etc...about traveling there. Quite honestly it will take something HUGE for us to not go and bring our son home, however we would still appreciate prayers that we are able to travel in January. As I have been reading about the situation with the prime minister and this group PAD, it seems things are going to get worse before they get better. We would really love to get in and out BEFORE the "worse" starts.

Thank you!

APPROVAL

My most favorite 6 letters in the alphabet!!! He is officially ours and we can travel as soon as November or December!!


God is SOOOOO GOOD!!!


More later!

M