What goes best with new pictures?

News that Ellie has our last name!!!!!!!!!

The attorney was able to obtain her new birth certificate AND passport (everyone with me: Go Pedro Go!), so we are ready to be submitted to the Embassy on January 2nd, the Wonderful Wednesday holiday we now celebrate at our house! :) I think this news has me more pumped than our OUT of PGN call! God has been beyond faithful to provide in every step of this process, even when I doubt!

Getting New Pics Never Gets Old!

These are from Deidre, who spent Christmas with sweet Kendall! It is still exciting to find email with fresh pictures! She said that Ellie likes to run from the camera, so nothing new there. :)

They did her hair! (Not an easy thing to do!)

Her typical photo face.

At the Christmas Eve festivities. (When we left these PJ's, they were huge on her.)
Looking so big!

Deidre said these were taken around 10:30pm, so we may have a night owl on our hands. :) She seems just like a normal toddler in this shot, on the move, with something she might not ought to have. :)

Christmas 2007

Some highlights from Christmas morning at our house:

We are ready to go, but are all the camera crew?!

Here we come!

Here, Hannah is reading the Christmas story for us. Every year, she plans a "play" involving the children's Bible and the manger scene, just out of the picture.

Austin has hardly taken his Cowboy helmet off since he got it. At least I don't have to worry too much about hair cuts now.

"Watch out for Noah!" he exclaimed often. :)

Ellie's unopened presents made my heart ache a bit.

This is a shot of Eagle's Nest Christmas day, so no lack of festivities there!

The holidays slow things way down in Guatemala, so we have had no news since out release from PGN. We are praying that her new birth certificate has been completed. I am trying to pass the time by staying busy with all that I want (and need) to get done before we travel. My experience with our older children was, when another was born, the older one(s) grew up over the time I was in the hospital. I know that once I step on the plane, I will be saying goodbye to my baby Noah, and returning to big boy Noah, so I am savoring all those snuggles he gives (definitely plan on getting some when we get back, they will seem a bit different). I am trying to say "yes" more often to Austin's ideas for fun and listen more intently to Hannah's conversations (she sometimes lets me talk, too. :) ) My kids are such a blessing, now just to get then all in one place...

"Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!"

Psalm 24:7-8 ESV

Favorite Christmas Program Friday

This was last Christmas...Austin is in the white shirt and red bow tie.

Now What?!?

I loved seeing our "out" post so much, that I have delayed in posting again! :) Most nights after we finish praying as a family, Noah will ask Daniel, "Now what, Daddy?" (I think he knows, but the question always gets a giggle out of his siblings so he asks it anyway.) Once I tell people that we are out of PGN, I get a similar "Now what?" question.

This is what needs to happen to get our girl home:

1. Get a new birth certificate with our last name issued to Ellie, approximately 1-2 weeks, work should have been started on that on Monday of this week.

2. Get a passport, approx 1 day.

3. Be submitted to the US Embassy in Guat for a Visa appointment, 4 or 5 daysish.

4. Receive notice of our Embassy appointment, generally 7 day notice.

5. Make travel plans, pack, farm out the kids.

6. HAVE A FABULOUS REUNION WITH ELLIE IN GUATEMALA CITY!!!

7. Embassy appointment

8. Pick up Visa the next day.

9. Travel Home with our Daughter, after a 5-6 day stay!!

With the holidays, we are estimating that we will be traveling mid-January, Lord willing! We have been trying to get our to-do list crossed off, such as finishing the online class we are required to take, washing little girl clothes, moving the kids' rooms around, setting up bunk beds for the boys, and the last batch of paper work that we need to bring with us. Last week was our crazy Christmas week, so I have been plugging away with Ellie stuff this week. My parents are coming up for Christmas this weekend and I am sure that they won't mind getting in on the prep work. :)

We would love to have her home for Sunday, January 21st, which is the 2nd annual "Adoption Sunday" for our church. Daniel is preaching(if we are not in Guat, of course) and it would be even more special if she was there, but we will see what the Lord's timing is.

Also, HUGE NEWS!! I have been waiting to post this until they were able to post pictures, but I wanted to introduce you all to Karl and Julie! They are dear friends from church that started their adoption around the time we did. They are adopting THREE, that's no type-o, three siblings from Colombia! The kids are just adorable!!! Their family will be united January 15th. Please pray for them as they make plans, get last details in line, and become parents!

Yes, We are OUT!!

Just got the call...we are out of PGN as of yesterday! We are in shock. I did not expect it to happen today. Our case worker was notified today that the attorney picked up our papers on Friday! More details to come...

We are rejoicing in His perfect timing!!

Quick story on the song: Last night we attended a production of Handel's "Messiah". This is an every other year-ish tradition to go with some of the staff at church. We drive to a college 2 hours away, have a nice dinner, get a peppermint shake at Whities, then listen to the "Messiah". We went our first year on staff, when we were expecting Hannah. I was about 5 months along, and she was flipping around like crazy inside during all of the chorus sections. I had felt her move some before, but nothing like that! So, I had really been praying that last night would be the night that we heard we were out of PGN, just because of the memories that trip already held for me. I had also praying that Joseph would get out of PGN, and we would be out the next day. But, no call last night, I was a little bummed, but knew His timing was better than my ideals. Come to find out today, we were out last night (the attorney was busy picking up our papers, and the call was made today...go Pedro Go!) the day of the "Messiah" and a day after Joseph's family officially found out that they were out. What sweet answers to prayer!

We are so humbled by all of you that have been so diligently petitioning the Lord on our behalf! Thanks and praise be to our Lord!

Praising Him!

JOSEPH IS OUT OF PGN!!!!SARAH BETH IS PINK!

These are two of Ellie's friends at Eagle's Nest. Joseph we have been praying for a long while now! They were just 5 days short of spending a year in PGN and the Lord delivered them out! I have recently "met" Sarah's Beth's mom, but definitely remember her from July. The timing for their Embassy appointment is a special Christmas miracle, she will be home by the 23rd! I am so encouraged today by these answered prayers!

Eight Weeks in...

Today marks 8 weeks since our last resubmit date into PGN, and generally it is "supposed" to take 8 weeks to get out. Please pray that Lord's will be done in the timing to bring Ellie home. We are seeking Him to allow us to find favor with the people that are handling our paperwork and for all of the other children and families waiting in various stages.

"Wake up, Mr. PGN people..."

"Do I need to get tough with you?"

I really think that it is important to respect the authorities that God has put over us. And right now, we are under the Guatemalan government. Whether they are good people trying to do the right thing, or not, it is essential that I am subject to that authority.

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. I Peter 2:13-17

So, all that to say, I am just being cutesie with they cute pictures of Ellie and I am really seeking to persevere in having a right attitude toward the government (both US and Guat) in this process. (However, she could totally stand her ground against her brothers in the second one. :))

Pray for the Guatemalan government that will be voting (or having a last reading?) of a law that could affect in-process adoption cases by requiring paperwork to be filled with an agency (that does not exist) within so many days, to get in under the "in-process" grandfather clause. (Don't worry, I am confused, too!) Just keep praying...God is in control.

New Foto Friday

Why does her reaction to this character not surprise me?

Thank you, someone trustworthy!

But, what's that?!?

Not the camera!

You put me down?

Not feeling so good about this..

.
Get ready for it...
It's coming...
AHHHHHH!!!!

Favorite Movie Friday

Don't let our home study agency see this...

For those of you that would like to test the functionality of your tear ducts...

I am so thankful that Ellie is not cold or lonely, not forgotten, in the same time zone, though she is missed! I do wish for more than just to tell her Merry Christmas from my heart, but about the deeper truths of Christmas. To tell her about how the Father allowed His Son to not only be far away, but to become the sacrifice for our sin.

A lesson I am always learning, especially in the adoption process is contentment. If I cannot be content waiting, or content even if the Lord did not allow for Ellie to ever come home, I am not going to find contentment in her home coming. I can choose to be joyful in every step and follow Him wherever He leads!

For more great music, visit Deidre and listen to the song her hubby wrote and sang.

Case Update

I forgot to post this with the excitement of the new pictures, but as of Friday, we have not been kicked out again, nor have we been approved yet either. Today is Monday and there are five full days until the weekend...God can work miracles if He choses!