tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80159165757075102222024-03-13T10:14:02.451-07:00Our Adoption StoryLouisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-6216079059108666352014-11-29T15:14:00.000-08:002014-11-29T15:14:53.127-08:00He is Home.<br />
Now our new journey begins. A new hard. A new patience already needed for winning this little heart. Pray for us. I will try to keep this updated but my days are now full of newborn in a ten year old's body.<br />
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Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-38853107525384955202013-07-05T16:16:00.003-07:002013-07-05T16:16:23.803-07:00How Haiti Keeps Me RealHaiti keeps me real. Haiti keeps me uncomfortable. I simultaneously fight and embrace the visits. Comfortable loving the four at home, keeping the routine vs. being here loving my fifth boy--stretching uncomfortable in the heat and pain that lives here- confronting my own pain from waiting and aching to hold my boy.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOT0HwN9frc/UdaxMUkvK9I/AAAAAAAAEuU/_avO4H8Xu_M/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOT0HwN9frc/UdaxMUkvK9I/AAAAAAAAEuU/_avO4H8Xu_M/s200/DSC_0070.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="text-align: start;"> I know there is pain at home--but here I cannot turn it off. I cannot avert my eyes--there is no place to look that is pain free. Here she is-Haiti-- clothed in trash and stench, and poverty and hunger...yet crowned with sunrise on the roof, bathed in torrential rain that brings laughter and giggles, clothed in singing Praise till 1 a.m.. This place --the contradiction-- keeps me real. I know God has shown us Haiti --He has given us tears for Haiti and her people. He wants me uncomfortable... Haiti ...the adoption...is the wilderness He has chosen for us. We embrace it...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OeEXguVTD74/UdawvXzF42I/AAAAAAAAEuM/82-K_ATse-M/s1600/DSC_7679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OeEXguVTD74/UdawvXzF42I/AAAAAAAAEuM/82-K_ATse-M/s320/DSC_7679.JPG" width="320" /></a>I struggle and rely on Him to count the joy in this...I know that this test produces patience and reliance, TRUST. These last months have been HARD. The trip was HARD. Waiting has been...is HARD. But suddenly it's like the sunrise on the roof...a jewel in the trash. HARD waiting is less HARD. Our paperwork finally went to court. Our son is OURS...he has OUR name. Wisler Johnson. And to make it more amazing we got the phone call while we were at the orphanage. We had a translator with us who then told Wisler the news...(basically we got to tell him ourselves).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhWz0JUmvtM/UdbCT1e-oRI/AAAAAAAAEu8/fAEQKO3xsWQ/s960/the+tellingn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhWz0JUmvtM/UdbCT1e-oRI/AAAAAAAAEu8/fAEQKO3xsWQ/s320/the+tellingn.jpg" width="320" /></a>We got to see his reaction. We had a friend who had the presence of mind to take a picture...every good and perfect gift. Thank You God. Now we wait for final paperwork. No there is no timeline. We have no idea...and finally I think I am ok with it. I am not comfortable by any means, but all I have to do is look at how beautifully He orchestrated our court news and I know I can trust that He has the rest of this journey more than covered.<br />
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Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-56651921459693400812013-05-11T06:57:00.000-07:002013-05-11T06:57:18.942-07:00Craft Fair!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I SAY YES!!!</div>
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Many of you already know I have been selling ApParent Project jewelry for over a year now. I started by hosting my own party. After my first party, folks started asking to host their own parties-- and they wanted me to come and talk about our adoption and the ApParent project. In the last year I have presented at home parties, Bible studies and luncheons. In one week I will be going to my first ever craft fair as a "vendor". I am nervous and excited. I am so excited to share about our adoption journey and to share about this awesome organization (and the wonderful people who make it happen). So next Saturday, May 18th I will have my own craft table at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Congregational-Church-of-Durham/158074630875585">First Congregational Church of Durham</a> from 8-4. A portion of the money from the sales will fund the last of our adoption expenses ( I say last --we are waiting for court) and the other portion will help Haitian moms and dads keep their families together. So many families in Haiti suffer with poverty--parents are often forced to give up their children to orphanages. Imagine. that. pain. Let's help stop it. Let's make a difference. Let Christ multiply our little steps. If you would like to preview items that will be there please visit my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/129447937248677/?ref=2">event</a> page on FB.</div>
<br />Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-87717520239389822182013-04-28T16:56:00.001-07:002013-04-28T16:56:32.687-07:00How a Dresser and a Bed can Make you Cry and Hope Saturday, thanks to some wonderful friends, we got to skype with Wisler for the first time since December. It was wonderful. Connection was great--for audio AND video (this is a miracle). We chatted. Then he wanted to see his room. So he actually got a tour of the whole house and most of the yard. We were not able to really see his facial expressions but our friends said " his jaw hit the floor" (so he is a little excited for this wait to be over too).<br />
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I have done this every season for their entire lives...and I have done it every season for Wisler since 2010. I change the clothing in his dresser--winter for summer, summer for winter--every year I have done this and every year I pack away clothes he has never worn. Hope for this new season, sadness for the season missed both crowd my heart. Maybe this time. Maybe. It feels closer this time---as we wait for a court date. Maybe. We Pray. We hope. We wait. Somedays patiently.Most days not. Everyday aching. Knowing God is bigger than the governments involved, the lawyers, the paperwork...He is bigger. He has the perfect time for Wisler to come home...<br />
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Brian built the trundle for Wisler's bed today. It is perfect and slides under Ean's bed perfectly. So we are ready God. Please.<br />
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<br />Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-65809438952029982412013-01-27T15:16:00.001-08:002013-01-27T15:16:01.251-08:00More Miraculous News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It seems crazy that only 5 weeks ago I posted that we had received presidential dispensation. Friday morning our adoption coordinator called us to let us know that our dossier has officially cleared IBESR (Haitian Social Services) and is now ready for court. We were told that there is a good chance we may not have to appear for our court appointment. (miracle) And we are to send our final payment and paper work so that as soon as court is done Pastor Riguad can file for VISA, passport and get Wisler his medical exam. We are so excited. We also found out that Wisly, Wisler's little brother who is being adopted by friends of ours, also received the same news. This is an incredible miracle. We were told that there was no chance the brothers could come home together or that their dossiers would even process together. BUT THEY HAVE come this far together--we pray that they continue. Please pray with us that these little boys can come to Auburn, Maine together-and-that all financial blocks would be knocked clear out. Thanks for all your love and support!!!!Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-59403262389776668852012-12-19T14:09:00.001-08:002012-12-19T14:09:39.821-08:00We GOTDispensation!!! Click <a href="http://www.pressesnationales.ht/moniteur/sommaires.php">here</a> for the on-line version of Le Moniteur. Our son is listed under Dec 6th--Wisler Estimable. What does this all mean? It means that the Haitian president has approved our dossier (despite the fact that we have bio kids we have been given the "all clear" from the office of the president to proceed). Now we wait for court....please continue to pray...God is moving mountains.<br />
<br />Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-43566791365068394852012-10-29T17:30:00.000-07:002012-10-29T17:30:05.080-07:00Lost in the ShuffleI was recently re-reading my writing drafts of my last Haiti trip. As I read through and reminisced, I discovered a piece of my trip that I forgot to share. It was and still is probably one of the most important moments of my trip. <i>To see the earlier posts for my trip click on the months of June and July in the right sidebar. </i><br />
Sunday night was awesome. Google had allowed us to have incredible conversation. I then broke the news- I was leaving the next day. His face closed. Eyes downcast. Light gone. We snuggled up close Sunday night. I prayed for strength and wisdom. Monday morning seemed to arrive too soon. Eyes downcast, face closed he asked ou parti en avion? ( you are leaving on an airplane?) Yes -oui bebe. yes baby. He looked away. Ignoring me. I know he's trying to shore up his hurting heart.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DR5EeD_pus/UI8fHQQKyWI/AAAAAAAAEWg/MjUUdoCyWj8/s1600/DSC_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DR5EeD_pus/UI8fHQQKyWI/AAAAAAAAEWg/MjUUdoCyWj8/s320/DSC_0318.JPG" width="320" /></a>I pull him to my lap. We begin with Thursday's photos. At first he sits limp, un-moving. Slowly his hand moves to take control of the slide show. Teaching Thankfulness. Counting Joy in the hundreds of photos I took. Soon we were both laughing and re-living every sweet moment of the last few days. Thanking God for the wonder of it all.<br />
Refreshed from thankfulness we walk to school. I kiss him good-bye. Prie bebe. Pray baby. Be thankful. I will be back for you. We are your forever family.<br />
Ou renmen ou anpil. We love you very much.Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-6960221700017091272012-10-15T14:27:00.002-07:002012-10-15T18:49:45.536-07:00Time to Christmas Shop?Have I got a deal for you! I recently received a Jewelry box AND a Christmas box from the <a href="http://apparentproject.org/">Apparent Project. </a> Every item sold supports a family in Haiti and select items contribute to our adoption fund...<br />
I have included pictures but really these are only the top of the iceburg so to speak....please email me privately to host a party or come shopping!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">necklaces</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">signature collection bracelets...</td></tr>
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Support a great cause!! Buy Apparent Project for Christmas!Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-5298799120910035232012-08-30T17:30:00.000-07:002012-08-30T17:53:01.396-07:00Waiting <br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We are in the final stretch. Waiting. We have a case number. We are waiting for dispensation and a court date. We are praying hard for the final chunk of money that will allow us to complete the adoption after court. There has been a lot of activity over the last few weeks and it has given us a new sense of excitement and urgency. </span></h3>
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<i>How You Can Help</i></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">There are a lot of ways to help depending on where God leads your heart. If you would like to help us get Wisler home then you can mail</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>donations</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">to us @</span><br />
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<b>13 Giroux St.</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<b>Auburn Maine 04210</b></div>
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<b>or </b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 16px;">you can donate via paypal </b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">If you would like to help by sponsoring a child or a worker, adopting, or just helping out the Wayoum Timoun orphanage you can start at their new webpage</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<a href="http://www.haitibethlehemproject.org/Home_Page.php" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">http://www.haitibethlehemproject.org/Home_Page.php</a></div>
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OR</div>
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go to <a href="http://h-earings.org/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">http://h-earings.org/</a></div>
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OR</div>
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go to <a href="http://apparentproject.org/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">http://apparentproject.org/</a></div>
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buy beautiful jewelry from this amazing organization and help get to the root of the orphan crisis. Or buy a bracelet form me and support a Haitian artisan and our adoption!</div>
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Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-62769124116842144892012-07-08T18:28:00.000-07:002012-07-08T18:28:11.261-07:00The Miracle of Google Translator<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XONUe9Xq-0/T_oyNAx9YfI/AAAAAAAADy8/pF8lnxLZqVo/s1600/193_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XONUe9Xq-0/T_oyNAx9YfI/AAAAAAAADy8/pF8lnxLZqVo/s320/193_4681.JPG" width="320" /></a>Sunday night --my last night in Haiti was awesome. Up to this point Wisler and I had never had much of a conversation--it has always been more of just trying to slosh through communicating basic stuff with my broken Creole and French and his Creole and French and English. My mama's heart so wanted a real conversation. You know the ones you have with your kids --where you talk about "important stuff"-- likes, dislikes, dreams and hopes...even the mundane of discussing everyday life. I wanted that deeper communication. I prayed. And a miracle happened. An idea popped into my head---I use google translator at home all the time at home to write him notes to send with other parents--why not use it to talk to him? (insert a duh here)<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zvrCX-FZU4/T_oyRrEcXUI/AAAAAAAADzE/fXdVDEbp3ds/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zvrCX-FZU4/T_oyRrEcXUI/AAAAAAAADzE/fXdVDEbp3ds/s320/DSC_0083.JPG" width="320" /></a>We made ourselves comfy on the floor ( I really love the floor at KKO it is always nice and cool) laptop in hand I typed questions into google translate and read the translation aloud (I can read Creole just fine thanks to my French background) he would reply in Creole (which by Sunday I could understand) and then he would ask me questions in Creole and I replied using translator.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCZhcqYz67E/T_oyYqJ7O4I/AAAAAAAADzU/nHNZSjLocV0/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCZhcqYz67E/T_oyYqJ7O4I/AAAAAAAADzU/nHNZSjLocV0/s320/DSC_0320.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Now what did we talk about? He wants to be an astronaut. He loves rockets and space ships. He likes almost all the vegetables and fruist I could think of. He is nervous about swimming. He wants to ride a bike and play soccer. He wanted to know how he would be getting home--when he does. He wanted to know what adoption is and where his special adoption papers are and how much longer it would be.We talked about toilets that flush and showers that spray water, a backyard with a pool and trampoline. We talked about school in Haiti and what school will be like at home (homeschool). We talked about hard things--like why I say no to certain things and limit how much candy he can have (when I am there) -- we talked about how at home there are rules and chores and a family working, living and loving together. We talked and it was amazing. Thank you God. I left Monday morning after walking him to school with the image of his earnest little face--concentrating on our conversation--knowing that our bond is only getting stronger...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our last morning together<br /></td></tr>
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<br />Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-32832222246967576192012-06-28T18:33:00.000-07:002012-06-28T18:39:23.832-07:00The ApParent Project Visit<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xZx7G_Ee1_I/T-z1y7j34vI/AAAAAAAADtw/yhkv0Tuqmdo/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xZx7G_Ee1_I/T-z1y7j34vI/AAAAAAAADtw/yhkv0Tuqmdo/s320/DSC_0120.JPG" width="320" /></a>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoOmNdYR__Y/T-z13qX2t1I/AAAAAAAADt4/md_zpQB74jk/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoOmNdYR__Y/T-z13qX2t1I/AAAAAAAADt4/md_zpQB74jk/s200/DSC_0121.JPG" width="131" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wisler rolling suitcase of boxes</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My visit was amazing...so amazed, spellbound and awestruck was I, that I hardly took any pictures. Never fear Tim and Cindy Irish were on the ball--so yes there are pictures--lots!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But let's go back to amazed, spellbound and awestruck for a minute. I was speechless--the lump in my throat, as I gazed upon the faces of the moms and dads working so hard for their families, threatened to spill out into tears of gratitude and humbleness at being allowed to play a small part in this amazing ministry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBuBNb66CTg/T-z19WQKknI/AAAAAAAADuA/DShZJjJSJJQ/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBuBNb66CTg/T-z19WQKknI/AAAAAAAADuA/DShZJjJSJJQ/s320/DSC_0122.JPG" width="320" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> My first visit to Haiti in June of 2010 changed my life forever. Of course the obvious catalyst for that change was meeting my then five year old son. While there, God peeled away layers of oblivion that had shrouded my heart and eyes and showed me true suffering and poverty (oh and don't forget the devestation of a major earthquake). I could not look upon such pain and not be changed forever. I close my eyes and see the houses piled like pancakes, the starving kids, the mud pies the tent cities. I see our world--here in the good ol' USA so differently. The excess and extravagance remind me constantly of my own selfishness...my desire for things and discontent with what I have-- that to a mom sitting outside her tin shack holding her starving baby -- would be a luxury. For months I prayed-</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>God show me how to help. I want to help. I want to encourage. Help me to understand. Help me not to be a cultural buffoon. Help me to help.</i> <i>Show me how to give a hand up with dignity and honor.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhyyfpHL1hM/T-z2A5aFgqI/AAAAAAAADuI/gQXg_E5D_vg/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhyyfpHL1hM/T-z2A5aFgqI/AAAAAAAADuI/gQXg_E5D_vg/s320/DSC_0123.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beautiful artwork in the courtyard all made from "junk"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">God answered that prayer. Through the course of events I came across the Apparent Project. I knew this was the answer. I knew this was how God wanted me to help. I contacted AP and recieved my first box of fundraising bracelets in early February. To say they sold like hotcakes would be an understatement. People were moved by the amazing stories--reading through and buying bracelets because of the stories--not because of the colors or bead work (although the bracelets are beautifully crafted). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-t0DzLbJbk/T-z2E9cmfVI/AAAAAAAADuQ/WMQLUPRjL3U/s200/DSC_0124.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take a close look and see what "trash" you can identify!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">My second box arrived in mid- March and since then I have taken them on the road. I have given</span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-t0DzLbJbk/T-z2E9cmfVI/AAAAAAAADuQ/WMQLUPRjL3U/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">about a half dozen presentations. I tell our adoption story and how we found AP, show pictures and sell bracelets. I love it. I love talking </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">about Haiti. I love sharing how God has pulled us through our </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">adoption ( two years and counting). I love talking about the spirit and beauty of the Haitian people. I love talking about AP and how mums and dads get to keep their kids--and feed them because of AP--and how AP re-purposes trash for such beauty. I love that each piece is uniquely made- an extension of the artist--each bead --tightly wound hope for their future and family.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e6AHgRMNfWE/T-z2IylIXfI/AAAAAAAADuY/lSkZyjdIqQg/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e6AHgRMNfWE/T-z2IylIXfI/AAAAAAAADuY/lSkZyjdIqQg/s200/DSC_0125.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Visiting AP has made me more passionate about advertising their products and selling bracelets for them and us (as most of you know the bracelet fundraiser is not only instrumental in supporting AP but has been helping us raise the last bit o'money for our adoption of Wisler,<i> pronounced the French way Wislay</i>). I have some plans up my sleeve but am not quite ready to reveal just yet...but stay tuned ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the meantime here's a tour of AP in pictures... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Hard at Work....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DToTdHaDiOI/T-z34f5ZWyI/AAAAAAAADwE/oCp_R0LG3js/s1600/AP15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DToTdHaDiOI/T-z34f5ZWyI/AAAAAAAADwE/oCp_R0LG3js/s1600/AP15.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo credit T&C Irish</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEl7DaSpUcQ/T-z348WlcEI/AAAAAAAADwM/njY3jSfLtEk/s1600/AP18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEl7DaSpUcQ/T-z348WlcEI/AAAAAAAADwM/njY3jSfLtEk/s1600/AP18.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo Credit T&C Irish</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bB42YonAofk/T-z35GJIoAI/AAAAAAAADwU/cwOa6UEumPU/s1600/AP6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bB42YonAofk/T-z35GJIoAI/AAAAAAAADwU/cwOa6UEumPU/s1600/AP6.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo Credit T&C Irish</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANQyUBECTwk/T-z36YcYG-I/AAAAAAAADw0/yvt8k_qz9_U/s1600/Ap17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANQyUBECTwk/T-z36YcYG-I/AAAAAAAADw0/yvt8k_qz9_U/s1600/Ap17.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo Credit T&C Irish</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Loved these bracelets on the end of the table</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQFzpMg5rEM/T-z3D-7MftI/AAAAAAAADvA/syn3z6XPX5Q/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQFzpMg5rEM/T-z3D-7MftI/AAAAAAAADvA/syn3z6XPX5Q/s320/DSC_0130.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This pile will last a week...so please donate--especially if you can bring it down yourself!<br />Another note here I know a wonderful little girl (my niece) who has started a FB page- <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boxes-for-Bracelets/346007972115364">Boxes for Bracelets</a>--so if you are local and want to help out--check out her page on how to donate boxes and/or cash to mail the boxes!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the sewing room girls--these ladies were so sweet and had such beautiful smiles</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWy5q_4hdDo/T-z3M_aPaQI/AAAAAAAADvQ/67FZVZxhNvU/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWy5q_4hdDo/T-z3M_aPaQI/AAAAAAAADvQ/67FZVZxhNvU/s200/DSC_0132.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amazing new beads made from mud pie mud--instead of having to eat the mud--they can make beads and eat nutritious food</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7iXD7xgQYiA/T-z3USdYQvI/AAAAAAAADvk/Hcazgrym0cM/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7iXD7xgQYiA/T-z3USdYQvI/AAAAAAAADvk/Hcazgrym0cM/s320/DSC_0134.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VD_2uYvNIoQ/T-z35QCyQVI/AAAAAAAADwc/w2rllt8SmkI/s1600/AP7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VD_2uYvNIoQ/T-z35QCyQVI/AAAAAAAADwc/w2rllt8SmkI/s1600/AP7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit T&C Irish</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> SHOPPING!!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQfO2_iMTi4/T-z33mjcRYI/AAAAAAAADv0/crh_j3AQ98A/s1600/AP11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;" /></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuJTzNqMUD0/T-z33d1FeKI/AAAAAAAADvs/8ZK2U_5NBWY/s1600/AP10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuJTzNqMUD0/T-z33d1FeKI/AAAAAAAADvs/8ZK2U_5NBWY/s1600/AP10.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And speaking of SHOPPING!</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for those of you who are interested I have exactly 38 bracelets left from my second box. If you would like to purchase some please let me know via email (louisej12@gmail.com) and we can meet up! Also visit the<a href="http://apparentproject.org/"> Apparent Project</a> website for more shopping and ways to help. They also have a facebook page...<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/ApParent-Project/226978225284">ApParent Project</a>.</span></span>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-11613538024397779342012-06-20T10:03:00.003-07:002012-06-20T10:03:24.586-07:00Day 2Friday morning arrived too early (some of you who have been to KKO can chuckle here and close your eyes for a minute and savor this next moment)- around 3:30 with the roosters, a little later with the dogs and then with stubborn determination at 5:30 when the church bells began tolling. Anyway my consolation for more sleep deprivation was this amazing sunrise...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Day Two in Haiti was busy!!! For the first time I was going to school with Wisler. I chose my orange shirt so I would match my boy (I know call my dorky). We chomped through breakfast and were ready to go. I followed Wisler (and his friend Sebastien and his parents Tim and Cindy) through the maze of alleyways that he uses to walk to school everyday. I felt like a mouse. We speed walked/ jogged through alleys no wider than two people--foot traffic squeezing past each other--open doorways on either side peered into dark homes. Vendors squished into doorways selling snacks, meat and breads. Some of it smelled amazing...it was quite an onslaught to the senses--this light jog through to school. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the only picture I snapped while racing through the alleys--<br />I was worried that if I stopped for too <br />long I would lose my guide!</td></tr>
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School had a party atmosphere. It had been National Children's Week in Haiti-- a week long celebration of children and President Martinelli's signing of the Hague Agreement. (Note: Nobody at this point really knows what this means for adoptions in Haiti.) School Friday began in the church with an assembly. I honestly could not tell you what it was about (it takes me a few days of listening before I can understand again)--only that there was lots of singing, dancing in their seats and screaming. After a bit the kids were dismissed to their classrooms.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisler listening at the assembly.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Wisler's classroom is on the second floor. The hallway to his classroom runs through three classrooms before his--his is the dead end. The windows face the courtyard below. His teacher is a tiny lady--who I initially thought was a student...yikes. The kids started out class with recitations. As their voices chanted I took a moment to look at the board-- </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> it was covered with grammar lessons and math equations.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> (As a homeschooling mama I am constantly trying to figure out what Wisler is learning and what being in second grade in Haiti means. Children in Haiti go to school starting as young as three and attend through till they are 21.) After about thirty minutes or so I headed back to the orphanage to wait for the next adventure...our trip to the ApParent Project. </span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisler was much the center of attention from his friends because his mum was there--too funny --he seemed embarrassed. (part of why I left after about 30 minutes)</td></tr>
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<br />Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-91477298357444604062012-06-17T17:54:00.004-07:002012-06-17T17:54:57.471-07:00Haiti Trip Number Three<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>On June 7th I left for Haiti for the first time since August of 2010. Almost <b>two</b> years. My heart raced with nervousness. Would he still like me? Would be be angry that it had been so long? I prayed. You all prayed. God worked an amazing miracle--it was THE BEST visit we have had. There were many what I would call pivotal moments during our visit that I would like to share. I want to give each one its own limelight, so I am going to write a series of posts about this one visit. The first pivotal moment of course was our reunion.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The Arrival</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived in PAP made our way through customs and baggage retrieval. Then we regrouped and prepared for the onslaught. We knew once we left the safety of the terminal and began our walk down the outside corridor towards the parking lot we would be met with a barrage of helpers. Porters desperate to help you in hopes of payment. We gathered our group and prepared to say our "no mesi's". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I led the way out and instantly they were grabbing my suitcase trying to pull it away--"no mesi, no mesi" (Creole for no thank you) my grip tightened. Suddenly there was a commotion towards the back of our group--they were trying to pull suitcases off our baggage cart. We were saved further "help" when Jacnel our driver showed up like a knight in shining armor. Brandishing his Creole like a sword, they backed off. As I turned forward once again my heart skipped. There he was. He had been standing right in back of me during this whole altercation. He had on a bright blue polo shirt and a big smile. I squealed and hugged him as best I could with all my baggage. I squeezed and kissed those adorable cheeks. His hand found mine and we continued on our walk to the vehicles. Jacnel had brought two vehicles- a flat bed and passenger car. Wisler wanted to ride in the flat bed. I must confess I did not mind- after being cooped up in a bus, two airports and two airplanes since 4 a.m. fresh air- even fresh air choking with exhaust fumes and other unpleasant Haiti smells was better than squeezing into yet another stuffy vehicle.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YANEPFu0eP4/T9546MjV_JI/AAAAAAAADsU/m5Cg1ByjHv0/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YANEPFu0eP4/T9546MjV_JI/AAAAAAAADsU/m5Cg1ByjHv0/s200/DSC_0066.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="131" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">We arrived at Wayoum Timoun about 30 minutes later. Hauling our </span><span style="text-align: center;">bags to our rooftop rooms we were re-aquainted with a permanant state of being in Haiti- sweat. Dripping. Slimy. Sticky. Always sweating. Anyway we started unpacking donations for Marta (our incredible amazing super awesome cook) and Mimose (head mama extrodinaire). Wisler was pleased with his surprises-legoes, crayons, markers, some stencils, books, some small balls, a toy motorcycle, dried fruit, peanutbutter crackers (staple treat) and organic fruit snacks. Of course his absolute favorite thing to play with on visits is a small digital camera that I bring along just for him to use. He loves to take photos and videos and I love to look through his lens and see his perspective of our visit when I get home. Dinner and bucket showers, and bed soon followed. It was a miraculous reunion.</span>
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<br />Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-50792735698262757842012-05-13T05:09:00.000-07:002012-05-13T05:11:57.785-07:00All I Want for Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was out grocery shopping last Saturday and noticed all the Mother's Day "stuff" for sale everywhere--cards, flowers, boxes of chocolates, journals, books on motherhood--the list goes on. As I perused thinking of my own mom I wondered what do I want for Mother's Day? Inevitably my husband always asks--and usually all I want is a few more minutes in bed and maybe a day off from breakfast duty. But this year was different. This year my heart sighed. This long adoption journey has taken us down roads we never dreamed of. God has lead the way teaching us lessons in patience I never thought existed. Teaching us that<a href="http://jonsonboy4.blogspot.com/2012/04/god-is-bigger.html"> He is Bigger than All This </a>.</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey6o1GaXQMI/T6-es0GTClI/AAAAAAAADrA/tJXawSajgyw/s1600/138_3285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey6o1GaXQMI/T6-es0GTClI/AAAAAAAADrA/tJXawSajgyw/s320/138_3285.JPG" width="320" /></a> And so I started to sing a song (in my head of course the folks at Wal-Mart would have given me strange looks had it been aloud)--"all I want for Mother's Day is for Wilser to get a number, Wilser to get a number. All I want for Mother's Day is for Wisler to get a number. Gee if I could only have a IBESR number...you could wish me a Happy Mother's Day" (all this to the tune of All I want for Christmas). I sang that song all day last Saturday.<br />
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Sunday the phone rang. God is bigger. It was the stateside adoption coordinator. She was calling to let us know we had a case number. All I could say was "you got to be kidding." I was in shock --although now that I look back I don't know why. Did I think God wasn't listening? That he couldn't do it? I dunno. But He did. Now the amazing miracle of waiting 21 months for a case number isn't really the truly amazing part. The crazy amazing part is this. The new director of IBESR (Haitian DHS) made the decision to close IBESR until July 29th. This is an effort to clear out the back log of cases.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WeBbypPGU7Q/T6-excEleUI/AAAAAAAADrQ/Cxma9uDpteE/s1600/138_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WeBbypPGU7Q/T6-excEleUI/AAAAAAAADrQ/Cxma9uDpteE/s320/138_3372.JPG" width="320" /></a> This meant that only cases with numbers would be worked on until then. IBESR closed May 7th. We got our number on May 6th. (Imagine that kid racing the ball to home plate.) Now what does getting a case number mean? Well it means our dossier is proceeding through IBESR and acquiring the signatures it needs for approval. After that it will make it's way to the president's desk so he can give us a dispensation. (We need this because Haitian law does not allow families with bio children to adopt unless they get a presidential dispensation.) We will then go to court where Wisler will be legally adopted. Then we will need to wait for visas, passport and final medical exams. There is still no timeline--no dates in our future. We will wait-- knowing and believing God is bigger than all this.Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-53522735869611412862012-05-03T17:31:00.000-07:002012-05-03T17:32:53.518-07:00New Bracelets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are some new bracelets for sale...please check them out and let me know what you like. For an additional two dollars I will ship them to you. The bracelets are $8-- four goes the the artisan and four goes towards our adoption account.</div>
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batch 1</div>
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batch 3</div>
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<br />Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-11541059084787374132012-04-20T13:04:00.000-07:002012-04-20T13:04:30.734-07:00God is BiggerLast night I presented the Apparent Project bracelets at my first official-not in my house party. (by the way I sold all 150 bracelets from my first box and am working my way through the second box of 200) It was an awesome party. I presented information about the <a href="http://apparentproject.org/">Apparent Project</a> and told our<a href="http://jonsonboy4.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html"> adoption story</a>. It felt really good to talk about Wisler--therapeutic in a way. Of course every time I share our story it leaves me contemplative--musing--dreaming about someday--what will it be like? Anyway this night was no different. As I drove home alternately thinking about Wisler and listening to the radio a story on the radio suddenly pulled me from my dreaming. A man was describing his experience of speaking to a group of 3000 fire fighters at a funeral for one of their own--a fallen comrade. He started off his speech with the words,<br />
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<i>"God is bigger than all of this..."</i> </div>
Wow. These words hit me HARD.<br />
GOD IS BIGGER THAN ALL THIS (imagine my hand sweeping over the last two years of waiting for our adoption to have some movement--for some word --for just a glimmer of hope-- even just a word of yes we have your dossier and it is being looked at.)<br />
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<i>GOD IS BIGGER THAN ALL THIS.</i></div>
He is bigger than this process that seems to have no finish line. God is bigger. Through his power, our adoption could be complete tomorrow--it would be an incredible God miracle.<br />
But God is bigger. And my point is this: in that one moment when that man spoke those words on the radio I saw our adoption walk not as a singular event--not as the finale --but as maybe the first Act in an incredible production starring God and a beautiful cast of extras--adoptive families, children at KKO and so many others.<br />
God works all to his good-- SO this waiting--it is GOOD. NOT EASY. JUST GOOD. <br />
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I prayed long and hard after our first visit to Haiti in June of 2010. I was so broken for the folks of Haiti. I had never seen such suffering, such heartache and yet so much joy and hope. I hurt for them. I prayed for God to show me a way to help--a way to help without hurting or adding to the problem. He answered that prayer. Of course not in the way I ever expected. An almost two year and holding adoption process was not what I had in mind. But now through the course of events and people I have grown to know and love I am selling bracelets to fund the last chunk for our adoption and to help several artisans keep their families together. And because of my decision to serve Him while I wait others are stepping in--selling bracelets for our adoption and for the artisans in Haiti, and just recently my niece stepping up with<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boxes-for-Bracelets/346007972115364"> Boxes for Bracelets</a>.<br />
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God works all for His Good. This is good. So now I can look at this wait and see--no it is not easy. I do not understand it. But I can embrace it --I can serve while I wait --for the curtain to part and reveal the next Act in our adoption story.<br />
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If you would like to help--please contact me louisej12 at gmail.com.</div>
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PLEASE VISIT THE <a href="http://apparentproject.org/">APPARENT PROJECT WEBSITE. </a></div>
<br />Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-53179134433999124122012-02-12T10:47:00.000-08:002012-02-12T11:00:36.678-08:00Hope In A Bracelet <br />
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Adoption is only one step in the journey God has for our family. He has also placed a heart of compassion and love for the people of Haiti-for the mums and dads who struggle to live and to feed their kiddos every minute of the day. Our family has prayed about how to help the folks in Haiti--how to give a hand up not a hand out----how to help without hurting- and how to fund the remaining portions of the adoption. The answer came about a week ago when Spring, who is adopting Wisler's brother posted pictures of bracelets from the <a href="http://apparentproject.org/">Apparent Project</a>... (please take a moment and visit their website!)</div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i>The Apparent Project artisans guild uses <a href="http://apparentproject.org/recycling.html" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_self" title="About Apparent Recycling">discarded materials</a> such as cereal and cracker boxes, oil drums, and trash paper to create beautiful “upcycled” <a href="http://apparentproject.org/jewelrymakers.html" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_self">pieces of jewelry</a>, <a href="http://apparentproject.org/bookbinders.html" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">journals</a>, and stylish <a href="http://apparentproject.org/basketmakers.html" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">home decor</a>. While redeeming the Haitian landscape, these artisans are also bringing new hope to their families, employing themselves for a brighter future and earning the means to pay for their children's <a href="http://apparentproject.org/feedinghungry.html" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">food</a>, <a href="http://apparentproject.org/housinghomeless.html" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">shelter</a>, and<a href="http://apparentproject.org/education.html" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">education</a>. That means less orphans, less crime, less garbage, less stress, and a whole lot more beauty.</i></span></div>
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-The Apparent Project<br />
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The organization works with Haitian artisans to help them sell their work --thus making money to put food on their table--to feed their kids--to keep their families together. I love that these artisans use re-purposed and recycled materials to create their art. It is truly a win win situation. So how does it work to fund our adoption? Well I recently received a box of 150 bracelets. I have one month to sell these bracelets. The bracelets sell for $8, half the money to the artisan in Haiti (each bracelet is labeled with a picture and description of the artist) and half goes to our adoption bank account. As we head into the final stretch (yes it is the final stretch --other dossiers are moving so I have new hope that this year we will see our dossier move too) we are facing about $6000 in final adoption costs. Hence this awesome fundraiser!<br />
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There are several ways to buy a bracelet. You can just set up to meet with me individually, you can host a jewelry party ( I have a video to play and some flyers to give out at such an event), or you can meet up with me I will give you and order form and some bracelets to sell on your own. Whatever you choose to do is incredibly helpful!<br />
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How do they fit? Check it out...(there are different sizes and I have a small sandwich bag of little girl sizes--not many about 10)
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What do the mini bios say? (in a nut shell?)</div>
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<br />Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-90825156025784100212011-12-27T07:16:00.000-08:002011-12-27T07:16:33.889-08:00News from GLAA very close and dear friend follows news from other orphanages in Haiti...God's Littlest Angels being one of them....GLA recently posted this on their site :<br />
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<u><strong>2</strong><strong>3 December 2011</strong></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"I</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">t has been awhile since I have had news to pass on to everyone about adoptions. On Monday, fourteen members from the Association of crèches had a meeting with the new director of IBESR, Mme Arielle Jeanty Villedrouin. Unfortunately, I could not attend but Magaly and Ernst attended in my place. The members of the Association had questions about why the director has not approved any dossiers since she took her position. Mme Jeanty Villedrouin said that she was trying to learn about her position. She said that she also has someone in mind to help her go over the dossiers who has experience with adoptions but she did not have the funds to hire her full time, so it is taking a while to look through the dossiers. She promised that she would be signing dossiers very soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Mme Jeanty Villedrouin also had concerns about the costs of adoptions in Haiti. I am sure that idea comes from talks with organizations that are working to limit adoptions from Haiti. Ernst and Magaly said that only a couple of directors were allowed to talk because of the time limit of the meeting, but that they did try to explain to her the costs of feeding the children, caring for them, medical care for the children, educations, supplies, etc! They also explained that adoptions did not cost so much until it started taking 2 years to finish an adoption plus the time the children spent in the orphanage!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">I do not think that she has any concept of what it costs to care for the children. She suggested that the directors find sponsors to help with all of the expenses of the orphanage. I know for GLA that even with sponsors the expenses are very difficult to cover! And it is even more difficult for a Haitian orphanage to find sponsors for their children. They might not have the resources and media possibilities that GLA has available to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">There is supposed to be a general meeting of all orphanages and creches on 17 January 2012. Because there are so many registered orphanages/creches now, she said they needed to find somewhere large enough for everyone to meet. At that time, we will be able to ask questions and share our thoughts with her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">President Martelly has started signing presidential dispensations again. We hope to see more coming out of IBESR soon. We have some dossiers that have now sat in IBESR for more than 6 months which has been discouraging when things were going so well for the last year. I hope that it gets back on track to taking 8 to 12 months again as soon as the new government gets organized. It seems to be mainly our families with children who are taking the extra time right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">I have a meeting at the US Consulate on Thursday the 29th with the Adoption Unit Staff. I asked for the meeting to discuss what I have heard about the changes in the new adoption law and also the changes in IBESR. Please pray that I will be able to express my concerns clearly and be able to motivate them to help us lobby for adoptions for those children who will most benefit for a life in a family instead of an institution!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">I spent today sending proposals. Some of the agencies are closed for the holidays and so it will be next week unfortunately before the proposals are delivered. For others, they will receive the proposals tomorrow, I have been told. I will be up working on finishing up two of the proposals early tomorrow morning. What better Christmas gift could these families get? I can’t think of one better gift than a new son or daughter! Can you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We are so excited--this truly is the best news we have heard in a LONG time...please pray that the ball keeps rolling!!! I would love for Wisler to be home with us in 2012</span></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-22200520501425032462011-12-24T07:54:00.000-08:002011-12-24T07:54:34.628-08:00Christmas HopeAbout a month ago one of our fellow adopting families completed the process when their daughter came home. She was the first one to come home from Kingdom of Kids Orphanage. It was a bittersweet moment for many of us...so happy that one is home....encouraged that yes it can happen....wishing it was us. We are nearing the two year mark--February will make two years since we started this entire journey (although by the adoption timeline the calendar didn't start until we turned in our dossier in Aug 2010). I still ache daily. I pray. Our boys ask--when? I say I don't know. They sigh wearily. We pray. We cherish everyday. And as we celebrate our second Christmas without our beautiful boy Wisler...we pray his heart is filled with the peace of Christ, that God's arms circle his little body in a loving hug and that for the moments we can't be there that he sees God is everything he needs...and for us we have Christmas Hope...maybe next year. We love you Wisler!!Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-65438562458865676352011-08-05T14:25:00.000-07:002011-08-05T18:02:20.270-07:00Reflections on Haiti...one year laterOne year ago...August 4-7 I traveled to Kingdom of Kids Orphanage. Six months pregnant with our fourth boy I handed in our completed dossier to adopt our fifth boy...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wisler</span>. Our dossier was a compilation of almost six months of paperwork. That one moment of handing it off was pure joy. I was filled top full of happiness, hopefulness and excitement. One year later, as we approached the anniversary of that moment of joy, my aching heart compels me to reflect on this season of waiting.<br /> I was naive. I though this part would be easy--the waiting-- after all really I told myself after the flurry of paperwork waiting seemed ....well RELAXING. It is not. A piece of my heart breaks a little everyday and on the days when I think it could not possibly break anymore ... another crack, another fissure. I know God has His perfect timing and I BELIEVE with my entire being that His timing is perfect ...this is a time of learning many lessons in faith, trust and (ugh) patience (definitely not my strength as I am learning). Still my arms ache to hold my beautiful Haitian boy, my ears long to hear his laughter. God's timing says PATIENCE dear one...but who knew being patient would hurt so much? Who knew that on summer days here in Maine when the heat index reaches 100 degrees (so few and far between I know but we did have that heat wave a few weeks ago) I would cry hot tears of longing and remembrance...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">sitting on cool tiles of our room playing superhero memory my heart bursting with joy at his giggles as he bests me, snuggling on the top bunk as close to the ceiling fan as we can get, my pregnant body aching and sweating in discomfort-- watching him sleep my heart so glad he wants to snuggle, glad he wants me for his mama, reveling in the opportunity to serve him meals, wash him in the shower his giggles echoing on the tiles as I name his body parts in French, holding him in my lap during church, my body dripping with sweat, him sound asleep, me knowing it could only be God giving me the strength to do this--physically, emotionally. His hands holding us both, knitting our hearts...</span>.I am reminded of an old hymn from my childhood. It was my favorite..." and He will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand..." that's where I feel like we are...in the palm of His hand...(if you would like to see all the lyrics click<a href="http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/o/oneagleswings.shtml"> here </a>is it a beautiful song.)<br /><br />I run these memories over and over in my mind like a movie and they warm my heart and give me hope of days to come when our family is complete.Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-67661641609184516282011-06-28T10:52:00.001-07:002011-06-28T10:55:24.236-07:00Garage Sale!!!Yes we are having another garage sale--we still need to raise money for travel expenses and final paperwork-when it happens. We are still waiting, praying and being hopeful that Wisler will be with us soon. <br />The garage sale will be Friday July 1 @ 13 Giroux St. Auburn from 8-3. None of the items are priced--we have a donation jar out and whatever you feel lead to put in the jar is great! We have tons of furniture, baby items, kitchen stuff, toys, books...<br />so come check it out!!!Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-83359422084496259622011-04-08T11:05:00.000-07:002020-11-02T01:51:27.399-08:00Brian's Haiti Trip April 2011Check out the sidebar for photos of Brian's recent trip to visit Wisler. He is a man of very FEW words so I will give a brief overview. Saturday in Haiti Brian went to the beach with the entire Orphanage--he said the water was amazing- warm and so salty is burned your eyes. Wisler did not know how to swim so when Brian went out deep Wisler clung to him for dear life. On Sunday after church Brian went to Jerusalem with Pastor Riguad and Geoff ( Geoff is making a documentary). Jerusalem is the city that erupted overnight after the earthquake. The city it is home to some 400,000 Haitians. Riguad was given plots of land at this location by the government. He is currently raising money/building a medical clinic, church,school and eventually brand new orphanage. Currently he had two wells dug, only one of which has good water. Other than that the folks that live here have to buy their water, or walk several miles.<div>Now you ask what's with the snow man --his name is Flat Frosty and was made by Jaden. Frosty is part of a pen pal/geography project our kids are doing. Frosty went with Brian to Haiti to visit. He took good notes on what life is like in the orphanage so he could tell Gabe and Jaden all about life in Haiti.</div><div>Another note--the pictures of the wheels are pictures of Rich and Spring's truck tire that broke. The tire started to wobble and the lug nuts sheered off. Needless to say their trip home was about 5 hours longer than it needed to be but they made it home. </div><div> <div>Anyway enjoy the slide show....I will post video in the coming weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXK4kpTrEOI/X5_UbfY4mRI/AAAAAAABL-U/VPAUR2YAXaQocCHO5hHNfmqB2FmTjlMwwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/156_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXK4kpTrEOI/X5_UbfY4mRI/AAAAAAABL-U/VPAUR2YAXaQocCHO5hHNfmqB2FmTjlMwwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/156_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marta is an amazing cook</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSsht3kKe4o/X5_Um3RPIbI/AAAAAAABL-c/-u4Jztjtxmg0-kuK9CoBjzUCMrEDNVXswCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSsht3kKe4o/X5_Um3RPIbI/AAAAAAABL-c/-u4Jztjtxmg0-kuK9CoBjzUCMrEDNVXswCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dad said no more treat before dinner...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WucD1tELPqA/X5_UmAWxiJI/AAAAAAABL-Y/xTLb1YJ49uM3ykik7M6ilXGAqJh3FZhUgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WucD1tELPqA/X5_UmAWxiJI/AAAAAAABL-Y/xTLb1YJ49uM3ykik7M6ilXGAqJh3FZhUgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-7tPonQiyQ/X5_UoZZ9mQI/AAAAAAABL-g/pOQrA63BPQY3loxw9T9GJ7HyeAiXHFhSQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-7tPonQiyQ/X5_UoZZ9mQI/AAAAAAABL-g/pOQrA63BPQY3loxw9T9GJ7HyeAiXHFhSQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing at the beach</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KI3pVY7oIOg/X5_UpqjRejI/AAAAAAABL-k/GzHpkymS-pY3-k5ayEhNuKiYwSJJn0KcwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KI3pVY7oIOg/X5_UpqjRejI/AAAAAAABL-k/GzHpkymS-pY3-k5ayEhNuKiYwSJJn0KcwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGuavwgTe1s/X5_U635KS1I/AAAAAAABL-4/X1a2X5NT-yY4OzIijrzbxwLQB6r0o1B4ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGuavwgTe1s/X5_U635KS1I/AAAAAAABL-4/X1a2X5NT-yY4OzIijrzbxwLQB6r0o1B4ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flat Stanley enjoying his beach trip!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoIhb4H2fow/X5_U82rE16I/AAAAAAABL-8/MblfaThHNJ4kJE-UGlsJjR3VotDusQnywCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoIhb4H2fow/X5_U82rE16I/AAAAAAABL-8/MblfaThHNJ4kJE-UGlsJjR3VotDusQnywCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1Cr7n3wFms/X5_U--Z2OMI/AAAAAAABL_A/v3ufkj5KGIkgI8yWKZ16xDbYfl4htpVQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1Cr7n3wFms/X5_U--Z2OMI/AAAAAAABL_A/v3ufkj5KGIkgI8yWKZ16xDbYfl4htpVQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Watching a coconut being cut up</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJhMWXJPNfQ/X5_VDBEVLzI/AAAAAAABL_I/-B3nntXDbAgnr1I-HrL4eabaVz1nPVIqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJhMWXJPNfQ/X5_VDBEVLzI/AAAAAAABL_I/-B3nntXDbAgnr1I-HrL4eabaVz1nPVIqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egqbs1LV6o4/X5_WdwaJimI/AAAAAAABMAM/dwuzrJsn7R4mRngFKWDA4mAwFwNr_ruOACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egqbs1LV6o4/X5_WdwaJimI/AAAAAAABMAM/dwuzrJsn7R4mRngFKWDA4mAwFwNr_ruOACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Michael (Papi's son) and Wisler- buddies</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9d1aQKH1vqU/X5_VHOd_5CI/AAAAAAABL_Q/eWqEPYJSLYwxrNK_6qmFwyDYV8KM7e8pwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9d1aQKH1vqU/X5_VHOd_5CI/AAAAAAABL_Q/eWqEPYJSLYwxrNK_6qmFwyDYV8KM7e8pwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e9-YS-KVtSc/X5_VFAARlOI/AAAAAAABL_M/M--ldTbaC3QSk0vkAoqa5d-zr5wGaKtdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e9-YS-KVtSc/X5_VFAARlOI/AAAAAAABL_M/M--ldTbaC3QSk0vkAoqa5d-zr5wGaKtdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing with Gerry Gelinas in the water</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1A-sVEtI90/X5_VJMDLIvI/AAAAAAABL_U/c7rKF9bJ2Oc_4kfRzSoooZewzN4moiJvACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/100_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1A-sVEtI90/X5_VJMDLIvI/AAAAAAABL_U/c7rKF9bJ2Oc_4kfRzSoooZewzN4moiJvACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/100_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tired boy after the beach...daddy snuggle time</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAG4MxQHoO8/X5_VOUAHclI/AAAAAAABL_g/Z8TlD2qu5UINWC2Zz7RhNWgCqa0DPd0pwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/156_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAG4MxQHoO8/X5_VOUAHclI/AAAAAAABL_g/Z8TlD2qu5UINWC2Zz7RhNWgCqa0DPd0pwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/156_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wesley at church</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toWinHt_-LA/X5_VPBBRsfI/AAAAAAABL_k/wU69vmCN4PQSFgHqvDE7RLPELf9w7j34wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/156_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toWinHt_-LA/X5_VPBBRsfI/AAAAAAABL_k/wU69vmCN4PQSFgHqvDE7RLPELf9w7j34wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/156_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wisler at church</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ol8O5y8GkJw/X5_VSQXFxcI/AAAAAAABL_o/Fo2eIiYfwtUNpkk31UptC0RnPBjNQ13owCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/156_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ol8O5y8GkJw/X5_VSQXFxcI/AAAAAAABL_o/Fo2eIiYfwtUNpkk31UptC0RnPBjNQ13owCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/156_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">dad at church</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y8HGoi8mtc/X5_VTXrExOI/AAAAAAABL_s/GuzMeehd4xYJlgu1vUOekr79ZhLKdXLPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/156_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y8HGoi8mtc/X5_VTXrExOI/AAAAAAABL_s/GuzMeehd4xYJlgu1vUOekr79ZhLKdXLPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/156_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">church</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>
</div></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-68845030878619137652011-03-05T16:08:00.000-08:002011-03-05T16:13:43.292-08:00Hanging Out with Papi<div> During Pastor Riguad's recent visit to New England we had the opportunity to spend some alone time with the man Wisler calls Papi. (Riguad runs the orphanage Wisler lives at) . It was a special event for our boys to meet Papi--It made the whole adoption more of a reality for them, as up to now all they have seen is pictures...this was a real person!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kydR_kp_AUc/TXLRMLmCt7I/AAAAAAAABeQ/U54SzadaO4A/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kydR_kp_AUc/TXLRMLmCt7I/AAAAAAAABeQ/U54SzadaO4A/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580752895466452914" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-39292354842709927982011-03-03T16:24:00.001-08:002011-03-03T16:26:42.119-08:00Haiti BoundBrian is going to visit Wisler from March 31-April 4th. He is looking forward to the "alone" time with Wisler. Please pray for safe travels and good bonding visit....Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015916575707510222.post-57981969611023602182011-02-09T15:16:00.000-08:002011-02-09T15:21:51.424-08:00VideoThis is a video made by one of the dads who is adopting from KKO as well. I struck me hard of course because as you saw in my earlier post this is the song that runs through my mind....<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJEheRWZGqE&feature=player_embedded">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJEheRWZGqE&feature=player_embedded</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03930659403169230736noreply@blogger.com0