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pray.
October 7, 2008 – 5:15 pm
for me please.
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if you want some specifics you can pray for:
our adoption and the funds.
for this one soul to trust in her Lord with ALL her heart.
to follow even in the dark.
to have a good hair day tomorrow.
i thank you in advance.
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this was my day. (this and laundry)
adoption update.
October 4, 2008 – 10:46 pm
paperwork. paperwork. paperwork.
We are in the stage of grabbing all the paperwork that is needed for our dossier. During the lights out vacation after Mr. Ike we had our home study. It was good. I should have that in hand soon. Next on the things to do is the psychological evaluation. Then we will have the blood work and HIV testing done. After that I think the only thing “to do” will be to get what seems like one thousand copies of passport photos for each of us. Once all that is done we send everything off to be authenticated.
Each step of the way there is money to be paid. That is the biggest issue in my mind. It looms. I have no idea why it does. God provides the exact amount EVERY time we have needed it.
Once our dossier is complete (hopefully sooner than later) we will send it with half of our adoption cost to Haiti. That is where my mind stands still. I really can’t wait to see how God provides the funding for this. I also somewhat feel guilty that I cannot afford on my own to do this. False guilt.
This boy is already part of our family. If he never comes to live with us physically we will still love and care for him. He is with us forever. The conversations of and about him are endless. I hear little voices request to bring him home for “my” birthday. Yes, Honey, I wish I could.
I have a question for all of you adoptive parents of older children. Did you change your child’s name to an American name? I have a lot of thoughts about this but I am curious to hear what some other thoughts are. Feel free to email me if you would rather keep it private.
The boy and The Astros.
September 25, 2008 – 8:23 pm
what is he thinking…?
September 8, 2008 – 8:40 pm
that is what I am thinking.
Our boy in Haiti has seen some of the most horrendous things with his own deep dark eyes. He lives in a place where he is genuinely loved. There is an almost permanent smile that rests on his face. What about the last couple of weeks? Is his smile still flourishing? My initial thought is how could it.
The rescue center is without water. At the present time water is being brought up and ran through filters to ensure that it is safe for drinking. This is a costly process. If you are willing please donate $40 to Real Hope for Haiti. The $40 will cover the approx. cost of 250 people having clean water for a day. Go to Licia’s Blog and click on the side button to donate.
We, the Parkers, love our little Parker man in Haiti. We think of him, pray for him, worry for him, and more than anything want to be with him.
Please pray for the people of Haiti, for our son, for Licia and all the rescue center staff/children.
neighbors = love
August 28, 2008 – 3:03 pm
You know how the bible says that we should love our neighbor like we do our own self? I am experiencing some awesome neighborly love.
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listen to this.
Jenny has used her awesome skills to create a beautiful painting. She has decided to auction it off and give all the profits to our adoption. I have never met Jenny in person but let me tell you she is a friend. Go visit her and tell how sweet she is. Check out her painting and make a bid.
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and this.
My physical neighbor came over today to invite us to the Friday Night football game. In the process of talking she offered to shuttle me anywhere I needed. She said that she was always home and would be happy to run me to the kids school or even walmart for that matter. What a kind woman.
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and this.
Jamie wrote about our magazine sells for the adoption. She did not have to do that. She just wanted to. How awesome is she. Go over and order if you would like.
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and also this.
This week I experienced one of the most uplifting calls from a friend. She lives VERY far away from me. It really did not matter this day because it was as if we were in the same room. She encouraged me to pray about a certain love that I have. God used her words to express love to me. It was good.
they knew.
August 7, 2008 – 9:00 am
“Has Mom met him yet?” That is the question that the kids asked over and over the days I was in Haiti. Together as a family we had prayed for this boy. We asked that he would know the love of a family. Our hearts were moved towards adoption it just seemed to be over our head financially. Every time God would bring adoption to our lips our reality would smack us straight over the head.
going back a year.
The kids began to refer to him as their future brother. “We are going to adopt him!” They would say. I used cautious words to prepare them for what might not happen. They listened but I don’t think they ever let the idea of their future brother go.
My trip to Haiti was scheduled.
We would make a trip to the Rescue Center.
I would meet him.
On the morning when our group arrived at the Rescue Center I was pretty nervous. My eyes scanned the small faces that were surrounding us. I was talking with people, laughing with people, meeting friends, but all the while I was looking for him.
It seemed like an eternity before I actually laid my eyes on this little boy. My heart melted even more than the hundreds of times I read his story on the blog. I stood there stilled and watched him play. I thought about what I could say to him. Nothing grand enough came to mind. In all honesty it took every bit of strength to walk over to him. It was as if I knew my life would be forever changed. I have no idea what my words to him were. It doesn’t matter. His eyes were overwhelming. His smile even more. I grabbed my camera and shot some photos of the boys playing. Then I asked if he would take a picture with me. He must have thought I was so weird. I was so worried that he did. I would not have forgiven myself if I had chickened out. The kids would treasure this photo of their mom and their in-love brother. With that I walked away. Physically I was away from him but to this day my thoughts are with him.
Later that day he and I colored, chalked, and laughed. I couldn’t ask for more. He knew that I thought he was special. He knew that he was my favorite. I think he liked that.
Our time at the RC was done.
I arrived home with more questions. I knew that our family could love this boy. Could he love us? Is he too old to transition to life in America? What would his life be like if he stayed in Haiti? Could he? Would that prove to be better for Him. What would life look like for him if he did.
Questions are so hard.
moving forward.
Licia posted a blog pleading for a family to take this child. This child that we loved. The child that we prayed would have a family soon. This child that our children called brother.
This child was ours.
It was as complex simple as that.
To say all the questions are gone would be a lie. We have many questions just about different things.
Nothing is more amazing than hearing Carly or Colt talk to EVERYONE about their brother. God has worked out an amazing love in their heart. They always knew. Even when their parents were full of fear. They knew.
flowers make me happy.
July 22, 2008 – 3:47 pm
It seems that stress is creeping up into my thoughts A LOT. I find myself thinking through all the dollars I don’t have for this adoption journey. To be transparent, I worry about money often. I think this has been a factor throughout my entire life. Even if I were rather wealthy I would still “worry” about how my wealth was being spent. I am also one to take forever in making decisions. Once I make a decision I am not hesitant to use my rather large mouth and let someone know.
Today we mailed off two documents. Two things to cross off of my list. It feels good. Tomorrow we get fingerprinted and photographed for our criminal check. I am feeling pretty confident for that one.
About the flowers.
I went into Kroger today to pick up some dish soap when I passed a whole bucket of flowers on sale. My eyes gravitated to one certain pink set of roses. I was so happy when I read they were on sale for 1.99. This little bunch of flowers have brought me some smiles. My God is so good. He created such beauty for my eyes to behold. On days when I am stressed about financial”ness” he brings me the most beautiful bouquet in the clearance bin. He cares. Oh yes.
Leave me a comment and tell me what made you smile today. Or tell me if you haven’t smiled and I will try to think of a really clever joke to tell you.
meeting the family. {in pictures}
July 20, 2008 – 10:52 pm
Last night was just one of those nights when all energy is drained and you don’t even feel like opening up the laptop. I am so glad that I did. My inbox held one of the most precious sights I have seen. I could not resist the urge to share this moment.
Thank you Licia for this precious gift.
YESTERDAY
July 3, 2008 – 3:50 pm
YESTERDAY We were discussing adoption and about this child all day. YESTERDAY I had a good conversation with Kim about adoption. YESTERDAY Fundraising ideas seemed to be hovering in my thoughts. YESTERDAY I read two blogs from friends that are in the Dominican. YESTERDAY Their photos stirred the emotion that I have been trying to keep settled.
YESTERDAY Licia posted this blog.
YESTERDAY I read it and immediately felt the all knowing feeling of “my life is about to change forever.”
YESTERDAY I sent the link to Ernest at his night gig.
YESTERDAY I received a reply from Ernest saying…”Ronel Parker?”
YESTERDAY (actually in the early am) we e-mailed Licia telling her we were ready to practice some water walking.
TODAY we enter the LONG adoption process that we have prayed about for years.