Saturday, October 30, 2010

Tidbits…

It’s a good day! The sky is dreary. The wind is cold. But, the house is cleaned and I have a few hours to catch up some bits and pieces that need to be done. Schedules need to be made, as we anticipate some staff vacations and some temporaries. Also, there are upcoming visitors so the ‘motel’ needs to be scheduled as well. Yes, life is good and we are blessed!
Last Sunday, 16 of us went to Tijuana and sang at the Contreras clinic and at the Oasis hospital. Phil Edith’s cousin had surgery the week before and was at the hospital and some others that they knew were at the clinic. Phil’s and all of our English staff were able to go and we enjoyed sharing together in that way.

enriqueOn Monday, 4 yr old Enrique left to go to an adoptive family. He went once before but was returned in just several days because the family didn’t want him after all. We so hope that this time he has been placed in a home where he’s loved and can be secure.





betznmel

melani
 Also, 3 weeks ago, little Melani left to live with her aunt. She came when she was just a few days old and was such a snuggly, cutie!









On Tuesday, Tony returned from his trip home for his brother’s wedding. It’s very good to have him back again!
Another benefit we see from having more staff is that we are able to have a few people at a time get away more easily and do things for others, which is refreshing. Yesterday, a number of us were able to go help Phil and Edith clean the house that they plan to move into next week. It’s much bigger and a nicer setup than where they are now. It’s also in a much nicer area. For those of you that know the area here, the new house is in Loma Tova.
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The boys’ favorite pastime right now!




God’s blessings to all of you this week!

Friday, October 8, 2010

A day in a Mexican court…

We feel very blessed with the way God is working out the details in bringing us closer to the finalization of Tania’s adoption! Our lawyers have been working for months to complete the termination of the birth mother’s rights. They finally had everything ready and were granted a hearing today to complete that part of the process. Yesterday they received a call saying that one of the witnesses would not be able to be there and we would need to cancel the hearing. The lawyers told them they would not accept that and that they want another witness assigned to go ahead with today. Thank God, they sent another person and we were able to continue, because if it were cancelled it would have been another 3 months before it could be scheduled again, plus requiring more money.

The hearing went very well and the judge ruled in our favor to terminate the birth mother’s rights. It also included DIF signing papers that released them as well, so she is now not a DIF child at all, just a child in between processes. Now after today the lawyers are free to begin the actual processing of our papers to finalize everything. But, this was a big step and it went well! It was definitely an interesting day, observing life in a Mexican court.

This month it is 2 years that Tania came into our home as a 4 month old, sickly little baby. Today when we came home and were rejoicing over our day, she was just happily playing and we talked about the fact that to her nothing is changing. She is surrounded by the only family that she has known and secure in the love that she feels here. All glory and praise to God for His goodness to us! He does things so much better and beyond what we are even able to imagine! Thank you God!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Two years...

When we first agreed to come to Mexico we committed to be here for 2 years and then see what God has for us. Septemer 30th was 2 years since we arrived. We are amazed at the way God has brought us through this wilderness journey. There have been many happy times along with many times of pain. But all times of walking closer to the Lord and seeing Him work His plan in our lives. Truly, life is like the sand, soon trickled through the glass. It all passes so quickly and is so fleeting. God has not yet released us from the work here so we continue on, in faith and in His strength! All glory and honor to God for His goodness and faithfulness in our lives!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Grace…

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think… unto him be glory!

As I reflect over the last 6 weeks I am overwhelmed at the goodness of God and His love for us! We truly walked one day at a time and at times it seemed there were no answers for the day, but God was always on time. Our time in Indiana was very refreshing for our spirits even though it was mixed with so much sadness in dealing with the uncertainty of Liz’s life. I am so thankful for the time that God gave me to be there with them and the work that He did in my heart through all of this. He wanted me to come to the place of full trust in His plan. Full trust in the fact that He does have a plan and that it is perfect. All along we had prayed for healing according to God’s will. We believed that He was going to heal her and allow her to live. But, God wanted me to come to the place of giving it to Him and accepting what He had planned, whether it be life or death. Physically it appeared that it would be death and I was not ok with that for a time. But God worked in my heart and He’s still healing Liz! She is doing much better and even though we don’t know the details of why she feels better we do know that it’s ALL about God and the work that He is doing! He does still perform miracles today! GLORY! GLORY!

After being in Indiana 2 weeks we received word that back in MX our people were facing serious dangers there. Three of our staff had been shot at on the road to the home one night. Our daughters were here and we felt responsible for our staff as well, so our hearts were torn between two places and we weren’t sure what to do. Regina’s testimony was that God has called us to MX and so He will be with us there as well even though the devil wants us to run. It helped to hear that Herbert and his wife went to give support and so we stayed in Indiana another week. Lorne, Nevin and I then flew back to the girls and Brent and Dustin stayed with Dad & Mom Miller as it seemed uncertain yet whether we would need to return shortly or not, depending on Liz’s situation. Regina was planning to go to Indiana for a time of rest as well and so we felt it best to leave the boys at least for a time. Regina flew north on Sept. 22nd and plans to return on Oct 6th. The boys stayed for two weeks, then last week Darin drove our car down and brought the boys with him, arriving here on Thurs. We will be very thankful to have our family all together again after six weeks of being scattered!

It was great to have Gideon and Darin here again this weekend. Gideon also had his girlfriend, his three sisters with their husbands & boyfriend with him. Yesterday Gideon’s group left for Ensenada and Darin left today.