Translation Complete

The 109 pages of our kids' report has been translated and is ready to send with the next documents for their immigration approval! Thanks for praying! We also should soon be able to Skype with the kids which will be exciting!

LifeSong for Orphans Partnership

On April 14th, we were approved to partner with Lifesong for Orphans! This ministry serves adoptive families by accepting tax-deductible donations on our behalf and issueing a grant of 100% of the money donated for our adoption expenses. There are two ways to do this: by using the "donate" button on our blog, or by sending a check to Lifesong for Orphans at P.O Box 40/202 N. Ford St., Gridley IL 61744. Checks should be made payable to Lifesong for Orphans with this phrase written in the memo section: preference Belue/#1938 adoption. (In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor's suggested use.)

Immigration Approval

On April 7th, we received our immigration approval! It is notarized, being apostilled, and will be sent to Colombia to join our dossier. Next, the children's reports have to be translated, then we have to include those reports and apply for their immigration approval. The translation could be the lengthy part, so please pray that they have already begun that process since there are 3 long reports to complete. We praise the Lord for His faithfulness in carefully overseeing the whole process and time frame! and we thank God for you, our prayer partners and friends!

Renewed Strength

It's been a long month of waiting on our fingerprint appointment, which is in four days! We have come to appreciate more, and rely on consistently, God's promise in Isaiah 40:31; if we wait upon Him our strength will be renewed. Some days the wait seems endless, some days discouraging, and yet other days refreshing as we get needed projects accomplished.  He whispers His words of encouragement as we look ahead to many more weeks before traveling, and reminds us that He has always had the time in His hand; the authority is His alone to decide when paperwork gets signed and when we get our permission to go get our kids. He knows what time is best and we are grateful He has our best interest, and our kids' best interest, at the center of His heart and plan.

God's Way is the Best Way

This encouragement for the day came straight from Caitlin's Veggie Tales CD. Who knew?! What a great reminder that "God's way is the best way, now that I know He loves me so. His way is the best way...and that's the way for me." After the song was over, I looked into the rearview mirror to say, "You know Caitlin, God's way is always the best way." To which she responded, "Like our 3 children." Yes, indeed. Great lessons being learned for all of us!

Looking to Jesus

Have you ever taken steps of obedience, by faith, and then wondered if you have the faith to finish the path where those steps are taking you? That's where I am today. Knowing full well, and confident that God's plan is being perfectly crafted through this adoption, but not having the strength in myself to keep up that faith that got me here. That's why Jesus took me to Hebrews 12:1,2 yesterday, knowing I needed to hear Him say,"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." I am so grateful that Jesus will "finish" my faith and give me the daily strength to run this particular race. May we all continue to "Look unto Jesus" until He comes or calls us home!

The paperwork trail

As we wait, February is becoming our fundraiser month. See the new button for T-shirts that Robert's sister helped us set up. ;)We thank God for His plan in providing for all our needs! Paperwork is getting "authenticated, translated, stamped, sent to various places...and anything else that paperwork has to do. ;) And God is still in control!