The Lord's Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:22-24 "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him!" We have had to rely on God's strength and hope, as the reports still are not completed for our kids (due to a conference and illness of our social worker). Whatever the circumstances, we continually have to remind ourselves that God is overseeing this whole process and is not surprised or disappointed by delays like we are. He has it under control! We have so enjoyed our weekly skype calls with the kids; they ask every time when are we coming to get them.

God is at work

Waiting....and waiting some more; sometimes with nothing visibly happening. However, we are confident of one thing; God is at work, accomplishing His purposes on our behalf, to bless us and grow us, and bring Him all the glory, and to place us in Colombia at just the right time. We are enjoying our weekly skype calls with the kids, and waiting on some reports to be completed so we can file for their immigration approval which should be about a 10 day process. Keep praying! We appreciate you!

Skype Call

We were able to Skype with our kids in Colombia yesterday morning! :) They were very excited and so cute! We learned that Oscar likes the colors blue and green and likes to eat chicken and rice, Laura is excited about having a pool and wanted to make sure we knew she is almost 8, :) and Daniela likes the color red and likes to eat salad (she also kept saying "mama")! Caitlin enjoyed seeing them!
We are set up to talk to them every Monday afternoon so we are so grateful!

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.