GO GOD!!

they just waved our holding period!!

we are headed to Rio the end of the week

for Erik's doctor visit and then our

embassy appt on monday!!

please keep praying for the girls...

will let you know soon what we know!!

living quarters - part 2

the girls room...

Erik's room...

our extra beds... (luck of the draw who gets them :)

(you can see our new fridge to the right of the beds!)

Our car... (little car for alot of people :)

living quarters... part 1

alot of questions about our home abroad... so here it is :)

the house...

the kitchen (no the fridge still does not work :)

the den...

dining room...

the most sought after room in the house :)

the master suite...

Glory to God!!!

so i've been dying to tell you... but i couldn't until now...

Wendell is with his adoptive family!!!

Guess who it is...

It has been in the works a while...

i just couldn't tell!!



Only God could create such a story line!!!

How cool is this!!

our daughter in love is now

a sister to Wendell!!

our family, Deb's family and the Kennedy's

have been intertwined since 2004

when Deborah and i met at the Kennedy's.

Deb has been in the states since 2005...

and her two siblings are grown...

a perfect scenario for Wendell's well being...

so her family, the Ribas, made the decision to adoptive him!!

they picked him up a week and a half ago!!!!

GLORY TO GOD

the Creator and Perfector of all stories!

please be in prayer for them all!!

also...

our lawyer is on her way NOW

to meet with the government office to see...

if they are going to hold us 20 days

before we can travel or release us to travel next week!

we covet your prayers for this meeting

as well as a ton of meetings about the girls!!



Gods picture is SO MUCH bigger than mine :)

sorry for the long delay...

but life has been...

 CRAZY, OVERWHELMING AND UNPREDICTABLE!

i had no idea...

how much i lacked trust,

how much i liked comfort,

how much i liked knowing the plan,

how much i trusted my resources,

and how much i wanted my way,

until...

i understood nothing,

i was removed from all my comforts,

i no longer knew or understood anything that was going on,

i had no resources to fix the situation,

and i absolutely could not have my way!

welcome to this part of our journey :)

i couldn't have dreamt this up... it is ONLY GOD!

so last friday we got weekend visitation with the girls again.

sat we took all the kids (except Jordan who was nursing a cold)

to the water park. 

sunday we spent the day playing, went to church

and then had to return the girls to the shelter... emotional!!

right before drop off... we were praying to be reunited soon...

early the next morning we go the call...

we were granted visitation again...

this time for the week...

we could pick the girls up as soon as they got out of school...

so we got them around 5! Go God!

tues we made the 2 hour trek to school...dropped them off...

then took Erik shopping to buy some soccer jerseys :) 

then made the two hour trek to pick them back up!

wed was a FULL day!

it was (Erika) Chloe's 15th b'day!

as well as Erik's adoption hearing!!"

so we left early in the morning and took

Chloe, Erik and Emily to the bakery for b'fast.

then got the girls to school... (Chloe had 3 tests),

we then shopped for Erik some shoes...

and got him a haircut (which he didn't like :)

and got to the courthouse at 10:30 a.m.

we were prepped by our lawyer for the hearing...

Cindy picked up Chloe at 11:30 and brought her too.

the hearing went well...however no ruling!

we were told possibly in 48 hours.

we spent the entire afternoon in a lawyers office

drawing up a power of attorney for me to finish

the process after Scott returned home.

then we finally made it back at 7:30 with pizza hut in

hand for a surprise party for Chloe!!

i wish the party would have completely lifted her mood...

but it didn't... the girls want to come home too!

around 11:30 p.m. while trying to reassure Chloe

 of our commitment to her and Emily,

we heard a gut wrenching yell...

as i ran out the door i wasn't sure what i'd find...

it was Gracie balled up on the trampoline...

so...

into the car Cindy and i went... to the ER...

Praise Jesus... it was all minor... no breaks!

we made it back by 1 and put all to bed :)

Gracie has been in the house nursing her leg since!

we got special permission to keep the girls out of school on thursday...

for Erik's going away party!

it was very emotional and moving!!

then we got the call... so we left the party...

ran home to change and to the government office we drove...

our lawyer got us a meeting...

with some officials thursday to hear the kids opinions!!

GODS PROVIDENCE BLOWS ME AWAY!!

afterwards we took them to mcdonald's...

by then it was 6 p.m. and Emily was worn out (and by the pic... so was i)!

the sentence came out yesterday...

it is official... he is Erik Mark Newsom...

it will go in public record on monday!

there is a special called meeting on thursday about the girls!!

God is on the move in much bigger ways than i could have dreamt up!!

please pray that HIS PLAN is clear...

that we are obedient...

 and brave enough to walk in it...

 whatever it may be!!

always an adventure!

monday went well...

thanks for joining us in prayer!

while we were there the director decided to let us visit with them again...

so it was see you in a few days...

our fridge went out monday night...
so...
we left for the beach on tuesday with the Kennedy's...

it was an incredible trip...

uneventful and relaxed...

 except...

 for the visit to the ER with Skyler :(
Praise the Lord for doctors and meds!

she had a reaction to a massive amount of mosquito bites...

however...

after a day in the ER and lots of meds...

we were back on the beach!

we played...

we rode down the beach in the Kennedy's mini van :)



and of course we dined!!

and watched sunsets...

it was an incredible rest before the rush!!

we are back now and preparing for the next 8 days...

which will be a flurry of activity!!

we have a home visit in the morning at 9...

we will pick up the girls at 4...

and take them back sunday eve...

monday we have our last interviews at the courthouse...

and wednesday is our adoption hearing...

thursday is Erik's going away party...

and then friday we will drop scott and jordan at the airport...

and then pick the girls up for the weekend...

and i guess at some point deal with the fridge :)

in the middle of all this...

there are alot of big decisions being made about the girls...

please join us in praying that...

 we'd hear God's voice clear...

that we'd be bold in our walk...

and that our obedience would be unwavering

no matter what the path looks like!!

God is faithful!

so we have had such an incredible weekend, enjoying every moment of it...

we had to rent a second car...

so we look like a caravan wherever we go :)

thursday we took them all (plus Leah) to mcdonalds and the new madagascar movie...

it was definitely a night to remember...

first of all Gracie got sick in the car so we had to pull over...

the man behind the gate felt sorry for us and brought us a water :)

then there were no parking places at the mall...

so deb and Scott dropped us off to go valet...

so me and 7 traveled on in...

bu there was no room in the inn..

eventually deb and Scott found us all huddled around a

4 topper in the food court...

Leah and i had done our best to order the food at mcdonalds...

we were short a bunch...

but by then Emily was sick to her stomach...

so...

we got them to at least give us 2 more fries and called it even :)

by the time i got back with the fries...

Jordan was overwhelmed and crying...

when we got to the movies they were out of water...

so we just got popcorn and sent them to the LONG line to wait...

and deb, Jordan and i went in search of water...

20 minutes later and 10 waters in tow...

we made it to meet the rest of them in the theatre...

everyone was happy and feeling well when we left...

so all in all i'd say it was a success :)

friday we stayed around and played...

lots of water balloons... Erika beat us in rummicub...

and lots of soccer was played...

it was perfect and uneventful!

saturday we took them all to the beach... 

it rained alot... but the kids had a blast...

they begged to do the banana boat again... so, we did...

however... Scott did not go... and...

it was somewhat different this time...

the rain pounded about the time we started...

Jordan and i sat on the back, to make sure no one fell off...

we went completely under twice at least...

and then... it happened...

Jordan went off the back...

and Emily was hanging on by one arm...

we had gone on a bit when they finally heard my screaming...

we finally got Emily on board...

shaking but holding it together...

and circled to get Jordan...

who was a nervous wreck by the time we got her on board...

we got to shore...did lunch...ate lots of chocolate...

 and all became a funny memory by the time we left...

Emily said "sleep well and i love you'' in english

when i tucked her in and said prayers last night...

today the social worker came by to do an interview

and then we went to pizza hut...



it has been busy but good!!

yet... for everyone...

 tomorrow has loomed around the corner.

we talked about the return tomorrow at dinner tonight...

i explained that no matter what happens tomorrow...

or next week...

or next month...

and IF it is really a year before we are together as a family...

OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!

He has seen us through this whole IMPOSSIBLE adoption...

and HE WILL SEE US THROUGH the next steps!!

Pray for us all as we say bye tomorrow!

we already know that we will see them again on Erika's bday...

and we are asking for permission to get them next week...

we are thankful for every moment allowed with them...

however... it is not the same as living together!!

i know that God will walk with us through the tears tomorrow...

and hold us steady as we drive off...

we will be clinging to HIM... and the truth of His faithfulness...

to keep us all strong through this!!

thanks for praying us through it!!

God certainly showed out!!

so today we went to meet Erik's sisters...

Erika and Emily...

they are very sweet and beautiful...

it was a great visit...

But...

as with every turn of this adoption...

 God was going to show that HE AND HE ALONE is in charge!

In God's unbelievable style and fashion...

He showed out...

they are with us now until Monday for a visit :)

can you believe HOW COOL OUR GOD IS!!

yes all 8 of us in our 800 square foot rental...

it don't get any better than that!

Only our Creator could come up with such a reunion...

three precious treasures ours from the beginning...

with us to love on for the weekend!

i wish this changed the process of our year of wait...

but it doesn't...

But then again...

who knows what God will do!!

please keep praying for these sweet babes...

and the process!

so we found out today...

they LOVE grilled cheeses, fries and cokes :)

and they love WII :)

they'll definitely fit right in!!

so while we are away let me update you on

Stephen's stay at Ward World...

here is what we found him up to today...

all in all...

i'd say it's been a good day!!



the wall was HARD!!

so i have had the joy and blessing of being part of alot of mission teams traveling internationally over the years.  one of the things we prepare teams for... is the wall that you hit around mid way through your stay. 

it is inevitable... i have yet to see someone miss the "homesick"stage. 

so we always encourage members to line up prayer partners to get them through the stage.

well to be quite honest... in my PRIDE... i guess i thought not me this time!

well what a joke :(

we took the kids to the hotel that had a pool and spent the night sat...

we got back around 2 on sun and i made a big meal...

and then it hit!

the wall was SO HARD!!

day 14...

i was hot, tired, dirty, frustrated, irritated...

actually down right uncomfortable and overwhelmed!!

the enemy assaults were nasty...

questions swirled??

"what am i doing?" 

"how can we do this?"

"is it worth it?"

"i am too weak Lord!''

i could go on for a while, but you get it!

see in my pride i had let my guard down and the enemy

NEVER misses a chance!

i am weak but the Lord IS NOT!!

i quickly turned to the words Paul penned in 2 Cor 4:16-18...

''Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.''

God is at work and i must cling to Him for every breath!!

it is tiring, it is frustrating and at times it is overwhelming...

BUT...

following God's call is ALWAYS WORTH IT!!!

We meet Erik's sisters tomorrow...

we are scared and excited...

nervous and anxious...

he has not seen them since Nov and we've never met them...

so please PRAY we would reflect Christ's love to them!!

i can't thank you enough!!

to God be the Glory!!

so our interviews went well yesterday...

they met with Scott and i first for 45 min...

then the girls for 45...

then Erik...

all in all i think we passed :)

we then found a quaint restaurant by the river for lunch...

ran errands... sitting in TONS of traffic...

and ended at the mall watching men in black (ugggg)!

we were back on the road again early this am...

for a meeting with the government office that

is over adoptions here in this state...

after a couple of hours and a stop at the grocery store...

we made it home for lunch...

which consisted of fried hamburgers

and fried mashed potato cakes...

(yes i hear you laughing...

i am learning to cook new ways

and all kinds of new things!)

while i write the people in charge are meeting

about all kinds of possibilities for Erik's sisters...

please be in prayer that we hear God's voice loud and clear!!!

know that there is unbelievable mountains being moved

in the cases of Erik, Wendell, Erika and Emily

to God be the Glory!!

we are trying so hard to simply follow where He leads...

letting Him guide our steps!

i will know more soon about what is happening

and update you as quick as i know.

So... on the home front...

we are sad we missed Patrick's 17th birthday

but we got to skype him :)

we skyped Stephen too...

 he is doing well with mom

and the many others of you helping out by caring for him

we can't thank you all enough :)

we miss you all greatly and can't thank you enough

for your encouraging comments, emails and texts!!!