This is the latest on our adoption from Peru. Our precious twin boys who we have prayed for for 4.5 years have been adopted. Below is the email we just received.
The kids were placed with a Peruvian couple in their mid 50's!!!!! A Catholic couple who have no children and only got aproved to adopt in November. I can not tell you how much this has broken our hearts, but even with all the visits and recommendations we gave there was nothing we could do. We have cared forand invested in those boys since birth. We did not even have warning. They did not even have to do the regular process and stay with the boys last week like everyone else. I am very discouraged over this as iknow you are too. I know that your hearts were to adopt these boys.
I can only tell you that the other day I got share Christ and to lead them and two social workers to Christ! I also explained to the couple that during the next two weeks while they are going through the adoption process (before it is final) that if they do not want to keep them they can be adopted to a Christian family in the states. They said that they would keep this in mind.
I did have you on my heart to call you tonight, so I am glad you wrote.
Again, all of our hearts are aching in this situation, but it is in the Lord's hands.
We don't really have any solid emotions. Just extreme sadness and confusion over the last 4.5 years. The death of a dream. The loss of thousands of dollars. The fear that we did something wrong. Mad at the injustice of it all. The last 13 weeks we have been fostering 2 children. This has brought to surface a reality check on what adopting 2 spanish speaking 5 year olds would have been like. What having 2 more children in our family looks like. The "real life" struggle to parent 4 kids. We still wanted to have the twins!
Please pray (like you have been so faithful to do the last 4.5 years) that we will trust the Lord. That we will trust Him for the money, heart break, injustice.
Thanks.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
"Snow" Day's are not fun
A few thoughts about Greenville County "Snow" Days (ie a Rant)
- It is not fun to get 4 kids ready and at the door to leave for school and then your husband comes down and says "Did you check the news, Bill says the roads are bad". Crap. Yep there it is, fresh off the press, Greenville County Schools CLOSED!
- Public Schools being part of a county is bad for us a handful of times a year. The northern part of our county borders NC and yes, their roads are probably bad, they may even have snow. Us, we get rain and no school.
- I don't do well with last minute major change of plans. 4 kids inside all day when I had an agenda to accomplish that did not include them. ugh.
- Why do we call them "snow" days when we have wet streets? The term really excites my children, for no reason.
- We are about to have 2 weeks home with our precious children, why start early?
- Harper misses out on her Polar Express pajama day at school. I had spend $1 for her class hot chocolate cups, now my money is wasted.
-My friends need to get on the same page as me (Julia, Molly). We all need to have bad attitudes and heard hearts so we can whine and complain endlessly together. I don't appreciate Christ like friends on unexpected "snow" days.
- Jeremy still has to go to work on the treacherous "snow" day.
Wait, as I type my rant my children are all playing together wonderfully! No one is fighting, crying, or being ugly. We could make the cookies I have been wanting to make together. We could go and visit a friend. We are safe and warm inside our house. We could watch some of the Christmas movies that I have DVR'd. I can still get my tea from McD's. We could do a family Polar Express pajama day on blankets by the Christmas tree. My husband has a job. My kids are all healthy. I have fabulous friends who challenge me in my walk with the Lord. I am blessed. I am sorry Lord for my bad attitude.
Amen.
- It is not fun to get 4 kids ready and at the door to leave for school and then your husband comes down and says "Did you check the news, Bill says the roads are bad". Crap. Yep there it is, fresh off the press, Greenville County Schools CLOSED!
- Public Schools being part of a county is bad for us a handful of times a year. The northern part of our county borders NC and yes, their roads are probably bad, they may even have snow. Us, we get rain and no school.
- I don't do well with last minute major change of plans. 4 kids inside all day when I had an agenda to accomplish that did not include them. ugh.
- Why do we call them "snow" days when we have wet streets? The term really excites my children, for no reason.
- We are about to have 2 weeks home with our precious children, why start early?
- Harper misses out on her Polar Express pajama day at school. I had spend $1 for her class hot chocolate cups, now my money is wasted.
-My friends need to get on the same page as me (Julia, Molly). We all need to have bad attitudes and heard hearts so we can whine and complain endlessly together. I don't appreciate Christ like friends on unexpected "snow" days.
- Jeremy still has to go to work on the treacherous "snow" day.
Wait, as I type my rant my children are all playing together wonderfully! No one is fighting, crying, or being ugly. We could make the cookies I have been wanting to make together. We could go and visit a friend. We are safe and warm inside our house. We could watch some of the Christmas movies that I have DVR'd. I can still get my tea from McD's. We could do a family Polar Express pajama day on blankets by the Christmas tree. My husband has a job. My kids are all healthy. I have fabulous friends who challenge me in my walk with the Lord. I am blessed. I am sorry Lord for my bad attitude.
Amen.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Blessings in the Hard Times
Hard times are hard.
We have been through several things recently that have been well, hard. In the hard times I am always amazed at how the Lord uses people to encourage us or bless us. He also reveals His Word to us in fresh ways. I am thankful that His word is alive and active for us.
There has been some new info on the adoption front. Not good. The past 4 years trying to adopt 2 precious little boys from Peru have been full of hard times. It only seems to get more challenging. One example of the way the Lord has blessed us by people has been that in the past couple of weeks we have connected with several families who have a heart for Peru, like us, and they have encouraged us and loved on us. Thank you Jesus for them. Thank you also for all the people who pray for us and continue to ask about the process.
2 examples of the blessing of His Word in the hard times are: Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 and He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
Psalm 31:24 reminds me that my ultimate hope is in the Lord. That if I am loving Him, He will strengthen my heart in the hard times.
Matthew 17:20 reminds me that even with my small amount of faith, if it is the Lord's will, that is enough for Him. He is in charge.
Jesus, please move the mountains in the way of bringing our sons home and if this is not your will remind me again of Psalm 31:24. Continue to teach us in the hard times and allow us to always see your blessings. Amen.
We have been through several things recently that have been well, hard. In the hard times I am always amazed at how the Lord uses people to encourage us or bless us. He also reveals His Word to us in fresh ways. I am thankful that His word is alive and active for us.
There has been some new info on the adoption front. Not good. The past 4 years trying to adopt 2 precious little boys from Peru have been full of hard times. It only seems to get more challenging. One example of the way the Lord has blessed us by people has been that in the past couple of weeks we have connected with several families who have a heart for Peru, like us, and they have encouraged us and loved on us. Thank you Jesus for them. Thank you also for all the people who pray for us and continue to ask about the process.
2 examples of the blessing of His Word in the hard times are: Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 and He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20
Psalm 31:24 reminds me that my ultimate hope is in the Lord. That if I am loving Him, He will strengthen my heart in the hard times.
Matthew 17:20 reminds me that even with my small amount of faith, if it is the Lord's will, that is enough for Him. He is in charge.
Jesus, please move the mountains in the way of bringing our sons home and if this is not your will remind me again of Psalm 31:24. Continue to teach us in the hard times and allow us to always see your blessings. Amen.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
So much to think about...
This is always an overwhelming time of year for us. We have 6 graduations to (possibly) attend, graduation parties numbering in the teens, Senior night at Grace, soccer, and end of the year festivities at our kids schools.
To add to this:
- some of our besties are in Peru adopting the 3 children that they have been waiting on for 4 years. We are super excited for them. I can't get them out of my mind. They are doing wonderful and will be in Peru for 4-5 weeks. We skype with them several times a week and that has become a highlight in my day.
- a new Middle School Pastor and his precious wife and daughter have moved to town. I want them to feel welcome and to love Grace as much as I do.
- another BFF had her 3rd baby (1st boy!) Monday.
- We were able to serve our sister and brother-in-law by keeping our nieces for 4 days while they were on a Mission trip. It is crazy going back 5 years and having a 3 and 1 year old with you all day!
- Jer and I leave in 2 weeks for the student trip to Nicaragua. It requires MUCHO planning. Once you plan something it all changes and you plan more.
So.... during my spare time, haha. Really during some down time to help keep me from loosing my mind, I stumbled across Anita Renfroe. She is a christian comedian. I am not sure how people are so funny, just watch it!
To add to this:
- some of our besties are in Peru adopting the 3 children that they have been waiting on for 4 years. We are super excited for them. I can't get them out of my mind. They are doing wonderful and will be in Peru for 4-5 weeks. We skype with them several times a week and that has become a highlight in my day.
- a new Middle School Pastor and his precious wife and daughter have moved to town. I want them to feel welcome and to love Grace as much as I do.
- another BFF had her 3rd baby (1st boy!) Monday.
- We were able to serve our sister and brother-in-law by keeping our nieces for 4 days while they were on a Mission trip. It is crazy going back 5 years and having a 3 and 1 year old with you all day!
- Jer and I leave in 2 weeks for the student trip to Nicaragua. It requires MUCHO planning. Once you plan something it all changes and you plan more.
So.... during my spare time, haha. Really during some down time to help keep me from loosing my mind, I stumbled across Anita Renfroe. She is a christian comedian. I am not sure how people are so funny, just watch it!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Meet The Parents, The Keevers
Baahahaha!
"I'm not saying there is a competition but if there was we would clearly be the winners...."
"I'm not saying there is a competition but if there was we would clearly be the winners...."
Monday, May 10, 2010
SWAGGER WAGON
Just picture the four of our faces and our swagger wagon is blue of course.
Don't be jealous!
Don't be jealous!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
In someone else's music
This video does a great job of describing how, why, what we feel as we wait to be parent's to 2 more little people. Thanks Aaron Ivey for putting words onto something that is so hard to explain to people.
"Brothers" we are searching for a way to get you here!
"Brothers" we are searching for a way to get you here!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
From the Mouths of our Kids
Today:
Calahan: "Give Brody a round of claws everybody"
Harper to Jer: "When I grow up I am going to be a Petnarian and a McDonalds worker so I can give Mommy free tea. It's free today! I will charge the next person $5."
Side note. My son is now 8 years old. Crazy. He is having his first spend the night party. We allowed 3 friends to be invited. Harper will go to Gammie and Gramps to spend the night. Jeremy will be the entertainment. Menu: stuffed crust pepparoni pizza of course.
Side note 2. Julia cut about 5 inches off of Harper's hair. It's the shortest it has ever been. She loves it. She was smiling the whole time and then loved looking in the mirror at herself. She cried that night when we washed it because it would make it grow and she wants it to be short. Oh princess.
Calahan: "Give Brody a round of claws everybody"
Harper to Jer: "When I grow up I am going to be a Petnarian and a McDonalds worker so I can give Mommy free tea. It's free today! I will charge the next person $5."
Side note. My son is now 8 years old. Crazy. He is having his first spend the night party. We allowed 3 friends to be invited. Harper will go to Gammie and Gramps to spend the night. Jeremy will be the entertainment. Menu: stuffed crust pepparoni pizza of course.
Side note 2. Julia cut about 5 inches off of Harper's hair. It's the shortest it has ever been. She loves it. She was smiling the whole time and then loved looking in the mirror at herself. She cried that night when we washed it because it would make it grow and she wants it to be short. Oh princess.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Haiti (as seen and lived by people living out Christ for others)
I stumbled across a blog written by missionaries in Haiti.
It is amazing.
Check it out.
http://www.livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/
I love to read and pray for those who are being the hands and feet of Jesus and so many others who want to be there to help! I love to read of the strength and courage of Haitians. Through this blog there are links to blogs about all of the orphans who were in the process of being adopted, getting to go on to their forever home much quicker than expected. I love to hear how God has allowed glimmers of good and hope come from such a bad situation.
Start with January 11 and read to the present. Bring a box of kleenex. Enjoy.
It is amazing.
Check it out.
http://www.livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/
I love to read and pray for those who are being the hands and feet of Jesus and so many others who want to be there to help! I love to read of the strength and courage of Haitians. Through this blog there are links to blogs about all of the orphans who were in the process of being adopted, getting to go on to their forever home much quicker than expected. I love to hear how God has allowed glimmers of good and hope come from such a bad situation.
Start with January 11 and read to the present. Bring a box of kleenex. Enjoy.
Monday, January 11, 2010
2010, will it be the year of "The Brothers"?
Adoption update. Don't get too excited.
Still waiting and have no new news.
We renewed our US paperwork and that will be good until summer 2011. That will be the end of our adoption process from Peru if we have not received any referrals (adoption language for matches of children). We need an end date. It has been 3 1/2 long years of just waiting, praying and wondering. It's not that we are trying to put God in a box and tell Him "Do it by this date or else...", but it kind of is. We know that He could have done it 3 years ago, or yesterday. Jeremy, the kids and I just need a date so mentally we know that we gave our all for almost 5 years (by summer 2011) and we can consider what other options the Lord may have for us to grow our family.
We continue to pray for "the brothers" to come home to us. We know that God knows what is best for us and try to mentally prepare for any 2 boys from Peru.
Peru approved us to adopt almost 2 years ago and we have not received 1 referral. It's crazy. We can't figure it out. We are approved to adopt 2 boys, between the ages of birth and 5 years old. Most of the children Peru is adopting out are to Peruvians or Italians. Not USA.
Please continue to pray with us. We have their room ready. Their clothes and toy hand me downs from their big brother. Cal and HC still talk about "the brothers" daily.
We wait.
Still waiting and have no new news.
We renewed our US paperwork and that will be good until summer 2011. That will be the end of our adoption process from Peru if we have not received any referrals (adoption language for matches of children). We need an end date. It has been 3 1/2 long years of just waiting, praying and wondering. It's not that we are trying to put God in a box and tell Him "Do it by this date or else...", but it kind of is. We know that He could have done it 3 years ago, or yesterday. Jeremy, the kids and I just need a date so mentally we know that we gave our all for almost 5 years (by summer 2011) and we can consider what other options the Lord may have for us to grow our family.
We continue to pray for "the brothers" to come home to us. We know that God knows what is best for us and try to mentally prepare for any 2 boys from Peru.
Peru approved us to adopt almost 2 years ago and we have not received 1 referral. It's crazy. We can't figure it out. We are approved to adopt 2 boys, between the ages of birth and 5 years old. Most of the children Peru is adopting out are to Peruvians or Italians. Not USA.
Please continue to pray with us. We have their room ready. Their clothes and toy hand me downs from their big brother. Cal and HC still talk about "the brothers" daily.
We wait.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)