We made it home! God is Good!

After two long days of travel we made it to cold Washington. We were told on Friday that we would leave around 10:00. So we were ready, dressed in our fancy clothes ready to meet Emmi's mom and fly to Miami, and they didn't come until 12:30. We had our bags packed and Emmi knew she was leaving and was ready. So it was a long 3 hours, not knowing if they would show up or when, once again trusting. Emmi went to school for a little bit and I went outside to cool off and she got really upset, she thought we were leaving without her. When we got to the office in Port-au-Prince we met Emmi's mom. She is so beautiful. It was ....I don't even know what to call it. I am so glad we got to meet her. After waiting at the airport, flying, immigration and shuttle to the hotel, it was a long day. Emmi did great. Momma's arms and back were sore, but we made it! We got up Saturday and flew into Seattle where my brother, sister-in-law and mom met us with a ride. Deiby, my sister-in-law, is from Costa Rica and made some beans and rice for Emmi, she loved it. There are so many emotions, one minute she is very happy the next sad.
We are having a few days at home getting adjusted to a schedule and her new home. She doesn't like the animals at all, actually is very scared of them. She had a great time with the boys last night. JJ is such a fun name to say, all the kids love his name. She went to bed great slept in her own bed all night. She did wake up with a fever again. But praise God, she didn't have one the whole time we traveled, thanks for your prayers. I have a bad cold with a sore throat that I got at the Creche and have pretty much lost my voice. So I would love your prayers to feel better and protect the rest of the family.
I will post more when I can and tell stories, we have so many. She is so fun to have around and we laugh so much. On the plane we laughed so hard Sierra and I were crying.

Heading home

Tomorrow we will be leaving the Creche(orphanage) and heading to Miami for the night, and then home on saturday. We will be meeting Emmi's mom, so pray for the words. What do you say to a mom that is giving up her child and you are taking her? When you know she loves her and just can't provide for her.......Jesus shine your light through Billy, Sierra and I. Reassure Emmi's mom that we will love and care for her.
Last night and today I haven't been feeling well, achey body and sore throat. Emmi had a fever tonight, so pray for health. We have a long couple of days, we will need grace. Thanks for all your prayers. There have been bumps along the way but they have all worked out. I know it is all in God's hands. I am anxious to be home with my whole family.
Please have patience with us with introducing Emmi to our friends and family. We don't want to overwelm her too much. We will take one day at a time. I know you all have been praying for her so long and have a connection with her, we just need to be careful she doesn't shut down on us. Until later, jen

Sierra's Back

so today was fun because it was clean all the rooms day so that meant all the kids were in one room(crazy) so that means that there was no school. but i can tell you that there are some babys that are the cutest thing you've ever saw. i saw some really sad faces today and it is to precious. you can't not want to love on them. but you'll have to see the pictures when we get home. plus i saw a little girl wearing the dress we had brought for emmi last june.
sierra

A day at the Creche

Today we spent the day hanging out at the Creche getting to know Emmi and her getting to know us. She went to school and did so good. Her verbal and dexterity has improved so much in the last 6 months. While Emmi was in school. I had some quiet time, listening to worship music and just taking time to praise God and pray for grace and mercy. He has opened my eyes to see through Emmi's eyes. Little things can set her off and I am starting to understand it. Today she was having some Teddy Grahams. She dropped one on the cement and then picked it up and gave it to me. I threw it away. She was so upset. She couldn't believe I would throw away precious food she shared with me. Then I got her a new snack and she was happy again. But a simple act of throwing away food that dropped on the ground was a BIG deal. Then she proceeded to throw her snack like I did. So much learning for all.
Billy and Sierra got to go up the road to the river where they have the market, like a farmers market. Billy calls it the Haitian Walmart. Billy has done a great job connecting with the men who work at the Creche. He is amazing, picking weeds, filling the generator with diesel, and just talking with them. He walked around with the maintenance guy and he told him about all the plants. They are growing so much here.....lemons, oranges, avocado, lemongrass, teas, mango, papaya and much more. It is so cool. I have watched it change over the last year and a half.

me and Emmi are matching today, with our bright lime green shirts. we will get pictures of it on here later. but thanks to all you guys who are supporting:)

My Turn

okay, now it's my turn to write. yesterday we an appt. and it ended up being a six hour trip. then, later there was another thunderstorm. which i love. but one thing for sure is that i am sweaty all the time. but it is all worth it for bringing my little sis home.

Sierra*

The BIG appointment!

Today was our visa appointment. We got up really early after a good nights sleep and headed to Port-au-Prince. Just to let you know, not very many people speak English here, so most of the time you are at the mercy of whoever. We just make sure we are where we are supposed to be at what time. We got to the office and he couldn't find our paperwork, so we got to the US Embassy late, but it all worked out okay. We were out of there in alittle over an hour. We just need to ger her medical report to them, so they can print the visa. Once again trusting God and others. It is out of my hands. Okay so talk about uncomfortable. Here I am in a crowded room, the only white person, well beside Billy and Sierra with this black child. All their children were in fancy clothes(good thing we dressed up) and very well behaved. Emmi was struggling. We had lots of snacks and anything else to distract her. I felt like I was being watched and judged every moment. We survived. We got back after 6 hours of travel. It was great to see more of Haiti. It helps us to have a vision to share with Emmi and know more of her heritage.
We spent the rest of the day playing, hugging, kissing and just learning about each other. Sierra and Emmi had some great playtime together. I can tell she is wondering about us, but really is open to us, especially me. She likes me in sight most of the time. I am learning Kreyol fast so I can communicate some boundaries and love. Lots of learning for all of us. All the kids love Sierra, the toddlers swarm her when she walks in the room. Last night all three of us were feeding the babies dinner, it was great! I did scare one.
It is the rainy season so we have had thunderstorms the last two afternoons and evening. It poured down rain! So all the kids had to stay inside. Sierra is wanting some outside time with the kids, she has heard about it so much.
We are missing our boys and are anxious to come home and get adjusted at there. Please pray the lab/medical report is done tomorrow so we can get her visa and be home by saturday. Emmi is ready to come home and I'm not leaving without her.

We made it!

After a few gliches at the airport, we made it with all our bags safe and sound. When we arrived at the Creche Emmi was so excited to see me she had the biggest smile ever! and ran into my arms. WOW! It was so cool. She knew Billy and Sierra right away and is not holding back anything. She is lovin' being the one with the parents here and all the special stuff. She is repeating a ton of words and knows some english, not much. But I feel like she understands some. She even went potty for me after going in her pants. She likes the pull-ups. We've only been here for a few hours. Right now she, Sierra and Billy are taking a nap. It is super hot, more humid. It is overcast.
Willy and JJ, she remembers you. Love to all

We are off to Haiti to bring Emmi home!

I can't hardly believe it! She is actually coming home! Our precious little girl. God has been so good. The wait has been so long, 2 years almost to the date. But God has been preparing our family and our hearts for His plan as His will to be lived out. As I sit in my living room this morning just taking time to be quiet, rest and listen to God, I just felt this peace amongst all the craziness that is going on trying to get ready to leave. There is so much peace in His presence.

I sat here picturing Emmi walking around our living room, playing, swimming in the pool, swinging, reading books on the couch, cuddling while watching movies.....a lot of things she has never done. How this will rock her world. What a huge change we will all be going through. I haven't even been able to go there before, thinking of her actually here. I think I needed it to be more real. But God is faithful.

We(Billy, Sierra and I) leave on Sunday and will be home if all goes well on Saturday evening. Usually when families travel to get their children everything is all done and they are free to go, but the head lady, who does an amazing job by the way, is out of town with some family business. So we have to go and do her visa appointment. So a few things have to happen before we can bring her home. We would love all your prayers for a smooth week so we can actually come home on Saturday. On Tuesday we will go to her visa appointment, hopefully by then her medical is approved and ready, she had her appointment on Tuesday. Then we wait for them to issue the visa. It usually takes 2-4 days, unless something weird like the printer isn't working or a Haiti holiday, which is all the time. We will be staying there until we can bring her home. If all goes well we will be home by Saturday night!

Since I have been to Haiti 3 times before I'm not really nervous about meeting Emmi, but I am nervous about the visa appointment(on Tues) and meeting her mom. We do that on our way to the airport. How__________, I don't even know the words to say. So please pray for the words to show her Jesus' love and comfort her. I can't imagine watching my daughter leave for another country to live with another family.

I will try to post as much as I can, dependent on internet availability. Thanks again for all your support and love.

Fun Emmi video

Check out a video a friend who just came back from Haiti took for us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opA6eBc4lAk

We are getting close!

So for a quick update Emmi's paperwork has been approved by the USCIS and we are awaiting her visa appointment. We are so excited here and it is seeming finally real. I remember a few months ago when it seemed like it would never happen and here we are in June, by the way the month I claimed and she will be home. We may be traveling as soon as next week, so be praying for us. Specific requests-cheap tickets, safe travels, and soon visa appointment.