New Photos...YAY!

So, the girl that we thought we'd be traveling with arrived in Uganda on friday morning. After a 5...F I V E...hour journey by van they group arrived in Jinja. She met her boys for the first time!

Before she left, she told me that she'd be sure to take pics of our boys. ;o) I received 2 this a.m. She says she has lots more, but hasn't had time to download just yet.

Jeremiah

Would you look at that SMILE!?!?! Mandy told me that when he arrived at the orphanage as a baby, he was very sullen and withdrawn. It doesn't look like that now, does it?

Also, notice the little lily-like flowers in his hair. The boy likes flowers. ;o) Mandy also told us this and said...and I quote..."He's not a f*ggy boy." She told us the story of when she took over the home several years ago, that she really didn't know what to expect from the children. When she went to check things out in Uganda, she arrived to all these de-headed lilies. The workers thought she'd be angry because the children destroyed the plants. Her response? "Oh thank God, they're normal!" They found beauty in a sad situation...

In our family book, I dedicated two whole pages to some of the flower pots, and beds I have here at the house just for Jeremiah. ;o) I told him we'd go to the store and everyone could pick a flower and we would put them in their own pots. :o)

Daniel

He had a bo-bo on his nose. ;o) He's one little guy, isn't he? Mandy says that he has more clear words than he did her last visit (which I think was Oct. 08). I am so excited about that. I cannot wait to see these guys.

I'm sure we'll be getting some of Alan as well. Internet is patchy over there, so I feel like these pics are a huge blessing. :o)

I'm starting to think that maybe I will take my laptop. She bought a simcard for guests to use on their computer. She is doing this in the evening and I think that might be a good time for me to update as well. We'll see.

About a year ago...

About a year ago, in April 08, some friends of ours went before the church one Sunday morning. They projected two pictures on the wall behind them. One was William. The other was Marissa.

My thoughts at the time, "Oh. Cute kids."

That's it.

I was happy for them. I wanted to pray for them. And that's as far as it went.

In May, they came to the church/school picnic, and by that time, I was really excited for them. I was excited they were going to have a long layover in London (even though someone was not that eager to see it...and to this day is unimpressed) to get out and stretch and see a tiny bit of the city. I was excited that they would be meeting their littles for the first time and very curious as to how that would go.

Fast forward to November 08, during a Sunday School lesson, Mike made a observation that the first words God spoke to Man and Woman was, "Be fruitful and multiply...". Well. That did me in and I cried the rest of the day. (It has been 11 almost 12 years since I carried/birthed a baby and I really wanted to, and for now, it isn't possible.) I ran into the Nursery and sat there with Amy, April, and someone else, I think. They listened. Amy said, "I'm going to ask you a question that I was asked." "Ok..." "Have you considered adoption?"

Huh?! We had never considered adoption. Not once. We were not closed to the idea and certainly not against it, but never considered it for ourselves. So I pondered on that a week. Prayed. Sought the Lord.

Next Sunday, MORE crying. ugh...it gets old after a while.

I totally lost it when I heard that Amy's family was moving (and still don't like it). Melissa just looked at me and said, "What is wrong? This can't be just because Amy is moving!" I blubbered, "I want to adopt!"

After church, Amy, April, and Melissa (I think) sat down at a picnic table and I joined them. They asked if I had told Jeff. I said, No. Amy said, "Let's do an experiment. Let's pray that the Lord will speak to Jeff about adoption." We went home and that night I told Jeff what I was thinking.

Shocked is an understatement. He said he'd pray about it...which I don't think he did for the first few weeks. I think he was nervous, and didn't want to know what God thought on the matter.

However, when he did start to pray and think about it, he came to me and said he thought this was something we should do. WOW.

Then I freaked out! I questioned him up one side and down the other. I really thought he would say no, and we would move on, and life would go back to normal. When he said yes, I blew a gasket. I really thought it was crazy, and that God certainly was not calling us to do this. I wanted to go back to my safe little life. I was scared to death!

Ha ha. And now look at me...a mom to 5 boys. Those 3 boys are just about to meet us, and us them. We are total strangers. We know nothing about each other. And yet I am their mother. I don't know what they eat, if they have likes or dislikes, what their personalities are like...but if you think about it, what Mom knows these things about her baby? Yes, a 'birth mom' has 9 months to get used to the idea that a baby will be arriving soon...but I have had that time too, 7 months to get used to the idea that 3 little boys will be joining our family very soon. Even a baby born to a Mother are total strangers. At least, that is how I felt when Joshua and Caleb were born. We had to get to know each other. And we did! ;o)

We are still waiting for our immigration papers. Maybe by the end of next week we can start to expect them.

This has been one wild ride so far. And it isn't over yet. However, I have lots of encouragement at my fingertips.

"For as the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so is the Lord round about His people from henceforth, even forever." Psalm 125:2

Kori wins!

She guessed first, and got it right. We welcome our 5th son, Alan, into the Dodson fold.

He'll be 5 in July. We are so excited, a bit nervous, abundantly blessed.

*****

Update.

Why we decided to add Alan to our family...the short story. When our homestudy came through, and we were approved for 3, I called our director to let her know. Her first response was, "Oh don't worry, you can still just have the two. Unless...you were thinking otherwise?"

Ha ha. Yes. I was secretly thinking otherwise.

I asked, "Is there another child?" She told me of Alan, who recently had a bit of a hurtful experience. She conveyed the story and my heart melted. But what about Jeff. What about the boys?

So I approached Jeff cautiously. He was open. We continued to talk and pray tons.

What about J and C? Well, little did I know, they overheard the entire conversation with the director. Over the next week, Alan was center stage. They had so many good questions. They were very concerned for him. And. They continued to say, "Too bad we can't adopt him, too." Or, my personal favorite from Caleb, "Mom, if God can provide for us to adopt two boys, do you think he could provide for us to adopt three?" Good Lord. "What do you think, Caleb?" "Yes. God can do it. He made the world. He can do it."

And yes, I cried. (and am doing so now.)

Alan tipped the scales to joy overflowing in Joshua. That was huge. Joshua was always excited, but I think very nervous about the whole adoption and how it would change our family. But when he heard about Alan, those feelings subsided.

When we asked them what they thought (after about a week of prayer on our part), Joshua responded, "Well. I think I would really like him to be in our family."

Caleb said, "If Alan could be my brother, my heart would burst."

:o)

So we called the director, and told her the news. "It's unanimous. We want Alan!" Her sweet response, "Thank you Jesus. You've made my day."

Sooooo, I am now Mom to 5 boys. I am still a bit nervous about handling all this energy, but I think in time we'll find our groove and settle in nicely.

Yay God!

ready

This huge stack of paper represents about 3 months of my life. It didn't need to take that long to gather. However, it did. Now it is ready to fly out of my house as soon as our 3rd homestudy arrives. It will come sometime on Monday. Depending on the time it arrives, our file will either go out Monday or Tuesday overnighted to California.

Mandy leaves on the 30th. She wants to carry it over to Uganda. Which is much safer than DHL.

Yesterday, when I discovered that our HS was incorrectly notarzied I sat down on the floor and cried. I could not believe it. It has taken nearly 3 months just to get our homestudy correct. Part of that was due to my birth certificate fiasco, but the other was just 'operator errror'.

Jeff called the social worker. I couldn't do it. I was beyond frustrated. While he talked to her, I went to the grocery and purchased paper plates. I did. I couldn't handle another thing. I just wanted my lunch on a plate I could toss in the trash. *sigh*

When I got home Joshua saw the plates. He said, "Oh. Thank God, paper plates."

;o)

I responded, "Exactly." That boy knows a thing or two. :o) We must be raising him right.

So here's what I know:

Yes, God is Sovereign

Yes, His timing is perfect.

Yes, He is teaching me patience.

Yes, I am a sinner.

Yes, I want it done NOW, forget this patience thing.

Yes, I am a sinner.

And my favorite two words in all the Bible..."But God". Take a sec and look up those words in a concordance and see what you find.

Yippee!

Just heard from our social worker. She is getting our homestudy notarized THIS WEEK. Once we get it, we're off to immigration. Yeehaw!

Currently, we're under construction.

See those greens? They're not staying. I like that darker one on the left, however, we've decided to use the red we used in the boy's room for that wall. I had my heart set on green. It's so cheerful, however, none of the greens we've tried look good at all times of day in all different types of light. It looks so cheerful though.

The shed gets started tomorrow. Once that is done, the third bedroom will be started. All this is being done to get ready for the younguns headed our way. :o)

Tuesday

Lord willing, my paperwork will be ready for me on Tuesday of next week. I am so excited I can hardly stand the wait. ;o)

I will be in H-town then, so I may be able to get the papers myself from the lawyer. I hope to go to Austin on Thursday or Friday a.m. and present my request for new birth certificate.

We are doing our very best to have every thing ready so once the BC is done, we can then proceed with the next step. YAY.

Our house closing keeps getting postponed. ARG. However, I know it is God's plan. So I am not going to waste time harping on that. (I'm good at that. Harping. So not now, ok?)

Overwhelmed

God is so good. He is true to His word.



Please remember back, if you will, that weird moment where I shared about my dream. (yes, that still sounds completely kooky to me.) That Voice? ... Still. Quiet. Commanding.



"It's all paid for."



The adoption is all paid for. :o) Yes, there are still other fees and expenses involved. However, at this point in time I do not believe I will be quibbling with the LORD about those. I am certain He can handle even them.


I've blogged about it over here as well, so sorry for the double ~ yet slightly different post.


Unbeknownst to me, this check arrived in the mail yesterday around noon. I was in the middle of school with the boys, then errands, then practices...sigh...until about 5pm. Once home, I looked through the mail and saw the envelope.


"Hmmm, what's this?"


I opened it. I think time stood sill for a while as I laughed, cried, paced, knelt, and sat~awed at the provision of the Lord.


I knew a check was in the works. However, until I saw it it just wasn't real to me.


People. IT'S REAL.


I have replayed all those questions I've had over and over the last day or so, and they've since evaporated. I know in my soul that God has ordained this journey of ours.


"Now to Him who is able to do FAR MORE abudantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20,21

GO HERE if you want to read details.

Good News + 2 Prayer Requests

I spoke with Mandy today. One of the new missionaries that has gone over to Welcome Home will be teaching Daniel (and Jeremiah, I think) sign language! She knows ASL and will be teaching him the basics. :o) That means once we're over there, the missionary can let me know what she's taught him and we'll be able to talk easily. Once home, we can pursue hearing aids. Yay!

Jeff called the lawyer about 5 minutes ago, and I have updates! All adoption records are sealed. The request to unseal my records is on the judge's desk. The lawyer's secretary has a pop up reminder on her computer to call every 2 hours to check to see if it has been unsealed. Once it is unsealed, they will send a courrier over to retrieve the documents. The changes have already been made on another form which can immediately go back into the unsealed file and back to the Judge. At that point, he can either decide to make the corrections without a hearing OR have another hearing. Since I was an adult when I was adopted, the attorney thinks it will be no problem for the judge to sign off on the changes. Once they're signed off, I believe I can get the file and take it to Vital Statistics in Austin myself.

**PLEASE PRAY this will all happen speedily.**

God CAN make a way for this to occur lickety-split. ;o) I know these things.

I know all things are working on His time table and not mine. His ways are higher than mine. His thoughts are higher than mine. He knows absolute best. Period.

Our refinance is coming along nicely. Our home was appraised at a much higher value than we had expected! That means we will have enough funds to renovate the house and get our 3rd bedroom, shed, fence, etc. easily. Our house payment will stay about the same, YAY! We had hoped for lower, but we're happy with the same payment with more living space.

All that's left for us to do: get insurance worked out, and classes. We've been stalling on those two things until my certificate gets ironed out.

PRAYER REQUEST #2: There is a new judge. He is very gruff. He has been approving the adoptions but is very diligent in going over every last bit of paperwork, and grilling the applicants (that'd be us) in the court room. Mandy says he's very good at his job, upholds the law, etc. but is like a tom who marks his territory with his stamp of approval. We will also have two court dates instead of one. He chooses to see the children independently of each other. That requires extra trips to "K city". Pray that we will have favor in the eyes of the judge, for kindness, meekness, and respectful actions on our part. I have a feeling that we will be tested with many frustrations while there. My hope is that Jeff and I will treat all we meet with Christ-like kindness, love, grace, integrity. I do not want us harboring bitterness or sarcasmn in our hearts because it will show on our face and in our tone of voice. I want a genuine love for the people and honor for all the gov't workers to flow freely from each of us while we are there.

One Happy Family

(Just for the record: as soon as this blog can go public, it's being imported to Typepad. Just sayin. Blogger makes me angry. Yes. Blogger. Not any sin within me. It's Blogger, 100%. I need line breaks people! Is that too much to ask!?!!?)

Y'all know I'm kidding about that sin part, right?

As part of our adoption process, we have to make a family story book. We had to photoshop in Daniel and Jeremiah. Since Jeff sort of knows how to do that he took over that job. I just put everything together once it was done. Let me just say for the record --this is a different record than the previous one mentioned--we are going to LAUGH about this book for years to come people! At one point, I was on the verge of tears. Poor Jeremiah looked like he had a bite taken out of his little head!!! Aye. :o) Sorry J, we love you...we can get a little silly around here.

It has to be simple for the kids to focus on us and not cute artwork. Imagnine ME not doing anything CUTE to a scrapbook. I'm all about simple, but this one consists of a picture and a caption. Period. But don't you worry your pretty little head, I'll make up some CUTE family story books for each boy. :o) Cuz that's what I do.

Joshua and Caleb each wrote a short, personal note. Now they're begging to buy something fun for their brothers... :o)

Baby Pictures

Daniel

Jeremiah

***

Needing a lift after all this paperwork meltdown.

:o)

Disappointment

On Saturday, I emailed the orphanage director with a prayer request. I asked her to pray about taking Josh and Caleb with us to Uganda. Everyone stateside says, "Take them!" We say, "We want to!" However, when I asked her to pray about us taking them, I also asked the Lord to guide us with her answer. Not only did she pray, but her husband, and several board members. They all said, "No". She gave some reasons. I am sure I could cause a stink and force my way. However, I did ask the Lord to guide us through her answer. So now I must trust the Lord that He did indeed guide us for the best. I am very disappointed. They both want to go so badly. I think it would be wonderful for them. But God thinks differently and I must, beyond a shadow of doubt trust He is for our good and not evil. He is. He is for our good.

Jeremiah and Daniel,

Please know your brothers wanted to come to Uganda to meet you. They wanted to see where you have lived for the first 4 years of your life, to see your homeland, culture---although I don't think they realize what that means exactly. :o) It was a way for them to get to know you better and to understand from where you come. They are very excited for you to come home.

~Mommy

AW Tozer

"God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.

What a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves."

***

Do you do this? Just plan things you can only do by yourself. I sure do. I think that is one thing our adoption has made me realize. How often to I really depend on God to provide, act, etc. on my behalf because I can't? Not often.

Support Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

The Dodson Family (Jeff, Laura, Joshua and Caleb) greets you! We are pleased to announce a new turn of events in our family. The Lord has laid on our hearts the desire to adopt two little boys from Africa. Surprise! :o)

Their names are Jeremiah (4) and Daniel (3).


Jeremiah was abandoned about 2 years ago in a local hospital. He has lived at the orphanage for 2 years. When he came to the home as a baby, he was very sullen and withdrawn. You can see by the photo above that his smile has traveled to his eyes. God has placed him in a loving environment where he is taught about Jesus everyday and cared for by a “Mama” (a local woman from the village) during the day at the home. He is close to aging out (age 6) of the orphanage. Once that happens, his country will consider him a permanent orphan and become ineligible for adoption.

Daniel was also abandoned about 2 years ago on a roadside near a school. The school children were dismissed at the end of the day, and Daniel was found. He has lived at the orphanage ever since. He has the same “Mama” as Jeremiah. They are considered brothers and will be adopted together. Daniel has moderate hearing impairment. His left ear has little hearing and his right has about 50% hearing. He will need a hearing aid once he gets to the states. I’ve not seen one photo of him smiling. I am assuming it is partially due to his hearing loss. It has been suggested that he should learn sign language while he can still hear just in case he loses the rest of his hearing. Lord willing, he won’t lose any more! Thankfully, I know some ASL, and what I don’t know, I can learn.

These boys need a forever family, loving home, a couple of brothers and some cats! :o) That’s US! The Lord has been faithful to give us encouragement through good friends and His Word.

“In love He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:5-6

“He who calls you is faithful who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 4:24

I (Laura) have first hand experience. At the age of 24, I was adopted. Even though my circumstances were vastly different than those of Jeremiah and Daniel, I can say with all confidence there is a distinct feeling deep inside to know beyond a shadow of a doubt, I am wanted. I consider my adoption day as one of the most special days of my life.

Taking care of children doesn’t have to be costly, however, the adoption process is. Some of the expenses include documentation, classes, medical, legal and travel expenses. We will need to travel to Africa for an extended stay of 5 weeks for court dates, transitioning the children to our care, and finally, bringing them home. :o)

Would you please keep our family in your prayers? We serve a very BIG GOD who provides for all our needs in ways we cannot begin to imagine. We are confident He will.


In His Service,
The Dodson Family

*****

Jeremiah and Daniel,

This is the letter Mommy and Daddy sent out to all our friends and family asking for their prayer support. You have no idea that you have a family right now. :o) We are praying for the Lord to move mightily on your behalf and for His name! Our hope is that through our adoption, many will see the goodness of our God. He cares for you both! He is working right this very moment to bring you into a forever family who loves you very much. I cannot imagine how our very big God is going to work, but I trust that He will. We hope to meet you very soon.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

odd

The other night, well, morning, I was dreaming. I have no clue what the dream was about. During the dream, there was a Voice that spoke clearly. The Voice overrided (overrid?) what was happening in the dream. The Voice was one of authority. It said, "It's all paid for." I woke with a start, and asked, "Lord? What was that? Was that You?" ??? I knew the Voice was talking about the adoption. And just so you know, that has NEVER happened to me before. Ever. Ever. So, I'm just one big question mark right now. I'm not sure what it was, if it was just part of a crazy dream, or more significant than that. I just don't know. But I figured I better record it just in case it was significant.

{the house files}

Pics taken and uploaded to the store for processing. :o) I love this feature. I don't have to make two trips to the big box. Just one! And do you know how happy that makes me??? Verrrry. Now I can cross another item off my list...and the rest of the list is really up to Mr. Hub except the pet vaccination records. :o) Smiiiiiiling.

Conformity

**Update** I jumped off.

I jumped on the 'decorate-your-blog-bandwagon' through Cutest Blog on the Block. Talk about easy peasy. Lots of the designs are cutsie...I'm not so much. I think this one is a bit more classy than cute...

Of course, this has absolutely nothing to do with adoption. :o)

Jeff and I had a good talk last night before bed. It really helped me put things in perspective. I have such a godly man for a husband. God has been so good to me.

Jeff asked how he could help me and I shared a few things with him. He has been learning to lead and I've been learning to follow. :o) It's making all the difference in our marriage, especially now when there's so much to do and so little we can control...what am I saying?!?! When are we ever in control? God in His Sovereignty knows what is happening and I need to trust Him fully and not rely on myself.

Now, I must go finish picking up around the house so I can take some pics for our files. :o)

{only 7 left}

Only 7 documents left to complete our Home Study file. Most have to be done by Jeff. Then we move on to WH, our agency, documents. Also, the i600a for the both of us, fingerprinting...and gobs of money to dispense to all these wonderful folks who are helping us move along the winding path of adoption.

Jeff and I went up to the front of church today to pray with friends. I've been stressing about accumulating all this paperwork for the files and yesterday pretty well topped the chart. Today has been much better. I think it helped to check some boxes off the main list after church this a.m.

In order to take that curve, we'll need money and lots of it. About $13,ooo. Most goes to WH, and then some to immigration, passports, and other stuff... Lord?

Quietly Waiting...not so much

"Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him."

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

.

Lamenatations 3:21-26

***

So. I had a big hairy freak out while making blueberry muffins this a.m. ??? Jeff was telling me about an idea he had, and I flipped.

.

"I can only think about one thing at a time right now. Please let me just think about one thing!"

.

"What is it that you want to think about?"

.

"Blueberry Muffins!!!! Ok?!?!"

.

"Oooohkaaaay."

.

:o) or maybe ;o(

Aye. I'm better now. God is teaching me to rely on Him 24/7...I'm a slow learner.

Follow the Leader

About two+ weeks ago, our family embarked on a journey. An adoption journey. This is all still very new to me. The paper work is overwhelming...which I was told it would be, however, I had no idea. I am so busy trying to get all the documentation together + educate my boys + get them to their afterschool practices that I am a bit overwhelmed.

However, God is so good. He has given me a husband who is so strong and confident. He keeps me going when I feel like I'm going under.

We have already spoken with our social worker and the director of the orphanage. I really like both these women so much. They have allayed my fears, speak God's truth, and have the best interest of the children at heart.

The scoop.

We have committed to two boys from Africa. Jeremiah (4) and Daniel (3). They're a sibling group which means they're not biological brothers but have been trained to be brothers. They were both abandoned around the same time about two years ago. The little guys paired up and have been buddies ever since. Now, Lord willing, they'll be forever brothers and have a forever Daddy, Mummy, and 2 more brothers.

Daniel is hearing impaired. The hearing on his left side is minimal and his right has about 50% hearing. He will need a hearing aide once he arrives. Not only are we trusting the Lord for His provision for all the financial fees an adoption incurs but also for their medical expenses. We have insurance for them, but I know that Daniel will need some extensive care once he reaches US soil. We've been told to go on and teach him sign language while he can still hear (really, in case his hearing gets worse or lost altogether). Thankfully, I know it. :o) Rusty, but able. I'll have to brush up...actually, we'll learn together.

Jeremiah is a cutie. His smile is infectious. The director said his smile has finally travelled up to his eyes. :o)

Is this really going to happen?

Is the Lord really going to provide?

Will we really have children by June?

Will we be a happy family...all 6 of us?

Will I be a good adoptive mom?

Will the boys be ok while we're in Africa?

Questions, upon questions roll around in my head all day...despite these, I've begun the process of purchasing tiny goodies for the boys. Time will tell. You'll be my witness.