Sunday, June 29, 2014
It's been awhile..
I've been updating my Facebook page and realized that I haven't updated my blog in a while. We have been crazy busy this summer since I got back from Uganda. We decided to get a Private investigation done and a DNA test, to rule out any other possible surprises that could give the US Embassy any reason to deny us. So right now, we are waiting on 3 things...the new court ruling, the PI investigative report, and the DNA results. On Friday, the lady conducting our test went to get results and they came back inconclusive. She said that they are doing the test again on Monday in hopes to have a definitive answer. She said the testing company told her that this happens on occasion and it is nothing to be concerned about. Also, it has been 9 days since they went to court, and the judge took 9 days last time to issue the written ruling, so we are hoping that we will get that ruling early this week. If we can get that this week, that is all that's needed to go to the US Embassy appt...so I could possibly be going at the end of the week to Uganda...that way I can get an appt with the US Embassy next Monday or Wednesday. They only do appts on these days. But I had rather have the DNA and investigative report done before I leave, where I am not waiting for that while in country. It's not necessary for the Embassy, but I feel like it will give us more leverage for an approved case. So please pray for the ruling, and results of PI come back early this week where I can fly over at the end of the week!
Just wanted to update everyone, I have had lots of people ask what we are waiting on and I know it's all confusing to keep up with! I thought I was going to be there by now..but the tests and rulings are taking longer than anticipated (of course!)
Thank you all for your love and prayers and about those thank you notes....um, yeah I kinda stink at those these days. So many have done so much for our family and just know although I am being oh so "Un-southern" and not writing a thank you on my monogrammed paper (ha!) that I am beyond grateful for your meals and notes, and gifts , and prayers for our family these past few months!!
And lastly, for everyone who has donated so far to Francis' college fund, a huge thank you! If you are not on Facebook, you can see the link below and read all about a fundraiser I started a few days ago. We have already reached 35% of our goal, $1040.00! If you haven't donated, please consider it. If anyone deserves this gift that keeps on giving it is Francis!
https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/vfy4/francis-onyinge-s-college-fund
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Let Him Take Care of the Mountains...
I received the following in my inbox this morning from Francis in Uganda. If this man can't go to school to become a teacher then it would be a giant waste of a brilliant mind!
"Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:4-5.
" My dear Amy, many are the pains a mother goes through. Do not let any thing or any one take away what you did or what you are doing for Ellie here. Even one day with love is better than a thousand spent else where full of hate. Jesus is always perfecting our love for people, and I can assure you that it won't stop even in Heaven. Please don't look at the negative because when they are juxtaposed and contrasted with a second or a micro second of positive love and goodness extended to the least in our world, it pales in comparison. No, pale is too soft; it dies. Negativity dies in the presence of a stroke of positive. In this world you will meet a cocktail of people who do things that can break your heart or pinch your heart to the point of lifelessness, but do not give them that energy. You are too decent for that. You live above the emotional average. You are better. As a child of Jesus and His amazing follower, good, better and best and non starters. Excellent is where you start. The only condition for this in Christ is that we don't have to do this in our ability. Read Zachariah 4:6."t any thing or any one take away what you did or what you are doing for Ellie here. Even one day with love is better than a thousand spent else where fuJesus is always perfecting our love for people, and I can assure you that it won't stop even in Heaven. Please don't look at the negative because when they are juxtaposed and contrasted with a second or a micro second of positive love and goodness extended to the least in our world, it pales in comparison. No, pale is too soft; it dies. Negativity dies in the presence of a stroke of positive. In this world you will meet a cocktail of people who do things that can break your heart or pinch your heart to the point of lifelessness, but do not give them that energy. You are too decent for that. You live above the emotional average. You are better. As a child of Jesus and His amazing follower, good, better and best and non starters. Excellent is where you start. The only condition for this in Christ is that we don't have to do this in our ability. Read Zachariah 4:6."
I read Zachariah 4:6: "So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty."
God had promised through the prophet Zechariah the obstacles to Zerubbabel's task of rebuilding the Temple would be removed. He said , "Nothing, not even a mighty mountain will stand in Zerubbabel's way; it will flatten out before him!" (4:7)
He can turn mighty mountains into roadways of redemption. On this "journey" to Eliana, the only way to overcome obstacles is by faith in God's power to move these mountains. It can not and will not be my willful personality, or my sheer willpower...that's simply not enough to get through any roadblocks we will face....He made the mountains and He will tear them down in His time. In Zech. 4:10 He says, "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin."
Because of that promise...we will walk, step by step, and let Him take care of the mountains.
"Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:4-5.
" My dear Amy, many are the pains a mother goes through. Do not let any thing or any one take away what you did or what you are doing for Ellie here. Even one day with love is better than a thousand spent else where full of hate. Jesus is always perfecting our love for people, and I can assure you that it won't stop even in Heaven. Please don't look at the negative because when they are juxtaposed and contrasted with a second or a micro second of positive love and goodness extended to the least in our world, it pales in comparison. No, pale is too soft; it dies. Negativity dies in the presence of a stroke of positive. In this world you will meet a cocktail of people who do things that can break your heart or pinch your heart to the point of lifelessness, but do not give them that energy. You are too decent for that. You live above the emotional average. You are better. As a child of Jesus and His amazing follower, good, better and best and non starters. Excellent is where you start. The only condition for this in Christ is that we don't have to do this in our ability. Read Zachariah 4:6."t any thing or any one take away what you did or what you are doing for Ellie here. Even one day with love is better than a thousand spent else where fuJesus is always perfecting our love for people, and I can assure you that it won't stop even in Heaven. Please don't look at the negative because when they are juxtaposed and contrasted with a second or a micro second of positive love and goodness extended to the least in our world, it pales in comparison. No, pale is too soft; it dies. Negativity dies in the presence of a stroke of positive. In this world you will meet a cocktail of people who do things that can break your heart or pinch your heart to the point of lifelessness, but do not give them that energy. You are too decent for that. You live above the emotional average. You are better. As a child of Jesus and His amazing follower, good, better and best and non starters. Excellent is where you start. The only condition for this in Christ is that we don't have to do this in our ability. Read Zachariah 4:6."
I read Zachariah 4:6: "So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty."
God had promised through the prophet Zechariah the obstacles to Zerubbabel's task of rebuilding the Temple would be removed. He said , "Nothing, not even a mighty mountain will stand in Zerubbabel's way; it will flatten out before him!" (4:7)
He can turn mighty mountains into roadways of redemption. On this "journey" to Eliana, the only way to overcome obstacles is by faith in God's power to move these mountains. It can not and will not be my willful personality, or my sheer willpower...that's simply not enough to get through any roadblocks we will face....He made the mountains and He will tear them down in His time. In Zech. 4:10 He says, "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin."
Because of that promise...we will walk, step by step, and let Him take care of the mountains.
Friday, June 6, 2014
She isn't mine...
I got home and couldn't keep my eyes awake past 6:30. All of my mind wanted to enjoy the comforts of home and to relish in my boys, but my heart couldn't even bear the thought of Eliana and her sister being on a dirt floor somewhere, hungry, and mistreated. I know what she was like when I found her and I know I can't let that happen again. So after talking to John , we finally figured out how to dial Uganda from an American number and we spoke directly with Alone (the director). He wouldn't answer the attorney or Francis all day. I told him he had 2 choices...to have the girls ready to pick up when they woke up (it was nighttime there) or I will have cops at his home to arrest him in 10 minutes. I asked which would it be? He agreed to sending them with Francis, only if we had the paperwork with him to prove our guardianship order. So Francis got the order from our attorney, Rebecca, and today is getting them.
I heard from Rebecca, and she said the judge said that she is willing to resign papers and meet with the living mother to sign an irrevocable release because she saw the difference in Eliana while with me and she deserves to be with me. So as long as the mother will sign, we can move forward. Thankfully, I know she will be taken care of, fed, and treated the way she should be at Arise and Shine. My friend told Sharon, the lady who runs it, thank you. She said, "I have to take care of these babies. Who else will?" People like this....how do they help others so abundantly when they have nothing themselves? They live in a place that is so hopeless and depressing and still..just continue to nurture others every single day. So inspiring and I just pray one day I have that much spirit, patience, and love and can help others as they have me.
I read this morning in my devotional,
I heard from Rebecca, and she said the judge said that she is willing to resign papers and meet with the living mother to sign an irrevocable release because she saw the difference in Eliana while with me and she deserves to be with me. So as long as the mother will sign, we can move forward. Thankfully, I know she will be taken care of, fed, and treated the way she should be at Arise and Shine. My friend told Sharon, the lady who runs it, thank you. She said, "I have to take care of these babies. Who else will?" People like this....how do they help others so abundantly when they have nothing themselves? They live in a place that is so hopeless and depressing and still..just continue to nurture others every single day. So inspiring and I just pray one day I have that much spirit, patience, and love and can help others as they have me.
I read this morning in my devotional,
“SEEK MY FACE, and you will find fulfillment of your deepest longings. My world is filled with beautiful things; they are meant to be pointers to Me, reminders of My abiding Presence. The earth still declares My Glory to those who have eyes that see and ears that hear.
You had a darkened mind before you sought Me wholeheartedly. I chose to pour My Light into you, so that you can be a beacon to others. There is no room for pride in this position. You part is to reflect My Glory. I am the Lord.”
Psalm 105:4 – Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 19:1-2 – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
Isaiah 60:2 – See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
I had a very hard time understanding this morning when I woke up (at 1 am our time by the way) the whys of this situation. Then I read this and I have peace. I want to have "eyes that see and ears that hear." I want to see the "beautiful things" that God has shown us so far. I got a slap across the face almost that He said "She is not yours. She never was. She never will be. She is MINE. You are mine. Your kids are mine. Your husband is mine." Why am I to feel like something was taken from me that was never mine to begin with? Pride? As I read this passage..it clearly says "There is no room for pride in this position." It is all for HIS glory. It's His story to tell. Not mine. And what a beautiful story she is.
 |
| First day we met Eliana |
 |
| Far left is last day |
Goodbye
The call came from Jen, Rebeccas mom at about 1 pm, as the girls were going down to nap. She said "I have bad news. There is a mom that is alive. They went to the fathers grave and found a mom living at the home the father was buried." I felt like the earth just collapsed. I panicked , didn't know who to call, or what to do. I called the US Embassy, got no good news, called my attorney, she was shocked and heartbroken and completely at a loss for words. She was angry of course. I called Jen back and we spoke for a while and agreed I had to come home, Francis would take Eliana to her medical, thank God I got her passport that morning already. That deserves a whole post in itself...that whole experience. Let's just say I have never been so thankful to be American.
So we called the orphanage director, and his brother came. But first, we had a huge meal. Pizza, pita bread, ice cream, chocolate cake, and any candy they wanted to eat. I brushed their teeth and mom packed their bags. They were so happy and full and played with bubbles and laughed and laughed. They had no idea what was going on.
We walked them down to the car to meet Francis and the orphanage director's brother, and they even got in and waved. They thought we were coming too. We always have... But we didn't. We cried and cried and went back upstairs to an empty room. It was horrible. The worst thing either of us has ever had to do. Then suddenly via Facebook I spoke with a sweet friend, Amanda Morgan, she is a FB adoption friend. We have never met but she has saved me numerous times in this process. She knew of a lady named Sharon who is willing to watch them at Arise and Shine in Jinja until we can sort anything out and see if there is a chance we can work this out. So I called Francis, to get the kids. BUT, Alone (the director) would not give them back. He said he is taking them. I screamed and demanded and told him I was having him arrested but to no avail. We drove to the airport in silence, through bumpy backroads and Francis prayed another amazing prayer and gave me his strong words of encouragement. As always. That man never fails to surprise me. He is undoubtably one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. I say beautiful not in the way I would have ever thought beautiful was before being in Uganda. Beautiful is not our bodies or in our possessions. True beauty is Francis. His heart for God. His light always shining in his actions and words. THAT is real beauty...he will be a lifelong friend. So we got on that plane that night and had no idea where the girls were or if they were ok. It was devastating.
The flights home were uneventful and long of course. We cried on and off and wondered why. Then we finally landed in Nashville.
John and my boys greeted me with lots of flowers and hugs and love and I couldn't quit crying as I hugged them. I, even now, can't quit crying. It's just so bitter sweet..being home, but having a piece of my heart still missing still on the other side of the world.
So we called the orphanage director, and his brother came. But first, we had a huge meal. Pizza, pita bread, ice cream, chocolate cake, and any candy they wanted to eat. I brushed their teeth and mom packed their bags. They were so happy and full and played with bubbles and laughed and laughed. They had no idea what was going on.
We walked them down to the car to meet Francis and the orphanage director's brother, and they even got in and waved. They thought we were coming too. We always have... But we didn't. We cried and cried and went back upstairs to an empty room. It was horrible. The worst thing either of us has ever had to do. Then suddenly via Facebook I spoke with a sweet friend, Amanda Morgan, she is a FB adoption friend. We have never met but she has saved me numerous times in this process. She knew of a lady named Sharon who is willing to watch them at Arise and Shine in Jinja until we can sort anything out and see if there is a chance we can work this out. So I called Francis, to get the kids. BUT, Alone (the director) would not give them back. He said he is taking them. I screamed and demanded and told him I was having him arrested but to no avail. We drove to the airport in silence, through bumpy backroads and Francis prayed another amazing prayer and gave me his strong words of encouragement. As always. That man never fails to surprise me. He is undoubtably one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. I say beautiful not in the way I would have ever thought beautiful was before being in Uganda. Beautiful is not our bodies or in our possessions. True beauty is Francis. His heart for God. His light always shining in his actions and words. THAT is real beauty...he will be a lifelong friend. So we got on that plane that night and had no idea where the girls were or if they were ok. It was devastating.
The flights home were uneventful and long of course. We cried on and off and wondered why. Then we finally landed in Nashville.
John and my boys greeted me with lots of flowers and hugs and love and I couldn't quit crying as I hugged them. I, even now, can't quit crying. It's just so bitter sweet..being home, but having a piece of my heart still missing still on the other side of the world.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Weekends are SLOWWWWW
So the weekends here are very slow so we are trying to stay busy and stay outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. It is very pleasant here, cooler than home even. During rainy season (which we are in) , the weather is very nice because the rain keeps it cooler. We are getting in a good rhythm with naps and bedtime...they usually go down for a nap around 1:00 so thats a good time to blog and catch up on some computer stuff.
The first 2 weeks weren't too bad and now into the 3rd week, I am really missing my boys (all 4 of them). It is much worse on the weekend when we have no immediate goals to work on. Also, there are Ugandan holidays coming up...which means offices are closed. So medicals are only done on M, T and F and they are closed this Tuesday for Martyrs Day so I don't know if we can finish medicals like I anticipated this week? Also, the Embassy only does appts on Mon and Wed. and they are closed next Monday for National Hero's Day! So we couldn't get our Embassy appt on that day either. So if every star aligned and we got medicals done this week and then we could do our Embassy appt. next Wed. then we could pick up our visa on that Friday. But the chances of that happening are very slim:(
We will just have to wait and leave it all in God's Hands because it is nothing we can control!
Leaving the hotel here is hard..the pollution automatically gives me a bad headache and the smell of most of the people here is stifling. Body odor is a serious, major problem here! No one seems to notice or care though!
I was warned about this waiting period, and how hard it is, but I have to just soldier through it and keep as busy as we can. I miss TN so bad, I may kiss the ground when I return!
The girls are doing great. They seem to be having a big ole time here....but I suppose swimming and playing all day isn't so bad huh? They love the pool, so I took them down there all morning to play, then we went to lunch and waiting our usual hour for a cheese pizza:) They have been patient, and I am learning how girls operate now. Much different than boys for sure! Prayers for a good, productive Monday here...that we can pick up the passport and begin our Medicals this week. If we get that done...it's just one more stop until we are Tennessee bound! Of course I will keep everyone posted!!
The first 2 weeks weren't too bad and now into the 3rd week, I am really missing my boys (all 4 of them). It is much worse on the weekend when we have no immediate goals to work on. Also, there are Ugandan holidays coming up...which means offices are closed. So medicals are only done on M, T and F and they are closed this Tuesday for Martyrs Day so I don't know if we can finish medicals like I anticipated this week? Also, the Embassy only does appts on Mon and Wed. and they are closed next Monday for National Hero's Day! So we couldn't get our Embassy appt on that day either. So if every star aligned and we got medicals done this week and then we could do our Embassy appt. next Wed. then we could pick up our visa on that Friday. But the chances of that happening are very slim:(
We will just have to wait and leave it all in God's Hands because it is nothing we can control!
Leaving the hotel here is hard..the pollution automatically gives me a bad headache and the smell of most of the people here is stifling. Body odor is a serious, major problem here! No one seems to notice or care though!
I was warned about this waiting period, and how hard it is, but I have to just soldier through it and keep as busy as we can. I miss TN so bad, I may kiss the ground when I return!
The girls are doing great. They seem to be having a big ole time here....but I suppose swimming and playing all day isn't so bad huh? They love the pool, so I took them down there all morning to play, then we went to lunch and waiting our usual hour for a cheese pizza:) They have been patient, and I am learning how girls operate now. Much different than boys for sure! Prayers for a good, productive Monday here...that we can pick up the passport and begin our Medicals this week. If we get that done...it's just one more stop until we are Tennessee bound! Of course I will keep everyone posted!!
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