Our Friends Need Your Help!!

Hey friends! I know that many of you that read my blog are adoptive families or have a big heart for adoption. Some of our friends, Debra & Ernest Parker have adopted a little boy named Ronel from Haiti, but b/c of tons of red tape after the earthquake, they are having to fight to get him home. Please take 10 minutes and help this family. Below is a blog written by Robbie Seay (of the Robbie Seay band...close friends of the Parkers) as well as a list of some govt officials you can call. Please take a few minutes to help this precious family!! Thanks!



"...Because of new restrictions in Haiti over the last few days, they have yet to bring him home from Port-Au-Prince. Ernest is ending day 4 by sleeping on the floor of the US embassy in PAP with Ronel at his side. The US ambassador, his local congressman & the state dept. have been very little help at this point. We are asking that each of you read the story of Ronel below and take 20 minutes today to call/tweet/FB and email the govt contacts at the end of this email. We are hoping for 2k people to join us today in making these officials aware of the Parker’s struggle and urge them to take action today. After calling, please RT, facebook message, email your address book & alert any media outlets you can for the Parker’s.”

Ronel was a part of the same group of kids that Amos and other friends of ours were a part of. He was supposed to be on that military plane that landed in Orlando, carrying Amos. He should have been home last week. He was one of the kids that didn’t get approval, and he was left behind. As I continue to rejoice for Amos, my heart breaks for Ernest & Debra.
Here’s what my friend Troy Livesay wrote the day Amos left:

“Later in the evening after dinner, the truck returned from the airport where 27 children were flying to meet their new parents. In the front seat of the truck was Ronel, the 6-7 year old that was staying in my room. I asked why he was still here and Tara told me it was because they needed one more paper for him. The other children got to go. She said she hoped they could get the needed paperwork tomorrow. I would never wish for you to see the disappointment on Ronel’s face because it would crush your heart… it did mine. It was dark and the power was off. He went into our room, laid down on the bed, pulled the sheets up and sobbed. It was so sad. Tara came in and talked to him in Kreole… I’m not sure what she said but I know she was trying to comfort him. After a time she got up and left as I sat across the room. I could not leave him by himself. I went over and motioned for him to move over and I laid down next to him. The tears were pouring out of him. He was still in his new [travel] clothes as he fell asleep.”

Three days ago, Ernest flew down to try to get him out. Debra posted on her blog “I did not know I would literally have to fight for him.”
Because of UNICEF’s new involvement, the process has once again been stalled for people in legit pending adoptions, such as Ronel. Ernest got word that the US is deciding to comply with a request from the Haitian government. That request is to approve of all children who leave the country after they have been cleared by the United States. France and Canada have not complied and are getting their waiting children home.
Please pray for this situation to be resolved swiftly and also spend time contacting these officials and pass along to as many friends as possible to join the Parker’s side. (read more of the story on Debra’s blog)

HERE ARE THE OFFICIALS TO CONTACT, IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE TO THE PARKER’S CASE.

SOME TALKING POINTS:Be specific about the Parkers, the adoption is already finalized but red tape is delaying their release, sleeping on the floor in PAP at the US embassy, please do all you can to help, etc..

**contacting Congressman Poe by all means below is encouraged

U.S Congressman Ted Poe
Washington office – 202-225-6565
Kingwood,Tx office – 281-446-0242
Facebook: Ted Poe
Twitter: JudgeTedPoe

Raymond Joseph
Haitian Ambassador to US
embassy@haiti.org
p 202-332-4090
f 202-745-7215

Kenneth H Merten
US Ambassador to Haiti
Tabarre 41,
Blvd 15 Octobre
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Haiti-earthquake@state.gov
P 509 22 29 8000
F 509 22 29 8028

Hilary Clinton/Dept of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Main Switchboard:202-647-4000

Honesty

• Hi friends
• My name is Rachel: AKA blog writing failure
• I am so tired.
• I knew this transition would be difficult, but I really had no idea it would be THIS.DIFFICULT!
• Did I mention I'm so tired?
• My laundry is piled up & overflowing out of my hamper & it is now taller than me.
• I can't believe I just admitted that, but I'm just keepin' it real.
• I've been wearing underwear from college this week b/c I'd rather wear old too-small underwear than do laundry right now.
• I am so tired.
• Jane does not take naps.
• I don't know if I can mother a child who does not take naps.
• I mean, I will of course, b/c I'm committed to that kid for life, but seriously?? No naps?? This Mama needs a mid-day break!
• I have discovered that I can go 2.5 days without a shower.
• I have also discovered that I am more selfish than I could have ever imagined.
• I cannot figure out how to fit my quiet time into my "new normal". I am seriously working so hard to build it back into my day but it is really tough. I set my alarm for 6 this morning to get up before everyone & lo & behold, Ava wakes up at 5:30.
• My day is a mess when I don't start with my Jesus time.
• I am so thankful that God still loves me even when I can't seem to get my act together.
• I know that I want/need to blog about our trip so I can have a record of it, but honestly it's the last thing I want to do at the end of the day.
• I have been overwhelmed thinking about Haiti. My heart just breaks for the people there.
• Sometimes I feel like my world has become very small. I wonder if I am making any impact at all. Motherhood is tough sometimes. It is such a constant flesh vs. Spirit battle. At least for me it is.
• I am addicted to Jon Foreman's music.
• Sometimes I look at Jane & I'm so overwhelmed that she is home & in my arms...so full of joy & awe at what God has done. Other times I look at her & think...what have we gotten ourselves into. But that's usually just when she's screaming & not taking a nap.
• Why won't she take a nap?
• Why are hot tamales so good?
• Why does every other post of mine include something about hot tamales?
• I can't remember what to feed a 14 month old.
• I hate dogs. But I wish I had a dog--but only a mealtime dog that would clean up under my children.
• I have hardly taken any pictures since we've been home.
• That's b/c my girls don't really like each other very much yet.
• I'm really struggling watching Ava struggle through this transition. She is so sensitive & has really been more disobedient than usual.
• We've started putting Jane to bed early so we can have special time, just with Ava every night. Is it bad to admit that that's my happiest time of day?
• I feel like Jane has bonded to me, but that it's taking some time for me to bond to her. I didn't expect to feel that way.
• I feel guilty for feeling that way.
• How on earth will we deal with her past with her one day. It scares me half to death. I'm thankful that I will have God's wisdom when the time comes to share the full details of her story with her. I love being an adoptive Mom & I'm scared to be an adoptive Mom.
• My ceiling fans are so dusty that I never turn them off. Because if they stop everyone will see how dusty they are.
• I need to go to sleep. But I'll probably watch a movie. I feel like I've gotten very selfish w/ my personal/alone time. I don't want to do anything but veg out. But I don't want to be like that--I want to work hard & take care of things & better myself.
• But I'm just so tired.

We're Home!!

Hey friends!
We are finally home with our girl and our hearts are just bursting with joy! We are still so exhausted & trying to get back into a normal routine & schedule, but we wanted to let you know that we're finally home and our family of 4 is all living under one roof!! God has been so faithful to us during this journey, and we just have to praise Him for bringing about the completion of this story! Only He could have done this!
I am hoping to start blogging about our trip soon...as soon as the laundry is done, house is cleaned, kids are peacefully asleep...so although it may be awhile, I do plan on eventually doing that! If you're on facebook, I have posted all my pictures of our trip if you'd like to look at them. I've included some pictures of the sweet sisters that I took today.
What a life-changing amazing trip we had. We're still trying to process all the emotions & put into words what we saw and experienced. But stay tuned b/c it's coming! Thank you for praying for us & supporting us over the last 3 1/2 years. The road has been long, but so so so worth it!! God bless all of you...we send hugs!

She Passed!!

We’ve been having some internet problems, but for now it’s working! Just wanted to let you know that Jane passed her Embassy Appointment today!! Yay!! Today was the last hoop that we have to jump through for Jane to come home. We are so thankful that everything is done! Tomorrow is Ethiopian Christmas so we spent the day at the Transition Home having a Christmas party with the older kids. It was lots of fun! Ok…have to run! Jane is wonderful & smiley & FULL of energy!!! Oh my goodness she is wearing us out…she has personality to the max! You guys are going to love her so much & Ava is just going to eat her up! Unfortunately I’m not able to upload pictures today, but I promise we’ll have lots to share when we get home! Love & hugs to you all! Merry Christmas from Ethopia!!

We Met Jane!!!!!

Hey friends! Today was the most magical day—I don’t know if I’m even able to form words to describe our time meeting Jane, but I’ll do my best. It may take awhile to process everything. I woke up early and the first thing on my heart & mind was that this is a “God only” sort of day. Only God could have done this finishing work with our adoption. Only He could move these mountains and lead us to our Jane. The first thing I did this morning was walk out on our balcony to take some pictures of the sunrise. As I walked out I was blown away by the beautiful mountains in the background & the stillness of the morning all around me. And at that moment God spoke to my heart & reminded me of all the mountains that He pushed into the background during our adoption process, and how He leveled the ground and made it smooth for us to get to Jane. What a beautiful picture of His mighty power & faithfulness at work in our lives!

When they brought Jane out to us it was the most surreal moment of my life. I couldn’t believe that the little girl that I had loved for so many years was finally mine & in my arms. It was powerful & emotional and so beautiful! She immediately hugged me & wouldn’t let go…she just buried herself into my chest & stayed there for awhile. It was so powerful and special for this Mommy!! She was very solemn for the first hour, but then all of a sudden like a cloud lifted, her personality just came out like sunshine! She became so giggly & happy & smiley. It was so fun! She was giving us five, clapping our hands, grabbing for our faces & she loved being tickled. It was so much more awesome than I had ever thought it could be! Definitely above all I could ask or imagine! What an overwhelming wonderful day. I was just so overwhelmed with God’s goodness to us. What a privilege we have to be able to adopt. I am so thankful that God called us to this journey! It’s very hard to post pictures, so you only get one today…maybe more tomorrow! Tomorrow is Gotcha Day, when Jane comes home with us forever! Can’t wait to give her a very long warm bath & then try every outfit on her :) Ha ha! Hugs to all of you!!

PS…Hi Ava!!!!! Mommy & Daddy love you so so so so so much & miss you like crazy! You are so brave & so awesome and we’re so proud of you for being such a big girl this week. You are going to love Jane Jane…she is a perfect fit for our family! And she is going to love you b/c you’ll be the best big sister ever!

We’re Here!!

Hey friends! Just wanted to write really quick to let you know that we made it to Ethiopia today! I am loving everything about it here. It is a magical place! We haven’t done much yet, but I’ll try to keep blogging throughout the rest of the week. We get to meet Jane tomorrow and spend the afternoon with her. Then Tuesday she will come into our custody FOREVER! My heart is just overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness to my God who has carried me down a very dark & difficult road. He has not forsaken us & now we are entering the “land of abundance”. I’ll try to post pictures tomorrow of our big meeting with Jane!! Hugs to you all from the land of coffee :)