Ok, I know it has been a while since I updated, but here goes.

I was in Guatemala last month to see our little Emily, to bring her some new clothes and to deliver over 100 lbs. of donations to the San Jeronimo Emiliani orphanage. She is doing well but was a little shy and scared. She is not used to being out and about like that and riding in a car. However she did warm up to me and we had some wonderful time together.

There is really not much to report as to the process of the adoption or where we are in it or how much longer. I do know that the case has been reviewed by PGN (something like our attorney general from what I am told) and is waiting for the "final signature". I do not know how long that will take or how fast they write or how long the name is that has to be signed. After that, the birth certificate and passport order process and then off to the US Embassy. Her birthday is July 10 and we hope to have her here by then. I know that when she gets here, we will need some family privacy and settling in time. We are really asking for prayer in this and specifically that God would be preparing Emily's heart for joining our family and give here peace about this. This will be a huge change for her. We are currently trying to lears some Spanish through the Rosetta Stone software.

This entire experience has been one emotional roller coaster and if you have ever been to an amusement park, sometimes it seems like you wait an eternity to get on, ride for 3 minutes and then off, wait another incredibly long time ride for 3 minutes and on and on. I have had people ask me what adoption is like because they may be interested. I have to be truthful and sometimes the truth can be discouraging. This is not easy, quick or cheap but is extremely rewarding. I have seen so many rewards so far and our little girl is still in Guatemala.

First of all, this is something that God has place in our hearts. He set this in motion. We are simply trying to follow His will and His plan. The tricky part is for me to make sure to keep my own modifications to His plan out of the way. God has been faithful and I know He will continue to be.

When Anne and I started this over three years ago, we knew that we didn't have the money to complete this and I know that sounds like poor planning to some, but you see, we serve a God who's resources are infinite (Psm 50:10, Phlp 4:19). We knew we didn't have it but know that He does. I am going to give only a few examples. First let me say that from personal experience, God answers all the prayers of His children. They are however not always the answer we are looking for. There was a time earlier in the process that we needed to pay one of the fees that was around $650. In the mail that very week was an unexpected rebate check for $652. We were going to have a yard sale to raise money and friends gave of their time and things they wanted to get rid of and after 3 fundraiser sales we raised over $5,000. We asked the agency if there were any ways to have tax deductible gifts to help with the fees and there was and that raised another $7,000 or so. We have seen the needs met time and time again. This adoption process will end up costing over $30,000. I know there are many that would say we are crazy to try such a thing on my salary and at our age, but this is a child we are talking about. Not a boat, jet ski, mountain cabin or you fill in the blank. This is a child and a child that has a purpose. We still have our paper work in China and if the time comes and we have a match and God is willing to see this child into our home, so be it.

We had hoped this process would go quickly and our little girl would be able to come home with us before her 1st birthday which was last July. God, however, had other plans and after the last trip to Guatemala, I started to see some of His plan. Had this gone as quickly as we had hoped, we would not have been introduced to the children at the San Jeronimo Emiliani orphanage in downtown Guatemala City and would not have had the chance to deliver many generous donations to them. I would not have had the opportunity to play with so many of them in their little play area and give hugs and toys to them. I would not have seen the joy of kids receiving new shoes and clothing. I would not have had the opportunity of seeing some real needs in this country. I would not have met so many new friends in a different country and culture and I would not have seen the changes that God has done in my heart.

In closing for now, I want to thank all of you so very much for your prayers, support and encouragement. Many of you had made financial contributions to the agency on our behalf to help offset the cost. We thank you and though for the most part, we have no idea who did what but God does. We have prayed for you in that God will bless you for your work in His kingdom.

Until next time, thank you and Dios los bendiga a todos (God bless you all).