obviously

One (me) would think that after all that we have endured, I would not be surprised at the OBSTACLES!??? NOPE I got NOT one...but TWO surprises!! The Visa, yes, that formidable foe....was delivered!! (you thought that was the good news eh?) TO KIDDER!! I am in Salem, Utah!!! Slight problem, after 2 hours of phoning back and fort being on hold for more than half of that time, we had to call a neighbor/friend, have them pick up the package, print a NEW label, and SHIP it out AGAIN... praying it makes it in time for our flight on the 2nd. (leaving earlier since the flights on Jan 3rd are filling up, and we are flying stand-by) So that was a HEART attack! (I kept my cool and DIDN'T scream at the agent who made this mistake) OBSTACLE #??? I have been chasing down the anti-malaria meds since the middle of December (The 15th actually) I called our physician and asked for the meds to be called into our pharmacy to be filled, I LET THEM KNOW we would be departing Missouri Dec 26th, and would need plenty of time to have them order the meds (since no one carries them in stock in MO) Dec 24th I called in to verify it was ready to be picked up. The clinic had FAILED to call it in. I called around and around tracking down the Dr. and getting the correct pharmacy etc... I told them I NEEDED IT CALLED INTO WAL MART since I was NOT going to be in Cameron, and I would be UNABLE to pick up any script in Cameron! So they went ahead and called it into Cameron Drug Store. real handy. SO THEN I had to call around pharmacies in Utah and find out who carried IN STOCK the malaria meds. WALLGREENS to the rescue. Went into Walgreens this morning with Peter, we waited for over 45 min while the pharmacist tried to contact the Drug Store for a transfer, then proceed to investigate if the pills could be split in half (since they only carried the adult dosage) NO GO> They could NOT split the pill, AND the medical clinic FAILED TO WRITE the script correctly (for 4 months of script since we would be out of the country!!!) SO ONCE AGAIN I frantically called around trying to find ANYONE who could either Write a NEW script, OR fill all 4 months of the existing script. NO GO> I was able to find out that a Liberian pharmacy WILL carry these meds, and we can walk in off the street to obtain them. (Just like Tijuana) that was it. No biggie.

Privacy Settings

ok, so you recall my VENT about the adoption agency? and how I was LIVID at their inaction? Apparently they decided to read my blog (about time?) and for that i am glad, they can see how UNHAPPY I have been with the amount of support I have been lacking during this process, For instance, they claim I was notified in writing about the Visa in the beginning of this process, HOWEVER all it says about a visa is bundled with obtaining the child's passport, therefore not giving me ANY clue that an ADDITIONAL Visa is necessary for ME! Disclosure folks, when I am scraping every single penny I have in order to pay for all my expenses, and you throw a new urgent need to the tune of $600 yeah, I get a little cranky. ON TO BETTER NEWS! I got a text from the Visa processing center, my visa/passport are in the mail. Overnight delivery should be here by tomorrow at 4 p.m.!! So while I am not ashamed of the things i said in all my preparations, i AM sad that I must go private for a different reason. Apparently most African Nations look down upon the promotion of adoption due to the severe neglect and poor living conditions. Apparently when i mentioned how SEVERELY malnourished Peter was when he arrived in the USA, that will be considered embarrassing for the Liberian government, and may complicate the process. So I must play along with their rules, and pretend that I am not ghastly horrified about the amount of mortality due to malnourishment, and I must only publish the PRAISES of the nation. I have never been one to play by the rules, but for Peter's sake, I will do my best to accentuate the positive and pray we make it out quickly! thanks to the 8 readers I have, I appreciate knowing that you all want to stay connected with our journey. I appreciate the continued prayers. The countdown has begun!

Merry Christmas!

Tomorrow is the start of a great journey, we will drive 17 hours to Utah, and then I will fly 33 hours to Liberia.
I have spent all of the Holiday season bustling with preparations to travel out of the country.
I have prayed, pondered and planned for this time.
I reflect on the Season of Christmas, and the grand journey that the wise men took, I found this quote to which I do not know its origin.
take time to consider;
"If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary? For each one of us, there is a desert to travel. A star to discover. And a being within ourselves to bring to life."
What are we all busying our lives with? Is it pleasing unto Him? What is our personal mission, and how can we magnify our callings in life to Glorify Him!?

Whirlwind of progress!

It has been a few days since I updated our progress....

We had an unhappy surprise to find out our agency had left out a VERY important piece of the paper work puzzle.

The VISA for me to enter Liberia was never discussed, in all my check lists this very important piece of the puzzle was left unmentioned.

So we had to RUSH and prepare our immunizations and documents that will enable ME to enter Liberia.

In all....the fees and shipping were over $600.

For months I have been planning, calculating and saving for the in country expenses.

Here is the list the agency gave us,

Travel Expenses

Round-trip airfare to Liberia Our tickets were $750

Visa ($200-$300)*Which Peter already had... Mine ended up being 2x this estimate

Airport transfer ($30-$60)

Accommodations in Liberia $70-150 per day

Food $40 per day ($840)

In-Country Costs

Driver for stay in Liberia $200-$400

Child’s Visa (each child) $400

Child’s medical exam for U.S. Embassy (each child) $110

Passports $100 (each child)

Possible Miscellaneous fees $300-$500



We had set aside $2500 for our tickets and in country expenses.

With the added expenses for the visa i am REALLY feeling the crunch of numbers....

I am sincerely praying I do not run out of money, and I am able to find the remaining $500 for the hotel costs, and the $500 additional adoption agency fee, AND still have enough money to pay for all the other unexpected surprises.

I do not like surprises, never have, they give me SERIOUS anxiety, this is one reason why I am such a BEAR at the end of all my pregnancies...the UNKNOWN!

So here I enter another test of my character. To wait upon the unknown, and persevere through this journey.



Pray for me, Please pray specifically that;

Peter & I will be safe from harm or illness,

That we will be successful in our adoption,

That we will be reunited as a family no later than February 15th. (Home to Missouri by Feb 20th)

, That our hearts will be pliable and learn all that our Father has in store for us!

That ALL of my children will have guardian angels protecting them,

and that those who are caring for them in my absence will be in tune with their needs and be patient with them.

This photo is of Peter's very own Graham Cracker House ;)

The Power of Love

Today is the Sabbath. I am lying in bed more ill than i have been in at least 10 years. Coughing and aching from head to toe.

But my thoughts are turned to my blessings, and the privilege it has been to meet SO MANY on this journey.

I have learned in the past month that 2 of my friends will be bringing children into their home. In part because of their involvement with our adoption journey.





NOTHING brings me more hope than this.

The lives we can change through action is profound.

I have to be honest, the journey to adoption is more like preparing for the climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (which is on my bucket list)

The grueling preparation, the factors that are out of our hands....the trust, the waiting, the unknown, and the emotional turmoil have beaten me down.

I have spent more time in introspect and more time soul searching, practicing patience, forgiveness, and charity.

I have never come closer to my weaknesses than I have during this process.

Truly entering the refiners fire, I pray that I can come out as the masterpiece my Father in Heaven has intended me to be.

I pray that I can make up for all the flaws and mistakes I OBVIOUSLY have.

I also hope I can forgive others more freely, as I have struggled with all the elements that attend adoption.

I am learning, stretching and growing.

Thank you ALL for being a part of this journey.

Baby steps to this puzzle

I just spoke on the phone to two of the ladies who will also be traveling for adoptions at the same time i will.

What a BLESSING! both of these ladies have been to Liberia before, they know people, places and the 411 on what we need to prepare for!

PHEW!

We are planning on being in Liberia on Jan 4th (PRAYER WARRIORS!)

Peter & I will be traveling on stand-by (PRAY WARRIORS)

We have reservations at MOKO's Bed & Breakfast, which is the lowest fares in Monrovia PLUS they have 24 hour electricity!

I now have an idea on what we will be doing, and the peace of mind that I will not be there alone.

I need to pay $500 for the hotel room today.

and I need to pay the remainder of ($1071.00) our room fees on Dec 15th (Merry Christmas!)

If any one would like to give a Gift of Love to help us cover this expense, we would BE DEEPLY GRATEFUL!!!





We love and appreciate ALL YOU HAVE DONE to get us this far! XOX

Words are not enough.

It feels like I should add each of your names to Peter's Hero list...but even that is not enough.

God bless you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Holiday Bake Fundraiser

Peter and Chris are 2 young Liberian boys that must return to Liberia. Both have been in the US on medical Visa's, and now it is time to fly them home. Peter will be adopted by our family (Gordon's) and Chris will be reunited with his biological family. It is our privilege to escort Chris home to Liberia, and our honor to help in funding the airfare. We have chosen to have a HOLIDAY BAKE SALE. Pre-Orders ONLY! We will be preparing 4 items; Cinnamon Rolls (bake and serve) ($20 serving 12) Whole Grain Bread (2 loaves for $12) Pumpkin Pie (each Pie $15) Cheesecake with Graham cracker crust. ($20) Three delivery dates will be available November 17th 2012 December 8th 2012 December 22nd 2012 Deliveries will be made to CAMERON area drop spot at 5 pm on the designated day. orders and payments MUST be received 7 days prior to desired delivery date! PLEASE help us spread the word and order your Holiday Desserts WHILE supporting these young boys! *If you are not meeting for local pick-up, please message me to arrange details*

THE FINAL STEP!

ppWe have reached the point in the process that the only thing holding us back now is ....US!

we have our immigration permissions, and everything else is completed . Tickets are being researched and final assembling of documents are being put together, we are SO EXCITED!!!

The final plans and arrangements are finding a sitter to stay with the kids for my undetermined time i must be in Liberia with Peter. Immunizations, Bags being packed, etc...

For anyone who is interested, we are looking/comparing the savings between donated sky miles, and using Wes's discounts from work, his tickets are always risky, since we must fly stand-by (international stand by does not sound fun!)

But it may save us $2,000 so.... I am willing.

IF you have miles your wiling to donate, please email me!

Our adoption savings account still has remains from the fundraiser, but not much :)  our Paypal link is still on the side bar....

Our final costs are

Airline tickets: est $2,000 for both of us.
Food for 3 weeks: $500
Lodging in Liberia : $950 for 3 weeks

We are selling off all the items we have been saving, and appreciate any help you can give!

Fund-raising has been the HARDEST part of this whole process, the constant begging from friends, family and strangers has taxed me emotionally, and so this will be the only request you will see, (barring any serious emergencies)

WE LOVE ....

We are SO BLESSED, and HUMBLED, looking forward to that FINAL STAMP OF APPROVAL!

YOU!!!

Thank you friends everywhere. We would NOT be here without your constant love and support.
It has taken more than a village to accomplish this feat.

THANKS!

The Second BEST news all year!

I just got notified that Peter's Medical VISA has been Extended. 

DRUM ROLL

May 29th 2013!!!

YEAH! YIPEE! the time crunch pressure is off! we will be able to travel with him as soon as we have INS permissions and he will be free to return to USA soil!!

WHOO HOOT!

YIPEEE

SHOUT HORRAY!

Thank you to our Dear Lord who makes this all possible.

And to our many supporters who have given SO MUCH to support and encourage us! 

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