Tuesday

Can you guess what day it is? It has been a really slow day. Didn't have water all night and late into the morning. So we just did the bucket bath thing. I dont know if I had mentioned that at least once a week we lose water for a few hours at the time. This was the longest since we have been here. I am so HAPPY that the water issue was the first thing the neighbors mentioned so we always have buckets, jugs, and a big tub full of water to flush the toilet with. Of course some is in cleaner jugs to wash our hands with and what ever else we want cleaner water for..Still wouldnt drink it. We have 2-5gall. jugs that we fill for 10 peso. Which is a little less than a dollar at the water fill stations around town for drinking. We have been making plans for the big day tomorrow..Her 16th birthday. We are going to do some shopping in the morning for a new outfit,and also have her upper ear pierced and go out to dinner with a friend. She was so excited when I told her what Dad and I wanted to do for her birthday. Just sad[both of us] that Hap isnt here and all the family isnt together to celebrate. But it will not be long and we will have a grand celebration when we get home..Probably a few of them. Family first. My side of the family which lives in Auburndale where we live and then to North Florida for Hap's side. It is getting closer...
On the adoption, nothing today from either side. I spoke to Carlos, and he is going to try and call during his spare time tomorrow and see if DIF has any news. I will check with Gladney also and see if they have heard anything. Would that not be great to hear something from both sides in the same day? I wont hold my breath or anything. But I can have HOPE.. GOD is good. I can look back over the last 2 months and see so much that has changed in me. I also got to thinking about how many people I know or have met that are adopting from here in Juarez. John's family [IFM John] is trying to adopting 3 brothers from the old orphanage. Been at it over 2 years. Their kids have been going thru the loss process which is where different blood relatives of the kids keep showing up asking for custody..All have been turned down..They are HOPING something will move for them soon. Krendi and family from Austin are adopting a brother and sister from the old orphanage. Theirs is moving smoothly, alittle behind us. Gwen, who is meet when I arrived here. She adopted a brother and sister, has all work done for the girl and visa but ran into a snag with the boy and his visa..So she is stuck half between the states and Mexico, The couple from Kentucky who I just introduced to Gladney who are adopting 2 kids. They realized they had to have an agency to finish. Then there is some friends from the old orphanage who I thought finished the adoption of Ivan but now they are having trouble finishing and I just today gave them info for Gladney. Oh yea,John has other friends who are adopting another boy from the old orphanage, Moises. I am not sure what is going on with theirs. That is 12 kids I know that have a HOPE of a better life. GOD is GOOD. So when there are days like today it gives me time to think. To study on the Lord. To see all the good that is happening around me and to be thankful that We all have THE HOPE.......LORD, I ask that you give us all the Hope and peace to finish these adoptions. The strength to handle the inbetweens, and Your Wisdom to know how..In JESUS name....
PS...mi amor, mucho mucho...MY HUSBAND..