IT IS ALL FINISHED!!

It is all finished...All the papers on the Mexico side are done as of this morning..I turned in the tourist visas and only had to listen to a chewing out..and NEXT TIME HE BETTER BE HERE IN PERSON...All though we know...THERE WILL NOT BE A NEXT TIME..hehehehehe...Wait..I better watch what I say..I never thought that I would have a daughter either..THere is still paperwork to do Stateside but atleast we will be HOME..Social Security,,readoption in the States..etc..things I have to check into..I think Gladney might be meeting us at the Dallas airport when we have our layover there..They are suppose to let me know...We have one more goodbye..and it will be one of the hardest for me...Carlos..and his mom..We are still waiting to hear from the US doctors..But Carlos' doctor on this side is going to send them a letter and we shall see what happens from there...I will be in contact with him from the states...I am suppose to pick up Faith at the border at 7:30am and we are going to start the packing up and finish out the apartment...We will then head over with Sandra and then I will come back and get the furniture and do that with her over the border...I am praying...and thankful...I will finish this when we come in from seeing Carlos and his family...She did all of her goodbyes today..
We are back from Carlos' and it was as hard as I expected..I will follow thru on this medical contact that I have started...I will follow thru on all the prayers I can and ask others to pray also..I will stay in touch with him and his mom..They are both two real christian people and I am thankful for them both...Sandra is upstairs letting all the goodbyes sink in..I hear the music going...I am going to close this out...I am very THANKFUL to GOD for this time...
The LORD is my strength and my Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on HIM, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song will I praise HIM.

SHE IS READY

Sandra is ready to cross the border..Now I am not..I still have to go to mexican immigration in the morning and turn in Hap's and my tourist visas...I got up and went to the Embassy this morning and called before I left and they said come on..Thank God that the lady checked the visa before giving it to me because one of the numbers was wrong...SO I sat for a couple of hours while that was fixed and then came back and got Sandra and headed to US immigration to turn in the package that came with her visa...I was told maybe an hour or two...Try 4 and half..There were right at 100 people doing the same thing (not adoption but visas) and only two homeland officers working and half way thru...one went home...We did it anyway and she is ready..But we ran out of time to do mine and Hap's so tomorrow...We did some goodbyes tonight..and just a few tomorrow and we will be ready to head over on Saturday..Noe,Qwens son who comes to eat on Thursday, hung out with us tonight..We did the goodbyes and then went for pizza...I really think Noe is gonna miss us..He asked if he could come and hang out again tomorrow..and I said Yes..I am gonna miss him...He and his mom are praying that he will be able to head over by Christmas..He is such a good kid..Oh yea..The heater I bought last night will not heat the downstairs..I left it on all night and was still very cold..So I moved it upstairs for the small bedroom..I thought it would heat downstairs and the hot air would rise up the stairs but by the time it did that it was cold again. The neighbor,David,came by this morning and said these places have NO insulation so only gas will work...I just stand over the two burner hotplate and rub my hands together..It was 50 for a high today with a good wind and suppose to be low 40's again tonight.I so appreciate my central air and heat..and alot of other things I use to not think alot of...Anyway...I am so thankful that home is in sight...I do not want to ever forget this adventure...and I will continue to write some after we get home...I would not want to leave some of you hanging wondering what is going...Like we said in the beginnning...This is an adventure that will probably last a life time...I do want to give GOD all the glory for this adventure...Because I am telling you ...I can think back to where HE was the only thing that carried me along...I could have never done this on my own...SO PRAISE GOD for all the wonderful things he has done to help us bring our daughter home...She is going to be fine...

Long Worthwhile Day

What a good long day..We got up at 5am and were out the door by 6..at the medical place by 6:30 and started our long worthwhile day...We have everything done..EXCEPT..the visa in our hand ..It has all been approved..Raised our right hands and everything..But when it went to Washington to be run through missing childrens records IT TOOK FOREVER and they did not have enough time to put the visa into the passport...So I am to call when I want in the morning and go get it and then there is a little more running to the border to turn in papers and tourist visas..Hopefully they will let me turn Hap's in..If not we will have to come back in 4 months to do that...Or be fined $200 a day..So we will pray for favor with that tomorrow..I figure some good old tears...and drama...I have been in Mexico tooooooooo longgggggg...Starting to work their way...Anyway,,we will pray....Plans are if all goes well to cross border on Saturday and spend the night with a friend and then off to the airport Sunday and home...I am praying...I am also getting ready to get some tickets and pray that they dont have to be changed at a cost...Gladney is letting us give part of what we paid in for the adoption fee to another orphangage here that has helped up so much...Ranchos Los Amigos..They staff..Which is all our neighbors..It is part of Ywam..has been a main support, emotionally, physically,etc..During my stay here...THey have been great....anyway..I am very very tired and still have to get tickets..I will try and post more details about our day tomorrow...I thank all of you for following us on our adventure...Love to all of you...
Yours,O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is YOURS; YOURS is the kingdom, O LORD, and YOURS it is to be exalted as HEAD over all...

WE HAVE IT!!!!!!!

WE HAVE THE PASSPORT!!!!! I took Sandra to school and headed back to the house with an uncertainity as to whether or now go..I left here at 10am..Went and found the chocolate...and headed over...When I walked in I went right on back to the lady's window..Like I knew what I was doing..As I stood there I thought for sure that I saw Sandra's pic and papers on another ladys desk..Ms. Garcia walked up and said something in spanish and I said"It's here?" and she said yes and it would be ready to pick up at 2..I took out those chocolates with tears running down my face and she was saying NONONO and I was saying MUCHO GRASIAS...I left and sat in the parking lot calling everyone and suddenly my Mexico cell rang and it was Ms. Garcia saying something about an original...I said I was in the parking lot and I would be right back in...She said that Mexico City had kept the original adoption decree and they needed one to do the passport...I said I would try and make it back in an hour to hour and a half..I went straight to the school wanting to rush in and just take Sandra out but I knew she would want to talk with her friends...So I waited..What a long 30 minutes...About the time they were to start out the door I got out of the van and walked up to the door...As Sandra and her friends exited the door she is looking at me asking me what I was doing...and I said...IT IS HERE!!!! She started smiling..I started crying again..and everyone started gathering around..People I didnt even know would know what was going on were coming up and congratulating us...Then we had to go in and see her teacher with the two friends following..He talked about how proud of Sandra he was and how he knew she would do well in Florida..and of course they exchanged e-mails so he could know her progress in school there...Then the two friends wanted to get together with Sandra this evening to eat at the mall..We are about to head out...Oh yea...I brought Sandra on to the house to start getting ready ...We still dont have water...and I headed back with the adoption decree to the passport office...I was about 15 minutes out and the mex.cell rang again..It was Ms.Garcia wondering how much longer before I arrived..I told her about 15 minutes and she said she would not leave then..I got there right at 15 minutes...rushed in and gave her the adoption decree and they started to work..They said it would be about an hour which would make it about 2:30 before it would be ready...I hung out in the parking lot and went back in after about 45 minutes...I could see Ms Garcia rushing around and sticking papers here and there...THey close at 3pm...Well at 5 minutes till 3 she called me up and gave me that glorious passport...and I thanked her ever so much...See what a bag of herseys kisses can do...She could have left and went on to whatever she was going to do and I would not have gotten that passport till tomorrow...Some sugar and caffiene and they will work extra hard for you...I can not tell you the feelings that are running around in my heart...Sandra's either..She smiled most of the way home...I know she is going to be having mixed emotions...I am here for her...I know this is going to be a BIG change...But she has one LARGE family to help her thru...We both said..."This has been one long journey"..It will be right at 5 months when we arrive back in Florida...I cant believe it...Well I will finish this when we come in...We have to go..Well nothing new to write except I know there is something dead in our wall...But the water is back on...So at least it will just be the smell of the dead whatever and not us too...We have to get up at 5am..so I am closing...Thank you for all the prayers...PRAISE AND GLORY TO OUR LORD FOR HELPING ME TO DO THIS...AND GETTING US BACK HOME...
You make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I seng for joy at the works of your hands. Howgreat are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts....

Waiting For the Vision to be Fulfiilled

I am waiting for the vision to be fulfilled...Trying to make it steadily,surely...Nothing today..I called the lady who has helped with a few other adoptions and she said if she remembers the call usually came on a Tuesday or Wednesday...SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....I am ready with it does...We have spent all day trying to stay warm..Low this morning was 43..High 62...If I remember right..Thursday will be a cooler one..I will use the worder cooler so as to believe that I am warmer than what I am...I keep juggling the thought of a NICE warm heater over in my head...But they want a lot for them..Just like fans..I have about $60 in 2 cheap fans here to leave...I just cant see the cost of a heater for a day...Is that positive thinking of what...anyway..Duck tape the cracks up again,windows and door..and keep the lights on and turn on the old trusty hotplate...and think...Warm..Sunny Florida...Its just the morning sea breeze...Guess I could boil some salt water for the full effect...OK...Sandra did excellent on her english exam Friday..she got the scores today..Perfect score...No mistakes..She was very happy..I thought something was up as she jogged toward the van when leaving school..I can see how good it was for her self esteem..Which gives me some pointers for later...We have had no water again today..But you can believe that Sandra and I both have kept our eyes on all faucets...The carpet is just now starting to dry..and the smell is not the best in the world..Oust Oust and more Oust..But then again I wonder if something might be dead in the attic..This happened once for..I know there is a birds nest up in a hole in the outer wall..Anyway..Oust...My mom sounded good when I spoke to her earlier..I have to still get use to the 3 hour time difference for this week..I laid down about 1:30 and stayed there till 3:30..The water coming back into the pipes got me up..I slept alittle and just chilled with my eyes closed....Sandra is watching TV..We have some bad habits to break when we get to Florida..But we are both motivated people so I dont see it being a problem... I still havent been able to find out what is going on around here..We have a Federali check point between us and town now..and when we headed out this morning the military had a SUV pulled about a block from the apartment with the whole corner "COVERED".. It is always men that they pull anymore..and since we dont have a man in the van we have been just driving thru..Maybe this is their new tactics they picked up when the US and South American officals came in last month for a meeting...Whatever it is I stillfeel safe..GOD is with us..Who shall we fear...Well I have managed to make it to 4pm..Just a few more hours and I can go to sleep and pass about 9 hours...I continue to pray for "tomorrow"..I will posted this later incase I write alittle more..Ok it is almost 7pm..Gwen dropped off some stamps to put on the envelopes I had put sending and return labels on..So this will help pass an hour or so..and then I am going to take a shower and go to bed under some warm covers..I am so thankful to the canadians that lived next door when we moved in here for giving us 2 fake down heavy comforters..I havent had to use anything except the one blanket so far..Except the night my bed got wet in the flood..I use those two comforters to sleep on that night..But I think it is night after next that it is suppose to be cold..so we will pull those out...Please pray with us for this to be the week we get to "moving" again..literally...
I am overcome with joy because of GOD's unfailing love, for he has seen my troubles,and HE cares about the anguish of my soul....
I keep my heart with all diligence,for out of it spring the issues of life..
As I wait on the LORD, with good courage, HE shall strengthen my Heart..

What a Peaceful Day

Well it has been a very peaceful day..If not for yesterday I might use the word boring..But it was peaceful. The time here fell back an hour last night..So we are now 3 hours behind Florida until next weekend when they change..The floor is beginning to dry..We hung out the towels last night and they were dry by this morning so I started using them again..We still have some dampness but not mush sound when you walk on the carpet...So thankful no mildew here..We havent done much of anything today..Just chilled..Cant quite get use to the time yet..It is 7 and it has been dark for an hour...Makes you want to go to bed..I AM SO PRAYING that tomorrow we will have that passport...I am ready to go home...My mom is doing good..THANK YOU Celia for getting grocerys...The home nurse will over see her doing soup,cereal..etc...Celia got ham and cheese,,microwave things...My daughter-i-law,Pam said that she would take food over...Hap took over fish and shrimp earlier today and he went to a fall festival and got her two plates of food and goodys there...She will be good..She just has to know she can do this..That she is able....I miss my family...My home...My life...I have been taught alot here...I will never forget...I dont want things to be as before...I want to keep the lessons that I have been taught here..To use at home..I really think this will be the week..I think if I go back over these blogs I might see where I have written this before..So I guess if I am going to keep the lessons I have been taught here..I should say...If it is GOD's will I pray to go home this week...Please remember me,again, in prayer...I feel,,that is the key word,like I am growing weary again...I will try to keep it at a minimal this time...I know where my strength comes from..In quietness and in trusting confidence I find strength..Trusting GOD..So before I get myself weak FEELING I think I should close this out...Thank you to all who are helping with my mom..Oh yes, Debbie and David..You should have got mom up today to see you..Please do try again..Thanks for checking...TOMORROW could be the day...or maybe the next...I am PRAYING...Love you my husband and thank you for your strength...

Under Attack

I will make this short and sweet..It is after 11 pm..Got up this morning..Went to do laundry..Came to apartment put away clothes..Went to Walmart..Got some grocerys...Thought we were going out to old orphanage to do speg. and gorditas..Come to find out they were coming here...Great people but unexpected 6 people..with us two..makes 8 to cook gorditas and speg. on two burner hot plate...Anna is an amazing mexican cook..Mari,Marina and Anna's 3 kids..Got call that mom went home..$14 an hour nurse I am told does not cook as my brother was told they would.Weekend,nursing service PR mouth person not in till Monday...Worked on getting someone to get grocerys for her..THANK YOU Celia...Hap and Terrell trying hard..Thank you my husband for all you do and Terrell my brother...anyway..Got cooking done here,..Gorditas were great...Oh yea, also had no running water at apartment all day...Took group back out to old orphanage..Kind enough to let us take showers there..and get 10 gallons of water till ours came on..Headed back into Juarez..5 gallons of water dumped during turn in van...Van got unexpected carpet cleaned...Went to Sandra's old home,Casa Eudes, for Kermoss..It is like a big fall festival...Kept having uneasy feeling...At 8:30 told Sandra time to go...Headed to apartment...Got out of van..Unlocking door...Hear water,I think..Open door..Water dripping from ceiling and down stairs...FLOOD!!!..Rush upstairs where I see water coming from..Realizing I am walking thru an inch of water downstairs..Bathroom sink on..Turn off..Rush back down..Sandra heading across flooded room..Holler...Electricity..She starts to jump in metal chair..Holler..NO..Go outside..I rush over,grab electic cords and put on table..Grab computer, see some water and flip upside down on table..WATER!!!!!! Evendently someone turned on bathroom sink while we had no water..We left...Water on...Flood..Mop also broke this morning while Sandra does cleaning while I am at laundry mat..We have 5 towels total..We need two to take showers..since water in back on..We start upstairs..She continues..I head down to start on bottom..finish bottom head upstairs to help her with carpet..We sopped and sopped and sopped..etc....Gave up a hour later..Will figure out best plan tomorrow if not dry..Yes,computer ok...Thank you LORD that they dont have mildrew here..TO DRY...I will still PRAISE THE LORD....THANK HIM for all he does for us...BUT I am going to bed....Love to all...

Knowing It Is Soon

Well no news today..and it is still ok..We know that things are winding down..I really think that something will happen on Monday since nothing this week.We were just praying for the earlier of the times...Sandra did well in her english exam..No scores until Monday..Her friend at school's birthday was today so Sandra,Janet and Janelle had a little party with the three of them at Janelles house..I followed them over to her house after school and of course meet the mom at the school..I came on back here to the house and finished some work I had started for ywam and watched 3pm come and go..That is the time that the passport office closes...I am really ok with it...I have had to wear sunglasses because the light at the end of the tunnel is getting so bright..hehehe.I headed back over at 4:00 and picked Sandra up and we just came on back to the apartment..I think we both are looking forward to sleeping in the the morning..Mari and Marina and the lady,Anna,that they live with are coming for a visit tomorrow.I think I misunderstood some spanish yesterday..I knew I heard the words lasagna but I thought they were talking about how much they liked it the last time I fixed it..Evidently they were asking if I would fix it tomorrow..So that is on my to do list..But Anna is going to fix Gorditas,,So that is a nice trade....My mom is going home tomorrow..YEAHHHHHH...I hope she will find some happiness in it...I think she is scared..But she will have a 24 hour assistant with her..She will do fine...My wonderful friend Celia went over to mom's to make sure things were ready and tomorrow someone will have to go get some grocerys for her...She is going to do good...This will give Hap a break from driving into Winter Haven everyday..I told her she beat me...but I will be there soon..My brother Terrell will pick her up about 12:30 and away they will go..GOD's timing is always best..I patiently wait for his time for us to go home too..Hap is preparing already..Just slow down alittle my husband...I know he would say,,"I am just preparing the fields"...I love you..Never have found out what is going on around town..So we will just continue on like normal.If it were really something we would hear about it(last blog about the extra stops and military around)..Oh yes,,I made a mistake last night on my blog...Our GREAT nephew Steven is 19...He let me know today on facebook that I had it wrong..So there Steven I made the correction...I am going to close this off...Love to all and a very big THANK YOU for following...and I will not just drop this when I get home...I will continue till we settle....and I have some other thoughts in mind too..:)))))
I trust in, rely on,and am confident in YOU, O LORD; You are my GOD. My times are in YOUR hands....

Help For Friends..All Kinds..

I just recieved an e-mail from the chaplain at the hospital where Carlos' first surgery was done in Colorado and he had spoke to the doctors and they are working on a plan to see what they can do to help Carlos. With treatment and medical visa..This is such great news..and Carlos,the angel he is..wanted to know about news with us and the passport..He knows that GOD will do something and whatever it is he trust GOD's plan...We had a good day..Same..school..I found cheap dog food..got 110lbs..and after I pick Sandra up we made the delivery..Those dogs were so grateful..Unfortunately one of the pups died thru the night..Which was not a surprise..I am not sure one of the others will make it..Malnutrition in very young pups is hard to come back from..I feel good about tyson and kajita..For now..but we did what we felt we should do..and it felt good..Something has happened here in Juarez today..The regular military check point was very different heading out into the dead zone.(the old orphanage is the last safe town).and on the way back in not only the regular one but a very unexpected one..of 6 loaded military trucks with several men out of two vehicles with one side of the 4 lanes closed..Also when I pick Sandra up there was a very big commotion 2 blocks from her school with many of all types of law enforcement..I will be check on line after this to see what precautions we need to take...I do use good sense here..Believe it or not..hehehe..No news on the passport today..SO..Sandra has to take the english exam tomorrow..hehe..She will do fine..Last night and again tonight she has started to chat a very little in english with our great nephew and her new cousin..Steven..He was thrilled and she wants to know her family..The new life if starting already for her..Tyler,the grandson, has seen her too..On the skype Monday when Lane called and we did the computer video thing..Hap is waiting for his girls to get home..He has been cleaning and preparing..My mom is scheduled for Saturday..Terrell,my brother is doing a great job getting everything set with the home care people..THANKS BUBBA..It is all coming along..Noe..and his mom came for supper tonight..THe mom is the one who lives on both sides of border..One child in El Paso and the other still waiting here to get his papers straight..They are praying for the next 30 days..SO much hope here..I will I could get some of the people I know back home to find this hope and hang on to it for dear life..It makes things so much easier..So much more peacefull...Trusting GOD...I love you my husband..and let our son know that I love and miss him very much too..and tell him thanks for checking on me...Till tomorrow..
I will be happy when the way is rough,because it will give my patience time to grow..So I will let it grow,and try not to squirm out of my problems. For when my patience is finally in full bloom,then I will be ready for anything,strong in character,full and complete...

Not Yet..and Its OK

Well Sandra got to school at regular time..I headed straight over to the passport office..I walked in and ask for Alejadra Garcia and the man took me over to her..As I walk up and she looked up she said No..This was good..She remembered me..I handed her to note..I couldnt find a place open to get the candy this morning..She read it and said..Si....No...Si.She could call us as soon as it comes in...and NO..Sandra does not need to be with me to pick it up...I told her Gracias..and left..It did not feel bad at all..Because I know we are so close..At least we know that it will not be sitting there waiting on us to call.It was so funny when I picked up Sandra she was telling me that they have an exam in school on Friday and how nervous she is about it..Then she asked if the passport had come in..I told her no and she had this look of disappointment..I then said..I bet you want that passport to get here before Friday so you dont have to take the test..She so laughed a laugh that said "That sure would be nice"..and she laughed about it later today when I told John and Faith about it..She so does not like the way they do test here in this school.And to add to the tension of EXAM they also have cameras in the class rooms so that the school knows that there is no spanish speaking going on in class..That is a big NO NO..anyway we have laughed a few more times through the afternoon about her wanting that passport to get here SOON...We went out to start our goodbyes today..The first, Mari and Marina,the girls that worked at the old orphanage..They are good..But the dogs,Tyson and Kaheta,were not..No dog food and Kaheta has 3 pups still..We plan on getting some dog food and taking it out there in the next day or two...Tyson has been at the orphanage as long as I have been involved..since 2000..It is the least I can do for him.The girls have food..People come first on the Who gets food list and unfortunately the couple the girls live with only have enough for them and their kids and Mari and Marina..The man works some but not full time right now..They are praying that things get better...The real life in Mexico..The average people..It is just the way it is....anyway..We came on home and Faith and John stopped by on their way from the school they work at here in Juarez two days a week..John teaches PE and Faith does administation work..It is part of their outreach..It is a christian school that feeds and teaches the kids and adults in the ROUGHER parts of the city..Then we have just hung out here..My mom is preparing to go home on Saturday. Hap and Terrell,my brother had a meeting with a company called Helping Hands today..It sounds like they will be able to do what is needed..I will be able to step in when I get there with the cooking and cleaning and personal care stuff..I know that things will be fine..GOD knows our needs and he will help us...It is hard to believe that we are really getting close to going home...SOON...I need to mention my wonderful wonderful great nephew Steven..Every night he comes on facebook to chat with me and has since shortly after I arrived here..It has been wonderful to get to know him..He and Sandra actually typed a few words in english to each other tonight...I think both of them were excited that it worked.Steven had to ask is this really Sandra..and he also informed them that they were cousins, primos in spanish.(I had to look that up quickly).I help Sandra some..She knows quite abit herself..Anyway..GOD is GOOD..Steven was born when his mom was only ,if I remember correct,a little over 5 months along..Steven was pronounced dead when he first arrived but with in just a few minutes a heart beat was found.He spent the first year,actually alittle more, in the hospital with different problems...They then thought that he would never talk or walk...Well he is today 17??(sorry I dont remember exactly) years old..and types like a pro..He is in High School..He volunteers at the library..He is great..and a miracle of GOD's...I am proud of you Steven..and he gives GOD the glory for it...Who knows what tomorrow holds.....We are ready for whatever lies ahead..Up's or down's. Learning every step of the path of life..The GREAT ADVENTURE..As long as HE is there with us!!!!!!

Starting Earlier

I decided to start my blog earlier today because I forgot a very important detail of yesterday...I had the priviledge of seeing and talking to my grandson,Tyler, yesterday..His aunt caught me on facebook and asked me if I had a webcam..I knew one time when I first arrived here and got this notebook I pushed a button and there I was on the screen..Well she told me to go to skype and download the program..I did and we exchanged emails and next thing I knew that was a ring..I pushed the answer with video button and there was Lane and Ty...!!!It was so nice to see him and hear him at the same time..He kissed the screen and so did I..I hugged the screen and so did he..It made a wonderful afternoon...THANK YOU LANE...As for today..Same old same old...school..Paid some bills on line while she was in school..Did some work for ywam..picked up Sandra and went to get gas..I told the guy TOTAL..FIll IT UP!!! and he took the words FILL IT UP to a new LEVEL..We were driving home and the guys at the red light are like "You are leaking water or gas" I am starting to think I have been here to long when I heard those words in english..Or maybe I just understood..??? Who knows..anyway I stopped and looked and sure enough drip drip drip..I brought Sandra on to the house and spent 45 mins driving around to burn off enough of my FILL UP for it to quit dripping..I wont say that again..My limit from now on will be $30..Just to be sure..I am starting supper now..I found out that Sandra likes red chili sauce with chicken so I have started the chili sauce..The first batch I cooked was great..The second..You have to watch which red chilis you get ..so this time I got the first red chilis and some smaller ones to give it a good bit...I will have to let you know how it is before I post this later...Tomorrow will be the day I take my bribe..I mean note and number with a gift to the passport office..I thought a nice box of chocolate will help her remember me and our name..So it is starting...What day will it be????No more thoughts..We plan on starting the goodbyes tomorrow..She has quite a few she wants to say bye to and they are spread out..So tomorrow we will start with Mari and Marina out at the old orphanage.Sandra has starting going thru her clothes to see what she is taking and giving away..It is such a joy to see her excited to go...My mom's potential release day is Saturday..We shall see..I am back..It is now 7pm here..I have my letter for the passport office ready for tomorrow..Tomorrow is the day that I am going in with something sweet as a gift..and to ask..Is the passport back.The something sweet is so that I am remembered...I dont have any idea how I am going to react if it is..We are planning, if possible, to go out and say our goodbyes to Mari and Marina tomorrow after lunch..Nothing else special today..I did just finish a really good red chili sauce..with rice..It is nice and has a good bite....So that is my day..Just staying focused..Praying..Hopeful...Watchful...Thankful...Soing the light getting brighter and brighter...with thought of Florida and home...
I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of GOD..I thank you and confide in you forever..You have delivered me and kept me safe..I will wait on, hope in and expect in YOUR name...

I Cant Believe What Just Happened!!!!

I just had this blog almost finished and was typing along and every bit of it disappeared...Everything,,,How funny....About 20 mins. worth of typing..Ok lest see if I can do this again..Now your gonna miss all that wonderful writing I just did..You know how it is..You cant do it twice in a row as good...Ok..It was a good day...Sandra off to school..Stopped at the grocery store..Meet up with the president of the Mexico board from IFM to pick up some blankets for a blanket drive..THey will be handed out to the poor here in Juarez before the cold weather sets in..Then I came by the house and dropped off the grocerys.John(IFM) and I had planned on him crossing the border at Caseta and me heading out from here and meeting half way out in the Dead Zone( no law area) for him to get the blankets...It is about 20 miles from where we live..I headed out the same time as John. The blankets were in a big black plastic bag..Which looked like a large bag of something not good around here..I had to cross thru one military check point. I was laughing to myself that if I got stopped and checked they would think right off the bat that they had something when they saw this bag..I could just see them taking out blanket after blanket and shaking them really good...Well once I crossed this check point without getting stopped I tried to call John to see where he was..But didnt get an answer..I tried again in a few minutes and no answer again..I thought then that he must have gotten stopped coming into Mexico..after a few minutes he called me and said that they were stopping every car that came into Mexico today and x-raying...Which held him up..By the time he got across I was almost to Caseta so he just stoppped off the road and waited on me..I pulled up,quickly got out,grabbed this large black, threw it into his van..Hopped by into my van and took off..If anyone was watching they would have for sure thought it was a drug drop...How funny..John decided after I called him and was laughing about how much it looked like a deal that he was going to dump the blankets out and get rid of the big black bag look...Anyway I havent heard anything but I am sure he is ok...I had to head right to the school to get Sandra..I was a few minutes late because of the longer drive out to Caseta..Once I got her we came home and have been here all afternoon..She let me know on the way home that she is ready to go to Florida..I am too...I think she has had enough of what we have been doing...We are ready to get back to life..She is excited for the new life...Alot different than a few months ago...They think my Mom will be ready to go home on Saturday..I tried to get somethings lined up but her insurance company told me that she will have to talk to them herself..So my brother is suppose to get with her this afternoon and then call me tomorrow and let me know what we need to do..I made a phone call contact for Carlos who gave me the e-mail for the Pastor who set up all of Carlos' surgery last time..I sent out an e-mail to him and havent heard anything back yet...Please pray..I am hopeing that I will be able to do something for him before time to leave...If not I think I will still be able to help from Florida..THis has been a day...Oh yea..and Qwen with YWAM dropped off some more work I can do..But it was not a good day to do detail work...I started and messed up right off the back so that can wait till tomorrow...Then I am going to the passport office on Wed.......We shall try and focus and get through one more day...and I know that with GOD's peace we can....
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on HIM, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise HIM...

Thoughts Building..Mind Wanting to Race

I will not be impatient for the LORD to act!! I will keep traveling STEADILY along his pathway and in Due season HE will honor me with every blessing....
It is noon here..We just got in from "church".. My time to meditate on HIM..and pray. Not sure what this afternoon holds..Just focusing on keeping my mind busy. With good thoughts. Not to much thought(with work)about this week..I need to make some more calls for Carlos and calls for Mom and some home health care..Even if we dont get news on the passport I hope to get great news for Mom and her coming home this week..Thank you my husband for the words..In due time..Just needed to start this now so I could see some positive words in front of me to go back to as the days moves along..Well it is after 6pm now..Had a good day..Not much of anything...Started some homemade speg. sauce..Didnt have an ground beef so I used chirizo..which is a spicy sausage..It really turned out good..I used it with a box of tomato puree and some italian seasonings and simmered it a few hours...Oh yes...Just give me some stuff and I will make something..John was happy..He passed thru on his way to visit his boys..2 and a half years of visiting and waiting on the loss process..and some are becoming impatient after not quite a year...Adoption from Juarez is not for the weak..or impatient...anyway, Sandra had a friend over this afternoon and we watched a couple of movies..They just left and now I think we will eat and see what dark holds...Oh yea..I forgot to mention the guy who has been sleeping out in our driveway for about 3 hours now...He is alive and no blood..I think just to much beer and the driveway is about as far as he made it..At the end of our driveway there is a like carwash stall and shaded..But in just the last 30 minutes he has started to move his legs and feet so he is coming to...I am not the only one watching...All the neighbors are...Just sad to think you would drink that much and not be able to make it home...Glad he feels safe enough to pass out there...As long as he doesnt come on up the driveway he will be safe....I have my letter written for the passport office..It asks if the passport has come in..If not could I please leave my mexico cell number, and I thank you very much....Now to have it edit...I have a big hope for this week or next...and YES I know you have been hearing 2 weeks for 4 months now...BUT....Could be this time...might not be...Whatever it is something good will come from it...and alot of times the human eyes are blind to what is really going on anyway...So...I am ready for whatever the week holds...THANK YOU LORD!!!!!!!

Saturday Again

Can you tell I am losing the title skill...Slept late this morning...8:30...Pretty good for me...But I didnt go to bed till about midnight...Slept well..Headed out to laundry mat early..I knew when I pulled onto the hard main road and over the first bump that I heard a weird pop..The laundry mat is about 3 miles from the house and I pulled in and parked,got out and went around the back of the van and as I walked past the exhaust pipes I heard...sisisisisiisisisisisisisisi..I bent over thinking.."What in the world would make the exhaust pipe go sisisisisisisisis," when suddenly it connected ,the pop and look over at the tire...Sure enough there was ANOTHER beautiful screw decorating the back tire,same side as last week. This one wasnt near a nice as the first..Tire still had air..So I made a mad dash back around the van, hopped in and TOOK OFF....The tire repair shop was about a mile and half back and I was determined to get there before this tire went flat with the VW jack,,,Made it with air to spare...HAHA..Got it fixed for about $4..and headed back to the laundry mat..Got that done and came on back to the apartment..Sandra does the house cleaning while I do laundry and she does a very good job..Faith came over about 2 and we sat and chatted awhile..Sandra has been just chillin most of the afternoon..Faith and I wanted to go get something to eat and Sandra said she just wanted to stay here..She said she had been on the go all week with school and all and just wanted to have a day of NO GO...Faith and I headed on to the chinese resturant and then I dropped Faith off at the border and she walked over to visit with some people from New Mexico that came in for a weekend visit..I will go back and get her in a couple of hours..The wait to drive over can be 3 hours on a Saturday evening...So it is easier to drop a person off and have someone pick them up on the other side...That is how we have been having Hap do it when he comes...Next week is approaching..WHAT WILL IT HOLD????
As I wait on the LORD, with good courage, He shall strengthen my heart.....

Missing Family

Today has been another good day..School for Sandra..I worked on making contact with more of Carlos connections from teams that come in..No humans but I did leave some messages..Also got word today that my mom might be able to go home next week..So as soon as I heard this I have started to try and find recommendations for home health care..I called our pastor and he gave me the phone number to a nurse at our church. I called and she said they are more RN's that do 2 to 3 times a week visits to check the patients but she did give me the name and number to Senior Home Care..It is the one that her company recommended...I also plan on calling Kathy..A lady who mom goes to church with who is also a Nurse and see what her thoughts are..She is away at her son's wedding out of state right now but maybe on Sunday I will be able to reach them..If any of you there in Polk county know of any suggestions please call my cell or post a note on here and I will call you over the weekend when my cell is free..289-7366....We just hung out around the apartment this afternoon...Pam, my daughter in law and my wonderful grandson Ty man called this afternoon..I cant wait to get home and just hug that boy good...He just talked up a storm for awhile..Tranformer talk, about him throwing up this morning..He just "Throwed up"..But he said he was feeling better and when I come home we are going to play transformers...He is really into them now..He can write his name..First and last...Hap said he gave Ty a book the other night and there was a place to write his name and he started and made a mistake and got very upset...I wonder if he has some of Sandra's perfection issues...HAHAHA..anyway right after I talked to him the two kids,Kristen 5 yrs.old, and her brother 4 yr.old Ian came over for a couple of hours..Helped to keep that missing the grandson emotion down some.It was so funny..I had cooked brocolli,potatoes,and beef..Sandra came and fixed her plate while Kristen was writing at the table and when Sandra opened the pot to get the brocolli all of a sudden Kristen grabbed her nose with her fingers started to gag and ran for the door..She must not like brocolli.So for the next few mins.she would hold her nose and come in for a couple of minutes and go back out..come back in..go back out.I finally asked her if she wanted some brocolli and she let me know she DOES NOT like brocolli..HOW FUNNY...We went out right about dark and counted the stars as they appeared..They just went home and I thought I would go ahead and get this started...Sandra usually has computer time around 8:30 for an hour..She has a few friends,a couple from english school too, that she chats with at night..and she also messages back and forth with Adriana, another teenage girl who was adopted by a couple in South Dakota a couple of years ago...So all and all it has been a good day..Faith is planning on coming over tomorrow to hang out with us..Probably go see a movie or take Sandra and a friend of hers to see one and Faith and I will just sit somewhere and visit...I talked to Hap today and our plan for next week is instead of calling the passport office I am going to write a letter and take it in personally. I am going to write our mexico cell number on it and ask them to call us when it comes in..If I call on Wed. and it is not in they will say call back the next week.I dont want to waste any days with it sitting there and us not calling. Plus I do not want to upset them calling and bugging them everyday and take the chance of them holding it because I bugged them...I was told today by a lady that when one of the boys at the home where she works passport came in they called the home..It was a mexico number and I am pretty sure that the phone number they asked me for on the papers was our US number..I am going to try and hold out till Wed which will be 3 weeks 2 days..Right about the time I have been told that 3 others got theirs back..3 1/2 weeks..Then if it comes in on Thurs. or Fri. I will be FRESH on their minds...Please Please Please keep this in prayer that if it is GOD's will we will be ready to see the Embassy that following Monday..Maybe even Fri of next week and then we are just 3 or 4 days from home...YES!!! If it is GOD's will..James 3:13-17...A scripture someone asked Hap to read and when I went to it I already had it yellow highlighted in mine...When the time is right we will be home....
I want to say a special hello to my FAVORITE great nephew Stephen..We chat almost everyday on facebook..He keeps me up to date with all of Haps family in north Florida and it has been very nice getting to know him since we live so far apart..He is really special and I very much enjoy our chats...HI Stephen.....

Thank You YWAM

A big thank you to ywam for giving me work to keep me busy..They thank me..but I feel very thankful to have to work to keep busy..for doing work for a GREAT cause,the orphanage, and for good fellowship with other believers..We did the norm. Got up,got ready for school. Drove to school and I came back and regrouped on a few things around here..I headed back out a little early to stop and fill the water jug,and go by Walmart to grab a few needed items..Pick Sandra up and came back to the apartment..I keep catching myself almost saying home..I guess in a way it is home..or has been for 4 months and a few days now..Qwen came by about 1:30 and we started on stuffing the rest of the envelopes and finished them off by 4:30..I then started supper..Which wasnt much..Tostados..Noe,Qwens sone, comes on Thursdays to eat with us..She stays in El Paso two nights a week with her daughter who goes to school over there..I dont know if you remember but Qwen is the one trapped between here and Texas..She works for ywam and has for MANY years but she adopted the two kids and the girl got over and is done but she had some political trouble with the son's visa and is fighting it in court now..They are hopeful that by Dec. he will be able to go across and they can be a real live together family..So remember that in your prayers too..Noe is a great boy and has hope all will work out..Like I said..I have very good hopeful positive people around me and it has made this so much easier..Hopeful christian people..We colored Sandra's hair again today..She really notices the difference but I cant tell much..It is alittle lighter but not much..As long as she is happy with it all is well..No news on us today..Just waiting for and seek out what ever comes for each day..staying positive and trusting..I did get a message from another adopting family..They are not to happy..Their kids are in the loss process which means family is still trying to see if they can have the kids,even tho the kids have been in the system since 5 years old and they are both young teenagers now..The americans were told that it would be a few more months of court stuff and then it should be ready to start their adoption.Then about 6 months to start and finish..As we have learned..Even tho we were very blessed to have a great caseworker on this side with DIF that helped to push all our stuff thru as quickly as she could..I know some dont think much of mexico and the system but they do care..Just red tape.Us Americans know about that huh???.I know one guy who has been waiting and hopeing for almost 3 years...You have to be strong in your faith and lean completely on GOD to make it through an adoption from Juarez..Thank GOD there are some that can trust GOD to see it thru..Or there would be many kids more without homes...So that is the day..I can feel the end..and the light gets brighter every day.."I am sticking with GOD..He's all I have..He proves to be good to me and to all who passionately WAIT and diligently seek HIM. It's a good thing to QUIETLY hope for help from GOD"......From a book I refer to MANY times thru the day...GOD's blessings to all....

Hump Day

Hump Day???? In the states I would relate..Here I am not sure but since I am really starting to have to be creative with titles for the blog each day..It seemed OK..Took Sandra to school today and about half way back to the house I noticed the check engine light was on and the oil pressure would go down when I would stop at red lights...SO I just ran all the red lights..NO..not really just seemed like something to say..No I headed right on to the shop and showed them and when I stopped for them to look at it there was a very small amount of water dripping from right at the front of the drivers door...We turned it off and then started it again and they let it run idling for 15 minutes or so and everything was ok..I was going to go to ywam prayer meeting but by the time I got back it was a little after 10 and it started at 9:30. Plus I wanted to leave by 11:00 to go get Sandra..That way if something were to happen I could get a taxi to get me to her school in time..and then worry about what to do..But PRAISE GOD all went well...The machanic had said to call if something did happen and I gave him an idea of the route I would be traveling since I would not be able to tell him over the phone in spanish..Mime doesnt work to good thru the phone...It is one of those have to see it to understand it things...I gave him my route in spanglish with hand signs..He is so patient with me...Alot of people are..and I am thankful...After Sandra and I came in I started stuffing envelopes for ywam and finish just now..6:45..in enough time to head out to basketball practice...Faith and her intern stopped by for a few minutes and Kate,a ywamer, came and helped to fold the flyers for the envelopes..Then the HEAD lady for the ywam organization came by to pick up what we had done about 4 to get the mail outs on to the post office...That is our day..I like it from time to time to have a busy day..Keeps my mind off counting days...Thank you MOM Foster for the phone call..It always makes me feel great to hear from the family...and to know that you read this and pray for me..Please tell everyone over there hello from me and I love yall..I will post this when we come in just incase there is something spectacular that happens on the way to ball practice...We are back and all went well...Not just ready for a good nights sleep...Hope all is well with everyone and we shall write more tomorrow...
I will commit everything to the LORD; I will trust,lean on, rely on, and be comfident in HIM and HE will bring it to pass...I will be still and wait patiently for HIM...

Starting the Next Wait

Well we are starting the wait for another week..I called today and the passport wasnt back and they said..Try again next week. So we suck it up..focus..and continue to live in Mexico..I really didnt think it would be here but I still felt alittle let down..I know that we are so close..and I know I will be ok..Heard a song..and it is so true...There's a peace I've come to know...Tho my heart and flesh may fail....There's an anchor for my soul...I can say...IT IS WELL...
Sandra had a good day at school..She is learning bigger words..and asking more questions as to how words apply..She still doesnt speak it..But I have a funny feeling that when we arrive in Florida she will just take off..I told someone that I can understand her not speaking it here..It is not the language..But when she speaks it to me she does very well..It is all soaking in..She is a perfectionist..In alot of things...I stuffed some more envelopes for ywam today..Which was nice..It took up most of my time this afternoon..Tomorrow morning ywam will have a prayer meeting at 9:30 I plan on going to.. It is nice to hear english and listen to christian music in english..I think that Qwen will have some more things to stuff in the envelopes and that will help to fill tomorrow..Sandra has ??? either soccer or basketball practice tomorrow evening..and again the following evening....Please continue to pray for us..That I will continue to have this peace..I wish I had called Carlos already so I could give you some info on him...Faith is suppose to stop over tomorrow afternoon too..The weather is still nice..High 50's at night..80ish in the day time...My mom is doing good..She said her leg is getting stronger..and she is winning alot of the games there in the center..She has become quite the social butterfly..Have the funny feeling she will be alittle bored when she gets home...I will just have to find stuff to keep her busy..Hap is doing well..Having a bit of back ache but he will go to the chiro in the morning and that always helps...Hope you all have a great day...Take care..
The Lord is good to those who wait hoefully and expectantly for him, to those who seek Him. He does not willingly and from His heart afflict or grieve the children of men...

Tomorrow

Well tomorrow will be the day I was told to call. I will be very surprised for the passport to be back..But we did go ahead today and get the residencia photo for the visa..Just in case..If it is back tomorrow it will be the fastest anyone we know of or have heard of. But the lady did say 3 to 4 weeks when we arrived and as we left with a smile..call in two weeks..Today is the end of two weeks..So I figure around noon tomorrow I will call..I also spoke to a man today that had to get vaccination records as an adult for his visa and that he found a nurse who just fixed him up a paper because he knew he had them just didnt have the records..and with Sandra it is obvious that she has had some..She has the scar on the upper arm that many of you have..I dont for some reason but it has never been an issue for me..anyway..I have just been trying to stay busy today..Did some monthly bills for Florida..Got grocerys..Sandra had school..She made an 84 on her last exam which is great and she has moved on the the 3rd book since she started..I can she her confidence level growing..I asked her yesterday if she was getting nervous knowing the time was getting closer to go to Florida and she said no..Quite surprises when I think back to her first reactions...I believe she is ready..PRAISE GOD..Things are just falling into place so nicely...I checked on what was up in town with the military increase in our area and there were a few killings in the next colonia out from us..Same as before..Drug Cartel related..So all is well with us..Still havent gotten any more info on her friend and figured it doesnt matter if they arent allowed to come out here..we for sure arent going that way..Still sad to know that this city runs on fear..I plan on talking to Carlos tonight..I never heard anything back from the messages I left for the doctors..I am praying that they called him directly..
I really hate to write what I am about to write but the weather here has been wonderful..High 50's at night..about 80 with a breeze in the daytime..I have heard that Florida is terrible right now...HOT HOT HOT..I feel for you..But just go in that comfortable a/c house of yours and enjoy....I do feel for those of you who have to work in it like my husband..Well time to close out..Thanks again to everyone for sticking with us thru all of this..What an adventure..I have a friend who has been calling me short timer for a while now..(name for guys in army in naum who were going home soon) and I think I am finally starting to feel that way..
Let us take heed, and guard our lives diligently, lest we forget the things which our eyes have seen and lest they depart from our minds and hearts all the days of our lives......Things that GOD has taught us..and shown us...We must tell them to others and our children and childrens children.........

Things of the Day

The day is starting to wind down..It is 6:30pm..Supper is ready and we shall see if Sandra likes some REAL southern cooking tonight..It is very hard to find fresh GOOD veggies here..Normally just broccoli,carrots,some cauliflower,I think those are green beans,..of course plenty of tomatos, iceburg lettuce,avocados,any kind of pepper, wilted celery,garlic,cilantro,leeks,many fruits,,especially melons..anyway..I found cabbage and got a head and I havent seen regular american ham so I got spam and carrots and cooked it all together...It taste GREAT to me..I am just pretending that the spam is HAM...She came down earlier and her nose was looking funny as if to smell something she wasnt sure about..I will wait to post this till right before bed so I can tell you how she did..I do have a back up for her..CHICKEN and potatoes that are leftovers...anyway..I got up at 5am and headed over to get Carlos..My heart aches for him..He is trying hard to keep going..We made it to where he is doing his internship at a nursing home..He said that it is so hard to go there because the people who run it are actually mean to the people and they do not like them being nice to them..Carlos couldnt be mean or unkind to anyone there..But it is his last day there..I am sure when they werent looking he showed the love of GOD to them..Thats our Carlos..Even sick.I was unable to speak directly with anyone in Denver today but I have left messages about seeing if one of the doctors and the hospital that did the surgery before could write letters to immmigration here to try and help Carlos get the medical visa..Praying that we hear something soon..and I am sending out emails to his contacts from the years he was a missionary here to see if anything else surfaces...Sandra and I went to, so hard for me to call it church, anyway,,just another good day for me to be reminded of just what JESUS did for us all..afterwards we headed back to the house..She has a friend who has been coming over on Sunday afternoons for a few weeks now but we recieved a call that the family of this friend had a threat given to their family this past week and the Dad did not want them to come away from the family alone to get here...I havent been able to get details yet but until I understand it more she will not be around them either..Not sure what happened last night but on our way home there was a road block a couple of miles from the house in an area that has never had one in my time here..They just stopped each car and looked in with flashlights and then this morning when Faith headed out to cross the border the next little colonia from ours was full of military and policia and yellow crime tape..I need to check to see what is going on..It is unusual for it to be this close..Better to be informed so we know what to look for..But we have excellent protection..The best of all...GOD..then the military comes through on a regular bases..I still feel safe..
Well she liked supper...She is a good eater..I am thankful..My mom was doing good today..Hap sounded great and our son and his family came through for a visit this afternoon..Tyler man can write his name now..I look forward to see him..I will probably just squeeze him to death..NOT REALLY but I sure do want to hug him really bad..I have been told that he asks about me..I had thoughts of him not remembering me but was told that he just asked about me last week..That was sure good for my heart..I am doing to close..I need to get to bed early tonight..Blessings to all and 2 days till THE CALL...
May the GOD of our hope fill us with all joy and peace as we wait and pray for the good things to come...

Saturday.....

Today is Saturday and I thought I should start this early. It is only 1:30 here, 3:30 central Florida time. We have a night out planned with another adopting family that is here from Austin,TX. They are adopting two teenagers and the 13 year old girls birthday is in 10 days they wanted to celebrate with all of us today..Carlos and Faith are going to join us..So we will have 8 of us..The family left their other 2 children at home this time. But all is well..I did laundry this morning and Sandra cleaned while I was there..So clean clothes and clean house makes for a good day..Carlos asked if I could drive him to his school clinic in the morning. He needs to be there at 7am..and I am more than happy to help out..He missed a couple of days due to not feeling well last week so this is a make up day..We hope to hear more news from him on what is going on tonight with what plans on next to try and get him the gama knife procedure.
Ok it is now 10pm. We just got back from our night out with the other adopting family, Krendi and Jason,Isamar and Rafa...Carlos' sister called me on our way to meet krendi and said that Carlos was just being strong for our benifit and she did not believe that he should be going out to eat with us..He has been sleeping most of the week and was asleep then..I fully agreed with her...So Faith, Sandra and I went to the Mall to see about the visa photo and the store was closed..So I will work on that tomorrow..Then we headed on over to Krendi's hotel and meet up with them...Jason,Krendi's husband, was going to take a look at Faiths laptop..She has been having trouble with it and he is a computer whiz..Visited for alittle while and then walked over to Barrigas,our favorite place to eat real mexican..We left there about 8 and drove over for them to visit Carlos. He does not seem well..I will be calling the docs in Denver tomorrow to see if there is some way that they can write letters to the immigration place here and see if that will help get the medical visa..So please keep this in prayer...He did say that someone here did some research and found info for him on this procedure..It is in Guadulajara..It would cost $20,000. Life or death..Letter from the state Doctors...$20,000 here...Please pray...Faith is spending the night since we got in so late..It can take 2 or 3 hours to cross the border back to the states on Saturday night..I will head over to get Carlos at 6 in the morning and she will head back across then.....That is a quick run down of the day..I really need to get to bed myself so I can rise early to go get Carlos..Hope all of you have had a good day and that tomorrow will be full of good things for you...GOOD NIGHT....and a special goodnight to my wonderful husband...Even tho you will not read this till tomorrow...Know I love you very much and it will not be long now till we are home and starting to live a somewhat normal life again...Wait, has it ever really been NORMAL??????...

Still Feeling Blessed

It has been a good day all in all..We both slept better last night..Got up at regular time..Had a better breakfast than normal..I have found that unless I setup and serve a balanced breakfast that Sandra will be a normal teenager and go for the junk. So this morning we had fresh banana milk and whole grain cereal bars. The banana milk is just a banana in the blender with milk.Their milk here taste almost like cream and I have not seen anything but whole).Really tastes good. Although Sandra still has to have a small spoon of sugar in hers..I took Sandra to school and got all the way back to our dirt road..Just as I pulled onto the rode there were 3 cars blocking the road..I guess one was broken down..I stopped and noticed white dust,I was hopeing dust, gushing out from under the van..I just kept thinking that maybe it was windy and the exhaust was pushing up the very dry road dust..Well I started to move again and when I slowed down for the bumps I noticed it again..Well my real mind started saying ok..It is not dust like I was hopeing for..so I pulled on into the drive way and as I slowed for the next few bumps it was obvious that it was smoke..I parked and pulled the hood latch and by then KNEW that it was smoke..I was very happy when I opened the hood, after touching it to make sure it wasnt really hot,and could smell that antifreeze smell and see some green liquid in areas around the motor.(Happy that it was not like fire smoke).I could not see where it was coming from but it was not on the ground under the front so I was praying that it would just be a small spray from a hose..About that time my neighbor came out and he said he thought it would be best just to hop back in and get it to the shop where I have had it worked on and let them check it..So off I went..I did run one redlight..No one was coming from either direction and the white smoke would have let anyone know why I did it...I got to the shop and showed them ( no one speaks english) that the hood was not hot and popped the hood to show them the green liquid and by then there was a small puddle under the front of the van..They gave me a ride back to the apartment and I called the neighbor who in turned called the shop to ask what they thought and how long..They thought the same as I and said 3 or so hours..Well Sandra gets out of school at noon and it was 10am by now..Thank you GOD for good neighbors..Ale, who is the woman back quite a few post whos pic I posted with her husband and two kids,said that she would take me to get Sandra but we would have to pass an hour in town so she could pick up her kids from school too..We went and walked around a small mall and got her kids. She then dropped us off to pick up the van and we came home..Only $40 and they cleaned the van again inside and out...I tell you I am blessed here and by the people around me..
I want to THANK my family back in Winter Haven,Aunt Sarah and Debra(Hap told me you were there and mom says you come almost every week),Debbie and David and the members of Church of Christ in Inman Park for helping my soul to rest knewing that you are there for my mom...You will never understand what a big help you have been to me and my mental state while here..and the help you have been to my wonderful husband and my brother.THANK YOU for helping us while mom has been in rehab from her falls.Your visits,time and patience have been a true blessing to us.
It is 5:30 now..We plan on just chillin' this evening..There are two couples that are adopting coming in tonight so I expect the weekend to be busy..and we still have to get those pics for the embassy just incase they say everything is ready to go on Tuesday..But like I have said before..It will truly be a BIG surprise if it is there..I really expect it to be the next week..Whatever it is..I am blessed...
To you , O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my GOD, in you I trust; you will not let me be put to shame. In deed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame. Make your ways known to us. Lead us in your truth and teach us..For you are GOD alone..and we will wait all the day long.

4 More Days

4 more days till THE CALL..I am excited just that the Lady said I could call in 2 weeks..Even tho I would be VERY surprised if it is there and would probably scream something that would sound crazy to the normal world..But I do not fear looking alittle crazy...Today has been another good day..Sandra off to school..Came home to some other adoption news from a family struggle to know whether to keep going or stop..There are never any words to say in this situation..I am glad I am not in their shoes..and sad that they are..The boy ran from them last year and has been begging to come back..But there is so much paperwork they have to do because the laws have changed since they begin..and other issues that only they themselves can answer..They are in my prayers...Qwen called and need some help with some of her work so she came over and we worked until I went after Sandra and Qwen stayed and we finished when we returned..Then when she left she had some more envelopes to be stamped and sending labels and return labels put on..I finished that..Mark, with IFM,and the man of the wonderful couple that has let us use their van all this time stopped in for a visit..Nice just to sit and visit with such good people..with a heart of ministry here in Mexico..Once he left I have started supper..Noe,Qwens son, comes on Thursdays to eat supper with us..After that we have soccer practice tonight..A FULL wonderful day..There are 2 different adoptive families coming in this weekend so I expect it to be a mentally draining weekend with questions and concerns to be talked about..But if I can help them with what we have been through I will...Because I understand as only those of us who have lived this can understand..We should have some sort of support group for families adopting from Juarez...Sandra has an exam tomorrow..She has been studying on the computer for it..This Quick Learning school is very good and informative..They talked to me today about one on one teaching but it was pretty pricey..plus she will have a good system when we get to Florida...I tried to call the Embassy today about Sandra's shots..to no avail. So I plan on trying first thing in the morning about 7:30 when Mrs.Perez gets to work and see if we can be doing that ahead of time...Then we still have the visa photos to do before Monday too...I can feel the end..and it feels GREAT..Even tho I was talking to Qwen today and realize the pain I am going to feel when it is time to leave for a couple of things that I will be leaving behind here...I guess that is just a taste of what Sandra is going to feel...I think it is about time for me to start to focus on ways to help her with this change that is a coming...Please remember us in your prayers....
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning..(and remembering that a day to GOD can be a very long time)Placing a HUMAN timeline on GOD's time
I am overcome with joy because of GOD's unfailing love, for he has seen my troubles, and he cares about the anguish of my soul...
Please add a family attempting to adopt to your prayers..They can not seem to realize that this is not a human timeline that you can give to kids that have been through what our kids have been through..That we have to give them HOPE..Not words that do not build up..But that cause more harm..Not negative human words but a GOD filled hope that it will happen and that we as adults and their new parents can handle..I love these people dearly..

Life in Juarez Today

GOD guards me, keeps me in perfect and constant peace because my mind(both its inclination and its character)is stayed on HIM, because I commit myself to HIM, lean on HIM, and hope confidently in HIM..
It has been a good day..Tho as we started to leave for school this morning I noticed the van felt funny after moving only about 15 feet..I got out to find we had a flat tire..There was a nice big screw decorating a spot in the tire..Looked very nice but the tire didnt like it to much...I backed up to a level spot and got out the, I would say jack ,but for a 15 passenger van what I was looking at was not going to work..But since it was in the van and the only thing I had I started..First just on the ground then with a block..First tried on the side with the frame, then in the front with part of the front suspension..Then I walked over and knocked on our neighbors door thinking that maybe it was just that I was a woman..Felt better when I realized..IT WAS THE JACK..He was kind enough to run around the corner to the ywam base and bring back an air compressor and he aired it up as I tightened back up the lug nuts and away I went to the fix your tire store..Which was just up on the hard road a mile or so..They had a wonderful floor jack and power gun to remove the nuts..and it was fixed in 15 mins..after about an hour here...and only 40 pesos..which is less than $4...While I was doing that Sandra looked up the school on line and she can review each days class and practice online...Pretty cool..We also called the school and told them our problem...She also missed Monday because of the power steering..All is good...She has basketball practice tonight..Soccer practice tomorrow night..Then another family that is adopting is coming in on Friday..So this week is passing quickly...5 more days and I can call the passport office...YES!! I almost finished filling out her visa and citizenship papers today..We still have to get the photos for that done..When we did all the other pics for the passport and school courts they were unable to do the residencia photo for some reason I didnt quite understand but we plan on gettting that done before Monday..JUST IN CASE..I recieved a phone call from my wonderful mother-in-law yesterday that really touch my heart..She told me how much my blogging helps her..I have had others tell me that too..and it helps me to know that what I am doing here is helping others ..Not just me..That the same scripture that gets me thru a day helps someone else too..I have also given our agency's contact info to a lady who lives here who knows ALOT about the process on this side to see if they might be interested in hiring someone to help them here in Juarez..Plus it would help to supplement this persons income..Things are not the best here with the economy either..If I were going to live here for a REALLY long time I would approach someone with the knowledge I have gain thru this...It takes ALOT of work here(plus knowing how to work the system) and I cannot imagine some family with NO connection here being able to do it..If it were not for the fact of the people I have known thru the years I do not know if I could have done this. There are so many little details that no one would know had they not gone thru it..Either knowing the tricks and details or tribling your time to do it..So much knowledge.Both with adoption process and life..I need to find away to use it somehow..I have a few ideas rolling around in this head..I do plan on doing something with these thoughts....
I take heed, and guard my life diligently, lest I forget the things which my eyes have seen and lest they depart from my (mind)and heart all the days of my life. I teach them to my children and my children's children..
We just came in from Sandra's basketball practice..not soccer. That is tomorrow night..Please remember a girl name Nancy in your prayers..She lives at the home where Sandra was..I noticed her the first time we went there..Never knew her story until last week..She is 22..Does not look over 16..Lived with her mother here until they found the mother dead one day. No more family except an uncle in New Mexico but Nancy is unable to get a visa to go live with him for some reason.So she shall spend the rest of her life hovering around Casa Eudes I pray..DO NOT want to think any other thoughts.. Nancy has a mental handicap..It is obvious..anyway very sweet..and quiet..but when we arrived tonight as usually Nancy came and hovered around quietly..I noticed something just didnt seem right..I asked her if she was ok and she said no and started to weep quietly..We can not communicate any further but please pray for her....All I could do was to gently rub her back...It is everywhere here and in the world...

Feeling Better

Just a quick note to let you know I had a great night sleep and feel much better this morning..Working on a cup of coffee and then to something to eat..No worries..Just happens sometimes when you start to eat just anything..Guess I got a little brave and took a chance on something out of my area..

It is Well

There's a peace I've come to know..Tho my heart and flesh may fail..There's an anchor for my soul....I can say....IT IS WELL....
Thank You so much my husband for your confidence in me...I love you so much...and as I have told you..I dont understand why it is harder for me to deal with myself and emotions when I am with Hap..I can remember when my Dad died..Hap was getting ready to go to Northwest Mexico to do some construction with a group and he was going to cancel..I told him to go on..6 hours after daddy died..That I would do better with him gone..He is the only person I guess that I feel I can really let down this weird guarded thing that is in me...and I did say "person"..GOD really knows me..I noticed while Hap was here that I struggled more with some emotions..I was SO glad to see him..PLEASE dont get that wrong..He is my human protector.My love..My friend..My bestest..HEHEHE...GOD is my everything....I am starting to sense the end getting closer..I hope this is a good thing..We still have the medical to go..No one has records of her vaccinations..She does have the scar on her upper arm..So this is one thing to be praying about..She will have to do the adult medical because of her turning 16 while we were still here...I know that GOD will see us thru this too...He has done all the rest..and given me the strength to do what the human hands needed to do....I am very good.....and very thankful I can vent and be honest here..Who would have ever thought I would write as much as I have done here...Letting others see some of my deep thoughts that pass thru this brain and heart...
I am so glad I wrote most of this earlier today..I had a little trouble with my stomach last night..and it has hit me again for some reason..I took a walk just before dusk and started to feel that sick on my stomach feeling...I came back and laid down on the couch and tried to let it pass...But ended up throwing up..The mechanic yesterday gave us some very good salsa that I think must have had something that I am not able to handle..even after 4 months..Either the water that was used or some of the vegs...anyway..I am going on the bed so that I will be better in the morning...Please dont worry..I am ok..Just part of being an american in a foreign country again...But not bad for the time I have been here to have made it this far without it...Sandra will get to enjoy the rest of that good salsa..Gotta go lay down..I will put a quick note in the morning to let you know I am ok...Blessings..

Hap is Back in Florida

Just got off the phone with Hap and he is back in Florida..He was at the airport and claiming his bag..Already miss him..But have had a busy day...Haps ride was going to be here at8:00am and when that time came and went I called and woke them up..It all worked out great anyway..I drove him to the border and dropped him off and he walked across..It was good that it happened this way because the line was a 3 hour wait..He would have not made his flight had they drove across..God's way is best if we would just slow down and pay attention...I then took the van to the shop and they gave me a ride back to the apartment..I got online to find a friend out of Texas that is adoption 2 teenagers in not so good spirits..So I just let experience and GOD lead the words and for the next 3 hours I wrote and she read...Praise GOD she is doing much better this evening...International adoption is NOT for the weary or faint..You better hang on for the ride of your life..and that is just the beginning on this side of the border...You dont just become the all American happy family when you cross back over with these kids...It is years of help and effort to get these kids to understand what a good family and life can mean...But it is so worth it..They have so much love to give..It just takes time and love in return..with alot of understanding...and I am only beginning...But I remember our son..He was adopted at the age of 2...and it was years with him...But he is fine now and a great dad himself..and he was from the states...Then you add in the culture difference and it is more...So what is the first 1 and a half of trying and working just to get them over to the other side...I know of 3 other people..one is on 3 years..another 2 years and another 2 years...We have been blessed big time...and then you start for the next...10 or so years on the state side...So hang on...The ride is just starting...But I would not change a thing...and soon many of you will see and know what I am talking about when you have the honor of meeting our daughter in person...Sandra Elizabeth Foster...Legal now...She took on the Elizabeth for me..It is my middle name and my mom's and grandmother and greatgrandmother..On my mom's side..and 2 grandmothers on my Dad's side..I am very honored...Hap's visit was well needed..A great reminder of what is waiting for us back in Florida..Sandra seems better too..I actually heard her telling a friend on the phone earlier about her Papa being here this past week..She will still call me Sharon and Hap Hap when she is talking directly to us..But when she talks of us to others it is her mom and dad...The rest will come in time...I sleep great last night...8 and a half straight hours...But know that the next time it happens I will be thinking of you who have this problem on a regular bases...I just cant imagine it...Well love to all...GOD's blessing and strength...

The Last Day for a Short Time

Well today is Sunday..Hap's last day here..We got up and headed to church..When we came out I noticed fluid under the front of the van..I have had to add power steering fluid every week or so..But when we got in to drive..There was no power steering..Like the old days of no power steering or power brakes..Thank GOD Walmart was only 6 blocks away..We got some fluid and added it and made it 4 or 5 miles and out again...When we made it home Hap and I got under the front and seems that one of the lines coming out of the pump has broken..So it is back to the shop in the morning..I hope..Which means Sandra will have to miss school again..But I cant take the chance of taking her and it not being ready by the time she gets out..Faith will be here early to take Hap to the airport so we will just see what the day holds...I am not complaining..I am very very thankful for this ride...and thankful that I can take it to the shop...I managed to get a few hours sleep last night..and did not want to get up..I have a new appreciation and feeling for those of you who can not sleep..much less with pain..over years...and it could also be what someone else mentioned about all the things that have been going on...I never dreamed that it would be the adventure it has turned out to be..what a fathom...FATHOM..I want the full effect of that word to stand out...I can remember Hap and I talking a few years ago about living here full time and working at the orphanage..That was during a time we thought that the park would sell..But then the market dropped..and I mentioned to my mom about bringing her with us and she put her foot down..Both feet..and I dont think my son would go for it either...Of course I would have wanted to move the entire family here with us...But GOD did not open those doors..and he has lead us in a whole different direction in the States with our new daughter...something that we are excited about and eager to start...Well I am going to cut this short tonight and spend the last few hours with Hap...Please remember to pray for his trip home tomorrow...and of course for us..I also pray for all of you ....Oh yea...I wasnt to bad today in my mood..Just alittle tired most of the day..It is 6:30 and I have already had my shower and am going to get an early start on unwinding tonight...But I do still have to call the mechanic and get things lined up for tomorrow...Love to all...

2 Nights Sleep Problems......HELP!!!!!

Well it is after 11 at night...This is my second night of being unable to sleep..I struggle thru the afternoons to stay awake..Then 10pm comes and I am so ready to go to sleep..I go to bed and dooze off...and BLINK...15 mins later I am wide awake...Take a sleep aid...dooze off and BLINK...15 mins later I am awake...I take a passion flower...Now I wait to see what happens..Only problem with this is what am I going to be like in the morning when it is time to get up..The sleep aid is unisom..Passion Flower is an herb..I pray to not have that hang over effect...I am not sure what is up...I have NEVER had this trouble in my life...I love my nights and sleep...and I love to wake at dawn to watch the wonderful start to the new day....Please pray for me...This is so weird...I wonder if it is Hap being here doing something to my brain...Out of my time here this had only happen 2 times before...Pretty good for 4 months...But this 2 nights in a row...I am going to have to be on my guard tomorrow to not be a witch...I do not like this....I figured you all like to know what is going on so I turned on the computer and have started to write...Margie..I know that you have this problem..What is your secret..Any others out there with some suggestions...Hap said read..But out of 2 rooms there is someone in each one enjoying their sleep..Guess I could go hide in the bathroom...But I understand that sitting on the toilet could cause back problems...and considering that I use to see my wonderful Chiro once aweek..I dont want to suffer from that here..I do miss the chiro..Funny..after 4 months here in the last 2 days they have just started to show the sleep number bed...Which is what I have a home in Florida...Could this be my selfish spoil American self surfacing...I plugged my ears tonight when it came on and Hap laughed...Unfortunately Hap mouthed it for me so I had to close my eyes...This is the second blog tonight so dont forget to read the one before this one..because this is starting to sound like I am rambling...Ok..I am going to find a book and I will let you know soon if any of this has worked...
Ok..I have read some...Gods words...I feel the passion flower taking effect...I am ging to try again...I think this might be it...and I will have a great day tomrrow...I will stand strong in the lord..and use his words to help me thru the day..and night now....

Soccer Day

Today was Sandra's second soccer game..They actually played a team of boys..The final score was 13-3 with the boys winning. After the game the coach wanted them to practice more so some of us adults played the girls...It was the most exericise I have had since I have been here. Other than moving in here..I had on sandals too. But I only knock down 3 girls and tore off half of my big toe nail...One problem the girls had was they would get the ball and just try and handle it while the other team would run up and take it away from them...Well I help to show them that they better get the ball and kick it quick..It was alot of fun..Then we came back here and just chilled this afternoon..We were suppose to go to one of Sandra's friends 15th (Quinceanera) birthday party tonight but it is outside and it only got up to 73 today and has misted rain all day..Sandra decided that she and I would just Ivonne out one evening next week and skip the party..I have already experienced the big 15 party for 4 girls when I first got here..They usually last till early into the morning..So Hap will not experiece it this time..He isnt to disappointed..Tomorrrow is his last day..Faith is suppose to be back from Denver tonight and is coming over to hang out tomorrow.We hope to get to go to the ywam base orphanage for a visit..There are 3 kids from the old orphanage that we know there and it would be great to see them...I wish I had the pics from yesterdays ride thru the mountains...As soon as I get them I will post a couple to show you what we saw...Their road building is quite abit different than ours in the States..and so is their look out points...Really freaky constuction that I did not trust much..Hap insisted that I walk out on one..I did...with my eyes closed..and unknown to me that John had his video going.....Alot of fun..Well in 2 more days the first week will be gone..of the 2-4 week wait...It has been very nice having Hap here with me too..I am going to miss him..But we know that all is good and praying that the time will speed by...I have asked the adoption agency about getting back some of our money ..We paid $2000 extra required humanitarian aid donation..I told them that I think I should get this money for doing the time to contribute to this aid...I have gained alot of knowledge about the process on this side that will be worth alot to them down the road...I have recieved no word back yet...But if not...I have a few plans of my own when this is over...along with a couple of other people...Well GOD's blessings to all..Hope to have more news soon.

Mountains

Today was a day of mountains..First the mountain of school work for Sandra..While she was at school Hap and I labeled a mountain of 500 envelopes with mailing labels,return labels,and stamps for ywam..Then pick Sandra up from school and ate our lunch and started on 2oo hand made cards for the orphanage Rancho los Amigos. The ywam base orphanage..We finished just in time for John,a good friend and missionary with IFM, to arrive and we headed to the scenic drive thru the mountains here in Juarez..Beautiful considering it is dirt and rock but what a view of the city of Juarez and El Paso Tx..Then we went to Barriqas..a nice mexican resturant here that I love..and then arrived back here about 8:45 just in time for John to go very fast to Caseta,which is thru the DEAD ZONE as it is called in the no law land..He made it fine even tho the border crossing guards asked if he was crazy for doing it...Like I said yesterday, It is sad the fear that the people here live in..I understand border guards and law enforcement and military..because they and their families are the targets as well as the drup cartel and families...Anyway..It was a wonderful day..We have a soccer game in the morning and the friend of Sandras 15th birthday party tomorrow night..with laundry in between..So we will be busy tomorrow too..It is nice to have full day...I am thankful that GOD has given Hap,Sandra and I this time together...and dont want to think about it ending...but...We will deal with that later..Well Hap just layed down so I guess that is my clue...God's blessings to all....

Just a Quick Note

THere are two post for tonight..I just want everyone to know something..I am struggling mentally..I am going to need anything that any of you can say or write over the next 2 to 3 weeks after Hap goes home..I am only what our LORD is giving me at this point..I am not saying that I will lose it if you dont..But please help me after Hap leaves with any words,scripture or whatever GOD lays on your heart to say..Hap understands now...My hardest times of the day are between 4 and 8pm Florida time...It is a time that I struggle with every day..I want to just lay down and sleep thru this time...I am trying to push thru it and trusting the LORD to give me the strength that it takes...He has been very very faithful to me and I will praise his name..At times I feel like I am serving prison time...Even tho I do know and know that Sandra is worth this...Just to know that we can be her family...To change one life with our love,,but I am growing weary...We just hit the 4 month time..Please remember me..I know you know what I mean when I say that the mind is a battlefield at times...Human emotions,,Knowing GOD's truth...just a struggle of mind thoughts...But I TRUST our LORD and Savior to be with me and carry me the rest of the way thru...I said..there have only been one set of footprints here..and they are not my size...He has been so faithful to carry me as a lose lamb..Under his wing..In the safe of his place...and I long to pour out my heart...and say that I love him..Pour out my heart...and say that I need him...Pour out my heart...and say that his faithful...Pour out my heart...and say that I need...You LORD......

The Day is Over

Well we had another day together and it was nice..We talked to the embassy and Hap will not have to come back for the visa..That means as soon as the passport comes in Sandra and I can finish up and head home..What a day of rejoicing that will be..Makes we want to sing a song..But we will wait..We took Sandra to school this morning and then Hap and I headed over to the YWAM base and had a time of singing and prayer with their group..It is so nice to get to be in a church like setting with english..YWAM and most of the chuches here are getting ready for a 40 day prayer for the city of Juarez and the violence here..They are challenging churches and youth groups all over this city,the US,and the world to join with them in 40 days of prayer to corp. pray for this city..It is so sad to see the damage that all the killings here has caused..Families without homes..Before the violence on average 600 homes a year were built...by groups of people coming to help the needy..This year only 160 have been completed...Business are failing,people are hurting because of the fear that has spread by the media...I have not once felt unsafe here..I KNOW that GOD will take care of me...and if it is my time I am ready...So if you feel like joining thousands of prayers that will go out over the next 40 days...Please join with us as it starts tomorrrow at 9am Mexico time...11am Florida time..for an hour every day that GOD will take back control of this city from the killings...THat people will lose the fear that they live with everyday...That groups will begin to come back and help the poor of this city....Sandra had soccoer practice again tonight...Saturday is the game...I am happy that Hap will be able to come with us this time...Tomorrrow John,with IFM, is coming over and we are going to head up into the mountains here for an adventure...It is beautiful I have heard and I am excited that Hap will get to be there with us for this...We plan on going out to eat with him after that...Then Saturday is the soccer game...Sunday after church Faith is coming to hang out..and then....MONDAY,,,the day my husband goes home without us...I am already feeling how hard that is going to be that he is returning home without us..Please pray for me and Sandra that we will be strong...and that the next few weeks will be a short a possible..I will admit..This has been getting harder and harder to find something to keep us occupied...But I know that it is just a short time more before we will be home...I need prayer...Hap is understand how hard this is after he has seen our LIFE but I know that GOD will give me the strength to finish...Well it is after 10pm and I still need a shower....GOD's blessing to all of you...until tomorrrow...IN HIS LOVE AND STRENGTH...