Saturday-OCEAN!

We got up to leave at 6:30 am for a day at Matabungkay Beach.  We didn't know exactly what we were in for...

It was almost a 4 hour drive!  Who would think, looking at the map, that we would have to drive that far to find a beach.  There ocean is closer than that, but nowhere with clean beaches to enjoy.

Notice the floating houses in the bay.  We rented one for the day!  The locals make a living from renting these by swimming out to pull it to shore, helping us board, then physically pulling it out into the bay and anchoring it.  They then made several trips back to shore to haul all of our picnic supplies that Ate Virgie brought for us and we're very skilled at holding it up over their heads out of the waves to get it to us.  Our local helper grilled the pork chops for us....masarap!   (Tagalog for delicious!). Ate Virgie brought rice and hot water for tea or coffee.  What an amazing experience!

Derrick and the boys swam and played in the SALTY waves.  Isaac had never been there before wasn't too sure about the waves, but Derrick offered for him to ride on his back and he did so without hesitation.  They had SSSOOO much fun until...

Gotcha Day!

We finally made it to Mama's Hope Haven of Norway to "fetch" our Isaac, as they say here in the Philippines!  Most of the children were at school, so he had already said goodbye to his friends the night before.

We took a tour of his home and met many of the people who have loved, nurtured, guided and encouraged him for most of his 12 years.  We had fun unloading the suitcase full of gifts for the children at the orphanage - gifts from our family and also from our church family at THCC ( they gave us a donation to buy medicine, vitamins, socks etc. for Mama's Hope.)

In Manila

We made it to Manila on time with no problems.  This will be the shortest post ever because we are exhausted and have our big day tomorrow - going to Ma-ma's Hope Haven Of Norway to meet Up with Isaac. They call it Entrustment Day.  We will post more tomorrow!

Waiting in St. Louis

So far, Josiah is enjoying our experience!  Waiting at our gate for 2 hours .... With Dunkin' Donuts ... Isn't too bad!!

We are on our way!

The last 5 emails from Isaac's social worker have been very emphatic that he is very, very and really, really, and very much excited to see us soon!  We can't wait to get there!

Travel in Two

Just TWO MORE DAYS until we embark upon our crazy and long travel adventure to the Philippines!

We are flying from St. Louis to Detroit (1.5 hours) to Nagoya, Japan (13 hours) to Manila (4 hours).

We will arrive in Manila on Thursday evening at 10:00 and on Friday, June 13 we will have our Entrustment Day at Isaac's orphanage at 10:00a.m.  From this time on, he will be with us and we will spend a few days in the Philippines doing some fun things, seeing some sights, and attending church together.

On either Monday or Tuesday we will have our final appointment with ICAB (the adoption board) and we will be ready to fly back home on Wednesday, June 18.  Because of the time change, we will also be arriving home on Wednesday, June 18.

We are grateful to be at this place and are anxious to get the show on the road!

We met Jazhel (Isaac) when he was here in America on August 3, 2013 . . .now, just 10 months later, we are ready to bring him into our family - forever!  God has left us speechless throughout this process as He has coordinated so many details as only He can.  Our friends and family have loved us in so many ways, affirming God's call to adopt Isaac.  We pray that we will be strong and patient and understanding and flexible and faithful through all the changes and joys and challenges that lie ahead.  We believe that God will use Isaac's life in a huge way for His glory!  We don't know exactly what that means yet, but we can't wait to see.

Check back for new postings this week as we share what we are up to with our new son in the Philippines...

Gotta' go; there's still packing to do!

****karen

Blessed to Be Fully Funded!

As of today, May 13, 2014, we are excited to announce that we are fully funded for our total anticipated adoption expenses!  It is only through the generosity of our family and friends that we are at this point, and we are humbled beyond belief at the outpouring of love and support from so many.

From the beginning of this journey, from that first day we met Jazhel (Isaac), we believed God intended for us to embrace him as our fourth son, and asked us to completely trust Him with this one.  So, we trusted, not knowing how all the details would fall into place, not knowing how we would fund the process . . . and He proved, once again, that He is indeed trustworthy, without a doubt!

We are grateful for your prayers and for letting God nudge you to share generous financial gifts to bring us to his point!

Isaac has one more appointment - his Visa Interview - this week, and that should be the final piece to finish the puzzle . . .we will be making travel plans very, very soon!

****karen

Isaac's Visa Appointments

We are getting so close to our travel dates, it's hard to believe!

Isaac has an appointment Friday, May 9 for his Visa Medical visit.  Then, two weeks later, on May 23, he has his Visa Interview.  If all goes well for both appointments, they will call us and tell us we can make travel plans!

SKYPE!  Skype has been amazing.  We have talked with him four times already, and each conversation gets better and less awkward . . .we are getting used to each other's languages (with the help of adults there), and coming up with things to show each other (pictures, drawings, etc.) and share with each other (music, Tagalog learning program, etc.).  This communication will make our arrival at his doorstep less intimidating for all of us!

:)
****karen