It's on , It's off and it's on again

Adoption

WOW the difference a few hours or days can make.  On August 17th, the adoption agency approved my adoption paperwork.  this means that I can stay to search for a child.  On August 22th, I met with the social workers thinking I was going to receive a list of available girls age 18 months to 3 years.  In a few moments I was told there are no available girls that age and I will have to wait for three months.  I just sat there kind of numb.  Glad that those who needed adoption was received into families, but shocked that now everything is on hold.  I prayed that God would direct the timing and process.  On August 24th, I received another phone call that there is a little girl about two hours away and was I willing to travel there.  YES!! So now its back on again.  This week they will submit my paperwork to the home and the week after I can visit. 

Now this is where I will freak out.  The thought of selecting a child is a little intimidating.  I hate the feeling that i will say no to a child or yes.  Based on what.  I know there are medical and emotional issues that might rule out the possibility of me parenting a child.  Pray that I will hear from God about who to consider and move towards adopting.  


School

I FINISHED MY LAST CLASS!!!  Project Management was good but my mind was so DONE! Beside that I was going through the adoption stuff mentioned above.  During the last class I brought snacks to celebrate with another student Jackson and our class, we both started together. I am so excited that this part of the master's program is over.  Now I am freaking out about the thesis.  I have the director of our department and the deputy vice chancellor of the school as my supervisors. This is the part that I along with thousands of other HATE this process.  Believe me, I have learned a lot, lets just leave it at that. Please pray that I stay focused and complete the thesis at the same time I will be adjusting to being a parent.

Birthday
Also had a great birthday celebration with fellow student who shared the same day.

Okay that think that's most of the news so far.  Be blessed.

Two weeks will tell....

In the next two weeks my world will change forever.  The adoption board is to meet and review my paperwork for my adoption process.  The first week of August I will start my last class for my masters and have a thesis meeting for my final paper.  Life will be very different in both areas.

Just finished the VIRAL conference for church planters. Over 175 church planters gathered for instruction and encouragement. Nine excellent main session and 11 workshops.  It was an amazing feeling to help plan a conference again.  I was thrilled to see the ideas come to life on stage and in the workshop rooms.  THANKS to all who spoke and pitched in to serve.  GREAT JOB.  We do it again in August.  Can we start this time in Feb 2013. It would help to settle this American mind for planning.

At the end of this month two small groups from my church will do a mission trip to a remote area in Kenya near Voi, to serve at a kids camp for three days.  40 adults, 300 kids and teens.  Looking forward to it.  Pray for us.

It's my birthday in 2 days finishing 48 years.  If you know me I celebrate for one month.  Each week doing something that I enjoy.  This year is weird.  Can't really put my mind around what I want to do, that doesn't include eating. NO money to travel.  I will find something to do.  It will involve theater, movies and friends.

I miss my family, my church, and sailing on Lake Michigan.

Speaking at a Women conference in Kibera. A wonderful visit from my boss Mark and his daughter Madeline with my friends Janice and Estelle.

Hello Everyone
PRAISE GOD  I have new furniture.  I will take a photo later. Planning a Church Planting conference for my church in Nairobi. Taking the next step with the adoption. Half way finished with the second to last class of my program.  Quick note for an extremely busy time. 

JUNE 2012

The months are going very fast.  This past month of May has been very full with activity.  I was thrilled to help teach the KAIROS mission course at NIST in Kenya. Over 20 students learned about the Biblical, historical and strategic plans for global mission tot he least reached people groups for Christ.

I am still working with CCCEA small group leaders.  I conduct training for 20 small group leaders as they develop their small group ministry.

School is still very taxing but coming to an end.  This August I will finish the classwork but start my thesis.
This week I have three major papers due on Friday.  PRAY!!!

Waiting patiently on the approval for the adoption.  I have asked them to submit my file in July.  I can finish my classes before taking on a child.  I am very excited.

Pastor Gloria from Nairobi Chapel has asked me to help lead an upcoming conference for church planters next month. SIX weeks away-- I and the team of volunteers and staff will help organize the conference layout and flow, recruit and train volunteers, and give overall leadership to everything including of the program on stage.  PRAY!!! This is our first Church Planters conference.

Thanking God for my new stove.  Now praying for furniture. Struggling at times with waiting, depression, excitement and looking forward to what is next its all in the same mind bouncing around.  Keep praying I need it. I am adjusting to Kenya's weather.. It is getting cooler these days and the nights I have to wear socks.

HOME VISIT DONE!!!!

This past Thursday I completed the home visit required for my adoption process.  Now is the wait until July that my paperwork will be turned in to be approved for adoption.  During this time I will complete the last few classes for my Master's degree.  Pray with me as I look into which little girl will be mine.  Which medical issues will not be a problem or hindrance to traveling?

In the core of my spirit is feels a little unreal.  I am getting advise from moms who have adopted.  I know that God has prepared me for the next level of learning- to be a mom.  What I will do on that learning curve !?!?!?!

Keep praying

Visa-IN HAND

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

My Pupil pass (student Visa) is FINALLY in hand and in my passport. It came through without any EXTRA support but the prayers of the saints. THANK YOU!  The visa expires in two years.  Enough time for me to finish everything I need to do.  I will continue taking classes to support the visa.

This THURSDAY the 17th is my home visit for the adoption.  They will look over everything to makes sure I have a home good enough to house a child.  I do:). After the home visit my paperwork will be submitted in July.  Lord's will if there are no delays I will be prayerfully selecting a child late July or August. The first month is visits in the home and afterwards she will be able to come home with me.  I am praying for the first part of September.   

School- down to my last three classes and thesis.  The process to finish the thesis will be demanding.  I have submitted my proposal but haven't heard from the school.

Mission teaching week- Praise God just finish teaching and leading small groups for the Karios Mission Course here in Nairobi.  We had 18 students and 8 teachers and leaders.  I love teaching this class.  Chris and Nadine from Australia lead the courses. 


Small group teaching- I have been assisting Christ Covenant Church with starting their small group program.  We have done two training sessions and I am praying to meet with the leaders monthly to establish their program.

Children's Ministry training with Friends Church (Quakers) in Satellite Nairobi.  Over 20 members joined us in learning about serving children in the church and community.  The photos above.

Had a great trip to Mombasa a vacation spot with Carla from Chicago.  2 days of pool, sleep and food :).

HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY!!!!

round 2

This week I visited an adoption lawyer to review if I should proceed. I have lived here for four years, but two of the years were as a tourists. I wanted to know if that that would work. I was here continuously and would meet the three years requirement. Anyway she stated since I can show that I was here with rent stubs it should not be a problem. Now next week I go back to the adoption agency and see if they will proceed, call the US embassy and finish my paperwork.

School- I really am nervous about this thesis class. It is very frustrating and its the class I most dislike. Not the class, but the thought of writing a thesis. No joy at all.