A Special Connection

Pastor John and his daughter, Amy, Rhoda, and her daughters, Lindsay and Chelsea were only here for a short time, but made a lasting impact on the CLM family. The team from Columbus arrived with suitcases packed full of gifts for the kids and missionaries. Besides painting CLM's dining room, the team took the missionaries out for dinner, and had a special night for all the kids with cupcakes and ice cream. They immediately reached out to the children and you rarely saw any of them without 4 or 5 kids in tow. I had a wonderful time sharing with the ladies on the team and were so blessed by their encouragement and love for our new family. Praying for your quick return!

Goodbye to the Gouges

Can I say again how much I HATE saying goodbye? Our time with the Gouges was incredible...which made their leaving that much more difficult. We had waited so long for them to come and their six weeks here with us went way too fast. Mike and I realized how much we had missed the intimate fellowship with close friends and praise God for the opportunity to walk this adoption journey together. They are currently in Rio de Janeiro and will be heading back to the U.S. tomorrow. Please pray for their safety, their bonding as a family, and specifically for Donei as he begins his new life as Donei Michael Gouge.

Believe Me Now

After a very, very difficult week, full of challenges and disappointments, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me through this song (by Steven Curtis Chapman) that He is still in control.

I watch you looking out across the raging waters
So sure your only hope lies on the other side.
You hear the enemy, closing in around you
I know that you don't have the strength to fight
But do you have the faith to stand
And believe in Me?
Believe me here
Remember all the times, I've told you loud and clear
I am with you
I am for you
So believe me now...
I am the one who waved my hand and split the ocean
I am the one who spoke the words and raised the dead
I've loved you long before I set the world in motion
I know all the fears you're feeling now
Do you remember who I am?
Will you believe me now?
Believe me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you
And I am for you
So believe me now
Believe it's true
I never have, I never will abandon you.
The God I've always been
I will forever be
So believe me now
I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you've endured
My words are true and my promises are sure
So believe me now

I pray that these words speak to you as they did to me today.

Happy Birthday, Lindsay and Luana!

Our oldest daughter, Lindsay, turned 15 on August 11th. Although we tried to limit the presents we bought her, I think she was overwhelmed by the gifts she received from us, our family and friends back home, the Gouges, and from CLM. Over a two week period, gifts and cards arrived from the U.S. for her as we made sure she knew how thankful we were for her birth! :) When I shared that I thanked God for her birth mother and father, I think she was taken back by my candidness that without them, we would not be blessed with such a beautiful and precious daughter. I praise God for this special moment with her and pray that the Holy Spirit helps her to grieve the losses she's had and look forward to the wonderful future that He has promised.

Luana turned 9 on August 16th. She has been at CLM for over two years and is one of the most precious little girls I've ever met. The judge recently told us that she will soon be released for adoption. Please join with us in praying for her forever family.

Time with the Gouges

What a blessing it has been to spend time with the Gouges! We knew that we were going to have fun with Steve, Tammy, Alyssa, and Stephanie but we didn't realize the impact they would have on our new family. As we have interacted with our dear friends that we've known for over 15 years, our children have seen a side of us they hadn't known. For those of you who have spent time in a foreign country, you will know what I mean. Speaking a different language affects how you interact with others...and Mike and I have been much more reserved here than we normally are! Our children have also been able to watch the Gouges interact and see the dynamics of a healthy family. I praise God for this precious time together and the powerful impact that adoption has had on our families and our friendship. Please pray for all of us as we continue to adjust.

Saying Goodbye to Andy

Last night, the Gouges met Donei's brother, Andy for the first time. He was adopted in September of 2008 and lives about 4 hours north of us. (Since Andy came to CLM years after Donei and had a different father, the judge separated them when someone showed interest in adopting Andy. Regina, Andy's new mom, has come back to visit several times to allow the boys to spend time together.) When Tammy and Steve asked Donei for a list of people that he wanted to see before they left for the states, Andy was the first name he mentioned. His family will stay at CLM today to give the boys more time together. Please pray for Donei and Andy, as well as both of their new families.

A Family For the Twins!

Our twins received wonderful news today...a couple from Guarapuava want to adopt them! Regis and Sandra have been coming to CLM to help with computer classes--but realized very quickly that God had bigger plans for them. They immediately fell in love with Caroline and Carolaine and have been patiently waiting for them to be released for adoption. They will have visits each weekend for the next two months until the adoption process is finalized. Please pray for these precious girls and their new parents.

Financial Blessing

Here in Brazil, taxpayers have the option of giving their income tax to a charitable organization. Several business owners here in our area chose CLM. The donations will be used for telephone and electric bills, as well as for lawnmowers, weedeaters, oil, and gasoline. We invited each of the donors to a special night to show our gratitude last Friday and the kids sang, danced, and played piano and flute for our guests. We praise God for providing all of our needs and ask a special blessing for each of these special people.

The Cousins

The Gouges have been here for two weeks now and we are loving every moment with them! It has been beautiful to see our two families meshing together. The kids refer to each other now as "cousins" and we can't keep them apart! Please pray for Steve, Tammy, Alyssa, Stephanie, and Donei as they bond as a family. Continue to pray for Lindsay, Jenna, Ben, Mike, and me as we wait for our permanent visa to make our adoption official.

The Gouges are Coming! The Gouges are Coming!

Shouts were heard from Canton and from Guarapuava on Friday afternoon when the Gouges finally received the go ahead to book their tickets for Brazil! Last March, they felt God's leading and for over a year have been walking out the frustrating and very expensive process of international adoption. They will arrive on Tuesday and begin the final stage before Donei is able to return to the U.S. to live with his new family! We are beyond excited about having our precious friends here with us over the following weeks, and so blessed that now Donei will be a part of our lives forever. Please continue to pray for the entire family as they travel and as they begin living together here on CLM campus.

Marina

Amanda's cousin, Marina returned with the Teaters from their furlough on Wednesday night and will be staying with us for six weeks. It is obvious that she is a natural with the kids and is eager to help in any way she can. Please pray for her transition to CLM life and that God touches her life as she reaches out to share Christ's love with the CLM family.

Ohio Team

A team from Vesper Lake in Ohio arrived last Monday and will be leaving tomorrow night. Brad, Chris, Sarah, Brent, and Brenna have helped in any and every way they could from washing vans, cooking lunch, hanging pictures, moving furniture, and general cleaning to art projects and playing with the kids. We have been so blessed with their servants' hearts and outpouring of Christ's love for our children. Last night, they treated us to dinner at the pizzaria and tomorrow night have planned to make ice cream floats for everyone. We will all be sad to say goodbye to our new friends on Monday night. Please pray for them as they travel to Foz do Iguacu and continue back to the states on Wednesday.

Happy 40th Birthday?! YIKES!

Already four months?!

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted...having three children has definitely taken away from some of the time I had before on the computer! It will soon be four months since we've invited Ben, Jenna, and Lindsay into our home...and still no word on our permanent visa. We will be able to adopt as Brazilians once we receive this document, at which time we begin a two-year waiting period until they can become U.S. citizens. Please pray that we receive it soon so we can make the adoption official.

Gessica

We received a call last night requesting that we accept a five-year-old girl named Gessica. She is a cousin of Maria Luiza (who was recently adopted) and has two younger siblings. We have been told that they would like all three to be here eventually because they fear that the parents will try to take them from the group home in the city. Please pray for Gessica and her two siblings.

Jake and Amanda

Jake and Amanda will be leaving on Tuesday for their furlough...and I can't say enough how much we are all going to miss them. Their dedication and love for the kids have been apparent from day one. Please pray for rest and quality time with family and friends during their time in the states. May God abundantly bless and refresh them with even more passion and clearer vision for their ministry at CLM.