Where in the World

celebrating 4 years of becoming a family with David and Julia

2010-06-20T13:10:00.000-04:00

In a world where 70% of father’s won’t receive a father’s day gift, my husband will never have to worry about that. This week we are celebrating 4 years of becoming a family with David and Julia and every father’s day his heart gets full remembering the reason we celebrate.

And this year is time for the soccer world cup again! The first world cup soccer we watched together as a family was 4 years ago in Moscow. Brian, who was born in Brazil, loves soccer and we were left in the hotel waiting for David and Julia’s immigration papers of to be able to come back home as a family, so we watched lots of soccer games together at the restaurant in the hotel in Moscow. David, who was almost two years old at the time, did not speak a word of Russian or English yet. We were too ignorant to think there was anything wrong with it and too hopeful (in God) to actually worry about it.

When watching the games on Brian’s lap, David said his first word: “Gooool” and he would raise his arms with papi. We think he actually tried to say “Shuta” (Portuguese word for kicking a ball)
Here is a picture of the kids in bed with Papi Brian that first day:

Yesterday, my brother and his wife Tracy invited us to watch the premiere for Toy Story. When we got to the movie theater she gave each child two for the characters of the movie. Their 3 children and ours are best friends and love to be together. We watched this 3D movie that talks about toys left behind in a place where they cannot accomplished their purpose for why they exist: to be played with nicely by children that cherished them. I was crying so hard remembering that there are so many real children left behind orphanages with no real parents to help them become … but, I won’t talk about that today.

Once we got out of the movie theater, around 5pm, we went to the beach (we live in south Florida and is summer time) and then my brother treated us for dinner at a small Italian restaurant Brian and I had discover 10 years ago the day we decided to get back together after a separation. The small restaurant has survived many economic storms, so has our marriage. It was close to 10PM when we told Mosh and tracy that we were celebrating this week the fact of becoming a family, and they were happy to know that they were inviting us for dinner to actually commemorate this moment with us. The 5 kids were in a separate table having fun and I was just like always amazed on how much happiness a heart can be when recognizing how precious is to have a family to cherish and to share life with.
Happy Father’s day.

I give you this video for Mother's Day

2010-05-08T11:28:00.000-04:00

I give you this video for Mother's Day.
Watch & tell me where you started crying :) "I'll Love you forever"
http://bit.ly/momLove
This is my version of it!
This is my facebook account:
http://bit.ly/rebecaFacebook
If you have questions about adoption.

Poems to our kids

2010-05-07T11:38:00.000-04:00

I wrote these poems to our kids today April 13, 2006. I apologize to my blogger friends these poems came to me in Spanish. I am publishing them now that I feel more comfortable with my feelings.

To Yulia:

De lejos viniste mi alma alegrar
Con ojos de ensueño y voz celestial

Que Linda la noche cuando estrellas hay
Que bella la vida, la luz Dios nos da
Regalo precioso de Dios eres tu
Regazo bendito por El que te envió.

Todo fue orquestado por un Dios de amor

A ti una madre, a mi una flor
Una vez esperanza hoy la rosa eres tu
Primavera de vida, vigor, juventud.

Pledge to my children

Viniste de lejos, mi alma ganaste: Con ojos de ensueño

De Dios el tesoro, Que vino a su tiempo: A mami alegrar

Tan cerca te tengo, Muy dentro, muy fuerte: En el Corazón

Con Dios de testigo prometo quererte, Por siempre un montón!

A song to David (way before)

Tú eres el niñito de mi Corazón
Perfecto regalo que vino de Dios
Arrurú mi niño ya durmiendo estas
Mami va arrullarte el alba despertar.

Cautivada por tu sonrisa que muestras al hablar

Adorno de tu boquita; es de mami el panal

Papi ya esta conquistado; ansias de ver tu faz

Que ya sea de mañana! tu dulce miel contemplar.

Julia Sings - David Plays the Guitar

2010-03-02T15:55:00.000-05:00

From Here to Hollywood! 3/26/08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ6bsQMWFKk

Check it out!

David and Julia: Soccer Time

2009-10-09T11:56:00.003-04:00

You can see it on full screen on this link: http://www.scrapblog.com/rebecaknowles/2AA43833-ABBC

How God used a little dog to teach me the basic first lesson on adoption.

2009-04-16T15:20:00.005-04:00

Some of you might think I am crazy and some of you that have a psychology degree might have even more insight than me over my experience and still others will feel relief to know they are not the only weird people in this world.

The story goes like this: it was December 2001 the year the world turned upside down for the people in the USA. For Brian and I, this was the year that God provided for us our new home. We were to move in Late December 2001 and it seemed at that time that this was not going to be easy. Brian might lose his job right after Christmas, his company asked him to take forced Christmas vacation with no pay and the rumor was, he would not have a job when he came back.

Still it was Christmas time and I was shopping for gifts at the mall. I went by a very popular store and saw that they were giving a gift with purchase, so I stopped and thought, I could buy some creams and toiletries for a friend and the little stuff animal could be a gift for a child. I went in and purchased enough to get my free gift, a little stuffed animal. It was a dog, a white Maltese dresses for winter and in one of her paws it was her name, and her name was Lola.
This is the only kind of dog I was not afraid of, I have had a long history of being terrified by dogs and the stuffed animal became mine instantly. It was like the beginning of a healing.

There was so much going on that Christmas; we thought we were not going to be able to purchase our home, which meant we would lose our 10% deposit and we would be houseless after Christmas. We decided to go to other cheaper state and started looking at houses opportunities there. Finally we spoke to our mortgage broker and she helped us to get in to our home without requiring any more money down. This was actually a better alternative that moving some other place.

Christmas went by that year without much activity and by the time March came, I found myself finally installed on our new house, sitting at the window of our library still worried for the financial situation, my husband now had a new job, and the little stuffed dog was now on my lap.
In a split second I was able to see myself, and thought how pathetic to be sitting down in my house petting a stuff animal. It was then, that I pray to God and said, Lord, I want the real thing; I would like a little Lola. Brian was game immediately! He loves dogs, I do too, but I was just afraid of them.

We went to this sad pet store and there we found a little Maltese, she was sweet and loved to be cuddled on Brian’s arms but we were not sure, so we went home to our normal business. I thought about this little dog all week, but “you cannot just purchase the first dog you ever see”, I thought, so the next weekend, we went to other pet stores and met other Maltese dogs. None was like that first one. My heart was feeling horrible, I thought, I found my little dog last week and I did not adopt her! I wondered if she was still there. We rushed at the dirty pet store we have been the week before and there she still was, our little Lola. We filled out all the adoption papers, the owner of the shop gave us some instructions and I asked her date of birth. December 24, 2001 he told us. God had a little dog for me for Christmas and this man had taken care of her for me for the first 3 months of her life. I was thankful to God for such a precious gift.

There is something special when you find meaningful dates associated with the most adventurous chapters of your life. There was another date when adopting my children that God used to show me His hand on the matter. The day my father died, my son David was being delivered by his birth mother. While I was crying the death of my father, the Lord was someplace far away, delivering a baby for me. Two years later we found each other. The only Russian boy I ever laid my eyes on was also the child that God prepared for me to adopt as my son. No medical report, or distance, no fears of the unknown, could make me scared enough to let him go. I laid my eyes on his picture and I knew he was my son, a gift from God.

Lola was with us for over 4 years before we came home with our adopted children. Lola taught me that adoption works. Your heart can leap for a little creature you did not delivered, or nurtured at birth and you can create bonds that are worth pursuing and enjoy. What I know about adoption, God started to teach me in a very small scale with Lola.

He knew that it would take a stuffed animal to let my heart open for a real little dog. And it would take a little dog to open my heart to the idea of adoption. That’s why Lola is so special to my heart.

God used her to prepare me to accept His miracle of Adoption in my heart.

Weekend activities with Mami and Papi

2009-04-08T07:48:00.004-04:00

David, Julia, mami and papi had a very busy weekend around town. Saturday we spent all day at the art institute celebrating earth day.

Then, Sunday afternoon, we went to the Botanical gardens in Miami beach to run some. Some of the children expressions were so cute! You can see the whole album in facebook, you have to be my friend to be able to see them.

Spring cleaning starts with stirring some dirt

2009-03-29T19:03:00.003-04:00

Julia and David went to Home Depot today and chose some herbs and went for a ride in a “big truck”. David tried all the herbs before buying “delicious mami” This is their side of the story: “We helped mami and papi to make the garden and then we dug and put the plants on the pots and then put water on it, and took more sand and then we prayed for the plants to grow”.

That was an easy recipe for family filled fun. We might adventure to tomatoes or vegetables next time.

Click here if you want to see the album at www.scrapblog.com I just created. Or if you are my friend en facebook you will see it on my profile (Rebeca Segebre Knowles)

Afterwards, papi prepared some water with limes and mint ... after so much work and sweat, it just tasted delicious!

Julia and David went outside after eating dinner and went right to the herb garden “Look Julia, amazing its growing!” now they are playing with the dirt – that’s going to be the challenge now.
We are proud to tell you we just planted an herb garden. Invitation pending for meal prepared fresher.

Growing fast

2009-02-24T12:44:00.004-05:00

Yesterday in church they showed us the end of the movie Schindler's list – it spoke to me about the impact of adoption. “To save one human soul is to save the world”. It amazes me the Divine in adoption. Anyone touched by adoption cannot stay the same. It is like redemption. You go from point A to point B and it does not make sense unless something happen in the middle. David and Julia are sleeping in the room next to mine and 3 years ago they were sleeping in an orphanage across the ocean … how do you explain that? Well, it took a process, steps, money, sacrifice, lot of people helping, but really the work is called redemption.
They grow up too fast. My little ones are learning to write and read and I am loving it.

Things of Everyday Life

2008-09-13T11:18:00.005-04:00

"Mami, sit down here": David and Julia ask me to sit down and watch them sing a concert with guitars and drums o just watch them play baseball. "Oh my goodness!!!" That's what David says when he is surprised - just like Granma Berenice would say it.

Julia loves her dolls, she plays to be a caring mother that goes to the “office” and comes back with food(num – nums) for the family and the baby.

David looked at me from across the dinning room table and smiled and said, “mami is beautiful” well, he actually said “Mami is Linda” which goes deeper into my heart since he chose my native tongue to give me a complement.
I have been giving him lots of descriptive names, such as David is helpful, obedient, careful, truthful, etc but he chose to call me beautiful!

Check out our Cruise pictures

2008-05-14T09:39:00.001-04:00

Since I have nothing else to do, I created a new blog just for publishing our last Celebrity Cruise pictures.

Check it out:
http://knowlescelebritycruise.blogspot.com/

Besos.

Celebrity Cruise for the Knowles gang

2008-04-21T22:37:00.019-04:00

We just had the best family vacation ever! We came back yesterday from a 7 day cruise onboard the Celebrity Millennium.

David got to play a real drums ...

It was a great cruise to the Eastern Caribbean Islands.

Want some cake?

I ate lots of cake!

Some of the B-day Pictures. Julia was very happy with the celebration.

The kids had a blast! Julia asked for cucumbers and caprese salad every night and then she ate her main meal. We went to the beach in Saint Thomas and Labadee. Brian and I went to Saint Thomas for our honeymoon and now we were back 16 years later with our kids. That's the reason for the romantic picture!

Julia ate Cucumbers every night!

What a blessing to have the love of my two children.

Since Julia’s b-day was closed enough, we decided to celebrate it on the last day of the cruise. We ate at the main dining room every night; the last night as we were ready to leave, a couple from the table next to us came over and made a wonderful comment about our children, they said that their table had been impressed by the way our children behave in the table. We were so proud! It has been a long road here but it has been all worth it!

I got the best Easter gift possible!

2008-03-24T15:35:00.001-04:00

I was invited to be the host at a women’s congress for Campus Crusade for Christ next to Miss Universe Paraguay 1999. “Today’s Women”, is the name of the movement. Among the attendees, 80% were women; leaders from all over Latin America and Judy Douglas, wife to the President of Campus Crusade for Christ. Judy was an inspiration to me.

The Lord surprised me when I was asked to speak at the conference on Resurrection Sunday. You see, I met my children on Easter 2006 and here I was yesterday sharing the wonderful love of God.I spoke about Adoption! He adopted us as His children and just as it happened with David and Julia, when God adopted us, He gave as His name and also an Inheritance.

What does adoption have to do with Resurrection? There is the obvious answer and then, there is a more personal answer: He provided a resurrection on an area where we were dead. David and Julia are a resurrection miracle for Brian and me.

“Lord, send me a surprise.
One that catches me off guard
and makes me wonder.
Like Easter.

Send me a resurrection
when everything looks dead and buried.
Send me light
when the night seems too long.” Dr. Herbert Brokering

I challenged the women to do a self-analysis and ask the Resurrected Lord to resurrect what might be or seem dead in their own lives.I thank God for the opportunity to advocate for adoption to this group of very special women.

After I spoke, I heard so many encouraging words. Many women were crying and even Brian, my husband, the only man allowed at the conference, was also crying. One woman told me that she will go back with the Hope that the Lord will resurrect her marriage. Some other adoptive mothers that were there thank me for bringing up the adoption topic among Latin women, where generally adoption comes with a stigma. I explained how adoption changes everything and how it is a wonderful display of God’s love.

One woman came to me afterwards and told me that my testimony helped her to decide to take the path of adoption and to me that is just too wonderful for words!

Oh, I was forgetting!!! I went to Lima to promote my first ever book. It is called Un Minuto Con Dios (One Minute With God) It is a devotional – 50 reflections to share with you spouse. It is based on the first 50 radio programs – I know, I forgot to write about our radio Program!

This is all part of our ministry to the Spanish speaking people, here in the USA and in Latin America. I speak about our children on this book also. Let me know if you would like a copy – I still owe Glo a copy of my CD, I still have her home address, and time just go by too quick …

Can I say merry Christmas and Happy New Year?

2008-01-09T13:57:00.000-05:00

“I listened to you and found my own voice”. Hilary Clinton on winning the New Hampshire Primary yesterday.

I am not a supporter of Hillary; even though I admire her willingness to become our country’s leader. But the reason I write her words on my blog, is that I think her phrase would work wonders on a marriage, on a family, on any relationship, right?

I wish to say, “Brian, I listened to you and in the process I found my own voice”

I hope to listen to my children also; listen to what they say with their few words as well as what they say with their behavior, actions and attitudes. I have found some of what Christ wants in me through my children, that's for sure ...

Yesterday at the doctor's office with David I almost cried! David was 2% when we first came from Russia, yesterday, I was told he is 75%!!!!! I could not believe it! Praise the Lord!!!

Here are some pictures you might enjoy. Auntie B - I will be adding more christmas pictures to my facebook ... David is wearing the Atletico Paranaence Uniform!

Our First Rainbow Together

2007-11-02T17:14:00.000-04:00

Julia and David got to see their first rainbow yesterday! Right outside our window.

I got my camera and was able to get a picture of Julia’s face as Papi was holding her proud. One of the joys of parenthood is to be there for all the “first” experiences; by being an adoptive parent, the amount of “first” experiences we get to share with our children are less.

We can either lament saying “what if we had the opportunity to adopt our children at an earlier age” or we can just Take in and treasure the opportunities we get to share. I have chosen the second option.

We also went to the mall o see the Christmas train. Here in this picture david is wearing the outfit auntie B got from san Francisco. Auntie B got both, David and Julia traditional Chinese outfits. Julia looked really oriental, exotic and beautiful; David looks like a prince.

Middle Named by Jullia

2007-10-30T08:34:00.000-04:00

May be the reason my mother did not give me a middle name was because, it was meant to be a gift from God.

When we met Julia, she was Yulia. We did not want to change her name so we gave her a significant middle name: Amanda (Loved one, amada) so her name is Julia Amanda Knowles.
Julia has learned to say her name, the name of “abue” (my mother), her brother’s, Grandma's, Grandpa, papi’s name and my name.

When I asked her the other day to say my name she said: mami rebe amanda knowles

So that’s it! It was meant to be. Julia has changed my name, I used to be Rebeca Knowles but now, she has Adopted me! and changed my name to Rebeca Amanda (Loved one) Knowles.

There is almost nothing left of the Rebeca Segebre Matera I used to be.

Para mi amado Brian

2007-10-18T15:39:00.000-04:00

Brian,

You say I give you wings;
but you are my anchor;

The solid place where I feel safe.

Your faithfulness trespasses all possible boundaries

It’s more than just an attitude

Or even a space.

It is your soul that pulls me to your direction
Where ever I run to do or dream and wish to be.

You are always there.

His House Gala only 2 weeks after surgery

2007-09-27T21:54:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for a place to support in South Florida, look no more! We love the people from His House. Here I got this picture with the founder “Mama” Jean.

Jean is one of those rear people that are living a life of significance doing what their heart and the Spirit of God inspired them to do. She is practicing true religion, taking care of the orphans of South Florida and the foster children; 350 of them.

I just had surgery (to have my uterus removed) 2 weeks before the event Last Saturday. I got flat shoes, stay only for 2 hours, but did not want to miss the event! I am glad I was there to express our support.

I met one beautiful 10-year old girl that night, while I was touching up at the bathroom; she is at the Home with two more siblings: I was inspired!
I also met in the bathroom, a woman with 6 children that is adopting a 12 year old girl from His House, and I was also inspired.
Thanks so much Jean for your hard work. Their web site is: www. hhch.org

This post is dedicated to Auntie B!

2007-09-27T21:22:00.000-04:00

Since you were not here on the 25th to sing to you the “Happy to ya” song, here are some pictures to entice you to visit us soon.

David got an “airplane-avion” from Cesar and Raquel and he told me where you sit on the airplane. According to him, you are actually flying the airplane!

Como to see us soon Brenda! We enjoy when you are home with us, and the children love it!
Happy B-day to you from all of us!

Things Julia and David Love to eat

2007-07-31T09:52:00.000-04:00

David and Julia would stop eating their meal if they see the following items in the table:

Tomatoes,
Avocados,
Cucumber,
Radishes,

They also love onions, and their favorite salad is the caprese salad with tomatoes and cheese.

Here is a proof look at all the asparagus, they ate the whole bunch before papi was done with the meat.

We are so happy that our kids love veggies!

David y Julia singing

2007-07-31T09:46:00.001-04:00

I am just a proud mom of future artist:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mImFF8nUwtU

Check it out.

Rebeca Knowles shares stage with Yuri (rebeca who?)

2007-07-17T18:23:00.000-04:00

I was invited to a Christian event this Saturday titled “a pause in eternity”

I am thrilled to be part of the program next to the Mexican “Diva” Yuri .. can you believe that?
I will be singing one of my songs and sharing my adoption experience with around 500 Latin women. What a privilege!!!

Please pray for me as this is a great opportunity to change some erroneous views on adoption and encourage the Latin community to understand the power of God’s love in adoption.

David's B-Day Party

2007-07-05T23:42:00.000-04:00

We celebrated on Sunday with a group of friends and family; tia Raque, cesar and Gabi were missed as well as grandpa and granma who were celebrating their 40th year aniversary!!;
so here are the pictures: Look at what happens when mami is not looking!

David looks like giving thanks to God for his new gift.

Having fun with friends.

Brian and I were at the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast

2007-06-16T22:00:00.000-04:00

June 15, 2007, 1:00:00 PM
President Bush on Friday said, "I thank you for the chance to come to the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast. Appreciate the opportunity to be with Hispanic American pastors and priests and community leaders and faith based activists from all over the United States. I thank you for coming, and thanks for having me come. I appreciate your leadership, I appreciate your compassion, and I thank you for your abiding faith in the power of prayer. One of the reasons that America leads the world is that we've always welcomed people who are determined to embrace our democracy and stand for freedom."
20070615.pod.a.mp3

Hillary was also there. She was great. This trip to Washington DC gave me a bigger appreciation for the people that serves us. It is not an easy task.

This was the first time Brian and I were apart from David and Julia and I have to confess I had some moments I just wanted to run to the airport to come home.

But I think it was a good experience for all of us; today, when we were finally together, we were very greatful to be together. It is now one year together as a family and I want to praise the Lord for His Goodness toward all of us.

We celebrated our one year together at an argentinean restaurant - it felt like a dinner on a honeymoon trip - the beuty of relationships based on commitment, of choosing to love and allow another to love you.

Our Adoption Biography on ConexionUSA magazine

2007-06-05T15:07:00.000-04:00

Check out the article that ConnexionUSA magazine wrote about our adoption journey.
Click or copy and paste the following address and you’ll see part of the article:
http://www.lanueva883fm.com/cnxusa-temp/mayo2007/biografia.php

June 14th will be our first year with David and Julia and we will celebrate our “Gotcha” day.

My first mother’s day as a mother

2007-05-13T22:36:00.000-04:00

My first mother’s day as a mother myself was extremely exiting.

I started the day with a great breakfast in bed. My husband created a brunch experience for the two of us and we ate at our balcony while our children were still in bed. He prepared beautiful eggs with vanilla French toast made out of croissants, decorated with few sautéed spinach leaves and some kiwi pieces. He also brought some blackberries, my favorite fruit, and Mimosas! And of course my regular morning latte. Isn’t he amazing!!!

Then, I took a shower and he got the kids ready. When I left the bathroom David and Julia were waiting for me with flowers in their hands and sang: “Happy to you, mami, happy to you Mami, Happy to you Mami Mami, happy to you mami.”

Bravo!!

Happy B-day baby Julia

2007-05-03T23:18:00.000-04:00

Julia and Mami in Church.

Today, I am officially the mother of two two-year old children! Today is Julia’s B-day. I love my Julia; she is a Joy to have. Happy B-day baby!

We had a great party on Saturday and have so many pictures but my computer crashed so I have to wait to publish them.

Auntie B came to visit for the occasion and we had around 15 children attending the party. It was a little overwhelming for both, David and Julia, but they had fun.

Julia really enjoyed the whole experience.

My first b-day with the kids!

2007-04-15T20:29:00.000-04:00

Last year on my b-day I was very sad. Brian and I have just returned from Brazil empty handed after having a really bad experience and one that was also in a way an eye opener. This year, just one year later from that day I felt there was no hope, I celebrated my b-day with Brian and our two children.
At lunch time, I received a phone call from a stranger, someone, I never met before, she was asking me about adoption. I found myself remembering the whole experience. That was the best gift I could have received: I was forced to look back and thank God for His goodness as I gave account on how our adoption story unfolded, and at the same time I was used by Him to bring some light of hope to another family in the process of adopting. Thank you Jesus!!

I am Back!

2007-04-14T21:54:00.000-04:00

The time has passed by so quick at our home – we had a major event for the ministry and had guest from Brazil for a while – Christmas was my last post - almost 4 months ago – One important thing stayed home from last Christmas: I took one of my favorites Christmas songs and made it into a lullaby for our children. It goes like this:

Mommy did you know that your baby girl was going to come from Russia?
Mommy did you know that your baby girl was going to be named Julia?
Did you know that your baby girl would be your greatest joy?
And the precious child you are holding is a gift from above ….?
Mommy did you know?

Mommy did you know that your baby boy was going to come from Russia?
Mommy did you know that your baby boy was going to be named David?
Did you know that your baby boy would be your greatest joy?
And the precious child you are holding is a gift from above ….?
Mommy did you know?

Knowles Christmas Message

2006-12-20T14:56:00.001-05:00

This Christmas is so special for us as a family because as we are for the first time celebrating together with our children David and Julia, we are reminded that a Child was born and given to bring hope into the hearts and lives of the hopeless. These four hopeless people found each other and found hope this year.

Jesus, our wonderful hope, comes to accomplish in our lives what man cannot.

The Child of Hope is Jesus!
May the New Year be filled with Christmas Hope!!

Christmas Brunch Moments

2006-12-20T14:02:00.000-05:00

We celebrated Christmas at our house early this year with my side of the family – We prepared a brunch - main course was Rainbow trout .. sounds fancy right? well in small towns in Colombia, people eat fish for breakfast, so we went with it and we had Yuca and Suero ... for the Colombians reading they know it is not fancy anymore but very home cooking ... Also we had fruit and cookies and made from scratch blueberry muffins and mimosas and hot chocolate - We used to go to a restaurant in Minneapolis called Kinkaids and the Sunday Brunch was expectacular - they had the best blueberry muffins - Brian's were the best!
These are some of the pictures from the party:
The kids really enjoyed the whole event! Julia even had a cookie - and she is not into sweets.

Her first sweet food she actually liked was a chocolate/sugra christmas cookie we got after church 2 sundays ago and her second cookie was just last Saturday as you see in this picture - we are all eating sweets, even Lola.
David got a guitar for Christmas - he loved it!
Here we are trying to get lola into her new outfit - That was her Christmas gift.
Julia was very curious with all the gifts.
Bellow there is a great Christmas moment - Just before opening presents:

DJ Pablo’s music will be playing in our New Year's Party.

2006-12-20T12:33:00.000-05:00

I just added a link on the side bar of the blog that was created by my nephew and it is so clever!

If you are interested in knowing a little bit more about music from my city Barranquilla, just click on the link also found on the side bar: www.quillacity.com/emisora.htm
This is like a Radio station that plays music from Barranquilla.

Pablo promised me to create a link for me with the songs from my CD to add also here so you can just click and listen .. no need for shipping and handling. That is so cool!!

David and Julia Love dancing. I am going to see what I can do to have DJ Pablo’s music playing for our New Years party.

Gracias Pablo!

Gabi first B-Day

2006-12-18T23:38:00.000-05:00

On Decempber 2nd 2006, David saw Elmo "Live" for the first time at my niece's B-day party and he loved him!!!

Brian and I were really busy just trying to keep up with our two active toddlers on a Sesame street theme party. They loved the singing the dancing, the ice cream cones and of course, Elmo.

Julia is learning the meaning of the expression "Fashion first" It was a little hot outside but we kept the whole outfit the entire party! She is Mama's girl.

The B-day girl was beautiful, like always .. my dear niece is also my goddaughter so this was a very special celebration for us. My sister made this cheese breads that were amazing!! It was nice to enjoy with all our nieces, nephews and our friends kids!

Christmas Moments

2006-12-18T23:22:00.000-05:00

David saw Santa … I think he heard of him before somewhere, he calls him "Santee". This was the same expression he had when he saw Elmo "Live" at his prima’s B-day party … I will post the B-day party pictures later.
Lola loves Christmas … she was born December 24th 2001 so every Christmas Eve she thinks we are celebrating her birthday.

Still behind

2006-12-18T23:09:00.000-05:00

Just a diary note with the highlights about our Thanksgiving celebration:
1. Tia Brenda Came to visit David and Julia and stay with us the whole week. What a blessing!! She brought the kids each a t-shirt from Australia – is that cool or what!

2. My mom came from Colombia just a week before thanksgiving.

3. Then Grandma and Grandpa came on Thanksgiving Day. David, Julia, papi y mami went to the airport to get them. We came home and started cooking. Tia Brenda prepared a wonderful stuffing corn bread with sausages, leeks and cranberries. It was very “gourmet” and delicious: the talk of the dinner. My sister Raquel prepared one turkey and Brian prepared the other one. Food was great!!!

4. We had my side of the family and Brian’s side of the family at our house for this Thanksgiving but we also had my sister in laws mom and dad and my brother in law side of the family also, so that was great.

5. The kids kept their schedule and were awake to enjoy the party and the guests

6. we had Cathy with us so she played the piano and we sang together praise hymns – my sister Raquel and I cried while holding our little girls and singing “Great is thy faithfulness”

7. We had guest over in our house all the way to midnight.

I have to say that this was the best Thanksgiving we ever had.

I had to post a before and after moment in pictures of Julia.

2006-12-01T11:15:00.000-05:00

Before and after picture of Julia and Papi.

Papi was the first man Julia ever saw in her entire life until she was close to one year old and now she loves to dance with him at home.

Papi sings this song: “someday your Prince will come …” and Julia gives her hand to papi to position herself for dancing and she pretends she is singing with him. I think is good Brian is practicing for Julia’s “big day” this early, but knowing him, when the “day” comes, he won’t be able to sing the song … he will probably just cry … just like grandpa.

Julia has a great personality. She loves to sing and dance. At night, after I give her the bottle, she knows is time for singing lullabies, so she starts imitating my singing to get me started. It is such a precious moment. Then she puts her two fingers in her mouth telling me she is ready for her own bed.

I can believe that Julia’s referral description was: “shy and quiet girl” that is so not my Julia anymore. You should see her when we are in public, at church, the Latin restaurant, etc. she comes in and says “hi” to every person she sees … and smiles as she was a personality saluting … and she is not quiet either she can hardly say 20 words but she knows how to have a discussion and make herself understood and of course she pretends of having this long conversations at the table with whoever wants to listen.

Julia used to say only Paapa and not mama, but 2 days ago as we were in the car coming back home from David’s school, I said: “Julia say: we are Home” and she said “OMMM” so then I said: “Julia if you can say Ommmm, you can say mmmammma” then she said: Mmaammaa!!!! I am so proud of her! Is like she got it and now she says it a lot!

Happy Late Thanksgiving to everyone!

2006-12-01T10:31:00.000-05:00

Before and after pictures of David and Mami.

I can’t believe it is already December 1st. wow! I will try to write more post today about our Thanksgiving 2006 before we start talking Christ-mas!

So this is my first update on the last few weeks, at least I am taking pictures so I can remember some of this important moments:

David started calling me Mami just before Thanksgiving!! That is much sweeter than Maaama! Even though Maaama is great! I am so thankful to God for that gift.

I can see David growing to love me more in the last month and also yielding in a very welcoming way to my acts of affection. Two nights ago, while I was singing to him the usual made up songs I have for them, he told me “Mami, mami: amo” Amo means love in Spanish and that is a very much used word on the songs I sing to both of them night. He actually takes my cheeks and looks very close to my face and starts talking stuff like little “secrets” I can’t understand what he says most of the time, but I pretend I do and I just go on with the conversation: he loves to talk! Those are great moments.

He is so active, in his Learning Center, they say he is the one that has the most fun on the playground but the one that falls the most. He is definitely the one that eats the most in his class and then he asks for “more plis”

My mom and I attended David’s Thanksgiving celebration at school and it was wonderful. I asked my mom to take a picture of me with David and then I realized it was pretty much the same picture I took in Moscow on our second trip. I cried when I saw myself kneeling down next to David at the table … but this time I was next to my own son!!!

Just a little bit about me

2006-11-15T22:26:00.000-05:00

Brian and I have been a little sick lately. Actually I was not supposed to carry heavy stuff and Brian was not supposed to drive, so, I was driving us around and he was doing all the lifting …today I am feeling much better and tomorrow, we will go to a follow up visit for Brian.

Just a little bit about me …. I got my first invitation to sing at a women breakfast coming up in our church on the first Saturday of December!!! so, I am thinking of the best way to share our adoption story and inspire others to adopt or at least shine some redemption light on the subject.
Yes, Last year in November, God gave me the blessing to finish a CD project. These are a collection of songs I have written and was waiting to put together, well, last year we were able to finish this project, but right in the middle of our adoption process, so now, a year later, I am thinking in ways to do some marketing for it, mainly because there is a Christmas song I wrote and would be great to share with others. 8 of the 10 songs in the CD are in Spanish, but I would love to share it with you my blog friends, just send me an email and ask for it rifka_segebre@yahoo.com I’ll send you a copy.

Continuing with the Adoption Month subject, I found from Kim that this week Family Life is dedicating their broadcast to adoption.

“You can go to the sites and find out what radio station near you will carry these broadcasts. If you click on their broadcast schedules, you can get more information about the speakers and their topic.”http://www.voiceoftheorphan.org/display.asp?page=Broadcast

I actually listened to today’s broadcast from Family life and found it very inspiring, I passed the information about Voice of the Orphan ministry to some Pastor from our church and I hope to see some results from it.

Most of all, it really had made me think about the ministry to the orphan and our place as a family on it. We also work with a ministry for couples in Brazil www.reachingoutnet.org and I have asked the question this week about what should we be doing there also. We might not be the most knowledgeable on the subject but definitely committed to the cause.

November - National Adoption Month

2006-11-07T11:53:00.000-05:00

What ideas can we still put into place to take advantage of this National celebration? Just blog me or email me with some. I am still thinking.

President George W. Bush proclamation:
"I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities to honor adoptive families and to participate in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children."

Episodes of "Sesame Street" this month will address the topic of adoption as part of National Adoption Month in the United States. Check Sesame Street on PBS Nov. 6 and 7, where the "Sesame Street" gang gets a new edition when the character Gina adopts a baby boy from Guatemala named Marco. I watched it yesterday and it was great, we were having dinner and Brian could not handle it, he started crying, well, I did too. The program seeks to explain what it means to adopt and how it impacts parents and those closest to them.

I just found out that there is a long list of all of the special days celebrated in November 2006, something for everybody; besides being the National Adoption Month my ultimate favorite, here are some other interesting celebrations:
American Heritage Month
Child Safety and Protection Month
Drum Month
Good Nutrition Month
Hunger Awareness Month
Latin American Month
Peanut Butter Lover's Month
National Georgia Pecan Month
Family Stories Month
National Family Literacy Month
National Sleep Comfort Month
International Creative Child and Adult Month
National Raisin Bread Month
Real Jewelry Month
I Am So Thankful Month

and my ultimate favorite by the way of the tittle:
Anything Can Happen Month: I hope for Good things happening this month specially for those who still wait ... here: in America; and there: someplace in the world!

I guess there is even daily events such as my favorite for today:
November 7, 2006: National Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day

and
The most important one today:

Don't forget to Vote!!

Two children at once

2006-10-31T11:30:00.000-05:00

I have seen a lot of question about people wanting to adopt 2 children at a time and hesitating about getting the help of relatives.
So, I wanted to write a little bit about our experience.

As most of you know by now, we came back from Moscow with 2 beautiful children at once 4 month ago and the day we arrived we were all tired.

My mother was with us the day we arrived and she says that in the middle of that night my one year old girl was crying and neither my husband or I heard a thing, so she knock at our door and nobody answered, then she went inside the bedroom and shake me gently for a while and I just did not respond. So, she went inside my girl’s room, and took care of her: changed her diaper, rocked her a little bit and put her back to sleep. I have no recollection of the episode!! How embarrassing! And how thankful that mom was there for the rescue. Yes, I felt guilty for a while.
We had been awake for 24 hours by the time we went to bed that night and there was an 8 hour difference and we also were exhausted from the week we spend the 4 of us in the hotel in Russia where we believe we became a family. I am so thankful my mom was there with us for the first 2 months.
While spending time with our kids, my mother just took her place as grandma which is her rightful place. We believe our kids did not get confused. Right now mom is not with us and will be back in a month or so.

It was overwhelming to suddenly go from an empty nest to a family of 4 with a 1 year old girl and a 2 year old boy … but looking back at the whole experience and still going through it, I would not change a thing and today I am so glad we adopted both at the same time.

Blessings to all of you that are considering taking this road with two at once!

If you do decide to adopt two at once, I would encourage you to accept the help of the people from your family you consider you can trust to help in this special way. What I mean is, people you can explain the attachment issue to and will be willing to help you as you need but be sensitive to leave the most attaching tasks to you; that is, if you are awake for it!.

Thank you Mom for your great help!!!

Peter pan & tinker bell

2006-10-25T11:26:00.000-04:00

We went to Disney last weekend and all of us loved it.

Daddy and Mommy cried during the parade …the ”dreams come true …”song was kind of meaningful to all of us … we also made it to Epcot Center and visited “Mexico” with some other friends. The mariachis were great … David and Julia danced away with the music and pretended to be playing instruments … It was a short trip, just to experiment how difficult it could be. It really was marvelous the kids behave so well if you take into consideration their age and the amount of time: from 10 am to 10 pm.

Yes, we are crazy! We are very consistent with their routine and I believe the routine is part of the success with the kids but like everything in life, it is good to be flexible and teach them flexibility because once in a while things do not fall into routines and scheduled planning activities, you know, sometimes Disney happens and you got to be ready for it.

Daddy's girl

2006-10-13T09:57:00.000-04:00

I love to dress Julia up and then put something pretty in her hair. The problem is to keep the hair pieces on. We usually play the game of let's see who gets tired first: me putting it in or her taking it out. Well, my tactic now is to put it on and then give her something to distract her hands. This picture here is one of the hundreds of Brian's attempts to take a picture of Julia where she is looking at the camera, she is actually smiling and she has the hair piece on. As you can see, she is already trying to get her hands free so she can take it off.

I love to see Brian after Julia trying to take a picture of her, he chases her and she knows she is the center of attention; Julia particularly likes it when he pretends to be cookie monster and just kisses her.

Today, at breakfast time, Brian was whistling and Julia would follow the music pretending she was singing. By the expressions of her face, the movements of her hands and the passion of the voice, I would say she was singing opera! In the background of this picture, you see David with his favorite toy these days: a broom.

They both love our new patio. We decided to add some pavers to the back of the house to make a big terrace so that the kids could play easier, but then we realized we needed to fence it. The second picture shows the final result. We will enjoy this space for Thanksgiving (we live in South Florida) when the whole family on both sides will be here to celebrate and give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and the special gifts we have received this year.

David calls me "Máaama"

2006-10-12T14:59:00.000-04:00

This started on our long trip to Charlotte: David started to get a little fussy, so I would reach back and started to rub his feet. Well, guess what? He loves it!
So now when we are in the car and papi is driving, he says, Máaama!! I look at him and he wiggles his feet … I start rubbing his foot and he puts his fingers in his mouth just like in this picture … Isn’t he cute!!!

At night when Brian and I are watching TV, I do the same, I wiggle my feet and Brian gives me a feet massage, I have done this for years and now is pay time for me!!

David’s favorite new word is “Por que?” and he also says it in English “Why?” it is so funny because he really does not speak sentences yet, but he would say “Máaama …” and then he starts this “pretend” talk and looks at me and says “Por que?”

A surprised visit to Grandpa and grandma – an update!

2006-10-09T15:43:00.000-04:00

Hi everybody!

I am so sorry I have taken so long to write on our blog! I just realized how long it has been when we got the email reminding us to send our 3 month post placement reports!
We have finished the reports now and I am ready again to blog away!!!

It was more than a month ago, a Monday morning, we woke up with the news that Hurricane Ernesto was definitely coming to South Florida.
On the past, Brian and I just take it slow; we would get ready and sometimes make plans to leave the city. This year was different! Now we have David and Julia (besides our little dog Lola) to take care of.

I actually panicked and transmitted the panic to my husband. We rushed to the stores earlier than usual, bought so much food and water and still did not feel OK. So we decided to leave the city.

By 4PM that Monday, Brian and I took David, Julia and Lola on our minivan and traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit grandma and grandpa Knowles!! An escape from the horrible hurricane coming our way. We slept the night at a hotel and the next day started again. Babies and dog behaved so well!! I was impressed.

On this trip we visited Vicky and Craig, we had a great time at grandpa and grandma Knowles and visited the Billy Graham Association to introduce our children to the dear people that prayed for them. So, let me tell you how it went:

In our way to Charlotte, I remembered that our good friends, Vicky and Craig, live in South Carolina and we would have to go by their city on our way to Charlotte, so we called her and she was so kind to change her plans for that afternoon, met us at an intersection and received us in her house.

What a great gift for us to be able to see them again. Vicky and Craig adopted a beautiful baby girl in Russia. We met them while they were on their last trip and we were on our first trip, so we have met her baby girl but they only knew David and Julia from pictures.
Their daughter is so beautiful and looks like she could be David’s cousin; she is also only 5 days younger than Julia: they are both walking great and getting into everything.

Grandpa and Grandma called us to hurry up to get to Charlotte for dinner. I can describe the feeling of being at their house. I could sense our children’s happiness and reminded me of the special times when I used to go to a little town in Colombia to visit my grandma Jadne.

We ate so well!!! Of course anyone that had the pleasure to eat Dick’s cooking, knows what I mean. Even his white rice tastes better than any other white rice I ever had.

Then on Thursday, we went to the Billy Graham association to introduce our children to Dick and Berenice’s friends and co-workers. What a humbling experience!! There were people coming from all over the place to meet David and Julia; these are people that were committed to pray for our adoption and we are so thankful for it. I just have to stop here and say, I believe in the power of prayer and adoption can be a very complicated process: so many things can go wrong! And we were adopting two, in two different orphanages! We were the witness of so many miracles on our way to adopting our children. That is why I would encourage any of you in the process to pray to God to bring to you prayer partners that will be committed to praying for your children and for you. I believe it is not so much so that God would “do” but that we would be able to trust and hope and wait as we get so many “worrying” news or possible scary scenarios and that we would keep the faith and do not quit right in the middle of the adoption process.

There were so many times I felt overwhelmed and second guessed if it was really God’s will to adopt Julia or David!!! I feel horrible to have to confess those feelings but I had them. Today, I am so thankful that (I believe because of prayer) we were somehow able to have the strength to take step by step and wait step by step and hope step by step, feeling the reality of the “out of our control” process but knowing that the Lord was in control and he knew where He was headed. I am so glad today because we are blessed to have David and Julia …

So, if you need a prayer partner to be available to pray for your adoption, let me know, I will commit to pray for you if you ask me. I have seen the power of it and I would love to be part of your adoption story!!!

After a great time at Dick and Berenice’s house, we decided to head back to Miami on Saturday and this time we did it in one day.

Julia and David love grandpa and grandma! They pretend to call them in the phone and blow kisses to them. They also love their “abuelita” or “abue” that is, my mother Carmen.

David's b-day pictures

2006-08-17T21:38:00.000-04:00

David and grandpa in a loud moment.

David with grandpa, grandma, auntie and mommy

David trying to eat a piece of b-day cake

This was David's b-day cake, a fabulous presentation and design by auntie Brenda (here) and grandpa Knowles.

Updates

2006-08-14T16:15:00.000-04:00

Grandpa Knowles was asking Brian if David had learned some new words, and Brian answered” Oh yes, he knows how to say carro, ya va, sucio, avion ..” to what grandpa Knowles said “What?”
My kids are learning Spanish faster than English! I speak to them in both languages since my mother and our helper only speak Spanish.

Last week untie Brenda came to visit just for the weekend and it was a blessing to have her here. Brenda helped us with the blood tests. This was our first time at the lab for blood tests and I was soooo nervous, Julia screamed and cried and she was just frustrated that we would hold her and she could not get away from my arms while they took the 5 tubes! of blood.
The nurses had to do both arms!!! When they did the second arm, I just closed my eyes and started praying on her ear … for me and for her. David experience was less traumatic, he cried but he was more cooperative with the whole process. The blood test results were back and the doctor says they are healthy! Praise the Lord!

We also translated the vaccination history for our children and took them to our pediatrician last week. We went to the doctor’s office on Thursday to give our kids the shots they were missing: 3 shots each! They screamed at the doctor’s office but they will not need any more shots until they are 4 years old. Because of the shots they had a little of a temperature and David’s leg got a little inflammation trough the weekend.

David and Julia love music! We turn the radio with some Salsa or meringue music on and they start dancing, it is so much fun to watch them and to dance with them. David uses his shoulders and his feet and Julia moves her head back and forth.
Yesterday after church, we stayed in the lobby for a while talking to my brother, niece, nephew, and sister in law and soon it was 1 PM; the Spanish service started. As soon as David heard the worship music he ran inside the sanctuary and just lost it dancing! He was happy and laughing as he danced … I had to pick him up and dance with him as I exited. My brother saw how David was so much into dancing and moving his shoulders at the rhythm of the music and he said “What a difference!”

David is still a little fearful, it seems that every week there is something that scares him, The first week we had him with us he was terrified of taking baths and of riding in a car, last week was the guys mowing the lawn and their machines. Julia seems a very confident and independent little girl, she is such a charmer. Whenever we get to a place she waves to everyone and says “hi” then she plays the shy game while she gives you the most intoxicating smile. They both are so ticklish, it is so much fun!

Looking at the written medical history I got translated this week, I just wonder if I should follow the advice there … they advise for a speech therapy’s for him and massages for Julia? Ok, so I know Julia does not need massages, but I am looking for suggestions on books for children exercise or stimulation: any ideas? Please let me know.

Edméia faleceu - my good friend died last night

2006-08-01T10:59:00.000-04:00

Let's pray for her husband and her little baby girl Maria Eduarda.

Lord we remember Edméia with gladness of heart and thankful for her life and the moments we had together. We thank you for your salvation for we know that there is Hope for us your children even after death. We pray for Brazil, her husband and Maria Eduarda, her daughther, that your Holy Spirit would confort them in these dificult moments. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

This is the last email message I got from Edméia:

"Hoje de manhã tentei falar contigo Rebeca, no skype e não deu certo. Mas quero dizer que estou por aqui! Torcendo por vocês... sei que são momentos especiais de preparativos para a chegada dos bebês, e estou tão feliz! Quero dizer para vocês aproveitarem esse momento com muita alegria para que fique registrado em seu coração o presente que Deus está dando para vocês. Que esses preparativos sejam momentos de satisfação, alegria, sorrisos e muita, muita paz!"

Eo agradezco a Deus por la oportunidad que tuve de falar con Edméia cuarta feira, ella estaba muito feliz. Estou com muita tristeza y saudades.

His Love rules

2006-07-28T15:14:00.000-04:00

I have lived moments of doubt, but found the knowledge of what was missing inside to believe.
I have discovered through pain the wisdom of living a humble life.I have experienced fear and found the strength to move on anyways.I have learned these all are but opportunities for growing, when we allow God to work on and through it all.

Doubt is sooooo much versus trust. I want to be always trusting of God’s love and goodness; I have experienced His love and goodness enough times already to not have even the word doubt in my vocabulary, but, it seems the problem is inside somewhere; I have found myself sometimes suspicious of His love and goodness …

Pain and suffering are very humbling tools, mostly when it is out of our control, and most of the time it is; I can’t thing of an occasion where I would not try to run away from pain and suffering if I could … but somehow the experience brings me back to the reminder of my frail humanity and that is humbling.

Fear is the most paralyzing experience I have had … it always try to sell me a way out even thought I feel I can not move anyways … still, knowing what God’s will is for me at the moment always gives me the strength to move towards it.

All through our adoption process we experienced all this emotions, doubt: will God really bring forward this miracle for us? Pain and suffering: we came to this journey through the pain of infertility but we also “lost” an adoption in Brazil. Fear: what if one of the 8 planes we have to take just crashes and we die trying to adopt … I know, there are so many other fear factors in this process that those some 8 or 10 plane rides are just normally ignored when writing our own adoption “fear list”

Today, I see God’s hand all over our adoption journey: His love, goodness, favor and grace. I have learned to see salvation as the ultimate adoption story and that is just wonderful … I am so glad that somehow doubt, pain and fear did not rule our decision when adopting our children and so thankful for the strength that God gave us through knowing that adoption is His will for our lives as a family.

Edmeia is much better and at Home - Thanks for your prayers!

2006-07-22T22:30:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much for praying for Edmeia, Brazila and family ... Brazil worte to us and said that a miracle happened ... she was 50% better!!! Today, Edmeia is at Home with her family! What a miracle!

The doctors were talking abour death! and there was no hope ...

Thanks for your prayers!

2006-07-20T22:14:00.000-04:00

We had a dedication service at our house with close friends and family.

Dick Linder, Brian's godfather, a retired missionary from Brazil and very good friends of grandpa and grandma Knowles, directed the wonderful service. I added these pictures here so you get an idea of the importance of this moment.

Very specials thanks to Tia Maria for Julia’s beautiful dress and also the cow that was specially branded for her … yes, Julia got a cow back in Colombia thanks to Tia Maria and a piece of beach land in a very isolated island in Brazil, thanks to grandpa and grandma Knowles: how to get Julia and David to see these two sites …. Well that we will have to figure out later …

Please, please, continue praying for our friends Brazil and Edmeia as I wrote in my last post(Please, read the post before this one, Thnaks!!!) Vicky, Suz and Caroline, if you could have your churches praying for our friends would be a great blessing!! Thanks in advance.

Prayer request in behalf of good friends

2006-07-20T21:15:00.000-04:00

Prayer request in behalf of good friends

I have not blogged in a while and I have so much good stuff to write about. I told myself I have to write about our children’s first 4th of July (POW!!! Was David’s expression for the celebration) and the blessing of having grandpa, grandma and untie Brenda with us for a week bringing soooooo many good gifts: how wonderful it feels to be part of the Knowles family!; I did not understand until now, that David and Julia did not just got a mom and dad that love them dearly but a whoooooole, big and wonderful family that are just as excited with their arrival as we are. We also had a dedication service at our house with close friends and family and Dick Linder, Brian's godfather, a retired missionary from brazil, directed the wonderful service. I will add some pictures on a separate blog so you get an idea of the importance of this moment and will blog about it as soon as I can.

I would love to talk about the way Julia nd David just laugh and get so excited to see us when we come back home after a two hour errands, how they overcame their fear to baths, how well they eat, sleep all night long, and how busy life is these days, etc, etc, etc. but .....

we are just so overwhelmed with really bad news from our good friends in Brazil: As some of you know, Brian and I lead a group of couples in Brazil and one of our leader couples, Brazil and Edmeia, are going through a lot of pain. Edmeia and Brazil have a 6 month old girl that is just a blessing! But two days ago, Edmeia was taken to the hospital: her heart can not pump properly and her lungs got in trouble too. It seems that it all gets back to the pregnancy and the delivery: Her heart got a seizure during delivery and she has very few chances to live according to the doctors. I really wish I could be there right now …. We are so sad, we cry, we pray and we wish and hope that this sickness and health trouble has the purpose to glorify God by a miraculous healing … So I am writing this blog today to ask for prayer for my dear friends: Brazil , Edmeia, Maria Eduarda and their extended families.

We believe that God is a God of miracles .... we have seen it and taste it!!!! and we would love to see a miracle again in the lives of Brazil, Edmeia and Maria Eduarda ...
Please, join me in praying!!!!
Lord, we are trusting in your power, your love and your grace, amen.

Picture of the kids

2006-06-29T20:52:00.000-04:00

I just added 2 posts one with Julia’s pictures and one with David – just scroll down from this post and you will see the two other posts. P.s. this is just an explanation so Grampa Knowles gets it :) Don’t feel bad Grampa, I just figured out how to add more than one picture at a time here! Oops!

Here we are all sharing a mango! Lola loves mangoes, so do I and the kids discovered the goodness of it just here! what a great family moment.

This picture shows the boys very patriotic watching the game while David finishes a banana.

mami julia y lola

2006-06-29T19:54:00.000-04:00

This is my Julia.

Here is a picture of Julia with mami and Lola:

Feeding David ... from a bottle!

2006-06-29T19:48:00.000-04:00

It is not the best picture of me, but … what am I saying? It is the best picture I got.

My boy let me feed him a bottle of oatmeal (Granma “abue” Carmen’s recepie)
He is wearing the official Brazil Soccer jersey and dad is proud.

We got home Last Tuesday

2006-06-26T15:28:00.000-04:00

We got home Last Tuesday. Now the fun really starts!

We actually woke up at 4 am to take our first plane to Frankfurt (around 3 hours), the ride was great and the kids behave just fine, then, we had to take our flight from Frankfort to Miami (9 hours and 10 minutes): we hardly ate at all in the whole trip, David went to sleep in papi’s lap and Brian did not wanted to move, we did not wanted David awake and wanting to play during the plane ride. Julia was with me, slept 1 hour and the rest of the time we played, sang, etc. A flight attendant actually came over and told us that our kids behave very well, “there are so many kids crying and you can hardly hear yours” she added.

Well we were so tired, by the time we got to Miami it was some insane hour for us I think around 10 or 11 pm for our clocks. I thought we were going through immigration and they were going to look at my kids passports, hand a flag to us and say “Welcome David and Julia to the United States” but it was not like that, they took us to this room full of people, to wait for our turn … I started to get really tired and frustrated … there were at least 40 people before us there … you see anyone that comes in an is asking for political asylum, or have a green card process to finish at entrance, or any one that just look fishy to them, goes to this room!!

We prayed God would give us favor, and He did, we were out of there within an hour … then we did the walk towards the baggage claim area, I had Julia in a Hip Hammock, a back pack and David in a stroller while Brian took care of our luggage .. we got through the custom and I saw my sister Debbie and her husband Richard … and I cried like a little girl … I just could not believe we were finally home with our kids and that I did not have to worry so much anymore about some paper work missing that could hinder the adoption process … I just let it all out in a big, big cry and I am so glad Debbie was there she is so sweet and helpful.

Then the car seats .. first time in a car seat .. they behaved like .. “I knew it! This people are not as nice as they pretended for this last week” finally they calmed with cherrios! Thank God for Cherrios!!!

Then we got home, I was so glad to see my mother and my Lola; by the way, we taught David to say Lola when we were in the plane! It was so good to be home.

The last wee was hard; so many people had said to us “Life changes forever when you have kids” and I just could not believe how much!!!

We are in the adapting phase still, I got really sick with a cold and then I ate something and got a bad stomach problem, did not feel good at all for some 3 days. Today I am feeling better, have some more strength.

All my family cried when they met our children, they all see God’s miracle of adoption and I think it really paints a wonderful picture of all of us, and how God adopted us as children …

My mother has been a great help! She helps me with the meals, the naps, etc. but most of all her company and her prayers.

David’s 2nd birthday is tomorrow; and tomorrow also, will be two years my father passed away …. That still amazes me … David was born the day my father died.

Grandma and Grandpa Knowles are just counting the days .. they will be visiting for a week starting this Saturday, we are all waiting anxiously, they say they are coming by land since their van is full of gifts (Oh my!) Auntie Brenda will be here also, it will be great to have the family together for the 4th of July celebration; but most of all, we will be presenting our kids to the Lord this weekend .. just an official ceremony with family and very closed friends.

The kids are very happy, they smile a lot. Julia was the one that in the orphanage visits, the only emotion she showed was through tears .. she cried so much with me I was concerned!
Now, she is just Mommy’s girl, she wants me all the time, I am teaching her to stay some time by herself so I can get to do the ordinary things … but it feels so good that she loves to be with me … David learned to run to me while I open my arms and say in Spanish “David, come, run, run to mami” and he opens his arms and runs to me and hugs me … I think they are as happy as we are to be home!

Happy father’s day!!

2006-06-18T03:56:00.001-04:00

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!
This is Brian’s first father’s day and what a beautiful and blessed moment for all of us. Both children say Papa! David also tries to say “Gooool” and raises his arms with papi when watching the world cup games … We think he actually tried to say “Shuta” (Portuguese word for kicking a ball)

Here is a picture of the kids in bed with Papi Brian. I won’t be able to post pictures today, may be tomorrow since they charge by the hour here at the hotel and Brian was looking at his business email so I just got some few minutes .. and then is getting ready for lunch again.

Thanks a lot for all your comments they are welcome and appreciated!

Dear Heavenly father, we thank you for all your blessings, thank you for David and Julia, thank you for you provided for all of us a family. I am so overwhelmed with your goodness and I think I just have not yet comprehend the fullness of it. Thanks, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

David and Julia could have not chosen a better daddy! Brian you are wonderful and I thank God for bringing us together.

Our children

2006-06-17T02:36:00.000-04:00

We are proud to present to you our children: David Mark Knowles and Julia Amanda Knowles. In this picture you will see them in their favorite activity: eating.
Hi Vicky, is funny that you are concerned Brian and I will be trying to go to fancy restaurants in Moscow with our two kids! you know us well! Yes, I know, it sounds just like something we would do, but surprisingly, we hardly get out of the hotel these days. My family will have a hard time to believe this also.

I keep saying it, but I am just not very talented at finding a different way to say it: thank you, thank you, thank you … thanks so much for your prayers and support … the best gift to give to a family in our process is just that: prayer and words of encouragement!

Good news: we are leaving Tuesday morning instead of Wednesday, Yes, What a miracle!!!

We are keeping the kids on their "old" schedule so that there are not too many changes for them: Brian and I get up at 7 am turn the lights on, take showers, get ready, pray together and then we open all the curtains and say good morning! Then, we change the diapers and get ready to go down for breakfast. We eat breakfast at the hotel – I still don’t know if I am feeding them right, I know David is overfed since we had already 3 very messy accidents that required an immediate bath and washing of clothes .. if you know what I mean. I told Brian today at breakfast: “thanks so much for your help” and he almost got upset! He said what do you mean by help? We are a team!!! I am blessed; and he is right this process requires a team.

Right now, Julia is taking her morning nap and Brian and David went downstairs for a little walk. We are having lunch and dinner at the hotel and we all take a nap around 2pm. The hotel has a play area were we take the kids after breakfast and after the naps. It sounds like just normal and easy when I write it, but, it is just our planned schedule, there is always a surprise and a little challenge to the experience.

David and Julia are a blessing and we are actually happy to stay a little longer to bound together in His Love and Provision.

p.s. I will post pictures on a different site and will let you know the address on the next post.

What’s making news around the world these days?

2006-06-16T03:47:00.000-04:00

According to the weekly Moscow newspaper Element, the main people in the news were: The biggest star of the world cup, Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho, is the poster boy for the Nike’s campaign “Jugo Bonito”; The Colombian singer Shakira will be singing at the closing ceremonies of the 2006 World Cup, her song “Hips don’t lie” became the “most played song in pop history” 9657 spins in one week; The American actors, Brad and Angelina, just released the photos of their baby girl Shiloh Nouvel Jolie –Pitt.

Cool news, right! Well in our world, there are also breaking news: As of Wednesday Brian and I are proud parents to two blessed children: David Mark Knowles and Julia Amanda Knowles!!!!

We are family ……. I got David n Julia with me!
We are family …….. come on everybody … Sing (with me)!

I will post photos on my next posts and will tell more details on the events for this week.

We are delayed on our immigration process because Monday was a holiday here and the court did not wanted to count Monday as part as the 10 mandatory wait period … and since today is Friday, and there is still some more paper work to do for the embassy, we will have to stay longer and will probably leave on Wednesday.

Thanks so much for your prayers and support!!

Brian and Rebeca K.

I went Bananas Over D on Friday

2006-06-03T05:20:00.000-04:00

D knows we are here to take him home. The kids say ¨”Mama … D …”
They all are vocal about it (mostly the girls) except D, he just cries when he sees us come to the orphanage … he first smiles with great happiness and then it seems as if he remembers the car ride to the photo place and then he cries…
We asked his doctor if he has a favourite food, he said …. He eats it all! “what about bananas?” I asked, oh yes, he said, bananas, apples, everything. We took him outside and he stopped crying. Outside the orphanage as I hold him on my lap facing my heart, holding his Elmo book on one hand and his blue and white teddy bear on the other, I rocked him back and forth and sang a new song:

(Very slowly)
Quien es este ninno
De ojos tan tiernos
Quien es este ninno
Que me dio el Sennor

(Picking up pace)
Su nombre es:
David Mark Knowles
Si le dan una banana
Se la come en un sentar
Saborea una manzana
Se la come y pide mas.

On our way to the orphanage 3, the radio Jazz station was playing a Samba/rock “misturo Chiclets con bananas y Miami con Copacabana” the name of the song is “confusion”.

On Thursday when I sat next to D to have lunch, he gave me 2 kisses …Just had to say that!!! Brian is jealous … he is not the only cool boy with pretty eyes that get to kiss me anymore. Oh and yesterday, the girls at the orphanage gave little gifts, they came by with flowers they picked from the ground, D was kind of puzzled … so once he sat on the grass, he found the biggest branch and he handed it to me…isn’t that sweet!!!

I am in love!!!!!

Everything cleared up yesterday

2006-06-02T00:26:00.000-04:00

Everything cleared up yesterday.

Thanks so much for your prayers!

We went to court on Tuesday and the judge did not rule. That is the most unsatisfying experience in this whole process. She said we had to wait for one paper, Brian and I could not figure out what this paper was … we left it in God’s hands and just did all the facilitator told us to do. Yesterday we got the confirmation that our papers are all in and that the Judge granted us favorably … This means we are not delayed in the process and we will probably be keep the schedule. We have the 10 day wait period for both of our kids which we will spend in Barcelona with our adoptive friends.

We will be back here on the 12th to do all the rest of the paper work.

Special thanks to Mom and dad Knowles and everybody at their department at Billy Graham for their Prayers. Thanks to mami for taking care of the house and Lola. Thanks to all our friends praying at church back home (Vicky and Craig, we know you are God sent) thanks to our blogger friends for your support and prayers.

D is terrified of cars, we took him to do the passport picture (2 minute drive) he almost dies of an anxiety attach, let’s see how he does in an airplane … for 16 hours!.

By the way, our luggage got in just fine!!!

We are in Moscow – Trip #2

2006-05-31T08:39:00.000-04:00

We traveled afar and we find familiar faces and voices in the places you least expect.

We almost lost our connection in Frankfurt to go to Moscow and as Brian and I ran like crazy from one terminal to the other, I got to say hi and good bye to a coworker on his way to India!! We made it …just the last people to enter the plane but our suitcases did not make it!

We got to Moscow and we ran again to the passport control, last time we were more than an hour waiting in line. This time there was only two people in front of us … great!!! Except … that there was a problem with my visa … they took me aside, and after ½ hour they fixed the problem: I was given a business visa as a male instead of a female !!!

Oh, well, it was nice to be out of there and see Vlad waiting for us. It is the end of May and it should be nice outside but no, it is cold and it is raining. So, we waited for Vlad to bring the car and as we are looking for his car to come pick us up we saw an Italian couple we had met on our first trip adopting from the same orphanage as Y and the only people that shared Y birth day party back on May 1st, they were running with their child towards the airport so we ran after them and say hi and goodbye!!! Then ran to Vlad’s car in the rain…

We got to our Hotel and as we sat to drink a cappuccino, the radio was playing “tengo la camisa negra” de Juanes!!! (Colombian singer)

The world is so small these days.

Thanks for your prayers, Thanks Flamingo Road Church for your prayers and comments in our blog. I don’t know how to say this …. But really … all we need and what we need the most right now is Prayer. Thanks a lot!

We have a delay in one of our papers; our kids are extremely anxious when left alone with us; I am not feeling very well in terms of emotions/hour difference; and even though we saw familiar faces and voices, we still feel like strangers in a different world.

Our adoption friends are arriving today from Arizona to do their 2nd trip adventure: that is a blessing for both of us.

Baby Shower and other good news

2006-05-25T21:58:00.000-04:00

Lola and my niece both enjoyed the Euro Tub we got from my sister Debbie. Then my niece G actually used it and gave the two thumbs up!

We are so excited! as well as … so many other feelings. This is like any other experience I ever experienced before. We are leaving Sunday!!!!!!

Shopping has helped me to keep my mind busy: gifts for two orphanages, two kids and two sets of directors and doctors. I love to buy gifts so I am having some fun.

We also got a lot of gifts on our shower. Actually after returning some gifts that were repeats and the gift cards, we were actually able to buy most everything we had in our list!! That was pretty good! Thanks to my sister, her husband and their little G that behave so well and allowed them to do some planning for the shower.

Thanks for all the messages you have left on my last post … I feel I have so many good friends out there … we really need it. Thanks.

Hey, I did my first attempt to scrap booking for the baby shower.

Our good friends from Sarasota drove all the way here to be with us. Thanks D, C, V and J.

The shower was more like an open house .. come whenever you can and …well as often in our house people stayed until late. Brian made fresh pasta every time a group came by … always delicious. We did not have shower games except for one questionnaire people filled out about our kids .. We also had men and children in our shower so it was not the traditional type but we had so much fun meeting with all of family and friends in our house just before we travel.

The gift that came through the pain of infertility

2006-05-19T00:42:00.000-04:00

My sister Raquel is planning an adoption baby shower for us this weekend. Thanks Raque!

My good friend from work asked me today at lunch if there was a possibility at this stage of our adoption process for it to fall through. I know what she was trying to say, for she cares for Brian and I and she has seen me cry before.

You see, working on IT you always have to think of all possible scenarios and be prepared for it just in case. I answered: “If I have to write the test cases for this “project”, I would have to have some scenarios that would handle that possibility.” I also know that being an IT person, I should then be cautious and ask my sister to have the baby shower when we come back … Just in case! When the “project” is finished and “successful”

Infertility taught me a great lesson: I am not in control. It is a hard pain to go through but I feel I have the gift today to know for a fact, with no doubts that I am not in control. I know that some people think they got pregnant because they …. were relaxed, did not drink as much coffee as I do, maybe did better research, were brave to go through more invasive treatments, etc, etc, etc. the truth is, they are not in control either.

So, why do I consider the simple act of realizing that I am not in control an actual gift for my life? Because it takes me closer to the conclusion that God is in control and that He can be trusted! For He is good. If I believe that God has control over my life … that changes everything! Every possible scenario has to vent to the place He finally wants.

So, I am praying for the best outcome and I know many of you are, for what we are SOOO thankful; we really don’t know what the future holds … but we know Who holds the future!!!

I also have Hope … (another precious gift) “To hope is to anticipate. It is more than dreaming, however. It is possessing within ourselves an expectation that someday there will be the fulfillment of that desire. It will become a reality. Hope always looks to the future, it’s always on tiptoes. It keeps us going. It makes a dismal today bearable because it promises a brighter tomorrow” Charles Swindoll

So, I will celebrate this weekend together with my family and friends the gift of communion and fellowship in the Hope and the prayers that Y and D will be soon our children.

I thank you Lord for the pain of infertility, for it is hard and hurts but really has taken me closer to you, it has taught me You are in control, it has kept me in this humble place of needing You and your provision and I just don’t want to leave that place for you are my real treasure.

Meeting our Kids (part 2)

2006-05-12T18:03:00.000-04:00

Remember my picture after meeting our kids? Well, I was not the only one needing a hug (as Suz suggested) We met that night late with our friends in Moscow and they also had their first time meeting their baby girl! We were supposed to meet at the lobby at 7pm and somehow we got all confused, they were waiting for us at Moo Moo’s and by the time we went to Moo Moo’s they were gone, but at the end we met for a glass of wine and beer at the hotel.

I was still worried because Y cried the whole time and they were worried because their girl did not cry at all and just behave very nice!! Can you believe that! So we started talking about our worries and encouraging each other … it was great and needed! (Thank you guys!) .. to have someone to talk to and let it all out and that the person actually understands the situation .. it is just great! I remember the time that one of them was explaining an issue I never heard of concerning adoption and my response was: “What was is it that you worry about so I can worry about” that was it! We just started laughing at ourselves.

I believe we all need to pray for God to bring people around us at the time of our adoptions that we can relate to and socialize with. God provided for us 2 wonderful couples that stayed very close to us and still are today and also God provided some other couples that were just great people to be with at breakfast with whom we had some quick, but somehow deep conversations.

So we survived Thursday! And Friday came. We went to visit D first, since we did not actually get to interact with him on Thursday for he was napping.

Ok, so here we go, my two kids cried when they met us!!! Yes, he cried too! Like a boy, just for a little bit, but he cried and actually just waited for a door to open and he just ran out of the meeting room to the kids room; and because of that, again, we were able to see our son interacting with the other kids and once in his environment he was pretty cool!!

We took pictures and he was very interested in both of our cameras – he likes electronics – and music! His favorite toy in the room was a drum! I know, good-bye to our quite home.
We played and laugh together for a while. Brian got to play with him since he is used to see men he was equally comfortable with both of us; the orphanage director is a man. Ok! So I was not going to say anything, but … I will. Here we go:
So, I was really intrigued why D’s orphanage was considered the best and “richest” orphanage in Moscow and why Y’s orphanage was considered the “poorest” (I really could not see the difference)

Well, we had a different driver this time on Friday and he actually told us that D’s orphanage is the best orphanage in Moscow because it is the only orphanage in Moscow that is run by a MAN!!!! Ok, so I said it! I did not enjoy that comment! May be I am just silly and/or you have to be there. Anyhow, let it go …

So was time to go to Y orphanage. I handed him to the caretaker and as I was leaving I looked back and blew a kiss at him … he smile and blew a kiss back to me!! It just makes me cry even as I write this!!
(To be continued)

Review of the restaurants close to Arbat street.

2006-05-10T21:17:00.000-04:00

As I promised, this is a review of the restaurants close to Arbat street.

Ok, so Brian and I did not eat at McDonalds, TGI Fridays no even Baskin’s Robins while we were in Moscow Are you surprised? even though these restaurants are all found on the Arbat Street. Well, the way we see it is, we can always get to one of those when we are home (not likely really!) so why not venture into something new and exciting!!

We were so tired while in Moscow that we actually never got to have dinner in the actual Arbat street. You see, when you walk from the Arbat Hotel towards the Old Arbat street you will find plenty of restaurants.

Right across the street from the hotel, there is the newly open restaurant called Hindu serving Indian fusion cuisine. We went inside and got to see the décor and environment. Pretty nice furniture, hardwood floors, it looked very upscale. Their chef is one of the most famous Chef in London and he just opened this location in Moscow 1 month ago. The prices are in Euros – around 30 Euros per dish. Bentleys, BMW’s and 7 series Mercedes are the type of cars parked at dinner time. Brian and I did not eat there. I just was not in the mood for the celebrity-chef type of restaurant plus I like Indian food but would not want to pay 30 Euros for one dish.

If you continue walking you’ll find a French restaurant – Great Food! Decent prices. The picture above shows the dish I ordered – Sea Bass Provence Style: Just Delicious! I know some of you would not touch this dish – since it comes with the head! – the meat between the fish cheeks is the most delicious – Ask any fish connoisseur :)

Water in Moscow is more expensive than ordering Russian Champagne – so what do you do? Yeah – get some Champagne and caviar while you are at it! Anyways, I highly recommend this French Restaurant for food, ambiance and great service: very friendly people. Brian had some chicken breast wrapped in bacon in a creamy mushroom sauce it was awesome! It came with potatoes. We also shared a green salad that was also very fresh and tasty.

Continue the walk and you’ll find a Turkish Restaurant: our favorite! I love Middle Eastern food and this was great and tasty food. For lunch, this restaurant has a US$10 special where you get to choose one type of salad, one type of soup, one meat dish and your choice of coffee or tea. For meat dishes they have a choice for chicken, beef or Lamb. Go for the Lamb!! Or any other will just taste great. The Lentil soup is to die for and you also have the option of chicken soup. I love lentil soup anyways! So this is a great Lunch alternative when you are in a budget since Moscow restaurants can be very expensive.

Across the street from the Turkish restaurant there is a Uzbekistani restaurant – the food is similar to the Middle Eastern cuisine but it was not my favorite – I would not go back to it, plus, you have to pay cash since they do not accept any other type of payment!

Then, right next to this restaurant is the famous Moo Moo restaurant. Great food at very reasonable prices. There are lines at any hour of the day to order your food but, somehow you will always find a spot to sit once you order. If you are in a hurry or just have something to do after your meal, I would suggest not to order anything that will require further cooking for it will take a long time to come to your table; just choose from the already prepare food – it is fresh and delicious. We ate there a couple of times, but with kids, is better to let your partner order for both of you while you wait at a table with the kids. This is a place you got to go to eat while in Moscow! Is like coming to the United States and going to Cheesecake Factory, it is just a Russian experience. There are many Moo Moo’s around town so even if you are not close to Arbat street you could get to one of them.

Next to Moo Moo there is an Italian Restaurant called “Italia” we ate there .. good food! I thought it was a little pricy but not so much if you ask for Pizza which is around $7 per personal pizza – it is very, very thin crust, which I love.

Then there is McDonalds! No we did not eat there but we had coffee at the Mac Café which is a cool place for people watching and having a good latte (did not like the cappuccino) and a dessert; I would not go for the looks of the desert but I will just go for ingredients, looks were deceiving when we chose some of the cakes; tiramisu was not great.

If you are staying at the Arbat Hotel and too tired to walk anywhere, try the restaurant at the Arbat Hotel. The menu points out which items are traditional Russian. I wrote some about their food in a previous post Blog from April 25th – “We made it to Moscow” so, scroll down and check it out!

Again, there are also other options once you are in the Arbat Street we did not get to experiment – there were some restaurants getting ready for the summer and they were constructing their outdoor patios with canopies for seating – just getting ready for our second trip to Moscow!

In case you are wondering: no, I did not gain weight while in Moscow, even though I was a big “Moo Moo” eating – you can eat as much as you want but the stress of the adoption process and all the walking somehow will help your metabolism.

Meeting our Kids

2006-05-09T12:15:00.000-04:00

I will try to recall the happenings on the Thursday we met our children and I will be honest – I just hope to help some of you out there that might have to go through a similar experience and have some expectations that might not be accurate when the day comes.

We Met Vlad at the lobby at 9 am Thrusday morning. There was another couple there also – we became good friends! We went to the MOE office. There was this room where you go and meet him with the translator. The officer just looked at our papers, looked at our faces, and signed some stuff. Then, he handed over the permission for Brian and I to go visit the children. That was it! No pain, very easy.

Then we drove to the first orphanage to visit our girl. I was in the back of the car, not nervous at all, I was kind of surprised at my self, I felt the prayers of family and friends at that very moment. We got to the orphanage and they told us to wait while they made her up. I actually understood what they were saying since the word in Russian sounds like the word in Spanish “Maquillage” which means “make up” in English.

The women that work in this orphanage are very “lively” compared to most Russians we encountered in the whole trip. I felt very at home and comfortable, the orphanage Director has a very relaxed and informal attitude, again, very different that the rest of the people we encountered in our whole time there. I think people in that orphanage actually enjoy their jobs.

Then there she was, pretty and … just a little stranger … We started the right way .. we smiled at each other, Brian took some pictures, we started to warm up to each other and then … everybody left the room and there we were Brain, Y and I.

She looked at me, looked at the empty room and started crying!!! She cried for 15 minutes no stop – Vlad and the Orphanage Doctor came by and she told me that maybe she was just hungry, so she took her to feed her. While she was out, Vlad just felt so bad for me, you could see it in my eyes, I was just confused, I felt rejected, I had all kinds of thoughts!

Vlad sat in front of me and gave 2 good pointers, the first one, helped me to remember that I had options and the other pointer was something I already knew from researching the web, but at that moment I was just confused and I did not remember: If the child cries when she is with you alone, it is horrible, but it is a good sign as to the health of the child! It means she understand that something is happening and she misses her normal surroundings.

Well, she came back from feeding and again when we were left alone she cried for another 15 minutes! At this time I was also crying literally and praying “Lord I can not handle this please help me, what are you trying to tell me?” so then, Vlad and the Doctor came running and asked me if she ever stopped crying to what I answered: No. Now I felt that I was not even good enough to be a mother …

So, they took us to the room where the other children are … and they took her temperature (Just so I felt better I think) as soon as she saw her Social worker, she was just fine!

So, then we started again, this time with all the other children in the room. I looked around me and it just hit me: I would not choose any other child from that room … She is the only one I would pick, she was still an stranger, but a very special one, a little stranger I could see me falling mad in love with!! This were the exact feelings that Brian had also: confusion, frustration, excitement and a sudden discovery that in that room there was no other like our Y.

I got closer to other children and Y became suddenly interested. I sat next to her at the couch but I took one more child to my lap for a while, until she felt comfortable with me.
She hold my finger, played with the toy we brought her and even gave me a little smile and then Vlad came running: “It’s time to go to the other orphanage”

Reflecting back to the experience, I realize that it is the most unnatural way to meet your child. I have no biological children but I think that none of you where looking at how many fingers, the size of the mouth, looking for FAS signs, etc, the moment you just delivered your baby. That’s what I was doing! It is horrible … I still feel kind of guilty for it – I almost think that Y could feel it!

Y had a cold; she is teething and was left alone with a stranger that was just checking her out. What else could I expect but that?

We drove to the next orphanage and it was already time for the naps. We entered D’s room and got to see him in his crib, he had his eyes opened. He is a gorgeous boy! And lays down in bed just like my husband, with his arms back.

The Orphanage doctor took us to her office with the social worker in charge of the case and gave us all the information they had on his mother, his delivery, ect. The people in this orphanage are very different that the previous one. The people here behave more like “Professionals” Just a different approach to the same job.

We went back to the hotel and had some lunch there… yes, the picture in top is me after the experience … really tired!!!
To be continued …

He provides where we lack!

2006-05-03T21:50:00.000-04:00

We were in Moscow at the time the Russian Orthodox church celebrates Easter. We visited the Christ the Savior church on Wednesday and people were still bringing flowers to the Lord remembering that He is alive!! All the doors inside the church were open as a sign that He came and he is alive. The eggs are marked: Christ is Risen.

I found this poem from - Rev. Dr. Herbert Brokering someplace in the web:

“Lord, send me a surprise.
One that catches me off guard
and makes me wonder.
Like Easter.

Send me a resurrection
when everything looks dead and buried.
Send me light
when the night seems too long. “

Ah! And He did! I was surprised to be in Moscow at this time of the year to meet our children – they are like resurrection to us in an area where we were dead.
He provides where we lack!

May 3rd. Today is my girl’s first birthday!

2006-05-03T21:35:00.000-04:00

May 3rd: Today is my girl’s first birthday!

Happy birthday to Y from Mami and Papi!! We were able to celebrate on Sunday with her at the orphanage! What a blessing!

This is Mami’s pledge to you in Spanish:

Viniste de lejos
Mi alma ganastes
Con ojos de ensuenno

De Dios el tesoro
Que vino a su tiempo
A mami alegrar

Tan cerca te tengo
Muy dentro, muy fuerte
En el Corazon

Con Dios de testigo
Prometo quererte
Por siempre un monton!

Now I will try to translate to English:

From far you came
Your dreaming eyes
My soul they won

From God you are the treasure
You came just on time
To make mami glad

So close now I have you
Deep inside and strong
In my heart and soul

With God as my witness
I promise to love you
Forever and lots!

Blog from April 25th - We made it to Moscow!!

2006-05-03T21:26:00.000-04:00

We made it to Moscow!! The trip from Milan to Moscow was actually pleasant but when we got to Passport control we had to wait 2 hours in line; that just tired us a lot.

Vlad was there to meet us which it was a blessing!! We were so worried he would just leave after waiting for so long. The ride to the hotel took us around another hour. We are so tired; it feels as if we just traveled the whole day, and I guess we did!

I want to thank all of you for your prayers, we have felt the warmth and we really appreciate it! In less than two days we will meet our potential children!!! … I will try to write about our experience with them on Thursday night.

As soon as we made it to the hotel today, I took a shower and then went for dinner to the restaurant at the hotel. Ok, so, Brian and I think that normally hotels do not have good food because it is not their line of business so; we never judge a city’s food just by eating at a hotel restaurant. Today we had no other option; we went to the hotel’s restaurants here in Moscow just now. It actually serves traditional Russian food.

I got to say: wow, it was good! I just have to write the food journal because I borrowed the hotel menu and I have to return it tonight and I just don’t want to forget. I got to learn as much as I can about the culture in a very short time. So you don’t have to continue reading this is just for diary’s purposes. Thanks for visiting our blog and again thanks for your prayers.

For appetizer, Brian had: Far east Red caviar with blines, finely chopped hard boiled egg whites and yolk, crèmefresh, finely chopped red onions and parsley. That would be a great idea for an appetizer to do at a party when our kids come home with us.

I had the Russian Fish soup which is actually made out of salmon, potatoes, celery, wild mushrooms, carrots. Brian does not like salmon, which means no Russian soup for Brian since the other option is Borsch and beets are the only type of food that he actually won’t even touch. Nevertheless, I thought that was a great soup, I am getting the recipe to prepare it for our children. Oukha is the name of the fish soup.

Then, for main entrée Brian had the beef “a la stroganoff” also with wild mushrooms, rice and quail eggs. I had a typical dish from Georgia called “Luly Kebab” which is a sort of kafta wrapped in eggplants with a pomegranate sauce. My entire family would enjoy this dish it is very clever! It also came with a salad of cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.

All was delicious! Even the bread was great (I don’t eat bread as I try to watch my carbohydrates consumption)

We also had cappuccinos. When we are in Brazil, I normally have at least one discussion with someone serving me cappuccinos. The thing is that the people in southern Brazil insist that cappuccinos are served with powder chocolate on it. Well, cappuccinos do not contain chocolate when served in Italy nor in Russia, so there!

We are back from Moscow – but still on Moscow time!

2006-05-03T21:15:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the delay in writing and updating our blog.
We were in Moscow without a converter!! How did we forget? That was a big mistake.

There are so many things I would like to write about and I am so tired!!!

We are back from Moscow as of Monday night and my body is still in shock – I am at work today … I need coffee.

I will be publishing different blogs in the next couple of days that will talk about our experiences while in Moscow meeting the MOE and our children – first trip. I will write about:
1. First impressions from our meeting with our kids - They are a beautiful
2. Our impressions on Russian culture - The sign at the airport: “it’s another world”
3. Restaurant reviews from around Arabat street - Great food
4. Our time at the orphanages. - yes, two of them!

Thank you so much again for your prayers!! We are so blessed to be able to go through this experience.

Thank you so much Lorien and the Moscow team! May God bless you!!

Bible verses and stories about adoption that have touched me.

2006-04-20T14:27:00.000-04:00

Well, we are almost packed … we got 2 carry-on!

We are very excited to go tomorrow and as we do, I just wanted to share with you some of the scriptures I am been looking at, that speaks directly about the orphans.

Jesus said many things that implied He will honor the good deeds His followers would perform towards people in need. While we were in Brazil this February, I got confronted with Jesus words: “… once I was a stranger and you received me …Lord, when were you a stranger?”

Of course, there is the even more direct statement (for some of us who have a harder time to see the calling on the one above):
" ...whoever welcomes in my name one child such as this, welcomes me." Jesus (as found in Matthew 18 v.5)

I found these portions of the Psalms to be very insightful towards the orphan and the barren women:

Psalm 113: 7 - 9: This Psalm is a promise to me:
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
He seats them with princes, with the princes of their people.
He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.
Praise the LORD! David -

"God sets the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:6a

Psalm 27:10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Psalm 82:3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

Interesting Old Testaments commandments and truths related to orphans and widows:

DEU 10:18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow,

Deu 26:12 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.

13 Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them.

27:19 "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

Jer. 49:11 “Leave your orphans; I will protect their lives. Your widows too can trust in me."

And finally, in the New Testament we find a very direct definition:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress and
to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. "
James 1:27

God saved the life of Moses using an adoptive mother, Pharaoh’s daughter – not just an adoption story but a trans-racial adoption story.

The most moving one to me is the story of Jesus in the cross and John and His mother Mary crying at the foot of the cross asking (I imagine) why? Why do you have to die?, why so much pain? ...
Jesus did not answer their questions – He just looked at them and said “son here is your mother, mother here is your son” and the Bible says that from that day forward, John took Mary to his house as his own mother.

What a beautiful adoption story!!
As I visited last February with older orphans in Brazil I realized that the kids are also looking for parents to adopt.

I have learned that, even today, the best place to meet your adopted son or daughter, your adopted mother or father, is definitely at the foot of the cross: I have been there, asking about my pain … He did not answer my questions "my way" but instead, He asked me to look next to me … also with lots of pain and hurts, the little ones that are missing a mom and a dad …

The world is hurting … I was awaken one night by the Lord with a new song in my lips and it was an eye opener for me .... “if I am sited in Heavenly places with you I should see the world the way you do, I should see a world in pain and suffering, I should feel the urge to bring them Hope “

The Hope of His resurrection!

It is official! we are leaving for Moscow on the 21st. of April.

2006-04-13T21:53:00.001-04:00

“Many things can wait: the child cannot. Now is the time his bones are being formed, his mind is being developed. To him, we cannot say tomorrow: his name is today.” Gabriela Mistral

We were waiting for the "official" appointment in Moscow. We just got confirmation that we will meet the MOE on April 27th. We will also meet the children that day. We will travel to Moscow via Milan on Friday the 21st of April.

I got to get organized!!!

I am so excited!!!!!

What does an American look like?

2006-04-12T23:42:00.000-04:00

A tribute to my sister Debora who became a US citizen today!

The USA is a great country!! And Debora is a wonderful girl!! Congratulations Debora.

Love you puchis!

Well, I remember this one day before elections, I was at the office and the guys were talking about not even getting registered to vote! These very bright software engineers were complaining about the country situation and .. the story of, well, our votes really do not count and … they were Not even going to register to vote!

I could not ignore it anymore, so I got up and said, “You know what, I became a USA Citizen by choice, I used to be a Permanent resident and now I am an American Citizen; you know what changed the day I became an American citizen? That now I have the right/privilege and the responsibility to vote! And I don’t take that lightly!" I am proud to be an American.

It just happened to be the year our Florida votes were counted … how many times?

Debora, we live in a great country but it takes all of us to do our part. A great country is made up of a bunch of great people following the great principles established by our founding fathers. Make us proud.

p.s. I am already so proud of you!!

It takes a Farm!

2006-04-11T23:49:00.000-04:00

Brian and I are waiting anxiously for our appointment date with the Ministry of Education. We don’t have it for sure yet, and I was hoping to write this blog with the great news, but we are still waiting … We pray we’ll know tomorrow for sure. In the mean time let us talked about a more mundane subject.

Brian and I decided to start another blog; It is called “It takes a Farm”
An honest review of Miami Area Restaurants and other cooking chronicles. We have not started quite yet thought. Brian is a great restaurant critic and friends and family are always asking him for a good suggestion/recommendation. He thought of the name as we were at an Argentinean grocery store shopping for some meat. Can you envision the moment? It really takes a farm to cook stuff and somehow we forget that meat comes from animals. I think that Brian was thinking more of how food really shows how diverse we are as humans but at the same time no matter how different we are all of our diversity lives within the same one “farm”.

When we were dating we would talked about the foods we ate back in our countries and it sounded pretty much the same; once we got married, we realized we bought ate rice but we cooked it differently!

If you look at our profile, you’ll see that most of our hobby interest revolve around food: Cooking, Going to ethnic restaurants, entertaining friends, reading gourmet magazines and books, watching cooking shows, walking to the restaurants in Lincoln Road, chocolate (Brian) and Coffee (Rebeca).

Food is fun for us but it really relates to much more than to our stomachs; I could tell you stories of how food taught me about compromise in our marriage; made us aware of new ways and new cultures, helped us to exercise God’s gift of Hospitality and service, etc, etc, etc.

So, I will share with you one story about how food has taught us a lesson on compromising in marriage: yes, there is the common story of “we don’t know where to go for dinner and then one of us decides to yield to the other’s desires”; but this particular incident was different: it occurred on the first year of our marriage. We were lying in bed together and Brian was reading a brand new cook book, so, every time he would find a recipe that sounded good to him, he would read it to me as if he was reading a poem – I am not kidding!! So, I was getting kind of bored, but then, I got this great idea: I turned over in bed and said “Darling, why don’t you give me a foot massage as you read the book?” it worked great!!! I got a long foot massage and he got to read to me the best recipes from the book.

My father in law is the best cook I know. He lived in Brazil for more than 35 years and he mastered the Brazilian national dish: Feijoada. It is delicious. Brian is a good cook but Dick’s Feijoada does not have a rival! Feijoada is a dish made out of black beans and pork – everything from the pig! (it takes a pig J) and it is served with garlic rice, sauté Kale, farinna and Orange Slices.

If you come to visit us to Miami, we will take you to a Churrasqueria – How many of you, our blog friends have experience the Brazilean Rodizio? It is a very different way of eating. No vegetarians allowed. Some of the Churrasquerias in Brazil could serve 20 different types of meats!

Introducing Lola

2006-04-06T20:16:00.000-04:00

Lola is our four-year-old Maltese. She is not 28 years old in people years, she is just 4.

Lola understands English, Spanish and Portuguese and she communicates with different voice sounds, kisses/licks, head movements, back steps, and of course with her tail.

She is a blessing to us; one of the biggest lessons we have learned from Lola is well said by my eblogger friends Jen and Caroline: “think like a dog thinks and life will be great. Or in other words- as long as my basic needs are met I need to be very flexible with my expectations. That is a good lesson.”

Let me tell you an amazing story: One day I was talking to my mother while Lola was in the room, Mom just asked me for my opinion on certain subject and I got very passionate about it so , you know, I have the tendency to raise my voice when I feel strong on a subject, is just the Colombian/Italian/middle eastern in me. So I look at the stairs and I see Lola with the saddest face!!!

I went over and talked to her and nothing would make her change; she did not want anything to do with me, no kisses, no tail, not even eye contact and she kept looking towards my mom. Suddenly I realized, I have raised my voice talking to my mother… “maybe Lola thinks we are fighting!”

I went over to mom, and explained to Lola that mom and I were not fighting and then I gave mom a big kiss; can you believe that she changed immediately? She came over and licked my mom to pieces. My mom literally cried, so did I. Mom said, “Lola really cares for me”.

Of course there are the times when Lola does not get simple stuff, it is kind of funny, like “sit”.

I have some friends (who am I kidding?) most of my friends think I am crazy because of how I interact with my Lola, but once they spend some time with her, they start understanding my craziness have some reason to it.

Well, getting back to our “think like a dog thinks”subject, let me tell you some more about our little baby Lola: Lola has her own bathroom in our house, yes, she does.

The whole bathroom is hers. When is time for me to clean it, she follows me to her place, checks everything I do and when I am finish, she does this little walk/jump of excitement. Last week, a friend was staying with us, and one morning she decided to use Lola’s bathroom to dry her hair. When I came home, my friend said that Lola stayed at the door looking persistently at her and "no tail" movement. I think my friend was actually scared of my 7-pound Lola!! Nothing to worry about, Lola was probably trying to figure out what was going on, after all, she is expecting for someone to clean up her mess!!

She is very obedient, but if we leave her alone for too long (1 whole day with no aunties or grandma’s visit) when we come home, we’ll find little “gifts” in strategic places. Is like: she goes and holds it and goes and holds it and goes!!
As we approach the house on any of these memorable occasions, she will have this special “complaining”voice … right away we know what to expect! Well, that behavior does not seem to go well with the conclusion above of “think like a dog thinks and life will be great … as long as my basic needs are met I need to be very flexible with my expectations” I guess Lola’s luxuries have become basic needs for her!!

AndI think that’s what happen to us sometimes. We forget how blessed we are, how much love is poured into our lives by family and friends, how much care we get from them … and then that one time, things go different because … “life happens” and we forget to be flexible so, we: 1. complain and 2. make it into a relationship problem.

The other thing I have learned with Lola is to be forgiving and loyal; no matter how upset she is, once she sees us get home, she gets sooooo happy! We open the door and she licks us, move her tail … I think she just instantly forgives our "offenses"; and, you can tell that she actually feels sorry for leaving her “gifts” all over the house.

Thank you to our new friend Caroline

2006-04-05T22:49:00.000-04:00

I actually was at my husbands office that one day … very tired, frustrated, disappointed and very confused.

We tried to adopt an 8 year old boy, Bryan, from Brazil and it did not work out. It is hard to explain how going through so much pain for us and for the 8 year old boy could be part of God’s plan but .. we have no doubts … we don’t understand it all but we know God’s hands were there. We love Bryan dearly but we know we are not his parents. We got to learn on our trip that God is really the father to the Fatherless.

Anyways, we had been back for almost a month, we were re assessing our decision to adopt and … you know what? I think I got to see Caroline’s post on the week of my birthday!!! Now that I think about it … yeah, I just checked .. it was on Friday March 3, and my 40th birthday was that Tuesday February 28th.

So, Brian and I were ready to sign papers for adopting in Hungary and we were supposed to send a good chunk of money that next Monday but I was not feeling peace at all. We were even taking MAPP class … (I know, can you see how confused I was), MAPP is the required training for the willing to foster-to-adopt domestically. We wanted to make sure to investigate all the possible adoption routes.

In my devotional one day that week, I felt that God was asking me to look back at the beginning, when we started this process and not just ask Him for what I thought could be possible, logical, easier, etc but to ask for what I really wanted the time He first talked to us about adopting. So I remembered, we wanted a 2 year old boy from Russia and then I would love a girl form China. I now understand that asking that way you really are asking out of faith.

So, that Friday, I was on the internet, since someone asked us to help this summer to start a hosting program in Miami, yes, we even thought of hosting to adopt!! and that person pointed us to go to this one Yahoo Group called “2HostKids” and there I found Caroline’s post and her blog !!…I just kept remembering that day that God had asked me to go back to my original desire; I started reading and became more and more interested in her story on adopting a boy from Russia … I could feel her excitement and it was very contagious. ..so, I kept reading and reading and found out the agency she was using: Lighthouse, I sent an email to the agency right away and the director, Lorien who is very efficient, answered my email back right away.

Thank you to our new friend Caroline! She really helped us in a big and unique way!

Remembering our Brazilian “nieces” and “nephews”

2006-04-03T20:12:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to add some thoughts of our February experience which I had written on our last blog. As many of you know, we were in the process of adopting an 8 year old boy in Brazil and it did not work out at the end.

We had some great experiences in Brazil at a very special orphanage last February. We spent around a month visiting with the kids and the director. We celebrated 3 birthdays there. There were 24 kids total on this orphanage. This is a special needs orphanage because it houses siblings and children with disabilities. I love that place!

I fell in love with the kids so quickly, and I wanted to take at least 10 of them home. I could not find a good reason why not to …. Except that most of them are not quite paper ready. That is the sad truth of most of the orphanages, the kids age there while waiting for either parents to give up their rights or the government to finish their paperwork

The top shows the pictures of some of my friends – my forever “nieces” and “nephews”

I had so much fun holding them on my lap and playing with them – one of the social workers told me how sad to see how much in need these kids were for a mother’s type of affection, love and care …. And it made me think …. I realized I was starving for the love of a child to call my son or daughter also.

Do you know who these are? The director asked as we were at the gate of the orphanage, “these are “Tio” Brian and “Tia” Rebeca!”

We were able to meet all the 24 kids!!! While my husband Brian went on playing soccer with a group of boys, the rest of the kids just kind of surrounded me, came by to say hi, specially 2 girls (Jasmin and Beatriz) and a little boy (Gabriel), they just got a hold of me. I just sat at a bench and the three of them sat next to me, Gabriel (4) got on my lap, Beatriz (6) and Jasmin (7) sat next to me each in one side and hold my hands.
Beatriz and Gabriel are siblings and they have two more sibling in the orphanage. Jasmin is the sister to Ivan(9) and Aletea, a very cute 13 year old.

Do I have to say it? Or did you figure it out by now? Yes, I wanted to take them all!!
My Brazilian friends will never be forgotten!!! I cannot wait for our next Missions trip to Brazil and see them all again!!!

The director of this orphanage is a great human being! Brian gave her a copy of “the purpose Driven Life” devotional book as a gift.

We love her dearly - she quickly became our friend. She is honest, loving, so hard working and has such a big heart!!! Still, a type “A” personality – yes, the character combination does exist! And she is a living proof of it :)

We are already gathering gifts and donations for our next trip – We bought some school supplies and got some blankets also. Brian’s parents are going there in 14 days and we might be able to send some of these with them.

2006-03-21T13:29:00.000-05:00

I thought I would start with a short introduction about our family and our adoption journey:

Our Family:
My name is Rebeca and I have been married to Brian for almost 14 years (July wedding) – Brian and I met in Bible school. We studied at Bethany College of Missions in Minneapolis, MN and graduated with a degree in Theology and missions, the school had an emphasis on Cross-cultural Communications.

I was born in Colombia to Christian parents and worked extensibly in my local church until I graduated from College back in 1990 (Bachelors of Science - Software Engineer). When my college friends asked me what was I going to do now that I graduated, I responded: “I will go to Theology school and will become a Missionary to Russia” again, this was 1990.

Brian, my dear husband, was born to American Missionaries (Bethany graduates also) and he also studied at Bethany back in 1989. Interesting enough, Brian’s parents were part of a team that operated a home for unwed mothers in southern Brazil – they worked there for over 15 years, so many children were born there and got to be adopted by Brazilian families, it was a great mission work. Today Brian’s parents work in North Carolina at the Billy Graham Association in Charlotte.

The first month I arrived at Bethany, again back in 1990, I was asked if I had some time to work on a project. My English was not good enough to be accepted as a student, so I was just “listening” to classes for a whole semester before I got formally accepted into the college. The students had a project but since they had to do homework, they were struggling to finish it.

What kind of project? Well, let me give you a bit of background, Bethany College of Missions was pretty much free since the students “paid” with work in the afternoons mainly for Bethany House Publishers; so, for this special project, the students would have to use their free time which was almost non existent. The students did fundraising to buy paper and got permission to use Bethany’s press and all the other equipment to publish Bibles for Russia!!! I was asked to do something wonderful: the type-setting work for the Russian Bibles.

Once I finishthe type-setting, the Bibles went to my brother who did the color separation (in his free time) and then to Brian (my husband and my brother were roommates in college at that point) did the actual printing with some other good college friends. We were able to finish the Bibles!! And now what? Well, the leader of our group (Missionary to Albania to this day), handed one of these Bibles to Former Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev on his first visit to the USA, MN (1990 – 1991).
My brother did some research and was able to find an organization that took the bibles to Russia and all 1 million Bibles got distributed!!! I was already a Missionary to Russia!!!

Brian and I married on July 1992. As Mission College students, we felt called to work with Eastern Europe (Slovenia) but it never happened. We were frustrated for some years. You see, since Brian was born on the mission field and right after leaving Brazil, went to Theology school, our leaders at Bethany thought that once married, we needed to live “in the real world” for a while. Today I know this was God’s leading. We both got jobs – almost 14 years later, I am still working as a software engineer and Brian and I have our own Software consulting/staffing company.

Our Adoption Plans:
After many years struggling with fertility problems, we decided to stop all treatments. As I explained in my previous post, God led us to adopt. We are currently in the process to adopt from Moscow – dossier is ready!!!

We are so excited to go to Moscow!

2006-03-16T22:26:00.000-05:00

It has been a long road - as God called us to work with couples I always wondered, why us? We did not feel adequate … but we were called. In obedience we took steps of faith to start ministering as God has asked us to do.

At the same time we have been trying to get pregnant using all kinds of methods. I went into surgery last year to fix a problem that could be the cause for infertility but it did not fix the problem. Treatment after treatment we were feeling frustrated, devastated and tired.

After so much praying, since our family and friends were committed to praying for us, on June 2005 we decided to stop the treatments.

Brian and I have told each other that we are so grateful to God for his love towards us and the love he has placed in our hearts towards each other; and even if we can not have children, having each other is a blessing we will continue to cherish … with no regrets.

We don’t know how and when we started thinking of adopting. We both have confessed later of our private thoughts about it. One night a friend called and told us that even though he already has two girls, he longs for having a baby boy, and he was thinking of adopting. It was this conversation God used to get us talk about our individual desire for adopting.

It was like ... when you are secretly in love with this boy - nobody knows and you don’t know if he likes you - and suddenly he confesses to you, that he has you in his mind at all times … really, it was a very romantic and magical moment. By the reactions of our friends and family, we know they shared those feelings with us. Most of them cried of happiness and shared with us intimate things that allowed us to know each other better.

We know this is a God given gift; All good gifts come from Him!!! and we are soooooo excited!! He has chosen this road for us.

We are starting to understand..... Where there is pain there will be His strength, where there is lack there will be His provision; and in all, we start realizing that we depend on Him for our all.