WOW- 3 weeks!

All the kids together!

Joy has been home for 3 weeks!
I realized it has been 2 busy weeks since I last posted an update about our transition time with Joy. In short, it is going really well!! We have been loving our time together!  We are so thankful that the Lord has "made beauty from ashes"- blessing us with this smooth transition. We are reaping the benefits from the last 2 painful years of bonding through long distance phone calls and in-country visits.

I love Emily!  

So pretty!

Love!!!

Making Wishes

She's a ham!

Belle, Minnie Mouse and Cinderella

Baking together- having way too much fun!

Playmates for Life!

Well- it has been so very good but it has also been pretty packed.  Our girl likes to "go with!" She fears being left behind and is all too happy to join in on any outing.  There is no more running to Kwik Trip without a cute little shadow.  But that is just fine with us!  On the transition front, we are getting her all trained in on "American" stuff (grad. parties, VBS songs, the library, BBQ, pizza day at church, roasting marshmallows and making S'mores, etc.)  She will eat most any food- and eats a well balanced, healthy diet.  Thankfully!  Especially since we need to get some meat on her bones. Yikes she is underweight!!  Unfortunately for her, she has also had to endure doctors visits, immunizations(ouch!), blood draws (double ouch!!), collecting poop samples("why does the doctor want my poopoo?"), and pre-school screening (she actually loved this).  I continue to be amazed at her resilience and trust.

The library with her buddy - cousin Sarah

MMMM- S'mores!!

I am so big!

She is such a love bug!  She loves to 'check in' very frequently-especially with mom and dad. She tackles us and says - "I love mom!!!"  or "I love Dad!!!"  Oh sweetie- "We love Joy!!!"  She is solidifying the idea of being a Homme.  We continue to teach her about family:  family shares, family loves each other, family takes care of each other, we will never lie to you and we will protect you and come home to you after we need to be away. (The first few days of Daddy back to work she needed a lot of reassurance!- thank you Daniel Tiger for the "grown-ups come back" song!)And also, we don't need to whine or pout to get things like food- we just need to tell mommy what you need and we love to help you. Oh- and and we are training her in on family walks ;0).

On a family walk

She also giggles like crazy!  Her giggle is infectious.  And she has enjoyed the special visitors we have had at our house (kids friends and extended family members -Tebbens included ;0) ).  She was so happy to play with cousins and also to get to know Mike and Shelli's puppies!!  And she loves to do what ever the kids are doing- Justin taught her how to ride on her bike (with training wheels) all by herself!

Justin is an awesome big brother!!

Riding Bike all by herself!

Flappy's with Auntie Shelli

Mike & Shelli with Bella and Teddy

It is fun to see our life through her eyes.  For example- Work in her mind is purely for money.  So Dad works so we have food and a house and everything here. I tried to explain he also works to help people and do what God has gifted him to do.  But she said- "yes for food".  Elizabeth and Emily "work for school fees". Yep- pretty much. I will have to do a post on Joy-isms soon.  There are many and they are so cute- I hope she doesn't lose them!  Already she tries to say water like we do ('wuhder')- oh boy- her British sounding version is much better!!  Her favorite phrases are "I am huuungry!" and "I go with you!"  and "I love...(insert Homme Clan person)!" She loves to sing and dance.  To end- here's a little clip of her singing and one doing her "Azonto" -a popular Ghanaian dance.

VISA INTERVIEW!! May 4th!

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord- He is my refuge and my fortress in whom I trust!" Psalm 91:1-2

It has been a roller coaster week of emotions as we have seen the Lord answer so many prayers!!! (Thank you so much Lord!) And also have had many moments of fear and worry as we look at travel and details, and all the unknowns of this next step in the process.  It is very refining for us(namely me!).  You all know us- we like to plan, and be prepared.  (And I like to arrive 10 minutes early ;0)- Jay rolls in right smack on time- translation- I wanted to hop the first plane, Jay wanted to wait for the proper travel time- ahem).   We just keep going back to the One we can rely on and trust in all of our unknowns and weakness and tendencies.  He is truly our refuge and strength!

Thank you so much for praying and giving us words of wisdom as we waited for word of our interview date! 

Here's what has happened in the last week:

*Wednesday (April 15th) our POA picked up our Visa packet at the consulate.
*Thursday (April 16th) we submitted our online application for Joy's Visa.
*Monday (April 20th) Joy had her official Visa medical done, and her required (passport type) photos were taken. And after some technical difficulties we were able to submit our request for interview.

*Wednesday (April 22nd)  Joy had her Mantoux officially read (MD gave good report on health- praise!!!)and vaccine waiver form turned in (will get up to date once home) And. . .

*********WE RECEIVED OUR INTERVIEW DATE!!!!!!!!!!*********

We will have our Visa Interview in Ghana on May 4th!!  

So- what does that mean?

It means we will be traveling to Ghana in about a week to see our sweet Joy!
We will attend the Visa Interview on May 4th. Pray hard that we pass!!!!!
If all passes- then we get the Visa printed and come home with our girl!!
If there is another further field investigation then we will update you all with what that means next (a field investigation was just done at the USCIS level- we pray the information is adequate for the Visa Consulate as well- but you just never know).

How can you specifically pray for us?
*Wisdom and unity for all the decisions re: travel, hotel, etc. we will be making today
*For all the loose ends at home- that we will be able to prepare our home and the kids well for our time away (it is May- season of special stuff and school crazy with 5 kiddos!) and our coming home (We pray it is WITH JOY).
*For sweet time with Joy!
*For Joy (and all of us) through this season of transition.
*That the Lord would go before us and we would have an awesome interview and would be able to have our visa printed as soon as possible (so we can get home before Justin leaves on a lego robotics trip).

I love this song from Kari Jobe- "I am not alone"  He goes before us!  He will never leave us!  Enjoy!!

Quick Update

Just a quick update:
*We were approved to pick up our Visa packet tomorrow (Wednesday) from the consulate in Ghana. HOORAY!!
*Monday Joy will have her visa medical.
*As soon as we (our POA) picks up our packet then we are able to submit Joy's visa application and request our visa interview.
*As soon as we get an interview date- then it will be time to schedule flights and the hotel!
AHHH!!  It is getting real!

Huge Praise! We received our i600 approval!!!!

We have been waiting 6 months for today to come.  Well, more like 2 1/2 years in total, but it has been over 6 months since we submitted our i600 application.  As you recall, we had to go back to court and get a specific sentence on our court documents etc. etc. etc. etc.  Then it was more stuff too: confirmation of papers we already submitted etc. etc. etc.  BUT TODAY we received the most wonderful email.  We finally got our i600 approval from the USCIS.

***** HOORAY!!!!!!  This is me shouting it from the rooftops!**************

I'll be honest- it hasn't been pretty around my home lately- there have been a whole lot of emotions and crying, sleepless nights and stress in the waiting (and a whole lot of crying out to the Lord)- and just plain missing our sweet, spunky Joy.  The kids have been upset and tired of waiting, as have Jay and I. It has been harder to re-assure them when you see no progress (and really can't give promises that things will progress) and when each time people say something will happen in the next couple of days, it ultimately means the next couple of weeks or months. Yes- emotions have been raw.  But I have also seen more tenderness and wisdom and strength in my kids.  We have had to cling to the Lord, to each other and to the things we know we can rely on despite our circumstances, or how it "feels".  Basically-We can trust our God!  He is able! He is with us (even when we can't feel it much) He loves us! He will bring beauty from ashes.  (Nothing is wasted) His word is truth.  His mercies are new every morning.  Etc.!!

One song that I have been listening to over and over is "Shoulders" by King & Country- and the verse that keeps popping in my mind as we have faced this trek up the mountain is: Psalm 121:1-2.  "I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth." It has been an encouragement to me as I have felt completely weary of waiting to bring Joy home.  I hope it is an encouragement to all of you!

Well- I am sure many of you are asking- "What does this mean?" "What is next?"  Here's the very simplified version:

Step 1:  Pass Court- Done!!!!
(although Jay will have to go back in August to get our full and final adoption decree as it will be 2 years from when our 2 year interim decree was declared)

Step 2:  USCIS i600 approved:  DONE!!!!!!!

Next:

Step 3:  Visa approval.  -
*We are hoping to pick up our "Visa Packet" in the next week or two-(they only allow pick up on a Wednesday-our POA will get this for us- it is basically the green light to submit the visa application for Joy and the papers for her medicals ).
*Then we submit our application online and get an appointment for our "interview" at the US visa consulate in Ghana.
*Joy will have medicals done (Physical, TB testing etc.).
Thankfully we already have her passport! That can often take a long time to get.
*Visa Interview- we pray for approval!
*Print Joy's Visa (on a Friday)
*Bring Joy Home!!!

So- once we get our visa appointment Jay and I will travel to Ghana and have our interview- if all is approved, then we will get Joy's visa printed and bring home our sweet girl!!!

This is the final step, guys! I can hardly believe I finally get to say that!! Please pray that all goes well with the Visa process and that we are able to bring Joy home very soon!  And please pray for us as we try to figure out timing and travel details, and for the crew we will be leaving home with Grandma ;0)- and my friends who will be helping Grandma navigate their activities/etc.  Thank you so very much for continuing to support and love us so well, and for praying for us!

We will keep you updated when we know a travel date/details.

Our Prayer:

"We wait in hope for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield.

In Him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in His holy name.

May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,

even as we put our hope in you."

 Psalm 33:20-22  

Amazing time in Ghana!

Welcome to Ghana!

We had an AMAZING trip to Ghana!  Thank you all for praying for us while we were gone/traveling and for the kiddos/caregivers holding down the fort.  It was a bit of a rough week for those kids at home (a history day project malfunction for Emily, grieving with best friends and our church family as our friend and Pastor's wife (mom to some of our kids' best friends)went home to the Lord, and one sent home with vomiting and diarrhea, plus all the busyness of life with 4 kids).  We are so very thankful for all the wonderful caregivers (our family of families) who provided love and care during this time!!!

 We have had many people asking for more details about the trip (especially family)- so I thought I should post a more detailed snapshot.  (I'll spare you from ALL of the hundreds of Pix I have- and will just post a smattering ;0) ).  But fair warning- this is a long snapshot.

Sunday- 

We landed, checked in to our hotel and waited for Joy to come.  It's been 18 months since I (Becky) was last here- 18 months of waiting-until she walked right back into my arms!. . . and then met one of her sisters in person for the first time.  no words.  We were able to FaceTime with all the kiddos back home- awesome!- and then had a fun time together playing at the "park" and walking the grounds and we checked out the pool area.  Much to our surprise, once she saw Elizabeth touch the water Joy was ready to get right in with her clothes on!  Then it was time for a yummy African dinner buffet. Our little hungry hungry caterpillar can pack away a ton of chicken and Jollof (rice).  After less than an hour of sleep for us girls on the plane it was an early bedtime.

Waiting for Joy

Finally!

Showing Liz how to drive

Hungry Hungry Caterpillar

 Monday- 

Jay (and his colleagues) taught and trained midwives and medical staff all day Monday, so we girls were on our own.  We explored the grounds (lots of walking and spotting lizards and flowers) and played and played and swam (Joy went in the pool and swam for the 1st time)!  She was so brave and just followed Elizabeth right in.  Pretty soon she was dunking her head under water and giggling like crazy!  We had to teach her to close her mouth and plug her nose though so she wouldn't choke on pool water- oh my!  After a few coughs she was back to giggling and putting her head under again.  Joy is happy to tag along with anything Elizabeth is doing- she is her shadow and I have to say- it has made my job super easy.  i.e. "Joy- look, Elizabeth is gonna put her PJ's on"  Joy races to do the same. ;0) .  After a nap time (for both exhausted girls) Daddy was "home from work" and we went to a chicken/rice place.  Unfortunately it took FOREVER to get our meal and our sweetie gets pretty cranky when she is hungry so Jay got the only attitude/tears of the day.  Finally we all ate and were able to have a good time together before watching Frozen and then off to bed.

singing praise songs on stage

She loved to dunk her face- over and over- we had to remind her not to open her mouth and choke!

my beauties!

Sleeping with hands touching

Helping Babies Breathe teaching

Day 1 of teaching- an awesome group!

Finally!  Our chicken is here!

smiles again after a full tummy

Tuesday-

Tuesday was much like Monday.  Jay (and co-workers) taught most of the day (with no power- 100+ degrees and no windows open- good thing the materials for helping babies breathe are made to go anywhere with flip charts etc. )and we girls had tons of fun playing with toys, walking the grounds, picking flowers etc.  Then it was time for "homework" for Joy (letters, coloring and stickers) and HOMEWORK (Pre-Calc)for Liz- Oh 11th grade, we WILL survive you!    We swam twice: in the morning and in the afternoon, but Liz wasn't in the mood to get in the water the second time so poor Joy was stuck with me- I am obviously not as fun!  Then we headed up for a late nap.  But after about 1/2 hour- surprise!  Daddy got back early. We wanted to head to some markets to get gifts so we had to wake up our napper.  She was pretty cranky and tired and was the typical preschooler upset that Daddy wasn't going to buy EVERYTHING she wanted so unfortunately, again Jay got the tired/hungry pouts.  We finally got back to the hotel and headed out for pizza- yummy and chicken and jollof for Joy- and topped off the night with watching some Frozen (Joy LOVES it and sings along!) then off to bedtime. 

Malinda teaching Helping Babies Breathe with flip charts

Visiting a women's hospital established by a colleague.

Hmm?  She loves to ask that!

Silly sweetness

homework-She is quite good at printing her letters :0)

HOMEWORK!She is quite good at perseverance!  11th grade (pre-calc and physics)we WILL survive you!

LOVE!

I wish I could bottle this!

Off to the market

She would call the play-set fort her "inside"

Contentment!

cuddles with mommy!

painting

 

Pizza and Ice Cream!  A welcome treat.

Wednesday-

We have our patterns- our day is filled with playing and walking and swimming and reading, PlayDoh and coloring.  It is filled with giggles and reminding a little one to "ask, don't tell" and "say "please"to Elizabeth and Mommy :0)" (little miss can be bossy ;0)-and generally keeping up with a spunky cuteness.  Daddy's day has been filled with teaching - today it is basic life support (BLS) without power- (thankful for computer batteries!) and sweating it out in 100+ degree classrooms. You can't open the windows due to mosquitos (malaria). Poor guy- good thing he ditched the suit! After a full day and a nap we had a fun night with Daddy and had a special dinner with friends (we met the family of our friend Charles and had a wonderful time!). The oldest son is coming to Minnesota for college next year!  We look forward to being a "home away from home" for him.

   

Fun stuff from today:  Joy has her nicknames for the kids.  She has started calling Elizabeth "Bet" or "Beth", Emily is "Em-i-ly, Justin is "Justo", Ashley is ""Ash-il-ly", Andrew is "Andrews". 

*Quote of the Day- "Mommy has a small nose, Bet has a small nose, Joy has a small nose, Daddy has a BIG nose!"- yep.

Joy and Bet

We love Monkey Preschool on the "laptop"

matching manicures  (pink in honor of beautiful Emma)

Joy's babies

Artist Elizabeth- she takes PlayDoh to a whole new level 

See what I mean?

teaching Joy to make things with "clay"

Joy and Daddy- awesome!

BLS teaching

More graduates of training

Thursday-

JUDGE APPROVED NEEDED SENTENCES today to clarify our court decree- making it clear according to Ghana courts she may leave the country!!  HOORAY!  Thank you LORD!!  Next step- get this printed and signed, approved by the embassy, then on to the final step- visa approval.  Still a way to go but this was an essential step!!

(***Note: we are still waiting for them to print this paper/sign a week and a half later- sigh!!!)

Thursday we had and adventure heading to Cape Coast.  We stopped at Kakum Rainforest for Elizabeth and Jay to do the Canopy walk on rope bridges (Joy napped on me in the car- awesome). 

way to go Lizzie!!

After a stop in Elmina (we wanted Elizabeth to see the old "castle" where the horrific slave trade took place- we didn't do the historical tour this time- we weren't sure if it would be a good idea with the girls. (as you can imagine it is an extremely hard/emotional thing to see/hear about and Joy is old enough to understand now.)- It was very unsettling for Liz to see to begin with, and then she was swarmed as she got out of the car by many teen boys asking for money- sheesh- so much for being able to process with her!).

After, we were able to settle in to our hotel and explore.  Joy had a ball showing everything to Elizabeth (the crocodiles, horses, fish, birds etc.) and she learned to love the ocean!!!!  What a gift to have a great day with Daddy and to be in a place that feels like a home away from home.

Our rooms

The AMAZING view from our porch!

watching the ocean

contemplating crocodiles- I thought it was funny that Liz and Jay had the same expression

Looking for fish

Horses- roaming free- Joy giggled like crazy over the "horse Poo Poo" all over . She thought they were eating it too.  

swimming with daddy

 A couple of crazy kids

trust- beautiful!

waiting impatiently for dinner- "I'm hungry!!" - this is the face she makes when she is desperate for some food- even if she just ate 20 minutes before. I guess I should have brought a granola bar to dinner. 

so hard to wait

Daddy is too funny to stay sad for too long

Liz is so patient- Joy was doing her hair-twisting it jut like hers- saying- "shh, shh ,shh- It's ok- it's ok"  Ouch!

Finishing the day with Frozen- all singing together!

Friday-

None of us are ready for it to be Friday.  We miss everyone at home but it is so hard to leave!!  We started the day with an early breakfast and then we were off to deliver a phone to somebody for a friend.  After that our driver finally found Joy's home.  We saw her home and yard area and then went to her school to see that.  We met her teachers and also saw something interesting- her registration has her with a middle name- PROMISE.  We don't know all the details but felt like it was a special message for us.  After the school we went in to downtown Cape Coast.  Then it was a very hard goodbye.  SIGH.  At least this time she was not wisked away and we were able to give her big hugs and kisses and let her know we will come back as soon as we can to bring her home.  (She was quite upset one day that we couldn't bring her home to see all the kids!!- and asked over and over for us to take her to our house.  She loves the kids!!and of course Molly the dog and Pumpkin the cat).  It was a very tearful and quiet ride back to Accra (aside from being "arrested"-pulled over by police a couple of times due to our driver having a missing break light.  A long wait until the airport, lots of security checks another long wait at the airport and then we were happy to settle in for the trip home. 

Breakfast- she LOVES eggs and fruit

Beautiful girl

Joy's home

The plantain trees etc. (garden) at Joy's home

Joy's school

Joy's teachers and classmates.

Joy's school room

Joy with her friend at school

Ready to get home to see the kiddos!

 Hearts in 2 places- it hurts!! 

"We wait in hope for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield.

In Him our hearts rejoice, 

for we trust in his holy name. 

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

even as we put our hope in you."

Psalm  33:20-22