Life With Janaa

This is Brent.  It's Sunday night here around 11:30pm.  Now that the time has changed back home, at least I know exactly what time it is there in the USA.  We just returned to Bangkok from an actually relaxing weekend in the town of Kabinburi.  We visited Ed and Darlene Weber, missionaries supported by our church, as well as good friends.  Thursday night was our last evening at the Ambassador Hotel.  Friday we traveled with Duane and Hannah Scott, a missionary family that lives here in Bangkok out to Kabinburi for the weekend.  I wish we had taken pix of the place we stayed....it was the nicest yet!  And only 10 dollars a night, brand new....so clean.....very simple but spacious and refreshing.  We had a great weekend hanging out with everyone, had a great opportunity to see the Weber's ministry.  They're ministering to a great group of kids (and some adults) out in the community by using English classes.  Darlene has just had a baby, and man is he little!  You can check out what they're doing there by going to their website at http:\\www.webersinthailand.com.  The Webers are shown here on the left, the Scotts on the right.  By the way, the Scotts have a website at http://www.scottsinthailand.com.  A huge thanks to Ed for setting us up in the rooms at the hotel.  Another huge huge thanks to Duane and Hannah for picking us up at the Ambassador, letting us ride to Kabinburi with them and then letting me and J stay at their house tonight. 

Rachel has flown up to Chiang Mai on a mission to get some papers that are vital to the adoption.  That's all I'll say for right now.  Please be in prayer for her tomorrow.  As you're reading this on Sunday evening/night, she'll be on her way to trying to complete her mission.  She's flying back to Bangkok tomorrow night. 

So Janaa is behind me in the bed asleep, I'm trying to get a hotel for monday night through wed night, and our hope is to be on the plane back to America by Thursday morning.  We'll see.

Two things you can pray for us right now, ok three....

1. Everything that Rachel listed on the previous entry
2. That I can find a hotel with wireless internet in the room, that I don't have to pay extra for...or at least didn't use cigarette tar as the paint for the walls...
3. We're having some issues with our bank cards and ATMs....when you need cash, you need cash.....

I think I’ve figured out how to make updating the site easier. I’m writing it in word then all I have to do is copy and paste when I get downstairs.

We were given a bit more information on our documents today. Everything is still on hold at the moment. The US Government will not accept the Thai documents that we have saying that her mother released her parental rights therefore at the moment she is not “adoptable” according to the US Government. This shouldn’t be a terrible problem, but you never know. The orphanage that she was under is having to go find her mom and have her sign new papers. If they can’t find her they will try to get the Thai Government to sign an abandonment paper. We were told that from there it would be up to the US Government. We know that God is sovereign, but it’s is still frustrating.

The hospital was so easy. It was extremely nice…those of you who know how I hate hospitals…It was the stop I dreaded the most. You wouldn’t have even known it was a hospital if the words were written somewhere. They really didn’t do much of an exam which was nice. Janaa was really scared of going to the doctor, especially since it wasn’t her friend, Doctor Sonpon (sorry about the spelling).

When you think of us in pray, please pray for

· All documents to be finished and accepted tomorrow.

· For us to be a testimony to our driver.

· Janaa to continue to do well with all of this.

· The government officials to be accurate, kind and understanding.

o Yesterday she spoke harshly of Janaa’s birthmom. There are some things that she doesn’t understand yet and in a meeting I don’t have the ability to explain it her. She picks up on everything. She took a fact about her mom and her twin and put them together. It’s very confusing for her.

· For her birthmom. J’s birthday is 2 weeks away and she’s having to resign papers. I think it would be very difficult, especially with the timing. Also, that the Lord would use this to open her heart to His love.

If the only reason we have to wait is to open doors for her salvation it would all be worth it.

We have to check out in the morning so we are going to repack everything and pack small suitcases for the last few days we’re here. We are leaving to visit with the Webbers tomorrow through Sunday, I believe. It will be a great distraction for us. We are looking forward to catching up with them and meeting their new addition. It will be good for Janaa to have friends to play with too. She’s very excited to see the new baby, JayJay.

The Thai board meeting has come and gone. The Lord really protected us from many questions that we really didn't need to answer for the Thai government.  We were there several hours, but it only took about 5 minutes. 

From there we went to INS or Department of Homeland Security.  Please pray about our papers.  We have hit a big road block with some of Janaa's documents.  We're hoping it will only take a phone call in the morning, but it's hard to not worry when your child really isn't your's on paper yet.  God is faithful so "In Him Will I Trust".

She got her passport today.  I don't think she'll be more excited on Christmas.  It was as if that were the greatest gift a 3 year old could've received.  She grabbed it, hugged it and said, "Oh, my passport.  Look, I have my own passport.  There I am.  I'm so cute.  Now I can go to America." She told Rachel today that doesn't have a stamp yet though.

Well, I only have 15 minutes before I'll have to leave the business center. 

Well, we made it through our first day in Bangkok and it wasn't pretty good.  It was nice to have time to get things together before all the meetings.  We had our clothes washed...only what we need to make it another week....we could have rented our room for 3 more nights...Wow!  We realized why everything is so cheap here.  It's because they charge you for everything.  However, the free music outside of the business center where I'm typing this has some very interesting mixes of American music in Thai. 

Not a ton has happened today.  We are getting tired of living out of our suitecases, but thanks to those of you who allowed us to bum yours off of you.  I did get a bit of Christmas shopping done for Janaa today.  Not much, but then again, I think we're getting a family for Christmas all the way around. 

We are loving every minute with her.  She generally happy all of the time.  She is a blast to be around.  Well, I'm off to get some sleep and double check the list for tomorrow.  Good night to Thailand and good morning America!  We miss all of you right now!

Sorry, I can't get photos to work again :(.

Wow, I may actually get a photo loaded on the site today.  We're getting ready to head out to the mall to make photo copies and visit the play place.  We even may visit the aquarium in the mall.  Yep, in the mall or we could go bowling again.  These are not your typical malls.  There's much more than shopping.  And the food court - Doesn't compare with any near home.  Amazing really.

We are ready to be finished with this part of our trip.  It long, confusing and stressful.  We will have meetings ALL day tomorrow and Thursday she'll have to have another physical even though she just had 2.  The US government only accepts them from 1 of 2 hospitals here in Bangkok. Annoying! 

We are glad to be away from the beach.  Those were an extremely long 2 days.  The Lord is good and knows what we can handle.  Kosharah was coming to Bangkok for business and brought Rachel and Emma with her to spend Monday and Tuesday with us.  What a HUGE encouragement.  The goodbyes are always hard, but it is now part of our life.  It was better than the first goodbye.  We are beginning to realize though that you can't have "hellos"  if there are no "goodbyes". 

Janaa has been doing amazing. She does miss home, as she should, but she is also having fun and attaching well to us.  We are blessed beyond words.  Each day that passes and I see more adoptions I am even more thankful for Rachel.  Janaa wouldn't be where she is at without having such a great mom to train her so well. 

Uncle Bill , J says we have to send you a Carolina hat....sorry ;).  Lilla, we read your book daily.  Aunt Theresa, You can sow anything she says.  Amy, you would still be sick without Dr. J.  Becky, I think we've learned part of a new song from So Long Farewell...Rain drops on roses.  Mint, she says she likes to eat mints...even you.  She talks about everyone from home.  We all miss you much.

Home in the States...we miss you all.  We're ready to back to our house with our own sheets, towels, power and cars.  Can't wait for ya'll to meet the most adorable little girl, or at least we think so :).

Thanks for praying for us so much.  We know that we are not alone in this and that is more valuable than anything.