Rachelle D. Alspaugh's Blog, page 41
September 25, 2016
A miracle in the making
In January of 2011, I wrote a letter to God, asking him to give me the desires of my heart. At the time, I wanted more than anything to still have a chance to adopt the little girl I lost through a failed adoption. But if I couldn't be her mommy, I asked God to give her a mommy who would teach her about Him and how to love Him.
A month later, that mommy God had chosen for her came and whisked her away, leaving her brothers and I both grateful for her adoption but heartbroken to lose her. Her eldest brother waited patiently to hear from her again, but as the time passed, he assumed he lost her forever.
In 2012, we finally received the opportunity for a second attempt to adopt her brother, who we successfully brought home a year later in 2013. Ever since I brought him home, I've prayed for God to make a way for him to reconnect with his precious little sister. For me, I'd be happy with a just a picture, but for him, I believed they would reunite someday.
In the summer of 2015, I prayed very specifically for God to help us find her, and He helped me make a connection with the right person in Colombia who could help us start that search. She told us the channels they'd have to go through, and she made no guarantees. After an entire year passed without any news, I pretty much gave up hope that we'd find her this way. I figured Juan David would have to be the one to search without my name attached. I mean, I did try to adopt her once, so maybe I was the one standing in the way.
Now here we are in the early fall of 2016, and while swamped with tons of stuff going on at work and in life, I could not have been more surprised to look down at my e-mails in the middle of the morning one day this week to see that long awaited e-mail from Colombia. The subject line said, "Foto hermana" (sister picture). Then I saw another one with the subject "Carta hermana" (sister letter). My eyes filled with tears when I opened them and then quickly sent them to Juan's phone and then to his biological brother, Julian.
This first attempt at communication between them is still caught in a chain of people and organizations protecting both of their families' privacy, so he doesn't have direct contact with her yet. But it's a huge step leading them to begin to reconnect, a step I believe will lead them to reunite someday.
It's a miracle in the making, and I'm so grateful for a God who always answers prayers.
A month later, that mommy God had chosen for her came and whisked her away, leaving her brothers and I both grateful for her adoption but heartbroken to lose her. Her eldest brother waited patiently to hear from her again, but as the time passed, he assumed he lost her forever.
In 2012, we finally received the opportunity for a second attempt to adopt her brother, who we successfully brought home a year later in 2013. Ever since I brought him home, I've prayed for God to make a way for him to reconnect with his precious little sister. For me, I'd be happy with a just a picture, but for him, I believed they would reunite someday.
In the summer of 2015, I prayed very specifically for God to help us find her, and He helped me make a connection with the right person in Colombia who could help us start that search. She told us the channels they'd have to go through, and she made no guarantees. After an entire year passed without any news, I pretty much gave up hope that we'd find her this way. I figured Juan David would have to be the one to search without my name attached. I mean, I did try to adopt her once, so maybe I was the one standing in the way.
Now here we are in the early fall of 2016, and while swamped with tons of stuff going on at work and in life, I could not have been more surprised to look down at my e-mails in the middle of the morning one day this week to see that long awaited e-mail from Colombia. The subject line said, "Foto hermana" (sister picture). Then I saw another one with the subject "Carta hermana" (sister letter). My eyes filled with tears when I opened them and then quickly sent them to Juan's phone and then to his biological brother, Julian.
This first attempt at communication between them is still caught in a chain of people and organizations protecting both of their families' privacy, so he doesn't have direct contact with her yet. But it's a huge step leading them to begin to reconnect, a step I believe will lead them to reunite someday.
It's a miracle in the making, and I'm so grateful for a God who always answers prayers.
September 21, 2016
Wednesday Review
Today's review of
Painful Waiting
comes from my dear friend in Colombia, Claire Marquez, again. She gave the book five stars, and I think she was one of the very first ones to finish reading it.
This book is an amazing book... I am so so happy for my good friend Rachelle and her family. This book speaks dear to my heart because I got to be part of the process. Our God is so so good and it talks about the wonderful journey that they took trusting and putting all their faith in God. This book brings all kinds of emotions. For me being a Colombian adopted into a North American family this book hits home in so many ways. This book has lots of amazing life lessons that one can learn from and especially how God is all ways there and never leaves you in the midst of the hardest times.
I love this review for so many reasons, First, because as a missionary herself, she gets the whole faith aspect of the book series. And in addition to that, she is a Colombian adoptee, so I got to see how someone with that background might be affected by our story.
Thank you again, Claire. I can't wait for your own book to come out someday!
This book is an amazing book... I am so so happy for my good friend Rachelle and her family. This book speaks dear to my heart because I got to be part of the process. Our God is so so good and it talks about the wonderful journey that they took trusting and putting all their faith in God. This book brings all kinds of emotions. For me being a Colombian adopted into a North American family this book hits home in so many ways. This book has lots of amazing life lessons that one can learn from and especially how God is all ways there and never leaves you in the midst of the hardest times.
I love this review for so many reasons, First, because as a missionary herself, she gets the whole faith aspect of the book series. And in addition to that, she is a Colombian adoptee, so I got to see how someone with that background might be affected by our story.
Thank you again, Claire. I can't wait for your own book to come out someday!
September 14, 2016
Wednesday Review
Today's review of
Unexpected Tears
comes from Charlie Ray, a friend who prayed me through the first book's contents and later told me she just kept on praying for both of the kids after we lost them. When I see how well my son is doing today, I remember her faithful prayers for him when we didn't ever think he'd come back to us. She gave the book five stars.
This is a wonderful story of this family's faith walk with God in their attempt to adopt internationally. Through all the tears and heartache, God's constant presence and unconditional love is ever present as his plans all unfold for them.
Thank you, Charlie, for your prayers and support and then for passionately cheering me on as the second book came out.
This is a wonderful story of this family's faith walk with God in their attempt to adopt internationally. Through all the tears and heartache, God's constant presence and unconditional love is ever present as his plans all unfold for them.
Thank you, Charlie, for your prayers and support and then for passionately cheering me on as the second book came out.
September 10, 2016
My favorite sound
Can you hear it? Silence. I could soak it up all weekend. It soothes my soul.
I used to joke around with my second graders years ago that silence was my favorite sound. Now that I teach four-year-olds, it's no joke. By the time they leave, this introvert wants nothing more than to sit in a silent room all alone to recharge for awhile.
Don't get me wrong. I love my students' sweet little voices. Their conversations with each other either captivate me or entertain me, and their giggles are contagious. But here at the beginning of the year, I don't hear much of that yet. I unfortunately still hear a lot of crying (now 14 days in), a lot of tattles, and a lot of my own voice sternly saying, "Shhhhh! Stop running. Stop pushing. Sit correctly. Keep your hands to yourself. Pay attention. Watch where you're going. Eyes on me. Be nice. That's not how we talk at school. That's not how we treat our friends.Etc. etc."
I've relaxed a bit with the students who came in ready (usually the ones with older siblings), and thankfully, they've helped me to remember to smile. A simple smile can make a big difference in the entire classroom atmosphere.
Hopefully I can report back here in a few weeks with exciting news about how they're finally taking off and beginning to shine. I know they will--they always do. In the meantime, I guess I need to put a smiley face sticker on my hand as a reminder that a smile can brighten anyone's day, even my own. :)
As far as my home, I am soaking up an unexpectedly silent day due to David being at a birthday party, Mike out looking for truck parts, and Juan in bed sleeping after having to call in sick for work. I am still trying to get used to our new normal this year. Leaving 30 minutes earlier each morning in order to get David to school and get through the morning traffic to get myself to work on time. Juan working (and driving on his own)--meaning going to church at a different time than us when he works on Saturday nights. I crave a daily routine, and I'm not sure we've found one (or ever will).
Soccer is starting within the next week, meaning David will have his own schedule as a referee and then another one as a player. His coach could unfortunately not return this season. We got an e-mail at the last minute late Wednesday night saying if no one stepped in to coach the team, they'd have to fold the team and the boys would not be able to play. So, guess who stepped up to take over the team? Coach Dad to the rescue. And Coach Juan to help. It's gonna be an interesting season! Stay tuned.
I used to joke around with my second graders years ago that silence was my favorite sound. Now that I teach four-year-olds, it's no joke. By the time they leave, this introvert wants nothing more than to sit in a silent room all alone to recharge for awhile.
Don't get me wrong. I love my students' sweet little voices. Their conversations with each other either captivate me or entertain me, and their giggles are contagious. But here at the beginning of the year, I don't hear much of that yet. I unfortunately still hear a lot of crying (now 14 days in), a lot of tattles, and a lot of my own voice sternly saying, "Shhhhh! Stop running. Stop pushing. Sit correctly. Keep your hands to yourself. Pay attention. Watch where you're going. Eyes on me. Be nice. That's not how we talk at school. That's not how we treat our friends.Etc. etc."
I've relaxed a bit with the students who came in ready (usually the ones with older siblings), and thankfully, they've helped me to remember to smile. A simple smile can make a big difference in the entire classroom atmosphere.
Hopefully I can report back here in a few weeks with exciting news about how they're finally taking off and beginning to shine. I know they will--they always do. In the meantime, I guess I need to put a smiley face sticker on my hand as a reminder that a smile can brighten anyone's day, even my own. :)
As far as my home, I am soaking up an unexpectedly silent day due to David being at a birthday party, Mike out looking for truck parts, and Juan in bed sleeping after having to call in sick for work. I am still trying to get used to our new normal this year. Leaving 30 minutes earlier each morning in order to get David to school and get through the morning traffic to get myself to work on time. Juan working (and driving on his own)--meaning going to church at a different time than us when he works on Saturday nights. I crave a daily routine, and I'm not sure we've found one (or ever will).
Soccer is starting within the next week, meaning David will have his own schedule as a referee and then another one as a player. His coach could unfortunately not return this season. We got an e-mail at the last minute late Wednesday night saying if no one stepped in to coach the team, they'd have to fold the team and the boys would not be able to play. So, guess who stepped up to take over the team? Coach Dad to the rescue. And Coach Juan to help. It's gonna be an interesting season! Stay tuned.
September 7, 2016
Wednesday Review
Today's review of
Painful Waiting
comes from Stacey Doll, our dear friend that God allowed us to meet and serve with at
El Camino Academy
in Bogota on our second trip to Colombia. So many people said we looked like sisters, so we named ourselves the pink sisters. :) She gave the book five stars.
Rachelle Alspaugh has come out with her second book about trying to adopt internationally. I met this wonderful family on my trip to Colombia, and their story has stuck with me. So excited for you all to experience this book, a combination of heart-felt poetry and inspiring prose. Through the trials the Alspaughs faced, their faith was challenged and strengthened. Yours will be too as you see how God guided them to unexpected places and allowed them to adopt, but not exactly the way they imagined. God is so faithful and knows how to time everything perfectly. Rachelle's book is proof!
Thank you so much to my pink sister, Stacey, for sharing your thoughts on my second book. So thankful for our continued friendship today.
Rachelle Alspaugh has come out with her second book about trying to adopt internationally. I met this wonderful family on my trip to Colombia, and their story has stuck with me. So excited for you all to experience this book, a combination of heart-felt poetry and inspiring prose. Through the trials the Alspaughs faced, their faith was challenged and strengthened. Yours will be too as you see how God guided them to unexpected places and allowed them to adopt, but not exactly the way they imagined. God is so faithful and knows how to time everything perfectly. Rachelle's book is proof!
Thank you so much to my pink sister, Stacey, for sharing your thoughts on my second book. So thankful for our continued friendship today.
August 31, 2016
Wednesday Review
Today's review of
Unexpected Tears
comes from Claire Marquez, otherwise known as Clarita in the book. She gave the book five stars.
Another great amazing story about hope, faith, determination and setting your eye on God all ways threw thick and thin. I am so happy for my good friend Rachelle and this book about her and her families life. It is an amazing story that will bring you to tears. It speaks really close to home since I am a Colombian adopted into a North American family. This book hits really close to home. I am so proud of her and all that she and her family did they never gave up faith in God and trusting in Him. This book teaches amazing life lessons.
Thank you so much, Claire, for sharing your thoughts on this book. It wouldn't be the same story without the role God unexpectedly asked you to play in it by entertaining strangers on a cold, wet day. Love you, friend.
Another great amazing story about hope, faith, determination and setting your eye on God all ways threw thick and thin. I am so happy for my good friend Rachelle and this book about her and her families life. It is an amazing story that will bring you to tears. It speaks really close to home since I am a Colombian adopted into a North American family. This book hits really close to home. I am so proud of her and all that she and her family did they never gave up faith in God and trusting in Him. This book teaches amazing life lessons.
Thank you so much, Claire, for sharing your thoughts on this book. It wouldn't be the same story without the role God unexpectedly asked you to play in it by entertaining strangers on a cold, wet day. Love you, friend.
August 24, 2016
Coincidence?
So, David started Spanish 3 this week as a freshman, which is actually his first Spanish class ever. I was so proud of him for having a good attitude about it and courageously walking into a class we knew would stretch him. I also felt extremely nervous for him, hoping he didn't come home the first day begging to drop the class.
Not only did he come home smiling, but he told me all about his Spanish class. A male teacher from Colombia. A room all decked out with Colombia decorations. A teacher that spent the first class talking all about Bogotá.
Just wait till David walks into class one day with his Colombia jersey on.
Oh, and he and David are both referees for the same local soccer league here in town. That will be an interesting connection.
Yeah, I'm not so nervous for him to survive that class anymore. I think he'll be just fine.
God knew all along.
Not only did he come home smiling, but he told me all about his Spanish class. A male teacher from Colombia. A room all decked out with Colombia decorations. A teacher that spent the first class talking all about Bogotá.
Just wait till David walks into class one day with his Colombia jersey on.
Oh, and he and David are both referees for the same local soccer league here in town. That will be an interesting connection.
Yeah, I'm not so nervous for him to survive that class anymore. I think he'll be just fine.
God knew all along.
Wednesday Review
Today's review of
Painful Waiting
comes from Amy Laangmack, who gave the book four stars.
In this book Rachelle shares the story of her families five year adoption story. The journey that she embarked upon with God to be able to bring this child into her home is not a story for the faint of heart. It's a story of sorry, heavy tears, heart-wrenching cries out to God, and ultimately the ability to see God's redeeming hand throughout the entire journey.
This story will cause you to search for God amidst your own painful situations, occasionally be grateful for the things you have not yet endured, and ultimately help you recognize that even when you can't see God moving directly, he is still working to bring all of the pieces together. Pieces that may not look like what we expect. But something greater than we could even imagine.
Thank you so much, Amy, for sharing your thoughts on the book. I love seeing how much you got of the entire story without having read the first book. Tells me I did my job well. :)
In this book Rachelle shares the story of her families five year adoption story. The journey that she embarked upon with God to be able to bring this child into her home is not a story for the faint of heart. It's a story of sorry, heavy tears, heart-wrenching cries out to God, and ultimately the ability to see God's redeeming hand throughout the entire journey.
This story will cause you to search for God amidst your own painful situations, occasionally be grateful for the things you have not yet endured, and ultimately help you recognize that even when you can't see God moving directly, he is still working to bring all of the pieces together. Pieces that may not look like what we expect. But something greater than we could even imagine.
Thank you so much, Amy, for sharing your thoughts on the book. I love seeing how much you got of the entire story without having read the first book. Tells me I did my job well. :)
August 21, 2016
Seasons of change
Ready or not, here we go. Tomorrow morning we begin the 2016-17 school year.
As a teacher, I'm ready.
We had an interesting start to the year with much less time to work in the classroom as other years, but with the amazing assistance from my teaching assistant, the classroom feels more than ready to welcome our 44 new little ones (22 in the morning, 22 in the afternoon). Our school district is moving away from the traditional bilingual education model that we've followed for longer than I've been teaching here and will now move into the Dual Language focus. It's a huge shift in thinking about how to help our kids embrace their bilingualism, but I believe it will be seriously beneficial to our kids' futures. I look forward to being able to teach and interact with my littles a bit more in English again for a change. :)
As a mom, I'm not quite sure if I'm ready for this season. I've got a ton of mixed emotions, as do my boys.
My sweet "little" boy, David, is headed to high school. He's much taller than me now and has reached equal height with his older brother. I predict that he'll pass Juan and be the same height as his dad before the year is over. My dad and brothers are both very tall, as well as Mike's dad, so he's obviously inherited the height gene.
We have shifted away from the "GT" school and put him in the closest high school right up the road where a few of his church friends attend (but not where his brother attends--allowing him to keep his individuality was some of the best advice we've followed in this adoption). He's in several honors, Pre-AP and AP classes, and he'll be in Spanish 3 this year, due to having tested out of the first two years of Spanish 3 years ago. He hasn't kept that Spanish practice very current since Juan learned English, so I hope it comes back to him quickly. We told him that it will be hard at first, but he's got a Mom and brother to help him get through the year. He's also taking a leadership class and a Money Matters class, both classes that Juan really benefited from during his freshman year.
He's a bit anxious about getting lost in the hallways the first few days, plus he doesn't like having to find a whole new group of friends. I pray he finds a few church or soccer friends in his classes and lunch period, and I pray that he'll be blessed with several Christian teachers like he had in his middle school.
Yesterday he finished a course to officially become a referee this soccer season. After watching big brother earn quite a bit of money last spring as a referee, he wanted to have the same experience. It will be nice for him to have his own paycheck so he can start saving for the things he wants without having to ask Mom and Dad for them. (That alone might lower my stress-level since money issues can cause me a great deal of anxiety if I let them.) Still, it's a huge change, meaning my little boy is growing up.
As if dealing with David going into high school isn't enough of an emotional rollercoaster for me, watching Juan step into his senior year is kind-of like taking my breath away. He is now working part-time at a local restaurant right around the corner from his school, driving on his own (in my newly restored, repainted Neon), and thinking a lot about college and his future.
He'll turn nineteen in just a few short months, but to me, he's barely three. He's been my son for only three short years. Though our bond started eight years ago, thankfully, our mother/son relationship is only three years old. There's a reason you get 18-19 years to raise a biological child before having to release them into the world of adulthood. Three years is hardly enough time to parent a child and then let them start to "spread their wings and fly". It is a very humbling feeling to know that God chose us as the parents to be the "wind beneath his wings" during this stage of his life. I can only wonder what great things God has in store for him.
On the contrary to David, Juan is starting the year off with confidence now that he can walk the halls as a Senior. Not just a Senior, but a Senior with a car. (Pray for us!). He is excited to play Varsity soccer, to manage a lot more money than just his monthly $20 allowance, to assume more responsibility and freedom, and to take an AP Art class (after his drawing teacher last year noticed his very God-given talent). He's also finally opened up his mind to explore his interests besides just soccer. For his entire life in Colombia, he had one goal in life--to play professional soccer. Now for the first time ever, he's wondering what other directions his life might go. With no idea of what he's interested in, he's a bit anxious about the future, but excited to begin looking at all the possibilities out there. For some reason, God planted him here for this stage of his life, and I am grateful. After thinking I lost him forever and now having this opportunity to guide him into adulthood, I don't take a single day as his mom for granted. (Check out our story in the Surviving the Valley Series, www.abhbooks.com/books.)
It's a huge season of change in our family and as parents. Looks like there will be a lot of those "letting go" moments that I'm not sure I'm ready for, and a lot more guidance as they learn to make their own decisions for the direction of their lives.
I seemed to have hit a wall as a writer right after my second book released and haven't been able to get past it yet. I think it might be God taking my eyes off the computer, saying, "Don't miss this. It's gonna go by fast."
As a teacher, I'm ready.
We had an interesting start to the year with much less time to work in the classroom as other years, but with the amazing assistance from my teaching assistant, the classroom feels more than ready to welcome our 44 new little ones (22 in the morning, 22 in the afternoon). Our school district is moving away from the traditional bilingual education model that we've followed for longer than I've been teaching here and will now move into the Dual Language focus. It's a huge shift in thinking about how to help our kids embrace their bilingualism, but I believe it will be seriously beneficial to our kids' futures. I look forward to being able to teach and interact with my littles a bit more in English again for a change. :)
As a mom, I'm not quite sure if I'm ready for this season. I've got a ton of mixed emotions, as do my boys.
My sweet "little" boy, David, is headed to high school. He's much taller than me now and has reached equal height with his older brother. I predict that he'll pass Juan and be the same height as his dad before the year is over. My dad and brothers are both very tall, as well as Mike's dad, so he's obviously inherited the height gene.
We have shifted away from the "GT" school and put him in the closest high school right up the road where a few of his church friends attend (but not where his brother attends--allowing him to keep his individuality was some of the best advice we've followed in this adoption). He's in several honors, Pre-AP and AP classes, and he'll be in Spanish 3 this year, due to having tested out of the first two years of Spanish 3 years ago. He hasn't kept that Spanish practice very current since Juan learned English, so I hope it comes back to him quickly. We told him that it will be hard at first, but he's got a Mom and brother to help him get through the year. He's also taking a leadership class and a Money Matters class, both classes that Juan really benefited from during his freshman year.
He's a bit anxious about getting lost in the hallways the first few days, plus he doesn't like having to find a whole new group of friends. I pray he finds a few church or soccer friends in his classes and lunch period, and I pray that he'll be blessed with several Christian teachers like he had in his middle school.
Yesterday he finished a course to officially become a referee this soccer season. After watching big brother earn quite a bit of money last spring as a referee, he wanted to have the same experience. It will be nice for him to have his own paycheck so he can start saving for the things he wants without having to ask Mom and Dad for them. (That alone might lower my stress-level since money issues can cause me a great deal of anxiety if I let them.) Still, it's a huge change, meaning my little boy is growing up.
As if dealing with David going into high school isn't enough of an emotional rollercoaster for me, watching Juan step into his senior year is kind-of like taking my breath away. He is now working part-time at a local restaurant right around the corner from his school, driving on his own (in my newly restored, repainted Neon), and thinking a lot about college and his future.
He'll turn nineteen in just a few short months, but to me, he's barely three. He's been my son for only three short years. Though our bond started eight years ago, thankfully, our mother/son relationship is only three years old. There's a reason you get 18-19 years to raise a biological child before having to release them into the world of adulthood. Three years is hardly enough time to parent a child and then let them start to "spread their wings and fly". It is a very humbling feeling to know that God chose us as the parents to be the "wind beneath his wings" during this stage of his life. I can only wonder what great things God has in store for him.
On the contrary to David, Juan is starting the year off with confidence now that he can walk the halls as a Senior. Not just a Senior, but a Senior with a car. (Pray for us!). He is excited to play Varsity soccer, to manage a lot more money than just his monthly $20 allowance, to assume more responsibility and freedom, and to take an AP Art class (after his drawing teacher last year noticed his very God-given talent). He's also finally opened up his mind to explore his interests besides just soccer. For his entire life in Colombia, he had one goal in life--to play professional soccer. Now for the first time ever, he's wondering what other directions his life might go. With no idea of what he's interested in, he's a bit anxious about the future, but excited to begin looking at all the possibilities out there. For some reason, God planted him here for this stage of his life, and I am grateful. After thinking I lost him forever and now having this opportunity to guide him into adulthood, I don't take a single day as his mom for granted. (Check out our story in the Surviving the Valley Series, www.abhbooks.com/books.)
It's a huge season of change in our family and as parents. Looks like there will be a lot of those "letting go" moments that I'm not sure I'm ready for, and a lot more guidance as they learn to make their own decisions for the direction of their lives.
I seemed to have hit a wall as a writer right after my second book released and haven't been able to get past it yet. I think it might be God taking my eyes off the computer, saying, "Don't miss this. It's gonna go by fast."
August 17, 2016
Wednesday Review
Today's review of
Unexpected Tears
is from an anonymous Amazon customer who gave the book five stars.
A riveting ride through dark,stormy waters brings Rachelle Alspaugh to new heights in her faith journey. A challenging testament to all who face difficult trials, Rachelle not only honestly tells her story, but shows us the way to peace.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the book.
A riveting ride through dark,stormy waters brings Rachelle Alspaugh to new heights in her faith journey. A challenging testament to all who face difficult trials, Rachelle not only honestly tells her story, but shows us the way to peace.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the book.
