Rachelle D. Alspaugh's Blog, page 77
June 10, 2013
The mountain
See the mountain in the picture that has something white at the top? That's the mountain that I wrote about at the end of my first book, From the Mountain...to the Valley...and Back!. We look forward to heading back up there soon for yet another family picture at the top of the mountain.
Sporting his new shirt
We walked probably 3-5 miles today, just exploring what's around us here. Found a lot of restaurants nearby that we want to try out. Came home with the blue Colombia shirt that David's always wanted. :)
Monopoly COLOMBIA
So cool to have already been to a lot of the places on the board. I told David our goal every summer should be to visit at least one more place on our Monopoly board. :)
In this game, the railroads are all the major airports in Colombia. Electric Company and Water Works are now an Internet Company and a Cell Phone Company. The money is all in thousands and millions, just like the money here in Colombia, and it teaches kids to use decimals pretty quickly. The best part is when David or Mike land on the Chance or Community Chest because they have to read it in Spanish. David does a pretty good job of it--I knew that boy still had it in him. :) That Spanish immersion preschool is still paying off. :)
In this game, the railroads are all the major airports in Colombia. Electric Company and Water Works are now an Internet Company and a Cell Phone Company. The money is all in thousands and millions, just like the money here in Colombia, and it teaches kids to use decimals pretty quickly. The best part is when David or Mike land on the Chance or Community Chest because they have to read it in Spanish. David does a pretty good job of it--I knew that boy still had it in him. :) That Spanish immersion preschool is still paying off. :)
June 9, 2013
Today's agenda
Today was all about getting adjusted to our surroundings. We went to the mall around 2:00 in the afternoon where we enjoyed our first meal here at our favorite restaurant, Crepes N Waffles. Then we found a cell phone place to buy a new SIM card for our phone so we could get a local #. After that we had to go to another place to add minutes on our phone.
David and I like to play Monopoly a lot in the summer, so we promised we'd buy the Colombia version of Monopoly this summer so we can play it while we're here. He insisted we buy it right away, so we went on a hunt for it and bought it today. Tonight the games begin. :) This should be fun.
We also went grocery shopping to fill up the fridge and freezer. That place was absolutely packed! We shopped at a place called Jumbo Hayuelos, which is like a Super Walmart. It was nice to have quite a variety to shop from, but a little overwhelming, too. Then we walked the ten minute walk back with all of our groceries stuffed into our backpacks. That's one way to get a workout.
We're very comfortable here. My highlight of the day was when David came out to me on the balcony, gave me a big hug, and said, "We're in Colombia! I know we're going to have the best time possible in this apartment. We finally get to fulfill our dreams from six years ago that we never got to accomplish."
David and I like to play Monopoly a lot in the summer, so we promised we'd buy the Colombia version of Monopoly this summer so we can play it while we're here. He insisted we buy it right away, so we went on a hunt for it and bought it today. Tonight the games begin. :) This should be fun.
We also went grocery shopping to fill up the fridge and freezer. That place was absolutely packed! We shopped at a place called Jumbo Hayuelos, which is like a Super Walmart. It was nice to have quite a variety to shop from, but a little overwhelming, too. Then we walked the ten minute walk back with all of our groceries stuffed into our backpacks. That's one way to get a workout.
We're very comfortable here. My highlight of the day was when David came out to me on the balcony, gave me a big hug, and said, "We're in Colombia! I know we're going to have the best time possible in this apartment. We finally get to fulfill our dreams from six years ago that we never got to accomplish."
We are here!
Thanks to some good friends who took us to the airport in DFW and a good friend here who arranged to have someone pick us up at the airport here, we arrived safely and without any problems. We landed at the airport at 3:30, got through immigration and customs very quickly, and met someone outside holding a sign with our name. He already had the address to the apartment, so we got here even before five a.m. We met up with the man who had the keys to the apartment, he gave us a little tour and welcomed us to our home.
Priorities first, Mike got all the computers and phones hooked up to the internet so we could let everyone know we made it, then we all unpacked and got ourselves situated. I made a cup of coffee to enjoy on my new little balcony that is just off of the master bedroom--can we say I'm more than grateful? If you know me, you know that my front porch is my favorite place to be in the morning.
I fell right into bed after that and slept for about four hours. Mike and David watched TV for a bit first, so they're still sleeping. I'm ready to take a walk down the street to the mall to find a Crepes N Waffles for lunch, get a SIM card for our cell phones, and stock up the fridge.
It looks like we've got everything we need here in this apartment. Three bedrooms. Free wi-fi internet. Huge TV with lots of channels. DVD player. Washer and dryer. Fully stocked kitchen. Two bathrooms. A beautiful balcony. A table with four chairs to seat our soon to be family of four. I was a little nervous coming to this apartment because we didn't know this area and didn't even know the person who owns it. However, I found it through a pretty professional organization, and so far we're very impressed. Seems to be a pretty safe, secure location.
We all agreed that this trip is rather weird, feeling so routine up to this point. What do we do when school's out? We head to Colombia. We told Juan David a year ago that we'd be back in June to see Julian and that we'd try to get him out to spend a few days with us again. The other day I got a surprise message from him reminding me that we said we'd be back in June and that he was anxious to see us. (He still didn't know about the adoption.) Then Saturday, 30 minutes before we left for the airport, we found out that they finally told him on Friday that he's being adopted in just a few days. He was as happy as can be, saying, "That's what I've always longed for!" Mike considered that to just be icing on the cake.
Just a few more days. We plan to make these few days until then very memorable for David. He's so excited to be here again. For an eleven year old, he sure has had some very rich life experiences, broadening his worldview more each and every time. I think he's a pretty lucky kid.
Priorities first, Mike got all the computers and phones hooked up to the internet so we could let everyone know we made it, then we all unpacked and got ourselves situated. I made a cup of coffee to enjoy on my new little balcony that is just off of the master bedroom--can we say I'm more than grateful? If you know me, you know that my front porch is my favorite place to be in the morning.
I fell right into bed after that and slept for about four hours. Mike and David watched TV for a bit first, so they're still sleeping. I'm ready to take a walk down the street to the mall to find a Crepes N Waffles for lunch, get a SIM card for our cell phones, and stock up the fridge.
It looks like we've got everything we need here in this apartment. Three bedrooms. Free wi-fi internet. Huge TV with lots of channels. DVD player. Washer and dryer. Fully stocked kitchen. Two bathrooms. A beautiful balcony. A table with four chairs to seat our soon to be family of four. I was a little nervous coming to this apartment because we didn't know this area and didn't even know the person who owns it. However, I found it through a pretty professional organization, and so far we're very impressed. Seems to be a pretty safe, secure location.
We all agreed that this trip is rather weird, feeling so routine up to this point. What do we do when school's out? We head to Colombia. We told Juan David a year ago that we'd be back in June to see Julian and that we'd try to get him out to spend a few days with us again. The other day I got a surprise message from him reminding me that we said we'd be back in June and that he was anxious to see us. (He still didn't know about the adoption.) Then Saturday, 30 minutes before we left for the airport, we found out that they finally told him on Friday that he's being adopted in just a few days. He was as happy as can be, saying, "That's what I've always longed for!" Mike considered that to just be icing on the cake.
Just a few more days. We plan to make these few days until then very memorable for David. He's so excited to be here again. For an eleven year old, he sure has had some very rich life experiences, broadening his worldview more each and every time. I think he's a pretty lucky kid.
June 8, 2013
A little surreal
I can hardly believe the day is actually here. In just a few hours, we'll be checking in at the airport and by this evening we'll be on our way to Colombia. It is quite the challenge to pack and prepare for an indefinite amount of time, not knowing when any of us will be back. Especially when that indefinite amount of time happens to be in another country, on another continent. That can make certain things a bit more complicated than usual. Okay, a lot more complicated.
I'm filled with such a variety of emotions at this moment. I'm excited. Nervous. Anxious. Excited (did I say that already?). But most of all, grateful. Grateful for the way God redeemed our story and is already giving back all that we once lost and more. Grateful for the many texts and e-mails I keep getting from so many people who are on the edge of their seat, waiting to see what God is going to do next. Grateful for the many answers to prayer and all of the miracles involved to make this trip/event/life change even possible. Grateful for the financial help that has all flooded in at the very last minute. Grateful for the peace that surpasses all understanding, despite all the changes that are coming.
We have a few days on our own before our appointment to get Juan David, so it will be nice to have a little vacation time as a family of three before we finally become a family of four. Unfortunately we won't even be able to see Julian for several days due to his work and school schedule and our apartment being on the other side of the city from him. But we've gone to Colombia without a thing on our agenda before, only to stand back and watch God surprise us with blessings we never saw coming. I am looking forward to whatever surprises He has in store for us.
I'll continue to blog whenever I have the chance. Stay tuned!
I'm filled with such a variety of emotions at this moment. I'm excited. Nervous. Anxious. Excited (did I say that already?). But most of all, grateful. Grateful for the way God redeemed our story and is already giving back all that we once lost and more. Grateful for the many texts and e-mails I keep getting from so many people who are on the edge of their seat, waiting to see what God is going to do next. Grateful for the many answers to prayer and all of the miracles involved to make this trip/event/life change even possible. Grateful for the financial help that has all flooded in at the very last minute. Grateful for the peace that surpasses all understanding, despite all the changes that are coming.
We have a few days on our own before our appointment to get Juan David, so it will be nice to have a little vacation time as a family of three before we finally become a family of four. Unfortunately we won't even be able to see Julian for several days due to his work and school schedule and our apartment being on the other side of the city from him. But we've gone to Colombia without a thing on our agenda before, only to stand back and watch God surprise us with blessings we never saw coming. I am looking forward to whatever surprises He has in store for us.
I'll continue to blog whenever I have the chance. Stay tuned!
June 6, 2013
Just in time!
Our passports came back today with our new visas stamped inside them (actually, it's a sticker that takes up a whole page). Can't even begin to tell you what a relief it is!
Malachi 3:10
New Living Translation (©2007)--Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
I do believe we are experiencing this verse all over again. Not that we haven't been completely blessed and cared for all year after restarting this process to adopt Juan David, but God is showing us again that this has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him. We could never have done it on our own, but He's provided for us every step of the way.
Yesterday I went to the bank to deposit two checks, one a grant and the other an unexpected financial gift, which covers the cost of all of our airline tickets--even Juan David's ticket home. When I got home from the bank, I found more unexpected financial gifts that came in the mail, nearly enough to cover what I just paid to book our lodging for the first month! That leaves us with our legal fees (to an amazing lawyer, might I say) and daily living expenses.
God has been so good to us.
I do believe we are experiencing this verse all over again. Not that we haven't been completely blessed and cared for all year after restarting this process to adopt Juan David, but God is showing us again that this has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him. We could never have done it on our own, but He's provided for us every step of the way.
Yesterday I went to the bank to deposit two checks, one a grant and the other an unexpected financial gift, which covers the cost of all of our airline tickets--even Juan David's ticket home. When I got home from the bank, I found more unexpected financial gifts that came in the mail, nearly enough to cover what I just paid to book our lodging for the first month! That leaves us with our legal fees (to an amazing lawyer, might I say) and daily living expenses.
God has been so good to us.
June 4, 2013
On the way
I just tracked our package from the consulate (okay, so I checked it all day long), and it's been picked up in Houston. Yay! That means our passports our on their way back to us--in time. :) One more stressor to mark off the list.
Our attorney is probably tired of hearing from me by now--since we're using a different attorney than the one the agency uses, it makes things a little more complicated. I've had to call him quite a bit lately. However, that man has a way of putting me at ease, despite my broken and flustered phone Spanish. He's totally worth having and wonderful to work with. I am very confident about finishing out this long, complicated, and bureaucratic process ahead of me knowing he is representing us. (I say me because Mike will only be there for the beginning of it).
Every day another detail comes together in a way we never could have planned on our own.
Our attorney is probably tired of hearing from me by now--since we're using a different attorney than the one the agency uses, it makes things a little more complicated. I've had to call him quite a bit lately. However, that man has a way of putting me at ease, despite my broken and flustered phone Spanish. He's totally worth having and wonderful to work with. I am very confident about finishing out this long, complicated, and bureaucratic process ahead of me knowing he is representing us. (I say me because Mike will only be there for the beginning of it).
Every day another detail comes together in a way we never could have planned on our own.
June 3, 2013
My "lil'" graduate
Isn't he just adorable???? Someone gave us that suit a few years ago when we were trying to adopt Juan David the first time--for Juan David. Look who it fits now!!!!
