Quick update. Last two mornings we awoke with no power. They use gas to cook and the house is very bright inside, so the only thing we missed was our internet connection. Lots to report. We had our ICBF interview yesterday. We thought it would be Thurs (today), but either it changed or we misunderstood; we met at 5 pm last night. It went well! Isa reported that she was very happy and that she wanted to be part of our family. Praise GOD! Thank you for your prayers. Today we travel over the mountains back to Bogota. Next prayer request- pray that we have a judge that only requires Isa and one parent to travel back to Ibague, not our whole family. Technically, we should all stay here the whole time but we opted to travel back to Bogota for several reasons: we have missionary friends there, the physical environment is easier for Sam to manuver in his wheelchair, we have arranged for English lessons for Isa, and, most importantly, we will not run into Isa's friends (in various states of dress/undress) on the street as we do in Ibague. Third time I've written this blog as internet keeps cutting out..gotta run--- love, K

I thought I'd spend a few minutes describing our accommodations here in Ibague. We are in the private home of our translator. As you enter from the street there is a small courtyard surrounded by a high fence. The living room is not unlike what we would have in the States but the dining room on the back of the house is incredible; it opens to the the back courtyard. I don't mean, you open doors to the back courtyard, I mean that there is not a wall on the back side of the house! The wall is about fifteen feet behind the rest of the house and it forms the back side of the compound. The "roof' over this back courtyard/dining room is a metal grate (for security) with a tree growing through it. Every morning we dine with colorful birds who share our dining room. Honestly, birds kind of freak me out, but even I have come to enjoy them.

Our next meeting for the adoption is on Thursday. Technically, Isa has the option of saying "no". We have been told repeatedly that this never happens. Still, it makes us nervous. So pray, pray, pray!!

love, K

We are still writing from Ibague, Colombia, We hope to travel back to Bogota later this week. Ibague is, of course, smaller and there is very little for us to do safely. This is difficult for a teenage girl. We are told that even the poorest homes have television and internet. These are considered utilities and are on a sliding pay scale. So although Isa came to us with nothing but the clothes on her back (not even a toothbrush), she is accustomed to having almost unlimited computer and television access. She even has a Facebook page! She happily showed us all of her FB pictures, most of which horrified us. Girls are sexualized at a very young age here. It is within the cultural norm for 6, 7 (and up) year-old girls to dress and pose very suggestively.

Considering all of this, Isa is adjusting amazingly. Praise God!!! She is such a sweet girl and is so very eager to please and help. She must be scared and I know she misses her friends, but she seems happy when we talk about going to the United States. Disney World and Hollywood are the two iconic US symbols for 14-year-olds in Colombia, and I will admit we have talked up Disney World. I don't know how we will afford it, but I'm pretty sure we have committed to take her to DW.

So I have given you all enough about which to pray. Love, K

Quick update as internet is sketchy. We met Ana Isabel, or Isa as she prefers, on Thursday. She is a shy, sweet, and amazingly brave young lady. The director and psychologist described her as very obedient and shy. So far she is living up to both descriptions. Last night we spent about two hours bonding over "Uno", the card game. We already love her. I will update as I can. The lights just dimmed, which doesn't bode well for teh internet. Love, K

Presentation Day

Yesterday we traveled from Bogota to Ibague, Colombia. It was a long drive, down and around several mountains and through the countryside. Everything here is colorful. Huge flowering plants, palm trees, and fruit trees are everywhere. The contrast of the extreme poverty in the midst of amazing, natural beauty is striking.

Our most exciting news is that today we meet Ana Isabel for the first time. We are all a bit nervous. Even upbeat Sam, exhausted from our long drive to Ibague, and sensing our anxiety, cried last night, "What if Ana Isabel doesn't like us?" So in just a few minutes we are off to meet our daughter. We sure would appreciate your prayers.

love, k

So now the Journey is not one to bring Sam home but to bring Ana Isabel home. Ana Isabel is a fourteen year old girl in Ibague, Colombia. She has been waiting for her forever family for six years. As many of you know, this has been quite a journey of faith for our family. We have seen God's provision so many times -often by those of you reading this. Therefore, we would be remiss if we did not begin this blog with a big, "THANK YOU!" to you who have prayed and supported us - and of course to our gracious God who upholds us. Thank you!!


We arrived safely here in Bogota late Sunday night. As we walked out of the airport, it was dark, crowded, a bit frightening, and completely unfamiliar. Sights, sounds, smells --all so very different. We have traveled extensively, and still, we weren't quite prepared for this abrupt change in environment - just a small insight into how Ana Isabel will feel when she comes home.

Among the sea of signs in the crowd, we were so very happy to see our name on one. Thankfully, our driver, Johnny, a very kind gentleman, needed no instruction from us. His English was about as good as our Spanish. He drove us through the busy streets to our hotel, which in the dark looked nothing like the Internet pictures we had seen. There was a small army waiting for us at the door, and they quickly ushered us in off the street and bolted the gate of our little fortress behind us. We settled in to our dark, somewhat gloomy looking room and noticed that there was only a rotting frame around the hole where the bathroom door should be. Interesting. Where's a can of Lysol when you need it? Before retiring we all took a wet-one wipe down. The final blow of the evening came when, just one second too late, I read a little sign, hung low on the bathroom wall: "Please do not put toilet tissue in the toilet." I donned my best Scarlet O'Hara attitude and told myself, " I will just have to think about that tomorrow."


Oh what a difference morning makes! His grace and mercies are truly renewed each morning! In spite of the fitful night's sleep, we awoke in a different room. Yes, the carpet was still worn, the bathroom door frame still MIA, the bedding still musty, but the sun was shining in and the coffee was the BEST I've ever had!!! In the daylight the hotel was cheerful and not the least bit scary. It was even familiar, like so many of the German guesthouses we've visited. The staff, although not fluent in English, were eager to please and not annoyed at our lack of Spanish. We met two other American families who are at different stages in the adoption process. Just to be among other believers is such a blessing.

So yesterday all went well until last night. Both Chip and I (thankfully not Sam) got the Colombian Crud. Although unpleasant, mine passed quickly and I drifted off to sleep. I was awakened in the middle of the night by a crash from the bathroom (still no door). I ran in and found Chip laid out on the floor with blood on his head, face, neck and arms.

Ever the compassionate one, I asked (in my confused-suddenly-awakened-state), "Why are you on the floor?"

"I don't know," was his groggy reply.

Within a few minutes we had his wounds bandaged and he was feeling much better. Apparently Chip passed out and fell against the shower door. The shower door broke his fall, but also scraped him up as he slid to the floor. We were awake much of the night making sure Chip was OK. He seems to be fine today--except he looks like he was in a bar fight.

In spite of the Crud and other adventures, we are all well. (Really, Mom and Dad, we are doing well.) We are in great spirits today and spent the morning visiting with the other families here. Children freely roam our compound and Sam has many playmates. We are happy and excited. Of course, we still appreciate your prayers for our health and for a little less drama. If the rest of our trip is boring, that would be fine with us. However, we are totally trusting that He who brought us this far will bring us home...

love, Kristin