NO NEWS YET

I haven't posted for a while, because there's not a lot happening. We did meet with the young man and his wife, in new Castle, IN. They are a super young couple. He got "sick" in the middle of the week, in Haiti. If you've ever been there...you know what I mean. With the church camp going on and him being sick, he never had the time or energy to go looking for Sonel. We're just trusting God that in His time, everything will work out. It's hard to be patient. But with homeschooling Hope and everyday life, we're praying and waiting. I just want Sonel to have a full belly everyday and we want to help financially so that it can happen. In His time. I'll be sure to post the minute I know anything. Please pray for Sonel and his family.
Brenda

GOD...THE MIRACLE WORKER

I'm on cloud nine right now. I emailed a site I found online and it's a mission right in the town where Sonel lives!!! They said they would find Sonel's address. They have a school too! Then, if that is not enough to be excited about...I also found a blog of a man, that is going to that exact mission this Saturday!!! We are going to meet him on Tuesday, he lives about an hour and a half away from us!! He is going to take Sonel a package for us. He said if the people at the mission can't find Sonel, he knows a guy that knows everybody in the town and he will find him. He said he will even take some pictures of him to bring back to us!!! What a relief in our minds. I doubt if we would have ever heard anything about Sonel again. This grieved us so much, but God saw our tears. He loves us and cares about our desires. We are going to sponsor Sonel in school and send monthly support to feed the family. And NOW we can keep up to date on what happens in his life. The pastors wife has emailed me several times. I'm still in awe of what has happened in the last 3 days! THANK YOU, JESUS!!!

I'M SHOCKED!

I just logged in to Licia's blog in Haiti and they sent Sonel home already! We were told that they would wait until Sonel could speak Creole before he went home. We just left him 16 days ago. I hope he can communicate with his mom. It will sure be a struggle if he can't.

In a way it feels like a dream to me. It's like I woke up and things are different now. I got groceries today and I saw things I don't need to buy now. It was hard.
There is a girl from Texas at the Rescue Center, (Jamie knows her), named Caroline. She posted a picture of Sonel on her blog! I was thrilled when I seen it. If you want to follow her blog... ohsweetcaroline.blogspot.com He's in the back of a truck in the black t shirt.
A funny note...before I left I told Sonel I would send him a package and I asked him what he wanted in it. One of the things he wanted was a "Hot Wheels B Pack". I don't watch toy commercials, so I told him I would ask Hope what it was when I got home. Hope thought for a while and said "I know, there's a commercial that says, Hot Wheels, beat that!" We got a good laugh from that. It's just a hot wheels with a crazy track.
I'll keep everyone posted if I hear anything about Sonel. Thank you all for your prayers. God is good.
Brenda

A HARD TRIP

This is a hard post. I'm so full of emotion right now.

When we first were driving to Chicago to catch our flight, the next morning, Sonel started saying "I don't want to go to Haiti". He realized we were actually going after talking about it for so long. He would say it kind of jokingly, then he had tears running down his cheeks as he said it. He was remembering. Haiti is hard. It's unlike anything you could possibly experience in the US. I could have bawled at the drop of a hat, but I silently cried inside. We caught our flight the next morning. Sonel did good. We went from Chicago to Miami. When we got on our flight in Miami, he had a hard time. He could hear all of the Haitians on the flight speaking Creole. Anytime anyone from the US would speak Creole to him, he wouldn't answer them. I think he would think they had come to take him back to Haiti.

All went pretty well, Sonel fell asleep on the trip to the Rescue Center. On the first day, Sonel cried, he would say "Can we just go home, I don't want to live in Haiti". It tore me up and we cried together, but I cried alone, a lot, for the next week.

Kenny, Sonel & I were pretty much left on our own the whole week. On the 4th day, Lori talked to us about Sonel's future. I felt better after the talk, but something was really strange about whole trip. I don't know what it was, if we came at a bad time or what, but it was awkward and not very enjoyable. I didn't want to leave Sonel, but I was ready to go home. I cried everyday...pretty much all the time. I pray that things are going better for everyone their.

Sonel loved playing with all of the kids. He started adjusting pretty well to the routine. I've never seen a child sweat so much! His shirt was wet all around his neck from wiping his head with it. On the last day, I told Sonel that he needed a bath, (which was really a stand up, pour water on your head, kind of bath) and Sonel asked me if I would give him a bath in the river across the road! He saw kids bathing in the river and he was ready to try it. I think the bigger kids at the Rescue Center do take baths in the river. It's very shallow. I told him he could do that when I'm gone.

Zach gave me a call from Haiti while we were driving home from Chicago, at about 8pm, to tell me that Sonel did great that day. He said Sonel got up, took his clothes to the bathroom, got dressed and went down stairs to play with the kids. He said he was very mature for his age and that it was a miracle.

I think while I was holding a 4 year old that was skin and bones, from the Rescue Center, that I realized that Sonel hadn't been starved by his parents, they did walk 10 hours to get him some help. Even though they said they didn't want him back, I can only hope that they will treat him well. I pray that they will love him, like we do. He is so sweet, so tenderhearted. I miss him so much.

LAST POST....FOR A WHILE

We had such a nice turn out for Sonel's open house. I took a picture of everyone that came, with Sonel. Poor boy, he kept saying "Again?" I had to get him off the trampoline with all of the other kids here, and he wasn't too pleased. He still had the biggest smile ever with every picture though. I couldn't possibly post them all, but I will post a few. The nicest surprise of the evening was Dr. DeHeer came!!! I can't say enough about his BIG heart. God bless him in all he does! (You will be in my prayers always, as you bless others with you selfless heart.)

This is our son, Josh...whom like his father...can't smile for a picture, unless he's heard the funniest joke on earth. Also, his wife Amber and son, Elijah.

Another son, Ben, with his two boys, Gabriel and Michael. Ben can't smile either, so he just does the best mean look he could muster.

Sonel and Gabriel are best buddies.

Another son, Bradley, his wife Jennifer and sweet grand baby, Zoie. Bradley has no trouble smiling...must have took after me.

Hey, Kenny's cracking a smile!!!

Our daughter, Nikki, her husband Sam and beautiful daughter, Delight.

My Mom, known to Sonel as "Grandma".

We were prayed for this morning, at church, and it brought out a lot of emotions that Kenny and I have held in. It will be so very hard when we leave Sonel. I just believe that he will grow up to be a man after God's own heart, no matter where he lives. He is in God's hands. He is so special to us, I can't imagine how much more God loves him. This will be my last post until we get back. I hope to have a lot of pictures and movies. Please pray for us.

Brenda

4TH OF JULY

Playing with sparklers. If you put your camera on Manual, you can set it so the shutter will stay open. I set it for 2 seconds. The kids had a blast making designs.

This is Sonel. He's blurry from all the movement, but it was still cool.

Hope made small circles, then big ones.

Hope making figure 8's.

Sonel making circles.

I can't believe we will be taking Sonel back in 3 days. I thought I could post his photo book, with all of the captions, but it will just direct you to an album of his photos. Most of the pictures in the album are ones on his blog anyway.

I have a few pics of our "cold" camping trip. The kids we being crazy in the camper.

We are having an open house for Sonel this Sunday. I'm going to take a picture of Sonel with everyone that comes. I will make an album for Sonel, (really quick) and also copies for everyone to hang on there fridge, so they can remember to pray for him.

I will probably post one more time before we leave. Please pray for Sonel's transition back to Haiti culture. He is so Amercianized now. He can't remember any Creole. Everyone says it will come back to him. It will still be hard for him. He is so smart. He is a whiz on the computer and he always asks to play games on my iPod. I only put games on it for the kids to play.

He's a kid, he will be resilient and bounce back. I just want him to keep smiling.

Brenda

THROUGH A CHILD'S EYES

Last Sunday we went to my husband's family reunion. After it was over, my husband and his two brothers paid a visit to their mom's grave site, nearby. While we were all there, I told Sonel that Kenny, Jeff and Steve's mom was buried under the grave stone. I told him that she died and that they put her in a box first. I didn't want him to think they just through her in a hole. He walked off. About 5 minutes later he came up to Steve and pointed down and said "I think you mom needs some fresh air". I laughed so hard. I'm amazed at his grasp of the English language.
We just came back from camping today. We had horrible weather. It was so cold for July, I couldn't believe it. NO SWIMMING. Bummer. Plus, I sprained my ankle as soon as I got the camper all set up! I can walk on it now and it's turning all kind of lovely colors, but it still hurts like the dickens!

BIG NEWS

A lot has happened, but I find it hard to take time to blog. I will try to do better. We finally heard from the visa office and we have to take Sonel back to Haiti by July 27th.Which means, they did approve his 6 month extension from January. My husband and I will be taking him back on July 14th. We will stay a week with the Zachary's and give Sonel time to get used to being back in Haiti. When ever you think of it...pray for Sonel. I know God loves him so much, and I know he will keep His hand on Sonel, I just want Sonel to be happy and loved.

We bought a trampoline and the kids love it so much. Hope and Sonel are on it everyday. They even take books on it and just read and draw. Hope puts her new kitten on it. I took several pictures of them and I noticed that in every picture, Sonel has his tongue sticking out. It must be like a Michael Jordan thing.

Sunday we went and played miniature golf. Sonel cracked me up. He would look like he was going to slug it and he would swing several times before he hit the ball, then he would barely tap the ball. He was pretty good at it. My daughter, son-in-law and grand daughter went also.

When he saw the need, he would just push it in the hole.






They fight like cats and dogs...then get along great and laugh so hard...they will miss each other so much.

IT

Spring has sprung in Indiana...finally!!! I just wanted to share this with you because Sonel is just too cute.

WENT CAMPING

We just went camping, this past Thursday through Saturday, in southern Indiana. We found zillions of geodes and 2 mushrooms (bummer). We had quit a bit of rain the first evening, but it didn't start until we had our camp site completely set up. Yeah! Sonel and Hope had a blast riding bikes. Sonel rode in a Kayak with Uncle Steve (Kenny's brother). We played Yahtzee and

Sonel rolled the dice for Uncle Steve...Sonel rolled "4" Yahtzees in one game!!!!!!

Last weekend, we had a costume party at our house. I made Hope and Sonel's outfits. They had been looking forward to this party for quite some time. I found out, that morning, that Kenny had a prior obligation at the time of the party. That meant I was going to be alone with 10 little kids! (Three of them aren't in the picture, because they were late.) They were really good though. Here are a couple pictures.

Here's another picture that cracked me up! Sonel fell asleep on the couch. Kenny told him to go get in bed. When I went to check on him, to make sure he had put his leg splints on...this is what

I found!

He was sound asleep. He was leaning a lot, but standing on his feet! (Excuse the messy room)

Everyday is an adventure and a blessing.

Brenda

HAITIAN MADE PURSES

I found this really cool site while reading one of my favorite Haiti blogs, from some missionaries. Haitian women make purses to sell. Some from burlap and fabric (my favorite). Others just fabric. They teach the women to sew and sell their products to help them take care of their families. You can read about each of the women that have made the purses. I am going to tell all of my friends and family and place an order soon. The purses change all the time as they sell them and make new ones, so if you see one you like, you better get it!
CHECK IT OUT. http://www.haitiancreations.com/

Catching up on blogging

Sonel can officially stop wearing the arm splint! Here is a picture of him in all 3 of his splints that he wears to bed.

I called the CIS office (where they issue the visa extensions) yesterday. When I looked up our reference number on line...it said it wasn't a valid number. When I called them they said they couldn't find our file, because the number wasn't valid, but not to worry..."I should hear from them in 90 days". Well, I have tickets to take Sonel back to Haiti, on May 19th. That will only be about 60 days from the date I filed for the extension. Soooooo, that means he won't be going in May, more than likely. When I sent in the extension, they told me to include copies of the airline tickets, which I did. But apparently, they just throw them in a pile and get to them when they get to them...with in 90 days. If they would just look at the papers and see the airline tickets???!!! I'm ok with him not going in May, but it cost $150.00 to change each ticket. I will be packed and ready, just in case. I have a feeling I'll get to go when it's the absolute HOTTEST time of the year in Haiti. Yeah!! I'm still excited to go, even though I will be sopping wet the whole time.

I'm adding a lot of photos of random things just for your viewing pleasure.

I took some pictures of Hope and Sonel last week. Aren't they cute? You would never know that they fight like brother and sister...every minute of the day!

This is out our back door on April 6th!!!!! Will we ever have Spring weather? Yesterday was in the 30's most of the day!!!! If you can zoom in on the pond, you can probably see lots of gold fish that live through the winter.

This last picture is of my youngest grand daughters with Hope and Sonel. Delight is 8 months old ( and just got her first tooth yesterday) and Zoie is 17 months old today. I just noticed that Zoie has a piece of bread in her hands. She knows how to get the bread drawer open and help herself.

DOING GOOD

Sonel is doing a lot better with a splint on his arm. They think he has a cracked bone, but it doesn't show on an x ray. The doc said that in two weeks, if it is still bothering him, to come back for another x ray. It will show new bone growth where it is cracked. If he is getting along fine, he doesn't need to go back at all. I take the splint off twice a day for him to bend his arm as much as he can. He had an appointment with Dr. DeHeer later in the day.

This is Sonel playing with his new hat. He was such a good boy at the orthopedic doctor. The hat was his reward...along with super cool underwear.



Sonel being a good boy...again. He used to burst into tears as soon as he seen Dr. Deheer.





Now.....they're best buds!





Sonel flying a kite, last week, when it was frigid outside!

I want to thank every one for your prayers on Sonel's behalf.

Brenda

OUCH!!!

Yesterday, Sonel fell off of the ladder to the play fort in our yard. He was playing alone. When he came in the house, he was screaming! I got some ice and gave him some Tylenol, but he was not letting up on the crying. I knew something was really wrong. I called the pediatrician who has seen him since he's been here and they said bring him right in. They took some x rays. They said they didn't see a break, but he has fluid all around his elbow. They sent us home and said to give him Motrin until we could see an orthopedic doctor today. We were ready first thing this morning.........no phone call. I called and they said they were working on it. Of course the problem was nobody wanted to donate their care for Sonel...they wanted their money. I finally called Dr. DeHeer (Sonel's podiatrist) and asked him if he knew anybody that might help. He gave me a name and I called...the girl said hold on, and then the Doctor came to the phone and asked me a few questions and said "Bring him in in the morning". So I'll keep you posted as to what happens. By searching the web, it sounds to me like he will need a full cast or splint. The poor baby has been living on Motrin, but he is doing good. His elbow is really swollen today. they gave him a sling, but he prefers to let it hang by his side.
I am so amazed by how God provides. I'm so thankful for all of the kind hearted doctors that have given so much, for Sonel. His life will be forever changed because of them. Dr. DeHeer just got back from Haiti last week. He goes down there all the time and donates his time teaching and performing surgery. He has such a heart for Haiti.
Brenda

CHANGE OF PLANS!!!

Well...I talked to a lady at the USCIS office (where they issue Visa's) and she told me to apply for another extension. I told her that I only had 2 weeks to get him back to Haiti and she told me that if I file the extension, he would be here "legally" until I hear from them. It took 3 and 1/2 months to hear from them this time! I pray they answer me by May 19th, when we have plane tickets to go to Haiti, or else I'll have to change our tickets and probably go when the heat is unbearable....oh well. I sent copies of our plant tickets and explained as much as I could to them of why he doesn't have a job! I feel like I can at least breathe now. It is still only about 10 weeks until he leaves. I have so much to do. But I praise God for more time with him and I'm thrilled that he will get to take a train ride!

Here's a cute picture of Sonel I took a while back when he had his curly hair. It was over 3 inches long, but to hard to take care of. He would yell when I would pick it out. There was just too many tangles. It was soooo cute though.

We went to Chuck E. Cheese (Sonel says Chucker Chesus) on Friday. Then on Saturday we went on our local trail to get some exercise. Hope is on roller blades and Sonel is on his Spiderman scooter. My daughter, Nikki and grand daughter, Delight, went also.

SONEL'S RETURN TO HAITI

I just want everyone to pray for Sonel. They have denied his medical visa extension, because "he doesn't have a job" and they are afraid he will become a "public charge". They also stated that he didn't "establish a residence abroad to which he intends to return". They didn't care that he is here for medical reasons. The papers were filled out the exact same way the first time I applied for an extension. They stated he has 30 days to get back to Haiti, from the date on their letter. So he has to be back in Haiti by March 19th. I just got the letter about 4 days ago. I am heartsick. I knew I would be, but this stinks so bad. He loves trains so much and we were going to go on a train ride in April, when the train start running in Noblesville. I will make a picture book for him to take with him, but even getting that ready will take a while. I can't believe how rushed I feel to get so many things done for him.
My plans are to leave on the 17th of March and I will return on the 24th. I trust God to be with Sonel all the days of his life. I hope to be able to see him on future trips to Haiti. He is a part of our family. Pray for me to...because this is so hard.
Brenda

"Scooter Inspitation"

When you watch Sonel's video, you will hear me mention "Christie" as my inspiration for buying Sonel a scooter...WRONG NAME! It was Laurie, Bo and Noah's mommy. I want to give credit where credit is due. Thanks Laurie for the video and idea, Sonel LOVES it.
Brenda

I just bought a tiny little movie camera, and I just took a couple movies of Sonel. It's way too dark in this room, so it doesn't look that great, but you can still hear him talk a bit. The thing that is so easy about this camera is the movie is on an SD card. I can just pop it in the computer and it's there. My small JVC camera LOOKS so much better, but it is such a pain to upload, for me anyway.

FUN DAY

We went to the local school for "Story Time" this morning. They have it once a month for youngsters not yet in school. This is Sonel with the librarian and his 'free book'.



After we got home, Hope and Sonel made Valentine bags. They bought gifts at the dollar store for each other to put in them and I bought plenty of chocolate goodies also.

Sonel is sooooo coooool in his new shades!

Sonel has to wear his shoes on the wrong feet to try to correct his bit of pigeon toe. One day I told him that he put his shoes on the "right feet" and that he needed to take them off and put them on the "wrong feet". He just crossed his feet real quick (like in the picture below), because he didn't want to change them. He makes me laugh at some of the goofiest things he does.

Sonel's finished Valentine bag.

Hope's finished bag.

Two cutie pies. That is a toy lizard that Hope stuck to the door. We don't have lizards in Indiana, in case you're wondering.

Well, I haven't bought tickets yet, but my plans are to take Sonel back to Haiti in May. I just emailed Lori and asked her when would be a good time for them. I hadn't checked Lori's blog for a few days, but apparently Licia is suffering form a very bad case of Malaria. If you know the Zachary family...please pray for Licia. She has been ill for over a week with fever and some liver problems. This is an update that I read on a blog today...

"The Doctor determined that Licia is fighting a very serious case of Malaria. It had begun to cause liver problems. She needed IV fluids right away and went on those yesterday. She is with a Doctor that many respect here. Zach said she did not have a great night. There is so much Malaria in her system it will take time and meds and prayers before she turns a corner."

Brenda