big news!

ok...so you're all expecting to hear the announcement of little baby Morel...stay tuned...it will come within the next month for sure!

But the other big news is that last week we received a letter from the United States Center for Immigration Services saying that Miguel's residency visa paperwork passed through the first stage and is now in the hands of the State Department in Santo Domingo, who will be further notifying us of an interview date and other paperwork to complete.

That was last week...This week, we got a packet of information explaining all we need for the interview date and the date given to us is open ended. We can go down for his visa interview any working day that works for us! In other words, if it were possible to get all the paperwork together by next week, we could go next week to be interviewed and to receive his visa!

Its only been a month and a half since we resubmitted all his new application paperwork. I can't believe it! But God has a way of making things happen. Never distrust His timing guys!

So realistically, we probably won't be going to the capital next week for this interview. I need to go be present with Miguel for the interview and I refuse to be induced into labor on a 8 hour roundtrip bus ride to the capital! So we'll probably get started on gathering all the rest of his papers between now and when the baby is born, and then go down with his and the baby's paperwork together to try to minimize our trips to the capital and embassy.

But praise God! We'll be able to make it home for a visit to California this year!

feliz cumpleanos blady!

Announcing the birthday of Blady...April 5th. Like the forgetful, pregnant mother to be, it occured to me that I completely forgot to grab the camera about half way out to surprise Blady with his birthday cake in Caraballo. It was a tranquilo day for the most part. Blady wanted to spend his day in Caraballo with his family there, and we met him out there with some cake and presents for everybody to share in. Unfortunately he wasn't feeling the greatest with a cold coming on, but we celebrate with him in his 8 years of life! Continue to pray with us in that he would experience a new birth in starting a relationship with our God and King, Jesus Christ.

foundations.

Over the past few weeks, construction on the new Makarios team house has continued to progress. The foundations have been dug...by hand I might add....pretty impressive, huh? For a while there it looked as if it was a Makarios archaeological dig. A few artifacts were found...but unfortunately didn't amount to much. At this point the guys are laying down the varrilla or steel supports before they start pouring cement.

The April and May rains have started which is good because we really need the rain. Its been so dry lately; however, as you can imagine...the guys are scuttling about trying to get the foundation done before too much rain falls from the sky!

the jeep.

So the jeep has been on the market for a few months now, and its been a little hard for us to be patient and to not lose hope that it will sell. We were hoping to get it sold and to have found another vehicle to replace it before the baby made its appearance. As you know, the weeks are ticking by and the baby will come in about six week's time. If you think of it, we ask that you keep the sale of the jeep in your prayers. In the meantime, we are trying to be patient with God's timing and thankful for the vehicle that we do have.

happy birthday miguel!

Yesterday was Miguel's 24th birthday. He had a great day mixed in with a little work and a little fun. We went to the river in the afternoon before meeting up with the Makarios staff and other friends for a pizza dinner. The candles on the cake were definitely the site to behold.....they burnt so fast and so big and wouldn't be extinguished. I thought eventually the whole cake would go up in flame! I brought the cake in, but had time to snap this photo as poor Miguel spent his breath 2 or 3 times before the cake was finally put out! We all had fun and again wish you were all here with us to celebrate.

Phew!....finally he put an end to the fire....well, almost.

the babe.

Well, the baby moves like crazy and throws incredible punches and kicks....we figure its an active little boy or an onery little girl. I guess we shouldn't be surprised. Putting someone like Miguel and I together makes for such a combo. We're just happy that the baby appears to be so healthy. Miguel's favorite time to play with the baby is at about 2 or 3 in the morning when it is up and at 'em, while I'm sleeping....or at least trying to. Only about six more weeks to go!

These pictures were taken on Easter evening on top of the Makarios team house roof. We had a wonderful time of praise and worship of our Risen King up there and it made me wish you all were here with us to partake. We love you so much!

the visa saga.

So you all know that Miguel and I have to start over with the whole process of getting him a US visa. The paperwork is gathered, and now since I have my official Dominican cedula and residency card we can submit the paperwork in person to the American embassy in the capital. Our appointment date for doing that is March 6th. In talking with again another agent, I just asked to confirm that the process will take about a year, right? (thats what all the other agents have told me, except for one). She however said, "maybe less than that." I was so encouraged to hear those words. We don't want to get our hopes up, but please be praying for us as we go down to submit this paperwork. I know that every case is different and they consider each one seperately. So my hope is that we will be able to talk to someone face to face and explain the fact that we've already had a year and a half wait for a fiance visa, and to more or less explain our history with this process. Perhaps they will consider all of that in processing our case. You never know...but God does and He's the one ultimately in charge of all of this.