FINALIZED!!!

In December when I discovered I was getting rescheduled AGAIN, I was told that my new date would probably not be until sometime in March. WHAT?! I knew the judges took off most of January…but I would not be seen again until March? Apparently the whole month of February is designated to criminal cases in which my judge was assigned to a murder case of a woman and her baby. (So sad!! – but another woman and her baby were not happy about waiting THREE more months!) Lucky for me, my lawyer is the best, and he went and spoke with the judge. He pleaded on my behalf and well since the judge had missed three of my appointments due to his father’s death, he had compassion on me and agreed to see my case in the middle of the criminal trial. Huge blessing.

When we got to court there was a big to-do. There were police everywhere and a big truck filled with prisoners piled in the back. All you could see were all their fingers grasping the bars of metal. Really kind of creepy. They would not let us park inside. There were lots of people watching as a group of about 30 military/police stood at attention and were taking orders from the head commander. We didn’t know where to go. I did not see my lawyer and with all my own nerves it was a little chaotic. Finally someone directed us where to wait. Next thing I know, they are rolling out this red carpet (not kidding) and music begins to play. What is going on…all the judges come out in big red robes and people are bowing to them. Very ceremonial. Thankfully it kept me entertained and distracted from my own nervousness.

I spot the social welfare officer and suddenly im feeling more relieved. I’m assuming it would have been highly looked down upon for him to miss this day, as our judge carved out a specific time during criminal cases to hear mine. It seemed as though we waited forever. Finally they called us. This part is boring so ill just skip to where it was stated that it would be in Neema’s best interest to be adopted. Yayyyyyy! Fireworks! Drums!! African tribal noises!! Happy Happy Day!!!!!!

Thank you Thank you Thank you to all of you who followed the drama on the blog and in life and prayed for us and said kind and encouraging words and messages to me and my family. We are so proud to welcome little Miss NEEMA EVA DUPREE!!!!!

social welfare officer (not real cuddly), My lawyer, and Neema's birthfather

You Know You Are an Adoptive Parent If. . .

I just saw this on another blog and it rings so true for us.

You Know You're An Adoptive Parent IF...
1. The fact that there are 147 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love & family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without tears.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who've experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You were "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth (2 years! - oh lets hope this isnt the case for us!!)
8. You'd no idea how you'd afford to adopt, but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing He'd provide (He has!)
9. You've taken an airplane half-way around the world to meet your child
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart & family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means & you can actually pronounce it correctly!
13. You've welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child's so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you're the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

*Borrowed from http://theboysadoption.blogspot.com/ (2/14/08)

They are coming!!!!

I found out last week that my brother, sister, Mama, and 2 aunts are all coming to Arusha in March to meet Neema!! I am so excited!! Neema cannot wait to meet Ya Ya, Simsy, and Uncle Will! J We have been so blessed by the support of friends and the prayers of so many…THANK YOU ALL!!

Through this process there have been many tears, frustrations, questions, and days of waiting. Neema and I have been excited only to be let down AGAIN on numerous occasions while trying to finalize this adoption. There have been times where I just sat before the Lord and told him “I know you are Good, but I don’t understand…”

Sometimes we never know why “bad” things happen on this side of Heaven, however, sometimes God lets us in on his Perfect Plans…and I have to say that I am humbled to bits as I am realizing that now my whole family (my dad came last May) will see this place that I love so much!! If it weren’t for all of these reschedules I wouldn’t get to show off my beloved Africa. Not only will they get to come and meet Neema, but they will see where she is from. They will meet her biological family. They will see her interact in her homeland, speaking Swahili and entertaining “her people.” J They will see Cradle of Love, the amazing place that cared for her in infancy.

They will meet the children of Takes A Whole Village. And see why God has put this ministry on my heart! I can’t think of anything more wonderful than for them to see my life here and see how ALIVE Jesus is and experience Him outside of Western Christianity. I’m simply thrilled beyond words! Especially for my brother and sister who at 22 and 16 years old have their whole lives in front of them, God willing. I pray that this will be a life changing experience for them in the way it was for me 3 years ago. My prayer is that they would all go back CHANGED and with a new perspective on what is Real and True.

While I can say that the past few months of continuous visits to the High Court of Tanzania have brought real heartbreak…I am incredibly grateful that my family will see with their own eyes this other world of mine…God’s sweet sweet redemption.

BABY NEEMA

A volunteer at Cradle of Love from 2006/2007 was sweet enough to contact me and offer me pictures she had of Neema as a wee little one. I did not have any pictures of her before she was about 18 months old so these really are extra special to me. 

Then yesterday Neema and I took a visit to Cradle of Love to see the nannies and some of the new babies. They have an all time high of like 43 babies right now. I walked into one room with over 25 cribs and 50 big ole eyes staring back at me. My heart broke as I gazed around at each child either laying or standing gripping the sides of the bed with their tiny hands. Each of them so fearfully and wonderfully made. I tell you the truth, these children were not meant to live like this. Where 40+ babies are looked after by only 5 people at a time. And this is one of the BEST orphanages in Arusha. There are over 147 million orphans in this world. And now in light of the horrific effects of the earthquake in Haiti the number has probably grown even more. These are the "least of these" and God says whatever you do for them you are doing for HIM! Why do so many people profess their love for Jesus with their Lips but not their Life? The Bible says our time on Earth is like a blink of an eye! Let us take actions that will last for eternity. A lady in my church the other day had a different spin on treasures in Heaven. She said, "Children are the only things you can take with you." How beautiful. Please don't be fooled into thinking God only calls certain people to these children. It is a LIE. "Religion that God accepts as PURE and FAULTLESS is this: to look after orphans..." James 1:27  

This is Cradle of Love today: 

These babies are just like my sweet Neema. Except they are still waiting...

First Day of School

January 13th, 2010 was a big day for Neema! Her first day ever to school! I am so excited about this little school I have found. It has children from all over the world! There are children from the UK, Australia, Guatemala, and obviously Tanzania. A British woman started this school when she was looking around for her 3 year old and did not find anything she loved. She turned her garage into a classroom and then eventually built another house in her yard for the nursery class. So there is now nursery and Early Years and the school is called "The Learning Space." I have heard such wonderful things about this little class and I was thrilled when I learned that despite there status as "full" they agreed to take Neema. :) Her teachers names are Kate and Nursera. Kate is from Australia and Nursera is Tanzanian so Neema can speak english or swahili and be understood. Being the not shy child that she is, she jumped right in and was not fazed at all when I told her I was leaving. I am thankful for that. I praise God for giving her such confidence although sometimes her fearlessness scares her mama. (stairs, pools, etc. ahhhh) Here are a couple of pictures from her first day. I wish I had taken more....First Day of school (3 years old)

Little House built for the Nursery. So cute, right?!

Jesus Loves Her

excuse her little hiccups. :)

New Year...New Boots?

Ok I broke down and bought Neema these boots...im sorry but I had to. They have princess crowns on them....how could I resist?! They just make me happy. :) She has wanted to wear them everyday. She is very in style here in Africa where the current look is dresses and boots. :) I'm so happy to have this little girl who i can dress up and be girly with. We love things like pink, chocolate, and princesses...she is like my bestie and baby doll all wrapped up into one! What did I do in life before her?! :)

Princess Crowns...not usually for rhinestones...but i mean cowgirl meets the city....perfect.

she was busy looking at the airplane!