Happy Birthday Oscar...

Today is little Oscar's 8th birthday. I am very surprised he has made it to see it to be honest.

I have been checking on him since the last time I was there and he is getting worse.

In October when we were there he was in the hospital with pneumonia from going swimming and while he was in the hospital his dialysis tube got infected so he had to have a surgery to take it out and put it back in again.

Last week he got to go home after 20 days.

Today, sadly we called only to find out he is back in the hospital with pneumonia again. This time they just feel it was from the damp weather they are having.

He loves grapes and apples so I sent him some by my friend in hopes to brighten his day.

Please pray for his weak little body. He is hanging on for dear life and today is a sad day for him since he can't talk to his mom because she is still in jail. It's his first holiday without her.

It is sad to know that this innocent little boy is dealing with so many adults issues. Pray he has peace and comfort through it all.

Additionally, please pray for the aunt that is taking care of him. Her name is Evelyn. She was going to college and quit to take care of him. She has no income and has to stay at the hospital day in and day out with very little to eat if any.

Thanks for lifting him up to the Lord.

Angie

This picture is on Oscar's bed. It was taken the first day I met him. I gave it to them the next time I saw them and now it has been enlarged and put on a piece of wood. He keeps it by his bed. The woman in the middle is him mom Francisco. He tells me that was the first day he met his best friend. It makes me cry every time I see it.

It's Over for Now..

I have been struggling to write about our trip since we got home. You can say I have truly been in a period of morning.

I always get excited about going to Nicaragua but this trip I knew in my heart it would change the way I see and feel about this country.

We met on Monday with the new lawyer and he went to Mi Familia on our behalf. Not much came from the first meeting only a second one.

The lawyer pushed Mi Familia for answers and at the end the outcome was not favorable for us.

The girls have been put into this Love Program because there is a family member asking for Isamar. Since the bond between them is so strong they will not separate the girls, automatically giving the dad both girls.

We were told the decision has been made and there is no changing it. We can either adopt another child or take our paperwork back.

As harsh as that sounds that's how it is. It did not matter to them that we have had a 4 year relationship, it did not matter to them that Carmen is not this man's child. It did not matter that the girls love us and want to be with us and not him. Nothing matters. Only that the rules of the program are upheld.

I wished I could tell you that hearing "I'm sorry" matters, but right now it doesn't. My heart is broken and in a million pieces. I feel like I left Nicaragua and betrayed my girls even though I know I have done all I can do.

Additionally, we asked for another child from the House of Rose and was denied that also. No child can be asked for specifically by anyone. All the children in orphanages today will be evaluated and if there is a family member anywhere who will take them they will be given to that person. If no member is found they will be put on the adoption list for those awaiting a child.

At this point in this process we can only wait and call upon the Lord. Terry and I know these girls are ours and at some point they will be. We are not sure what God's plan is right now but both of us are certain we know they are to be with us one day. For now, we wait and pray for these decisions to be changed.

Nicaragua is known for making rules and changing them often. We ask that you pray that those making these decisions will be overturned.

The idea sounds like a good one at first but if you talk it through it is an impossible task for the government to uphold. This country is poor, if they had money to pay families to take kids they would be using it to feed the millions of starving families.

We ask that you pray with us in agreement for the following:

1. The girls will somehow know that we did not abandon them.
2. The girls will be protected when they leave. No harm will come against them.
3. The government will see that the rules they have put in place needs to be altered on a case by case basis.
4. Mi Familia will listen to the girls and their desires.
5. The dad will see the desires of the girls to be with us. Once he get them he can give them back to us.
6. Pray for the many families this affects. We are only one of many families who lost their chances for the children they felt God was leading them to have.
7. We are being told there are people within the government that oppose this program, pray they find a way to overturn it.

For now we wait and pray and try to stay strong. It's heartbreaking to say the least but we are confident that God is in control and we are trusting him to intervene.

I was ask this weekend if we are sure this is God's plan and I can tell you that if I have ever know His plan for sure, those girls are to be in our home. This is a fight against the enemy. The enemy is slowing this adoption down, not God.

Thanks for your moral support and prayers as we go through this process.

Angie & Terry

Our Saga continues...

My faithful friends,

I write to you this night as Terry and I prepare to leave in the morning (Sunday) to Nicaragua to meet with a new lawyer and the office of Mi Familia.

Since the last time I wrote the country has had many changes.

The First Lady of Nicaragua is implementing a process that will basically create a foster care program there and is suppose to help children who are in orphanages now get out and go home to a family member and it would keep kids from being placed in orphanages unless absolutely necessary. There are many good things here and many bad. Families have to want these kids first of all and if they wanted them to begin with they would not put them in the orphanage. Who is to tell? Our prayers for this is crucial.

As for our adoption we will be affected greatly if what we are being told is true. We have heard this week that in fact the father of Isamar is blood related to Carmen. He is suppose to be a cousin. If that is the case the new law gives him full rights to her and does not require him to meet any kind of requirements. I was told this by another lawyer who I asked to take my case. She refused because she says there is no case. We can't win.

Terry and I have felt many emotions this week. We are not sure what God's plan is at this point but what we do know is that He took us down this path and He will continue to direct our steps.

The outlook does not look in our favor but we are certain God told us to go down this road so for now we are going to go and find out what we can and trust God to show us what now.

Please pray for us as we go and meet with these people on Monday.

Pray for guidance, wisdom and peace.
Pray for discernment.
Pray for clear understanding of God's plan.
Pray for protection over my kids and Terry's mother as she takes care of our kids.
Pray for favor with Mi Familia and the lawyers.
Pray for the girls. We want to see them but are not sure if they will allow it.

This trip will be the turning point of this adoption. It could be the final meeting we have.

Thanks for you support and prayers through this process.

God Bless,

Angie and Terry

Update on Prayer Request

Well now that the smoke has cleared it appears that some changes are going to be made in Nicaragua but as of right now it does not look like it will affect us. PRAISE GOD...

Thanks to all of you who have been praying because I believe our prayers have calm the storm for now.

It was in fact true that the broadcast on TV took place but it seems their words were more of this is what we want to do than this is what we are going to do.

Here in the US when a child is taken from the parents they go to a foster home to stay until the parents get their act together or it is determined they can't and that child becomes adoptable.

In Nicaragua there is not such system so all children go directly to an orphanage and stay until the parents get their act together. Most get left in the orphanages because the parents are not willing to change their way of life. Sadly that causes problems for the children because they are not adoptable but they have to live in the orphanage.

It looks like they are going to change that process to stop that from happening.

There is still rumors of closing private ran orphanages but it is impossible for them to do that. Maybe they will only close those that are not being ran up to standards. Who knows at this point? The House of Rose where my girls are is private owned but it is one of the best in Nicaragua so I am no longer worried about it's future.

With all that said, it appears that our prayers are being heard and God is moving the hearts and minds of those in charge to make things better. It does not appear for now there is any more talk of closing the adoptions to foreigners. Let's just continue to pray that those who wanted that to happen are moved from office or completely get a heart change.

Thank you all so much for your consistent prayers. They are moving mountains.

Angie

URGENT URGENT Prayer Need

Just when I think that it can't get any worse I get news that it can.

Today I was told that this week the Nicaragua administration that governs the adoption process in Nicaragua announced on TV that they are planning on closing the option for foreign adoptions and will close all private ran orphanages. Instead, children will be put in foster homes all over the country.

This is serious guys. This is much bigger than dealing with Isamar's dad this is dealing with the Nicaraguan government.

There has been a lot of issues going on within the administration lately but no one knew exactly what.

How does this affect me and Terry? If they put this plan (that is not legal that we can tell) into place we will have lost any and every chance at getting the girls and the many many parents that are waiting on children will have lost their chances also.

As for them closing the private ran orphanages that means that 1,000's of children will be taken back to abusive homes, given to people who don't want them or even taken to over crowded government ran orphanages, who knows at this point but it will be a horrible situation for all of these innocent children.

This requires a great deal of prayer from everyone. We have to pray that God's will be done in these kids lives and not the will of man.

We are not fighting against flesh and blood here guys we are fighting against the enemy who would love for all the Christian families who are adopting to lose that opportunity.

Please I beg you all that are reading this to make this a top priority on your prayer list daily. Prayer can move mountains and it will take all of us petitioning the Lord to change what could possibly happen.

There was no exact date on when this would take place or how it would happen but exactly but if they went as far as telling it on national TV you can bet they are working on making it happen if at all possible.

Please, please pray for all the innocent children who will be affected by this decision.

Pray for wisdom for us. We just bought tickets yesterday to fly to Nic on Oct. 13th to hire a new lawyer to try and save our chances in getting the girls. We are not sure what we will need to do now.


Angie

Keeping your eyes on the Lord...

Around the same time we decided to adopt the girls last year one morning during my quite time God took me to the story of Peter walking on the water.

At the time we were going through a testing time and that story spoke to me greatly and I heard the Lord specifically tell me to remember that story as I go through the adoption for the girls.

Today talking with two of my friends God brought that story back to me as they were asking how I was doing.

My answer is this.

Right now I am in the middle of the Gulf Coast and Ike is 100 miles away from me.

Just like with Peter the water was all around him and the storm was fierce. That's how I feel these days. One day all is well and the next day a storm blows in.

Saturday the girls went with Isamar's dad and they will stay for 7 days. Pray for their safety.

I can allow that to cause me to sink in this storm or I can stay focused on the Lord and his promises. The enemy would like for me to start feeling that rain and wind on my body and he would love for me to just give up.

No matter how fierce this storm gets I refuse to take my eyes off God's promises. The rain might be pouring on our heads and the wind is pushing me to the left and the right but I will refuse to take me eyes off of the Lord.

How are you doing in your storm? Does the waves that hit you knock you down or just push you over?

Don't get me wrong this is a Category 5 storm we are going through and just like Peter some days my feet starts to sink but because of my friends who are praying for me and encouraging me and God's reminder of His word I immediately get my focus and the sinking stops.

I encourage you today if you are in the middle of a Category 5 storm to hold onto God's promises and remember that He makes EVERYTHING and HE has the POWER to stop the winds and the rain. It's up to you..

Please continue to pray for our family as we walk through this storm and wait patiently on the storm to pass and my girls to come home where they belong.

God Bless,

Angie

Your Prayers are needed..

I found out this week that Mi Familia has granted a 4 day visit for the dad with BOTH girls tomorrow.

He will pick them up at the orphanage and keep them next week.

I am still not allowed to talk to the girls but have been able to find out that they do know they are going but are refusing to go. I can only hope they keep the fight in them in hopes to show Mi Familia that they don't belong with this man.

This week the aunt of Carmen and Isamar went to Mi Familia and protested and asked for Carmen but was denied. She was even denied access to visit the girls. Their own flesh and blood is not being allowed to see them. There are some really screwed up decisions being made here.

Pray that God intervenes and changes the decisions of those in charge.

Pray for protection of the girls as they go into a much different world than the orphanage. Pray against any sickness. They will have to drink and eat different food and water and that can always cause them to get a parasite easily.

Most importantly pray for their peace. They will be scared and they will not know what is going to happen.

I am not 100% sure of what they know about what is going on so until they do know the truth pray they don't feel rejected by us.

I'll keep you posted as I know more.

God Bless,

Angie

Pray, Pray, Pray

Thanks to all who are praying and I ask for continued prayer.

We have just learned that the man who showed up at the 11th hour and who is officially the dad of my 9 year old has decided to take both girls.

He does not and has not ever had any relationship with his own daughter much less her older sister.

Sadly, at this time it appears that MF is the one who convenience him to do this. It's real fussy right now but it appears that they are pushing this effort and have refused any contact between us and the girls.

At this time I don't think the girls know anything and I am sure they are confused since we have not spoken to them in two weeks. We have talked with them for the past 2 years every Sunday. An entire year before we decided to adopt them.

Pray for them. They are the ones that will be hurt in all this. They will be scared, and confused because based on the past history they will not be told until they are taken out of the orphanage.

Pray for God's will in their lives. They are everything to us and we want what is best for them and believe with all my heart and soul they are ours.

God is in the miracle making business and I know he can change this around. Continue to pray for the girls they will need God's loving arms around them if we can't get this stopped in time.

Our lawyers are trying to get all the details so they can figure out if we have any ground to stand on. Pray for favor with the person who made this decision. Pray our lawyers can get to them soon and find out exactly what is going on.

Thanks, Angie

What's Going On...

Well a week has gone by and I know no more today about the adoption than I did the last time I wrote.

My lawyer went to Mi Familia and spoke to someone there but got little to no new information.

It appears that the person who told me the adoption was off may not have known what she was talking about. Since Mi Familia has not told us anything we are going to believe the old saying, No news is Good news..

The person that told the director of the orphanage may have just be shooting off the mouth and had no facts to back what she was saying or the director miss understood. I am not sure which is true but right now no one has officially told us the adoption is off.

I still can't contact the girls. The reason why is a crazy one but it just boils down to the fact they want me to follow their procedures and go and get a written request. My lawyer went on Friday but was not able to see the person making this a requirement. He will try again on Monday.

This has truly been the hardest week of my life. Not knowing anything can cause your mind to think of everything that could go wrong.

Until I am told by God we are not to adopt the girls I am going to fight. Don't mess with a mama bears cubs...

Please continue to pray for us as this is an unexplainable, crazy process that makes no since to anyone. Pray for favor. Right now I am not sure what Mi Familia thinks about me and I need them on my side.

I'll update you as I have something to tell you. Every time I get ready to post something, something new changes.

Please put our family on your churches pray list. We need favor in Mi Familia's eyes and we need for them to get going on the study of the dad. Right now that is the biggest hurdle we need to get past.

Thanks again for your prayers and support.

Angie

Urgent Prayer Request for my girls

In the last 7 days I have been told so many things from people in Nicaragua it would make your head spin.

First, I was told by my daughters father that he was on his way to Mi Familia to sign her over to us. He never went.

Second, I was told by my case worker that MF called him and told him to come in because they had decided to give us the girls because it was the best for them and they needed to meet with him to take care of the paperwork. He never showed to their meeting either.

Third, On Friday I was told that at 8:00am he was on his way to sign. He did finally go.

Fourth, by 10:00pm Friday night I was told that he changed his mind and in fact was told by the delegate at MF that he should never give up his child and they would help him build a relationship with her. (After 9 years of no contact)

Fifth, I called the girls as I normally do every Sunday to be told I am not allowed to talk to them any more.

Because I am afraid that something I might say about MF will get repeated I will chose my words wisely and say that "rumor" has it that there is a chance my girls will never be mine now because they feel building that relationship with "DAD" is more important than giving both girls a life so if I can't get one I cant' get both. The oldest will be forced to stay in Nicaragua.

My attorney is going to visit the delegate tomorrow to get the facts and fight for my rights. I have been a part of their lives for 4 years. I have spent 9 weeks with them this year alone. They know no other mommy and daddy.

I can honestly say my flesh is weak but my spirit is strong and the God I serve is greater and bigger than any person at MF and he can change the hearts and minds of all of them in the blink of an eye.

Please join with me in agreement that GOD's will be done for my girls and that MF will get their act together on my case. It is so messed up because there are two offices trying to figure out who is boss and who is making the decisions.

Pray for favor and that "No weapon formed against me shall prosper" No even MF.

Pray for my flesh as this roller coaster ride has just make me sick and I want to get off...

P.U.S.H. - Pray until something happens.

Please pray for us over and over again.

Thanks,

Angie

News on the Adoption

During this trip to Nicaragua, Terry and I had the opportunity to go to Mi Familia and complain about the confusing information we are getting.

The office in Managua is in charge of our adoption case, the office in Chinandega is in charge of the future of our girls. The two of them are not working together and we are getting conflicting information from them. One office tells us the other should be working on things and then that office tells us the opposite.

We were very direct with them this trip and at this point it appears God's favor was upon us.

Both offices told us we needed to talk with Isamar's dad. This is unheard of in Nicaragua. Typically Mi Familia would never want us talking with him because of the possibility of paying him off. God's favor was there for us. We have earned their respect and they are on our side so we called the dad and made arrangements to talk with him.

On Monday of last week we met with him and for about 1 hour 1/2 he went on and on about how he felt it was God's plan for Isamar to be with us. He kept telling us that he had always seen her in his visions with him. He kept telling us his desires were to preach and to have his wife by his side. He never even mentioned having Isamar there. I was very discouraged for that hour but something kept telling me to be patient. I had gone there with the intentions of asking him to give us Isamar but as he kept talking I soon realized that just maybe God had answered our prayers.

He started asking us very personal questions about our family. He wanted to know all about us and what we do. We told him everything he wanted to know and assured him that Isamar would always be his but we wanted to give her a better life with her sister.

He finally told us that even though he felt that God had always shown him that he was to have Isamar that maybe it was God's plan for us to have her but to keep her in his life.

Yes, that's right. He agreed to give her to us. He said that if in fact Mi Familia told him Isamar didn't want to live with him and she truly felt that way that he would sign his rights to us.

Notice you don't hear me screaming through this website. I don't know him and I don't know how much I can trust him. I am choosing to guard my heart because I don't think I could take that kind of let down if he changes his mind.

He promised he would go to Mi Familia on Friday (two days ago) or tomorrow and talk with them, however, on Tuesday of this past week Mi Familia called him on their own and told him to come in.

They told me that they called him and said that they needed to get this adoption finalized and that the delegate felt that it was in the girls best interest to be with us and now they need to sit down and discuss what needed to be done next. (They are not aware we talked with the dad and he is willing).

Trust me that was God. This way he does not have a long time to change his mind and they are pushing for him to sign.

This is great news for us but until I know he actually signed I am not jumping for joy. I am praying he will do what he says and do it fast.

Please be in prayer with me that his heart stays true to what he has said already. He seems to truly want what is best for Isamar. Pray for him. His name is Francisco. This has to be hard for him. Isamar is his child.

What happens next..

If he signs her over I will have to go there and attend a court session where the judge will ask him in open court if he wants to give me Isamar. He will have to say YES in front of Isamar. The judge will discuss this with Francisco and with Isamar. Once the judge is comfortable with his answers, he signs the decree and Isamar is OURS, right that minute.

She will have to go back to the orphanage and stay until we get Carmen’s abandonment taken care of. Pray with me the lawyers at Mi Familia can get the same judge to view that case and sign her abandonment at the same time. OMG.. that would be the most amazing answer to prayer.

Pray with me that all of this works together this way. Families are waiting years for just a paper to be signed by a judge. I don’t want to wait years.

I know lots of you are praying for my family already but I am asking you to PLEASE put this at the top of your lists and don't just pray once and forget, continue to pray. Together lets watch what God is going to do in this case.

Please tell me how I can be praying for your family, together we can move mountains.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Angie

Amazing Race Part 1

I love the reality show Amazing Race. It´s a show about people who are on a race around the world for a million dollars.

I am on that race now.

We have had some many things happen since we left Charlotte. I don´t have time to type them all now but I will tell you all the stories later.

For now PRAY.....

Customs took my seed that I brought and I am trying to get them out of customs, our bags did not come until today and I´m having to pay someone to bring them to me which was an added cost that I just don´t have and today we met with community and things did not go as planned, in addition, my son Jordon is sick and the doctor found two major issues yesterday.

So, the devil is really mad this trip and he is working hard to cause problems.

Please I ask of you to cover us daily in prayer and the people here I am trying to minister to. My family needs your prayers even more.

To be continued..

Angie

Leaving for Nicaragua on Sunday

August is here already. Time is passing way to fast for me.

Terry and I will be leaving on Sunday morning to Nicaragua.

I would ask that you pray with us for some specific needs.

1. We are flying on a Buddy Pass Ticket. Pray that we get seats on the flight from Charlotte to Atlanta and from Atlanta to Managua and back.

2. Since we are flying on a special ticket our luggage could be sent without us. Pray we all go at the same time.

3. I have money for 35 of the 48 families in Coffadia. Praise God for all who helped make a difference in these families’ lives. Please pray that I have wisdom on how to handle the remaining 13 families.

4. Pray for a finances to cover this trip. The cost is very expensive and we need support from others in order to continue doing what we are called to do.

5. Pray for safety and protection as we travel and for our boys as we are leaving them with a care giver.

6. Pray for my little Oscar. We paid to have his house fixed which will help him for now but without a daily/weekly shot to keep him healthy he is at risk. This shot cost over $30 each, without it the smallest virus will take his life. This is just an expense we can not pay right now. Pray God will supply this need. He is Oscar’s healer and He can take care of him or He will find a way to supply Oscar with the medicine he needs.

7. Pray for the families of Coffadia. Most are not saved and most have never seen the love of Christ. By providing them with the garden tools and working with them we are believing for a harvest of souls in addition to a harvest of fresh vegetables.

8. Pray for my heart. This summer has been very hard on my me with the death of my aunt, and my father-in-law. I truly never got to deal with my grief for either of them and now I am facing some very hard times which is bringing out all my emotions at once. I have had some unexpected needs for Oscar come up which has brought great stress to my life also. I am not one to worry or one to allow things to get to me but with all that has gone on in the last two months I can say I am at a breaking point. God is my strength and I am relying on him but prayers from you guys I am sure will help with all that is going on.

9. When I return from Nicaragua I must find a part-time job with benefits. Pray God opens that door for me when I return. Let me know if you know of anyone looking for a Great Employee with lots of experience in many areas of an office.

Thanks for all that you guys have done for me this year. God sees all of you and will return blessings back to you much greater than your gift to these people.

Your prayers are so needed and appreciated.

God Bless,

Angie

Prayer and Praise

This morning my father-in-law went to be with the Lord.

He was a young man (only 65) and had lots of years left but his body didn't agree. He had a stroke this morning and his body just could not hold on.

It's very sad for us because he was looking forward to having granddaughters since there are only boys our entire family.

Please pray for Terry's mom Phyllis because she is blaming herself because he had been sick lately and she thinks she could have done something to prevent this.

On the Praise side, 3 years ago while I was on a mission trip to Nicaragua my wonderful husband went on his own mission trip to his parents house and led them both to the Lord.

Ray is in good hands right now and maybe this will be what it takes to lead the rest of this lost family.

God Bless,

Angie

The Latest on Isamar

If you recall Isamar was scheduled to go to her dad's house on a trail basis over her school break starting on Friday.

I can honestly say that this was the saddest 4th of July I have ever had. I sit wondering all day if she was going to be ok on the 4 - 5 hour bus ride to Managua and was she going to have water (that girl drinks water like crazy), was she going to have a seat or would she have to sit in her dad's lap? Many thoughts went through my head that day.

I called her the night before and encouraged her to be a good girl and obey her dad and enjoy herself but honestly the entire time I wanted to say, "Just don't go, Isamar!!!" but I didn't I was really nice.

Today I called to check on Carmen since she is the one that seems to be hurt the most by all of this and I got a very chattery Carmen. She could not stop talking, on and on she went to my translator and within minutes I soon realized she was telling me that Isamar didn't go.

You can not imagine the excitement that went through me.

Apparently when Isamar's dad tried to leave Carmen and Isamar pitched a fit. Isamar cried the entire way to the bus stop and even while she was on the bus. They traveled about 1 1/2 hours to Chenandega and turned around, got on another bus and traveled back to Somotillo, Isamar still crying.

Isamar just could not leave her sister. She told her dad she did not want to go and did not want to leave her sister. He told the workers at the orphanage that he could not get her under control so he brought her back.

I am sad that Isamar and Carmen had to go through this but I won't lie, I am glad the experience was not the opposite for Isamar. Hopefully this experience will show the dad how important the girls are to each other. Just maybe, this will be what it takes to show him the girls need to stay together.

I finally got to talk to Isamar about her experience and she was very quite until I told her I loved her and I was sad she had to go through it but if she didn’t really want to be with her dad I was happy. Within seconds my shy little girl was excited and talking all about coming to live with us.

Please, please pray for Mi Familia (the DSS people) as they now have to make a decision about Isamar’s future. We are not sure what this means now but I can only hope it’s a point for our side.

God Bless to all,

Angie

Adopt-A-Family Project Continues

I have received money for 9 families so far and others have agreed to put out of the word.

If you do not feel led to help in this project at this time would you be willing to spread the word by emailing this pdf flyer to others.

Many of us know other people who attend mission minded churches that would love to help. Sending a email to a friend might just be your role in this.

God has who he wants to help change these peoples lives, are you one of them?

Thanks to all who have so far and thanks to everyone for praying for these people.

Simply email this link to your friends and family. www.thepowerofoneministry.org/adoptafamily.pdf

God Bless,

Angie

Many Prayer Requests

I have a lot going on in my life right now as you already know but there are some specific needs I have that I would ask you to be in agreement with me on.

1. I need a job. During the summer months our work is very low and the increase of gas and food caused our spring months to be lower than normal. We don't have enough money to carry us through the summer months and be able to minister in Nicaragua as we feel called to do. I have lots of computer skills, clerical skills, just about anything in an office I have experience doing. I can wait tables, answer phones, you name it I'll do it. I only need a temporary position. I can work from now until July 27th with the exception of July 11, 12 & 19.

2. I need to find a contact with Budget, Avis, or Hertz. To rent a truck in Nicaragua is about $80 a day. It's the most expensive part of my trips. If I had a contact there that could give me an employee discount it would help tremendously.

3. Is your husband/brother/cousin in the National Guard or the Army? I need a contact with a military group here in Charlotte that might be able to help me with getting the small shovels that fold to Nicaragua. In August I want to start helping Coffadia plant a garden. There soil there is hard as a rock and without tools it’s impossible. I am researching to find out how much it will cost to buy the needed materials there but that requires more money to raise.

4. Do you know of a wonderful Christian college student that will still be home from August 4 - 12th? I have a wonderful friend and his wife that takes care of my kids while I am gone but I do not want to wear them out. I am looking for someone who loves kids and loves missions. By watching my kids they are allowing me to do the work God has for me. I just know there are young adult ladies out there that would love to help us out. Please think about your friends and see if you know of someone who would like to serve the Lord through babysitting for a week.

I know it seems like I am asking for a lot so I'll share a testimony of how God is already working this out.

In the airport in Atlanta the agent announced our flight was over sold and they needed volunteers to give up their seat for a $400 ticket and a hotel voucher. Terry and I decided hey this is a way for us to get a ticket back to Nicaragua so we volunteered. While I was at the desk telling them we would take the offer I mentioned we were adopting and another agent starting asking questions. I told her my story and she smiled and say, "Hang on a minute I think I have something you can use". Within a few minutes she handed me a note that said she would be happy to give me two buddy passes to use when ever I wanted. She looked up the flight and told me it would be $80 to fly to Nicaragua and back. $80, can you believe that. A total stranger offering me her tickets to use. She then went on to say that if for some reason she could not help me she knew many others that could. God is working on my behalf. He is opening the doors He wants me to walk through. Sadly, I didn't get the other two tickets after all.

Now, let him use you to help me get answers to my prayers listed above.

Can't wait to see what he does with these requests.

God Bless,

Angie

Bitter Sweet Feelings

We are home from Nicaragua finally. We didn't get in until 11:00 last night and we were at the airport in Managua at 6:00am which is two hours behind so it felt like 1:00am to us by the time we got home.

A lot happen while we were there so coming home was bitter sweet. We can't wait to see our kids here and hate leaving our girls there. It's really hard on my emotions.

Here's what we found out.

Mi Familia decided to give Isamar to her dad for a visit from July 4 - 21st to see how they will do with each other. I can only hope this back fires on him and Isamar does not turn out to be what he wants and he decides to give her to us.

Ismar's dad does not have 6 other children. He does however live in a horrible neighborhood. She will not have a yard to play in or anything like she has today.

Isamar was interviewed yesterday and still professes that she wants to live with us not with her dad. She was asked if she could have any thing in the world what would it be and she told them to live with us. I can only hope and pray they listen to her.

Please continue to pray that God's will be done in her life. The dad told us that we could have Isamar if she wanted to come when she gets older and make her own decisions which makes no since to me. If he is going to give her up, give her now, not after she has spent years with him. There is no way he can do that if he truly loves her. He is doing this because he wants her to know him and know what kind of person he really is never did he say it was because he loves her and wants to give her a life with him.

Pray for Carmen as she is very sad that her sister might not come with us. This trip she was very clingy with Terry. She would not let him go the whole time we were there. She just keep holding his hand or hugging me. She was very affectionate with both of us much more than normal. They both cried a lot when we left. It was a very emotional visit.

Thanks for your prayers. I will have pictures soon.

Angie

Update on our trip

Wow we have had a busy time. This is the first time that I have had to write.

I really need some prayers lifted up.

1. My friend Oscar, the little boy that had kidney problems is in very bad shape. He is in the hospital and we have been told he is dieing. God has healed him already but since his parents were put in jail in December he has not been taken good care of and is now very sick. He is asking for me so I am going to see him on Wednesday.

2. We had a meeting with Mi Familia on Friday and they told us that Isamar´s dad came to visit her. He told Isamar that there is no way he will allow her to come with us. He told Carmen she was the lucky one that she gets to come. That to me is the most crueliest thing you can do. They told us that they are really in a bind because the dad can sue them if they don´t give Isamar to him IF he meets the conditions. Let´s pray he does not. The director of the orphanage is doing a report on how the dad is treating Isamar and Carmen. Hopefully they will see his manipulation.

3. Pray for me, I have lost my voice and my throat is swollen. We still have a village to go to tomorrow and time with the girls. It´s hard not to talk here.

We handed out the soccer equipment and the baseball stuff and it was amazing. They wanted me to have their trophy but I made them keep it to remember what God has done for them.

It has been a very successful trip so far but my heart is hurting thinking that I am not going to see Isamar again after this week. I am doing good but its painful. I trust the Lord and I know that he will do the best for Isamar.

Please pray...

Angie

I will update you more as I can but for now we are all doing.

Headed to Nicaragua

I'm 5 days away from heading to Nicaragua and 6 days from seeing my beautiful girls.

I am taking so much stuff that I don't have enough room for everything and it's quite discouraging. I so wish I had my own plane. I would not have this problem any more.

Please pray for Terry and I as we leave our children home again. Although they will be well taken care of there are still many things to consider when Mom and Dad are gone.

Pray for our team members that are going. Bonnie & Thomas, Chris and Lauren, and Jennifer are all coming with us. All three of these families are praying about adopting from Nicaragua as well and are leaving family behind.

Pray for our safety, health, unity and most important for the people we will touch while we are there.

I am taking baseball uniforms and equipment for one team and soccer equipment for another. This is going to rock their world. Pray it raises their faith to a whole new level.

Pray for additional finances that are needed to accomplish this task. I had to purchase new baseball pants for the team that was unexpected and going to my aunts and to her funeral cost me almost $300 in gas that was not planned for so money is very tight for this trip.

I am trusting God to supply all my needs. Pray that people who understand the needs of missions will rise up and help as God leads them to.

I have also ran out of room in my bags. I will have to leave toys or hygiene products home. Its hard for me to make that decision. One is needed and the other is desired. An extra bag is another $100 that I just don't have to spare right now so pray that God will send that money as well if they are to go.

We will be at the orphanage a lot this trip but on Monday and Tuesday morning we will be ministering in two villages that have never had a team of Americans visit them. Pray our showing of love will open doors to share God's love with them and lead them to a personal relationship with him.

Thanks for your support and your prayers.

Angie

Forgive & Forget?

I traveled home to my aunts funeral Thursday thinking the entire time, "What will it be like seeing my mom?" Will she act different than the last time? Will I act different than before?

Well we both did actually. When I arrived she wasn't there but shortly after I saw her outside. I could have just stayed inside and avoided her but I figured I might as well get it over with. Out the door I went and the first person I saw was my brother. Since we is the biggest reason my mom and I don't get along I figured I would fight fire with love and hug him first. I went over and hugged my mom as if everything was just fine. Let me remind you the last time I saw or spoke to her she was yelling at me telling me what a horrible daughter I was. Needless to say there was some reservations about that hug.

My aunt looked so beautiful. She would be so happy about the outfit her daughters picked out. She made us all feel like she was at peace. Those of us that had been around her were all smiling and bragging on her looks as those who had not come when she needed them most just cried. Don't wait until someone is dead to show them your love, DO IT NOW. Trust me..

If the death of my aunt was to show my mom that life is too short I am glad God took her but more importantly I hope it showed my entire family that those of us who have Jesus smiled at Dorothy as she lay in her coffin, we didn't cry with regret, we cried with joy knowing she was in the presence of the Lord.

The gospel was shared twice so I know my family knows how to get to heaven. Obeying the instructions is another story.

What did I learn through all this? That in the worse of times God can make Good come out it.

Please let me speak to those of you that I know personally are struggling with family members. Life is way to short. We are not promised tomorrow. Those we love that don't love us are still God's children. We must find the Love of Christ for them. Regardless to what they have done to us they are His children and He loves them unconditionally.

Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to start a relationship with my mom. The pain is still there from all that has happen. My mother can't have a healthy relationship with me but I can have a Love of Christ relationship with her.

I encourage you to do the same.. If you can't talk to that family member, send them a card, a note, a picture of your kids. Something to say, "Hey I thought of you today". Then let God do the rest.

Please continue to pray that I can Forgive my mom and Forget the pain.

Angie

Update on my world

I'm been quite lately because I have been out of town.

I went to Virginia on Saturday to see my aunt and I returned today at 4:30. Sadly, she passed away at 6:30.

I learned a great deal about my aunt this week. After spending 23 hours a day with her for 3 days you get to know somebody. (Only got an hour a day of sleep, didn't want to waist my time when I knew she had very little left.)

I saw a side of her family I had not seen before. She has 3 daughters and 1 very spoiled son. All of them had come to peace that it was her time to go. All of them assured me in some way she would be going to heaven. That's all that mattered to me. Seeing her was important but making sure the she and her family knew Jesus on a personal basis was my priority.

I will be returning home on Thursday and I am sure I will see my mother. Let's pray it’s a much better time than the last.

I called her today to make sure she had gotten the news; it was almost creepy for me. She keeps talking to me as if everything was just fine between us. Family members tell me to let the past stay in the past and move on as if it never happen. BUT it did happen. What do you think? Just let it stay or deal with it? I haven't decided yet. The easy way of course is to just let it go but what happens when it comes back one day?

On a better note, I have not heard much about Isamar except that the dad had a discussion with Mi Familia and told them he DID NOT want Isamar. He was only pursuing this because his mother (she's 85 we believe) wants him to. The lawyers told us today that if she wants her she will have to come forward and say so. Let's hope she doesn't.

I hope to find out more tomorrow as this week the Director of Mi Familia quit and 3 people on the council walked away. I can't imagine how much delay this will now cause.

I am leaving next Thursday to go and see my girls. At least I know Isamar will be there this time.

Continue to pray for us. My entire family as we lay Dorothy to rest, my immediate family as we wait patiently on the Lord and for our trip to Nicaragua next week. We will be ministering to many families who have it a lot worse than we do.

God Bless,

Angie

Prayers for My Aunt

My mother and I have not talked but once in 3 years. Needless to say when I saw the caller id today and it was from her my heart just sunk. So many horrible thoughts went through my head. Was she sick? Had she died? Was it my brother? It's really sad that it takes tragedy in ones family to get people talking again.

My mom's sister has taken ill. Her name is Dorothy and she is the first person in my life that I can say believed in me. Her children and I are very close. Actually out of 29 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren of my grandmother, Aunt Dorothy's kids are the only ones I stay in contact with.

My mom did not call me when my uncle got sick last November so this time she thought she should call. She knows how important Aunt Dorothy is to me, she says. Her anger must be starting to fade away or she would have never called me today.

Over the past three years my mom has been very mad at me for something I didn't even do. She has been ugly to me more than once and during my uncles’ funeral in November she would not even let me stay at her house.

It’s been very hard going through this adoption without parents. My mom just can’t be a Mom and my Dad does not exist in my life. I think this helps me understand how Carmen and Isamar feel.

I haven't talked to my mom over the 3 years instead I just sent her pictures, cards, a Mother's Day gift and each time reminded her that I was praying for her and I loved her. It appears it has softened the blow. She talked to me today as if we talked just yesterday. Things are not fixed with us but this is a huge start. The fact that she actually called is AMAZING.

My aunt is 78 years old and is on her death bed. She is in great pain and Hospice is there so you know what that means. As far as I know she has accepted Christ but she has never been to church. She has missed the joy of fellowshipping with others and being in His presence of one accord but soon she will be in the God’s presence. Isn't that thought wonderful?

Please pray for our family as Aunt Dorothy is a pillar to the rest of us. She has held our family together for many years. It was just 5 years ago that she buried her husband. I am sure her children would appreciate your prayers for God to move quickly so she will suffer no more.

Additionally, we have no updates on Isamar at this time. Keep praying that God will intervene if it is His plan for her life to be with us.

God Bless,

Angie

The Results are Finally Here

It's with great sadness that I report that the DNA test is Positive.

I can't put words into how I feel right now.

I have said all along that I want the best for Isamar and I really do but it still hurts, it still feels like someone stuck a knife through my heart. Pray for Terry and I as we wait to hear what will happens now.

The dad will go through a home study to determine if he meets the requirements. Basically, if he has a house at all, a job at all and is walking and talking he will qualify. Poverty does not play a role in this decision and the best situation for Isamar doesn't count either.

I know that God loves Isamar more than I do and He wants the best for her. He sees the big picture and knows all. No matter how my heart feels and what my head tells me I am trusting in Him.

If Isamar is to be in my home she will be. Nothing will stop that.

Please pray for Isamar and Carmen. They plan on telling her soon and I know they will be devastated. Breaking them apart will be very difficult for both the girls. They will need a lot of love and counseling. Most important they will need our prayers.

I was reminded tonight as my heart broke into a thousand pieces that the pain I felt, as bad as it was, was nothing compared to the pain God must have had when He gave His son to die for us.

Jesus died so that we would have life. Everlasting Life. A future, Hope, Dreams, Desires, A family, A never ending love. He died for Isamar's future also. I must trust in that.

There are no words to describe how I feel tonight, so I rest in Gods word that My Joy comes to me in the Morning.

Thanks for all your prayers. The battle is not over. Don't stop praying, pray harder.

God Bless,

Angie

More Praises and Prayers...

First the prayer needs...

It has now been 37 days since Isamar's DNA test. The longer this takes the farther out our stay in Nicaragua will be causing us to go into our businesses fall season which makes things very complicated.

The council that meets to vote on us has not met in several months; however, they are meeting this Friday and possibly next. If we could get the test results in now it is "POSSIBLE" to get on that council schedule for next Friday.

God knows the plans for this adoption and I am not concerned about our business but the bible says, "Ask Not, Receive Not" so I'm living by that motto and asking you guys to be in agreement with me and ask God to intervene in the delivery of the test results.

If the results are positive it changes this process completely and will hold this process up again.

P.U.S.H. - Pray Until Something Happens.. That’s what I'm going to do.

Time for Praises...

Remember my soccer team in Somotillo I wrote about? Remember I told you about having a connection to the Charlotte Eagles? You're not going to believe how God showed off this time.

Yesterday I received a call from Jim and Renee Hughes who also have a sports ministry and are currently working directly with the Charlotte Eagles. Ms. Hughes informed me that she is working with a group of teens who are going to Nicaragua in July and they have raised additional funds that need to be spent. What better place to spend that money but to bless a group of teens in Somotillo?

That's right, they are going to provide the much needed cleats to my soccer buddies, and not just cleats but the kind that the Eagles wear. They are also going to provide balls and shin guards. The coolest thing is they are going to give them the "Gospel Soccer Balls" to use in their ministry. Those balls look like the gospel bracelets and you use them to share the story of Christ.

Can you believe this? God took total strangers and together we are going to bless a soccer team with items they are believing by faith for. Just imagine how this will build their individual faith.

Give God Praise for the little things and watch Him give you BIG things..

Thanks for your prayers and for the praises.

Angie

Preparing for a June Mission Trip

Terry and I will be going to Nicaragua in June and with us will be a couple who is interested in adopting Loriana as well as my friend Jorge and his girlfriend so I can't waste having all those people with me so our plans are to minister in at least one or more villages while we are there.

In order to do so I need supplies. I am sorry for the short notice but with friends like you guys I know we can pull some things together.

I have most of everything I would need except for the following:

Toothbrushes - I can get 12 for a $1 at the 521 Flee Market if anyone is going that way.
Toothpaste (travel size) - Can you ask your dentist if they will donate some for me?
Fingernail polish - The moms and teenage girls love to see me come with polish.
Combs
Washcloths
Fingernail clippers
Razors - disposable
Purse Size Umbrellas would be nice - do you have one in your house you can donate?

I would need to get any thing you have no later than June 13th if at all possible.

Please email me if you have any of these items and if you get any so I will know what is coming in.

Please remember that I might be the person going to Nicaragua and handing this stuff out but it's YOU that make it happen for me. You play a huge part in every trip I take so remember one item is more than I had yesterday. No amount is too little.

Now let's get things ready to show these people how much God loves them and how much Americans do care about other people.

God Bless,

Angie

No News Is Good News?

Oh how I wished that saying was ALWAYS true.

Well the long awaited month has come and gone for the DNA results.

My attorney went yesterday and was told they have not received them as of yesterday, THAT THEY KNEW OF. The right hand does not know what the left hand is doing there so for all we know the results are laying on some lawyers desk.

The case worker told my attorney she would go to the lawyers and ask and report back on Friday. Even that is crazy. It's not like this building is 20 stories high and she has to go to 10 people. The Lawyers, all 3 of them, sit in the next room. It would not take 2 seconds to open the door and say, "Hey, anybody have the DNA tests for Isamar Umana"?

Can you tell I'm running out of patience?

I figure I have two options here;

1. I can worry and be unsettled and cry all day with grief and God will take his time as He teaches me to trust Him or;
2. I can rest in God's peace and He will see that I am trusting Him and just maybe He will hurry this process up for me and I will pass this test.

I am choosing Option 2 but I can tell you it's the hardest thing I have ever done and it's a day to day process for me. For weeks it's been easy but now it's every morning when I wake up I have to give myself a serious pep talk and decide that minute that I will not walk in doubt today...

What about you? How do handle God's tests? You do know that if you fail the test today He will give it to you again tomorrow right?

I have failed so many tests before this one that I think I have finally figured out how to pass God's test.

Are you in the middle of a test? Are you passing it or failing it? Evaluate your attitude and you will soon know the answer.

Please pray for the people involved in this adoption and the people of Nicaragua.

There is a transportation strike there now and many people are struggling because all the buses and taxis have stopped. Things are not very stable right now which could cause even a longer delay in getting these results.

Thank you for walking this journey with me.

Oh what a glorious day it will be when they come home.

God Bless,

Angie