Gotcha Day 2008
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Wednesday, 10 September 08 - 11:09 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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You may be like me and are wondering, "What's a gotcha day?" I first heard about it when some friends adopted a little girl from China. They would celebrate the day they "got" her as "gotcha day". We really didn't celebrate with a party today, but it was a very memorable day for us. One year ago today (09.10) we were sitting in the lobby of the crown plaza hotel and our lawyer and Mariah's foster mother delivered her into my arms. It's a day, like Daniel's birthday, that I'll never forget. It's been a wonderful, challenging, blessed year with Mariah. We're so blessed that God chose her for our family. Below are a couple pictures from today and one from our "delivery" in Guatemala.
Now that I look at this picture with Mama Rosa holding her, she doesn't look like she's grown that much. She had those "little thunder thighs" before she was a year old. That sounds like an oxymoron if I've ever heard one.
New Friends
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Thursday, 12 June 08 - 06:27 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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I love taking pictures (if you haven't figured that out yet)! Sometimes I think this is a photo blog rather than just a "regular" blog. This past weekend I took my camera to Weaverville and had a little fun taking pictures of our friends children who are adopted from Liberia. Maybe someone will stumble across (or be providentially led to) this blog and be curious about Liberian adoption. If so, you can leave a comment or email me. Enjoy the pictures.
His Wounds Have Paid My Ransom
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Monday, 09 June 08 - 10:13 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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For years one of my favorite songs has been "How Deep the Father's Love for Us". I was reminded of the song when reading a blog post from one of Amy's new friends, Lorie Newman. We had the privilege of meeting Lorie and her husband, Duane on Saturday. We had a little cookout with them and some other friends in Weaverville.
Duane and Lorie are getting ready to adopt again from Liberia. They already have six children (2 adopted). Amy has been following their journey as they chose the child(ren) to adopt. Last week Amy asked me to read a blog post that Lorie had written. I still get teary-eyed thinking about the words she wrote, “Those sweet children don't even realize it yet, but tomorrow morning I will go to the bank to wire money, (meaningless money that all belongs to God anyway), to Liberia to pay 'their ransom' and set them free.”
You can read the full post on Lorie's blog by clicking here.
Wow, I never thought about adoption as "paying a ransom". It makes sense when you read passages in the New Testament that talk about us being "adopted" into God's family. How did that happen? Jesus' wounds paid our ransom!
I know it will make it a long post, but I think some lyrics will make this post complete.
HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR US
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that helf Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I knoww that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Please Pray for the Steven Curtis Chapman Family
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Wednesday, 21 May 08 - 11:42 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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My heart is heavy tonight as I write these words. Please pray for the Steven Curtis Chapman family tonight. His youngest child (pictured here) died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.
I can't imagine the grief they are experiencing right now. All I can say is please join me in prayer for their entire family.
Source: The Tennessean
Almost done!
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Tuesday, 05 February 08 - 03:41 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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It sat almost 3 inches tall. Barely fit in a UPS mailer box. What was it? Our re-adoption paperwork. Most of you don't know, but Mariah is not really Mariah yet. Her given name was Eva Milagros, but we are changing it to Mariah Faith Milagros Moore.
No, it didn't take that much paperwork to change her name, but because both
Amy and I didn't go visit before we adopted her she came to the US on a different visa. So we have to "re-adopt" her here in North Carolina. Long story . . . . one word explaination - bureaucracy!
A big shout out to Esther Dolder at Christian World Adoption who prepared all our documents. Esther, you're awesome!
Happy Adoption Day
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Sunday, 18 November 07 - 09:45 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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Yesterday was National Adoption Day. Last night Amy and I went to an adoption event at Parkwood Baptist. They did an interview time with some couple and children who have adopted. It was encouraging to hear their stories. One of the questions that was asked to everyone was, "Who talked about adoption first, the husband or the wife." One couple answered this way, "I wanted to adopt a BABY. He wanted to adopt a HIGHWAY!"
Guatemalan Adoption - PGN
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Saturday, 22 September 07 - 11:23 AM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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This post is for those who are in the process (or have been in the process) of adopting from Guatemala. Last week while we were in Guatemala to pick up Mariah we stayed at the Crown Plaza Hotel (btw - great hotel). I really enjoyed the view from our window. I could look at the volcano and watch planes take off and land all day long. Within the first day, Amy accused me of knowing the schedules of all the airlines.
Anyway, as I looked out the window our first day I saw something that caught my eye . . . bushes in the shape of letters. Letters that wouldn't mean anything to those who are not adopting, but for those who are they have great meaning (can you find the letters in the photo). PGN . . . it's where our lives get passed around from desk to desk as we get approval for our adoption. As we looked out the window during our stay in Guatemala City we would look at the PGN building and pray for all those whose lives were "on hold" inside that building. So just in case you wanted to know what the PGN looked like . . . here it is.
Pictures from our first morning home . . .
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Friday, 14 September 07 - 02:27 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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We arrived at home in Mars HIll early this morning. The plane ride from Guatemala was good, but Mariah didn't sleep much. Yesterday wrecked her schedule!. Yet through it all she really wasn't that fussy.
She did, however, get a little concerned and vocal when we started home in the car and she was strapped in some kind of contraption beside two boys she had just seen for the first time. It was sensory overload along with "Who are these people and where are they taking me?"
We sent Daniel to the back seat and Amy sat beside her. Seeing Amy's familiar face put her at ease and she slept the remainder of the trip.
I'm sure it's going to be an interesting couple of days because we've already had several arguments over who gets to feed her and who has held her the most. Understandably, the other four just can't get enough of her. It's the baby they've prayed for for over a year. Please pray for us as we try to get them to understand that Mariah can only take so much stimulation. I'm sure the newness will wear off soon.
Below are a few pictures from this morning . . .
It's Official . . . we are parents of 5!
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Tuesday, 11 September 07 - 07:50 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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We had our appointment at the U.S. Embassy (with a little drama) today. Yesterday we were given a bunch of paper work, a couple of passport pictures and a baby. We got to the Embassy around 7:10 a.m. We were number 4 on the list of adoptions for the morning. We went over a few minor corrections with our attorney and he was ready to get in line. As he got in line he asked for the two passport photos. I knew instantly we were in trouble. They were not in the envelope, but on the night stand in the hotel. I thought he was going to throw up. All he could say was "Oh my God!"
He thought for a minute (number 1 & 2 were already at the window) and said, "You speak Spanish. Amy and I are going to run to the closest photo studio and retake the pictures." Sure enough, I got in the line and within 10 minutes I was explaining (in Spanish) to the man in the window that we had a "small problem." To my surprise he wasn't concerned, and replied (in English) "no problem, just go around the corner and get some new pictures. As if on cue, Amy and Julio came storming back in the room and saved the day.
Even with all that drama, it was a tranquil day. Kind of boring sitting in this hotel room, but Mariah is such a good baby. I know the adjustment is easier for all of us because we have so many people praying. Thanks!
More Photos . . .
Worth The Wait!
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Monday, 10 September 07 - 07:16 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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Here are a few pictures from our first afternoon with our new baby. More to come . . .
We're in Guatemala
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Sunday, 09 September 07 - 10:33 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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From the picture it might look like we are in Honduras, but we really are in Guatemala! We are staying at the Crown Plaza in Guatemala City. Across the street is a park and the section directly across from us is the Plaza Honduras. Kind of ironic.
It's been kind of wierd being in Guatemala City today and looking out our hotel window and thinking , "We've got a baby somewhere in this city." Along with, "There's a lady out there who is spending her last night with a baby she has cared for for over 8 months." Kind of emotional.
Today is election day in Guatemala. It has been a somewhat violent campaign, but we haven't heard of any violence today. We even walked about a mile to a local mall. We never felt threated, except by buses and cars speeding throught standing water on the streets (BTW, Amy did get spashed a little as we walked back to the hotel). One thing that's been strange is that we haven't seen another North American since we got off the plane.
Ok, that's enough commentary on our first day in Guatemala City. I'll write more and certainly post pictures of Mariah tomorrow. Buenas noches.
A cool story of God's provision
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Thursday, 06 September 07 - 12:14 AM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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Many would call it coincedence. I choose to call it God's provision.
In order to get to Guatemala to pick up Mariah, we have to fly. Well, we could drive, but that would be INSANE. For several months we've been looking at airfare to Guatemala and the prices have ranged from almost $700 to as little as $450.
I don't know why I had a U.S. Airways credit card at one time, but about 10 years ago I racked up 86,000 dividend miles on the card with a previous employer. Over the past couple years I've tried to use them at various times to get some free travel. Yet, everytime I tried to use them there was no space on the days I wanted to travel. That is until now . . .
Last week Amy decided to call U.S. Airways to see if we could use the miles for travel to Guatemala. You know the answer . . . they said yes! So we are flying to Guatemala for $200 (still have to pay taxes)! We know God has provided for our adoption all along the way, and for us it's not a coincedence. We choose to believe that even 10 years ago God was providiing for the costs of our adoption. Isn't that cool?
We're Going to Guatemala . . . for sure this time!
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Thursday, 06 September 07 - 12:05 AM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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Yes, it's confirmed we are traveling to Guatemala to pick up our daughter (Mariah) on Sunday, September 9! We have an appointment with the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday and will fly back to NC on Thursday.
I'm sure you don't keep up with the Guatemalan Presidential elections, but they will elect a new president on Sunday, Sept. 9. It has been a bloody campaign and could be a bloody election day. We know that the Guatemalan elections have not taken God off guard. This is His time for us to pick up our baby and we are trusting that He will take care of us while we are there.
If you want to see pictures from from Guatemala keep checking the blog. We will have internet access at our hotel and since we are not going strolling in the streets I'll have plenty of time to take pictures.
False Alarm!
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Thursday, 30 August 07 - 11:32 AM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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International adoption often seems like a bad roller coaster ride. You know like those old wooden roller coasters that are supposed to be fun, but you get beat up and jerked around at every turn. That's the way I feel right now.
We were told on Monday that the DNA results for our baby were being FedExed (is that a word?) overnight from the lab to Guatemala. On Tuesday we were informed that they were not shipped, but were scheduled to go out. On Wednesday they still had not shipped!!
So, we will not be traveling to Guatemala next week. The way it looks now, we will be traveling the week of Sept. 10th (during or just after the Guatemalan presidential elections). That is IF everyone who has something to do will do their part.
I know God has a day we are supposed to get Mariah, but sometimes it's hard to be on this emotional roller coaster. This experience, however, is teaching me patience and dependence. I know i need to learn more about both, but I don't always like it!
We're Going to Guatemala!!!
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Tuesday, 28 August 07 - 09:28 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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YES, WE'RE GOING TO GUATEMALA CITY NEXT WEEK!!! As of right now we have an appointment at the U.S Embassy on Tuesday, September 4. There are still a few things that have to fall into place for it to be definite, but the way it looks now we will have Mariah in our arms on Monday afternoon. If you read this and you pray, please pray that others who are playing a roll in the process will do their part.
The countdown has begun . . .
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Friday, 24 August 07 - 11:50 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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Yes, we are in the final stretch . . . rounding the fourth turn . . . inside the 2 minute warning . . . rounding third base. All those analogies work, but it feels like the one who is about to answer the question, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?" I don't know the answer yet, but i can see the Tootsie roll. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!
We are in the U.S. Embassy . . . still waiting. We are waiting for the final DNA results to be returned to the Embassy so we can get our travel appointment to Guatemala.
On August 28, 2006 we signed on with our adoption agency to adopt a baby girl from Guatemala. On Monday August 28, 2007 Mariah will be exactly 8 months old and we are STILL WAITING ON HER!!! Hopefully we'll get her before she turns 9 months old!
We are officially parents of 5 children!
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Wednesday, 08 August 07 - 02:47 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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We got the news from the Guatemalan government yesterday that our adoption has been approved. Woo Hoo!! What does that mean? It means Mariah is ours, but there is still more waiting.
Yes, more waiting. We were notified last week about a change in the adoption process from Guatemala. We now have to have another DNA test. It's just another safeguard in the process, but more money and more waiting.
When will we travel to Guatemala to pick her up? WHO KNOWS! It could be 4 more weeks or 2 more months. Please pray that our attorney gets motivated and gets our paperwork submitted to the US embassy ASAP.
That's where the adoption stands as of today. More updates to come . . . .
Guatemalan Adoption Update
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Saturday, 28 July 07 - 09:59 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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We need your prayers. Well, that's not really the stuff for a great blog post because we always need your prayers. Yet, I'm a firm believer that "specific prayer gets specific answers." If you've known me long enough you've heard me say that before.
We know many of you have been praying for our adoption process. Even more of you are curious to know when we are going to get Mariah. Our answer is still the same . . . we don't know. We thought we would have gotten the call by now, but not yet.
Currently we are in the PGN. I know that doesn't mean anything to most of you, but its the Guatemalan government agency that approves adoptions. If you pray, here's what we need you to pray for:
1. That we don't get kicked out of the PGN again.
2. That our papers would get signed this week!
3. We get a speedy appointment with the US Embassy in Guatemala City.
Why do we need you to pray for these things? We leave for Honduras again in 32 weeks. We've got a lot of work on this side to do once we get Mariah in order for her to be able to travel. We are getting nervous about all that stuff. So, if you've ever prayed for us . . . we would appreciate it again. Thanks!
New Photos of Mariah
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Saturday, 07 July 07 - 07:47 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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Pregnant on Paper #2
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Monday, 04 June 07 - 03:21 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Adoption |
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... More items are available in my News Archive
