Good Morning in the good old USA. Good moments and bad moments, the term emotional roller coaster has never meant so much. it really is moments and not the whole day. We received Maiah's Mongolian passport today, another step in a long string of administrative exercises, but very important. I will give you two quick examples of good and bad moments. For breakfast this morning we were having trouble coaxing her to come. So Nathan and I went to breakfast. As soon as we sat down, three young ladies come down the stairs. She can not stand not being included, yet she refused to sit and ate her entire meal standing up. I question every day if she truly is not my daughter being that stubborn.
Tonight for dinner she would only eat for our driver, who is a great guy named Hoik. Problem being she would rather be with anyone who speaks Mongolian. So needless to say tonight was another night of dragging her through the lobby screaming; while all the Mongols in the lobby think we are stealing and beating one of their own. The great news there is never a dull moment. Please keep Nathan and Kaytlin in your prayers. They are still bearing the load of taking care of her as she has not taken to Stacy and I at all, I mean at all. We fly tomorrow back to Seoul, South Korea at 5:30PM. We are looking forward to a change of scenery and some different food. Well I have posted a few more pictures from the link in the right hand margin. We love you guys and will blog at you soon. Derek
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22 comments:
Hang in there! Uncle James is looking forward to meeting up with you in Seoul!
JG + SPG and kitty Cleo.
HANG IN THERE GUYS...YOU KNEW GOING INTO THIS THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE EASY....SHE WILL SOON REALIZE HOW VERY LUCKY SHE IS....
NATE AND KATE ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK. LEAN ON THEM WHEN NEEDED. GOD HASN'T TAKEN YOU THIS FAR TO LET YOU DOWN NOW!!!!! YOU ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO BEING HOME
ONCE YOU GET BACK TO KOREA!!!!! YEAH!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL OF YOU!!!!
PS. STACY, I"M ALREADY PACKING UP A BUNCH OF SIZE 4 CLOTHES FOR MAIAH... I LOVE YOU!!!!
Well I have to say we did chuckle this morning when we saw the pics. Maiah reminds me of me niece. They are both very stong willed. Having said that, at times it can be VERY trying, BUT God gave them this personality for a reason. They are fighters and survivors. My niece in the nic unit and Maiah waiting for her God appointed family. And you know she was stong willed before you got her because the day you went to the Children's Place she refused to wear the dress! Again I don't think it matters where you live in the world when you are three you are three! I'm sure Joanna is seriously relating! I hope the change of scenery will do ALL of you good. Continue to be patient with her bonding with you she just needs to make sure it is "the real deal." Nate and Kate you are both awesome! The twinkle in everyones eyes in the pics is priceless! My fav so far is the one with Kate & Maiah and they are both laughing. Take a peek back at this one and hold on to it, this is what is to come for ALL! Have a safe flight and we will continue to pray.
Love & hugs all around!
The Gomoke's
Derek, Stacy, Nathan and Kaytlin,
I am a friend of Amy Bernardo's (from Jordan Hospital) and she has been keeping us updated on your journey to make Maiah a part of your family. God Bless you all! I want you to know all of you are in my thoughts and prayers and in the thoughts and prayers of my friends and family. Even the Deacon from my church is praying for you. Take care and God Bless! Have a safe trip home!
Cherie Roberts
Good morning P5
I must admit I am easily confused as to what day it is where you are...but no matter. I cannot imagine your frustration at the situation but I know you, with the Father's help, will overcome & win Maiah's heart...VERY SOON! Just pretend for a while you are church nursery workers and you have a new child in the nursery...one who does not want to be here...hahaha. We have all been there...but the child always comes around. I believe once she is home with you there will be big changes and quickly. I know the Father sees and will make a way. We will pray for break through and for her heart to be turned towards you & Stacy very soon. Meantime we will lift N & C that the Lord strengthen them & give them peace. But how cool is it that she has bonded w/them! You are halfway there honey and on the home stretch. Take some time to rest in His presence (even a few minutes at a time)and receive His peace there with you. Maiah will feel it and so will N & C...He is faithful!
A note to Maiah:
We will all get a big laugh over this one day as you read this blog. You will know how hard your Mom & Dad fought for you. You will know the challenges they overcame and the love they had for you before you ever laid eyes on each other. You will come to understand the Father's love for you and how He worked in your life to bring you into your destiny. You will also meet all of us...new aunts & uncles & cousins & grandparents who were "along for the ride" and stood beside your parents in prayer and loving you.
We cannot wait for you to come home and meet us. We want to hug you & kiss you & love on you. We will probably cry the first time we see you but they will be tears of joy. We are all so excited to meet you!!!We love you already and hope you will love us too.
Lots n' lots of love...
P.S. I eat standing up sometimes too!
To Nate & Caitlyn,
Frasier says hi...says please come visit & bring Maiah so he can meet her.
We will be praying for you here in Wisconsin! Even though we have never met, we are feeling your highs and lows right along with you! We have the same Father and know he is with you! Our flight to Seoul was hard with Jack, I think Jeff and I actually both cried because Jack was very upset, but God put people on the plane with us who were so supportive and kind and we got through. We will continue to pray that he puts people in your paths as needed!
We never got to share our testimony with you before you left,(talk about spiritual warfare) it is way too long and drawn out to do it now, however, without our heavenly father, we would not have Jack, he saw us through to the end, as he promised and he will do the same for you!
I can sense God all over the Petrin 5! In the midst of all this craziness, God is smiling and soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo proud of you. He is your biggest cheerleader! May you feel his pleasure and joy and excitement throughout the emotional rollercoasters. May he be your strong tower! We love you!
Angie (& Jeremy)
You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers and my heart goes out to each one of you in different ways.
Stac your mother's heart is strong and it is so filled with love for this new child and I know the breakthrough is just around the corner. God has had you "Wait on Him" so many times in the past few years. He is never late but in my book He is never early! :)I know I have told you this so many times before but every time you face and conquer a challenge God will use you to help someone else going through this same thing one day and you will be able to say to them I truely know how you feel.
Derek I saw Eric Greenwood at the Post Office today and he is so happy for all of you.
If any of you made a New Years resolution to pray more, the Petrin 5 are helping us keep our resolution! :)
Love & Prayers,
Mom (alias Mad)xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Derek and Stacy just enjoy watching the kids play together. Maiah will come to you once she knows that you are not going anywhere. Be consistant in your routine as much as posssible so you start to do the expected in her eyes. She is off balance because everything is so very new to her. But she will come around sooner than you think. The Holy Spirit is all around you working...
All will be well. Like Lauren said. "I'm sure Maiah is scared b/c they don't speak the language & they don't look like her either. This is just a barrier that God will break through." When she gets home it will become more of a reality for her and all will be fine, no taste of what she knows. This will allow her to start the grieving process of she has lost. Baby steps... Your journey to get her was long and hard for a reason. One to prove your faithfulness, Matthew 25:19-21, and two to teach you patience. You didn't get her over night nor will she come to over night. It will take time. From what I have seen and learned about you all, it will not take that much time. When the moment comes and she excepts you all ARE her family, a very emotional joyous moment will be had. Keep persevering and be strong. It is always darkest before the dawn.
All our love & prayers
Chris & Lauren
I'm sure by this time it is very late there and you all are sleeping while Maiah is hanging half off sideways Katy's bed...man..What is it with kids that age when they sleep? To funny! only about a week till you guys are home and the true bonding will start. Everyone is praying for you guys so continue to believe in God being bigger than any issue you are facing or will face during these initial days with her. When she sees all these people here I'll bet she will be clinging to you guys more than you think. Quite the Christian mob waiting on all your returns home. Stay strong and remember everyone is praying and cheering you all on! Not least of all your biggest fan..Jesus!
God's Love,
The Patrick Tribe-B.A.L.H.m.
Good morning to you 5. Dad & I read your friday blog and we are sitting here in tears. We only wish that we could take even a part of what you are going through away from all of you. I know that it is especially hard on you Stacy, as a mother always wants to bond with her child, sweetie, it will come and I am praying that you'll have that before you leave to come home. Each and every day should get easier.... We will be glad when you are back in Korea, that may make a little difference, we hope so... We think of all of you every day and keep you in our many preayers, it seems between you all and dad that I pray all day long and fall asleep praying too. All will work out in the end for all of us, because God listens and He is SO GREAT.... Take a few moments every day while Maiah rest to get some needed rest for the rest of you, even if its just quiet time between you two, or with Nate & Kate// We love you and wish you a safe trip to Korea and better days ahead. Love & Kisses to all 5
Hello, this is from Grandma Virginia,,,,, she called me this morning and wanted to get some more news from all of you. Have been keeping her posted to what has been going on, and I told her that I have pictures of all of you with little Maiah and that I will drop by her place to show them to her... She says to say hi to all of you and that she can't wait til you get home and she can see that new baby.... she sends her love and says, GOD BLESS, Love, Grandma Virginia
Hello, this for for you Nate & Kaytlin, memere and pepere are so very proud of both of you for being such a great help to you parents with little Maiah. You are both extraordinary grand-children. We know that you must be tired being out there as its a lot on adults and you two are only 1/2 adults. I knew that Maiah would take to the two of you first as she fits right in with you guys and she likes to play and smile a lot along with you.. We also know that some days it must be hard on you both as sometimes it is exhausting doing and doing and doing from morning til night, but know that it will all be worth it and rewarding in the end. We are glad that you both went to Mongolia, so that you could see how they live and what they have to go through. You will have had the experiencing what your little sister went through to get here, its not easier on her. Just think if memere only spoke FRENCH to you two all day long, how would you feel??????? ha ha You also will realize how lucky to have been born to two great parents and being born in the United States and have all the things that you want, okay maybe one or two things that you didn't get this Christmas. Maiah looks like she will fit right in with you two children with the funny things that she does and will do when she gets home. She certainly fits in with her daddy, Stubborn, only kidding Derek, ya right...... But she will be pretty close to perfect taking after her mother, after all Stacy takes after me and I can't get too much better, ha ha...... Well, children, just wanted to know that we think of you both each and every day and cannot wait til you get home so we can smother you with kisses... You'll get over it Nate, you're a teen now, you better get used to all the kisses that you'll receive, ha ha... Loving you both, keep up the good work with your new little sister, cause she'll be under you feet when she gets home...... Talk to you soon. Love & Kisses, Memere & Pepere xxxxxxxxxxxxx0000000000000
Hey Guys! Today is a new day!! His mercies are new every morning! I am excited to see how God moves in the Petrin 5 today . . .
love you,
joanna
PS Check your google email if you can, d. There's a little something special for you & Stace in there! =) Let me know if you can't check that account for some reason.
Stand firm Stacy and Derrek you are were He wants you. Maiah is a Petrin, she belongs with you.
Stacy you are Mommy and Derrek you are Daddy. It will come, before you know it you guys will share intimate moments that only parents have the honor of sharing with their children.
Kaitlyn and Nathan WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS. She is so blessed to have an older brother and sister like you. Wow, what a mighty testimony of your character. Kaitlyn she is going to follow you everywhere and try to be like you. Nate she knows you'll take care of her.
We are praying for you DAILY.
LOL, how beautiful were the pictures. My favorite, Maiah sleeping sideways, feet off the bed. Love IT ;)
Rest assure that you have a group of praying warrior covering your family.
Love YA
Fosters
Hi guys!!
Nate and Kate I am so PROUD of you. You are doing one of the most wonderful thing I think can be done. You are helping a scared little girl become part of your family. To Stacy and Derek, I spoke to some friends to adopted children from China and they said to try playing with Kate or Nate when Maiah is doing something else and see if she comes to see what you are all doing and then you can SLOWLY include her. Take baby steps. Think about basic training when you wanted to do something but couldn't because your "boss" said no. I think this is kind of what she may be feeling because she has no control over anything anymore. It may be she wanted to stand to eat because that may be the only thing at that moment she could control. Don't despair. I know from experience it is VERY hard to get a child that does not know you to trust you. I have dealt with this as a foster mom. When the child feels trust, safety and comfort they will cling to you and not want to let you go. It feels like it is forever but you have waited this long for her know that she is daily gaining in the trust and I know that she will soon go to you and let you know what she wants/needs. I will keep praying that all goes well and the transition goes smoothly. Going someplace where she doesn't understand may help with her connection to you. I can't wait to hear from you. I wish you a safe trip to Seul and then home.
Nate and Kate keep up the good work. You are doing God's work and I am PROUD of you.
Love always,
Kim
Hi guys, we miss you soo much. It's too quiet around here without you :) Hang in there it's almost over. I can't wait to see you guys and my new little niece. Thanks Nathan and Kaytlin for helping your mom and dad out, they wouldn't be able to do it without you guys. Come home soon, give Maiah a big kiss from me. Uncle Dave
Derek and Stacy,
This is the first time I've had the chance to post this week (midnight on Friday). I just wanted to let you know that we are praying for you. I'm so blessed to see the fruit of all the prayers for Maiah's release coming to pass. God is so faithful. Amazing, isn't it, all that has happened since you (Stacy) first laid eyes on your precious treasure. I don't have any words of advice but I know that God promises us wisdom if we ask Him for it. I think He continues to push us beyond what we can do so that He can show Himself strong.
Father God, I ask that you would be with Derek, Stacy, Nate, Kate and Maiah right now. Give Derek and Stacy wisdom in how to show Maiah their love for her. Father, I have watched as You have torn down mountain after mountain over the past year for Maiah. I am continually amazed by Your heart for the one. Father, please comfort Maiah. Hold her close to Your heart as she starts to let go of all that she knows for that which You have planned for her all along. Thank You for placing this little one in her family. Guide Derek, Stacy, Nate and Kate by your Holy Spirit. Strengthen them in a way that only You can. Refresh their spirits, Father. Please bring them home safely. In Jesus' name, Amen.
We love and miss y'all. Can't wait to meet the newest member de la Petrin clan.
Love,
Doug
hey there p5
just checking in...i am guessing u r prob in korea by now(?)hope all is well & that u have been able to catch up on some rest...ya missed cell last night...what's up with that?! haha we missed you guys...we had a good time & just when it seemed like it was winding down chris asked a question (hi chris & lauren hehehe) y'know...not the yes or no type but the deep theological kind (i love you fleemans)where were you guys when i needed you? haha aimee did a great job of hosting & she had my fav dip & pretzels so it's almost like u were there stacy...haha anyway, miss u, love u, cannot wait to hear some more & see more pics...oh...ask them about their "calendars" haha
every blessing
the "wild greek woman"
ps nate & kaytlin mmmuuuaaahhhhh!!!
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