Rat-a-tat
Rat-a-tat,

Rum-a-tum-tum . . . Beltran and his drum.

The Eckel family came from Greenville, South Carolina, to visit Little B today. Carrie (top picture, far left) did an internship at Little B's orphanage this past summer, and my mother and I had the privilege to work alongside of her while we were there on our mission's trip. It was wondeful to see you guys! Our home is always open to you :-)

Merry Christmas!

A note from Abigail . . .

"'Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men to men on whom his favor rests.'" Luke 2:11-14

This year was Baby's B's first year to celebrate Christmas! We were all so excited to have him with us as we celebrated the birth of Christ that lead to His death and resurrection so that we may have life in full!

Baby B was a little unsure about our Christmas tree; however, he loved the Christmas music we played, singing along and clapping his hands. A few of his favorite songs are Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High and The Christmas Song by Alvin and the Chipmunks.

The only Christmas wish that I had this year was to have Little B in our home, and that is exactly what I was given! He is a precious gift from God, and I love to hold him and be with him. It is our desire that he know the true meaning of Christmas so that he to may join the multitude in saying, " Glory to God in the Highest!"

Bonding time with the brothers :-)

Just hanging out . . .

Round 'em up cowboys!

Our "little dude" went to visit Dr. Aaron Miller today. His four front teeth are infected and abscessed, and Dr. Miller said that he is willing to surgically remove them pro bono! Thank you, Dr. Miller, for your generous heart and for coming alongside of this little patient . . . we really appreciate it :-)

The updates for our blogsite have been a little slow in coming because life has been busy . . . BUT here is an amazing update: As of today (December 15) Paul and I are officially dating :-)

Enter E-town Dental . . .

Dr. Ed White, who has been working in Elizabethtown for 25 years, examined Little B's teeth today. In addition, my mother had the privilege of meeting Dr. White's wife, Kim, and their son, Isaac, who is in the first grade. Kim met Isaac on a mission's trip to Uganda when he was an infant and brought him back to the United States for medical help. Isaac and Little B are about the same age (of course Little B is a miniature version) and it was neat to see two little boys who both came from miles away, both discovered on separate mission's trips, and now in the US in the same dental office. Dr. White referred us to Dr. Miller, a pediatric dentist, and who will be able to assist us further. Thank you, Dr. White, for providing the examination today :-) We are grateful for the help and encouragement you have been :-)

Snuggle Time . . .

We took Little B out to get his picture in his first snowfall in the United States :-)

Dr. Daniel Armstrong, a pediatrician from our church, gave Little B his first United States health examination :-) He weighs 24 lbs and on the growth chart fits into the category of a two-year-old. (He'll be 7 in February!) Thank you, Dr. Armstrong, for all the time you spent examining Little B . . . this was a huge blessing :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

For Little B to be here, in our arms on Thanksgiving Day, is an answer to prayer! Together, we make a perfect dozen :-) Above, is a picture of all of us around the table (I'm behind the camera). James 5:13b says, "If anyone is happy, let him sing songs of joy. . . " There have been lots of songs of joy in our house this past week, sung by Little B. He has been a testimony to our family with the joy and happiness that overflows from him, despite all that he has been through in life. It is a blessing to see the evidence of God's hand at work in bringing him here, and of being a part of his life:-)

Family Love

Here's Little B's escort, buddy and advocate :-) and the first one to get away with introducing him to M&M's ! Thank you Osman, for everything you have done and are doing for our little guy :-)

A note from Abigail . . .

My excitement grew as I watched people coming from the flight to claim their luggage and go home. I loved going to the airport with my mom and sister to pick up our little baby and meet him for the first time in person though he had already won my heart. He is beyond adorable in real life and keeps capturing all of our hearts. I am teaching him the song "I am so happy, so very happy... I got the love of Jesus in my heart". He sings all day about how happy he is. I love to cuddle with him, get kisses from him, and sing and play with him.  He is so dear and I love him so much . . . I can't get enough of him. He is a beautiful work of the hands of God!! Every time I look at him, I think of how beautiful he is and how God has a great and glorious plan for his precious little life. He has so much joy and love and I treasure him. I love to listen to Christmas music with him and he gets a big smile on his face when I sing along and we both clap in rhythm. To me, our baby is like a little miracle given to this world by the hand of God. Every time I see his little face and his little arms reaching for me and saying," Abba", I think of how the love of God is so deeply intense and beautiful. I see beauty in his face, and his love for me reminds me of the steadfast love God has for each one of us. I want to share the love of Jesus with him. As I rock him to sleep, and sing to him, I pray that he will possess the love of God and grow to be a man who is firm and steadfast in the knowledge and devotion to God. I miss him when I am not with him and I love to wake up and hear his voice and see his little face. I feel so blessed to be a part of his life and I think it it is dear the way he turns his face back and forth so I can kiss each side. As of today, he is very  generous in his kisses. He is a precious example to me (and to everyone who sees him) of the handiwork of God. I am so thankful to God for allowing my heart to be captured by this precious child  and to help love one who is held in the hand of our great God.

-Abigail

Little B is soaking in all of our affection like a sponge . . . and loving every bit :-)  Today was National "Learn to Kiss Day" . . . and we received our first kisses from him (He loves making kissing noises) and were showered with kisses all day long. I even got Butterfly kisses from him when we were cuddling

Laughing, smiling and singing . . . all day :-) He's definitely unique . . . I wish that I had a little teaspoon of his happy, beautiful spirit. He's so adorable! AND we are teaching him our names (he pronounces mine: "Sar-duh" and cheers "Bravo!" after he says it :-)) We took him on his first shopping trip to get a few clothes for him to wear. He is so precious! Thank You Father, for allowing us to show Your love to this little life . . . for we are truly blessed in pouring out Your affection on this little man :-)

He's HERE !!!!!!

"From the farthest corners of the earth, I called you . . . I have chosen you," declares the Lord Isaiah 41:9

Today is the day! Little B has arrived! Thank you Lord for bringing him into our lives, into our hearts and now into our home! It is clearly Your hand that brought him here! We are so grateful that we are able to be part of his life and help him medically :-) What a privilege! Joyfully we give thanks to Your Name :-) He is so precious and beautiful! Mama, Abigail and I picked him up at the airport today (and had a lot of laughs over issues that happened . . . including one of us running into the guys bathroom by accident in our rush . . . oops!) We fed him, brought him home and gave him a bubble bath and snuggled him into his new pajamas (which were for an 18 mo. old :-)) He had fun playing with the"Welcome Home" balloons and had all of us laughing by his cute, little self. Finally, he fell asleep in Abigail's arms.

In the Air tonight . . . In our Arms tomorrow

Hooray!! In 14.5 hours my little guy will be wrapped in my arms again!!!! New accessories are adorning our house in anticipation . . . a crib, a carseat, and a baby stroller . . . thank you WPC, Chicco & Graco for donating generously :-) The money we would have spent on these items can now be used towards his medical help! He is traveling right now as I write . . . as you think of it, pray for a smooth & safe trip :-)

He's Coming!

Plans are made, tickets are purchase and this Thursday (November 19th at 12:30 pm) our little Peanut will be entering the United States for the first time! We were at church when I told Abigail, and she wanted to run outside and scream as loud as she could because she just needed to express her joy :-)

Held in the hollow of His hand

Just in trying to get Little B here for medical help, I have gained a new sympathy for others who experience the emotional "up and down" through any waiting process that requires faith and perseverance (like emotions a friend may experience through adoption). So many tangled details, bumps and red tape . . .
BUT ---in the details, God is at work :-) With grateful hearts we praise You, O LORD . . . joyfully we acknowledge an Awesome God whose steadfast love has no limits, whose eye sees every detail, and who hears and acts according to His perfect plan. It is a treasure to have our life held in the hollow of Your hand! Thank you for all You have done, are doing and will do on behalf of those You cherish . . . it is your mighty arm we see at work:-)

The Judge finally approved the paperwork today!!! Now we have to wait 3 business days for Little B's travel permission :-) This is a photo of Little B with Abbi (one of the workers at the orphanage.

Another Bump in the Road . . .

Okay. Red tape, Red tape, go away . . . and don't come visit us another day . . .

We are now hoping for the weekend of November 21st for Little B's arrival. The citizens of Little B's country decided to have a two day strike which shut everything down  . . . putting a temporary halt to the government & the progress of his paperwork :/ Arghhhhh.

Arms ready to recieve him . . .

Good News! Little B received his medical visa today! This is a big answer to our prayers :-) Thank you, Father, for seeing, for hearing and for extending your heart and your hands to this orphan! His visa is only for three months - we were hoping he'd be granted a year - but we'll have him with us for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and his seventh birthday! We hope to extend his visa for medical treatment as funds are raised. If we don't encounter any more red tape, Lord willing, he should arrive by the end of next week!

Happy Birthday to the baby of our family! (pictured in the middle) Josiah is Seventeen today. We love you Sweetheart! 

"God is very intentional in what He does. He does not leave anything to chance . . . He has carefully planned out history and is executing it with precision. Everything, every detail that God does, he does it purposefully to move history toward its grand finale when Jesus returns."

Roller Coaster Ride!!!

Join us as we continue our ride into November. Last month was like a roller coaster for us. Emotionally we've been up and down, up and down . . . soaring up in the air on wings of excitement  and then plummeting down again with disappointment. Through it all, we have recognized that God continues to be at work in each detail and in the things that seem like a "setback" to us. Mama called the administrator in Peru today, and we should hear back from the government in the next few days regarding Little B's visa.  We are hopeful for good news :-) Thanks for your partnership in prayer throughout this whole process! 

We just heard that the Wagners [missionaries we support] were granted a one year medical visa for Little F (the little girl who needs heart surgery). Little B's paperwork followed Little F's to the capitol by a few days, and if he can obtain a one year medical visa, it would be an astounding answer to prayer! Please pray with us - we should know by the end of the week and will keep you updated. Thank you so much! 
I love this picture of Little B in the orphanage . . . a little scratch on his face, but it's masked by a smile!

UPDATE: We called the administrator of the orphanage, and he said we could bring Little B to the US next week, if we have a letter from a doctor stating that he will see Little B just to evaluate him, without accruing any cost. We cannot go forward with treatment or tests, but we will at least be able to have him examined to assess and determine what type of treatment is necessary to improve his quality of life.

Our missionaries are in the final stages of paperwork before leaving with Little F who needs heart surgery; therefore, we have decided to pursue this option as an open door from the Lord because . . . we heard back from Hershey today, and they are unable to help us with any finances from their Charity Fund nor is the organization we originally contacted back in August.

The cost is daunting, but . . . "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. . ." so we look to him! and hope to raise some of the necessary funds before and while Little B is here if, indeed, he is able to come.

Please PRAY . . . bringing Little B here now depends on proof of funding for his medical intervention. If this happens within the next few days, he might be able to come this month . . . if not, it most likely will be 2010. The reason behind this is that our missionaries and the administrator of the orphanage cannot wait any longer to bring F to the States and so, within the next week or two, they will make their flight plans. Obviously, we would prefer Little B to come sooner as opposed to later :-) We'd love to get him started on medical treatment now and have him here for Thanksgiving and Christmas; however as it stands now, he'll be coming in 2010 (and turning seven years old!) unless the Lord intercedes on his behalf . . . which we know he can do if it's his will.