Happy Birthday Gabriel!! You are 2 years old today. Today turned out to be a busy day. In a small way we celebrated Gabe's b-day. The 2 Grandma's sent presents for him to open. They were not actually wrapped in paper like most are use to in the US, but he will never know the difference. Today we had our first meeting with the CEJA social worker, Daisey. Lino was with us and after Daisey had spoke with us she went to speak with the children. Once she left, Lino said she took longer than most as she seemed a little nervous. (She just transfer into this dept. and we are her first case.) Lino said we didn't seem nervous when she was talking to us. Again I tell myself, "I have never been thru this before to know if I should be nervous... maybe I should be." The meeting went so well that they asked if we would stop to see a judge in the same building. We have not met this judge as this is in Curitiba and when we got the children we met the judge in Cascavel. They wanted us to meet this judge to show that sibling groups do well together going to the US. In Curitiba the courts declined an adoption referral of 4 children to the US as the couple didn't have any children and the courts felt they needed experience. So they wanted to help pave the way for the courts to reconsider their decision. We just stood there and smiled and told them we didn't plan on getting a divorce. (The judge asked the question). After we left Lino told us he was surprised the judge would ask such a question. The biggest news I want to share tonight is a prayer request for Gabe. He still is having breathing problems. It reminds us of Andrew (our oldest son back home), when he was younger he had allergy induced asthma. The retreat center has a breathing treatment piece of equipment. We have given him about 4 treatments today just to keep the congestion from getting worse. We have an appointment with a Dr tomorrow at 10:30. Pray for a restful night for Gabe and Rebekah. We have to hold him on our lap to keep his head up and not let him lay on his stomach. I am sorry if I sound repetitive, but please keep praying. Someday you may find out the impact you have made.
Dave