I'm in Haiti...

Here we are in Haiti... it's been incredible so far. We arrived on Friday and got Jalon Saturday morning. He was quick to love on Jon and I but was hesitant with the kids. Although he is used to having other kids around... he was taken back by my 2 blond hair, blue eyed, aggressive babies :) Within a few hours they were playing and as of today they are already acting like siblings. Jalon doesn't speak any Engish and my Creole is limited to a few words and phrases but we all communicate well. I am convinced the language of love is a powerful language!!! Jalon has learned a few english words... his first word was NO... why is that EVERY child's first word????

We recived quite a shock today... although we were first told that Jalon was only 5 years old... we are now being told he might be closer to 7 or 8. There is no way to know for sure how old he is, he doesn't have a birth certificate. But we are in the process of ordering one. He is very small, we bought him all size 5 clothes and they are even a bit too big. I have been feeding him like crazy, giving him boost suppliments twice a day and loads of vitamins. I am praying that when we leave, the Pastor at his orphanage will keep up with this regiment.

We are meeting with a lawyer tonight, I'm not sure what to expect. I am just going to go in believing God is in Control and with Him ALL things are possbible!

Right now Jalon is looking over my sholder at the laptop. I'm sure he has no idea what it is or what I'm doing... He is so curious about evrything! He is such a smart boy!

I wish I could post some pictures but I have no way of doing it from here so yall will have to wait til we're home in Texas.

I have a couple concerns I would ask for yall to pray for...

#1. We have 2 hurricanes headed right to Haiti. The 1st arriving on Wed. and the 2nd and more powerful one arriving on Thur. They are expecting 110 mph winds. We are planning on flying home on Friday but could be evacuated before then or we could be stuck here longer. Please pray for us... and Pray for Jalon. I don't know what I'll do if we are evacuated and I have to leave Jalon behind to stay in the storm. It will break my heart!

#2. I ask for yall to pray for our health. I know I have felt run down since I have arrived here and although the children are fine, they are being exposed to elements that cold get them sick. Please pray for God's covering and protection to be on us.

#3. I am a litle discourged with the whole adoption process... Please pray for God to move mounatins and give us supernatural favor!

I love you all and am so thankful for your support and prayers! You guys are amazing and I am so thankful for you!!!

xoxox Jen

Hey yall... we're about to leave for Haiti. We are scrambling trying to make sure everything is ready! I am so anxious about getting to see my little Jalon. I just can't wait. The kids have gotten him some gifts and we made him a photo ablbum of our family, grandparents, the house, dogs, cat, his school, the neighborhhod... ect. I am hoping this will help ease the transition once he gets here. I realize it will barley give him a glimpse of how his life will change but at least he will have a pictre to look at that will help. I will try to get on here while we are in Haiti.
if not I will blog and post pictures once we get back!

keep us in your prayerws!!!!

8 More Days...

Only 8 more days until we leave for Haiti!!! I am dying to see Jalon Petersen! Yesterday I went out and bought him some essentials for our week together... clothes, underwear, shoes, a toothbrush, ect. It got me so excited. I can't wait until we bring him home and he is finally ours!I am dying inside without him!!!

We ordered some Language CD's. We are wanting to learn Creole. Since Jalon doesn't speak any English it would help him to settle in better if we were able to speak his native language. I know he will learn English much faster than we will learn Creole BUT I want him to retain his native language forever so if we use it in the home he will be more likely to remember it. This is important for me. He is a Haitian and I never want him to forget that, I won't... I am forever in love with Haiti!!!

We have been collecting essentials for the people in Haiti and will be bringing that back with us. All of our friends, even strangers in our community have been so amazing and have been donating to us. Baby formula, medicine, food... all these things are so expensive in Haiti and we are so blessed to have people surround us that just want to help. I am overcome with gratitude! God is so good!!!!

We leave in 2 days for a quick trip to Slitterbahm for the weekend then the mad rush to get ready to leave for Haiti... I promise to post before we leave.

Love y'all... Jen