Answered Prayer for getting a WACAP family out of Thailand

I am posting info about a woman and her son who were able to miraculously leave Bangkok, but not without much trouble. Thanks to those of you who prayed for Chris and her son. Here is the story about their "escape"......

By the miraculous grace of God, we have made it to Seoul and are waiting on our next flight out. It took 3 hours by taxi from Bangkok to get to the army airport at Pattaya. Once there, Army guards were everywhere. As we got closer to the terminal, cars, trucks, buses, taxis, etcetera from all over Thailand were lining the road and swarms of people were walking with their luggage to try to get into the airport to get a flight. You had to get in line to even try to get in the one door that they were letting people through and there were literally THOUSANDs of people everywhere trying to get in. It was an absolute madhouse!!!!!!!!!!!!! Once in the door, you just had to try to get in another line to get through to the security area. It was so very crowded and HOT beyond imagination and people. There was hardly even room to stand and I had all our baggage and Endoo. I couldn't even begin to make it to the ticketing counter to check in any of our baggage so I had to carry it all. As we got closer to the door to get through to security, Endoo was crying and sweating and I was so very hot and had been without food for about 12 hours AND I began to feel like I was going to pass out. I must have looked horrible because several Iranian poeple around us began to call to each other to clear the way to let us through. One of the men took Endoo from me and began to make his way through the door to the security area and the Korean Air people saw what was going on and got us through the door and gave me a seat and brought us some water and food. They took our passports and went and got us checked in and got us boarding passes (which we should have gotten at the ticket counter, but didn't because we didn't know to go there and couldn't have gotten to it anyway!). Finally, we made it through security and started the wait again in another big boarding area room which was CRAMMED wall to wall with people ! Again, it was very hot and there wasn't even really a place to sit except your luggage. After a few hours, Endoo became very hot again and began to cry. First, a Korean lady held him. Then later, two different Korean men took turns holding him and fannning him. The one finally put him to sleep and then directed the Korean ladies to make him a little pallet on the floor with their coats and jackets. It was so precious! Our flight that was supposed to leave at 10:40P did not finally take off until about 3:30A!!! Thus, we didn't get into Seoul until 10:37A which resulted in us missing our flight to Atlanta. They are putting us on another one which will leave Seoul this evening at 6:05P, get in to Atlanta at 5:35P (due to the time difference), will leave Atlanta at 9:15P and will get in to Columbus at 10:51P.

Fighting the fear!

Hi everyone! This is Jay and I'm having an interesting time trying to figure out what to pack for our upcoming trip. I'm very excited to get the trip going and I can hardly wait to see our Penny for the first time!!

In the middle of all of this excitement is a strong to temptation to be afraid of what is going on currently in Thailand. I'm thankful all the more for our country and the peaceful freedom of speech that we enjoy. However, I keep wondering about all of the "what ifs." "What if" we have to wait longer in Japan before the airport opens in Thailand? "What if" we aren't back in time for the start of school in January? "What if" we get bumped ahead to a January 7th board meeting date in Thailand, instead of our December 17th date? "What if" I don't get back to school on time to start rehearsals for our Spring Musical?

All of these questions, of course, are musings of a tired music teacher that needs an end to the two-year "gestation" period of waiting for our adopted daughter to come home. I've cried a lot lately and I don't even know why sometimes. Most of all, when this craziness in Thailand is all over and we have our sweet girl home, will she feel a part of the Regan family? I pray that I will somehow be able to show even a microcosm of the love that our Lord has for us, and especially me, when I have natural human doubts and questions about why things are the way they are.

Feeling Very Blessed

Last night we went to church and were very moved as God's Holy Spirit encouraged us, spoke to us and reminded us of how very blessed we are. The scripture that really made us both choke up was Phil. 4:6 and 7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Besides all the wonderful ways in which He spoke to our hearts through the songs and the message, we were also overwhelmed by the love of one family who gave us beautiful clothes which had been their daughter's. Now I actually have clothes to put in Penny's closet and suitcase. I also got a phone call from my cousin. She has been putting together scrapbooks for Penny and buying her clothes. I just don't have the words to say about all of the generous kindness of so many friends and family members. We have such happy memories from the wonderful party we had on Sunday. Several friends came to help us celebrate. They came to bring gifts and help decorate our humble Christmas tree. One co-worker, who is a dear sister-in-Christ, not only generously gave us a card and monetary gift, but she had her friend make us a beautiful hanging quilt of Mt. Fuji, which I hung in Penny's room over her bed. We feel very blessed, indeed. Praying that we'll be able to pass those blessings on to Penny soon.

Why all the unrest?

Many of you might be wondering what in the world is happening in Thailand. I think the following link to an article from BBC should help explain a lot of the reasons for the civil unrest. What is interesting is that our daughter is from the Isaan area of Udon Thani that they mention in the article. For so many years these people have been crushed down and forgotten. It sounds like they finally are trying to have a voice. I just hope that we can get Penny out of there before the whole country unravels. I pray that it will not lead to civil war. Here's the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7716033.stm

Is someone testing us?

It seems like there have been a number of tests and challenges popping up suddenly right after hearing our good news on Friday that we can travel to get our daughter. First of all, the day of our party we discovered wasps pushing their way through a crack of our fireplace insert. Jay managed to kill 14 before covering the crack with tape. Then on Monday morning and this morning we found water in our basement. Now I just went on Yahoo to check my mail and I found a news story about how the Bangkok airport is partially shut down since the political protesters have moved away from the government offices and now expanded their protests to around the airport. So far they are allowing flights to land but not allowing any outgoing flights. I just had an e-mail this morning from another family who has been delayed in leaving Thailand. Finally, they were getting everything straightened out and set to fly out on Wednesday. It seems that a test is being thrown at them, too. Please, please, please, if you believe in the power of prayer will you pray for a resolution to this situation so that the children needing homes will not be prevented from leaving Thailand. And pray that there will not be violence in Thailand. We are scheduled to leave next Wednesday. We just purchased our tickets last night. We have most of our hotel reservations made as well. Praying that we'll still be able to bring Penny home for Christmas. Here is a link to that news story. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081125/ap_on_re_as/as_thailand_political_unrest

THE DATE IS CONFIRMED!!!

Happy, Happy Friday Everyone!! This is Jay and I received an e-mail this morning that our court date to adopt Penny has been confirmed for December 17th in Thailand! We are planning on leaving on December 3rd and will stay in Tokyo a few days before heading to Bangkok. I'm so thrilled I can't even begin to come up with words to say how I feel about becoming a father in less than four weeks. I guess the tears of joy that I've had today speak volumes. What a great way to start the weekend, and what a Thanksgiving and Christmas we will have!! Hallelujah!!!!! :-)

Upcoming Christmas Party/Adoption Shower

Some friends had talked of how we ought to have a shower. So, one day I got this great notion that we could combine it with a little Christmas decorating party. After all, we're really hoping that we might be able to bring Penny home before Christmas. If that ends up being the case, we'll hardly have time to decorate for her. So, I decided to invite some friends and co-workers over to help us decorate. We had a very humble, modest little tree that I got for free through freecycle-dot-com. But, we can't wait to share it with Penny, whenever she arrives. Looking forward to our little party. I'll definitely need to do some cleaning and baking on Saturday. It's not easy working full-time. But, I can't imagine how stir crazy I'd be going right now if I wasn't.

Can't Wait to Meet you!

I can't wait to meet my future daughter. I was just re-reading the description of her personality we received with her "referral" on September 12th. It says, "She is a cheerful and good tempered child who is talkative." (Sounds a lot like me when I was a kid. ) "She is a curious child who usually asks when she wonders." (She'll surely have a lot of wondering to do when she gets here.) "She is an active child who does not have any behavior problems." ( We hope and pray that this won't change.) "She is generous and shares something with her friends." (So proud of her!) "She gets along well with her roommates and classmates." (Perhaps she'll want a sibling in the future?!) "She likes to show off." (Uh-oh! Watch out!) "She is responsible for her duty and public belongings." (Thank you for raising our daughter to be so conscientious!) "She follows rules of the institution and school." (As teachers, we love to hear this.) About her physical development it says: "Generally, she is a healthy girl who does not have any chronic or contagious diseases. She is quite slim. She can help herself in doing daily life activities and eat many kinds of food." (Sounds like she might be a good helper. Can't wait to cook all kinds of food with her!)

I just really smiled this morning when I read this again. She sounds like such a wonderful young lady. I can't wait to meet her and tell her that we think of her constantly. We really miss you, Penny! We pray from the bottom of our hearts that we get to hug you soon!!

Still waiting to become JC Penny

Kids are so funny! They come up with the greatest stuff. The other day my college friend, Hisano, called to ask the latest news. She said she had been praying for Jay and Chandra adopting Penny. Afterwards, her son came up to her and asked, "What were you praying about JC Penny for?" Ha! That's great! Can you believe it fits with our initials! Well, we are yet to become a family. The latest news is that they did NOT present our case at this last board meeting, as we were told they would. Thus, we wait again for another two weeks. Still really hoping for a December court date in Bangkok! Praying that we can bring Penny home by Christmas!

Proud of Penny's Cousin

Our niece Linnea is exactly 10 years older than Penny. They actually share the same birthday, just ten years apart. We're so proud of her as she recently got commissioned as an Air Force Nurse. She has worked so hard and had to go through many tests and jump so many hurdles, but never given up. Her husband, who is in the Navy swore her in for her commissioning which was held here on the campus of CSU. Here are a few photos.

Promised Photos of Penny's Room

Little Reminders that Things are Getting Closer

Well, I finally finished painting Penny's bedroom. I'll post pictures after we get the new blinds hung. I think I'll wait on curtains. After all, she might like to help pick them out.

We got an e-mail from WACAP saying that the social worker in charge of our case in Bangkok did receive our updated info that the DSDW were requesting. She's planning to present it at their meeting on November 5th. That means that we'll most likely receive our travel dates the week of November 9th.

Another blogger friend brought up the question of whether or not we would need to apply for an extended tourist visa if the processing time for the I-600 has been slowed down. Good question! I'm going to try to research that one and figure it out.

Meanwhile, the other thing I did this morning, while sitting at the computer, was to start a "baby" registry on Amazon.com I always feel kind of silly making a list of things I want, just like for our wedding. But, some people ask and genuinely want a list. So, I did it just in case.

Meanwhile, I got this idea that maybe I should combine the idea of a shower with a little early Christmas decorating party. I'm thinking of inviting friends to an open house during which they can help us decorate our Christmas tree. I just managed to get a practically new tree for free through free cycle dot com. We could have some goodies with Christmas music playing and if they want to bring a gift they could leave it under the tree.

It's kind of hard to balance the fun stuff with all of the legal stuff, besides work and just daily living. Today the goal is to rake leaves in our huge yard surrounded by tons of 30 yr. old cottonwood trees. I'm feeling the stresses of impending parenthood without the physical symptoms. The only physical symptoms I'm having are those of a body of a parent to a teen as I'm getting older and creakier. Almost 40 now! Well, I'm so thankful I'm not adopting an infant or toddler. My joints ache just thinking about it.