Wow!!!

Do you remember my post last Saturday when I told you that the man who did my interview apologized because my visa would take 7 to 10 days to get to me and there was nothing he could do to speed it up?

Well, he may not have been able to speed it up - but GOD was and He did!!!

I found out last night that it would be delivered today so, first thing this morning I called a local bus company who could possibly take us to the airport.  I told him when we were hoping to leave and asked if he could take us.  He wasn't sure if he could do it at such short notice but would check into it for me.  Meanwhile I found a flight, but obviously wasn't able to book it until I had my visa in my hand.

So while we waited we packed.  I received a call back from the bus company who told me they could take us, but again I couldn't book it until the flights were booked.  By this time there were only 6 seats left on the flight and still no visa. 

Finally, just after 3pm my visa arrived.  I was able to book 5 of the remaining 6 seats on the flight and confirmed transportation to the airport. 

We are all set to fly to Chicago (where Gary, Nicholas and Daniel will meet us) on Friday morning.  Lord willing, we will be reunited in 47 hours.   It has been a long 4 months away from my husband and sons and I am so looking forward to being together again as one family.  The children are so excited.  Deanna even told me that one of her soft toys was "crying with joy!"

While we have looked forward to this day for a long, long time, it is also bitter sweet as I again prepare to leave those I love.  Tomorrow we get to spend the day with my parents, sister and niece.  I know we will have a great time, but goodbyes are never easy.

On a final note I have to tell you this story because the Lord's timing is amazing.   Our children are involved in the children's choir at our church in Missouri and they put on a Christmas performance each year.  Well, several weeks ago we were sent the music and words for this year's performance for the kids to practice in anticipation that we would be back in the States before Christmas.  The kids were asked if they wanted any speaking parts or solos and both Elaina and Naomi volunteered for a solo.  Anyway, the choir director assigned parts and also arranged for the choir to sing one of the songs in church on Sunday 17 October, but it wasn't until a couple of weeks ago did she realize that the song she had planned for the choir to sing that day was the one in which Elaina and Naomi had their solos!!!   Obviously no one was sure that we would be back in time so they had arranged back ups for the girls.

Well I am so happy to say that we will be in church Sunday morning and the girls want to sing their solos - and the name of the song the choir will sing is  -

"NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!"

What more can I say? :)

Michelle

The English Seaside

Last week we took a 2 day trip to Devon to visit my brother and his family.

We had a wonderful time letter boxing on Dartmoor and taking a night time walk on the edge of the moor - but I forgot the camera on both these events :( 

Our last day we took an excursion to the beach - yes in October!!  

The weather was wonderful, although there was a strong wind, the sun was shining brilliantly and the air was warm. 

We had a great time flying kites

 

Almost getting cut off by the tide

Crabbing

 

and thoroughly enjoying the beauty of God's creation.  

while enjoying time with family

I'm not sure when we will see my brother or his family again, but we do have some wonderful memories to tide us over.

Michelle

To GOD be the Glory

... Great things HE hath done

First, let me apologize for not getting this post up last night.  After not sleeping well on Thursday night, a 4 am start yesterday and then all the emotion of the interview, I was too tired to write (well, at least write and have it make any sense!!)

Thank you! Thank you! for all your prayers.  We have been incredibly blessed and humbled to find out that people from all over the world have been praying for us and several even got up in the night to pray during my interview.  Your emails and comments have been so appreciated - it is wonderful when we, as the body of Christ, can rejoice together for the GREAT things HE does.

So ... back to yesterday.  Although the journey to London was incredibly early, I was grateful that it was uneventful and that the trains were on time.

I arrived at the Embassy at 8.30 - plenty of time for my 9 am interview.  Well I sat and waited, and prayed and waited and prayed some more.  Most of this time I was calm, but I have to admit that a couple of times fear started to encroach upon me.  I had to remind myself of the scripture He had given me that morning (Exodus 14:13-14) and that He was in control of the outcome of this day.   After waiting over 2 hours they finally called my number.

I found myself at window 14 with a kind man behind it.  He took my fingerprints and paperwork, gave me a pink sheet of paper and told me to wait until I was called again.    I read the pink information sheet which told me I had completed stage 1.  Now my paperwork would be looked over and I then would be called for the interview.  It also informed me I could have a several hour wait for the interview!!  At this time my prayer was 3 fold.  Lord, please allow them to overlook the fact that our income doesn't meet their requirements; please let my wait be short as I know Gary will be expecting my call soon and also, please don't let the mean woman (who conducted my interview in July) be the one to interview me today!!!

The Lord was gracious on all three of those requests.  Even though I had seen people wait well over an hour for their interview I was called up after only 20 minutes.  I reached window 16 and was so relieved to find a man there waiting to do the interview and not the mean woman!!!

This is truly the incredible part - we had asked the Lord to give us an interviewer who was compassionate and who looked over the negative aspect of the finances.  Well, not a word was mentioned about money and more amazingly my interviewer understood our situation!!  He was an American man and told me he is married to a British woman.  They have moved back and forth from both countries and understands what it is like to have to jump through all the immigration hoops each time you move!!!

The Lord did it.  He gave us someone who understood our situation!

The man then asked when I would like to return.  Of course I said as soon as possible because we have been apart for almost 4 months.  He replied by telling me my visa was approved and then apologized because my visa would take 7 - 10 days to arrive and there was nothing he could do to speed it up!!  That's okay. I can wait!!


It has been almost 6 months since we applied for my visa and it now feels kind of surreal that we finally have the answer we have been waiting so long for. Oh, but we are so grateful for what God has done.  He has not only allowed me to return to the States but has given me back my permanent residency status which means we won't have to wait 2 years before we can begin adopting  (but that is in the future!!)  For now, I look forward to the reunion of our family - how sweet that will be.

We thank you again for all your prayers and support and to our Heavenly Father for the gift of my visa.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father"   

James 1:17

The Decision

As Michelle prepared to leave the house this morning by spending some time in God's Word, He gave her these verses:

"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."   Exodus 14: 13-14

Many have been praying while Michelle was in the interview and we appreciate all the prayer very much. We have been encouraged by God very much leading up to this date. Michelle will fill you in with all of the details as soon as she possibly can. She is travelling back from London now to start preparations. But this long journey is ending now with this answer:

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25

She's coming home!!! It will be about  7 - 10 days before she gets her visa in the mail, but she's coming home!!!


Gary

The LORD is in control

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:33

 

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD'S purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases

Proverbs 21:1

How awesome is the LORD Most High,

the great King over all the earth!

Psalm 47:2

I have to tell you I am so excited about the interview tomorrow.    I KNOW He is in control of the outcome and I look forward to seeing His answer to our prayers.

Michelle

While I wait on GOD

Friday at 9 AM (thats 3 AM in Saint Louis) Michelle has her second interview at the Embassy in London where they will decide whether to give Michelle a visa to enter the country on.





GARY

5

You've guessed it - another birthday in the Northcutt family :)

Over the weekend our baby turned 5.   The funny thing was that she couldn't remember how old she had become.  When I asked her how old she was the conversation went something like this -

Me:  Deanna how old are you now?

Deanna:  6

Me:  6?

Deanna:  Yeah

Me:  Are you sure?

Deanna:  Umm ..1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 - Oh I'm 5

She is just too cute!!!

We didn't do a lot to celebrate her birthday because she wants to save her birthday treat for when we are back with Daddy and the boys, but we did take her swimming to try out her new goggles.

Michelle

Needed a Change

Over the last few weeks I have been wanting to change the design of the blog but normally this is the kind of challenge that Gary would undertake.  But, communicating about this kind of thing when you are living in different time zones is tough so I figured I would give it a go myself. 

Not sure if I totally like the new look so don't be surprised if you see more changes over the next few days or weeks - but at least for tonight it will work!

Michelle

11

How do they get so big so quickly??! This past weekend we celebrated Elaina's 11th birthday.

I have been amazed as I have watched the Lord work in her life. From bringing her through extreme prematurity (born at 26 weeks) and challenging illnesses, she is now changing into a beautiful strong young woman.  One of these days I will get around to writing her life story, but for now I just thank the Lord for bringing this precious girl into our family.

Struggling

Today I awoke with a heavy heart.  One that is burdened with the interview next week.  An interview in which we will need a miracle to occur in order to be granted the visa that I so long for.  The reason we need a miracle is because we have been volunteers with WEC and therefore have not had the income over the last few years that immigration requires us to have in order to prove that I will not become a burden on the government!

The interview could go 1 of 3 ways.  I could be granted my visa (this is obviously what we hope will happen) or they could reject it or, they could require more information.  I don't know which I fear more, the outright rejection or the need for more information.  If I am rejected Gary and the boys will probably return to the UK.  We have no problem with living here except that will mean a death of the dream of adopting more as we won't be allowed to in this country.  But, if they require more information, or if we decide to fight the rejection then it will mean a longer separation for an indefinite period of time.  I so desperately want to be with my husband and boys again that it hurts.

I know that God is more than capable of giving us that miracle and granting me a visa, but I don't know that He will choose to do that and that is what I am struggling with right now - the fear of not knowing and the fear of being apart even longer.

As I spent time with the Lord this morning I asked Him to show me what He was doing.  Encourage me.  Help me in this struggle. 

I spent time with Him, reading His word and praying yet constantly I was distracted by my thoughts, my struggles, my fears.

After finishing my reading I moved to my computer to check emails etc, and connected to a blog I haven't read in a long time.  And right there was my encouragement from the Lord.  You can read it here. 

I have no guarantee that I will get a visa but I do have the guarantee from God that He will work things out according to His purpose.  And if I truly believe that He is in control and He is enough for me then I have to make that choice to trust Him whatever the outcome.

He is the one who can move mountains, (and governments) not me.  So, through tears of surrender I am choosing to trust Him.  Not understanding why we walk through this deep valley - but trusting.

He is my hope - my only hope - and I choose to trust Him


Michelle

Boys are so much easier

At least when it comes to fixing hair!!!

Michelle

Didn't think we would see this!

About 4 months ago all the children planted 12 sunflower seeds - 2 each. During the process of transplanting them several broke and died and a few more were eaten by bugs before they could grow. Only one of Jeremiah's survived. He has really enjoyed watching it grow and bloom. It finally reached a height of just under 10 ft.

We really never thought we would still be in England to see the flower bloom.  We thought we would be back in America a looong time ago.

It has now been 3 months since Gary, Daniel and Nicholas left.  3 hard months! Last night it felt harder than ever, because I called Gary just before I went to bed (just like I do every night) and Daniel answered the phone.  He always talks on the phone with a really chatty, cheerful attitude.  Now, last night was no different but he just wanted to talk and talk and talk to me.  We ended up speaking for 40 minutes and before he said goodbye he told me he missed me (he hasn't told me that much).  Next I got to speak to Nicholas, who talked for 10 minutes which is a really long time for him as he is not much of a talker on the phone.   Then the phone was passed around between the whole family.  We ended up talking for probably an hour and a half!!  We are so thankful for Skype :)

I miss those times when my boys could just talk to me about anything, whenever they wanted.  I am so pleased they have their Dad there to talk to but, how I wish I was there too.

BUT, Lord willing, if the interview goes as we hope, we will be reunited in just under 4 weeks!!!! 

We can't wait. :)

Michelle

Real Mom?!!

I have a great deal of respect for my children's birth parents because they chose to give their children life, which is the greatest gift they could have given them. And although they will always have a place in my children's lives, they are no longer (physically, emotionally or legally) their 'real' or 'natural' parent. That responsibility and privilege was given to Gary and I through adoption. Therefore anyone who knows me well is aware of the fact that I can't stand the terms 'real' or 'natural' when referring to birth parents. Just by their use it implies that an adoptive parent is not a 'real' parent and that adoption is unnatural.

So you can imagine the look on my face when my 4 year old daughter and I were having a conversation last week about names. She wanted to know what name her birth mother gave her. I told her it was Deanna ______ _______. She proceeded to ask me why we changed it. I told her it was because she was now part of our family and we thought she would like to have the same name as us. She thought for a moment and informed me that she would rather have kept the name her 'REAL' mom gave her.

WHAT?? - Did she just say 'real' mom? I gently told her that I was her 'real' mom now but I guess the look of shock on my face was loud as yesterday she tried to make up for it.

We were standing in the line at the grocery store (actually a Wal-Mart here in England) and Jeremiah was in conversation with a lady regarding a bag of Doritos that he was taking very good care of.

Lady:    Would you share those with me?
Jeremiah:     No (shaking his head with a large grin on his face)
Me:    Will you share them with me?
Jeremiah:    No (smiling bigger than ever)
Deanna to the lady"   He will, because he loves his Mom a lot
Me to Deanna:    Do you love me?
Deanna:   Yes .... more than my BIRTH mom
Me:    Thank you Sweetheart - I love you too

She is one smart cookie!!!

Michelle

Just Because ...

He loves me :)  

These flowers arrived on a day I was feeling sick and sorry for myself.  Nothing like a bouquet of beautiful flowers to make me feel a little better and remind me of how much I am loved.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, just to let you know that the Lord continues to work in wonderful ways.  Charley and Kate's adoption of the two Eastern European girls was fully funded just days before they left to get them.  Please keep them in your prayers as they are waiting for a court date, which at the earliest would be 24th September.  While they wait, they remain separated from their other children who had to stay in the States.  Thanks

Michelle

Can you help?

Could you help bring these two precious girls home?

(I have been trying to put pictures of the girls up here - but just can't seem to get it to work.  So you will have to visit their family's blog to see them)

Charley and Kate leave in 10 days to travel to Eastern Europe to bring home the two girls that they are adopting.  The Lord has been so faithful and has already provided  over $36,000 to enable them to rescue these girls from being sent to a mental institution and more importantly, allowing them to be able to be raised in a loving home where they will be taught about the Lord.

But,  they are still needing just over $2,000 to have these adoptions fully funded.  Could you help?  It doesn't have to be a lot, but every dollar helps and there is such joy in knowing you have played a part in giving these girls a future.  It truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

If you can help Charley and Kate, the easiest way to do so is through paypal and you will find the link to their paypal account through their blog HERE

Michelle