"I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer." Psalm 6:6-9
My husband is my hero. Today, proved that over and over again. I will let him write about his time in Memphis later. But, I wanted to let you all know that we did not get approval....far from it. We are at the bottom of a big stack on a lady's desk! Keep praying for a miracle. Chris just called me bawling telling me he did everything he could....he cried and shared our story with three different people. How discouraging! Right now I miss little Eliana....and Xiomara so much.
Most of you don't know the story of the last four years of my life, but it has been crazy painful. Someday I will share it....just not now. So, Chris and I got married (which let me say it again...GIFT)....then we hit a time of grieving and pain unlike anything I have even seen. The Lord has been so good to my family and me even in the midst of the pain. I have walked through depression, and I am now realizing that God WANTS to use my pain and my story for good. EVEN THIS!!! Thank you for all of your comments....I just sat and wept reading each and every one of them. The loss of Xiomara hurt so deeply....and I can't even begin to imagine life without Eliana. Pray that we are "grandfathered" in by our Power of Attorney. Pray for my husband...he is hurting deeply right now.
Love you all,
Lindsey
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46 comments:
Wow, my heart hurts for you two. Still praying for a miracle here!
Lindsey,
I am so sorry. Words fail at times like this. Please go through Mitzi to get in touch with me. I received an email today that might have info that you need. I am still praying ~
Meghan
oh my heart is breaking! I am so sorry Lindsey, we are praying for u both and your sweet husband. I am just so sorry! I am praying...
What is the current timeframe for a 171/797c in your area? When did you send in all of your paperwork/have your prints done?
If I remember correctly, TN is the one with the lady who is severely overwhelmed, right?
I'm sending you both TONS of hugs right now. I'm so sorry. Have you tried getting your senator involved? Bob Corker? My friend dealt with him a lot.... I know she'd love to talk to you!
I am so sorry, it hurts so much to not have control! Please please Lord we cry out on behalf of these children, if it be your will open a door you are mighty and desire to save all of your children. Give Chris and Lindsey your strength and allow them to be held by your arms tonight.
Amen
Sweet, sweet Wheeler family..I am praying for you guys! Although I have only posted once (about our precious Cana from China), I check your blog often and am always praying for you! Our God is a God of miracles. He has something HUGE planned for your precious family...that I'm positive off!! None of this is a surprise to Him. You and your babies are in the palm of His hands...rest in Him and watch His plan unfold. {{{HUGS}}} ~stacy
Lindsay, I am so sorry things did not go well today, my heart is breaking right along with yours. Sometimes it's so hard to accept the pain when you know you are doing something that God has called you to do. It doesn't make sense to us that pain should even be apart of the process. Our adoption journey was filled with a lot of pain and frustration, and only now can I look back and say that I see that God was using that for good in our lives. I wish I could say something to comfort you during this extremely emotional time...all I can say is that I know how you are feeling and that I am praying for you & Chris & both girls! Love, Keely
Lindsey-
You and and your sweet husband are such a testimony to others. Your faith is amazing and God has not forgotten you. He DOES hear your cries and has counted each and every tear you have shed for Eliana and Xio. My heart aches deeply for what yall are going through and I am praying so hard for the miracle God has in store. I can't wait to see it!! IT'S COMING!!!
Lifting you up HIGH!
Stacie
I'm sorry I just mis-spelled your name! I have a good reason though...my little sister is Lindsay with an "a"! I meant to write Lindsey...habit I guess!
i will pray for you. i don't understand what all of this means. are you still in the process with both X and E? it is so hard to go through all these steps in the process of forming our families. praise the Lord that you and your husband have each other. i know He must be blessing your relationship through this.
It's not over. Honey, they're people. Just people.
God, however, is God. He can move mountains, not to mention removing human hearts of stone and replacing them with hearts of flesh.
I am praying that the three people Chris pleaded Eliana's case to will not be able to shake free of the image of this passionate father who would stop at nothing to save his daughter. Kinda reminds me of another Father, yes?
I pray the immigration officials' dreams are filled with Chris' face, and that his words echo through their minds to the point of distraction as they attempt to engage in small talk at their holiday parties. I pray they will not shut down for Christmas before reconsidering where precious Eliana sits in that stack of papers. I pray that when they think of that stack, they will see a face... her face...the girl behind the paperwork. Oh, I know all the other papers are real children as well, but they are not all from a country that is changing the rules in the middle of the game. It is for those that I will pray tonight. And I will pray that in the middle of the night when they can't sleep, they'll drift over to their computers and type in this blog's web address and read of the love of two parents for their children... children they love by faith from half a world away.
Our Savior, he can move the mountains. Our God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save...
even when the mountains are in the hearts of men or in stacks of a bureaucrat's office.
I'm not stopping praying with eager expectation and hope until that proverbial fat lady sings!
Hugs of comfort from across town,
Sara
oh. . . we hurt so much for you and Chris. We are so very sorry.
God is using your honesty in your pain. You are encouraging people to be honest with the horrors of this fallen world. Yet you also know that God is hurting with you.
These girls have been through so much already in our fallen world. I pray God is glorified NOW and that you'll be grandfathered in with those girls to bring them home.
-Josh and Jessica
I am sorry and saddened by this news...but, continue to hold you in prayer and thought.
I also hold the orphan, world wide, in prayer and know beyond any doubt God is with them, too.
God knows the plans He's laid ahead for you and Chris....keep walking with Him.
Diane
My heart is breaking for you right now. I am praying and will continue to pray for you and your girls. I am so so sorry
Love Brooke Mabry
Oh Chris and Lindsey, I am struggling for any words right now. After so much disappointment and pain what can I say? I am crying out to Jesus with tears pouring down my face...asking Him to hold you and your daughters close and to make a way for you to bring them both home in this coming year. And as you wait and cry and wonder why it has to be so difficult, I ask that He would show you the number of lives you are touching by your love, faith, passion, honesty, and pain. Drew and I have had a very painful 5 and a half years of marriage and though I am sure our stories and experiences are very different from yours, we feel burdened to pray for you guys and stand in the gap for you during this time.
We too are praying that the immigration officers that Chris talked to today would not be able to get him out of their minds. We pray in the name of Jesus that they would dream of him and your girls and that the Lord would literally move their hand to your file. Lord, we trust that You are moving and that you are in control even when things seem out of control to us. Jesus, please wrap your peace around Chris and Lindsey tonight. Be near, Oh God. Be near.
I am praying that you are grandfathered in by your POA, but I am also not giving up on a miracle for you! I don't know you, but I wish I could hug you! I know God is holding you in the palm of His hand.
Gretchen
oh Lindsey, I'm completely heartbroken for you. I am absolutely believing God for a miracle!
Chris & Lindsay,
You don't know me, but I somehow stumbled upon your blog...don't even remember how now! We brought our son home in January. Today happens to be the 1 year anniversary of our release from PGN. I wanted to pass this email along to you. Obviously, we are not in process, but we are still on our agency's email loop and that is why we received this. It is from the owner of the agency (World Partners Adoption) and I've never know him to pass anything along like this that he did not have confidence in. I thought it may offer you some hope. Other than this, I can only offer you my prayers. God is bigger than all of this and his plan is PERFECT. He loves you and wants more for you than you could ever dream.
"Hi
I know most, if not all of you are aware the Guatemalan congress
voted on, and passed the Ortega law yesterday. This was something we
had seen coming and it was no surprise that it passed and or that it
will become the new roadmap for adoptions in Guatemala.
The good news, as you have probably already heard as well, is that
all cases in process will be grandfathered and allowed to complete
under the current laws and system. The reason for my delay in
writing is that I wanted to be sure we had the correct information
and understanding of just what the cut-off criteria would be for
grandfathering a case. Under Article #56 of the law it specifically
states that any case that has begun the notarial process will be
grandfathered. What this means, is as long as your Poder (power of
attorney) for your child is registered, your case will be
grandfathered. So you know this part of the process is the very
first thing that gets done, so you are fine.
In short, it does not matter where you are in the process; all that
matters is if your Poder is where it needs to be. It does not matter
if you are in PGN, or in Family Court and any other part of the
process, all that matters is that the Poder is in.
Now with that being said, I will address the part of the law that
states that all cases must be registered with the new central
adoption authority within 30 days of it being implemented. This is
of course causing concern as well, but this is the easy part ļ
It goes without saying that all cases will be registered as soon as
humanly possible by our attorney. However, I would point out that
nothing can be registered until there is an office to register them
with. That office does not currently exist, nor will it exist
anytime soon. This statement is based upon the fact that nothing
happens in Guatemala with expediency. I would add that once they do
open their doors they will be overrun with applications to register.
Overrun is probably an understatement to say the least. So that will
be the next worry, what happens if we don¡¦t get in the door in time?
Well, the same thought process that we have had all along about cases
being grandfathered holds true here as well, in that all cases MUST
be registered or they risk the same public outcry experienced a month
ago. They will be forced to bow to this pressure and extend their
deadline. Hopefully it will not come to that, but registering 4000
cases in 30 days is not a realistic expectation in anyone¡¦s
books . . . it can¡¦t happen and it won¡¦t happen in 30 days, but it
will happen.
The central authority will be forced by public pressure to do what
they have been chartered to do and if they have to extend the
deadline by days or weeks to accommodate the 4000 cases that will be
presented, then they will do it. They will be forced to do it.
So, I personally feel that we can all finally start to sleep again as
the main and only concern I have had for some time now is what the
cut off criteria would be and that seems to be ¡§black and white¡¨ at
this point. ALL cases with the Poder in place will be
grandfathered . . . so YOUR case will be fine.
Happy Holidays¡¦ everyone
Jim Harding
PS ¡V I leave for Guatemala on Friday and will be meeting with Miriam
personally to discuss the future of adoptions and what we can be
doing proactively to keep them going as soon as possible."
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
For the Lord your God is with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
I prayed for you all day! I'm still praying for you!
Love,
Stacy
My heart is aching for you, Chris and your girls right now.
This is so very difficult. We also had problems with the Memphis office (long story caused by Katrina and all of our paperwork was lost). In the end, it worked out and it WILL work out for you.
We will not stop praying! Your prayers and the prayers of all those that love you are not going unheard.
Terry
My heart is breaking with you guys right now. I am praying really hard that your approval will come through quickly and that the POA will be enough and that you will get to bring Eliana home soon!
The lord is looking down upon you and Chris and by that you should be comforted to know that it is not over. Although there may be some huge set backs, your babies will be home with you. I don't know why I know this, but it's a deep feeling. A feeling that has not left me, one that I haven't wavered from. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Stay strong.
uzanne
Awh Lindsay...I could just cry with you! I am so mad right now. But the good thing is that your I171H has your application date on it so it should no matter what date it was approved...just the date you did file. Is there another office in your state or another near by? If so and they process quick (as I know some states do it in 2 weeks) I would just re-apply to another office..even though having to pay the fee again hurts the bank account- I am sure if you put a paypal link to donate on here we could all pitch in a few bucks to help cover it! Worth a try!!!
Oh sweet friend! Am praying for you, for your babies, for Chris....know that.
Chris and Lindsey,
I was so sorry to hear this news. I am praying for you both. May the Lord sustain and uphold you in this wait. Hold on to Him--Anything is possible with the Lord on your side.
Lindsey and Chris, I am hurting for you so much. I can't even know what to say. Just know how much I love you. I'm continuing to pray.
Peace and grace to you, dear friends.
- erika w
Lindsey & Chris, I have never met either of you... in fact, I don't even know how we have a common thread. However, I was sent the link to Elliedub.com and have been following your blog for several weeks. I am praying, praying, praying for you both and your sweet girls in Guatemala. Love & blessings to you from my family in Texas! --Meredith Tichenor
I am praying for you and your pain you feel. GOD is way bigger than all of this!! I have to remind myself of this ALL the time. Your husband is Awesome!
Blessings!
Stephanie
Praying for your family. The title of your blog says it all...the Lord IS mighty in battle and He will complete your family. We will continue to pray for all involved to compete your family! Come on miracle...
So sorry to hear that the trip was not successful. Praying that somehow she gets through all of those papers!
Have you officially lost Xiomara? How tragic.
Lindsey,
I continue to pray for you guys and all the children of Guatemala. Let God hear our prayer.
Maria
Lindsey and Chris,
I am so sorry and I know your hearts are aching. Do not give up hope. He DOES still grant miracles. Love you both. Lauren Enns
Hey Lindsey~
Just wanted to know I got the Antigua tee from Elliedub and love it!!! Couldn't hold off til Christmas so gave it to Brent now!
Please smile!!! Everything will work out as planned...sending lots of love to your little ones tomorrow when we get to Guatemala!!!
Hugs~ Deanna
i couldn't sleep last night, in part because you two were on my heart. weeping and praying with you. God is bigger than all of this; stay strong and we will hold you up when you cannot do it alone. call me if I can do anything at all!!!
My heart is heavy for you this morning. I am praying that you would know His deep love for you, for Eliana, for Xio and that you would be clothed with His peace today.
Praying that someone at the immigration office finds favor on your family and moves you to the top of the pile. That your story would echo in their ears and they would feel compelled to action. You have so many people praying for you, rest in that today.
Lindsey & Chris,
I must say...I don't even know what to say at this point. When I read this blog I felt my heart break into a million pieces!!!
I am reminded of the story in Exodus 17 when Moses had to hold his hands up so the battle could be won...and his arms got tired so Hur & Aaron helped hold his arms up so the battle could be won.
Please know that there are many of us who want to come along side you guys to hold your arms up until this battle is won.
I am praying for this MIRACLE to happen.
Love you
I am soo hurting for you both. I too have a very emotional and caring husband and I know how it feels for us to be in pain let alone our best friends. I will continue to pray and know that I understand your heartache and I want you to remember about the plan. We are still faithfully fighting for our Esther too and I think of you all each day when I too am doubting. You are strong and God will provide. I know you know that! Be strong my friends...we are in this together.
Chris & Lindsey,
PLEASE READ....
I stumbled across your blog recently and I check in often. There is another blog that I read often and the family is about to go to Guatemala and sign a POA for their little one. I feel drawn (by God, no doubt) to let you know about this family. Perhaps you two can make contact since your situations are similar. Here is their website.... http://waitingforannepearce.blogspot.com/
I enjoy your blog and thank you for sharing your testimony daily!
Barbara H.
West Texas
Linds & Chris,
My heart breaks for you! Don't give up HOPE..God will provide. I love and am praying for you,
Sydney
I think my motto for the next couple of days (as we wait for news) is "THE LORD, MIGHTY IN BATTLE!!!"
Precious Chris and Lindsey,
God does not give you your dreams to mock you but to fulfill them.
He does not have any problems, only plans. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us of that truth.
As Lainie sang to us, "when you can't see His hand...trust His heart!" This is your opportunity to
overcome the liar by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. The way out of this
wilderness is overcoming praise!
Parenthood is God's idea and He planted the passion in your hearts
not to mock you but to fulfill it.
As Joyce Meyer has taught...you can
be pitiful or powerful, your choice. I know God will empower you
to overcome despair with the weapon
of praise to our God who watches over His Word to perform it! Jer.1:12.
Lifting you in confident prayer,
Mom/Mary Helen
lindsey-
wow. i am not sure what to say except that i agree with sara's prayer. amen & amen. is it true that all cases will be grandfathered in no matter where you are in the process? that one copied email from the Collins gave me hope, but i wasn't sure what the implications were for y'all. love you so much. Be strong, take heart & wait upon the Lord. nothing is impossible with our God.
We came across your blog by accident several weeks ago and have been checking in and praying for you since then. God works in mysterious ways. We will keep praying for your family.
Chris & Lindsey,
Words fail at times like these. But, IN TIMES LIKE THESE WE HAVE A SAVIOR.....
I am praying for you every single second of the day...
Stephanie
sks at airmail dot net
Lindsey,
Do you think it would help to contact your senator? I know ours (Minnsotea-Norm Coleman) has taken a personal interest in this issue, and has gone to Guatemala on adoptive parents' behalf. I know that he knows the head of USCIS. His office has a someone specifically working on this issue. I'm just wondering if there is someone in the government in TN that you could talk to. Does anyone you know have a personal contact with one of your representatives?
I love you guys so much! I am definitely in prayer with you that our adpotions are grandfathered in by our POA's... (Bill, Melodie, and I sent ours Friday!!)
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