Update on Sweet Girl!

I wish I could update our blog more....but I go non-stop from 6:30 in the morning until about 11 at night (Eliana is a night owl). Any extra time I have, I try to rest. Eliana is loving her daddy being here. They play games constantly and laugh a ton. She is over the stomach bug (finally) and now has a pretty awful cough and cold. The weather here is constantly changing, so her cold doesn't surprise me at all. Eliana's case heads into RENAP tomorrow....this is the new system for birth certificates in Guatemala. No one has any idea what goes on there....it just makes the process last even longer. We aren't sure how long this step could take. Basically, I am preparing to be here in Guatemala for about 8-10 more weeks if all goes well. Who knows though?! I am trying to just enjoy the time here. We have had a blast just walking up and down the streets....hanging out with the incredible Scott family. This next week, Chris, Eliana and I are going to be working with different orphanages and ministries in Guat....we are SO EXCITED!!

Love you all,
Lindsey

P.S. All of the pictures are from Picasa....it is a free program you can download onto your computer...it is so much fun!!

Our time in Central Park....

Ummmm......us at the Guatemalan Fair!

I will add captions tomorrow....but seriously, this was one of the highlights of my time in Antigua!! We had a BLAST!!! Love you all.

Lindsey

Daddy comes tomorrow!!!!!!!!

I miss you daddy!!! I can't wait to see you....hug you....kiss you and dance with you!!!! I love you so much.

Love,
Eliana

A heavy heart....

Today has been so full....but I couldn't go to sleep without sharing a few of my thoughts. My heart has been so heavy for the people in Guatemala. I walk by so many people each day whether I am walking to McDonald's or to the grocery store. They each have a story. There are so many that are holding out bowls asking for money. My heart breaks. There is so much need....and I want to connect with all of them. Two little girls in particular have stolen my heart. They literally sit hunched over outside of the McDonald's singing for everyone to hear to get money. Who are they? What is their story? All I can think is...Lord, please protect them. Give me wisdom. Show me how to love them. Some of my dearest friends Kelsey and Melissa tried asking them questions....and the answers were hard to hear. These precious girls are children of God....he loves them the exact same that He loves me or Eliana.

It can be so easy to fall into what I don't have or the things I am missing from home, but on nights like tonight....I am humbled. I have been given so much. Please be praying for me to make the most of every minute I have in Antigua. I am beyond grateful for my time here.

I love you all,
Lindsey

P.S. Thanks for celebrating with us about PGN! We are so excited!!!

*Also, for the person wanting to know what PGN is.....I really wish I totally knew what it is. It is one of the last stages of a Guatemalan adoption. All of your paperwork goes to PGN and it is reviewed by different people. A lot of people call it the "black hole". It goes through different reviewers....you will either be kicked out or let out. Once you are signed out of PGN, your child is legally yours in Guatemala. Hope this helps!! You could google it to find out more info.

WE'RE OUT OF PGN!!!!!

Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
I got two words for you..."prayer works"!

This can only be explained by declaring that God did it! We are literally getting a front row seat as we watch the hand of our good God work mightily through some precious people! All day I've just been smiling...I can't wipe the grin off my face! It's kind of like the feeling I had right after our wedding... it feels surreal and magical! We are seeing all of the verses in scripture about God standing up and defending His children come true!

While there are several stages left to go through, the biggest roller coaster is over!

Now that we're through PGN, we have more adoption fees that must be paid right away. Additionally, we still have Lindsey's living expenses in Guatemala, as well as the medical bills to cover from Eliana's emergency hospitalization 4 weeks ago. The LORD has shown his faithfulness and mercy over and over, so we don't doubt that He will continue to provide exactly what we need all along the way! If you feel that you might be a part of that provision, an account has been set-up at our church called the "I Choose You-Wheeler" fund. It is 100% tax-deductible!! You can send a check (write it to Fellowship Bible Church and write in the memo line:"I Choose You- Wheeler") to:

Fellowship Bible Church
"I Choose You"-Wheeler fund
1210 Franklin Road
Brentwood, TN 37027

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR MANY PRAYERS!
We feel your support and we are seeing the results right before our eyes!

Grace and Peace
From a very grateful and excited new Dad,

Chris

Prayer Day for Casa 36

Where do I even begin? I sit down with my very few free minutes and just stare at my computer. There is so much to say but I can't put it into words. There are so many things God is teaching me....so many ways He is breaking me. There are moments when I just don't think I can make it another minute, and then the Lord just whispers to me that this is ALL for His glory! What?! Why do I forget so often? I see it in the faces of the Guatemalans. I see it in the volcanoes. I see it in my beautiful little girl's face (which is probably the prettiest face in the world). This is ALL about Him. Today I have felt overwhelmed with HOW HUGE this is.....all that we are up against. It is frightening if I look at the facts. But, I am choosing tonight to trust God with all that I am in ways I never have before.

I am begging y'all to be praying for all of these precious children! Pray for our cases....for angels to escort our cases to the end of PGN.....for health....and for us to not miss a moment to share Christ's love with these amazing people.

I love you all so much....
Lindsey

"Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love."
Psalm 44:26

(in the photo: my sweet roomies)

Heading to the Doctor...please PRAY

Lindsey just called. Eliana's tummy trouble has gotten worse.

She's had it for two days now and it's only getting "messier" to put it mildly. We're suspicious that it could be a parasite or something yuck like that. We know Eliana feels terrible. Please pray that it's not too serious and that the pediatrician is able to diagnose her accurately. Lindsey is taking her to the Doctor as I write.

Thanks for your support.
-Chris

UPDATE: I (Lindsey) was not able to take her to the doctor....I have taken a turn for the worse. I am suspicious that we have the same thing. Just keep praying for healing for both of us. Hopefully I will have the strength to take us both to the doctor tomorrow.

We've got the Stomach Bug......

Well, it is official.....the stomach bug is going around our house. Our roomie Kelsey was really sick all night....and Eliana and I have been struggling for two days. Pray that it will end soon!! It is the first time that I have been sick as a mom. I can't crawl in bed like I would be doing because Eliana still is all over the place. It makes me appreciate my mom SO MUCH!! I love you Kay-Kay! I can't tell you HOW MUCH I NEED your encouragement....it is a gift to me.

Love you all,
Lindsey

Eliana got kicked out of PGN AGAIN!!!

This is how Eliana and I both feel. Yesterday was so discouraging in so many ways. We were kicked out of PGN for the second time! I just wanted to cry and cry. It is now taking at least 6 weeks from getting out of PGN until you can go home. We aren't even out. It is so hard to think about being here until September or later. Really, it is just beyond overwhelming. I am trying to think of the positive things.....the biggest is how thankful I am that I AM HERE WITH HER!!! I love getting to experience everything with her. Eliana is blowing kisses like crazy....waving to everyone.....kissing me about 30 times a day....and talking up a storm. I can't imagine missing this. So, today I am choosing to be thankful I am here with my little girl. I love Antigua.....I just miss Chris more and more every single day.

PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR ELIANA TO GET OUT OF PGN SO SOON!!!!!! Pray for my heart in this process. I know that the Lord has us here for a very specific reason. I love you all so much and cherish your comments.

Love,
Lindsey

14 Days

There are 14 days until I get to go see my girls again! It's been a week and 3 days and I feel like it's been a month and two weeks. When people ask how I'm doing I usually just tell them "I miss my best friend." I know that sounds cheesy, but I'd truly rather be with Lindsey doing nothing, than with any other person doing any other thing (this includes fishing, kayaking, ultimate Frisbee and eating candy)!

Lately I've been cleaning out closets and listening to a lot of Matt Chandler sermons. (Matt is the pastor of The Village Church in Highland Village, TX and is my favorite preacher to listen to. You really should check out thevillagechurch.net or listen to the podcast.) Any way, I made hamburger helper last night and cleaned out closets...how's that for an exciting Tuesday night!

I miss my girls, but on the flip side...I can't tell you how proud I am of my wife. She is amazing. I love life with her...it's shocking and every day is different! There aren't too many women in the world who are willing to pack up and live in another country way outside the comfort zone. Lindsey is living out the life of Faith for us all to see! She's sacrificing being clean, sleeping comfortably, watching good TV, being with her friends and family, eating American food (and all the other nice things about living in Franklin, TN) so she can be with our baby girl! Every time she tells me another cute thing Eliana is in to it makes me so happy all over again that she's there. It makes me so happy that Eliana won't have to be torn away from another person in her life! Cool how God weaves your story...we never would have guessed we end up here, but we'd never change it either.

Thanks to all who are praying and walking this road with us! We are so grateful for the cool community of bloggers God has developed around us...we feel so blessed by you all.

Much Love,
Chris

Our precious birthday girl......

I thought ya'll would enjoy a few pictures of Eliana from her birthday!! I fall in love with this little girl more and more every day....even though this is the hardest thing I have ever done, it is so worth it. Isn't she beautiful?!

Love y'all,
Lindsey

Happy One Year Baby Girl!

Feliz Cumpleanos angelita! Eliana, you are my little angel and I am so excited that you are one year old today! Polly and I miss you very much and we're wearing party hats to show you how us Wheelers celebrate! I can't wait to hold you again and hear your little voice.

I'm so proud of your Momma for being with you right now! She's setting up a Dora El Exploradora party for you as we speak! She really is an amazing woman you know! I hope you grow up to be just like her!

I'm reading a book right now (Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters) in preparation to be a good Daddy. Also, while I'm waiting for you to come home I'm getting our house ready for you! I've already installed safety latches on almost all the doors and cabinets in the house! Soon I'll be painting your room for you...hope you like khaki!

I wish so badly I could be there with you today, to throw you in the air and sing silly songs and dance all over the yard. Until we're together again know this, I'm praying for you and Mom all the time, I'm thinking of you and Mom all the time and I'm counting down the days till I get to see you guys again!

With all my heart Happy Bir-Day!
Love,
Dad

Happy 4th of July....

Our first trip to Bodega (the grocery store)


Byron....the greatest driver ever (Eliana loved him....he sang to her)


Mommy and Baby Girl


Eliana loves her Kay-Kay!


Our precious roomie Kelsey....we call her the Baby Whisperer (she is incredible with the kiddos)....not to mention a great translator


My dear friend Melissa's Surprise Engagement party.....pretty sure she is going to be the most beautiful bride EVER!!




Well, I realize that I haven't posted in forever!! This transition is absolutely crazy and wonderful. I am going to share my thoughts as soon as I can take a breath....that is how full our days have been. Tonight, we were surprised by amazing fireworks. We stood on our deck and sang American-themed songs. It really made me want to cry. It is my first 4th of July with my baby girl. We miss daddy SO MUCH!!! Keep praying....we need it.

Love you all,
Lindsey

WE ARE IN ANTIGUA!!!

This will be short and sweet. The last 48 hours have been so full of mix-ups and attacks.....I can't even begin to tell you. But, praise the Lord.....WE ARE HERE!!! I will give you a full update soon. Eliana is doing great today....thanks for your encouragement and prayers. We love you all.

Love,
Lindsey

PLEASE PRAY...Eliana is throwing up Again.

It's 3:30 AM and Lindsey just called me (Chris) to tell me that Eliana has been throwing up again and has congested breathing again. Please pray that God continues to show His mercy over her little life. Lindsey and Kay are watching over her all night.

The plan is to take her to a good pediatrician first thing in the morning, unless her condition worsens over night (she's asleep right now and seems stable).

CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND A REALLY GOOD ENGLISH SPEAKING PEDIATRICIAN IN GUATEMALA CITY?
We know people have mentioned them to us before but we can't remember who it was they said...so if you know of a great one please let us know.

Pray for wisdom
Pray for mercy
Pray that God leads Lindsey to the right doctor

Pray
-Chris