Deters Adoption - Bringing Him Home

News update

2010-01-22T03:23:00.001-05:00

9:00....adoptive parents madly rush to concord G so we can be waiting

9:15......all sorts of media crews are trying to get 'the latest'

10:00.......still exchanging stories and meeting everyone

10:45ish...........learn that plane leaves PAP

76...............number of people that gives us funny looks cuz there is this big group just hanging out

11:00.........media camera's have left and gone to bed

11:30.........airlines brought dunkin donauts and coffee

11:45.........counter staff all gone

12:00 midnight..........found the asian rug gallery

12:00............running out of things to talk about

12:30am............cleaning staff are all gone

12:52............KIDS LANDED ON THE GROUND

1:30........took our 24th picture of us sitting around........doing nothing

1:47................start walking around outside

2:12..........realize gift shop is closed

3:00................realize subway is open

3:10................was told about 10 of 80 kids are 'processed' with fingerprints

3:09..................subway was awesome..............might need a second trip

3:12..............Crystal has the hiccups

3:15.............regretting trips to subway

3:16....................we're going to watch some hulu on the computer.

3:17.................just got an email............who is sending emails at this hour???

Okay..........we're having lots of fun............it's all part of the story...................can't wait to meet the kids :)

Here, In Miami, Waiting

2010-01-21T16:35:00.002-05:00

Here it is folks, the announcement!
Steve and I are in Miami, sitting by the pool waiting for a flight from PortAuPrince. We had the awesome and unexpected priveledge of flying by charter plane down here. What a treat! Probably once in a lifetime. So I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The reality of a new little person is starting to sink it.
I started to get scared about him flying "by himself." Would he be petrified, traumatized or just awestruck? Then I found out that Dixie and some of the GLA staff were flying with them. What a blessing! They are being loved all the way to their forever families :)
Their plane is supposed to land at 9:40pm. Then we will deal with customs/immigration etc. The plan is for them to return to our hotels with us and then we will fly out at 11am. THat is barring any complications with paperwork, health etc. So as of now we are flying into GRR at 1:30-2ish tomorrow afternoon. Watch this blog for an update if you want to join us there. We will know more exact times tomorrow a.m.
FYI, you can meet Marcus, but we will be hogging him when it comes to cuddles.
Thanks for making this journey with us. We love you all
Steve and Crystal (and Marcus)

Wahoo!!!

2010-01-18T22:27:00.001-05:00

It looks like the official directive from Homeland Security and the department of state has been given. They are going to issue visas for people that meet certain criteria.
Praise the Lord, we meet them.
So now I just need to gather paperwork from various places, send it to Homeland security and wait for their approval.
So it may be a couple weeks or so but it is almost official. . .
MARCUS IS COMING HOME.
Thank you all for your prayers.

The Ups and Downs

2010-01-18T12:54:00.002-05:00

Holy cow, the ups and downs are killing me. There is all sorts of rumors flying around. I will tell you what we know . . . from reliable sources.
1. The Dutch government has approved all kids with families waiting to be evacuated to the Netherlands today. From a couple strong sources but unconfirmed, the Haitian government has released all these children including the ones from the US.
2. The US department of state and homeland security have yet to approve the children to come into the US. If they are to do so, they will need to decide which children can come. It will most likely be decided by a "cut-off" point in the adoption process. It looks like it will either be "referral accepted" or "adoption legalized." We have reached the first point for sure and there is a slim chance we have the second. Pray that we do have a legalized adoption.
Continue to pray, Marcus may be coming home sooner than expected.
Pray for my peace of mind. I need to think about other things and go on with life but am having a hard time doing so.
I just keep thinking of how this is all going to pan out.
And then I remember that I have a God who controls this all. And he loves me. And he loves Marcus. And he is the one who called us to be a family.
In Christ,
Crystal

2010-01-17T19:58:00.003-05:00

I found this picture on Dixie's facebook and quickly recognized the most handsome little man I know. It was taken on the 15th of this month. It amazes me how well the kids seem to be doing. They really have been trying to keep them in their routines. It is so fun for me to see pictures of Marcus with his little friends. Onto the updates, the real reason you check this blog.

1. Thank you so much for all your support. The emails, phone calls, hugs and tears are all so appreciated. For those of you who know me, sharing my life like this is not always easy but sharing has never been such a blessing. Never have I felt so strongly the support of my community. My family had a wonderful prayer time today and the support of our adoption group at church as been overwhelming. Thank you Thank you Thank you

2. The US government seems to be working to get humanitarian visas for all kids that have adoptive families. Pray that this may be true. It would mean that the kids could come home soon and have their adoptions completed here. It would be such a good move, in order to create more room in the orphanages for the many new orphans that are sure to surface. However, we are dependant of governments being logical and we know how that goes. :)

3. The orphanage is doing okay but will be running low on supplies. Pray for our spirit as we wait. It is hard to hear that they are rationing water and doing half portions of food in preparation for the coming weeks. He is a Deters and you know how much our kids eat :) If you feel spirit-led to give you can do so here http://godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org/

So all in all, we have a spirit of hope. Hope that this disaster will allow a country like Haiti to rebuild, stronger than it ever was. Hope that this disaster will show people the love of Christ. Hope that the humanitarian efforts can reach those who need it most. Hope for Marcus and the possibility of him joining us soon.

Pray that the government would move fast on this. Not so much for our family but for the orphanages. If they get an influx of children, they just would not be able to care for them all. Pray for the spirit of the people of Haiti. Pray that they will turn to cooperation, not greed or violence. Pray for Steve and I. In times of stress, it is easy to turn on one another, pray we turn towards each other. Pray for Marcus and peace and preparation for his little heart.

Thank you all. I will close with a song that has carried me through many rough moments in the past five days. May it serve as a reminder to you as well.

"Tis better far I should walk by faith close to his side.

I may not know the way to go, but oh I know my guide.

His love can never fail, his love can never fail.

My soul is satified to know his love can never fail."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgpD5_JvthU

(Ironically, the only video I can find of this song is of an orphange in Haiti.) WOW, crazy.

2010-01-15T13:50:00.003-05:00

I have been working on The Divine Hours/Daily offices prayers and this one was for my noontime prayers today. I found it most appropriate, I wonder why.

Almighty God, who has promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in your Son's name: I beseech you mercifully to incline your ear to me who have made my prayers and supplications to you; and grant that those things which I have faithfully asked according to your will, I may effectually obtain, to the relief of my necessity, and to the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen

I have felt such a peace in the past two days and that I attribute to your prayers. I can honestly say, I have never felt the power of prayer so real in my life. I can feel your concern for Steve and I through your prayers carrying us.

In spite of all the wonder and chaos, I am fine. I have a God who has this under control. He knows what needs to happen to get Marcus home. And he will do it according to his will.

On a much lighter note, Marcus was on the Today Show on Wednesday. It was crazy, two good friends called and asked it was him and I told them no. Then I watched the picture closer and sure enough, there he was. Here is the clip, see if you can pick him out. Kind of like a happy I SPY.

www.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/34838824#34838342

Grace and Peace to you all, my dear friends

YAHOO!!!!!

2009-10-23T13:57:00.003-04:00

We passed Parquet. We have been approved by yet another Haitian government agency. Our paperwork now goes to the court system so our adoption of Marcus can be approved.
Praise God. One dear friend was here when I got the call and she said "It seems like God brings you to the brink of despair every time." And then I get good news and hope is restored.

2009-10-11T20:23:00.004-04:00

Church today had a profound impact on my current attitude towards our adoption journey. I have been struggling with apathy vascilating to deep despair. I go weeks without thinking about it then am forced to confront the reality of someone else tucking in my son night after night. Then the sorrow gets to be almost palpable.

I so want to feel God carrying me through this journey but realize it has been too painful to rehash it regularly in prayer with Him.

However three realities struck me during church this morning. It sure would be nice if I could make it through a church service without crying at some point :)

I will list them and allow you to interpret and enjoy them in your own way.

1. This is my fathers world

Why should my heart be sad

The Lord is king, let the heavens ring

God reigns, let the earth be glad

This is my fathers world

The battle is not done

Jesus who died shall be satisfied

And heaven and earth be one.

2. (Song) And all that borrows life from thee is ever in thy care

And everywhere that man can be, thou God art present there.

3. (Prayer) In the struggle and pain that is present in this day

Redeemer, may I feel the peace of your presence.

On a lighter note, Marcus is doing so well according to our updates. He looks so much happier and like he is actually enjoying the pictures. He is so precious. We eagerly anticipate the new pictures every month. I wonder what his voice sounds like, what makes him laugh, what is he thinking about? His facial expressions make we question all of this. Here is a taste.

My prayer shall be "Redeemer, may I feel the peace of your presence."

Our Children- The past week

2009-05-30T09:40:00.009-04:00

Playing music with Mom

Holding onto that last piece of graham cracker.

Hanging with Papa.

Happy with food, must be a Deters
Checking it out. . .

The beauty of Haiti

Loving to sleep on laps.
Matea at the Detroit Zoo
Bri at the Tigers game. A true fan

2009-05-29T21:41:00.006-04:00

Wow, what a surreal experience. How do you put into words that past three days? We experienced the entire range of emotions over the past couple days. From surprise, to joy, to concern, to anxiety, to peace, to pride, to unrelenting relief.

Marcus is such a sweet little boy. Such a gentle nature, always preferring to cuddle up on my lap. He was so shy at first, then really warming up to us towards the end. He loves to play with blocks and watches EVERYTHING. He really became a mama's boy over the two days we were there. (That might have something to do with the fact that white men are very rare, thus terrifying to him at this point.) We did get to meet with the US Embassy, so Marcus' US visa process is started. Thanks for your many prayers re: this appointment.

While we very much enjoyed the time we had with him, it was a perfect amount. Any more, and it would have been very painful to leave. We know God has his hand on Marcus and will sustain both us and him until we can be together as a complete family of five. We felt his peace through this whole trip, and continue to rely on your prayers to sense His hand and presence.

We continue pray for miracles and God's will for our lives.

Haiti - Here We Come!!

2009-05-21T10:09:00.003-04:00

So in our whirlwind style, Steve and I are flying to Haiti on Tuesday to complete some paperwork and more importantly, to meet Marcus. I can't believe it is really happening. As most of you know we have put off this trip for a while because of the uncertainty of the situation. However, our caseworker told us we really need to make this trip soon, and no time like the present. While I was really apprehensive about making this trip, now that it is booked, I am really excited. I can't believe that in less than a week, I will have met Marcus. Pray for us, it will be a short trip. We leave on Tuesday and come back on Thursday. YIKES.

Praise God

2009-05-13T15:08:00.000-04:00

It appears we finally have gotten our break. . . We just received word that we are out of IBESR. And without a presidential dispensation. I can't believe it has finally happened, we are moving once again. We have quite a ways to go yet but at least we are making progress. Won't you join us in a prayer of praise?

Now we just have to keep going so Bri and Tea' can put a smile on this little face.

2009-04-24T14:06:00.001-04:00

Okay, so as I am sure you have figured, absolutely nothing happened at the meeting on Wednesday. No progress has been made about the slow movement of adoptions from Haiti. While we continue to hope, my hope is much more guarded.
I had a rough couple of days on Sunday and Monday since Monday was Marcus' second birthday. We initially thought he would be home by now so that hit me pretty hard. Thanks to all who were praying for me, I did pull myself together eventually.
My primary response to all the adoption struggles thus far has been anger. (For those of you who know me, big surprise, righteous anger is always my first response.) However, this time it was just pure, unadulterated despair. It hit me for the first time that this child is ours and he is growing up without us. I was sad, not mad, or trying to fix it, just sad. Steve pointed out that this was a positive since he has always been attached to Marcus, posting pictures, etc. While I have kept myself more distant. I replied by saying it is so much easier when you don't feel anything and I was doing so good for so long at not feeling.
My dear friend suggested that I start a fast for a while to focus on God through this whole process and redirect my thoughts on Him. So stay posted, I may ask you all to join me.
On a lighter note, we have had a bad smell in our home for the past 3-4 days. I wasn't sure if it was sewer or a dead animal in the walls or what. The most frustrating thing was that the smell moved. Today I went on a smell hunt and found the culprit. Two once-beautifully-decorated hard-boiled eggs in a backpack. Mushy and dripping and foul as all get out. Apparently my resident packrat Matea, thought a backpack was a great place for keeping old eggs. However, the backpacks mobility did explain the roving smell. Oh, the joys of motherhood. Maybe God hasn't brought Marcus home because I can't control the two I already have. :)
Joy and Peace to you all on this beautiful summer day.
Crystal

2009-04-13T08:59:00.000-04:00

We are asking for prayers this week as the following was posted on the orphanages website. We are asking you all to pray for a miracle, that God will throw open these closed doors.

"News this last week has been that on April 15 there will be a meeting between IBESR and Parquet about the issue of dispensations. We were told that hopefully the decision will be made to go ahead and sign all dossiers up through December 2008 without having to have the dispensations! I will post what we hear after the meeting.
I also heard this week that a special "investigator" for the prime minister's office is looking into the problems with adoptions. This investigator has interviewed the president of the association of orphanages. We will just have to wait and see if this helps make a difference in the speed of adoptions.
It is impossible for me to believe that going from 3 months for an adoption to finish in 2001 to 18 to 20 months for an adoption in 2008/2009 is better for the children! UNICEF has stated at meetings that it needs to be longer to make sure everything is done legally. What does the length of time have to do with doing it right? "

Marcus continues to do well. The good news is that he is now walking. I only wish we had been able to be a part of this milestone. I remember when Steve and I were discussing the merits of adopting a toddler vs. an infant. I agreed to go older,"as long as I got to see his first steps." My how things can change in a couple years. For the last two months I have been praying for Marcus to take those steps without me.

I am peaceful knowing ultimately Marcus is God's child and he will be entrusted to my care when the timing is right. Just like Bri and Tea'. God is ultimately their father and creator, and he picked just the right time to place them in our home.

2009-01-22T20:53:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for your encouragement and support over the past couple weeks. Sometimes I wonder how much the girls are processing this whole adoption thing. Today while driving to a meeting at Bethany, Matea had a precious moment. She said "Mom, you are going to meet with Belinda, right?" I said yes, and she said " Can you say 'Please, can Marcus come home with us.'" Like maybe if you asked in just the right way, they would let him come home. I started crying and said "Sure Matea, I will ask." It is amazing how the small things can set off a cascade of thoughts.
How old will he be when we meet him? Will he be excited to come home or just scared? How will the girls adjust to the reality of another child in the house? How will Marcus interact with his sisters? Will he mind them in his personal space all the time? How will Steve and I parent a boy? Is it different than a girl? And that is when I just start praying for wisdom and patience. Grace and Peace to you all

2009-01-10T13:59:00.000-05:00

Habakkuk 2:3----"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day."

What a good reminder of what we already know.

2009-01-10T11:25:00.001-05:00

After almost seven months of waiting, we finally have made it into the Haitian court system. We have an official number and everything. Thank you all for your prayers and support. This has been an unbelievable time of waiting, frustration and sadness. But I am happy to report that we have hope once again that Marcus will join our family.

"Seriously, a Santa hat? My mom is not going to like this . . ."

So the big question then becomes: "What does that mean? How long are we looking at?" What this means is that now we can begin to move his paperwork through the various courts that need to approve his adoption in Haiti. We now are in the 9-18 month waiting period. While that may seem like a long time to most of you, the joy we feel at being able to say we are in the process of moving forward is unbelievable. It far outweighs the time frame. We can continue to pray that somehow our paperwork just sails through the system. As LaDawn, an incredible woman from Bethany said "You guys just might be due a miracle."

I will close with a line from my very wise Uncle Norm:

God is Good, All the Time. All the Time, God is Good

"Come on, just a little hug"

2008-09-24T14:04:00.000-04:00

A pyramid of cousins Marcus in September
Night Swimming

We are wrapping up our fun filled summer. I thought I would post a couple pictures of our camping trip to Pentwater. The girls absolutely loved hanging out with their cousins by the beach.

We are now in the full swing of fall. Seems our days are filled up with school, and evenings with various activities. Bri is loving Potter's House pre-K. She is growing up before my eyes. Matea enjoys "doing school" with Mom. She is working hard at writing her own name. The girls are both into crafts so if you happen to receive random scraps of colored paper in the mail, they just might be from us. . .

Here is the latest picture of Marcus as well. No new progress in our case to report.

2008-09-09T09:21:00.000-04:00

A little update about Marcus and Haiti in general.

Haiti has been facing some real struggles lately with all the recent hurricaines. This was posted on the Orphange website earilier this week. Please keep them in your prayers. It is especially hard knowing our son is part of this without his mom and dad to cuddle him during the storms.

"Hurricane Hannah brought destruction to Haiti last night , September 2nd. Gonaive had flooding with some deaths reports. Our area sustained downed trees, toppled brick walls, and roads blocked. People are already out cutting the trees blocking the roads. Our metal roofs got blown off the house and we lost the internet dish at the Toddler House. The wind was blowing so hard the rain came in around the closed windows of the orphanage and flooded our dining room table and floor! There seems to be as many leaves inside the house as outside! Thankfully, we are all safe and God kept us from harm. Now we just have to clean up from the storm. This was much worse than any storm we have personally seen in the 17 years we have lived in Haiti."

The adoption process seems to be going a bit quicker lately, so we are prayerful that Marcus could be home in the spring/early summer. Our case has not even gotten into the courts in Haiti yet because they are still gathering all the information/paperwork that they need before submission. Pray that this can be completed soon. The good news is that some of the paperwork needs to be completed in Haiti now so we are hoping to make a trip to see Marcus some time this winter.

Here is the update we got on Marcus in August, sounds like he will fit in this family just fine.

"Roodley continues to do so well and to make progress developmentally. Roodley has started putting weight on his legs, and he really enjoys doing that. He is trying to stand on his own, although he needs someone else to help support him. Roodley is also a very social little boy! One day when I went into the nursery I saw him in his crib. Roodley had his arm out of the crib, reaching over toward the child in the crib next to him. The other child just kind of looked at him like, “what are you doing?” but Roodley definitely wanted the contact with others. He loves playing with other children and adults."

Thanks for your support and prayers. God is good, all the time.

2008-07-11T16:08:00.000-04:00

Now, formally introducing. . . Marcus Woodley Deters. What with all the changes in our lives in the past month, we are finally wrapping our arms around the idea that this handsome guy is going to be part of our family. We are optimistic in hoping he could be home next summer.
Thank you all for your prayers. We ask that you pray for the orphanage, God's Littlest Angels as well. With adoptions taking so much longer, the cost of caring for these kids is increasing drastically. They are really struggling right now. Somehow it becomes a little more personal when you know your sons caregivers are strapped for cash. We know that they are good stewards of what they have and faithful to God so we rest assured. But prayer is really powerful, as we know.

2008-06-27T12:41:00.000-04:00

Introducing. . .
Okay we have no name yet. But, here he is, our long awaited son. He is 14 months old, healthy and as handsome as can be. (Although we may be biased.)
In less than a year, he should be tearing it up with his sisters here in Michigan. Thank you all for your prayers and we will keep you posted on the continued process to bring him home. I will put more specifics up later. Thanks again for all your love and support.

2008-06-02T20:40:00.001-04:00

We just got home from a 2 week vacation. I was really hoping we would get a referral while we were gone. Somehow I got in my head that it COULD happen. I continue to wonder why I let myself hope for these timeframes. But no such luck.
We did have a wonderful vacation and spent a good deal of time enjoying God's beautiful creation on the road from Texas to Michigan.
The good news is we think we have settled on a name for our son. Unless we really like his given name. Wouldn't you all like to know. . .

2008-05-02T21:30:00.000-04:00

Clearly, we did not get one of the referrals from that last batch. Apparently only 3 of 20 went to Bethany families. So we are now going on waiting for 8 months. We are in a giant phase of apathy. I feel like you can only stay excited for so long when nothing is happening. Some friends just got a referral this week and they turned in their paperwork three weeks before us, so you never know, it could happen.
The girls continue to pick out names for "our little brother." The latest is "Jeff." I have to say it is better than Matea's last option "Pepperhead."
At least they are keeping their excitement. . . We continue to trust that all will happen in God's time. Without that assurance, I don't know how we would survive.

Prayer Needed

2008-01-08T15:06:00.000-05:00

We found out this weekend that the orphanage is going to give out 22 referrals this month, several of which will go to Bethany families. We are fervantly praying that we will be one of these families.
We are struggling right now with a little frustration and lack of patience. So you can pray for that as well. We are continually faced with the dicotamy of the huge orphan crisis in the world and our seemingly unfruitful waiting. Thus, patience is needed.
Please join us in praying that we will be matched up with our son this month.
Crystal

Referral Update

2007-11-13T10:21:00.000-05:00

We just found out that due to delays with the Haitian government, it will be another couple months until we get a referral. The average wait is now 5-7 months. We are 2 months into our wait. Most of the time, the waiting is fine but every once in a while, we get pretty impatient. There are 25 kids at the orphanage waiting for passports (the final stage) then they can go home. When that happens, they can accept new kids, one of which will most likely be ours. Pray that these kids get home soon.
Check out the orphanages website if you get a chance, pretty impressive. www.glahaiti.org

One more step completed

2007-10-04T17:00:00.000-04:00

We received our I-171 today. This is the paper from the US government stating they have approved us for adoption. Not that we were overly concerned, but the paper in hand is another check on our to-do list.
Praise God!

God's Leading

2007-09-26T12:32:00.000-04:00

Someone asked me the other day "How did you know you were supposed to adopt?" I thought it would be a good thing to post here since you are all journeying with us in one way or another.
Steve and I had always felt that adoption would be a good option for us. However, as the conversation got more concrete, I was less sure if this was something I could do. God politely reminded me that this was not something I would do, but something we would do with HIM. We were at church one Sunday morning and after a particularly hard discussion with Steve about my doubts, God relieved them all.
I was standing in church singing and I had this picture unfold in my head of holding my son for the first time and it was just as clear as day that I could and would love him as unequivically as I do my biological girls.
On the way home from church, I told Steve we could go ahead and start the process because there was no longer any doubt in my mind that this was God's plan for us.
Being that sure of His plan, makes it much easier to obey. If only he were that clear all of the time. . .
In Christ,
Crystal

2007-09-16T20:35:00.000-04:00

September 16, 2007

Wow, our paperwork is finally done. We got word last week that all of our paperwork is in Haiti. This is a huge relief to us both. However, now I have to fully acknowledge that I no longer have any control about how things progress from here on out.

Now we wait for a referral. When I say referral that means a child will be assigned to us. It is crazy to think that someone is in the process of picking out our son any day. We were told it could be anywhere from 1-3 months until we get a referral. Please pray for us and especially for Dixie at the orphanage as she makes these decisions prayerfully.

The girls are getting so excited about this whole process, maybe a bit too much so. Bri asked today if she could "be the boss of my brother when he gets home." Yikes, we may be more than he bargained for.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.