Finally Home!

     I'm sorry for the delay in updates.  We made it home on April 19th. The kids did great on the flights and we were greeted at the airport by many friends and family members. It was such a relief to finally be home. John ran straight to Emily Marshall (who has lived at GMI off and on for the last year) and leaped into her arms. Amy went to Kayla and was pretty quiet and overwhelmed by everyone.
     We came home to many great surprises. There was a Christmas tree decorated in Ghana colors with cards and gifts, dinner made, a huge welcome banner that the kids made and a welcome home cake. We all felt so loved and were so grateful for all of it. The kids were pretty quiet the first few days, but they are starting to open up more and more as they get used to things.  John played in his first soccer game on Sunday afternoon and loved it. He can't wait to play again and wants to start school. He wanted to start this week, but he is happy with doing some workbooks at home for now. He is very smart and always wants to learn new things. Amy keeps us on our toes and loves to run around the house singing and checking everything out.

     Things are a little crazy around here, but not too bad. I will take crazy over waiting anytime. We are so thankful that our wait is over and we are all together. I love watching the kids interact with each other and look forward to our lives together as a family of eight. God has been so faithful to us through the past 16 months. He has sent wonderful family and friends to support us and get us through the tough times. So thankful to God for our new family and all He has blessed us with.

Visas Printed!

     We were able to pick up visas this morning with no problems! We are all set to fly home on Wednesday night. We should get into Knoxville at 1:45pm. We are so excited to bring them home and have our whole family on one continent! Thank you for praying for our family. God has been so good to us through all of this. The past 16 months have been hard on our family, but have brought us all closer to Him. Thank you Jesus for all your blessings!
    

Getting Ready to Go

     Visas are scheduled to print THIS Friday. Mike and I will leave on Wednesday to bring them home.  We are so thankful to God for making all of this possible. He has used many of you to come along side us to support us through this process. We are praying that nothing stands in the way of them printing on Friday and we will be able to be home as a family of 8 on Thursday, the 19th. Our flight is scheduled to come in at 1:45. We are all so ready to have them home!

Visas?

     There is a possibility that visas could print tomorrow! We don't know very many details, but our POA was told to come back first thing in the morning. This could mean many things, but we are praying for tomorrow to be the day the embassy prints the visas. If God makes a way for them to be printed, we will leave Saturday to bring them home! I am super excited, but trying not to be just in case they don't print. I know I shouldn't let myself think it is tomorrow, but I can't help it. It seems like we have been waiting years to bring the kids home. I can't wait to see them! Thank you to all that have been praying. We feel your prayers and know that God is working to take care of all the details.

Praying for Good News

     We were supposed to have our Visa Exit Interview this morning, but it didn't happen. We are told it will be tomorrow morning at 7:30. We are so close to bringing the kids home. It is hard to wait for this final step. We are praying for God to intervene tomorrow morning and help us get a visa print date for sometime this month. We are told they only print visas on Fridays, so we are hoping for the 13th or 20th. We miss the kids so much. We haven't been able to Skype with them for weeks because of internet issues and miss seeing their sweet faces and hearing their voices. We are praying that God will comfort them in their wait and they will know how much He loves them and how much we love them and want them to be home with us. Thank you to everyone for your support through all of these obstacles. We are thankful we have come so far and celebrate that we are so close. We know God will make a way for them to be home very soon. Praying for good news tomorrow is my new motto!

Puzzle Update

     Here is the updated puzzle. We have been working on it all week. We can’t wait to give it to the kids when they get home.  Each piece has a name on the back of it. I know they will love seeing all the names of all the people that have supported us on our journey to bring them home. We are so thankful for everyone that has supported us with prayer, finances, taking care of the kids and other gifts. All of these things have meant so much to our family.

     Also, Lifesong for Orphans has graciously set up a fundraising account for our family to raise our remaining adoption expenses to bring Japhet and Enam home.  Here is what Lifesong says about it:

Dear church, family, and friends of Mike and Jennifer Carlevato,

Lifesong for Orphans ( www.lifesongfororphans.org ) is a non-profit Christian ministry dedicated to help meet the needs of orphan children around the world, and obey God’s call to “visit the fatherless...in their affliction" (James 1:27).

Mike and Jennifer have sensed God’s call . . . and have joyfully stepped out in faith and obedience to adopt siblings from Ghana. Lifesong believes God has raised up the Carlevato family “for such a time as this...” We invite you to support them financially to make this adoption possible. Funds donated to Lifesong for Orphans between now and May 29, 2012 will be given to help cover adoption expenses for their children. As a 501(c)3 organization, your gift is tax deductible.

*100% of all funds raised will go directly to cover adoption costs--nothing will be taken out for Lifesong for Orphans administrative costs.

Will you invest financially in the life of these precious children? . . . It will be an investment with eternal return.

How you can help-

1. Prayer – Most importantly, please pray God will protect and surround Japhet and Enam with His love while they wait for us to come for them. Pray that God would prepare Kayla, Stephen, Emily and Amanda for the upcoming changes to our family and that God will give us wisdom, discernment, and insight as we raise all our children to know Him more.

2. Financial support - Will you please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us pay the remaining adoption expenses, to bring Japhet and Enam home?

If you would like to help in this way, you can send your tax-deductible gift between now and May 29th to the address below. Lifesong is a trusted organization administering the funds on Japhet and Enam’s behalf, and will pay adoption expenses out of funds received.

1. Please make checks payable to: Lifesong. You may preference how the donation might be used by writing “Carlevato/2755 Adoption” in the memo section of your check.
   (*Note: In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong which retains full discretion and control over its use.

         2. Mail Checks to:

              Lifesong for Orphans

              ATT: Carelvato/2755

              PO Box 40

              Gridley, IL 61744

Or donate online at: http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html

Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances – it will be an investment with an eternal return! (Matt 6:20) Please pray this entire process will glorify God and fulfill His purposes!

Blessings,

Mike, Jenny, Kayla, Stephen, Emily, Amanda, Japhet and Enam