One More Blog

Wes:  Hello, its 3 am in the USA and 2pm in India.  So nothing makes sense, I'm on my own time now.  Please continue to pray for us, I have a fever and Hope is puking.   Hope is adjusting well, Priya and Hope are doing dance shows for grandma all day ( I think I heard the keyboard music going for 4 hours).  Thanks grandma for watching the shows while I snooze.

Don't get me wrong God has shown His hand and favor in this whole process.  I m not sure how many people reading this has gone through adoption or foster care.  We've been through it before, and Priya has adjusted very well.  It's still a transition for me.  Having a stranger come into my life in a week, and now live with me for the rest of my life.  This is only a God love.  I still feel strange when Hope needs hugs, kisses, and snuggles.  I know she needs it, so I'm not rejecting it.  I m 30 something, adopted once already, and took ETC(adoption training) classes, but I feel weirded out by it.  I think because Hope is moving faster than I expected.  She hasn't had hugs, kisses, and snuggles for many years.  She hasn't had parents, and she has been fatherless for years.  She has been defending herself on the streets for years.  Now she needs me to be a father and her defender.  Thank you God for choosing me to hold this role.  For all the men who are considering adoption, its ok, God will supply all your needs.  No one says its easy, and God will provide strength.  God has adopted me into His family and takes me as I am, He defends me.  So I will defend Hope and Priya.  "You can take our lives, but you can't take our FREEDOM!"  This is a Braveheart quote.  I know it doesn't make sense here, but It was getting too serious, so I had to back off a bit.

Kasey might not want me to post these pics, but I think it's important to show you some transitions in the lives of our daughters.  If you are adopting, you might get a pic and be frightened.  It's ok, they all need love and a father.  We will all grow and be stronger together through the Lord.  These pics made us cry, and I was always paranoid about having jacked up kids, but the Lord has prevailed and they are wonderful.  Some may think the pictures are bad, but let me remind you that we all look dirty and are sinners in God's eyes.  We are washed by the blood of Jesus and cleansed.


Here is one of Priya's first pics that they emailed.  They shaved her head completely.  She was abandoned in 2008 at the Orphanage door-step Pune, India.

Priya now 2014:

Hope in 2010.  She was found abandoned and found by police  in New Delhi, India:

Hope now 2014 in Houston, TX. 

This is not to discourage anyone, but to encourage you that you have the power to change lives.  We have time, money, and resources.   So self-evaluation, what do we do with our money?  Do we buy more stuff, things, stuff that moths and rust will eat?  Do we waste time and chase after the wind? These kids have nothing.  They just want a loving home.

This is plenty of serious sappy stuff for me.  Sorry, I only can do this dose at a time.  

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Some of you heard of the term FOB from the previous posts, but I took the liberty to take photos.  This is not to make fun of anyone, its just for fun.  I know its messed up, but I'm a part of it also.   (Oh, if you dress or look like this, its ok, but please send me a pic of you)

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Its 4am, Kasey just walked out of the bedroom, and now I hear the girls giggling upstairs.  I guess the whole Mathew family is up.  Going to church in 4 hours.  Peace out!

Thank you for reading and sharing.  Blogger shows that 36,000 people around the world are reading these posts.  I m not sure how google came up with that number, it shows it read in about 8 different countries.  I hope through the Lord that we have inspired, blessed, and broken your hearts for the fatherless.  

Here are some useful resources that we have experience with (There are many more than these):

Adoption agencies:  

1. International Family Services

2  America World Adoption

Financial assistance:

1.  Lifesong for Orphans

2.  Show Hope

3.  www.runforhopehouston.org (fundraising)

Education:

1.  Empowered to Connect (ETC)

Houston adoption Community:

1.  Houston's First Baptist Church, Legacy 685

Welcome Home, Hope!

The last few days are a blur, but thanks to our dear friend Ashley Monogue (http://ashleylaurenphotography.com/), we have some precious pictures from our arrival home.  Unless Wes decides to continue honing in on his writing skills, we probably won't post after this.  (Wes has been sleeping all day, so he may wake up at 2 a.m. and decide he has more crazy stuff to share.  We'll see.)

We do want to thank you all again SO very much for your prayers.  Our God is truly mighty, magnificent, powerful, omniscient...and yet, He cares about the intimate details of our lives.  He is worthy.  I'm so thankful to be adopted into HIS family!

Enjoy the pictures!  Wes, Kasey, Priya, and Hope
YAY U.S.A.!

Airport Info

Many of you have asked about being at the airport...

Yes, of course, we'd love to see you!  We arrive at IAH, Terminal C, around 7 p.m. on Friday, April 4th.

The only thing we ask is that everyone not kiss Hope or hug her.  She is just getting comfortable with hugging us and showing affection, so we don't want to set her back.  We will let our immediate family know that they can hold her, hug her, etc. when we are at home.  I know that's going to be hard for everyone, but we think it will be best! :)  This way, she will be able to recognize who is family and who is not!  You are welcome to give her a "high five" or a pat on the back. LOL

We are leaving for the airport now! You should have seen the spectacle with Hope jumping and dancing in the bathroom tonight shouting, "USA! USA! USA!"

See you soon!
The Mathew Crew

U.S.A., Here We Come!!!!

Miracles, miracles, and more miracles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deut. 1:30 "The Lord your God which goes before you, He shall fight for you..."

Once again, the Lord has done great things!  I still cannot believe it.  I don't know why I continue to be surprised at the Lord, but HE JUST AMAZES ME!  The way He has moved on our behalf is unbelievable.  It is truly a miracle, and there's no other way to explain this!

Today we went for the medical clearance (after waiting 48 hours for the TB test results).  When we left the clinic, Wes called the Embassy to see if we could move up our Visa appointment, which was scheduled for next Monday.  This was at 11 a.m.  The Embassy asked if we could arrive by noon!  So we sped over there and went through the Visa interview process.  There were about 100 people waiting for interviews, and they took us first!  I didn't understand what anyone was saying, but I kept hearing everyone say "adoption" and "adoption" and "adoption."  We went straight to the front of the line!  Then the US embassy said they would guarantee the visa to come by tomorrow (Friday).  They said it was IMPOSSIBLE to get it today.  We were ok with that; after all, God was already moving faster than we had expected.  I thanked God and prayed, "God, with man this is impossible, but it's not for you.  But either way, we PRAISE YOU!"

We went for lunch and took the girls to a nearby playground to get some of Hope's energy out! She's a live wire! ;)

And guess what????

The Embassy called at 3:30 and said, "are you close by?  The visa is READY!"  Didn't they just tell us this was IMPOSSIBLE?!

Matthew 19:26 Jesus said, "with man this is impossible, but for God, all things are possible."

We were only 10 minutes away.  We made it there JUST as the workers were leaving at 4 p.m., but the security guard on the outside was excited to see us and let Wes in right away.  So, we have EVERYTHING we need to head home!  USA! USA!

And better yet, we found tickets to come home tomorrow!  TOMORROW!

We will arrive Friday, April 4th at 6:51 p.m. in TERMINAL C on United Airlines.  YAY!!!!!

We fly to Korea then San Francisco first, so we will already be done with customs when we arrive.  We won't be coming in at the International Terminal, either, since our last flight home comes from San Francisco.

I know you can't WAIT to see these 3 little Indians! ;)

PRAISE GOD WITH US!  He has done great things!  He did in 7 days what we expected to take 30-50 days!!!!

This is the song I've been singing all week and will continue to sing as we remember this trip to India!  You should listen to this song!

"Never Once" by Matt Redman

Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Serious Wes

Wes:  All the girls are asleep now.  Please pray for Kasey: she needs strength, she has a sore throat, and has some stomach issues.  Priya got stung by mosquitos, and Hope is sick with a fever from all the shots.  I m ok, still stomach issues, but I m managing.  I think I am used to the India time now, so sleep is getting a little better.

I know you're not used to me being serious, but I do have a few things to say.

1.  God has shown His favor towards Hope and our situation in India.  I know some people haven't experienced or think its cliche, but we have had a true miracle.  I booked a one-way ticket, our hotel is booked until the end of April, and we knew the passport would take at least 4 weeks.  IT CAME IN ONE DAY!  That is beyond man, only a true act of our Lord.  He is helping in every step to get us back home.  On a side note:  It would have probably came sooner, but the courier was shady.  It was called "Speedy Postal".  They gave me a tracking number that never worked.  I called a hotline that never worked.   I think this is them below, it says carrier on his bike.  "Speedy Postal" is not very speedy.  Oh well, at least we got it.  

2.  I want to say that Kasey is awesome, and her heart is so big for everyone.  I think she would adopt the entire country if we had the money.  She can love anyone, even when they offend her.  She reminds of her mom, Birdie.   They both cry over everything, good and bad.  But both have a huge heart.  I love Kasey a lot, and enjoyed our time alone before kids, but I am really missing her a lot.  I know her attention is needed with the kids, but its been a challenge for me.  I know this is an adjustment period, but I thought I would share this.  I m sure people with kids go through the same stuff.  I m not trying to be immature about it, but I still love her the same way from the day we met.  God has blessed me tremendously with an awesome wife.  Kasey has been awesome to take care of the family, teach our kids, stay strong in the Word, and always have an awesome attitude.  I love her a lot.   Thats hard for me to say because we didn't grow up saying I love you.   As my dad would say, "We don't say I love you!"  with his thick indian accent.  And he would say, " You don't say sorry!".  He's great, but definitely a true Indian.  

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About a few months ago, Priya asked Kasey, "When did you adopt papa?".  Well, that is a great question.  She sees that I am the same color as her, so she thought we had the same story.  Kasey cleared it up.  I m sure Hope will soon ask also.  Kasey is like Mother Teresa adopting 2 little girls, and a large Indian man.   

3.  I think in my culture crying is a sign of weakness for the man.  I have never really cried much before Priya and Hope.  Now that Priya and Hope are in my life, I think I have cried more than ever, for their hearts, souls, and their past.  I cry if they are sad, or if Kasey gives them a consequence.  I also give consequences, but I think I'm getting weak with the girls.  They can almost get by with anything.    What's happening to my Indian powers?!

Ok, enough serious.  

I thought I was hip, but Hope drew a pic of me.  This is her take on my hairstyle.  I think she has put me in my place.  After comparing real pics, Hope was pretty accurate.  I guess I m a true father and FOB (Fresh Off the Boat).  Its ok, I accept this challenge.  

I never know how to close a blog, but here are some pics for you to enjoy.  Peace.  

I don't really need to comment on this. 

This is what they call Pharmacists.  

Don't smoke in India. 

At the end of our trip, we might "Get Body Relax".  Also if you notice the, "Spaing together".  Kasey says thats how I write and talk.  I m not sure what the lingo she tells me, but something that I m verbing my nouns, or "ing" everything, or whatever.  I guess this is a problem that I don't even know my problems.  She will correct me tomorrow.