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.  

Passport is here! Hallelujah!

Wes and I are completely in awe of the Lord today.  The passport arrived!  It's in our hands!  We still cannot believe that God did this in such an amazing way.  To expect 4-8 weeks and get it in 1 day...it's just beyond words.  Thank you, God, for ordering our steps, governing the hearts of men, and moving on behalf of the weak!  "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.  He sets the lonely in families."  Psalm 68:5  To see God move in such a mighty way for a child is just humbling.  God, change my heart to love what you love, see how you see, and act how YOU act!

And here she is...I love that she signed her new name in her passport.  And in cursive!  That will make things easier for me in the schooling department :)

Yesterday and today have been nice since we haven't had to run around like crazy.  Yesterday we went to an English service at Capital Bible Church in Delhi.  We were VERY impressed!  It's a small congregation of about 50 people, but they love the Lord and are doing a great work in New Delhi.  They have an amazing outreach to the Nandlar Slums where they tutor kids and train teens in job skills.  A ton of people from the slums are a part of their congregation!  I was inspired by all they're doing.  I think where they're working is exactly where Jesus would have been hanging out, too.

Here's a snapshot of all the girls ready for church; we were trying to teach Hope to take a "silly" picture.  I think she's getting the hang of it!

After church, we visited the Akshardham Temple.  When we walked up to the temple (it's HUGE), guess what Hope said?

You guessed it.  "U.S.A.?"

Oh my.

Grandma and Grandpa gave the girls some money to shop for some Indian clothes.  Ooh la la, does Hope love to shop!  She freaks out at the sight of every market!  It's funny because what she MOST wants is a pair of jeans.  They're expensive here!  So I told her, "when we get to the USA."  She says, "U.S.A. Jeans."  Now that's her new phrase.  "U.S.A. Jeans."

But when we arrived back at the hotel, the girls were stoked to put on their new Indian outfits.  They said they were the princesses of the Taj Mahal.

And, of course, they have matching pajamas, courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa.  Hope is becoming quite familiar with those names already!  Everything she pulls out to wear or play with, Priya says, "Grandma and Grandpa got you that."

Today, Sherry and Josh went to the Taj Mahal.  We stayed back at the hotel because we wanted to wait for the passport to arrive.  After a nice breakfast...

we tried to swim in the hotel pool, but it was FREEZING.  Hope said, "Hope swim bathtub."  So we returned to the room and they played for 2 hours in the warm water, to which she said, "very nice, very nice."  They looked very cute in their bathing suits, though, which were ALSO from Grandma and Grandpa. :)

By the way, if you've ever wondered what Wes looks like without gel in his hair...see Hope's hair below.

Since we had some free time today, I needed to catch Priya up on some school work.  Hope wanted to join so it was fun to see what she knew!  She can count to 50 in English (although with a VERY thick accent ;)!

After we got the passport, we decided to join the outside world and grab some dinner.  We found a little princess ride (like the kind in front of the grocery stores for a quarter).  You would have thought Hope was at Disney World.  When it was done, she gave us the thumbs up and said, "very nice."  Gotta love it.

And nothing like a little ice cream with Kaki before bedtime!

And now, these sweet girls are sound asleep.  I love that Hope is all cuddled up to Priya.  I am SO glad Priya's here.  I believe God has used her greatly to help Hope adjust.  She does everything Priya does.  And Priya is a great example to follow!  (Minus the mouth open and loud snoring.)

Tomorrow we have our medical appointment for the US Embassy.  Hope will have to get quite a few shots (around 11).  Please pray for that appointment.  Not looking forward to it.  When we did this with Priya, she was 2 and weighed 18 lbs.  It was so hard to hold her down!  Hope is 6 and weighs 50 lbs!  I may need J.J. Watt in the room with me hold this girl down.  I dread it.  It's like, "hey, I'm your new mom...I love you...and now I'm going to hold you down and let some strange man poke you 11 times!"  Blah.  But I know God will get us through it!

After the medical appointment, we wait 48 hours for the medical clearance.  Then, we make our VISA appointment, get our VISA the next day, and we'll be heading home!  If all goes well, we should be headed home early next week...maybe even sooner if God wants to do that!

We thank you all for your comments and emails.  We are so encouraged that so many people are praying for us and love our beautiful girls so much. It is our JOY to share them with you!

Evacuate Bathroom Please!

Wes:  I thought being Indian would make my stomach strong and can last through any Indian curry.  Second day in, (without being gross), I think I unloaded 10lbs in the water closet.  My sister and I clogged up two rooms, and moved to different rooms.  Josh our camera guy is eating all the Indian food and curries, and he is perfectly fine.  I think he is Indian and I am white, not sure whats really happening.  We are getting weak from not sleeping and stomach issues.  Please pray for us and that Hope's passport arrives soon.

Hope is sweet and kind.  She keeps calling "papa" all the time.  When I go to the bathroom, or out of the room, you can hear her saying, "papa, papa".  She wants to make sure that I'm around.  I know she needs to make sure that I'm not leaving her.  She will soon learn that this family is for life.

India has some funny signs.

This is the Ladies restroom sign.  I feel a little better about my writing skills.

I m not sure what this sign is for.  

I guess safety is not an issue.  This is not OSHA/DOT approved.  Why is the dad wearing a helmet and not the kids?

Here are the amenities in our car.  We get water, coat hangers,  and also a hammer.  Nice!

Here are the shoes Hope brought with her.  Very fitting.  

Here are some faces and photo shots of India.  So many types of religions, castes, and colors.  So many kids on the streets, starving.  We feel so burdened because both of our daughters were on the streets.  I wonder how long Priya and Hope were begging for?