Round Two- Heading Back To Bogota

Well, we're finally heading back! On Wednesday afternoon Becky called me while I was at work. She left me a voice mail and simply said, "call me back as soon as you get this." Considering that we've been on "the list" for almost 3 years, I didn't think anything of it. Sure, we were hoping that we'd be able to go back to Colombia this year, but not this early in the year (oh, and for all you non-Colombian families out there, please note the spelling of Colombia. It's not Columbia, it's Colombia. Can I get an 'Amen' from the congregation!).

To set the stage, Beck had said to me last Tuesday night: "What do you want for your birthday?" To which I replied: "Nothing. Well, a referral sure would be nice." I think my comment was more sarcastic or off the cuff than anything- I guess I just never thought about it. Well, when I returned her call she said: "Remember what you asked for for your birthday? You got it!!" And I remember thinking, "Doggone it- what'd I ask for again?" Oh the joys of growing old. But then she said, "we have a son!" And I just sat there, not really sure what to say. Then it clicked: tractors, cars, and mud on the pants?!? Suh-Weet! Don't get me wrong- I absolutely love time with Ally and playing games, but I'm looking forward to some boy stuff too. So we now are the proud parents of an almost 14 month old.

So we decided to wait to tell Ally until Friday after I got home from work- she went to school Thursday and Beck's sister's Friday, so we didn't want to take a chance of her spilling the beans to people too early. Plus we were getting together with my family Friday so we figured it'd be a good time to tell them. So when I got home from work we pulled Ally into the family room, got out the video camera, and had her sit in the chair. I asked her, "Ally, what do you pray for EVERY day?" Her reply: "A brother and a sister, Daddy!" So I said, "Well, Jesus gave us a brother!!" Ally: "Oh man, I wanted a sister!!" But after Beck told her how cool it would be to have a brother because he wouldn't take her toys, etc., she got super excited and has been anxious to go get him. About a hundred times a day we hear: "Momma! When do we leave to go get Will? Daddy! When are we going to Colombia?" It's been a riot around here the last 24 hours. And she wore this to my sister's last night, and all day today:

So we now feverishly attempting to put together all the paperwork, etc. Our goal is to leave in the next 4-6 weeks, but as we found out with Ally, it's not our timing. And Will's referral isn't, either. It's all God's timing, all the time. And we can't WAIT to get back to the country we love and that has blessed us with our children.

We'll be posting as we continue the journey, but here's the little fella who's got an excited big sister:

William Michael Schrotenboer- born December 19, 2008
















As always, we covet your prayers. I think Ally has it right, as her prayer has gone from "Dear God, I wish I could have a brother and a sister", to now "Dear God, please help my baby brother to come quick". Amen, Ally!