The Tugwell Family Adventure
adventure – an exciting or remarkable experience
Dearest Family and Friends:
It is a joyous occasion to share our news with you today – a letter about our adventure, our children, and our family of 5 together at home.
In August 2006 our adoption started with an amazing and generous gift…in my mind (Lori) our journey would look something like this – we had chosen 2 beautiful boys from Haiti – we would wait 12 months or so – maybe a little longer and the boys would be welcomed into our loving home. Looking back – we would have missed so much beauty, so much kindness, so much of God if the journey would have unfolded the way I planned. God had an adventure in store for us! For Noel & I, the crazy part of the story is how if God would have told us in advance about the great heart ache that would accompany the great joy – we probably would have said – “you know God – I think you may want to find someone else for this task.” We never would have chosen this journey, but we are thankful for the ride… a roller coaster – lots of ups and downs, thrilling, scary, exhilarating, and at the end – a day of miracles during a trip to Haiti to bring our oldest son home.
Looking back….March 2009
After several months of immigration denial from the United States – we were finally able to travel to Haiti to get Silas (then age 3) and bring him home. Noel, Lily, and I arrived in Port au Prince and welcomed both Silas and Louis (then age 11) to our hotel. We had a fun week of eating, swimming, playing, and celebrating being together. The day we left Haiti, without Louis, was very hard for all of us, but we were so thankful to bring one of our sons home. Silas has thrived at home – fluent in English, he has grown 6 inches, gained 12 lbs, and seems to outgrow his shoes every 2 months! Silas and Lily became fast friends – Lily is eager to help her little brother while he is trying to become independent.:) It has been a fun year of first experiences with Silas. He has an amazing personality, loves life, and smiles even when he sleeps!
Louis’ adoption seemed to be progressing well and we expected he would be home in the fall 2009. Time passed and the paper process in Haiti did not progress as we had hoped.
On January 12, 2010 – we were shocked to learn of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The longest 48 hours of our life went by with no report about the children of Louis’ orphanage. We finally heard the news we had prayed and hoped for – that Louis survived. What happened next is difficult to relate in any brevity – THOUSANDS of people were involved in Louis’ story. Most importantly people PRAYED – also there were meals cooked, kids taken care of, paperwork completed and organized, much encouragement given - plans to get Louis home were researched, thought out, and implemented. Our friends, family, and people we had never met quite literally came alongside us to provide for every need. Just writing about it today gives me goose bumps – we have never witnessed such a powerful movement of God. 8 days after the earthquake, God prompted us to book our flights to Florida. We arrived in Ft Lauderdale on January 20th with no concrete plans of how we would get to Haiti – only certain we would get there. While still in the airport – we received news that Congressman Boozman’s office was able to get us flights on an Air Force jet (4 seater) to Haiti the next morning. So many miracles took place in the next 24 hours – we arrived in Haiti at 11am, had immediate ground transportation and drove to the orphanage in Petionville where Louis was waiting for us with a giant smile on his sweet face. We drove to the US Embassy and we were able to get in and meet with the US immigration officer. Thankfully, during Silas’ denial of immigration, I had a lot of correspondence with the officer – I had kept in contact with him and sent pictures of Silas at home so he remembered our family. When we arrived at the Embassy, Mr. Bannis met with us and said he had received my numerous emails and signed our VISA. At this point, Noel and I just looked at each other in utter amazement at what God had done for our family in these few short hours. We walked out of the embassy and stopped to take pictures and were met by 2 monarch butterflies. Since my Mom died in 2001, my family has had a number of times when a butterfly would arrive on a special occasion – a reminder of my sweet Mom who loved butterflies. On January 21, in Port au Prince – there were 2 butterflies – one for my Mom and one represented Titus – our son that we were adopting from Haiti that died in 2007. God speaks our love language –the 3 of us huddled to pray and thank God that Louis was finally and completely adopted. Only one more hurdle – how would we get out of Haiti? We did not have any arrangements, but by this time we knew without a doubt that Someone did! We arrived at the airport and our driver offered to drive onto the tarmac again – sure! We pulled up behind a private plane and our driver said he would go talk to the pilot if we wanted….he came back with a report that there were only 2 seats left on the plane. Just as we were about to pursue PLAN B (whatever that was) – we turned and saw the pilot waving at us to come to the plane, he was holding up 3 fingers! At 4pm the 3 of us boarded the airplane with 21 other orphans who were going to be with their forever families. Our destination –Ft Lauderdale. :)
We spent 5 hours in Haiti that day – Louis’ appointed day to be rescued, Noel’s birthday. A celebration occurred as Louis became a US Citizen – in Florida we were met by some special men that had offered to fly us home – including our friend that had given us the generous donation to start our adoption. AMAZING!
On January 23, Louis was welcomed to his new home by a few hundred of our closest friends and family! It was a celebration unlike any other in our lives…so much love in that airplane hangar that day. Louis felt very special as he was presented a framed declaration and our mayor announced that January 23 is Louis Tugwell Day! Thank you just isn’t adequate for the all the people who made that day so wonderful for our family, but I will write it anyway THANK YOU!
Since these miraculous events, life has become very “normal” around our house. Louis is learning English very fast – understands a lot now and speaks in full sentences. We spent the first 10 weeks having school at home and he started public school 3 weeks ago. He is in the 6th grade and learning so much – I think we are learning more. He reminds us of what is really important in life. Lily and Silas love having him home – they all enjoy each other and we are so proud of them. Lily and Louis are playing on soccer teams right now and loving it. Lily is doing great in school and Silas enjoys his preschool class 3 mornings a week. All of our children love music – lots of singing and dance parties at our house. We are so excited for nice weather and more time outdoors. The kids are looking forward to fun summer days at the pool and time with cousins! It is my ongoing “plan” to write on our family blog – the full story of miracles and also some stories of life at home. The blog address is http://www.tuglor.blogspot.com/.
In October 2009 – we held the first annual Titus Task 5k Race and 1 mile Fun Run in downtown Siloam Springs. It was a beautiful day celebrating Titus’ life and raising funds to pursue a future for more orphans, like Titus, who deserve a family. The Titus Task gave its first grant to a family in NW Arkansas who recently welcomed their daughter home from China. We are planning for this to be an annual event in our area and at least one grant per year will be given to an area family that is in the process of adoption. We would love to share our ideas and experience with people in other areas that would like to consider a Titus Task fundraising event and contribute to families in their own communities. For more information – www.thetitustask.com.
We are also pursuing an opportunity for The Titus Task to make a difference in Haiti. We are finalizing details to work with an organization. The partnership we engage in will allow us to have a relationship with a community of people in Haiti. We will know them and be involved in their lives and rebuilding process. Noel and I are praying that we will have the opportunity to lead short term mission teams to work alongside the organization and will have the opportunity to report to those who support the Titus Task. If you would like to be part of an ongoing relief effort in Haiti by giving, going on a short term mission to Haiti, or if you would like to receive email updates, please send an email to: lori@thetitustask.com. I know many of you have already donated to this devastated country – there is still so much to be done. This is a way you can contribute and have some personal involvement. Please join us!
ONE more thing! We have reprinted our original Titus Task T’s. (new colors) If you would like one – all proceeds will go directly to our Haiti relief effort. The cost is $25 for one shirt - $20 per shirt if you buy 2 or more. Simply send Lori a check and your size needed. Shirts are white – fitted men’s style - sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL. [300 Meadow Brook Cr Siloam Springs, AR 72761]
Thank you for the years of prayers, support and love you have given our family. Merci Anpil! We thank God for the miracle of having our family all at home!
With love from all of us,
Noel, Lori, Louis, Lily, & Silas
adventure – an exciting or remarkable experience
Dearest Family and Friends:
It is a joyous occasion to share our news with you today – a letter about our adventure, our children, and our family of 5 together at home.
In August 2006 our adoption started with an amazing and generous gift…in my mind (Lori) our journey would look something like this – we had chosen 2 beautiful boys from Haiti – we would wait 12 months or so – maybe a little longer and the boys would be welcomed into our loving home. Looking back – we would have missed so much beauty, so much kindness, so much of God if the journey would have unfolded the way I planned. God had an adventure in store for us! For Noel & I, the crazy part of the story is how if God would have told us in advance about the great heart ache that would accompany the great joy – we probably would have said – “you know God – I think you may want to find someone else for this task.” We never would have chosen this journey, but we are thankful for the ride… a roller coaster – lots of ups and downs, thrilling, scary, exhilarating, and at the end – a day of miracles during a trip to Haiti to bring our oldest son home.
Looking back….March 2009
After several months of immigration denial from the United States – we were finally able to travel to Haiti to get Silas (then age 3) and bring him home. Noel, Lily, and I arrived in Port au Prince and welcomed both Silas and Louis (then age 11) to our hotel. We had a fun week of eating, swimming, playing, and celebrating being together. The day we left Haiti, without Louis, was very hard for all of us, but we were so thankful to bring one of our sons home. Silas has thrived at home – fluent in English, he has grown 6 inches, gained 12 lbs, and seems to outgrow his shoes every 2 months! Silas and Lily became fast friends – Lily is eager to help her little brother while he is trying to become independent.:) It has been a fun year of first experiences with Silas. He has an amazing personality, loves life, and smiles even when he sleeps!
Louis’ adoption seemed to be progressing well and we expected he would be home in the fall 2009. Time passed and the paper process in Haiti did not progress as we had hoped.
On January 12, 2010 – we were shocked to learn of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The longest 48 hours of our life went by with no report about the children of Louis’ orphanage. We finally heard the news we had prayed and hoped for – that Louis survived. What happened next is difficult to relate in any brevity – THOUSANDS of people were involved in Louis’ story. Most importantly people PRAYED – also there were meals cooked, kids taken care of, paperwork completed and organized, much encouragement given - plans to get Louis home were researched, thought out, and implemented. Our friends, family, and people we had never met quite literally came alongside us to provide for every need. Just writing about it today gives me goose bumps – we have never witnessed such a powerful movement of God. 8 days after the earthquake, God prompted us to book our flights to Florida. We arrived in Ft Lauderdale on January 20th with no concrete plans of how we would get to Haiti – only certain we would get there. While still in the airport – we received news that Congressman Boozman’s office was able to get us flights on an Air Force jet (4 seater) to Haiti the next morning. So many miracles took place in the next 24 hours – we arrived in Haiti at 11am, had immediate ground transportation and drove to the orphanage in Petionville where Louis was waiting for us with a giant smile on his sweet face. We drove to the US Embassy and we were able to get in and meet with the US immigration officer. Thankfully, during Silas’ denial of immigration, I had a lot of correspondence with the officer – I had kept in contact with him and sent pictures of Silas at home so he remembered our family. When we arrived at the Embassy, Mr. Bannis met with us and said he had received my numerous emails and signed our VISA. At this point, Noel and I just looked at each other in utter amazement at what God had done for our family in these few short hours. We walked out of the embassy and stopped to take pictures and were met by 2 monarch butterflies. Since my Mom died in 2001, my family has had a number of times when a butterfly would arrive on a special occasion – a reminder of my sweet Mom who loved butterflies. On January 21, in Port au Prince – there were 2 butterflies – one for my Mom and one represented Titus – our son that we were adopting from Haiti that died in 2007. God speaks our love language –the 3 of us huddled to pray and thank God that Louis was finally and completely adopted. Only one more hurdle – how would we get out of Haiti? We did not have any arrangements, but by this time we knew without a doubt that Someone did! We arrived at the airport and our driver offered to drive onto the tarmac again – sure! We pulled up behind a private plane and our driver said he would go talk to the pilot if we wanted….he came back with a report that there were only 2 seats left on the plane. Just as we were about to pursue PLAN B (whatever that was) – we turned and saw the pilot waving at us to come to the plane, he was holding up 3 fingers! At 4pm the 3 of us boarded the airplane with 21 other orphans who were going to be with their forever families. Our destination –Ft Lauderdale. :)
We spent 5 hours in Haiti that day – Louis’ appointed day to be rescued, Noel’s birthday. A celebration occurred as Louis became a US Citizen – in Florida we were met by some special men that had offered to fly us home – including our friend that had given us the generous donation to start our adoption. AMAZING!
On January 23, Louis was welcomed to his new home by a few hundred of our closest friends and family! It was a celebration unlike any other in our lives…so much love in that airplane hangar that day. Louis felt very special as he was presented a framed declaration and our mayor announced that January 23 is Louis Tugwell Day! Thank you just isn’t adequate for the all the people who made that day so wonderful for our family, but I will write it anyway THANK YOU!
Since these miraculous events, life has become very “normal” around our house. Louis is learning English very fast – understands a lot now and speaks in full sentences. We spent the first 10 weeks having school at home and he started public school 3 weeks ago. He is in the 6th grade and learning so much – I think we are learning more. He reminds us of what is really important in life. Lily and Silas love having him home – they all enjoy each other and we are so proud of them. Lily and Louis are playing on soccer teams right now and loving it. Lily is doing great in school and Silas enjoys his preschool class 3 mornings a week. All of our children love music – lots of singing and dance parties at our house. We are so excited for nice weather and more time outdoors. The kids are looking forward to fun summer days at the pool and time with cousins! It is my ongoing “plan” to write on our family blog – the full story of miracles and also some stories of life at home. The blog address is http://www.tuglor.blogspot.com/.
In October 2009 – we held the first annual Titus Task 5k Race and 1 mile Fun Run in downtown Siloam Springs. It was a beautiful day celebrating Titus’ life and raising funds to pursue a future for more orphans, like Titus, who deserve a family. The Titus Task gave its first grant to a family in NW Arkansas who recently welcomed their daughter home from China. We are planning for this to be an annual event in our area and at least one grant per year will be given to an area family that is in the process of adoption. We would love to share our ideas and experience with people in other areas that would like to consider a Titus Task fundraising event and contribute to families in their own communities. For more information – www.thetitustask.com.
We are also pursuing an opportunity for The Titus Task to make a difference in Haiti. We are finalizing details to work with an organization. The partnership we engage in will allow us to have a relationship with a community of people in Haiti. We will know them and be involved in their lives and rebuilding process. Noel and I are praying that we will have the opportunity to lead short term mission teams to work alongside the organization and will have the opportunity to report to those who support the Titus Task. If you would like to be part of an ongoing relief effort in Haiti by giving, going on a short term mission to Haiti, or if you would like to receive email updates, please send an email to: lori@thetitustask.com. I know many of you have already donated to this devastated country – there is still so much to be done. This is a way you can contribute and have some personal involvement. Please join us!
ONE more thing! We have reprinted our original Titus Task T’s. (new colors) If you would like one – all proceeds will go directly to our Haiti relief effort. The cost is $25 for one shirt - $20 per shirt if you buy 2 or more. Simply send Lori a check and your size needed. Shirts are white – fitted men’s style - sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL. [300 Meadow Brook Cr Siloam Springs, AR 72761]
Thank you for the years of prayers, support and love you have given our family. Merci Anpil! We thank God for the miracle of having our family all at home!
With love from all of us,
Noel, Lori, Louis, Lily, & Silas
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