What's In A Name?

With each of our kids we have made it a point for either a first or middle name to have some level of connection to the people who have walked in and through our life and left a profound impact.  The other name tie into their story in some way.


Katylynn: Named after 5 different Kate-style named friends and students who are very dear to us.
Ivy: The name her birth mom gave her.

Moses: Obvious correlations to OT Moses story.
Andrew: 4 different Drews/Andrews who are dear to us.

Keiralee: Aboriginal for miracle baby
Joy: Middle name of Kristy Mikel, one of Janelle's best friends and a major support to our journey.

So, what is the story behind our newest addition?
The birth mother made it clear to us that she would like us to name the baby. To be completely honest, we hadn't had a lot of conversation to that point.  We found out we had a boy early morning.  As we talked it through, the name just rang true... Malachi Davis.

Malachi is Hebrew for messenger of God... We are taking a little translation freedom (forgive me Dr Carpenter) over the fact we received a crazy message that showed up on our phones that on our phone giving us about 8 hours notice of his birth. We also loved the thought of having 2 boys with an biblical "M" name.
Davis:  When I started at NMC in an internship my Sophomore year, I walked timidly into a room full of 8th Grade guys.  One of those guys was quick to introduce himself.  "I'm Dave."  The kid was sharp... a clear leader.  David Cramer was the first middle school guy and eventually high school guy I had the privilege of investing in.  Somewhere along the way I started calling him Davis Cravis.  I ended up really liking the name Davis as a nod to Mr Cramer.  Also, David is the name of Janelle's father.



I pray this little messenger of God will grow to be the man of depth and character that is present in his grandfather and an student I now call friend.

Insignificant Places That Now Have Significance

Some of the biggest milestones in my life have taken place in very odd places.  For example, I proposed to Janelle in a hotel parking lot just outside Denver, CO.  I had a different spot picked out.  It was a nice park in the evening, but after a sprinkler system scared us off, I had to improvise.

All last week I dreamed up what it would be like to walk Malachi through the doors of our house to introduce him to the other three kids.  We would walk him in his car seat into the middle of the family room.  Janelle would pull him out as their awestruck eyes would lock in on his tiny frame.  Introductions would be made as we all huddled in and Janelle's dad or some other bystander would snap photos.

It didn't quite work out that way.  Because we were given permission to leave the state Malachi was born in but not allowed to enter Indiana, we decided to rent a car and make the drive to the Ohio/Indiana border.  Once near the border, our options were limited, so we decided a McDonald's (free wifi)  would be the best spot for Janelle and Malachi to camp out and wait while I drove into Fort Wayne to meet up with the kids and pick up our van from my in-laws.  To add to the drama, the snow started heavily kicking in just as I left for Indiana.

The excitement of my kids on the drive into Ohio included them changing the lyrics to the songs we were listening ("I gotta feeling, that we are going to to meet Malachi" to the tunes of the Black  Eyed Peas).   It took me about 3x longer than planned to do the trip.  In my white-knuckled driving (nearly went off the road twice with the kids in the back seat) I completely forgot to give Janelle the heads up to let her know we had arrived.

The reunion was not the picturesque scene I had in my head, but it was no less perfect. 

In the end I'm reminded it is not the place that carries the weight to the most significant moments in life but the people and purpose of the moment.  In fact, the place could be extremely insignificant, but suddenly, because of what has happened in that place, it is forever significant to you and your story.  It is then the type of place where every time you see it, you are catapulted back to that significant moment  in time and flooded with the best of memories... like a seemingly insignificant McDonald's in Van Wert, OH will be to the Prenkert 6 from this day forward.

A 4th Miracle Story - Baby Malachi

In July, we sensed a stirring from God that there was room in our family for another miracle story.
In August, we began to do some research on domestic adoption options.
In early September, we began the steps with an organization.
On November 5, our adoption profile went live.
A part of why we went with this organization was due to the speed they are able to match adoptive families with newborn orphans.  Still, we had been told the average wait time would be 4-13 months.

WELL...
Wednesday Night, November 11, after putting our kids down for bed, we received a call from our client liaison. "I have a birth mother who has selected you... and she is in labor right now... How soon can you get to __________?"*

After minutes of prayer (yes, minutes... we didn't have time for more than that) and seeking some wise counsel, we took to a step of faith like we feel this journey has been marked by all along.

On one hour of sleep we set off on a whirlwind trip of flights and car rides.  We walked into the hospital at approximately 3 pm Thursday, November 12 to meet the birth mom and our BABY BOY!

How do you sum up the moment where you walk into the room to see the child you are to call your son and the brave woman who is making one of, if not the, toughest choices in her life?
It is impossible. 
So, it happened.

After some shared time together, the birth mom asked if we had a name selected.  We informed her, Malachi Davis Prenkert.  She loved it.

Malachi Davis Prenkert. Born 11/12/15

About an hour later, we were handed baby and guided to another hospital room to begin care.  We did not have legal custodial rights, but birth mom wanted us to take over in care asap to begin the bonding process.

In that room, we were able to FaceTime back home to the kids and introduce them to their baby brother.  Feeding, burping and diaper changes began as we spent the first night of our son's life in the hospital with him.

Friday, November 13 was marked by meetings with social worker, birth mom, and lawyers to sign over custodial rights. By Friday evening we had full custodial rights and were discharged from the hospital.

Friday Night, November 13 was spent in a Holiday Inn near the hospital with our son. Due to interstate adoption law, we had to go through a waiting period until governmental consent for him to leave the state as well as consent from our homestate (Indiana) to enter is granted.  We were told this process could take 7-14 days.

As only God could design, there were several unique factors that allowed for a meaningful and comfortable wait over the week to follow.

1. My mom and the amazing Kristy Mikel arranged a care structure for our three kids back home.  Regular FaceTime appointments allowed for us to interact with them and they with us/their baby brother. 
2. We had family connections inside the state that allowed for lots of good connections and a place to stay Saturday-Sunday (Nov. 14-15).
3. Janelle's parents were vacationing nearby.  They were able to meet their 2-day old grandson and spend a couple days with us.
4. A family friend made a completely furnished home available to us while we waited and bonded with our little dude.
5. Still other significant acts of support and generosity that are either not my place to share or not quite ready to share.

 We received word Friday, November 20 that we could leave Malachi's birth state, but did not have permission to enter Indiana yet.  We wouldn't until after the weekend.  Itching to unite our entire family, we made the decision to rent a car and started the drive home that evening. 

On Saturday, November 21, I dropped Janelle off at just outside the Indian border, drove into Fort Wayne (in some pretty nasty snow), dropped off our rental car at the airport, and picked up our van (from my in-laws) with the kids in it! We, very carefully (almost went of the road twice) made our way into Ohio where the 6 of us were united together.

Our 1st "Family of 6" Photo

Currently, we are hanging out in a hotel... a complete family of 6 containing 4 unique and amazing miracle stories that can call me Daddy.

**UPDATE: We received permission Monday 11/23 to return to Indiana and are now home.****

We invite you to rejoice with us that a brave birth mom chose life and chose us. Pray for the health of baby Malachi and the bonding process with us. Pray for the other three kids as they get acclimated to a new addition.  Pray for the continued adoptive process.

It has been a whirlwind. 

It has contained God's fingerprints all over it.  

We deserve none of it.

We praise God for every aspect of it.

We continue to walk by faith.

*We are still leaving the state where Malachi was born off any public spaces of the internet in order to respect the continued process involved. Also, to be clear, the timing of this process (from time of application to match to bringing baby home and being selected by a birth mom on the evening of her going into labor) is far from normal. Then again, it is very hard to explain a "normal" adoptive process.  Every one is filled with it's own twists and turns... both positive and negative.

The Story Behind the Shirt

In an effort to raise funds for the adoption of our 4th Child, we are selling T-shirts that tell our story. 
This t-shirt is my design and it tells my portion of the story.

 
I was on an airplane somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean October 2006 when I wrote the phrase for the first time. Janelle and I had (along with Caleb 'Biz' Bislow) just finished up speaking at a Youth Camp outside Calcutta India. I was processing through the incredible opportunities God had granted me and wrestling with the enormous needs present in the world. I wanted to do something, but this time it was different.

This time I felt so insignificant in it all. In that feeling, I was also able to come to grips with that fact that so much of my life to that point had been caught up in meaning and significance... or to put it more clearly, I was convinced that my meaning would come when I was seen as someone significant. If I could become some kind of Christian All-star then I would know I had arrived with God.

On that airplane, a very subtle but significant change of focus began. What if, rather than getting caught up in my significance, I would get caught up in giving my life toward the things that God saw as significant? I wrote it out in a simple declaration:

WHO CARES IF I'M SIGNIFICANT?

I JUST WANT TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT.

This became a somewhat of a life mission for me from that point forward. I'm not that special (in fact I'm kind of a big tool), but I believe God has allowed me to be a part of some pretty significant things for the sake of His Kingdom with my life. The opportunity to be an adoptive father ranks near the top.

You can purchase this shirt and others in Janelle's etsy store YippaDeeSkip or you can connect in person with us to make a purchase: www.etsy.com/shop/YippaDeeSkip

Isaiah 1:17 and the Prenkert Family

In our Student Ministries, the hope is for the 2015-16 school year is to be marked by this verse (Isaiah 1:17).  As our staff prayed for direction and we began to run the concept of a school year where we declare to the the oppressed, orphans and widows can find peace in the statement "You Are Not Alone," we became convinced God was in it.  At Summer Camp, Tim and I presented the vision for the year and then gave the specific challenge to everyone in the tent, "What if you took Isaiah 1:17 personal?  What would it look like for you in the next year?"

As we sat in that tent and a stream of students came up to the mic to declare their personal "What if's" (and, wow, were there some powerful ones), I got a text from Janelle, who was sitting in the tent, that pretty much confirmed what I already knew God was leading us toward...

To back up a little, I had been wrestling with the personal application of the challenge all day.  There was nothing specific jumping out at me.  I've had some amazing opportunities to live out the call to SEEK JUSTICE with all three groups (oppressed, orphan, widow) mentioned in Isaiah 1:17.  Janelle and I daily look into the eyes of two amazing kids who remind us why it is worth "taking up the cause of the orphan."  In fact, as I meditated on the scripture and asked the Lord where he was leading me, I jokingly said, "God, I think I'm pretty much up to my neck when it comes to that!"  Janelle and my conversations had us to the point where we felt our family was "complete" (aka... "I'm not sure we can handle another one.")  So, my mind jumped to the other categories.  In what specific and radical way was God calling me to help the oppressed or fight for the rights of the widow.  And as I prayed and sought the Lord... nothing.

Back to the text from Janelle in the middle of that tent with 250 of my HSM friends.  I look down at my screen and read the words Janelle wrote and knew the reason I was being met with silence was because I had been focusing on the wrong category.

Janelle's text: "What if we adopt again?"

I snuck away from the front of the tent and we talked and prayed.  The same stirring was there with me but our recent conversations had led so far from that thought that.  We were so done with diapers.  The shift from 1 to 3 kids in under a year nearly killed us (and I'm almost talking litterally).  I was ready to get my kids in school and get my Thursdays (day off) back to myself.
I think I was dismissing the initial thoughts of another adoption as hype or maybe (more likely) I was afraid.  Either way, we prayed returned from camp committed to continued prayer and starting the exploratory process.  Through a series of events and conversations, God has made it clear... there's a fourth miracle story to be told with the Prenkert family.

We are pursuing a newborn domestic adoption.  

Yup, we know it sounds crazy, but God has made it so clear that we'll accept the crazy that it is. Here's some basic info we feel comfortable sharing at this point.

• We are working with a group based in California who has connections with adoption agencies all over the continental U.S. This baby may be born in Indiana, Michigan, Texas, Mississippi, California, or 40 other potential states.
• We've been given a timeline of 4-13 month from beginning the process to bringing a child home. We are approximately a month into that process at this point.
• The baby will share the same skin color as his/her big brother (something Moses is incredibly excited about).
• We are very excited, but it is a different kind of excitement than that of our previous 3 kids.  The only way I can explain it is (and I'm not convinced it's the perfect way to explain it) it's a much less selfish excitement than with the adoption of Katylynn and Moses and the birth of Keiralee. 
• The costs are substantial and do involve a step of faith.  God has always proven faithful, and we are trusting he will continue to provide as we steward wisely and take sacrificial and creative steps.  At some point in the near future we will begin to roll some opportunities for those who desire to partner financially with us in the journey.
• We told the kids the news about a month ago. They are "in."
  Kiki - She's pumped and won't shut up about it.  She's told far too many people that she was not supposed to, "We're adoteeing a baby brudder or seester."
  Moses - As mentioned, he's ecstatic.  Maybe my greatest highlight in this entire process was the night we told the kids over a family dinner.  The initial excitement had worn off and we were on to other points of conversation.  I looked at Moses and he was just sitting there, staring out the window with bright eyes and a smirk.  I asked him what was up and he just said... "Awesome!" Right on buddy.  Awesome.
  Katylynn - Upon hearing the news, she did her patented fist pump while yelling three times, "YES! YES! YES!"  Last week, she helped us prep a prayer room that we've set up at NMC in correlation with a current series on prayer.  In the room there is a spot for kids where you can draw something you're praying for.  This was my daughter's drawing:
   
    

Would you join Katylynn (and the rest of the Prenkert 5) in prayer as we take this step by step faith journey to become the Prenkert 6?

WDW Reflections: An Anthology of Prenkert Trips

Jan 2001
Location: Westgate Town Center
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  First visit.  2 days at the parks.  Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios and EPCOT in one day, Magic Kingdom the other.

December 2003
Location: Knights Inn
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  3 full days in parks before heading to Fort Lauderdale for 2 weeks.

November 2004
Location:  Westgate Town Center
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  2 days at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, 1 day at EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and MGM. La Nouba. 

November 2005
Location: Offsite Vacation Rental Home & 1 extra night at Holiday Inn
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights: Thanksgiving Day in the parks, Monday Night Football at ESPN Club (Colts beat Steelers).  Disney Quest

January 2007
Location:  1 Day Visit to Disneyland
Participants:  Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, California Screamin'... basically any ride unique to California.

October 2007
Location: Port Orleans Riverside
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights:  1st time staying On-site, 1st Time on Dining Plan, 3 weeks before adoption of our 1st child.

December 2008
Location: Coronado Springs Resort
Participants:  Derry, Janelle and Katylynn
Highlights:  1st trip with child. Very Merry Christmas Party.

May 2009
Location: Marriot Grande Vista (Universal Studios)
Participants: Derry and Janelle
Highlights: Universal

February 2010
Location Animal Kingdom Lodge
Participants: Derry, Janelle and Katylynn
Highlights:  Dining Plan, Janelle Parasailing, Princess Dinner Akershus

November 2010
Location: Saratoga Springs Resort
Participants: Derry, Janelle and Katylynn
Highlights: DVC point rental.  Katylynn's 3rd B-day Surprise.  Walking to Downtown Disney. 

November 2011
Location: Westgate Town Center & Sheraton Vistana Resort
Participants: Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, and Moses
Highlights:  Moses 1st trip. 7 total Days in Parks.  Found out Janelle was pregnant

February 2013
Location: Sheraton Vistana Resort
Participants:  Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, Moses, Kiki, Dave & Pat Lister.
Highlights:  Trip with the Grandparents.  New Fantasyland Open.  Derry and Janelle go to Universal and Harry Potterland.

November 2013
Location:  Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani & Sheraton Vistana Resort
Participants:  Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, Moses, and Kiki
Highlights:  Kids ride waterslides for the 1st time.  DVC Point Rental. Hit 3 parks in one day. First try at FP+.

March 2014
Location: Youth Pastor Conference; Evening visit to Boardwalk
Participants:  Derry, Colin and Chris.
Highlights:  A day at Universal.  Supper at Cape May.

May 2014
Location:  1 day visit from Daytona
Participants:  Derry and Janelle.
Highlights:  3 parks. Flower and Garden Festival.

October 2014
Location: Art of Animation and Liki Tiki Village
Participants:  Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, Moses, and Kiki
Highlights:  Free trip, dining and tix. 

April 2015
Location: Dolphin
Participants:  Derry, Janelle, Katylynn, Moses, and Kiki.
Highlights:  Surprised the kids.  Blizzard Beach Waterpark.  Crazy Crowds.  Two days at parks till midnight.
______________________________________________________________________

Here's the takeaways from this list:

• We have been to Walt Disney World and the Orlando Area far too many times.
• We have experienced a wide variety when it comes to trip length, lodging, activities, group sizes, and times of the year.
• I have learned  a lot over the years and trips.  It is out of these experiences I will be sharing my reviews, tips and opinions.

Compassion Into Action

UPDATE:  Katylynn was blown away this morning as we shared with her that she has been able to raise $320+ (some have given directly to her rather than online) for St. Jude's.  She spent time yesterday cleaning up our basement and even got her little brother to join in as he agreed it would be great to help kids who aren't feeling well.  THANK YOU to those who have jumped in!
_________________________________________________

I'm not a huge fan of fundraisers.  However, I AM a huge fan of causes worth supporting and people giving toward that cause.

Last Tuesday night, on the way home from a meeting at the church, Katylynn informed me that she had something "very serious" she wanted to talk to me about.  She had already had a similar conversation with Janelle.  She explained to me... well, why don't you watch the video to see what she explained to me:

As I heard my little Kindergartner explain this on the drive home, it was clear that her heart hurt over the fact that there were sick kids who need help.  It was also clear that she wanted to do her part to help.

The concept is simple.  Katylynn will be working on a Math workbook.  Your gift(s) to St. Jude's are in honor of her efforts.  It is a lump donation.

A few things to pass on.

1. The next morning after we talked about her desire to help, she brought down her wallet where she keeps her loose change.  She counted out her $2.32 and decided that she would like to give the 32 cents to help St. Jude's.
2. She asked me if she could do work around the house to get some money to give to St. Jude's.  As she does the math she will also be cleaning up in our basement and helping with dishes and other chores where she will be earning money to give.
3. I asked her if she'd like to record this video to see if others will help her.  She was obviously very willing.
4. There are prizes to those who raise funds.  Only once in our many conversations about this has Katylynn mentioned the prizes.
5. Although not mentioned in the video, this has been a great teachable moment on the heart of Christ to help those in need, and she grasps that as she helps here, she is helping Jesus as she helps those who are sick.

In the end, I'm excited to see a daughter who was moved with compassion and is willing to put that compassion into action!

If you would like to partner with Katylynn, go to http://mathathon.stjude.org/katylynn and donate.

The Things That Run Through My Mind - The Bookshelf and the Secular/Sacred Question

I'm not a very organized person, but there are times when I get really particular.  One of those times would be with organizing the books on my bookshelf.  I've tried several different methods...
Alphabetical order by author.
Giving each shelf a category, then alphabetizing by title.
Tallest to shortest.
My recent setup is by color... kind of like the way it looks.
I know, it's  a little weird, but this is how my mind works.

The other day I went in to organize my oldest daughter's bookshelf.  It had become a hot mess.  I had tried several different methods to help my almost 5 year old figure out how to have a nice looking cleanly arranged shelf, but my efforts to this point had equaled out to epic failure.  So, I started in again.
My first move was to get all her Bible books and stories to the top left corner and then proceed to Clifford, Curious George, Disney, and then round off the bottom with Dr. Seuss.  But even before I got to Clifford I paused...

These are the things that run through my mind...

What am I teaching my daughter by putting her Bibles and other stories in their own section?  On one hand, I'm letting her know that God's Word is to hold a unique and special spot in our lives.  I mean, I make every once in a while when reading about Cinderella then about Mary, that the story of Cinderella is make believe, but the story of Mary really happened, and her story can truly change our lives.  I want her to love God's word and cherish it in a way different than other writings/texts/books.

But, on the other hand, am I running the risk of pushing a separatist mindset in her that is unhealthy?  By my sacred books and there are secular books, am I encouraging her to view the world through these lenses.  Am I telling her we will have "Jesus parts" to our life, but then have the "other parts."  I can't stand seeing a lifestyle in me or anyone else who turns their spiritual on and off like a faucet or light switch.  God, help me not be a parent who doesn't allow this to happen in my children.

And maybe (probably) in that last thought that ran through my mind, I think I ran into the key.  Maybe it's not about the placement of the books on the bookshelf.  Maybe it's more about the placement of God's Word in our conversations.  Maybe it's more about the placement of Jesus in my everyday life.

Or maybe I need to get a hobby other than organizing books on a bookshelf.  

The Things That Run Through My Mind

Over the next bit, I'll be posting in a little bit of a series, some of the thoughts that have been running through my mind lately.  This will include thoughts on parenting, integrity, youth ministry, sports, influence, and life in a small town.
Keep in mind, these are "thoughts".  To me, thoughts are...
... incomplete and unfiltered.
... far from gospel.
... sometimes opinions.
... sometimes questions that haven't even moved to opinions yet.

So, let the journey begin.

Heading Out

Tomorrow, I make a journey to Pennsylvania then Virginia thanks to incredibly important investments in my life.

1. Dustin's and Charisse's Wedding:  Dustin was a student leader at NMC, a SOAR intern, and a joy to invest in. He just took on his first Youth Pastor role in Virginia.  Charisse was a SOAR Intern as well.  Their wedding is Friday, and I have the privilege of pronouncing them husband and wife.  So excited to celebrate with them.
2. Daddy/Daughter Long Date:  Katylynn will be joining me on this journey.  We make our way to Hershey tomorrow.  Visit the chocolate factory then swing through DC on our way to stay at a Lake House before the wedding.  So excited to make some memories with my little girl.

3 to 5 < 365

Going from a family of three to a family of five in less than a year has been one of the biggest change curves I've ever walked through.  Add in the fact that involved bringing a toddler from another country into the mix, well... CRAZY!

Some of the bigger lessons I've learned:

• With one, you double team.  With 2, you go man to man.  With 3, it's all about playing the zone.
• They are in the majority.  We must keep them in the dark on this reality as long as possible, or we may have mutiny on our hands.
• I don't love them all the same, but I do love them equally.
• Love runs deeper than blood (phrase stolen from another family who adopted from Uganda)
• Keiralee (youngest, birthed by Janelle) is no more our "own" than Katylynn or Moses. 
• Busy takes on a different (not more or less, just different) understanding.
• Mom's are amazing.  They give until they can't give, and then they give some more.
• There is no tougher job than parenting.
• There is no greater calling than parenting.
• There is no greater joy than parenting. 

Small Talk

When restarting a relationship, you start with small talk.  So...

How about this weather?
It is entering Fall. My favorite weather of the year. I love the fact that I'm sitting in my family room with the windows open, a slight breeze and the sun shining.  Fall sunsets in Indiana are just around the corner.

How's the Family?
Janelle is a warrior mom. Katylynn just started Preschool. Moses just officially became a U.S. citizen. Keiralee is cooing.  The switch from one to three kids in less than a year has been crazy but cool.

What Do You Expect from the Colts?
Peyton Manning won 3 games his first season. I think the cupboard is even more bare in the surrounding cast to Andrew Luck than Manning's first year. Yet, I'm reservedly optimistic. I would be very pleased with a .500 season, ecstatic with a playoff appearance, okay with a 5-6 win season. I still wish the Colts would have stuck with Manning, and I'll be cheering on the Bronco's as a secondary team, but I look forward to seeing how it all fleshes out.

Anything New Going On?
New house in June. New baby in Julu. New Student Ministires team in August. New car (well used but new to us) inSeptember. Lot's of new.

Well, I better get going. I hope we can connect soon and talk in a little more depth about some of the things mentioned above.

Life v. Blogging

The truth is that the past 400 days have been a blur.  From bringing Moses home to major staffing switches inside the Student Ministries world at NMC to the surprise news of Janelle getting pregnant to a house move to the birth of Keiralee to even more switches inside Student Ministries staffing...

Well, blogging hasn't just taken a back seat, it was actually kicked out of the car at about 120 mph.

I miss it.  I'm looking to re-enter the world, but I almost feel like I'm trying to restart a relationship with someone that I dumped with little warning.  It's awkward to try to build the relationship back up.

We're starting up again.  The conversation may be a little more shallow to start.  We won't be getting into too much family business or the real personal stuff.

We'll stick to hanging out on the front porch to start.  In time, we hope to move into the living room, and maybe on to the kitchen table together.  So, we're back (maybe).

5 Thoughts for Dads

Thought #1 - It's the most important job you have.
It's a battle to figure out when your work should end and family time should begin.  It's tricky as you seek to be the provider of your family, live out the calling of ministry on your life, and then be the Dad you are to be.  YET, what good is it if you gain all the rest of the world and forfeit your family.  I remember in 2009 as we were working on our Kids In Need initiative with Student Ministries.  I was researching through the "major giants" facing children of the world.  I was driving to lunch and I was struck with a thought, I believe from God... "Be careful that you're efforts to help Kids in Need around the world does not produce Kids in Need in your own household."

Thought #2 - Be Engaged with your kids.
Stoic parenting sucks.  I know you may not be naturally excitable or affectionate.  I'm not necessarily either of those myself.   Get off your butt and play catch.  Get down on the floor and play barbies.  I don't think there's such a think as overhugging, overkissing, or overtelling your kids "I love you."

Thought #3 - Remember your wife.
Now, I know this may not be a thought for all dads.  There may be some single dads out there.  The truth is that some of the single dads may be single dads because they neglected this thought.  My wife is an awesome mom.  She is the glue that holds us together as a family.  She is a support.  She's a riot.  She deserves to be hugged.  She deserves to be served.  She deserves a night out alone and a date night (preferably with me).  She deserves it.  Your wife deserves it too.

Thought #4 - Back off on the sports field.
Not just the sports field, but any place where your kids are involved in an activity.  Support, cheer, encourage, and maybe every once in a while, coach.  Your son or daughter won't become a pro.  You can't go back and play sports through your kids again.


Thought #5 - The greatest gift you can give your kids is your intimacy with God.
Fall more in love with Jesus today than you were yesterday.  They are watching you for cues.  They will model your cues.  I see it all the time in Student Ministries.  Show me a dad who is passionately pursuing Christ above all else, and more times than not, I'll be able to show you a son or daughter who is doing the same.

*By no means am I a pro on any of these.  In fact, I can say each of these are or will be a struggle for me to live out as a dad.

The Hangover

From Mid-June till last Sunday, we have been on an absolute whirlwind.  I have had to breathe a little bit since returning from Summer Camp.  Here's a few quick hits:

•  I have seen some of the best immediate follow-up and action steps this year after our Camps.
• Janelle and I had a little date with Harry Potter Tuesday evening.  It was nice to get away with just the two of us.  As far as the movie, Janelle LOVED it.  I really liked it.  I've read the book three times and listened to it a couple... so it was pretty much impossible to turn the book into a completely acceptable movie.  There are 3 things I wish they had stayed more true to the book on; invisibility cloak, memories from Snape, and final fight scene (trying not to give anything away), but in the end, I won't complain.
• Our family of four is adjusting extremely well.  Moses (I'm calling him Mose or Moze... not sure how to spell it) is smiling and laughing a lot.  Katylynn took a while to overcome jet lag, but is doing great.
• We still have a lot of travel ahead of us till mid August.  Next week, we head up to Ludington for a little family time, just the four of us.  Then, August 4 I head up to Brown City Camp in Michigan to speak at their Senior High Gatherings.  Janelle and kids will join me for 1/2 of the camp.  This wasn't necessarily how we pictured our first month as a family of four (we thought it would happen no later than the end of May).  At the same time, we're trusting God knew the timing and have a feeling the positive out of this is that the constant in Moses' adjustment will be us rather than a place.

We're soaking up the moments.

Heading Home

We are on our way home from Detroit airport. After a lengthy but fairly pain free immigration interview. Moses met his Nani and Bubby.

Thank Yous

"It takes a village to raise a child."

-African Proverb

No, this is not a quote by Hilary Clinton.  It is an African proverb she wrote a book from.  The quote is actually quite profound and true.  In my role as a youth pastor, I've seen what can happen when an entire community (family, church, school officials, neighbors) can come around students and get hands on in their lives.

"It's takes a village to adopt a child."

-Derry & Janelle's Proverb

There have been so many people that have been key in making the journey to Moses Andrew Prenkert joining are family that I couldn't name them all.  But, we want to try anyway by highlighting a few by name or by group or category.

1. Our Parents and extended families:  Thank you for unashamedly welcoming this little guy as your grandson, nephew or cousin.  Thank you for standing with us through this whole process.  Specific thanks to Jeanette, my mom, for journeying with us and making the time here much more kid focused than dish, laundry and cleaning focused.
2. NMC Student Ministries Staff (Chris, Geoff, Kristy, Megan, Jessica, Anna, and the SOAR Interns):  Thanks for your continued flexibility through all the uncertain travel times. Thanks for picking up what I could not carry over this time.  Thank you that you have been more than simply co-workers in this process.  You have been co-laborers, feeling the pain and holding my arms up in prayer, laughter, and encouragement through it all.
3. Our closest friends:  Who allowed us to take the mask off at times and speak openly and honestly.  For your encouraging texts, your prayers, your excitement & anticipation over the whole process.  I would name you, but I think you know who you are, and I wouldn't want to leave any out.
4. NMC Student Ministries:  For taking up a challenge to address Kids In Need worldwide, and forcing Janelle and I to practice what we preach.
5. NMC Staff and Leaders:  For stirring our heart for the nations and for orphans.  For allowing me the flexibility to travel and be completely a part of this process.
6. NMC Family:  For your continued prayers, encouragement and support through the whole process.
7. HOLT International:  For all your help in getting us connected to Moses.  For making the process as smooth, legal and clear as possible.
8. AFC Uganda & the QE Care Center:  For finding Moses and caring for him until we could.  He will forever carry your investment forward!
9. HOLT Uganda Group:  Only you know exactly what we have been walking through.  You have been a source of insight, encouragement, a fantastic venting spot, and we look forward to seeing your kids grow in their forever family as ours does as well.
10. Lifesong for Orphans:  For your incredible matching grant.
11. Show Hope:  For your gracious grant.
12. Prayer Warriors:  To go through and name you all specifically would be very, very hard.  It will be very exciting to recount the ways your "gap standing" opened and closed doors, guided paperwork, and fought off the enemies schemes.
13. Anyone who bought a T-shirt, Cards, Wallet, or Auction Item:  Your funds were key for bringing him home.
14. Anyone who gave me a coke cap, 12 or 24 pack code:  Again, you help get the funds to bring Moses home.
15. Those who gave freely:  So many financial gifts we never sought, but God brought through you.  We don't name you because we would hate to take away from your heavenly reward that is coming!
16. Candy and Emily:  For allowing us to see the joy of adoption, and confirming in us that God has a different plan than normal for building our family.
17. Katylynn:  For being the voice of God more times than once in some of our darkest times.
18. Hands, Mouths, ears, and shoulders: Hands that wrote encouraging words.  Mouths that encouraged, prayed and challenged in appropriate times.  Ears that listened.  Shoulders that let us cry when needed.
19. Jesus Christ:  In him we live and move and have our being.  For calling us toward the least of these, and the promise that every time I look into my son's face, there's a little glimpse of You (Matthew 25:40; Matthew 18:5)

We say Thank you and God Bless to the "village" who has moved this family from 3 to 4, and we look forward to stewarding the precious soul that God has entrusted us with!

With Love and Appreciation,

Derry and Janelle

A Little Twist to the Day

Late last night, or early this morning Kristy Mikel and Amanda Yoder arrived on a bus ride from Kenya to spend a couple of days with us.  For those not in the know, Kristy is spending a year and Amanda 2 months in Kenya at the AGC Baby Center.  Amanda graduated from our youth group last year and Kristy, well the ties to our family are many:

1. She graduated from NMC.
2. She worked as my administrative assistant at NMC for 8 years.
3. She is one of Janelle's best friends.
4. She is also one of Katylynn's best friends.

Katylynn didn't know that she was going to get to see "Twisty" (as she calls her) until Sunday night.  As she woke up this morning, she ran out to the couch where Twist was sleeping and gave her a great big hug and a kiss.

As I posted in our Call to Prayer, Katylynn has been extremely homesick.  Emotional meltdowns have been a multiple-times-a-day occurance.  Today was night and day difference.  Both Kristy and Amanda have been able to play with her, read to her, hold her, and simply brighten up her day. 

They have also been a huge breath of fresh air to Janelle, Mom and I.  There's just something nice about having familiar faces around.

Our day consisted of...

• A beef and noodles and mashed potatos lunch extravaganza a specialty we packed from home just for the Kenya gals... but I must way we also enjoyed it thoroughly.
• Souvenir shopping at the national theater.  We got a lot of very cool things including a purple outfit and a purple bottle cap purse for Katylynn.

•  A visit to the KLM office by me.  We reserved a seat for Moses (on Janelle's lap).  I also walked through the various scenarios we may be running into if our Visa is delayed.  As the lady behind the counter pulled up the screen to see the current cost difference if we are to have to change tickets, she did some typing, then looked up at me and said, "I really hope that you don't have to change."  Let's just say the ticket costs have gone up significantly over the weekend!  All the more need for prayer.
• Lots and lots of laughs and cuddling from Moses.  The little guy is really getting comfortable with us.  He is calling us all by name... Mama for Janelle, dah-dee for me, Diddy for Katylynn, Gamaw for my mom.

•  We ate supper at the most Mzungu (African word for white people) place we can find, The Spur Steakhouse.
• Twisty reading to Katylynn for bedtime.

Tomorrow is the big day for the Visa Interview.  We are getting picked up from our apartment at 1 p.m. (6 a.m. Indiana) for our 2 p.m. appointment.  It's crazy to think we could be 48 hours from boarding an airplane to head home.  It's unnerving to think we really don't know what will happen.
We are anxious & uncertain, but also knowing we have an awesome God who has blessed us with an awesome family and some awesome support people back home.

A Call to Prayer

A 24 hour window for prayer.

• Our Visa Interview is set for Wednesday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m.
• There is an adoption investigation by the US Embassy that has to happen for our Visa to be processed (when there last Wednesday, the investigation was not done.)
• There is a Visa Medical exam that has to be submitted for us to be able to go (when there last Wednesday, it had not been submitted).
• IF all goes well, they are telling us we need to leave 48 hours for the Visa to be issued. That is IF all goes well. Visas have been issued as quickly as the same day as the interview.
• We have return tickets purchased for Thursday, July 7, returning to Detroit July 8.If you know your math, Wednesday 2:00 p.m. + 48 hours does not add up for us to board our plane Thursday night.
• If we have to reschedule our tickets we are looking at a $350-$1000 per ticket charge (when I checked on a one day switch, it was $450 increase).
• Katylynn is very homesick. She is a trooper. She understands we cannot go home till it’s okay to bring Moses with us, but it’s getting tougher and tougher.
• Junior High Summer Camp leaves the day after we are set to return.
• Senior High Summer Camp leaves July 13. I’m supposed to go.
• July 13 is Moses’ 2nd birthday. If we can’t travel by then, we will have to purchase a ticket for him as well.
• God is our refuge and strength, but we are emotionally thin.

So, there’s a bunch of what’s going down.

Here’s the Bottom Line…

We have about a 24 hour window that is crucial for this process from Wednesday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m. (7:00 a.m. back home) to Thursday, July 7 at approx. 2:00 p.m. (7:00 a.m. back home) where we need a successful Visa interview and an actual Visa issued.

We are asking if there would be an army of prayer warriors who would commit to fast and pray on our behalf over this period of time (7:00 a.m. Wednesday to 7:00 a.m. Thursday).

Our God is Greater,
Derry and Janelle

Pictures from our Safari Time