11/28/10 Happy Thanksgiving to all! We shared our thanks this year with Steve's family. We were all at his parents home in Tampa. All of his siblings were there except for his brother Greg who lives in Texas. Our kids played great with their cousins who they unfortunetly only see about once a year. I cant wait till our new children can experience all the "larger" family activities. We watched some you tube videos on Ukraine orphanages, and after wiping many tears, my thoughts were we are so blessed to be able to adopt! We are all excited and cant wait till they come home! So Tuesday is the big day of submitting paperwork. Our friend and translator, Galya, will be hand delivering the documents to the SDA and they will within 1 - 1 1/2 weeks give us an interview date and then a court date. We will be traveling very soon. Please pray with us that it will be supernaturally speedy and smooth. The more I read, the more "stickly" and complicated it can seem over there. Every i needs to be dotted and every t crossed just right. I was reminded today at home fellowship, that it those who have gone before us and paved the way, that enables us to reap what they have sown. So THANK YOU to all those pioneers! We are ever so grateful. Still we hope that you will agree with us in prayer that our paperwork will go miracoulsly quick. The time away will be the hardest obstacle so far. Its not Ukraine in the winter that is longsome, or the many trips to government offices that dont run the way America does; but it's the time away from our home, from eachother, our work and animals that will be tricky to manage. But it's for the prize we run after. The eternal glory. Its the treasures storing up where we cant see them.
Room update: The construction of their bedrooms is coming along great. Steve works every night on it and we are about 2 weeks from finished. It looks really good. I cant wait to paint and decorate it.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Paper Trail
11/23/10 PAPER TRAIL BEGINS: 1st packet of Apostilled docs get to Ukraine on Monday past. Everything checked out and good. Second package; a bit troubling. Gathered the last 5-7 things needed, had them notarized, thanks to someone special, and off to fed ex lunch time on Friday. Monday comes and check tracking info. Bad news, no info. Call CAT of Cincinnati – they help customers track and are the liaisons between corporate and us. Our envelope is on a truck somewhere? Not quite. Turns out our packet was never picked up on Friday. She sends a driver over to check the box and I walk over to the Fed Ex box across the street too. Just as Heidi and I were praying, the fed ex guy pulls up. He opens the box and there is our packet. Yay! Except now we are a day late. So the packet is on the way scheduled to arrive Tuesday at Tallahassee by 10:30. I track again – and no packet! Meanwhile I have been in contact with and awesome lady at the Secretary of State and shared our dilemma. Time is running out quickly. If our papers aren’t in Ukraine by thus Friday they can’t be translated and turned into the adoption department there. They need to be submitted on Tuesday, November 30th or we’re basically dead in the water. (If you are a prayer, please please pray for this!) Back to the facts. Finally after much help from CAT and another local fed ex guy from Broward, the packet is in my new friend’s hands in Tallahassee. She is so unbelievably kind that she gets my stuff done in 5 minutes and we send for another fed ex pick up. It’s now on its way back to Boca. Tomorrow at 10:30 my dear and trusted friend will transfer to a DHL envelope and mail 48 hours express to Kiev. Friday Jane will receive and get to another new, but old friend, to get translated. Then into the city on Tuesday. And God will bless His people with Peace!!! And we will dance in a river!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Listening
1 John 2:5, "If anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him." (NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27 (NIV)
My morning devotion was perfect: I sat on the couch looking out the window, wondering what the future held. Some opportunities were on the horizon. My excitement, mixed with the fear of getting over-committed, ignited a rapid firing of thoughts: What would I say yes or no to? What was God calling me to do? How would I figure out His plans and purpose for my schedule?
Wondering and worrying wasn't getting me anywhere, so I decided to start praying. I wrote questions in a notebook: "Lord, what should I say yes to? Where do You want me to spend my time? Will You please show me Your plans for me this coming year?"
I wanted a sneak peek into God's calendar so I could adjust mine. Instead, I sensed Him telling me not to worry about tomorrow but to live each day in the hear and now.
My morning devotion was perfect: I sat on the couch looking out the window, wondering what the future held. Some opportunities were on the horizon. My excitement, mixed with the fear of getting over-committed, ignited a rapid firing of thoughts: What would I say yes or no to? What was God calling me to do? How would I figure out His plans and purpose for my schedule?
Wondering and worrying wasn't getting me anywhere, so I decided to start praying. I wrote questions in a notebook: "Lord, what should I say yes to? Where do You want me to spend my time? Will You please show me Your plans for me this coming year?"
I wanted a sneak peek into God's calendar so I could adjust mine. Instead, I sensed Him telling me not to worry about tomorrow but to live each day in the hear and now.
Monday, November 15, 2010
US approval is in
11/15/10
We are so blessed and privileged to be the family adopting these great kids. We have gotten the US approval and now submit docs to Ukraine. Please pray for accelerated timing. We'd like to be able to send documents this week so we could maybe submit in Kiev on Tuesday. It needs to be quick from here on out. We are still holding on to the hope of sharing Christmas all together. A new friend and pilot will probably have to fly us around personally (just kidding) but God can do anything and we can atest to that personally now. What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.
I just love God! He is moving people strategically, like pawns on a chess board, for His Kingdom set up.
Hand raised - "Use us Lord!"
Thank you to all who have supported His adoption and for your prayers.
You are family!
We are so blessed and privileged to be the family adopting these great kids. We have gotten the US approval and now submit docs to Ukraine. Please pray for accelerated timing. We'd like to be able to send documents this week so we could maybe submit in Kiev on Tuesday. It needs to be quick from here on out. We are still holding on to the hope of sharing Christmas all together. A new friend and pilot will probably have to fly us around personally (just kidding) but God can do anything and we can atest to that personally now. What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.
I just love God! He is moving people strategically, like pawns on a chess board, for His Kingdom set up.
Hand raised - "Use us Lord!"
Thank you to all who have supported His adoption and for your prayers.
You are family!
We really need your prayers!
11/2010 Please pray for all the children that need families...that we would all say yes and they would all have permanent homes. Governments all over the world need divine visitations, dreams of God, and hearts bent to please God. We lift up all organizations that help children - to show love and kindness and mercy for all officials. Thank you.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Final Countdown ... and an update!
11/10/10
Well, just call me a lame blogger since it’s been quite awhile since I updated our page. So much exciting stuff is happening in God’s adoption process. I’m going to start with our awesome garage sale. Within 3 weeks, we had so many great donations that it filled up our entire 2 car garage and dining room. After sorting through it all, we decided to have a 2 day blow out sale. Thanks to Dianne, Lisa, and Angela who had a vision of how it should be organized and spent nites before the sale rummaging and pricing and hanging the unending supply of clothes. Friday morning rolls around and at 6:30am my great and giving friends show up ready to conquer the day.
We had a great first day of sales, and then Rori and Mel save the day by supplying bagels, coffee and then subs for lunch. At about 4:00 we wrap up the day and put away what we can for Saturday. In the dark of the next morning, my friends and supporters show up again for round 2. Carol, Sandy, Tanya, Rori, Angela, Lisa, Dino, Steve, Mike, Eric, Jane, Michele, Becky, Christina, Annmarie and many more came to serve all day! If you ever have an event this us the team you should have. Dino was on traffic control and security. He was great. Annmarie showed up right when people started questioning about rare old books - and she was on it! They were unified, selfless and had just ready hearts to serve and minister to all in their paths that day. 2 couples from Ukraine came to shop, and when Rori started to tell them why we were having this sale, they cried. 2 were from my kids home town. They just couldn’t believe it. Almost everyone was shared with and some didn’t buy but donated anyway.
By the latter part of the day, people who were buying stuff, would go home and then return with new stuff to sell. It was calling people from all walks of life to give. Somebody bought a table and then brought a table back to sell, my dining room chairs went and a dining room set came back, a bedroom suite sold and then a bigger set was resold. It was unbelievable. Folks were constantly checking back because there was such anticipation of what would come back in. It was so God! Continually filling up the storehouses!!! One guy’s testimony who bought furniture, was that he was previously incarcerated, saved in prison, married and working now, declares that it is better to give then receive so he returned with more for us to sell. It was an incredible sale. My friends were so giving of their time that that alone blessed us forever. What an amazing body of believers that we are surrounded with. So at the end of the day, another garage sale fundraiser that was going on the following week to support a local family in great need, showed up with a box truck and neighbors helped load it with what didn’t sell. Great finish to the weekend. The money was counted by 4 primary servants and ….$4,600!!!!!!!!!
We needed $4000 for construction on the garage to convert it to a bedroom, and with the sales of my table, couch, buffet, chairs and the extra $600 we were able to purchase a bigger dining room table and couches to accommodate our larger family. Thank you God and all those who participated in some way.
On Sunday we checked our emails, and Jane and Barbara from the Ark left one. They told the kids! We were like - woah! They were very happy and ask many cute questions about their new life. Does is snow there, do we celebrate Christmas, will they change their names?… We are so looking forward to starting the real adventure of having them home.
So far its been all work. Paperwork, financials, appointments, testing, fingerprinting, more paperwork. But now that it’s a waiting game while USCIS has our file, I can help but look forward to the day they come home. I am thankful that they are in a safe and loving place in Kiev. I couldn’t imagine worrying where they are or what’s happening to them. Please pray for speed in the final processing. Our docs are in the national adoption place here in the US then we will DHL them Ukraine. We need favor and speed on our side right now. We haven’t bought the airline tickets yet but are still hopeful to be there all of December.
We got to speak at church on Sunday for Orphan Sunday and I cant tell you how blessed I felt. Every time when people speak about orphans and how we can help, I always was wrecked. Just really always had such a heart for them. This year, we got to be up on stage giving our testimony and not in the chairs crying about helping. It was such a gift! We spoke after Tom from 4Kids and Jane and Barbara from Father’s Care. So honored to be there. God is doing so much in the hearts of His adopted children. We are graphed into His family because of what Jesus did for us. As I look back on my life, the not so desirable things, I know it’s to help me relate to Kristina. At the same age she is now, I was “left” by my dad due to divorce. I am able to share now that I realize my identity in Christ, how it felt for me. And Steve will be such a great figure of a loving, caring, and sensitive dad because he knows my sorrows too.
God is so good and He is faithful! He doesn’t leave us where we are but brings us to the fullness of His love and grace in our lives.
Well, just call me a lame blogger since it’s been quite awhile since I updated our page. So much exciting stuff is happening in God’s adoption process. I’m going to start with our awesome garage sale. Within 3 weeks, we had so many great donations that it filled up our entire 2 car garage and dining room. After sorting through it all, we decided to have a 2 day blow out sale. Thanks to Dianne, Lisa, and Angela who had a vision of how it should be organized and spent nites before the sale rummaging and pricing and hanging the unending supply of clothes. Friday morning rolls around and at 6:30am my great and giving friends show up ready to conquer the day.
We had a great first day of sales, and then Rori and Mel save the day by supplying bagels, coffee and then subs for lunch. At about 4:00 we wrap up the day and put away what we can for Saturday. In the dark of the next morning, my friends and supporters show up again for round 2. Carol, Sandy, Tanya, Rori, Angela, Lisa, Dino, Steve, Mike, Eric, Jane, Michele, Becky, Christina, Annmarie and many more came to serve all day! If you ever have an event this us the team you should have. Dino was on traffic control and security. He was great. Annmarie showed up right when people started questioning about rare old books - and she was on it! They were unified, selfless and had just ready hearts to serve and minister to all in their paths that day. 2 couples from Ukraine came to shop, and when Rori started to tell them why we were having this sale, they cried. 2 were from my kids home town. They just couldn’t believe it. Almost everyone was shared with and some didn’t buy but donated anyway.
By the latter part of the day, people who were buying stuff, would go home and then return with new stuff to sell. It was calling people from all walks of life to give. Somebody bought a table and then brought a table back to sell, my dining room chairs went and a dining room set came back, a bedroom suite sold and then a bigger set was resold. It was unbelievable. Folks were constantly checking back because there was such anticipation of what would come back in. It was so God! Continually filling up the storehouses!!! One guy’s testimony who bought furniture, was that he was previously incarcerated, saved in prison, married and working now, declares that it is better to give then receive so he returned with more for us to sell. It was an incredible sale. My friends were so giving of their time that that alone blessed us forever. What an amazing body of believers that we are surrounded with. So at the end of the day, another garage sale fundraiser that was going on the following week to support a local family in great need, showed up with a box truck and neighbors helped load it with what didn’t sell. Great finish to the weekend. The money was counted by 4 primary servants and ….$4,600!!!!!!!!!
We needed $4000 for construction on the garage to convert it to a bedroom, and with the sales of my table, couch, buffet, chairs and the extra $600 we were able to purchase a bigger dining room table and couches to accommodate our larger family. Thank you God and all those who participated in some way.
On Sunday we checked our emails, and Jane and Barbara from the Ark left one. They told the kids! We were like - woah! They were very happy and ask many cute questions about their new life. Does is snow there, do we celebrate Christmas, will they change their names?… We are so looking forward to starting the real adventure of having them home.
So far its been all work. Paperwork, financials, appointments, testing, fingerprinting, more paperwork. But now that it’s a waiting game while USCIS has our file, I can help but look forward to the day they come home. I am thankful that they are in a safe and loving place in Kiev. I couldn’t imagine worrying where they are or what’s happening to them. Please pray for speed in the final processing. Our docs are in the national adoption place here in the US then we will DHL them Ukraine. We need favor and speed on our side right now. We haven’t bought the airline tickets yet but are still hopeful to be there all of December.
We got to speak at church on Sunday for Orphan Sunday and I cant tell you how blessed I felt. Every time when people speak about orphans and how we can help, I always was wrecked. Just really always had such a heart for them. This year, we got to be up on stage giving our testimony and not in the chairs crying about helping. It was such a gift! We spoke after Tom from 4Kids and Jane and Barbara from Father’s Care. So honored to be there. God is doing so much in the hearts of His adopted children. We are graphed into His family because of what Jesus did for us. As I look back on my life, the not so desirable things, I know it’s to help me relate to Kristina. At the same age she is now, I was “left” by my dad due to divorce. I am able to share now that I realize my identity in Christ, how it felt for me. And Steve will be such a great figure of a loving, caring, and sensitive dad because he knows my sorrows too.
God is so good and He is faithful! He doesn’t leave us where we are but brings us to the fullness of His love and grace in our lives.
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