Sosovnoborsk day 2

This morning I woke refreshed and ready to go around 5-5:30. We met the Goeppners for breakfast (Boy were the candy bars good :))and headed on out to Sosnovoborsk again. The trip seems so long, especially in the pre-morning dark.

When we arrived, we were told that since we were early, we could go ahead and play with the children, and talk to Galena afterwards. This time when they brought in Sergey, he cried like he'd lost his best friend for several minutes. It was probably only 5- but it's the 5 minutes that last forever. Again, the stacking toy saved the day... :)

Once he quieted down, we went back over to the couch area. Though he still wanted to get up and go off and play, he seemed content to stay with us and play. He looked at his picture book- and seemed excited about Cobaka. He looked at all the pages. We took off his shoes and socks and traced his foot to get a size reference.

That, along with the crackers Penny shared with us for him, seemed to break the ice. We took off his outfit and tried on the 2 that we brought. The 12 month was just a touch too small- when he leaned over, the side buttons snapped open :) The other outfit, 18m in size was missized. The onsie was too small and the jacket to go over it, too big. I thought he didn't like the hat, but, when watching from a different view- I think he may have been trying it on himself :)

The most amazing thing happened while we were putting his clothes on. I had him on the floor to fasten the snaps, leaned over, tickled and kissed him, and he laughed!!! OK, this was amazing. I don't think even I have any idea what that belly laugh did to my heart. I'm tearing up right now, just thinking about this.

Tim and I tickled and cuddled, pounded on the xylophone and looked at pictures with Sergey, but way, way, way, way too soon, they came back and got him. It was time for his nap- so we only got to see him for a mere hour today. It was so disappointing!! :(

The one good thing about him leaving was his caregiver. She sat down with him for a few minutes and did a rhyme, or clapping game- not too sure with the language barrier, but he laughed and clapped and rubbed his hands and put his hands on his head, pointed to his ears, eyes and nose when told, laughed and looked like a totally different child. Can't wait to see him respond to us that way!! Can't wait to spend enough time with him that he feels comfortable with us like that!!

But, Tim was able to video tape for the Goeppners, who are adopting 2 sons. They were able to stay with their parents for almost an extra hour. After about 1/2 an hour of wondering what we should do now, Yelena came in and got us and we went to Galena's office to ask any questions and find out more about Sergey. We found out some great things, which we can't post until after the adoption is complete- but nothing new was brought out with any health concerns, and they were able to answer questions about our next trip and what would happen.

Sosnovoborsk day 1

And then, amazingly, we left for Sosnovoborsk. Marina and I chatted quite a bit on the way there. She is such a lovely woman. We were really glad that she was our interpreter. She told us that Sosnovoborsk was actually founded when the factory was built there. The housing was for the workers. It means something like the city in the pine trees, or surrounded by pine trees. We saw these on the other side of the city. They had their first snow fall of the season on Sunday night- so we got to see a beautiful landscape, complete with snow. Sosnovoborsk has the largest babyhome in Russia. Where most baby homes have 60 children, Sosnovoborsk has 150 or more- up to 180 we heard.
We arrived at a nondescript building, parked and went in. On entering, we saw the old swimming pool area that we had seen in several other folk's pictures. We exchanged shoes for slippers and headed down the hall and up the stairs. At the end of the next hall upstairs was a very spacious room called the Music Room. There was a piano, couches and a large playing area, and the carpet we saw in the referral pics. We kinda stood around, nervous, yet feeling great anticipation. I was afraid I would burst out in tears at any moment. We had a chance to meet Galena, the doctor and director of the orphanage. She is an amazing woman, knowing all the children and caregivers by name.

Then the door opened. One of the caregivers walked in with Sergey on her hip. I knew him immediately from the pictures. She came over and set him down next to the table and put a stacking toy next to him. "Come on, Mama- come play, Papa" she said to us. Tim and I went over and, trying to keep from tearing up, began to play with our son for the first time. "Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us" and I got a very large dose of "He loved us even before He knew us". Thank you, God! It was hard not to give in to urge to bawl like a baby, sitting there, finally holding our son, whom we had been waiting sooo long to meet.

Sergey loves to stack.. The stacking toy played music each time you put a ring on. He is also a budding musician. He loves the xylophone. We sat on the floor and as he pounded away on the xylophone, I pulled over the bear we had brought, and snuck it up to him to give a kiss. He kept pounding away with his right hand, and without looking reached over and grabbed the bear by the head. I thought he was going to throw him out of the way, but he brought the bear up to his face, and gave himself several more kisses from the bear. He began to try to get away from us- not running, just picking up the toy he was playing with and moving to other side of the room. We soon found out why. He made a little face, and I thought I heard a toot. Then another. Then more noises. Tim was very proud of his boy for the volume of noise and smell :0) lol Very soon one of his caregivers came back to get him and wash him up. He was gone for a while, and when he came back in, with his striped outfit he had on for the referral pictures, began to cry when the caregiver left. What a heartbreak to hear your son cry and not know the language to console him. We got him distracted with more stacking toys, and soon we were playing peek a boo and bounce the ball. It was so precious to see Tim holding his son. I leaned over his shoulder to play peek-a-boo, and thought my heart would bust as we heard the little giggles come from our son. The highlight was when he saw himself in the camera and waved to himself. He even began to feel comfortable enough with us that he began to babble a little. Not sure if it was Russian or baby talk. Can't wait to hear more! And all too soon, the caregiver came back for Sergey. It was so sad to see him go, but we knew we'd be back the next day.
We stopped at California Pizza, and had pizza and Coca Cola before we came back to the hotel. The pizza was pretty good! Boy were we tired. Don't think we've actually slept more than a few hours since we left Sat. Tim downloaded the videocamera, and I got the gifts together. We fell into bed exhausted around 10:00 and got up at 5:30 to get ready for what the morning holds.

Krasnoyarsk Day 1

Wow- The last two days have flown by faster than a shooting star.

We arrived at 5:30am in Krasnoyarsk, after an extremely cramped trip on our Aeroflot plane from Moscow. It was amazing trying to eat our little meal, with our little fork and spoon, on the little tray, with little room. My knees almost touched the seat in front of me- can't imagine how a tall person would feel. The engine was shut completely off when we landed- making for quite a sureal ending to our flight. It was earily quiet, no one talking loudly and very dark. We walked down the steps and followed the people off the tarmac, through a gate in the fence and around through the snow, past the parking area to baggage. Penny and I stood at the end of the room, waiting for the guys to bring the luggage.
After a few minutes, a very attractive woman came up to us and said, "Hello." It was such a welcome word! Tim later told me she came up behind them and said, "Hi, Guys!" They wanted to know how she knew who they were- and she said- easy! She took us out to the van to wait while the men collected the luggage. We began to pray earnestly when they didn't show up after quite a few minutes. Then we realized that our luggage was probably the first on the plane- thus the last off. Sergey and Yelena and the guys came out with all our luggage :O) and we headed on out for the Krasnoyarsk Hotel. When we arrived Yelena took our passports and checked us into the hotel. In Russia, one must be registered in the region they are staying in within 72 hours of arriving. Fortunately, the hotel takes care of this for us.

Our room is quite nice. We are on the 7th floor with a beautiful view of the Yeseny river and bridge and a little courtyard outside the ballet and opera theater. We have a king size bed, desk, closet, fridge and tv. And, for a small fee, internet service :)

We came to our rooms and knew we had our appointments with the MOE (Ministry of Education) at 2:00. Since our rooms come with a free breakfast, we headed on over there to grab a bite to eat. We came back to the room and took an all too brief nap.

I can't even explain how suddenly nervous I felt. I knew we needed to pray, and was so comforted when Tim and I quietly prayed in our room before going out to meet with the Goeppners. What an awesome presence it was that went before us!

We met in the lobby and prayed with the Goeppners and then headed on out, after Yelena got our passports back from the hotel clerk. We went to the MOE and were all ushered into a small office with 2 ladies, Galena and Tatiana, our interepreter Marina, whom we met in the van on the way to the office, and Yelena. The process was surprisingly painless. Galena spoke for a few minutes to make sure we understood what was about to happen, and then asked us a few questions. What made you choose Russia? What do you do? What is your family like? How long did it take you to complete your dossier? She was very friendly and engaging. When she was finished, Tatiana went through the information about the documents we were to sign to accept our referrals. She then showed us some additional pictures, gave us the actual birthdates and full names of our children. She explained that after we met the children we would go to the notary and formally accept our referrals.

Moscow airport

We have arrived...or should I say, we arrived around eight hours ago. For this posting it is 7:30 p.m. Moscow time, 12:30 p.m. EST. Depending on internet service, we will upload this to the blog then. DST Russia happened this morning at 2:00 a.m while we were somewhere over the North Atlantic Sea. Delta airlines was a little tight on the leg room, but the staff was very nice, maybe that should offset one another. Flight service included dinner last night and light breakfast this morning. That was a nice change in the "routine" during the 8.5 hr. flight.

We arrived in Moscow airport, and, with our new friends we met sitting in front of us who are returning for their court date, and our other couple from our adoption agency, we made our way off the plane into the airport. I must admit, I felt a high level of fear here. It took quite a few pep talks with God as we walked off the gangplank into the unknown. We wound around through the airport, following signs in russian, very glad this other couple had taken us under their wing. We came down the steps to a large room with the little custom booths at the far end.

The couple I mentioned earlier was with the 4 of us. The wife leaned over to me and said how nice this was. The last time she had been here it was dark and chaotic. They had put in a dropped ceiling and lighting and painted lines on the ground so everyone was standing in orderly lines, waiting their turn to enter the Motherland. We made it through without incident and followed the crowd to get our luggage.

We stepped outside the area where the luggage was, and there was a man holding a sign that said Swingle/Goeppner. It was Vladimir :) He speaks little English- but a whole lot more English than we speak Russian :) He loaded us up and we drove about 1 mile to the Novotel Hotel.

Wow- it was amazing! It had the large lobby that extends to the roof with the glass elevators to ride up to your room. It was very posh! Vladimir handed me his phone, motioning for me to talk. I said, "Hello?" and found I was talking to Phillip, the gentleman who made all our arrangments. He had items for us to take with us to Krasnoyarsk- paperwork and such, and he said when to meet Vladimir later that evening to go back to the airport for the next flight.

We had adjoining rooms with the Goeppners. We really enjoyed our time with them. We shared our photos of our sons and spoke back and forth between the rooms until we both settled in for some shut eye.

We enjoyed a nice Russian version of Don Pepe's mexicano at the Novotel hotel just before we checked out.

Currently, we are waiting in very smoke laden Moscow airport for AeroFlot flight #779 to Krasnoyarsk. The airport here is sort of confusing for us non-Russian speaking folks. Vladamir, our driver was a Huge blessing to make certain we are were we needed to be and standing in
the correct line.

We arrived around 10:00 a.m. this morning, checked into the Novotel hotel and crashed. Sleeping on the aircraft in totally over rated. Checked out of the non smoke filled hotel at 6:15 p.m., to wait in a hazy environment. We should arrive in Krasnoyarsk around 6:00 a.m.
Monday morning. Not sure if we will be able to stop at our hotel before the MOE appointment, so we are dressed for the occasion. Praying the next flight will be kind to the business attire.
The weather has been very overcast today. The temperature is about 30 degrees F. Forecast for Krasnoyarsk is calling for measurable snow during our three days visit. Chris and Penny Goeppner are excited about the snow, being from south Florida. We are tired, but on the flip side, very excited about seeing our son for the first time. The MOE meeting will be torture! God willing, it will be short and we will get to spend as much time as possible tomorrow with him.

In the Port Columbus Airport

I can't even begin to describe the beauty of the morning. We woke early and loaded everything in the car and headed out for the airport. The ride there was nothing short of amazing. There were dark grey storm clouds in the distance, with the brilliant morning fall sun setting all the trees on fire around us. What an amazing picture that made, blazened on my mind. It was so beautiful! What a gift to start us out on our journey with!

We stopped at the fire station in Whitehall where Tim works. One of his fellow employees was going to give us a ride to the airport, just 5 minutes up the road. We met a man there with his son who had been adopted from the same baby home our son is from a few years earlier. He let us borrow a few phrase books and sent some pictures with us for Yelena, the coordinator in Krasnoyarsk. It was very interesting to be able to talk to him about what he had experienced at the same place 3 or 4 years ago. His son was fascinated with the equipment, so Tim showed him around. He just turned 8. They live in Columbus now, we met them through the International Ohio Adoption yahoo chat group.

Well, we are sitting here in the airport- with about an hour before we board the plane. Whooo hoooo- we have Internet here and power- so, we're trying to see if we can get all our addresses and such sorted out before we go to make posting easier and quicker while in Russia. We
made it through the first check just fine- had breakfast, sipped some Latte, read some mail- I guess we didn't really need to be here so early after all.......But, hey, it's the first chance we've had to just sit and relax for the last 10 days since we found out about our son. So, hopefully this works, and we'll be able to keep in touch with everyone while we are halfway around the world. Until next blog.......

The "Hour of Power"

Amazing what a difference an hour can make, isn't it?

I came home from work this afternoon, hoping to make it to the Credit Union in time to withdrawal the cash we need to take with us. They had just received "new" money in, which we need for our journeys around the world.

So, as I am driving home, I am thinking about what we need to pack, what we need to do, what else needs to happen, etc. I know that Tim's mom has already rec'd the packet that has our passports and visas, so I stop there first. They are really neat looking-a sticker that takes up a whole page in our passports.

I head across the way to our house, and in the time it takes to park the car, put down the garage door and walk downstairs, the Fed Ex truck is parked in the driveway!! Now, mind you, I was planning on spending about 15 min at home- just to let the dogs out! And all this took place in less than half an hour!!!!

So, she hands me 2 packages- one containing our tickets for the flight from Moscow to Kras and back, and the second containing the adaptor and surge protector for our electronic equipment. I hadn't even shut the door yet when the phone rang- It was another friend and fellow adoptive mom- She got submitted to the same region we are in!!!! After some hooting and hollering and praising God we chatted for a bit and I drove into Columbus.

The credit union had all we needed, and more. We got a roll of Presidential Dollars to use for tipping. And the cashier was wonderful- she had many great stories to tell of adoption stories and God working in Russia.

And then, to top it all off, as if all this wasn't blessing enough, I stopped at the Fire Station and had dinner with Tim and had some time to talk to him at work.

God, I am so amazed by you. Thank you for calming my fears and answering my prayers so quickly and completely. Thank you for your guidance for the rest of our Journey of Faith.........

My view

Thought I would add a photo I found of a bridge over the Yenisey River in Krasnoyarsk.

Just ended a conference call with our coordinator Kristen from AWAA and another couple we will be traveling with when we leave JFK airport in New York. The count down clock is running. Soooooo many things to do, organize and verify. Currently, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our airline tickets for international travel and in country travel on Aeroflot airlines. Our visas were suppose to arrive today...and haven't yet, though it is still early in California. Maybe tomorrow?
When one puts their schedule together for weeks and months ahead of time, one is never aware of the changes that are to be encountered in moments notice. Although, I know, that God supplies our every need. We are seeing every day how God has been preparing us for this "Little Man" to come into our lives. We go about our day to day tasks, sometimes not giving our full attention to what God is doing in our lives. Then all of a sudden, there He is, in your face, saying "Have you been listening?" Debbie and I are seeing things that He has put in motion for a decade.....A DECADE! Can you say WOW! And folks have the nerve to say "There is no GOD?" I think different.

Baby Boy Swingle

Hey, my sweet little guy,
I was getting stuff ready to meet you, and I realized- We've been waiting for you your whole life!! Even before you were born, we were getting ready for you. We can't wait to see you and hold you and look into your eyes for the first time.

See you soon!!!

Mom and Dad

Our updated visa pics

We had to update our photos for our visas- so I thought- hey, why not add them- I don't have enough photos on here. I can't wait to post pictures of our son (In the adoption process- this can't be done until he is home with us- so I'm really saying I can't wait to have him home :0D)

So, here we are- sans the smiles- since it is for our Russian visas ;0}

The Calm Amidst the Storm

Wow- who ever knew there was so much to this foreign travel? Now I know why I always like to have things done ahead of time....

God really sunk the lesson down deep over the last 18 months- Trust in me- I know the plans I have for you- Hold my hand and I will lead you-

He's been smoothing the way, preparing us for this journey. I've mentioned to several friends- I feel as if I am in a movie- where the screen if full of chaos- nothing stationary, everything moving at break neck speed, the camera sweeping back and forth so you feel you might be sick- the characters all running for their lives, the car about to go over the cliff, but... instead of the usual music and chaoticness with the heavy bass drum beat and the crazy music swirling all around you- it is just......hmmmm......... quiet, ..........peaceful, ...........almost ......relaxing- so if I close my eyes and concentrate on God, and breath deep in His presence,........instead of my surroundings, I feel this surreal peace- the actual "peace that passes all understanding" that we talk about so flippantly sometimes. Wow- it is amazing.......

Praying we get our visas back with our original passports by Tuesday and our airline tickets sorted out this weekend, everything packed in our limited space and all our paperwork in order.

Thank you Lord that your ways are not our ways, your thoughts are not our thoughts, and that you have everything worked out already- all we have to do is "walk ye in it."

Thank you for this deep peace- and thank you for continuing to surround our son with your perfect love- preparing him even now to meet us- to know that we are the parents you have been raising up for him. I selfishly pray for the maximum amount of time to be with him while we are there.

As Andrew would say- God- You Rock!!!

Travel Dates!

God has been soo amazing this week. We are so overwhelmed!! Tim was able to get all our info faxed and mailed today to officially accept Sergey as our son.

Kristen called this afternoon. It is always great to hear her voice. She wanted to know how everything was going- fine- just looking at our son- falling even more in love with this little guy. She asked if I was really sure? Of course. Not going to change your mind? NO WAY!!

Then how about travelling on Oct 27?

I jumped up and down, sank to the floor and praised God as I realized that in less than 2 weeks, we will be in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, holding our son and seeing him with our own eyes!! Whooo Hooooo!!!!!!! I'm doing the happy dance all over!!!

So, now begins that paperwork chase to get ready to go- the visas, the airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc. How wonderful to know that God has brought us this far- and He will direct our steps and lead us completely through this Journey Of Faith!!

Next stop, Russia!!!

Accepting Referral

It was hard to sleep last night- imagine that :0)

I got up very early and packaged all the info we had into an email and sent it to our international adoption specialist Doctor. He is Dr. Douglass from Cebarrus Pediatrics out of North Carolina.

I then got ready for work, and just after the office opened called them to make sure they had received the information. They normally take 24-48 hours to get back with you to set up a phone conference to go over a referral. I requested they call us back later in the afternoon- the same day!! I have such an urgency to bring Sergey home. The receptionist was very friendly, took my information and said she'd be glad to leave them a note, about calling this afternoon.

I finished getting ready for work, and was just about to walk out the door when the phone rang- the office wanting to know if 4:30 this afternoon would work for us...... God, you are overwhelming me. I don't even know the words to use to express how much your faithfulness and very real answers to our prayers means to me.

Work was pretty slow today- thank goodness!! My mind was halfway around the world, staring into the eyes of our child- "writing him on the tablet of my heart." Oh my- what a feeling. It is so indescribably incredible. Like sinking into a down comforter of God- with Him supporting, filling and carrying me. It is a beautiful cloud to bask in, let me tell you!!

When 4:30 rolled around, Tim and I were ready and waiting. We had all our referral information in front of us. I had even printed off the growth charts and charted Sergey's progress up to now. Dr. Douglass was great. He gave us a few impressions, and generalities about foreign adoptions, and then went, in depth, through all our paperwork with us. He was able to clear up a lot of info we weren't sure about, and give us other things to watch for, both now and down the road.

After giving us the time we needed to ask questions and answer, he prayed with us, committing it all to God's care. How awesome is that?

We have now officially filled out all the acceptance paperwork, and will send that in tomorrow morning. Look out, Russia- Here we come!!



Next call- Travel????? !!!!!

"The Call"

I was wrapping up work today, filling in at our Pavilion store, looking forward to going home. It had just turned 5:30 and we were just about to pull the gate down when the phone rang.

"Hmmm," I said, "It's 5:30- wonder if I should get that?" "Well, guess I'd better."

The voice sounded like Kristen's, but she wouldn't be calling me at 5:30- she is done at 5.........

It was Kristen!! She said to hang on a second while she got Tim on the phone. I almost collapsed- it couldn't be real- we were actually getting "the call" about our baby!!!!

She gave us the info she had about our son and then she sent the info to our email accounts. Tim was actually home- having had his teaching schedule changed at the last minute. He was looking at our child's picture at home, while we were both on the phone with Kristen. It was so amazing to hear him as he saw his son for the first time. "He's beautiful," he said in a hushed, awed voice. "This is incredible" I was almost thankful to not have been able to see the pictures, just to be able hear his reaction. Again, God is so amazing- I can't open any email at work- blockers are all up since it is part of the hospital.

So, tomorrow we contact Dr Douglas, the international adoption doctor, and see what he has to say- but we both feel in our hearts, this is our son. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I am amazed by you.

We told our parents, then our siblings and then some of our closest friends- and it's not even official yet....... at least not on paper.


Tomorrow- the acceptance....

Orphan Monkey

This amazing story was such an encouragement to me. God cares for all the orphans out there, not just our children. But if He can orchestrate something so beautiful for abandoned animals, think of what He can do for us- His chosen, adopted into His family, called by His name.

Thank you God!!!!

Silence

In silence we can hear God's still small voice more clearly. Could that be because in the silence, in the waiting time, we seek His face more earnestly?

"Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10

This last week has been somewhat difficult for me. I have felt like Pigpen, from Charlie Brown, surrounded by a cloud of ..... well, not dirt, but more a depressed attitude- fear, bitterness- all the things that His light drives out of the shadows. I've been praying for the "Son shine" to fill my heart and soul so much that the rays would ooze from every pore.

"Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you." I Peter 5:7

Why is it so difficult to leave everything in God's most wonderful, capable hands?

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest. " Jeremiah 29:11-13

Why do I keep taking back the worries and cares, thinking I can do anything about them, just by thinking about and worrying about them? God tells us to cast all our cares on Him- the author and the finisher of our faith. Thank you, God that you are writing my story, and that I am written on the palm of your hand.

When the silence becomes most deafening, it is then that I realize it has really not been quiet all along. In the silence and the stillness, that is where you are continually talking to me, if I would only take the time to shut out the loudness of everything around me and bask in your presence, listening to your voice. Thank you. Thank you for everything in my heart. You truly are AWESOME!!

I Love you!!

A Phone Call

Had another very busy day at work today. Was just about caught up when I heard my cell phone ring- which is amazing, because I don't have service at work, usually. It was Kristen, our family coordinator. She was just calling to touch bases with me- we hadn't talked for a little while.

She then told me that several families that had been in process longer than us would most likely be placed in our region, due to difficulties in the regions where they had hoped to be placed. There was a great probability that they would be placed ahead of us for submission to a baby home, so we still may not get submitted to a specific baby home this month, but hopefully would. She was waiting to hear. Then, after a few minutes of clear reception, it became difficult to hear, so I asked it she could call me back in about half an hour on the phone at work.

I called Tim to tell him, and as I was telling him, realized that this could mean that we would be well into next year before finalizing our adoption. I must admit, I selfishly shed a few tears. But I went to the restroom, dried my eyes and said, "Though I've cried out for an answer, I believe that I can say, Thank you, Lord, for every answer You've delayed." This is the last line of the song I posted a few weeks ago, called In The Waiting. I dried my eyes and focused back on God. He knows what the perfect timing is for our child to come home.

Half an hour later, I, all caught up for the moment with patients, decided to call Kristen- she was on the other line, calling me :0) She found out we had been submitted already to a baby home!!!!!!! I can't believe it. I really had given it all back to God and felt wonderful knowing that He was in control. I was thanking him for all the people I know of that were planning on that region that had been closed, knowing that they would be finding out soon about the children God has for them, thinking how we'd be doing the happy dance together for them. Now I get to do it for me!!!

He is SOOO amazing!!!!

Next call- our referral {=0)}

Why do YOU learn scripture?

Last Saturday/Sunday was a day of prayer for us. Our adoption chat group ended Sept and brought in Oct bathed in prayer. I had the most amazing experience and just wanted to share an insight gained during my prayer hour.

Just before noon, which was the hour I chose to pray, I double checked my mail to make sure there weren't any more requests to be prayed for. One of my new friends and fellow adopting moms had written:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
I feel good in the Lord today...one additional request for all of us: that we will feel the peace of the Lord during our personal time with Him over the next 24 hours and that we will know when to be quiet and listen to Him!!!!!!

WOW! Thank you Lori for your post- I read it just before I started praying. I decided to just spend some time listening to God first, instead of starting in with "requests" and things I want Him to do for me. I tried to quiet my spirit and just listen.

I began to hear phrases in my mind like- get prepared- it'll be happening really quick- go ahead and pack. Now, don't get me wrong, I really would like that to be the case, but I kinda looked out of the corner of my eye and said- is that you, God? Or is it me thinking the things I want to hear?

It was then that my "aha!" moment came. I began to hear scriptures in my mind- and it was then that I began to realize something that had never really struck a chord like this before.

I don't read the Bible because I'm told I should. I don't memorize scripture because it's a good thing to do. I read the words God breathed into existence thousands of years ago and store them in my heart, because when I'm praying and God speaks through the scriptures to me, I don't have to question if it's His voice I'm hearing, or my own wants and desires coming through. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is what God is saying.

It reminded me of Eli and Moishe in the Left Behind Series, if any of you have read that. They only speak scriptures, but are able to answer questions asked of them by speaking the word of God.

So far, no word on our adoption story. There has been much activity with other families over the last month. Thank you God for your many blessings!! We are looking forward to stepping off the sidelines and becoming involved with the action soon :0)

Right now I'm doing the happy dance for all our friends, making mental packing lists, still waiting on the call, but basking more and more in God's presence!!