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!!!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
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!!!
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!!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
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????? !!!!!
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????? !!!!!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
"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....
"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....
Monday, October 15, 2007
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!!
"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!!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
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)}
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)}
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