An American Tale

I wasn't sure how to title this because a few things came to mind last night after I started reading the comments about my last post (I SO appreciate you for taking the time to read and pray for us...there are no words..)

Yesterday, Scott and I went to get our biometrics done. That's a fancy way of saying FBI fingerprints, (just another step in the process). Scott's went great! My lady took,(what it seemed like), forever! However she kept saying my fingerprints were smooth. Cool! I've got smooth hands. If any of you know about my hands, they are the wrinkliest, dry hands EVER! It's a family trait:). Anyways, she said that the FBI will have a final say on if they come out OK. If not, I will have to go back and redo them. Seriously? Do I look like a terrorist or criminal? Man, I kept thinking to myself, "push 'em down harder, lady"-but I didn't say that, of course. So, another waiting game, that's out of my hands.

The strangest thing that stuck with me was when she asked if we were adopting, and from where. I told her Russia! She commented awhile on how cold it will be (thanks for reminding me-like I didn't already know that!), and then she started praising me for doing this. She said, "how brave we were and how wonderful it is that we are adopting!" I should be flattered, right? Wrong! I had heard this before from some other adoptive parents, that when they get praised for adopting, they feel something other than gratitude. What? Why was I not feeling giddy and like a halo was over my head? I actually felt shame. Shame for not have taken action sooner! Shame for not opening my eyes to the horrible orphan crisis around the world. I think I gave myself a "free pass", if you will, because my youngest brother was adopted (at 5 days old:)) and I was done! I can't believe I felt this! If anything, I hope God places it on someone else's heart to be open to His children, who are fatherless, or allow their hearts to break for them and take action in some way. Don't get me wrong, we appreciate your encouragement and prayers more than anything. Having you and God on our side is more than our little family can ask for. So if you sing me praises and I act a little funny towards you about it, it's not because I'm not gracious, it's that my heart hurts a little more.

So, with all that sad, sappy stuff, get ready for some more! I promise, I don't mean to make you sad and teary eyed! The first time we told our parents we were adopting internationally, without knowing exactly where from yet, I was struck with a childhood memory. We were outside sitting on our front porch and I remember the stars being so bright. I was talking to my mom and asked her if she remembered the Disney cartoon with that cute little Russian mouse, Feivel. "An American Tale" she said! You know where I'm going with this, don't you? I instantly remembered as a child crying to that song, "Somewhere Out There." At the time, it didn't really have much meaning, other than, I couldn't imagine not knowing where your family was in the world. That song, now has so much more meaning! So, I found it on Youtube, and yep, I'm posting it! Happy listening! Seriously, don't cry...I dare you!

Once again, you'll have to scroll down to the bottom of my blog page and turn the volume down on my playlist to hear this video.

Krasnoyarsk or Bust!

It was confirmed today that our dossier was sent to Krasnoyarsk! We're headed to Siberia! Yes, I know, I didn't want to go here...but you know what? It's not up to me! Ultimately it is ALL in God's hands! So, I'm just going to be OK with going to Siberia! I've heard it is really pretty there...assuming we go during the summertime. It is actually very likely that we will get our referral by this spring, and possibly be traveling during the summer! Our family coordinator seemed to think it would be 6-9 months. Although, no one can pinpoint an actual date that we will get our referral! All I know, is that she could be born right now! Yay! So exciting to think that our daughter has made her entrance into this world already! And yet, it so sad to think I can't tell her, "Mommy and Daddy are coming for you!"
I want to see her newborn picture, but I won't. I want to feed her first bottle, but I won't. I want to change her first black tarry poopy diaper (yuck I know), but I won't. I want to hear her first cry, but I won't. But what I want isn't what God is telling me I NEED! He is telling me that this child, HIS child, will want no more, because He has chosen her for us! I know that through all of this "wanting" there is a much greater need. The need to be loved unconditionally without seeing her face. The need to provide shelter and comfort when she has none. The need to say, "I love you." Isn't that what He is telling us? It makes the term adoption so much more real, when we realize we are adopted into His kingdom. Then we will be home forever...wanting for nothing more!
So, I ask you to please pray for her safety! Pray for the care of our dossier as it is being translated right now. Please pray that God's hand will be upon it and the man translating it. Of course, pray for a speedy referral:) (yes, this one is a bit selfish). Pray we will seek God's face during our wait, because it is now out of our hands!
We will be receiving a packet in the mail this week for more paper work (ugh) that our "region" requires!
Thanks so much for listening and praying!!

Region Jitters!

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween! We sure did! I can't send this next post without "posting" a picture of our family on Halloween. Believe it or not, Scott dressed up as Bret Michaels...eyeliner and all! He had people asking to have their picture made with him at the block party we went to! Hilarious! Enjoy it!



So, last week we received word that our dossier will be sent to a region in Russia very soon! Yipee! We were unaware of the fact that we could have a say in what region to send our dossier to. Obviously the best case scenario is to be sent somewhere where we would only have to travel to Moscow or St. Petersburg. Worst case scenario ( I use this term lightly) is that it could be sent to Krasnoyarsk, which is smack dab in the middle of Siberia! So, naturally we asked about the possibility of choosing Moscow or St. Petersburg. Yes, it is an option, however, this is what our Family Coordinator said," we must resign ourselves to accepting whatever conditions may occur with that particular region-whether it's a lack of available children, matching requests, or extended wait times, or difficulties with a judge/regional officials."


Well, that sure makes it easy doesn't it! We're going into this wholeheartedly knowing that God is in complete control of this situation and we will go where He wants us to go! Right? Well......now that we've had a few days to think about it...SIBERIA, we are getting a little anxious. So, last nightScott asked (see how I'm making this his fault) if I could email our FC and see if we could possibly be put in somewhere other than this region. Eeek! It was a hard email to write, and we still don't know for sure. We could possibly, very well be going there. We definitely know we want this to go as smoothly and quickly as possible, and if this small little "problem" of ours is the only reason to keep us from our daughter, than we will gladly go to Siberia to get her.


Let me fill you in on something first: it will take us about 14 hours to get to Moscow. We have to go here to the court first (so no matter what we will go to Moscow). Then, if we are sent to Kras, we will then board ANOTHER plane for about 8 hours! So you can see our reason for anxiety...especially if you know Scott and his "travel woes." (Sorry, Bud, love you!).



So today I got an email back from our FC and she explained why Kras is a better option. 1. They typically see more girls in this region. 2. The children are often healthier in this region. 3. If you decline 3 of the referrals (due to whatever reasons, health, etc. ) they pull your dossier from the region and send it back to you, thus starting the whole process again.


I guess I just would like to ask you to pray for our "situation" that if Kras is where He is sending us, we will gladly go and not have any fears or be anxious about anything. I remember Phillipians 4:6-7, "Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Ahhhh!

So, this Sunday is Orphan Sunday! Our church is going to have a little preview of what it is God has called us to do, " to care for the orphans and widows in their distress." James 1:27

We are hoping to show the need for an orphan ministry and hopefully get some blood moving! We are using a video that I want to share.


Thanks for listening, and praying!