WOW – I just can’t even begin to describe how the Lord has been moving on this trip. A life changing experience…and not all from meeting my little angel, although that was definitely precious, but more from experiencing the presence of the Lord. His promise to me before I left was from Psalm 139:5 – that He would hem me in – going before and after me and that has been my experience this week. Feeling a sense that I am right in the palm of His hand - in the center of His will. Thank you all so very much for praying – I am 200% aware of those prayers. In each situation I’ve encountered – and there have been some stressful ones – I’ve known His peace (Phil. 4:6).
Today was an emotional day – after much prayer and another consult with the international adoption physician via email I called my coordinator to say yes! I intend to adopt this sweet little girl. She was very happy and excited for me. At 9:30am we headed to orphanage for another visit, then to the notary to sign the intent to adopt paperwork. You really build your patience muscles here – between the traffic and the waiting – nothing happens in a hurry here. It’s been really amazing to just let it unfold – move from one task to the next without having any idea what might be next. I pretty much just go where they tell me and enjoying the view while I’m going.
I am in Moscow proper now– staying right near downtown at a Marriott – feels very much like one at home – such a small world. The drive from my little girl’s region took four hours due to traffic once we were within Moscow city limits. I am here for one night. Tomorrow I have the medical exam and then my translator will take me back to the airport hotel to be ready for my flight home tomorrow.
I wanted to share one sweet story with you. As I was leaving the orphanage today, the caregivers told my sweetie to give me a hug (they did this at the end of each of our 3 visits and mostly she complied – although not really willingly) today she came over and hugged me and as she stepped back she stopped and looked at my face and my eyes – then she put her hand in my hair ever so gently – it was a moment of confirmation for me. Just one of those moments of knowing – she is my girl and I sensed she knows I’m her mama. In each visit I touched her hair this same way and it was
as if she was touching me in the same way I had touched her.
Peace dear friends!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
More from Moscow
WOW – I just can’t even begin to describe how the Lord has been moving on this trip. A life changing experience…and not all from meeting my little angel, although that was definitely precious, but more from experiencing the presence of the Lord. His promise to me before I left was from Psalm 139:5 – that He would hem me in – going before and after me and that has been my experience this week. Feeling a sense that I am right in the palm of His hand - in the center of His will. Thank you all so very much for praying – I am 200% aware of those prayers. In each situation I’ve encountered – and there have been some stressful ones – I’ve known His peace (Phil. 4:6).
Today was an emotional day – after much prayer and another consult with the international adoption physician via email I called my coordinator to say yes! I intend to adopt this sweet little girl. She was very happy and excited for me. At 9:30am we headed to orphanage for another visit, then to the notary to sign the intent to adopt paperwork. You really build your patience muscles here – between the traffic and the waiting – nothing happens in a hurry here. It’s been really amazing to just let it unfold – move from one task to the next without having any idea what might be next. I pretty much just go where they tell me and enjoying the view while I’m going.
I am in Moscow proper now– staying right near downtown at a Marriott – feels very much like one at home – such a small world. The drive from my little girl’s region took four hours due to traffic once we were within Moscow city limits. I am here for one night. Tomorrow I have the medical exam and then my translator will take me back to the airport hotel to be ready for my flight home on Friday.
I wanted to share one sweet story with you. As I was leaving the orphanage today, the caregivers told my sweetie to give me a hug (they did this at the end of each of our 3 visits and mostly she complied – although not really willingly) today she came over and hugged me and as she stepped back she stopped and looked at my face and my eyes – then she put her hand in my hair ever so gently – it was a moment of confirmation for me. Just one of those moments of knowing – she is my girl and I sensed she knows I’m her mama. In each visit I touched her hair this same way and it was as if she was touching me in the same way I had touched her.
Peace dear friends!
Today was an emotional day – after much prayer and another consult with the international adoption physician via email I called my coordinator to say yes! I intend to adopt this sweet little girl. She was very happy and excited for me. At 9:30am we headed to orphanage for another visit, then to the notary to sign the intent to adopt paperwork. You really build your patience muscles here – between the traffic and the waiting – nothing happens in a hurry here. It’s been really amazing to just let it unfold – move from one task to the next without having any idea what might be next. I pretty much just go where they tell me and enjoying the view while I’m going.
I am in Moscow proper now– staying right near downtown at a Marriott – feels very much like one at home – such a small world. The drive from my little girl’s region took four hours due to traffic once we were within Moscow city limits. I am here for one night. Tomorrow I have the medical exam and then my translator will take me back to the airport hotel to be ready for my flight home on Friday.
I wanted to share one sweet story with you. As I was leaving the orphanage today, the caregivers told my sweetie to give me a hug (they did this at the end of each of our 3 visits and mostly she complied – although not really willingly) today she came over and hugged me and as she stepped back she stopped and looked at my face and my eyes – then she put her hand in my hair ever so gently – it was a moment of confirmation for me. Just one of those moments of knowing – she is my girl and I sensed she knows I’m her mama. In each visit I touched her hair this same way and it was as if she was touching me in the same way I had touched her.
Peace dear friends!
Day One - We Meet :)
This will have to be very short and oh so very sweet – I met my daughter yesterday!So much to share! But my laptop battery is dying – unfortunately I didn’t realize my adaptar to fit in the Russian plugs doesn’t accommodate 3 prongs so I can’t charge my battery.
But I wanted to thank you all for your prayers – God’s presence is just enveloping me! So thank you and please keep praying!
Off to the orphanage in a bit for another visit – then to the Adoption Center to sign all of the intent to adopt – then back to Moscow (a 3 hour car ride) – the dreaded medical exam is tomorrow and then home on Friday.
But I wanted to thank you all for your prayers – God’s presence is just enveloping me! So thank you and please keep praying!
Off to the orphanage in a bit for another visit – then to the Adoption Center to sign all of the intent to adopt – then back to Moscow (a 3 hour car ride) – the dreaded medical exam is tomorrow and then home on Friday.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Arrival - I made it!
I am here safe and sound and my luggage made it too woo hoo! The trip went smoothly - very long!
The Lord put Psalm139:5 on my heart Sunday am and He really impressed upon me that He would "hem me in before and behind" - I really clung to that verse the whole trip it gave me such a peace! Thank you all for praying me here! Please continue to pray me through the week.
My coordinator will pick me up at 6am and we will head for her region to meet her :) I am so excited!
I am seeking to let each moment unfold and to be present for each of those moments. Looking for the Holy Spirit to show up in each and every one! May I be an instrument of His peace to those I encounter this week!
The Lord put Psalm139:5 on my heart Sunday am and He really impressed upon me that He would "hem me in before and behind" - I really clung to that verse the whole trip it gave me such a peace! Thank you all for praying me here! Please continue to pray me through the week.
My coordinator will pick me up at 6am and we will head for her region to meet her :) I am so excited!
I am seeking to let each moment unfold and to be present for each of those moments. Looking for the Holy Spirit to show up in each and every one! May I be an instrument of His peace to those I encounter this week!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Leaving on a Jet Plane...
Well, this is it! I am leaving tomorrow for Moscow. This week has been crazy - oh so much drama. Starting with getting my Passport/Visa back only to discover that my entry/exit dates were incorrect! Aaaaaaiiiiiiiyyyyyyy! It has my departure date from the country of 12/10 and my tickets were for departing 12/12 - plus my medical exam was 12/10. Oh my goodness it was incredibly stressful and VERY expensive. My ticket is now changed to depart tomorrow instead of Monday and my return will be Friday. The region I am adopting from will not schedule court until you complete your medical - so if I was unable to complete my medical on this trip it would mean 5 trips to Russia instead of the already extensive 4 trips!
The biggest disappointments are that my friend Elisabeth will not be able to travel with me and there will be about zero time for sight seeing while I'm there - it is going to be one packed trip.
I have to admit I'm really nervous about traveling alone....ok....downright scared! But I have a feeling that once I'm with my coordinator I will be just fine. And I know the Lord goes with me. So many are praying for me and I already feel lifted up. Thank you all!
I am dreading the medical exam. But that will be over on Tuesday and then I head to my region and meet my angel! I cannot wait for that.
OK - back to packing.....if you think of me this week say a prayer!
The biggest disappointments are that my friend Elisabeth will not be able to travel with me and there will be about zero time for sight seeing while I'm there - it is going to be one packed trip.
I have to admit I'm really nervous about traveling alone....ok....downright scared! But I have a feeling that once I'm with my coordinator I will be just fine. And I know the Lord goes with me. So many are praying for me and I already feel lifted up. Thank you all!
I am dreading the medical exam. But that will be over on Tuesday and then I head to my region and meet my angel! I cannot wait for that.
OK - back to packing.....if you think of me this week say a prayer!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Trip One
Woo Hoo! I finally got travel dates. I am headed to Moscow on Monday! I really can't believe it's finally happening.
Things are falling into place....flights are booked, hotels are reserved, just a few hundred other things to do between now and then.
God is so good - I was able to find flights with less than a week's notice for $1015.
I have to admit I'm really nervous - especially given my history with I.A.
Praying that this time will be different!
Things are falling into place....flights are booked, hotels are reserved, just a few hundred other things to do between now and then.
God is so good - I was able to find flights with less than a week's notice for $1015.
I have to admit I'm really nervous - especially given my history with I.A.
Praying that this time will be different!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Don't Shrink Back
These last few weeks have been full of drama - the drama of international adoption! And I have to admit as I've talked to God about it, I've spoken the words "just forget it! it's too hard!".
As I was swimming laps earlier this week, and complaining to the Lord in prayer about a new set of paperwork needed before trip one, I very clearly heard (now don't freak out, I don't mean audibly - I heard in my spirit) the Lord say to me "don't shrink back". These words hit me between the eyes and instantly brought both relief and a bit of confession - sorry, I'm such a whiner Lord!
The women's Bible study that I co-lead with a dear friend has been focused on the New Testament book of Hebrews. In chapter 10 the author reminds the readers of the ways they have faced very difficult times and remained joyful and confident in their trust of the Lord, with that in mind, he challenges them not to shrink back now with a new set of difficult circumstances - in fact, he tells them the Lord will "take no pleasure in the ones who shrink back!"
I think that is what I have been tempted to do - shrink back - give up the fight. It has been such a long and painful journey to this point and yet I see God's fingerprints all over it - I know He has been guiding me, He has never left me and has not forgotten me. And hearing this reminder not to shrink back strengthens my resolve to go the distance in this.
My dear friend Delene, from Zimbabwe, who has lived through her share of very difficult and painful circumstances, told me this summer that she is resolved to "let each moment unfold". It's her way of saying she is living in the present. Those sweet words came back to me as I went to my Bible study to see what else the Lord might be saying to me about not shrinking back. I think I am to let each moment unfold - trusting that the Lord is working out His plan for my life and my new little angel's life
Even though I have no idea when or if I will be invited to travel, and it seems clear that she won't be home before next year - I am committed to letting life unfold - to drink in all the sweetness and heartache each moment may have to offer - trusting that no matter my circumstances - no matter what unfolds - God is good.
As I was swimming laps earlier this week, and complaining to the Lord in prayer about a new set of paperwork needed before trip one, I very clearly heard (now don't freak out, I don't mean audibly - I heard in my spirit) the Lord say to me "don't shrink back". These words hit me between the eyes and instantly brought both relief and a bit of confession - sorry, I'm such a whiner Lord!
The women's Bible study that I co-lead with a dear friend has been focused on the New Testament book of Hebrews. In chapter 10 the author reminds the readers of the ways they have faced very difficult times and remained joyful and confident in their trust of the Lord, with that in mind, he challenges them not to shrink back now with a new set of difficult circumstances - in fact, he tells them the Lord will "take no pleasure in the ones who shrink back!"
I think that is what I have been tempted to do - shrink back - give up the fight. It has been such a long and painful journey to this point and yet I see God's fingerprints all over it - I know He has been guiding me, He has never left me and has not forgotten me. And hearing this reminder not to shrink back strengthens my resolve to go the distance in this.
My dear friend Delene, from Zimbabwe, who has lived through her share of very difficult and painful circumstances, told me this summer that she is resolved to "let each moment unfold". It's her way of saying she is living in the present. Those sweet words came back to me as I went to my Bible study to see what else the Lord might be saying to me about not shrinking back. I think I am to let each moment unfold - trusting that the Lord is working out His plan for my life and my new little angel's life
Even though I have no idea when or if I will be invited to travel, and it seems clear that she won't be home before next year - I am committed to letting life unfold - to drink in all the sweetness and heartache each moment may have to offer - trusting that no matter my circumstances - no matter what unfolds - God is good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
