Sisters

Originally, we thought that it would be Maren who would be most excited by the thought of adding a few more sisters to the family. While she is, indeed, ecstatic to be losing her status as "the only girl," several of our boys have also recently demonstrated their excitement as well.



Although one of our girls has been matched with another family (we still do not know which one), we both feel strongly that there are still two little girls who are meant to be a part of our family (the other child that we were considering was a little boy with arthrogryposis and, after a lot of discussion and prayer, we both felt strongly that he was not the child the Lord had prepared for us). We have requested the files of two more little girls and are awaiting those files as well as the file of the little girl that is still available. We do not know when we will receive those files, but we know that the Lord's timing is perfect.

The waiting has been difficult (see post below), but the scripture "Be still and know that I am God," (Psalms 46:10) has been running through my mind almost constantly over the past few months. Even though it is so difficult to "be still" and to know that things are outside of our control, I know that our Heavenly Father never rests and that He is working very hard "behind the scenes" to bring His plan for our family to fruition. As always, I am anxious to see what and WHO He has in store for us!

Holding Pattern

I can still vividly remember our last flight home from Ukraine. I had been traveling off and on for over 8 weeks and, as I sat, looking out the window, with a perfectly beautiful little Ukrainian boy on my lap, it seemed almost surreal that this journey was drawing to a close (although I would soon realize that the real journey was only just beginning). I could visualize my family waiting for us at the end of the terminal with wide smiles and outstretched arms and I could picture all five of our children finally together.

I heard the pilot's voice over the loud speaker and I was pulled from my thoughts. My heart began to race as he announced our final descent. We were so close to the finish line.

As the minutes ticked by I began to notice that we were flying in circles. The captain's voice was heard once again, this time announcing that, due to high traffic, we had been asked to delay our descent. We were in a holding pattern.

I looked out my window and I could see the city below. Our final destination. So close, but suddenly so far away. My husband was down there and my children. Our happy ending. Our adventurous beginning. Suddenly the whirlwind of emotions that had been building up inside of me for the past 8 weeks reached the surface and I felt the hot tears finally spill over, soaking my cheeks and the top of my sweet little boy's head.

When the air traffic had cleared and it was safe for us to land, the captain once again announced our final descent. Within minutes we were on the ground. Finally home where we belonged. The reunion was grander than I could have ever imagined. Seeing my family waiting at the end of the terminal, hearing the squeals of joy from my sweet children and feeling my husband's strong arms around me brought indescribable joy. We were home. ALL of us.

Once again, we find ourselves in a holding pattern. Our goal is in sight, but we are waiting for permission to begin our descent to our final destination. The wait has been incredibly difficult. Sometimes it is hard to look out the window and see how close we are, at the same time knowing that we are still a hundred miles away. At the same time, we know that, our view is limited. "Air traffic control" can see the big picture and we know that they will lead us safely to our destination when the way is clear and the time is right.

We are still waiting for our agency to receive the files of the girls we have requested (in addition to the two girls we originally requested (one of whom has been matched with another family (we still do not know which one), we have also requested the files of two additional little girls (both age 7). Our Bulgarian facilitator as well as members of the Ministry of Justice are working very hard in our behalf and we are all hopeful that we will receive the files soon. While the wait has been difficult and emotionally taxing, we know that our Heavenly Father is in control and that He sees the big picture. His timing will be perfect for each and every one of us, our girls included and by His hand, we will safely reach our final destination.

And the winner is. . . . .

TIANA FRAZE!!!

Tiana has been a good friend of ours since our college days and she has been one of our biggest cheerleaders over the past few years. Her love, support and encouragement has lifted us up and carried us through so many of our adventures. We are so excited that we are finally able to give something back! Congratulations Tiana!

To say that we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that we have received over the past few weeks would be an understatement. We are truly humbled by the number of people who have reached out in support of our efforts to bring our girls home and we appreciate each and every one of you more than we can express. For those who have been through the process of adoption, you know just how long and difficult the road to bringing a child home can be. If it were not for the love and support of our amazing family and friends I cannot even begin to imagine how much longer and more difficult the road would seem. We thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts.

Our goal for this giveaway was to raise enough money to file our immigration approval paperwork (I-800A). The total cost to file that paperwork and complete the required fingerprinting is $830. We are humbled to announce that we not only met that goal, but exceeded it, raising $950. Again, we thank each and every one of you who contributed to our adoption fund and who helped to spread the word and we give thanks to our loving Father in Heaven for blessing us with such wonderful and supportive family and friends!