Paperwork Headed To Moscow

After a week of scrambling to get more paperwork together, it was all sent to Moscow this afternoon. Our CHI rep looked over every document and there were no errors. That's a miracle! The number of rules and regulations for each little detail is unbelievable. I won't go into specifics, but they literally make sure every "t" is dotted. I'm joking - I know it's crossed.

This paperwork was "region specific". These were documents that CHI told us to wait to send all summer. And then suddenly, they needed to be there immediately. Apparently, we had been officially registered in the Vlad region without all the paperwork usually needed to be at that point. It was because we had a referral - which is a specific child - before our documents were even translated into Russian. The Department of Education in Moscow reported that we were officially registered on May 21, 2008. When our original referral fell though, they reviewed our dossier and realized they had never requested the additional documents. So, that is what was sent in the mail today.

Because we are, for sure, registered in Vladivostok we could get a call any day with our new referral. So, we just wait and see what will happen.

In the mean-time, we are enjoying our kid-o's we have now! I feel jealous of the time their teachers get to spend with them. They get them for eight hours a day. I'm down to one hurried hour in the morning, and five hours in the evening. Rob and I try to make every minute count when we are all together.

I'll write again when there is more news. Keep praying for our little Tess girl. We are praying for: her health, her nutrition, her care-takers, and for God's protection to shelter her. A verse I pray for her all the time is Psalms 91:4 "He will shield you with His wings, He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." I love the way the strength is in His wings, and the soft shelter is in His feathers. And, those wings stretch to the far south-east corner of Russia. God is so cool!

Moving On...

I just talked with our representative in St.Louis. The little Asian girl in Vladivostok was adopted domestically on Friday. We found out the little girl has a five year old sister, and our agency thinks the family there in Russia adopted both of them. So, really this is good for her.

Now, we are back on the "waiting family" list. We are at the top and could get the call any day. Our representative in St. Louis (her name is Pam) said Vlad is moving quickly and there are not many families waiting in that region.

Some really great news - we now are able to have direct contact with our Russian representative in Vladivostok. Her name is Ira and we have already emailed each other. She sent a picture of herself, and I sent a picture of our kids. Her emails are so cute with some words mixed around. We still have our St. Louis rep, but now we can cut out the middle man with tough questions.

Keep praying for our little girl. She will be between 24 -48 months old. And, God knows exactly who she is.

Republic of Georgia Conflict

We wanted to let you know that the conflict with Russia and Georgia does not have any effect on the American adoption process. As of right now, things are still moving forward. You know, it's just a sign that there is really no such thing as "soft Communism" - which has been said of Russia in recent years. Communism in any form is dangerous.

We have not had any additional news about our little girl. The eastern countries take the entire month of August off for their "holiday break". Hopefully we'll hear more in September.

Keep praying for her! We can hardly wait to meet our new little chickie!

End of Good ol' Summer

We had a perfect summer together! Swimming, playing, making crafts, growing a garden, going to Kalidoscope, the zoo, Wonderscope, Crown Center fountains, Vacation Bible School, Jedi Camp, Ocean's of Fun, World's of Fun... We just about did every fun thing in Kansas City! Now the new school year begins this week.
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it just happened."

Peace Through the Wait

Several friends have asked how Rob and I how we feel about the news we received last week about the little girl in Vladivostok. We are very thankful we have not traveled to meet her. It is all still very abstract, if you know what I mean. It's the idea of her, but not her personally that we are attached to.

We both will be very glad if this little girl is able to be re-united with her birth family. If they truly want her, that is what is best for her. To stay in her own country where she knows the language, would be much easier for her! And, if she has someone to love her, that is just one less orphaned child in the world. We are in this deal to bring a little girl home who has nothing. God has called us to turn our life upside down to save a little unloved baby girl. Where she is, who she is, when we will meet her, when we will bring her home... God's plan and timing.

I am doing a Bible study right now on "The Patriarchs" - awesome, by the way! We have studied Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Now we are on Joseph. That guy went through so much to get to the place God had for him. But God was preparing him so he would be equipped for the future. We know that God is shaping us for the future He has in store for us. My personality wants instant gratification. If you give me a job, consider it done - yesterday if possible. Ha! So, what a work God is doing in me. Forcing me to depend on His timing - and to be at peace while I wait. I am so glad He loves me enough to spend time adjusting my personality.

So, if this is the little girl for us, good deal! If not, we will wait to hear who she is. We will remain the in region of Vladivostok. Our paperwork is registered there. That is something concrete we know. For everything else - we just wait. I'll write again when we have more info!