Hallelujah, praise the Lord! I know I just posted a couple of days ago, but we have great news! We heard from Malisa, our social worker, this morning. My second set of fingerprints were accepted by the state police, and Malisa received the results. Our homestudy should be completed by next week!
We are so thankful and are praising God. This was the hinge upon which the rest of our dossier preparation was waiting on! We can now proceed with the rest of the immigration bureau application. We will have to have fingerprinting done again for that. I'll keep applying vaseline!
God is so good. We had just come to the point of understanding that we needed to let go and quit fretting and worrying, and to let Him have total contol. That is when God can rush in and work! I don't know why it is so hard for me to remember that! I always try to handle things myself, rather than giving it up to Him. But, invariably, when I let go and give it all to God, it all works out swiftly and beautifully.
Thank you for all your prayers! Be sure to thank God on our behalf! We're also thanking God for the wonderful donations that continue to come in toward the adoption. We are so blessed.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIm and He will make your paths straight."
Blessings to all,
Dawn and Mark
Friday, December 5, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Season of Advent
We continue to wait and ponder. This adoption process takes so long. But I am reminded that it took a long time for God to be able to adopt us as his children. It was a season of waiting. Advent – the waiting for the arrival of the Messiah.
Many Christian traditions celebrate this season of Advent. There is reflection on the season every Sunday in the four weeks before Christmas. Each week a different facet of Advent is considered – hope, faith, joy, and love.
This season of Advent has become increasingly clear to me this year. We have hope that our girls in Ukraine will be ours. We have faith that God is at work in all of this. We anticipate the joy of reunion. Our love is already established for the girls, and will most certainly grow as we bring them home to be our daughters.
God had hope that all souls on Earth would come to know His son, and accept Him. He had faith in His son, Jesus, and knew Jesus would increase the faith of people in the world. God anticipates the joy of reunion with us, as He most likely anticipated the joy of reunion with Jesus. God so loved the world that He gave His own son.
In the season of Advent the world waited – not understanding the glory of what they were waiting for. The world had no idea that God was coming into the world in the form of a newborn baby born in a manger. The humility of it all is the most glorious aspect.
Consider the stunning proclamation given to the shepherds in Luke, chapter 2: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’
We have hope, faith, joy and love as we wait. Please pray for us and for God’s leading. We are still waiting on the homestudy. We are doing as much as we can without it, but can’t proceed too much farther until the homestudy is done.
We’re so grateful for the hope, faith, joy and love that our friends, family and Christian brothers and sisters have shared with us. Thank you.
Much love,
Dawn
Many Christian traditions celebrate this season of Advent. There is reflection on the season every Sunday in the four weeks before Christmas. Each week a different facet of Advent is considered – hope, faith, joy, and love.
This season of Advent has become increasingly clear to me this year. We have hope that our girls in Ukraine will be ours. We have faith that God is at work in all of this. We anticipate the joy of reunion. Our love is already established for the girls, and will most certainly grow as we bring them home to be our daughters.
God had hope that all souls on Earth would come to know His son, and accept Him. He had faith in His son, Jesus, and knew Jesus would increase the faith of people in the world. God anticipates the joy of reunion with us, as He most likely anticipated the joy of reunion with Jesus. God so loved the world that He gave His own son.
In the season of Advent the world waited – not understanding the glory of what they were waiting for. The world had no idea that God was coming into the world in the form of a newborn baby born in a manger. The humility of it all is the most glorious aspect.
Consider the stunning proclamation given to the shepherds in Luke, chapter 2: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’
We have hope, faith, joy and love as we wait. Please pray for us and for God’s leading. We are still waiting on the homestudy. We are doing as much as we can without it, but can’t proceed too much farther until the homestudy is done.
We’re so grateful for the hope, faith, joy and love that our friends, family and Christian brothers and sisters have shared with us. Thank you.
Much love,
Dawn
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanksgiving
We have so much to be thankful for this year! God is so amazing and has been so good to us.
Little did we know a year ago what God would bring our way in a year. We had no idea we would have been to Ukraine and back, and that He would have brought two girls to us that we hope will become our daughters!
Actually this journey began about two years ago. We knew that the year 2008 would be a special one for our family. Mark and I would be celebrating our 30th anniversary, and Annie would graduate from High School and Nathan would graduate from college. We talked about what we could do to celebrate this big year. At first we thought about a cruise.
But as time went on we all came to feel that if we were going to spend that kind of money we would rather use it to do something beneficial for others, rather than just have fun ourselves. We began to think about a mission trip. We had no idea where we would go, but we all began to pray about it.
Our prayers were answered last December when 10 college students from Lubbock Christian University came to stay overnight with us during a choir tour. They were all talking about a mission trip to Ukraine in the summer. When we expressed interest they said, "You should come! We need more people on our team, especially adults!" So our decision was made.
We applied and received information from Eastern European Missions. We became part of "Team Inspire" and began to prepare to leave for Ukraine on July 13. We would be working in a youth camp and teaching Bible lessons and giving Bibles to the children.
The experience of our family going to Ukraine was life-changing. It was not nearly as comfortable and luxurious as a cruise would have been. I'm sure the food was not at all what the food on a cruise would have been! But Mark and I and Nathan and Annie all agreed that the blessings that came from the trip have been amazing and so much greater than a mere vacation. The blessings have been ongoing.
I think we've all grown in our faith and our trust in God this year. God has shown us that we as humans often walk around with our fists closed trying to take care of things in our own ways, but God wants us to open our fists and hold His hand. Then He can take us on wonderful faith journeys which involve great blessings.
As we struggle through this adoption process we are trying to remember those lessons of faith and trust in God. He will bring this all about, because it is all from Him. We are so thankful for what He is doing.
We're thankful we are growing a relationship with our girls. We've met a woman here in Albuquerque who is originally from Russia. She has translated the letters and drawings the girls have sent to us. Her name is Anjella, and she has been so gracious to help us. Our dear Valya in Ukraine continues to keep our relationship with the girls growing. She has traveled to Mariupol twice by train now, and is planning to go again in a few weeks before Christmas.
We've sent gifts to Valya and the girls. It was so much fun to buy gifts for them and to mail them off. We can't wait to hear from them and to know how they feel about what we got them. I hope they will just know that we love them. We long to be with the girls face to face. It is hard to be patient. We are praying for that. However, we are so thankful that God is providing this time to grow our relationship with them. They are really becoming our daughters!
We are extremely thankful for our dear Christian brothers and sisters and all the support we are receiving throughout this endeavor. The Riverside congregation has set up a fund that people continue to contribute to. As of this past week we have half of what we anticipate as needed expenses - $14,000! It is unbelievable to see such an outpouring of generosity from sweet people - especially during a time of economic struggles. We are so grateful.
Yes, God is so good to us. He has truly blessed us this past year. I pray that He will show us ways to bless others more as we continue to learn how to keep our fists open and hold His hand.
May you all know God's blessings. Happy Thanksgiving! Face each day with gratitude!
Love, Dawn
Little did we know a year ago what God would bring our way in a year. We had no idea we would have been to Ukraine and back, and that He would have brought two girls to us that we hope will become our daughters!
Actually this journey began about two years ago. We knew that the year 2008 would be a special one for our family. Mark and I would be celebrating our 30th anniversary, and Annie would graduate from High School and Nathan would graduate from college. We talked about what we could do to celebrate this big year. At first we thought about a cruise.
But as time went on we all came to feel that if we were going to spend that kind of money we would rather use it to do something beneficial for others, rather than just have fun ourselves. We began to think about a mission trip. We had no idea where we would go, but we all began to pray about it.
Our prayers were answered last December when 10 college students from Lubbock Christian University came to stay overnight with us during a choir tour. They were all talking about a mission trip to Ukraine in the summer. When we expressed interest they said, "You should come! We need more people on our team, especially adults!" So our decision was made.
We applied and received information from Eastern European Missions. We became part of "Team Inspire" and began to prepare to leave for Ukraine on July 13. We would be working in a youth camp and teaching Bible lessons and giving Bibles to the children.
The experience of our family going to Ukraine was life-changing. It was not nearly as comfortable and luxurious as a cruise would have been. I'm sure the food was not at all what the food on a cruise would have been! But Mark and I and Nathan and Annie all agreed that the blessings that came from the trip have been amazing and so much greater than a mere vacation. The blessings have been ongoing.
I think we've all grown in our faith and our trust in God this year. God has shown us that we as humans often walk around with our fists closed trying to take care of things in our own ways, but God wants us to open our fists and hold His hand. Then He can take us on wonderful faith journeys which involve great blessings.
As we struggle through this adoption process we are trying to remember those lessons of faith and trust in God. He will bring this all about, because it is all from Him. We are so thankful for what He is doing.
We're thankful we are growing a relationship with our girls. We've met a woman here in Albuquerque who is originally from Russia. She has translated the letters and drawings the girls have sent to us. Her name is Anjella, and she has been so gracious to help us. Our dear Valya in Ukraine continues to keep our relationship with the girls growing. She has traveled to Mariupol twice by train now, and is planning to go again in a few weeks before Christmas.
We've sent gifts to Valya and the girls. It was so much fun to buy gifts for them and to mail them off. We can't wait to hear from them and to know how they feel about what we got them. I hope they will just know that we love them. We long to be with the girls face to face. It is hard to be patient. We are praying for that. However, we are so thankful that God is providing this time to grow our relationship with them. They are really becoming our daughters!
We are extremely thankful for our dear Christian brothers and sisters and all the support we are receiving throughout this endeavor. The Riverside congregation has set up a fund that people continue to contribute to. As of this past week we have half of what we anticipate as needed expenses - $14,000! It is unbelievable to see such an outpouring of generosity from sweet people - especially during a time of economic struggles. We are so grateful.
Yes, God is so good to us. He has truly blessed us this past year. I pray that He will show us ways to bless others more as we continue to learn how to keep our fists open and hold His hand.
May you all know God's blessings. Happy Thanksgiving! Face each day with gratitude!
Love, Dawn
Monday, October 27, 2008
Education
The adoption process drags merrily along. I went today for my second round of fingerprints. The first set were not acceptable because my fingertips are too dry. I wanted to yell, "Hey, come on guys! I'm a good person. To prove it, I have dry fingertips because I'm a teacher and wash my hands every chance I get throughout the day and handle paper all day long, everyday. Doesn't that count for anything on the self-sacrifice scale? Dry fingertips are an occupational hazard for a good teacher!" I don't think it would have done any good to share that insight with the federal authorites or the fingerprinting personnel. So, when the request came for another set of fingerprints I just slathered on vaseline for several days and went back. I still have dry fingerprints! I'll send this set in and keep using the vaseline. I may need another set. It's crazy.
In addition to getting an education about proper fingerprinting procedures, Mark and I have been learning so many new things. We are learning words like "apostil" (a special notary designation only given through the Secretary of State's office), initials "USCIS" (stands for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), and "dossier" (the finalized packet of all of our paperwork that will be sent to Ukraine for translation and scrutiny).
We're trying to learn some Russian. Mark is very diligent about it. He takes an hour lesson every day from the CD's we purchased to learn conversational Russian. He can now say, "Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?" He can also say, "What would you like to buy?" Or, "I would like to have lunch in the hotel with you today." He hasn't learned to ask where the restroom is located yet, but today's lesson was about how to order beer and vodka! Mark thinks he'd better skip this lesson and go straight to the one about the bathrooms. I haven't been as good about fitting in my Russian lesson everyday, but I try to put the CD's on in the car on my drive home from work. Road rage in Russian is quite interesting! It adds a whole new dimension to an otherwise humdrum day!
Another part of our education is the social science aspect of all of this. We have met or learned of many others who have done or attempted to do what we are doing right now. We just learned of a family here in Albuquerque who adopted three sisters from Ukraine 10 years ago. The mother then wrote a book about their experiences. A friend of ours who goes to church with that family loaned us the book, and I've started reading it. How helpful it is! It really helps to know we're not alone, and to be encouraged to keep pursevering for the sake of the kids. They are worth it.
The books paints a dim view of the lives of some Ukrainian children. The three sisters in the book were not much more than toddlers when they were removed from the dirty and unsafe home of their drunken and immoral mother and placed in an orphanage. We're not sure what our own two girls have experienced, but we want to be prepared to help them through making sense of whatever their lives have been in the past. We recently received an email from someone associated with Eastern European Missions who gave us some pretty sobering statistics. He said that when the children are released from the orphanages at age 16, 20% of them commit suicide within the first year. Of those that remain, 80% of the boys wind up in the Russian mafia and 50% of the girls become prostitutes. If only we could rescue more of them. But we long to save our Jana and Ella from a future like that. We,like God, long to give our girls "a future and a hope." We long to "prosper them and not to harm them." (Taken liberally from Jeremiah 11).
The biggest lesson we are learning right now in this educational experience is patience, patience, patience. We are truly "waiting on the Lord." It is so hard. We want the girls here with us today. I walk through the stores and long to buy things for them. We think about the holidays and wonder what their experiences have been in the past and want them here to share our traditions with them and to build memories with them. We are growing in love with them more and more through our prayers for them and our thoughts of them. In our minds they are firmly and forever, "our girls."
We are prepared for whatever comes with the girls becoming part of our lives. Another term we've learned about lately is "reactive attachment disorder" (negative learned behaviors many older orphans engage in as survival skills). We didn't observe any of these behaviors in our girls, although we certainly did in many of the other orphans at the camp we were at. But we are aware that things may surface once the girls become part of our home and family. We are realizing more and more the magnitude of adjustment that the girls will have to make in leaving everything they've ever known and coming to an entirely new life. They will be amazed and astounded by much of it, but we are aware that they may go through a grieving process at the same time. They will be thrown into an entirely new and different culture, and will have to learn an entirely new language. Who knows what other educational and emotional adjustments they will have to make? We just hope and pray that the love of God, the love of a good church family and many others, and love of a real family will help them overcome whatever hardships they may face. God will give us all we need.
So, our education continues to broaden our horizons and our hearts. Growth is sometimes a painful process, but we're sure God intends for these "growing pains" to bring about two beautiful new limbs in our family tree.
God is good. Much love to all,
Dawn
In addition to getting an education about proper fingerprinting procedures, Mark and I have been learning so many new things. We are learning words like "apostil" (a special notary designation only given through the Secretary of State's office), initials "USCIS" (stands for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), and "dossier" (the finalized packet of all of our paperwork that will be sent to Ukraine for translation and scrutiny).
We're trying to learn some Russian. Mark is very diligent about it. He takes an hour lesson every day from the CD's we purchased to learn conversational Russian. He can now say, "Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?" He can also say, "What would you like to buy?" Or, "I would like to have lunch in the hotel with you today." He hasn't learned to ask where the restroom is located yet, but today's lesson was about how to order beer and vodka! Mark thinks he'd better skip this lesson and go straight to the one about the bathrooms. I haven't been as good about fitting in my Russian lesson everyday, but I try to put the CD's on in the car on my drive home from work. Road rage in Russian is quite interesting! It adds a whole new dimension to an otherwise humdrum day!
Another part of our education is the social science aspect of all of this. We have met or learned of many others who have done or attempted to do what we are doing right now. We just learned of a family here in Albuquerque who adopted three sisters from Ukraine 10 years ago. The mother then wrote a book about their experiences. A friend of ours who goes to church with that family loaned us the book, and I've started reading it. How helpful it is! It really helps to know we're not alone, and to be encouraged to keep pursevering for the sake of the kids. They are worth it.
The books paints a dim view of the lives of some Ukrainian children. The three sisters in the book were not much more than toddlers when they were removed from the dirty and unsafe home of their drunken and immoral mother and placed in an orphanage. We're not sure what our own two girls have experienced, but we want to be prepared to help them through making sense of whatever their lives have been in the past. We recently received an email from someone associated with Eastern European Missions who gave us some pretty sobering statistics. He said that when the children are released from the orphanages at age 16, 20% of them commit suicide within the first year. Of those that remain, 80% of the boys wind up in the Russian mafia and 50% of the girls become prostitutes. If only we could rescue more of them. But we long to save our Jana and Ella from a future like that. We,like God, long to give our girls "a future and a hope." We long to "prosper them and not to harm them." (Taken liberally from Jeremiah 11).
The biggest lesson we are learning right now in this educational experience is patience, patience, patience. We are truly "waiting on the Lord." It is so hard. We want the girls here with us today. I walk through the stores and long to buy things for them. We think about the holidays and wonder what their experiences have been in the past and want them here to share our traditions with them and to build memories with them. We are growing in love with them more and more through our prayers for them and our thoughts of them. In our minds they are firmly and forever, "our girls."
We are prepared for whatever comes with the girls becoming part of our lives. Another term we've learned about lately is "reactive attachment disorder" (negative learned behaviors many older orphans engage in as survival skills). We didn't observe any of these behaviors in our girls, although we certainly did in many of the other orphans at the camp we were at. But we are aware that things may surface once the girls become part of our home and family. We are realizing more and more the magnitude of adjustment that the girls will have to make in leaving everything they've ever known and coming to an entirely new life. They will be amazed and astounded by much of it, but we are aware that they may go through a grieving process at the same time. They will be thrown into an entirely new and different culture, and will have to learn an entirely new language. Who knows what other educational and emotional adjustments they will have to make? We just hope and pray that the love of God, the love of a good church family and many others, and love of a real family will help them overcome whatever hardships they may face. God will give us all we need.
So, our education continues to broaden our horizons and our hearts. Growth is sometimes a painful process, but we're sure God intends for these "growing pains" to bring about two beautiful new limbs in our family tree.
God is good. Much love to all,
Dawn
Friday, October 10, 2008
Hurry up and wait!
We have been playing the waiting game for about a month now. We had to rush to get fingerprints done, medical checkups, background checks, autobiographical information, and reference letters. We submitted all of that to our social worker, Malisa, (from New Mexico Christian Children's Home in Portales) the first week of September. Since then we have been waiting. But Malisa came to our home and spent the night with us Wednesday night. Yesterday afternoon she conducted our homestudy interview to follow up on the information we had already submitted. The interview took several hours.
Mark and I were somewhat nervous about this interview. Not that there was anything we were afraid of revealing. But the questions are very probing - dealing with issues from our past and situations we've experienced in our life and our marriage. It was as if we had been turned inside out and upside down and shaken. Malisa is very nice and is just doing her job, but whew! We were emotionally spent when the interview was over.
Malisa will now gather the rest of our information and write a full report about our life and family. When that is finished we can begin working on the International part of the adoption. This will all be done through Cornerstone Adoption Agency in Florida. They specialize in International adoptions and have facilited many adoptions from Ukraine, so they are very familiar with all the requirements and regulations of the Ukrainian government.
We are working on a very tight timeframe. We have to have all of our background checks, reports and paperwork completed by December in order to send it to Ukraine to be translated. The translation will take place in January. February is the only month in which the Ukrainian government considers adoption requests. If we want the adoption to take place this year everything has to be in order and ready to be considered by the first of February. Then, from what we understand, Ukraine only allows 1500 children to be adopted, within the country or internationally, each year. When we consider the needle in the haystack aspect of all of this it seems overwhelming. But God is so much in control of this! He brought us to it and He will bring us through it. We continue to walk by faith and not by sight.
If all goes well and we are approved for adoption by Ukraine in February, then we will have to go back to get the girls in the summer. We've been told that we will have to spend at least 30 days in the country. Part of that time we would be in Kiev where the national adoption board is. We would probablly have court appearances, etc. When we are released from Kiev we would travel to Mariupol (by plane to Donesk and then by train to Mariupol, where the orphanage is located). We will probably spend a couple of weeks there, finalizing all the girls' information and appearing in court with them. Only when all that is finished can we bring them home. But even after we have them with us we'll have regular checks on our family and on the girls to see how they are doing. The girls will remain Ukrainian citizens until they are 18, when they will choose which country they want to claim for citizenship.
We are convinced that God has chosen these girls for us. He is forging our relationship with them. Thanks to our dear Valya, we received a packet of letters and drawing from the girls two days ago. Most of it is in Russian, so we will need to find someone to translate, but the drawings are so expressive! We could make out "Mama" and "Papa" on most of the pages. On one paper they had drawn 6 faces and labeled "Papa," "Mama," Nathan, Annie, Zhanna and Ella. Our family! How all these things touched our hearts! We feel so connected to the girls and long to hold them and hug them and give them our love. We pray for patience as we hurry up and wait.
Our great appreciation to all who have been praying for us and the girls. Others have shared encouragement and cards and gifts to remind us to trust in God and that He is at work. We are so grateful to those who have given donations toward the adoption. Almost $8000 has been given so far. Praise God! We've already had to submit about $5000 to Cornerstone to begin the process, but it was supplied at just the right time.
We thank you and we praise our God in heaven for His abundance and joy as we continue to be led by Him! The waiting isn't so bad when friends join in the journey.
Much love to all,
Dawn
Mark and I were somewhat nervous about this interview. Not that there was anything we were afraid of revealing. But the questions are very probing - dealing with issues from our past and situations we've experienced in our life and our marriage. It was as if we had been turned inside out and upside down and shaken. Malisa is very nice and is just doing her job, but whew! We were emotionally spent when the interview was over.
Malisa will now gather the rest of our information and write a full report about our life and family. When that is finished we can begin working on the International part of the adoption. This will all be done through Cornerstone Adoption Agency in Florida. They specialize in International adoptions and have facilited many adoptions from Ukraine, so they are very familiar with all the requirements and regulations of the Ukrainian government.
We are working on a very tight timeframe. We have to have all of our background checks, reports and paperwork completed by December in order to send it to Ukraine to be translated. The translation will take place in January. February is the only month in which the Ukrainian government considers adoption requests. If we want the adoption to take place this year everything has to be in order and ready to be considered by the first of February. Then, from what we understand, Ukraine only allows 1500 children to be adopted, within the country or internationally, each year. When we consider the needle in the haystack aspect of all of this it seems overwhelming. But God is so much in control of this! He brought us to it and He will bring us through it. We continue to walk by faith and not by sight.
If all goes well and we are approved for adoption by Ukraine in February, then we will have to go back to get the girls in the summer. We've been told that we will have to spend at least 30 days in the country. Part of that time we would be in Kiev where the national adoption board is. We would probablly have court appearances, etc. When we are released from Kiev we would travel to Mariupol (by plane to Donesk and then by train to Mariupol, where the orphanage is located). We will probably spend a couple of weeks there, finalizing all the girls' information and appearing in court with them. Only when all that is finished can we bring them home. But even after we have them with us we'll have regular checks on our family and on the girls to see how they are doing. The girls will remain Ukrainian citizens until they are 18, when they will choose which country they want to claim for citizenship.
We are convinced that God has chosen these girls for us. He is forging our relationship with them. Thanks to our dear Valya, we received a packet of letters and drawing from the girls two days ago. Most of it is in Russian, so we will need to find someone to translate, but the drawings are so expressive! We could make out "Mama" and "Papa" on most of the pages. On one paper they had drawn 6 faces and labeled "Papa," "Mama," Nathan, Annie, Zhanna and Ella. Our family! How all these things touched our hearts! We feel so connected to the girls and long to hold them and hug them and give them our love. We pray for patience as we hurry up and wait.
Our great appreciation to all who have been praying for us and the girls. Others have shared encouragement and cards and gifts to remind us to trust in God and that He is at work. We are so grateful to those who have given donations toward the adoption. Almost $8000 has been given so far. Praise God! We've already had to submit about $5000 to Cornerstone to begin the process, but it was supplied at just the right time.
We thank you and we praise our God in heaven for His abundance and joy as we continue to be led by Him! The waiting isn't so bad when friends join in the journey.
Much love to all,
Dawn
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Our Girls!
The process for the adoption seems intermitable, even though we have only been at it for about a month and a half. We've filled out the paperwork for the homestudy (the U.S. part of the adoption process). We are now just waiting for the social worker to get all our letters of reference and background check information back before she can schedule a meeting with us. Once the homestudy appointment is made then we can contact the adoption agency in Florida to begin sending us the paperwork we need to complete for the International part of it. Please pray that all this will move along expediently. We're patiently anxious!
We have heard from the girls! One of the translators who worked with us last summer went to visit the orphanage where the girls are. Valya is a teacher in Ukraine, and is a Christian. We are so appreciative that she was willing to do this for us. She blessed us by taking the time to travel and to serve as a bridge between us and the girls. She sent us an email as soon as she returned to her home. I will just let her words speak because they tell the story more powerfully than I can.
Dear Dawn and Mark,
It was a nice trip to Mariupol. I came on Saturday at 1p.m. It took about six hours to get to this town. Vova, Zhenya, and Vova's father were waiting for me at the bus station. We had a lunch and at once came to the orphanage. Before going to girls I wrote a letter to them that I was going to visit them on the 20th of September. They were waiting for me and I had a conversation with them, gave them many hugs. I tried to be calm, but in side I was almost crying. I read a translation of your letter, asked girls to write the answer. They miss you very much and love you very much. They want to go to America and be your daughters. Zanna and Ella showed me their day-books and copy-books. They are studying well. A teacher, who looks after all girls, allowed me to come inside the building and girls showed me their rooms. Zanna lives in a separate room from Ella, next to Ella's. The rooms are clean, there are four beds, a wardrobe and bed-side tables with shelves. Ella lives with another girl.
All kids live and study at the same building in different wings. This is a three-storyed building. The canteen is on the ground floor. There is a TV set in the big room.
Dawn, I will send and translate the leters from girls, they also drew many pictures for both of you. In their drawings they call you mama and daddy.
This is Zanna's letter
Dear Mark and Dawn,
We were very happy and glad to get your letter from Valya. We miss you very much. We will be waiting only for you. Everything is OK with us. We also want to see you, always remember our time spent at the camp "Little Hawk". We told everyone about our classes and what you told us about God. We want to be your daughters. We study English at the orphanage. We want to see you as soon as possible.
When Ella and I think about you we are always crying and wait when you take us. We still have Bibles and read them. At first we thought that you had forgotten us, but when Valya brought a letter from you, we thought that you would never forget us. We are waiting for you and love you.
This is Ella's letter
Dear Mark and Dawn,
I am very glad that you have decided to take us in your family. We want you to become our parents. We miss you so much. And if you have a chance, take us to America for summer hoidays. We pray every day. I kiss you.
Dawn, girls answered your questions
Ella's favourite color is yellow; Zanna's favourite color is pink. Their favourite subjects are History and English. They do not like Maths. Zanna likes reading encyclopedia and Ella - fairy-tales. Zanna and Ella likes singing and knitting. Zanna is going to perform in the concert soon. They both like sports.
I think that in November the 8th I will visit girls again and for sure before the Christmas time it is necessary to bring some candies and little presents. My students will help with shampoo and soap and other things.
Today in the morning I visited girls again, they gave me your letters and drawings. We again talked and at 11.30 I went to the bus station. I came home at 7 p.m.
I took pictures of girls and I am going to send them to you.
I love you,
Valya
Needless to say, Mark and I were in tears as we read this. God is graciously opening up their hearts and ours to form a family. We have a better understanding now of God's feelings about us as He adopts us as His sons and daughters. He longs for us to come to know Him so that we can one day live with Him forever. We are longing for the time we can be with the girls as God longs for the time He can be with us.
Blessings to all,
Dawn
We have heard from the girls! One of the translators who worked with us last summer went to visit the orphanage where the girls are. Valya is a teacher in Ukraine, and is a Christian. We are so appreciative that she was willing to do this for us. She blessed us by taking the time to travel and to serve as a bridge between us and the girls. She sent us an email as soon as she returned to her home. I will just let her words speak because they tell the story more powerfully than I can.
Dear Dawn and Mark,
It was a nice trip to Mariupol. I came on Saturday at 1p.m. It took about six hours to get to this town. Vova, Zhenya, and Vova's father were waiting for me at the bus station. We had a lunch and at once came to the orphanage. Before going to girls I wrote a letter to them that I was going to visit them on the 20th of September. They were waiting for me and I had a conversation with them, gave them many hugs. I tried to be calm, but in side I was almost crying. I read a translation of your letter, asked girls to write the answer. They miss you very much and love you very much. They want to go to America and be your daughters. Zanna and Ella showed me their day-books and copy-books. They are studying well. A teacher, who looks after all girls, allowed me to come inside the building and girls showed me their rooms. Zanna lives in a separate room from Ella, next to Ella's. The rooms are clean, there are four beds, a wardrobe and bed-side tables with shelves. Ella lives with another girl.
All kids live and study at the same building in different wings. This is a three-storyed building. The canteen is on the ground floor. There is a TV set in the big room.
Dawn, I will send and translate the leters from girls, they also drew many pictures for both of you. In their drawings they call you mama and daddy.
This is Zanna's letter
Dear Mark and Dawn,
We were very happy and glad to get your letter from Valya. We miss you very much. We will be waiting only for you. Everything is OK with us. We also want to see you, always remember our time spent at the camp "Little Hawk". We told everyone about our classes and what you told us about God. We want to be your daughters. We study English at the orphanage. We want to see you as soon as possible.
When Ella and I think about you we are always crying and wait when you take us. We still have Bibles and read them. At first we thought that you had forgotten us, but when Valya brought a letter from you, we thought that you would never forget us. We are waiting for you and love you.
This is Ella's letter
Dear Mark and Dawn,
I am very glad that you have decided to take us in your family. We want you to become our parents. We miss you so much. And if you have a chance, take us to America for summer hoidays. We pray every day. I kiss you.
Dawn, girls answered your questions
Ella's favourite color is yellow; Zanna's favourite color is pink. Their favourite subjects are History and English. They do not like Maths. Zanna likes reading encyclopedia and Ella - fairy-tales. Zanna and Ella likes singing and knitting. Zanna is going to perform in the concert soon. They both like sports.
I think that in November the 8th I will visit girls again and for sure before the Christmas time it is necessary to bring some candies and little presents. My students will help with shampoo and soap and other things.
Today in the morning I visited girls again, they gave me your letters and drawings. We again talked and at 11.30 I went to the bus station. I came home at 7 p.m.
I took pictures of girls and I am going to send them to you.
I love you,
Valya
Needless to say, Mark and I were in tears as we read this. God is graciously opening up their hearts and ours to form a family. We have a better understanding now of God's feelings about us as He adopts us as His sons and daughters. He longs for us to come to know Him so that we can one day live with Him forever. We are longing for the time we can be with the girls as God longs for the time He can be with us.
Blessings to all,
Dawn
Monday, September 8, 2008
Abraham and Sarah
Okay, Okay. So we're a little older than most new parents. But 50 is not so old by Biblical standards! Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 (and still attractive from what I read) when Isaac was born.
However, this past week Mark and I were in our office at home, both busily working on paperwork for the adoption. We were complaining because the print was small and there were so many questions to be answered. Suddenly we both looked at each other (over our reading glasses) and began to laugh like Sarah! The thought of this entire endeavor is hilarious when you take a step back and look at it.
God took a couple of very settled people who had lived in the same place for over 20 years, who had raised their children well, and who should now be looking forward to the peace and quiet of their "dotage" years. God sent these people around the world to a completely foreign country where they were uncomfortable and feeling ill-equipped to do what He had called them to do. Then He said, "Okay, now you are where I want you. You see I have something for you to do, but you have to understand that it is not your idea. You have to know that it comes completely from Me, otherwise there's no good in it." Then God brought in two young girls who could not be shaken from this couple's mind. There was some disbelief and bargaining that took place within hearts and heads, but in the end God won out. It seems that God works best in these kinds of circumstances. He loves to have the last laugh!
We've been learning so much from God these days. The first lesson is patience. This adoption paperwork process is intense and time consuming. Mark's brother Joel recently emailed. Joel and his wife, Jo, have adopted five children, so they understand completely what this is all about. Joel's words were these, "One thought that struck me when reading your blog is that the process of adoption is long and drawn out and seems very unreasonable. Anybody can have a child without any questions asked. But to adopt and provide a better future you have to go under the microscope. More info is required to adopt than to get a mortgage or go to work for the FBI. All in all, though, it isn't a bad deal because if the kids were easy to get then there would be no telling where they might end up. At least if someone is willing to put the time and effort into getting them they are more likely to really want them." Wise counsel!
It seems to us like a very long tunnel before the girls can be ours. But a friend of ours recently emailed and encouraged us to remember that this time of stress and pressure will only be for a short time. Then it will be over and the girls will be with us. That seems very Biblical to me, as well. II Corinthians 4:16-18 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temprary, but what is unseen is eternal."
That's another lesson. God is the author of this story. He is the One in charge here. We are merely the instruments of His great love for all His children. We're so grateful to be playing a part in this. It is humbling and gratifying. We have to believe that God was planning this several years ago. Jana and Ella told us that they were left at the orphanage by their parents three years ago. Two years ago Mark and I began to think about what our family might want to do to celebrate this very special year in which we commemorate our 30th wedding anniversary and Annie and Nathan graduate from high school and college, respectively. We originally thought about a cruise. But God kept knocking that idea down. His voice kept returning saying, "Do something for me. Do something to help others." We began to pray about a mission trip. We had no idea where to go or what to do. The team from EEM literally showed up on our doorstep one night in the form of college students from Lubbock Christian University who stayed in our home and excitedly told us about their plans for the trip. They encouraged us to come along. God planned that, too. So, there we were in Ukraine, in God's right place, at God's right time to meet the girls. Isn't He good?
Our third lesson is about opening our fists to receive His blessing. Most of us are not very good at that. We keep our fists pretty tightly closed, thinking that we will have more control that way. It's not true. Yes, it's risky to open up and go places and do things we've never done before. It's not comfortable. We may come home compelled to change our lives, for Heaven's sake! (Pun intended!) But God, the great author and perfector of our lives just waits for us to open our fists so that He can take our hands and guide us down a path that leads to new and amazing experiences and blessings we've never enjoyed before. He is our loving Father, ever ready to help us grow. All it takes is a bit of faith to let go and let Him lead. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. . . By faith Abraham, even though he was past age - and Sarah herself was barren - was enabled to become a father because he considered Him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." Hebrews 11:1,11-12.
Abraham and Sarah had faith. Our faith is growing. God is good. He is ever present and He will hold our hands all the way. After all, this is completely His idea. Yes, Jana and Ella will be our daughters. He'll see to that!
Blessings to all,
Dawn
However, this past week Mark and I were in our office at home, both busily working on paperwork for the adoption. We were complaining because the print was small and there were so many questions to be answered. Suddenly we both looked at each other (over our reading glasses) and began to laugh like Sarah! The thought of this entire endeavor is hilarious when you take a step back and look at it.
God took a couple of very settled people who had lived in the same place for over 20 years, who had raised their children well, and who should now be looking forward to the peace and quiet of their "dotage" years. God sent these people around the world to a completely foreign country where they were uncomfortable and feeling ill-equipped to do what He had called them to do. Then He said, "Okay, now you are where I want you. You see I have something for you to do, but you have to understand that it is not your idea. You have to know that it comes completely from Me, otherwise there's no good in it." Then God brought in two young girls who could not be shaken from this couple's mind. There was some disbelief and bargaining that took place within hearts and heads, but in the end God won out. It seems that God works best in these kinds of circumstances. He loves to have the last laugh!
We've been learning so much from God these days. The first lesson is patience. This adoption paperwork process is intense and time consuming. Mark's brother Joel recently emailed. Joel and his wife, Jo, have adopted five children, so they understand completely what this is all about. Joel's words were these, "One thought that struck me when reading your blog is that the process of adoption is long and drawn out and seems very unreasonable. Anybody can have a child without any questions asked. But to adopt and provide a better future you have to go under the microscope. More info is required to adopt than to get a mortgage or go to work for the FBI. All in all, though, it isn't a bad deal because if the kids were easy to get then there would be no telling where they might end up. At least if someone is willing to put the time and effort into getting them they are more likely to really want them." Wise counsel!
It seems to us like a very long tunnel before the girls can be ours. But a friend of ours recently emailed and encouraged us to remember that this time of stress and pressure will only be for a short time. Then it will be over and the girls will be with us. That seems very Biblical to me, as well. II Corinthians 4:16-18 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temprary, but what is unseen is eternal."
That's another lesson. God is the author of this story. He is the One in charge here. We are merely the instruments of His great love for all His children. We're so grateful to be playing a part in this. It is humbling and gratifying. We have to believe that God was planning this several years ago. Jana and Ella told us that they were left at the orphanage by their parents three years ago. Two years ago Mark and I began to think about what our family might want to do to celebrate this very special year in which we commemorate our 30th wedding anniversary and Annie and Nathan graduate from high school and college, respectively. We originally thought about a cruise. But God kept knocking that idea down. His voice kept returning saying, "Do something for me. Do something to help others." We began to pray about a mission trip. We had no idea where to go or what to do. The team from EEM literally showed up on our doorstep one night in the form of college students from Lubbock Christian University who stayed in our home and excitedly told us about their plans for the trip. They encouraged us to come along. God planned that, too. So, there we were in Ukraine, in God's right place, at God's right time to meet the girls. Isn't He good?
Our third lesson is about opening our fists to receive His blessing. Most of us are not very good at that. We keep our fists pretty tightly closed, thinking that we will have more control that way. It's not true. Yes, it's risky to open up and go places and do things we've never done before. It's not comfortable. We may come home compelled to change our lives, for Heaven's sake! (Pun intended!) But God, the great author and perfector of our lives just waits for us to open our fists so that He can take our hands and guide us down a path that leads to new and amazing experiences and blessings we've never enjoyed before. He is our loving Father, ever ready to help us grow. All it takes is a bit of faith to let go and let Him lead. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. . . By faith Abraham, even though he was past age - and Sarah herself was barren - was enabled to become a father because he considered Him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." Hebrews 11:1,11-12.
Abraham and Sarah had faith. Our faith is growing. God is good. He is ever present and He will hold our hands all the way. After all, this is completely His idea. Yes, Jana and Ella will be our daughters. He'll see to that!
Blessings to all,
Dawn
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Changes Ahead
A week ago we said goodbye to Annie on the campus of Lubbock Christian University. Nathan parted from us and drove back to Abilene that same day. Mark and I returned to Albuquerque and an empty house. The kids' closets and drawers are empty. We miss their voices, their messes, their laughter. It has been a week of adjustment for Mark and me. It has been, in many ways, like experiencing a grief, although we keep saying to each other, "They're not dead. They're only away at college!"
I shared all this with a friend at school and she said, "See, God is telling you, you need more children in your home!" I guess that's right. At any rate, it is evident and clear to us that God is at the helm of all this. Whenever we falter and doubt, He rushes in with direction and momentum.
We've struggled with several issues as of late, and God's mighty provision has poured down upon us. We were so concerned about the financial aspect of all this, but people have already been graciously contributing to the special fund that has been set up for the adoption. As of today we already have about $4300 that has been given to bring Jana and Ella home. Thank you, God! Just in time to send in the first installment to the adoption agency of $4500. We signed a contract with Cornerstone Adoption Services in Florida. They specialize in international adoptions and have experience with adopting children from Ukraine.
We have been concerned about getting a Christian social worker to do our home study. We contacted some faith - based adoption agencies here in Albuquerque to inquire about beginning the process for our home study, but they couldn't do it because it's an international adoption. We finally contacted New Mexico Christian Children's Home in Portales, and they can do our study. We feel very comfortable with them, and we will receive the paperwork soon. It is a very involved process. We must get fingerprints and background checks and medical physicals. We must give complete financial information and have references from employers and others. Mark and I and each of the kids must write up an autobiographical account of our life and family life. It will take time to get all this done, but again, we trust in God that it will all happen expediently.
We have been concerned about communicating with the girls, and hoping that they hadn't given up on us. God provided a wonderful translator for us in Ukraine by the name of Valya. Valya is a Christian, and a teacher there in Ukraine. We have been emailing and Valya told us that she is planning to travel about 3 or 4 hours to Mariupol in September to visit the orphans. She offered to translate letters to the girls so we can begin to communicate with them. We will mail her some pictures that she can also take to them. We're so thankful for this and so excited about the lines of communication being opened so we can get to know our daughters.
God is so good. He is carrying us through the adjustment of the empty nest and on to the excitement of new children. We are so thankful to Him. We continue to ask for your prayers on behalf of Jana and Ella, and all the orphans in Ukraine and all over the world. This verse seems so appropriate: "Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children." Lamentations 2:19 It is comforting to us that so many others care and are lifting the names of our children up to God for a new life. As you look at the faces of our girls, we think you will see, as we did, those gentle and quiet spirits that hunger for the love of family and God. We long to have them in our arms.
With Blessings and Grace,
Dawn
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The Hand of God
What a week this has been! We've been home from Ukraine only two weeks now, and have jumped fully back into our lives and activities here, all the while seeking out answers and direction concerning our desire to adopt the girls.
As we've talked about it, and shared with people we know, and asked them to pray about it, it has been amazing to us how God is answering those prayers. It seems that threads of connection are being woven all around us that lead us to the paths we need to make this happen. Last week we were given the name of a missionary who lives in Kiev as a possible source of information. He referred us to a Christian adoption agency in Florida that specializes in international adoptions. We emailed and made contact with a woman who works at the agency. She and her husband have also adopted two children from Ukraine. We made arrangements to speak with her personally by phone last Sunday afternoon. We had an hour long conversation. She was very kind, but very honest. She gave us lots of information, but also related many personal experiences of her own family and others who had adopted or attempted to adopt from Ukraine. Some experiences are positive, but others were difficult.
We learned that if we want to do this we'll need to begin the process right away and make every effort to complete the paperwork by October or November. All paperwork will have to be sent to Ukraine to be translated and finalized by January. In February the Ukrainian government looks at all adoption applications, both nationally and internationally. They only allow around 1500 children to be adopted in or from Ukraine each year, so it is very important that the paperwork be there and finalized, or we would have to wait another year and begin the whole process again. She also told us that it will cost about $25,000 to adopt the two girls. Mark and I agreed that we wanted to begin the process, so she emailed us the application and contract forms.
Mark and I talked about it more that evening, and discussed all the pros and cons. School started here on Monday, so I was back in the classroom. I don't know if I was feeling stressed from that, or still dealing with adjustment and lack of sleep from travel, in addition to "hitting the ground running" when we returned. Whatever it was, I began to have doubts about the whole "adoption thing" on Tuesday. I think I just panicked a little when I thought about how involved the whole process would be, including the money. I talked to my sister, Debbie, on Tuesday evening and she was asking all kinds of pointed questions about the process and life beyond - when we'd actually have the girls with us to raise. I realized as I was talking to her that having the responsibility for the girls once they are with us is not worrying me at all. What I was worried about was the process of getting there. As I hung up the phone I knew I was struggling and needed to pray about it. I prayed that if this was God's will that He would make it all clear, and if I was having a lack of faith, He would just show me that He's taking care of it.
Well, God really showed me! Mark called me at school at lunchtime on Wednesday and said he had talked to Jackie, who works for Eastern European Missions (EEM) and went on the trip with us. She just learned of a family living in their town who had adopted three children from Ukraine. She gave Mark their number. Mark called this woman, and found out that not only had they adopted from Ukraine, but from the very same orphanage (Mariupol) that our girls are in, and not only that, their two new daughters know our girls and longed for them to be adopted, too! This woman, Rhonda, told Mark that she had some contacts in Ukraine, and she would inquire to try to find out if Jana and Ella are truly adoptable. She promised to call us back soon. On Friday she called back and told us her contact is almost 100% certain that our girls are adoptable, and not only that, their paperwork is already in order to allow that! Isn't God good?
It was if God was saying very clearly, "Just trust in Me! I've got it under control, and this is what I want you to do!" My faith lapse was turned around very quickly! In additon to all this, we are learning through many contacts, of people in Albuquerque who speak Russian, and would be willing to help with language when the girls come. We had no idea that there was anyone in Albuquerque who spoke Russian! God is putting together all the pieces of the puzzle beautifully. We've stepped out in faith, and it is exciting! All we have to do is hang on and enjoy the ride!
As to the finances, many people this week have asked us if we are going to start a fund to help with this. Everyone has been so gracious and excited for us. I think this is God's way of letting others grow in the joy and grace of this experience along with us. So, we've started a fund through our church to help with expenses. If you'd care to contribute please send your donation to:
Riverside church of Christ
3100 La Orilla NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120
(earmark your check - adoption fund)
These donations would all be tax deductable for charity.
More than anything, we appreciate your prayers. Please pray for God's continued leading and for our wisdom to follow. Please pray for Nathan and Annie as they go away to college this week and have this to think about as well as everything else. Please pray for Jana and Ella, that God will give them peace and hope, and that they won't think we've forgotten them. Thank you, friends and family. We'll continue to share as God leads us down this new, exciting and blessed path. Your support means so much!
Love, Dawn and family
As we've talked about it, and shared with people we know, and asked them to pray about it, it has been amazing to us how God is answering those prayers. It seems that threads of connection are being woven all around us that lead us to the paths we need to make this happen. Last week we were given the name of a missionary who lives in Kiev as a possible source of information. He referred us to a Christian adoption agency in Florida that specializes in international adoptions. We emailed and made contact with a woman who works at the agency. She and her husband have also adopted two children from Ukraine. We made arrangements to speak with her personally by phone last Sunday afternoon. We had an hour long conversation. She was very kind, but very honest. She gave us lots of information, but also related many personal experiences of her own family and others who had adopted or attempted to adopt from Ukraine. Some experiences are positive, but others were difficult.
We learned that if we want to do this we'll need to begin the process right away and make every effort to complete the paperwork by October or November. All paperwork will have to be sent to Ukraine to be translated and finalized by January. In February the Ukrainian government looks at all adoption applications, both nationally and internationally. They only allow around 1500 children to be adopted in or from Ukraine each year, so it is very important that the paperwork be there and finalized, or we would have to wait another year and begin the whole process again. She also told us that it will cost about $25,000 to adopt the two girls. Mark and I agreed that we wanted to begin the process, so she emailed us the application and contract forms.
Mark and I talked about it more that evening, and discussed all the pros and cons. School started here on Monday, so I was back in the classroom. I don't know if I was feeling stressed from that, or still dealing with adjustment and lack of sleep from travel, in addition to "hitting the ground running" when we returned. Whatever it was, I began to have doubts about the whole "adoption thing" on Tuesday. I think I just panicked a little when I thought about how involved the whole process would be, including the money. I talked to my sister, Debbie, on Tuesday evening and she was asking all kinds of pointed questions about the process and life beyond - when we'd actually have the girls with us to raise. I realized as I was talking to her that having the responsibility for the girls once they are with us is not worrying me at all. What I was worried about was the process of getting there. As I hung up the phone I knew I was struggling and needed to pray about it. I prayed that if this was God's will that He would make it all clear, and if I was having a lack of faith, He would just show me that He's taking care of it.
Well, God really showed me! Mark called me at school at lunchtime on Wednesday and said he had talked to Jackie, who works for Eastern European Missions (EEM) and went on the trip with us. She just learned of a family living in their town who had adopted three children from Ukraine. She gave Mark their number. Mark called this woman, and found out that not only had they adopted from Ukraine, but from the very same orphanage (Mariupol) that our girls are in, and not only that, their two new daughters know our girls and longed for them to be adopted, too! This woman, Rhonda, told Mark that she had some contacts in Ukraine, and she would inquire to try to find out if Jana and Ella are truly adoptable. She promised to call us back soon. On Friday she called back and told us her contact is almost 100% certain that our girls are adoptable, and not only that, their paperwork is already in order to allow that! Isn't God good?
It was if God was saying very clearly, "Just trust in Me! I've got it under control, and this is what I want you to do!" My faith lapse was turned around very quickly! In additon to all this, we are learning through many contacts, of people in Albuquerque who speak Russian, and would be willing to help with language when the girls come. We had no idea that there was anyone in Albuquerque who spoke Russian! God is putting together all the pieces of the puzzle beautifully. We've stepped out in faith, and it is exciting! All we have to do is hang on and enjoy the ride!
As to the finances, many people this week have asked us if we are going to start a fund to help with this. Everyone has been so gracious and excited for us. I think this is God's way of letting others grow in the joy and grace of this experience along with us. So, we've started a fund through our church to help with expenses. If you'd care to contribute please send your donation to:
Riverside church of Christ
3100 La Orilla NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120
(earmark your check - adoption fund)
These donations would all be tax deductable for charity.
More than anything, we appreciate your prayers. Please pray for God's continued leading and for our wisdom to follow. Please pray for Nathan and Annie as they go away to college this week and have this to think about as well as everything else. Please pray for Jana and Ella, that God will give them peace and hope, and that they won't think we've forgotten them. Thank you, friends and family. We'll continue to share as God leads us down this new, exciting and blessed path. Your support means so much!
Love, Dawn and family
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Back Home!
August 10,
Hi everyone!
We're home from 3 weeks in Ukraine! Our trip was challenging and amazing. We all four feel so blessed to have been able to go.
The conditions were difficult. Picture this: 30 or more people (some who only spoke Russian) sharing a dirty bathroom with one shower and 2 toilets. No tools or cleaning products available and no privacy. Sleeping in 55-year old sagging metal beds with torn and stained sheets and woolen blankets. That was a challenge.
Picture this: Pushing and shoving your way onto a crowed Soviet-era bus where everyone is standing, the windows are closed, everyone must hold onto overhead bars, and no one wears deodorant. You are an armpit away from the next person! Whew! Two buses we rode on broke down in the middle of the route. The driver got out and tried to tinker with the engine, but pretty soon everyone just got out and walked to the next bus stop to wait for another bus. That was challenging.
Picture this: Eating a mystery-meat-meatball every morning, along with cold oatmeal or barley with 2 chunks of cucumber on the side. No cold drinks, only hot, and no refrigeration available. Heat in the high 90's. That was challenging.
Picture this: Working with 55 orphans at the camp, many of whom were literally climbing the rafters and grabbing everything in sight. They needed to be taught manners desperately, but we didn't speak the language. The best we could do was lovingly and firmly show them how to behave. They hung onto us.
But picture this: Russian- speaking orphans who latch onto you and immediately begin calling you "Mama." Sweet smiles and hugs in abundance. Bibles given to the kids who will stand in line for an hour to get one, and then immediately sit down and begin reading them. Some of the kids read their Russian children's Bible within a day, and came back and asked for an adult Bible.
Picture this: Working with the oldest kids in the camp (non-orphans who were 15 or 16 years old). These were the star soccer players and dancers and fun leaders of the kids at camp. But given a choice of going to play sports or come to our class and do child-like crafts, they came to our class. It was hilarious to watch the big boys juggle the craft on their lap (no tables), and put the stickers on. Even these kids are hungry for love and attention.
Then picture this: The morning our team was preparing to leave the camp, nearly all the children - big and little rushed out to the front gates where we drug our luggage to wait for the bus. They were crying and we were crying. They would hold onto us, saying "Don't go!" in Russian. We would hug them and tell them, "Ya lyoobof vas," which means "We love you all." As we finally got on the bus and looked out the windows all the kids were waving their arms with tears streaming down their faces, and they ran after the bus as it pulled away.
That is our experience in a nutshell. We have so much more to tell, and I'm sure we will as time goes on. The travel alone was quite a grueling adventure. But for now I just want to share with you that Mark and I are considering adopting 2 of the orphan girls we met. They are sisters and their names are Jana (pronounced Zhana) and Ella. They are 12 and 11 years old. They've been in the orphanage for 3 years. We talked to them with the help of our translator, and they gave us information, but we're not 100% sure they are really adoptable or not. However, we are going to pursue this as fervently as we can. These two girls reached a special place in our hearts. They are both beautiful and gentle and loving. Our translators told us if we can adopt girls, do it. When they reach the age of 16 the orphanage puts them out on their own, and many of them resort to prostitution. That simply perpetuates the cycle of the children in the orphanages. We have a home and love to give and we feel we could make a difference in the lives of these girls. Nathan and Annie are all for it, as well. So, please pray about that for us, will you?
Well, just wanted to touch base and let you know of our adventure. Our normal life and routine seems so insignificant compared to what we've seen and experienced, but we're getting back into it. School starts again here tomorrow, so I'm back in the classroom already. Nathan leaves to go back to Abilene next Monday. We take Annie to Lubbock Christian next Tuesday the 19th. We'll have an empty nest for awhile, but then maybe God will fill it again!
Love,
Dawn and family
Hi everyone!
We're home from 3 weeks in Ukraine! Our trip was challenging and amazing. We all four feel so blessed to have been able to go.
The conditions were difficult. Picture this: 30 or more people (some who only spoke Russian) sharing a dirty bathroom with one shower and 2 toilets. No tools or cleaning products available and no privacy. Sleeping in 55-year old sagging metal beds with torn and stained sheets and woolen blankets. That was a challenge.
Picture this: Pushing and shoving your way onto a crowed Soviet-era bus where everyone is standing, the windows are closed, everyone must hold onto overhead bars, and no one wears deodorant. You are an armpit away from the next person! Whew! Two buses we rode on broke down in the middle of the route. The driver got out and tried to tinker with the engine, but pretty soon everyone just got out and walked to the next bus stop to wait for another bus. That was challenging.
Picture this: Eating a mystery-meat-meatball every morning, along with cold oatmeal or barley with 2 chunks of cucumber on the side. No cold drinks, only hot, and no refrigeration available. Heat in the high 90's. That was challenging.
Picture this: Working with 55 orphans at the camp, many of whom were literally climbing the rafters and grabbing everything in sight. They needed to be taught manners desperately, but we didn't speak the language. The best we could do was lovingly and firmly show them how to behave. They hung onto us.
But picture this: Russian- speaking orphans who latch onto you and immediately begin calling you "Mama." Sweet smiles and hugs in abundance. Bibles given to the kids who will stand in line for an hour to get one, and then immediately sit down and begin reading them. Some of the kids read their Russian children's Bible within a day, and came back and asked for an adult Bible.
Picture this: Working with the oldest kids in the camp (non-orphans who were 15 or 16 years old). These were the star soccer players and dancers and fun leaders of the kids at camp. But given a choice of going to play sports or come to our class and do child-like crafts, they came to our class. It was hilarious to watch the big boys juggle the craft on their lap (no tables), and put the stickers on. Even these kids are hungry for love and attention.
Then picture this: The morning our team was preparing to leave the camp, nearly all the children - big and little rushed out to the front gates where we drug our luggage to wait for the bus. They were crying and we were crying. They would hold onto us, saying "Don't go!" in Russian. We would hug them and tell them, "Ya lyoobof vas," which means "We love you all." As we finally got on the bus and looked out the windows all the kids were waving their arms with tears streaming down their faces, and they ran after the bus as it pulled away.
That is our experience in a nutshell. We have so much more to tell, and I'm sure we will as time goes on. The travel alone was quite a grueling adventure. But for now I just want to share with you that Mark and I are considering adopting 2 of the orphan girls we met. They are sisters and their names are Jana (pronounced Zhana) and Ella. They are 12 and 11 years old. They've been in the orphanage for 3 years. We talked to them with the help of our translator, and they gave us information, but we're not 100% sure they are really adoptable or not. However, we are going to pursue this as fervently as we can. These two girls reached a special place in our hearts. They are both beautiful and gentle and loving. Our translators told us if we can adopt girls, do it. When they reach the age of 16 the orphanage puts them out on their own, and many of them resort to prostitution. That simply perpetuates the cycle of the children in the orphanages. We have a home and love to give and we feel we could make a difference in the lives of these girls. Nathan and Annie are all for it, as well. So, please pray about that for us, will you?
Well, just wanted to touch base and let you know of our adventure. Our normal life and routine seems so insignificant compared to what we've seen and experienced, but we're getting back into it. School starts again here tomorrow, so I'm back in the classroom already. Nathan leaves to go back to Abilene next Monday. We take Annie to Lubbock Christian next Tuesday the 19th. We'll have an empty nest for awhile, but then maybe God will fill it again!
Love,
Dawn and family
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