Monday, July 27, 2015

Final trip

Well tomorrow my daughter Natalie and Brian will fly across the ocean to get our new kiddos out of the orphanage. Praying that it doesn't take 2 weeks! Lots of driving around to different towns to get birth certificates and paperwork! One of the kiddos does some self injury type behaviors so praying that will improve quickly. Poor sweetie! Can't wait to meet my babies! We are thankful for all the blessings! Hope to share some more soon!!

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Court

Court was successful!! Now 10 plus days before we can bust them out!! The First court the judge had not done many and maybe zero international adoptions. A bit scary to me but went fairly well. The photo books that you take along are so helpful. We have pictures of all the kids and of our house and things like that. After people see the pictures, Brian says they are so much more helpful. The director was very nice and helpful. Brian offered to but diapers but she said they were good with their supply but asked for a tv. This orphanage has kids age 4 through 22+ , all considered disabled and unless adopted, never get out. They live in an institution until they die.. There is very little for them to do. They used to have a tv but it broke. So Brian gave them money to help buy a new one. The young men that lived there were so excited! They were all so polite also and shook Brian's hand and greeted him. A tv provides much needed stimulation. This orphanage does not usually get adoptions. Hopefully now there will be some more adoptions from this place. The director gave our facilitator some pictures and files of some kids to list with Reece's rainbow. We pray more children will get a chance to live life! The kids are tiny. Our little guy who is 4 1/2 years is smaller than Crosby our 2 year old. His waist is 15". Can't wait to get him home! Praying all the kids have healthy hearts and that none of them need surgery! We will schedule appointments as soon as they arrive.

The next court in another area was a bit stressful. This judge does a lot of adoptions because it is in a more populated area. But she is known to give families a hard time. Brian said it wasn't too bad but she did try to make things a bit difficult. This court was successful too! So good to be done with this part. The judges have the power to not approve and make families do a lot of unnecessary things and make the poor kids sit and wait! So thankful this was not the case. Brian will come home and then head over again for all the paperwork and medical exams, passports and visas. The biggest financial challenge will be getting airfare back at the last minute for a decent price! It is so hard when you have no clue how long it will take to get everything done. We will also bring some special formula back for one little guy waiting to be adopted that really needs extra food and nutrition. He is blessed to have intervention. Most do not get it! But still he needs a family desperately! He is listed as Ben on Reecesrainbow if you want to check him out and donate to his grant. Thank you so much!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Rejoice in The Lord always

Having a hard time today with this. Trying my best to Rejoice when there is so much sadness. Sadness for orphans that never get an earthly home and love of a family. Little children that are so capable despite disabilities. Yet they are transferred at the age of 4 and then left in a crib to slowly waste away. My heart breaks. I don't understand. I know life is not fair. I know there is pain and suffering yet I also know more can be done! Please take time to pray today for these children that few see and know about. They are real. They need homes. Adoption is their only way out of a failed system that does not value their life. To God, they are more valuable then we can imagine. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are commanded to care for orphans. It is not a suggestion! We are working on bringing home a few of these children and we are so excited and thankful, although it is heartbreaking when you see of kids that are left behind. Rejoice in The Lord always and again I say rejoice.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Court Dates!

Yes it is true! We finally have court dates! Please keep praying that the judge says yes to adoption! It is never a done deal until after court! Brian will return home after court because there is a 10 day wait until you can get the children out of the orphanage. But court will be at least 1 step closer. In the meantime, we need to put some cribs together and rearrange some bedrooms to make room for these precious children! Sergei still suffers from night terrors. They are much better than when he first got home and would love prayers that he could sleep better at night. When he first got home he only slept an hour or two at a time. Most nights I can get about 4 to 6 hours now. It would be great if this was extended. Not only did he suffer from severe neglect and starvation but also physical abuse. He has burn scars on his head and legs. He cannot speak so we will never know what he endured. Yet this boy radiates joy! Please pray for more families to adopt! It is so worth it. These children are beautiful. They are seen as worthless in their society. Sergei was thrown out with the trash and then treated like garbage yet he is the most precious, beautiful child and now is so loved! Thank you all!

Monday, July 6, 2015

No news

If you are waiting for an update, we do not have any news! The kids sit and wait! We are waiting on judges. We are praying for news on Friday! Thank you for all of  your prayers and support. Technically we should have been finished in the next week but delays happen. Stayed tuned....never an easy process!