Uncertainty

     We still have not come to a conclusion about where we go from here.  Our adoption agency has indicated that they will be starting a new program in Bulgaria.  So we can stay with them and see if we can be part of that program, join another agency that I have already talked to about Poland, or do something completely different.   A lot of agencies have had an influx of people inquiring about different programs now that Russia is closed. This means wait times may become longer as less children are available. 
     There has been some news coming out of Russia that the children that were already matched with families may get to have their adoptions completed.  That is great news for them!  It does not help our situation because we had not gotten to that point in the process.  We still mourn for those orphans that will never find homes now. 
     Please pray for us as we still need clear direction.  It is very discouraging that we seem to be running into walls at every turn. We still plan on having our home study in February. Maybe we will have a country by then!

He's got the whole world in His hands

     I bought a globe.  I've wanted one for a while, and I figured now was an appropriate time to get one.  And it seems that every time I hold a globe the words to the song run through my head  (He's got the whole world in His hands...).   It's a good thing to remember at a time like this.
     Although we are still planning on adopting internationally, we are currently without country.  Since the Russian adoption ban went into effect and once the shock wore off, we started researching other countries.  This is where the globe came in.  We decided to stay with Eastern European countries since that is where our hearts are.  We had never heard of  some of the countries we started researching.  So we have spent some time pondering the places on the globe and looking for where our daughter might be.  I think we have narrowed it down to Poland, Bulgaria, Moldova, or the Ukraine.  There are not big programs, so we are having to research adoption agencies all over again. 

      This was the hardest part of the process in the beginning.  I was so relieved when we had an agency that we really felt comfortable with. The thought of having to find and choose a new agency at this point just makes me tired. We are going to stay with our current agency for now.  Our paperwork is being processed and we will be ready to have our home study next month.  These things have to be done no matter what agency we use.
   We cannot thank everyone enough for all of the support and prayers and kind notes.  I'm sorry if I haven't been able to tell you each individually how much your encouragement means to us, but this current bump in the road has been very overwhelming.  We are relying on our faith that God has a plan for us and He is not surprised by the latest events.  We continue to put our hope in the One who adopted us into His family and are looking forward the day when we can share His love with our own little one.  Thanks for sticking with us.
Please pray for God's guidance as we have a lot of decisions to make in the next few weeks.


 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.   John 14:27