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

Change of Plans

     The Russian government has passed into law the bill to ban all US adoptions from Russia.  This news was devastating to us.  I had heard horror stories of countries closing their orphanges to international adoptions but I never imagined it would happen in Russia.  Americans have been adopting beautiful children from there for decades. 

We had our hearts set on Russia.  We thought this was were God was leading us.  But our clear path has now become very foggy.  We are not sure where we go from here.  We are still planning to adopt internationally, but now we are not sure if we are staying with our current agency or will have to find a different one.  There are lots of questions and not many answers at this point. 
I wish I had more of my husband's simple faith.  He keeps telling me that God will take care of us and everything will work out just fine.  He has even started talking to people about other countries that might be available to us that we had not even considered.  He keeps me smiling and trying to look at the bright side of things.  I hope one day we will be able to look back and this time and see how God was moving in our lives, but for now,  I can only see a few feet in front of me. 
     Thanks for sticking with us and I will keep you updated as the journey continues.  We wish you a very Happy New Year and we look forward to what God has in store for us in 2013.

 

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.     Jeremiah 29:11

 

Bump In The Road

This is Kevin and I (use your imagination...)

When we started this adoption process, I knew there would be bumps in the road, obstacles to overcome, even mountains to climb.  That's why I am calling this an adventure.  This isn't an adoption cruise or a day at the beach.  This is hills and valleys and never knowing what's around the next bend.  A trip down the Amazon River maybe, in a canoe, with one paddle.... I knew there would be issues that only Jesus could overcome.  I told Him at the beginning of this process that I was opening my hands to Him and to His will. If this was what he wanted us to do, then He would take care of us.
  I was reminded of this yesterday when I read on Fox News that the Russian government wants to ban all US adoptions of Russian children.  Instantly my heart dropped.  The US thinks that this is in retaliation for humanitarian sanctions levied by the US against Russia.  There are officials in Russia that are against this saying that it only punishes the orphans, but the lower house of Parliment passed the bill today.  The President has not said if he will sign it or not.  
  We had our hearts set on Russia.  Maybe this will be worked out and it won't affect us at all. I am praying that God will soften their hearts and let the orphans find their forever homes here in the states where they will be loved.  If this is God's will for us and hundreds of other families that want to love their children, then He will make a way.   Please pray with me that this is worked out for God's glory.
 If you want to read the story, you can find it here.

The good news for this week is that our passports came! They came faster than I expected!  Kevin and I can officially leave the country, we just don't know for sure now which country it will be.
I also obtained our local background checks.  I just need to send those copies and copies of our passports to the agency.  The only thing left is the psych evaluation in January. (I hope we pass!)  Then we move on to the home study.

Please join me in praying that the Russian government does not put a ban on US adoptions. 

 

Have a very Merry Christmas!

T-Shirt Store!

Faith Hope & Love in Russian

Do you know someone who adopted? Have you adopted?  Are you adopted?  Do you like to support people who want to adopt?   Then please check out our T-Shirt Store!    We get a portion of the proceeds to help us fund our adoption!

 

 

 

 

 

All you have to do is go to this link



The "heart" is the Russian Flag



Beach Adoption 
and order a T-Shirt or two.  Thanks for your support!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you enjoy a good cup of coffee? 

We also have a coffee store set up at  http://www.justlovecoffee.com/beachadoption

 

 

Making a list, checking it twice

I love checking things off a list.  Any kind of list.  Groceries, check.  Household chores, check.  Work to-do items, check.  A page and a half list of adoption documents, check check and check.  We're almost done with phase 1!  Only about three things left to get.
Kevin and I both finished our autobiographies this week.  That was a relief!  Even though they give you a list of things they want to know about you, it still involves a lot of soul searching and introspection.  In the end, I was proud of both of our papers. 
We also found a psychologist for the psych evaluation.  They like to know that you aren't a psychopath before you adopt children.  I suppose that's a good thing. Part of the evaluation includes taking a personality test.  It was an interesting set of questions and it took about an hour and a half to take.  I was glad when that was done.  We go back for an interview with the psychologist in January and he sends a report to the adoption agency.
  The only thing that is really holding me up are the passports.  They should be here in early January, but I don't know how much the holidays are affecting the process.  I know they have received our applications because they cashed our checks. I also need a criminal clearance from the city.  I will go down to the police station and get that next week. 

 I am going to go ahead and send what we have ready to the agency.  I am so excited to be mailing this off!  This represents moving on to the next phase.  I believe we should be able to have our home study next, but I need to check with the adoption agency first.

I can't help but feel deeply saddened by the school shooting tragedy in Connecticut today.  What a horrific thing to happen anytime of year, but expecially right before Christmas.  It makes me wonder if I want to bring children to this country.  I am trying to keep in mind that I can only do the best I can to make life better for an orphan and trust that God's will be done.  My heart breaks for those families today. 

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 14:26-28

Adoption rocks

Today is a good day to be inside snuggled on the couch.  I am thankful to have this quiet time as this has been a busy week.  My husband is the athletic trainer at the local high school, so this time of year is pretty hectic with basketball games and other sports.  I usually try to go to the basketball games because sometimes that is the only way I will be able to see him that day!  I stayed home last night while our team was playing because I had some Christmas shopping to do and the paperwork is still waiting for me!
 There are only a few things left on my list to do.  Kevin and I both worked on our autobiographies this week.  Mine is done, I just need to proof read it.  Kevin's is not quite done yet, but he has promised to work on it today.   The autobiographies give the adoption agency a sense of who you are as an individual and who you are as a couple.  They use this information to match you with the child that will best be suited for you.
 I will get my medical release form signed today and then I will send what is completed to our agency.  Thankfully we don't have to wait until all the papers are completed and we can send the forms in as we get them done. 
I also worked on starting a T-Shirt fundraiser with a company called Adoption Bug (www.adoptionbug.com).  This company will let you set up a fundraising site and get a portion of the proceeds to help fund your adoption. I sent in my application last night and will let you know when it is up and running!  The "adoption rocks" graphic came from one of the shirts they sell on this site. 
Thanks for joining me this morning. I wish I could stay longer, but a woman's work is never done!  I have a house to clean and errands to run before I head out to an away basketball game this afternoon.