USCIS

We just got our letter from USCIS and I guess they granted us our expedited request because we have our biometrics appointment August 16!!!!!!!!! Just 2 1/2 weeks to wait. Beats the heck out of 75-90 days! Clare and Malachi, mommy and daddy are coming soon!

HAPPY DANCE!!!!!

Driver's Seat

I like to drive, which is a good thing since we live in the D.C. area and it takes forever to get anywhere. I have to be in the drivers seat, though. I get car sick if I'm not. The only way I can be a paasenger is if I sleep.

My children are so great at travelling long distances, it's really all they have ever known.
They know Mommy know's where she is going, I've got the GPS. They can sit back and listen to the radio, look out the window and daydream. Sometimes they get snacks and a drink. If it's a long trip, they even get to watch a movie. There is really no, "Mommy are we there yet?" because they know the answer, "When we get there, we get there."

We are on this journey to adopt Clare and Malachi and I find that I'm not such a good passenger.
 I'm constantly asking, "Are we there yet?" When I look out the window all I see is the turn in the road and want to know what's up ahead.

But in this Christian life, we are not really in the driver's seat, are we?

We are going to be the first RR family to adopt from our orphanage. This is not the road that I would have chosen! I like the smooth easy road. "God, don't you know I get car sick? How much longer till we get there?" Then I can hear from the front seat, "Honey, just close your eye's, we will be there soon."

I must remember that my Daddy is in the driver's seat. He know's the destination and how to get there. He know's how long it will take to get there. It's my job to relax and enjoy the ride.

We will travel this road as long as it takes to bring our sweet kids home and to open this orphanage to other families to rescue the children there.

How ever long it takes, how ever bumpy the road, we will travel it because up ahead is the prize.

Are you here yet?

Come get me, Mommy!

We're coming, sweet angels. Just a bit longer.

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Obviously if you read the last post you could tell I was needing some encouragement. Thank you so much to those who prayed, spoke words of encouragement to my heart and gave to our FSP.

The words "Thank You" are just not enough.

Pioneer

I used to read The Little House On The Prairie books to Madison when she was little. We loved reading about the new adventures that they were going on. I would often wonder had I lived back then would I be a pioneer? I always pictured myself during the Antebellam days being a rich plantation owners daughter or wife, but that really isn't a pioneer. I have been a missionary to Africa and Mexico and went by myself, but someone had done it before me, so I could follow their advice on how to get things done.

Now we were told that we will be the first RR family to adopt from our orphanage. Pioneer. I never realized how terrifying that could be. There is no one who can tell me what to expect from the local officials. No one to tell me if the conditions at the orphanage are good or bad. I'm walking into the unknown, bringing my whole family with me to rescue two children I've never met. On top of that, I have to do the adoption as a married individual because Mel is to old ( by 1 month and 6 months) so I will be standing in front of the judge all by myself.

On top of that, I feel betrayed by people I thought were friends. We let over 150 people on FB know about our adoption plans and our need for financial help. About 5 have responded. Then absolute silence from everyone else. These are people who we have served on the mission field with or served in battle with. People we stood in there wedding or them in ours. We have given cars, cribs, furniture and money to. Went to Bible college with, served in the Army with, and brought meals to when they were sick. Silence. Psalms 55:12 says," If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God."
They may say, "We'll pray for you". How can I trust that they will pray, when they won't donate even $20 to help recue our children. We are so close to travelling and I look at our FSP and see $2311.

Pioneer. I will walk this path with my husband and children out into the great unknown, because I know who leads me there. I know the One who see's the end from the beginning. He is already at that orphanage with my children and will give me the courage and strength to continue on, alone if needed. But how could I be alone when He is by me and my sweet husband and amazing children are all around me.

I will walk with you Lord, out into the unknown....

Homestudy is really done

We have been waiting for weeks to see what our "in country" liason had to say about our homestudy. Would it pass the scutiny of the judge and country requirements? We came to a screaching halt weeks ago when our country said they were stopping all adoption for 3 months. We got an email a few day ago that said the country will continue to process "special needs" adoption thru the close. So were are now back to 200mph. All we needed was our homestudy to send to USCIS (immigration) for our final piece to our dossier. Then we can send it in country and get a travel date!! We got the go ahead from the liason, so Richmond, here we come for apostilles and USCIS. Who knows, we might be meeting our kids in 2 months from now!! YAY!!

In Memory of Warner

Look at his little face, isn't he adorable! Warner was one of the children we considered adoptiong and is 2 years old. When we chose to adopt our 2 little ones, our 9 year old, Madison, prayed for Warner and Daria to find forever homes. Daria is hopefully going to be adopted with another girl from the same orphanage. Warner now has his forever home in Heaven. He died. Alone. With no momma to hold him as he was passed into the arms of Jesus. From something that good medical care and the love of a family  could have cured. We are broken hearted for this boy, but even more so for the millions that are still in the orphanages ALONE. Bring them home, adovate and pray.

Yard Sale Review

All in all the yard sale was great! Kinda hot outside, but was blessed with wonderful friends to help us out. Also had great people donate LOTS of stuff. We are now $650.00 closer to bringing our babies home!
A great big thank you to those who helped, donated and SHOPPED!