Rest for my weary soul

I am so blessed.  I say that often and I don't mean it to be cliché....I truly, truly feel blessed.  The Lord has blessed us beyond measure.  Even during the battle, He has blessed us.  Actually....it's during the battle that I feel the most blessed. Why?  Well, because that's when I see Him do the most work!!!  When Danny and I are walking through the fire, that is when we can see the hand of the Lord God Almighty at work most in our lives.  I've looked back through the times when we has allowed us to walk around the fire and realize that we were not nearly as blessed as the times when we had to walk through the fire.  

This is no exception.  Adoption is not for those who want to walk around the fire.  It just isn't.  Especially if you are adopting from the same Eastern European Country that we are.  It is unbelievably hard.  It is challenging on my faith.  I have cried out many times to God "WHY Lord God....WHY?!?"  However, if I had to do it all over again......I wouldn't change a thing.  While it challenges my faith, it also strengthens my faith beyond what I would have possibly imagined!  I love seeing the Lord answer prayers.  Even when the answer is "no".  And we are never promised that we will find out why the Lord chooses to say no but when we do find out why.....oh, it is splendid!!!!!  We have had the joys in this adoption journey of hearing the Lord say "no" and then realizing later that His 'no' was very good!!!  Love when that happens!!!!

 

We have been waiting and waiting for a travel date.  The dossier process that started on August 1st has made me weary.  I am tired.  There are times when I am cranky.  I have cried many tears.  I have just felt the need for a nap and didn't wake for 3 hours.  When our dossier was submitted, I thought to myself, "whew....glad that's over.  Now, I can rest".  Ummmmm...yeah right!  Sometimes just the waiting part alone doesn't allow you to rest.  On top of that, all the things that must be done....especially as a business owner.  Oh my, the things we have had to do.  But....but....but....the hardest part.....has been the wait.  The unknown.  And now.....we know.  Now, I feel that I may have some rest for my weary soul!!  Of course, the only true rest for our weary souls is found in Christ!!!

So, the answer everyone has probably been waiting for......our SDA Appointment will be on November 19!!!!  We will be booking our airline ticket soon and should be leaving on Friday, November 16.  We will get to bring our kids home!!!!  We may not be home before Christmas but that matters not because we will still celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Even if it means celebrating apart and then celebrating again once we reunite!  I will keep the blog updated while I am gone and will post lots of pictures.

The biggest issue between now and November 16th is the fact that we are still shy from being funded.  Will you prayerfully consider how you can help?  I have said it many, many times but I really hope that if you are reading this and thinking "but I don't have much to give"....that is OK!!  Every bit helps.  Every dollar.  Some can only give $20 and that is a stretch for them.  Others can give $100 and that is a stretch for them.  If you can give anything...anything at all, will you please give?  Please be in prayer and consider how you can help.  If you have already given.......THANK YOU!!!  

I don't believe in coincidences

Straight out of the chute, I know some people will think I'm crazy.  Maybe I've lost my marbles.  Or maybe I'm one french fry short of a Happy Meal.  That's OK because I believe that the Lord can speak to us in ALL things...we can't just put God in a box.  We can't just say that God only speaks to us through His Word.  Although, I do believe that when He does speak to us, it will never go against His Word!  Here's why I say this:

For the past long while I have randomly looked at the clock when it is 11:11.  And it doesn't just happen once in a while....it happens all of the time.  Sometimes not even just when I look at the clock to see what time it is....sometimes I will just happen to glance at the clock for no reason at all and see that it is 11:11.  It got to the point where in July of 2011, I wrote down every verse in the Bible that was 11:11 to see if maybe I could find something that the Lord was trying to tell me.  Nothing really stood out.  If Danny was around I would say, "guess what time it is" and he would respond with, "gee, let me guess....11:11".  For a short while, it stopped.  Then, all of a sudden it started again.  And when it starts....it happens so frequently, that it is almost scary!

I saw someone post on their FB page the other day that she looked at the clock and saw that it was 11:11 and heard that means you are supposed to make a wish.  Other people replied with what they heard that means.  I don't believe in superstitious things because I don't believe in "chance happenings", "coincidences" or "magic".  But I do believe that the Lord can use anything to get our attention or speak to us.

So now that brings us to the day we drop the kids off at the airport.  Aug 2, 2012.  A very sad day in the McLaughlin family!  Just sayin'.  Anyhow, we are sitting in the car talking when Danny asks me if the kids get to keep their passports.  A very random question but let's go with it.  So, I tell him that yes, I believe they do get to keep them and he asks me how I know.  Well, I just happened to take a picture of their passports before they left and I showed him the picture and I said, "Well, the reason I think this is because their passports were issued in November of last year.  So, I can only assume that if they've had them for this long, that they will keep them until they expire".  Then, I showed him the picture and I said, "See, they were issued 11 Nov 2011".  Danny replied, "You've got to be kidding?"  I said, "What?"  He said, "11 11"! Wow, I didn't even catch that!!  And had I not taken a picture of their passports, I would have not shown Danny and we would not have realized that their passports were issued on the 11th day of the 11th month in 2011.  WOW!!!  I really do not believe that is a coincidence.  Not one bit.  For over a year, I've been seeing the time as 11:11 and now I find out that the kids we want to adopt had their passports issued on 11/11/2011.  I have prayed that the Lord would reveal to me what 11:11 means and I do believe what He is trying to tell us is that He's got this thing.  Because you see.......when Danny and I were in the car talking, we were sad, very heartbroken and longing for the day we get to bring the kids home again.  When we realized the kids passports were issued on 11/11, it gave us this overwhelming peace.

Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

That's what we got....a peace that transcends ALL understanding!!!  Because most people wouldn't understand.  Instead, they will think I am crazy.  They will think I'm off my rocker.  Maybe that I'm not playing with a full deck.  That's ok...think what you want....I completely understand that you may not understand because I was there once.  

From the Broken Hearted

So, I have been waiting for the right time to blog because I am just not a writer and it does not come easily for me.  I am sitting here at the computer going through a wave of emotions and tears start streaming down my face.  Now is the time to blog?  Really?  But I felt the nudge and so here I sit, blogging.  Once I read this over tomorrow, I may realize that I shouldn't be blogging, especially when I am so emotional but I always promised that I would be transparent and would write exactly what is on my mind, without holding back.  So, maybe now is the time to blog!

We have had two precious children in our care for the past 5 weeks.  We weren't planning on hosting this summer.  As a matter of fact, I even told my friend Nicole (she volunteers for the hosting program) that we were not planning on hosting.  But God had other plans for us.  When Nicole and her husband, Joe, went to the Ukraine in February, they interviewed some children at one of the orphanages for the summer hosting program.  After they interviewed Lilya and Alex, they both said that they thought those children would be perfect for us.  So, even though they knew we didn't want to host, she still emailed me a photo and profile of these children.  She is stubborn, ya know!  And thank God she is!!  So, Danny and I prayed about it and we realized that He wanted us to host these kids.  I am so glad that we listened.  Had we not listened to Him, we would have missed out!  Oh the things we would have missed out on!!!

We would have missed out on hugs, kisses, "I love you's", attitudes, silliness, playing UNO and Jenga, watching "Pink Panther" 500 times, riding bikes, picky eaters, a noisy house, a big hole in our backyard, a cookie baking partner, 16 hours at the dentist and eye doctor, lots of appreciation and so much more that I can't even begin to write it all out.

Now, I sit here with less than 30 hours before these children get on a plane and head back to the Ukraine.  To a place where they are going to lay their head down on a bed with a crappy mattress in a room with many other children and will probably cry themselves to sleep for the first week or so.  They won't have anyone to tuck them in and tell them it's going to be OK.  They won't get much to eat and most definitely won't get the nutrition that they need so desperately for their growing bodies.  They won't get to ask for seconds and they won't get to have an apple every day.  They might get beat up, they might get teased and they won't have a mom or dad their to protect them.  They might get their toys taken away by the older kids.  They will have to wash their underwear in the sink and wear the same outfit for an entire week (or more).

Could you just picture your child in this situation?  Just for a minute....imagine your child crying themselves to sleep in an orphanage because they miss you so much.  Imagine your child only getting bread and butter for breakfast (maybe porridge on a good day), watered down potato soup for lunch and bread and butter for dinner.  Imagine your child not being able to change his clothes every day and having to wash his underwear in the sink.  Imagine having to put him on a plane to go all the way to the other side of the world to live in those conditions.  Just imagine.  I don't have to imagine because that will be a reality for me in less than 30 hours.  My son clung to me tonight sobbing and saying "Mama, no Ukraine" over and over again...."Mama, Alex No Ukraine, please".  And all I could do was to hold him and cry, too.

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.  James 1:27

I can't get the paperwork for this adoption done fast enough because if it were up to me, we would be going back to Ukraine with them on Thursday.  I just pray that the next 4 or 5 months don't feel like 4 or 5 years and that we will be rejoicing before you know it!!  And I have to remember that while I consider these my children......they really aren't mine at all........they are God's children and I may just have the privilege of caring for them.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3

Will you please pray for us because these next two days are going to be very hard for us.  We are going to send our children back to a place that is a place I wouldn't send my worst enemy!  My heart is going to be ripped out of my chest.  I can't even explain what I am feeling right now....I am just sitting here typing through a stream of tears.  However, through all of this, I know I need to lean on my Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.  Psalm 34: 17-20 

Will you also consider donating to help us reach our goal of bringing Alex and Lilya home by the end of the year?  It is a very aggressive goal that we have been told is nearly impossible but something tells me that nothing is impossible with God.

For nothing is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37

http://www.eliproject.org/families-in-process/the-mclaughlin-family/

Dynamics of a Family

Wow!  I've been in my little bubble of a family of three, with one child, for 10 years now.  Let me tell you that the dynamics of a family changes drastically when you triple your child count.  Hmmm, what if you wake up tomorrow with 6 kids? 9 kids? 12 kids?  What would that look like for your family?  OK, some of my friends already have 6, 9 or 12 kids but for some of us, that would be a really big deal!  For our family, much has changed.  We go through almost an entire jug of orange juice in one sitting.  We run the dishwasher daily.  We go through almost a dozen eggs at breakfast.  We buy more than one watermelon at a time (see the last picture).  Brushing teeth takes 3 times as long.  Showers seem never ending.  And other things changed that I just can't explain in writing.  Things such as trying to be fair (which is especially hard when we don't speak Russian), spreading our love equally, making sure everyone gets our attention, determining "who started it" etc.  Before, there were no worries about determining "who started it" because there was only one "who" that could have started it! 

We hosted last summer (twice) and this time around, it is different as night and day.  However, a lot within those two hostings prepared us for this hosting.  As much as we were heartbroken when Lidiya, Andriy and Vlad did not want to be adopted, I sort of feel like maybe, just maybe, God kinda knew what He was doing.  Gotta love when that happens!  When I am with these kids, I just feel...............complete.  They had me at "privet"!!  I honestly can't say I felt that way before.  I don't know what it is, I just know that it is different.

From the minute they got off the plane, I felt it.  They practically ran into our arms.  Alex held me so tight and did not want to let go.  They had tears in their eyes and it was such a special moment.  Even the chaperone had tears in her eyes!!  They fit into our family.  It feels natural.  Lilya has a cute personality and likes to tease and play around.  Today, we ran errands together and at the post office, she took my keys without me seeing and put them in her pocket.  When we got out to the truck, I searched frantically for them...in my purse, in my pocket, everywhere...I even start to head back into the post office to search.  She starts cracking up and pulls the keys out of her pocket and says, "Haha Mama"!!  Too funny!!!  Oh and yep, they call me "mama"!  And I love it!

Alex just melts my heart when he wakes up in the morning and says "dobroe utro" (good morning) and gives me a big hug...one where he wraps his arms all the way around me!!

I've gotten more hugs and kisses from them in the 4 days that they've been here than I got in the entire 5 weeks last summer.  They show an ability to bond.  They freely give hugs and kisses.  They are very thankful for everything they are given.  They have emotions and aren't afraid to show them.  The other day Alex was "joking" and told Coby he was fat.  When papa told him that wasn't nice, he said that he was only joking but papa told him that wasn't a funny joke.  When we got home, he went in his room and cried uncontrollably.  We called someone to help us ask him what was wrong. He said that he was sorry for saying that to Coby and that he really was a good boy. He felt really bad for what he said and this just gave us an opportunity to show grace and forgiveness!!


Colossians 3:12-13  Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 
 
I know it has only been 4 days but holy toledo (am I "allowed" to say that as a Christian?  I always wondered!!), I am in hog heaven!!!  I have a fire under my tail to get moving on this adoption because I want to go back and get them.......like......yesterday!!!!!  Tonight I asked Lilya if she liked living in the orphanage and she said, "No, who likes living there?"  I want to get them out of that place!!!  It is dark.  It is dismal.  I've been told it is one of the worst orphanages in Ukraine.  Will you please help by praying that the Lord will move in mighty ways for us to get them?  We need Him to move in the process so that it moves fast!  We need Him to provide financially....the cost is approximately $32,250 and we have a total of $1,200 available to go towards their adoption.  $1,200.  One thousand, two hundred (just in case you thought maybe I was missing a zero or put the comma in the wrong place).  We have a long ways to go but we know that the Will of God does not take you where Grace of God does not cover you.   

2 Corinthians 9:8:  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

We truly believe that this is His will for our lives and we will go....we just need your help and most importantly, your prayers!

Here are some pictures of the kids since they have been here....

 At the airport....very special moment I will never forget!

Lilya and Papa!

Showing off their green tongues after eating snowballs

Lilya and Mama standing in front of a bunch of Lilies!!

Silly boys!!

She loves our dog!!!!

Hmmmm.....wonder who taught him this??

One watermelon would not be enough so we had to get two!

Adopting Ukraine Orphans: God's Plan

This is going to be a long post, I just have a feeling.  But, it is going to be so worth it because I am going to share with you something very special that has happened to us recently.  Not that we are anything special but what the Lord has done is!  If you will take a few minutes and read this, you will be completely amazed.  I only say that because 2 months later, I am still amazed.  I am in awe of what He has done for us....something we most definitely do not deserve.

For those that follow my blog, you know that we hosted a girl from the Ukraine this summer and are now on a journey to adopt her and her 2 brothers.  When presented with hosting all three this Christmas, our first reaction was "no way, we can't afford it".  However, we came to the conclusion that if it was the Lord's will for us to host all three, He would provide.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19.  

And that He did....He provided the finances for us to host all three.  However, it apparently wasn't in His will because the Ukrainian Government in the Kherson Region shut down all hosting programs.  I say all that because when it came time to consider adoption, we realized that if it is His will for us to adopt all three, He would need to provide once again.  Not only will He need to provide the $40,000 it will take to adopt all three but He would have to provide a means for us to raise three extra children.  Our monthly budget will increase significantly with three more teenagers in the house.  We really make it week to week, so the thought of that was incomprehensible.  When Danny said, "If he wants us to adopt, he will make a way", I really just shrugged the thought off because he would have had to provide in a huge way.

Well, to back up just a bit....up until I went on my mission trip, we didn't even think the kids were eligible for adoption!  I found out while I was there.  I got home from my trip on September 15th and it was around that time that we really started talking about adoption.  So, keep that date in mind...it will be significant later in my story.

For those that don't know, my husband is a General Contractor and owned a company with one of his friends.  He has done a lot of additions and has used many subcontractors for things like electrical, plumbing and roofing.  He had gotten to know all of his contractors well over the years, especially his roofing contractor, Don Scro, because they have a friend in common...Jesus Christ.  Well....in early November, Don called Danny and told Danny that he was going to be retiring.  Danny was really bummed because he was going to be losing one of his favorite contractors.  Then Don told Danny, "But, I want you to take over my company".  Danny could not believe his ears.  Don said that the Lord told him that Danny was supposed to be the one to take over the company.  Wow!  The Lord is going to trust Danny and I to run this company?  This company that has been in Raleigh for 22 years???  He is entrusting US?  I definitely am in shock, in awe and completely amazed!!  So, in my recent posts where I mention that this is a "God given company", I truly mean it is a "God given company".  It is not a company passed down from our family.  It is not a company that we "bought".  It is not a company that we started from the ground up.  It truly is a company that the Lord is entrusting us with!

So, remember I told you to remember the date....September 15th?  Well, Don and Mary (his wife) told us that on September 15th, they were driving in Colorado, talking about what to do with the company when Don mentioned, "I should call Danny".  Yes...the same day I came home from the Ukraine, after seeing Lidiya and meeting her brothers.  At the same time that we were praying about the Lord providing so that we could adopt, they were praying about what to do with their company.  Coincidence?  I say that there is no such thing.

Want to hear something even better???  Danny has been speaking truth into his non-believing business partner for years...........yes.........y-e-a-r-s!!!  He has shared the gospel, shared what Jesus means to him and just lived his life in front of him for years.  And for years this man has not been interested in giving up his life for Christ.  He has had a lot of questions but has not felt that he needed the Lord at all.  Well, after this entire thing takes place, Danny realizes that he has to tell his business partner.  So, he calls him up and shares the story.  His business partner was so in awe that God would allow us to take over this company, so shocked and surprised, that he finally laid down his life for Christ!!!  It took him a few days to process everything but he couldn't believe it!

That is the most amazing part of the this entire story.  I am so amazed at how the Lord was orchestrating this entire thing....he weaved all of these pieces together to fit into His perfect plan.  His plan.  Not ours.  His will. His children.  His followers.  We will continue to walk and allow the Lord to direct our steps.

919-461-0937

ScrosRoofingCompany.com

Why does God make us wait?

Waiting sucks.  I know, I know....it builds character.  It allows us time to trust the Lord.  It helps us to grow spiritually.  Waiting on the Lord helps build our faith.  Waiting on the Lord helps grow our patience.

Psalm 27:14 (NIV) Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

But it still sucks.  And yes, I started a sentence with the word "but".  Oh, I also started a sentence with the word "and".  I'm just being real here.  I want the Lord to build my character, grow me spiritually, build my faith and grow my patience.  I want to trust the Lord.  However, I would be lying if I said that I had it all together.  That I am completely trusting in the Lord.  That my faith is just oh so strong.  That I am being a good little girl, being so patient, waiting on the Lord.  I'd be a big fat l-i-a-r!  

However, my faith and my trust in the Lord is growing.  It is.  I am humbled every time I hear him speak to me and tell me to wait.  To just trust Him.  I am completely in awe when I feel that He is speaking directly to me.  So, I guess I'd also be a big fat liar, if I said my faith wasn't growing, that I wasn't trusting in the Lord and that I wasn't being patient.  However, it is not easy!!!  Some days I just feel like crying and crying and crying. When I think about those three children and what they were doing on December 25th, my heart breaks.  I can promise you that they were not opening gifts, singing praises to the Lord, eating a huge Turkey Dinner with all the fixins and reading the Christmas Story in the Bible.  And that makes my heart ache.  There are hundreds upon thousands of children in this world without a family to call their own.  Without a mom to give them a big hug and say, "I love you".  Without a dad to take them out for ice cream "just because".  We can't help all of them.  But we do have the heart to help.  So, we are waiting on the Lord.  Waiting to hear if all three even want to be adopted.  We know that Vlad (the 15 year old) does want a family and is ready!!!  Lidiya said she would have to think about it (not such a big surprise).  Now we are waiting to find out if Andre wants a family and if Lidiya has made her decision.  


So, thank you for your prayers and please take a moment to continue to pray for these three.  Also, please pray for us as we continue to wait.  I do not want to lose heart, lose faith and stop trusting in the Lord.  We believe that the Lord loves those children more than we ever could.  Our prayer right now is, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"  Mark 9:24

It will take an absolute Miracle

I am not saying this to be cliché or anything but it will take an absolute miracle for us to bring these children home. But then again, if it happens, we truly can and will give all the Glory to God. However, if it doesn't, then we will understand that it was not His will.

The reason it will take a miracle is that we really have everything going against us...we really one have one thing in our favor right now. One. More about that in a minute. Here are the things we have going against us and the things that our prayer warriors can pray about:

• All three kids have to say "yes" to being adopted.  This is a huge obstacle because this summer when we asked Lidiya about coming to America to go to school, her response was, "No way.  I couldn't leave my brothers and I have way too much family to leave".  Hopefully "adoption with her brothers and the chance at a permanent family" is different than leaving everyone to just come to school.  
• Then, Ukraine in itself is a challenging country to adopt from.  It is corrupt, there is bribery, the politics are just awful and so much more.  
• To top that off, the Kherson Region in Ukraine is very against adoptions right now because there have been too many American adoptions coming out of hosting programs.  So, they are investigating child trafficking.  This one just makes me sick because it is child trafficking that we are saving these children from!
• And to put icing on the cake, the orphanage director at their orphanage is in hot water because he has allowed international adoptions but not adoptions from Ukrainian families.  See....he gets more money for international adoptions, so now he is being investigated.

So, please pray that we will be able to discern the Lord's will for us and for these children.  Ultimately, they are His children, not ours and we just want what is best for them.  

Back to the one thing that we do have going for us....2 out of the 3 children were asked about adoption and Vlad (the oldest) said yes, he is ready to go!!  But they all have to say yes and Lidiya said she would have to think about it.  Andre has not been asked yet.

We are in the waiting mode right now....we are waiting on the Lord.  Waiting is the hardest part but He knows that and I believe through all of this He is trying to build my faith.  Hopefully it's working!  :)

Be still, and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Here is a picture of Vlad and Andre playing Uno.  

You can sort of see their personalities in this picture.  

Vlad is very reserved and keeps to himself, while Andre is very giggly and goofy.  

Today I felt empty

Is "empty" even a feeling?  I know sad, angry, excited, nervous, happy, frustrated, etc. are all "feelings" but today I just felt empty.  And if that is not a "feeling", then I just made it up to be one.  So, go ahead and put it in the dictionary:

emp·ty  adjective, -ti·er, -ti·est, 

1. A feeling; expressive of or characterized by emptiness.

I am so excited for the children that did get to come for hosting and I am so excited for the families that get to enjoy those children.  I am not jealous, at least I don't think I am.  I am not angry because I have relented to the fact that God is in control.  I am not frustrated....OK, well, maybe I am a little frustrated.  Frustrated at the Ukrainian government and culture because of all their stupid (yes, I said the word stupid) bribes, corruptness, laws, etc.  However, I am just mostly feeling empty.  

Last night, the children arrived from the Ukraine.  Not Lidiya, Vlad and Andre but other children, children that don't live in Kherson.  So, I kept thinking to myself all day, "They were supposed to have gone with us to this."  "They should be sitting at the table eating dinner with us right now".  "They should be sleeping in a nice, warm bed right now and not in a cold orphanage".  

But ya know what - I haven't cried once today.  I went the entire day thinking to myself how they should be here.  I went the entire day feeling empty without them.  But it isn't until right now, as I sit here and type out my feelings that I am finally crying.  Crying over the fact that they are not here.  Crying over the fact that I miss them.  Crying because it hurts.  

I am rejoicing for the other children because I know what a precious gift they have to be here!  I am so darn excited to see one of the boys that I absolutely feel in love with when I was on my mission trip because my dear friend is hosting him.  I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees me!!!  I am also excited to see two children that my other friends are hosting.  So, I don't know how I can be excited and empty all at the same time..........but I am.

Matthew 11: 28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Here is a picture of Sergiy, 

the boy my friend is hosting that I can't wait to see!

So many thoughts...

We are blessed.  I know I keep saying it but it is worthy of being mentioned again.  I really hope that people can see my heart and know how truly honored we are to have so many people support what we are doing, cry with us, cry for us, pray for us, give and just love.  There are people that we have never met that have given and prayed for us.  There are people that we had never met before tonight (another one of our fundraisers) that were there with us, asking questions about what we are doing.  It truly amazes me.

We had a Parent's Night Out Fundraiser tonight and we had 41 children come.  There were several children that were unable to attend for various reasons, so we would have had even more!  I don't even know how much we raised all together because we have received money all throughout the past couple of weeks and quite a bit of that money was included in the count at the auction.  But I can tell you that tonight alone, we received a total of $410!!  So, thank you so much!  Many children were already paid up, so I was not expecting that much to come in!!!

On another note, I wanted to let everyone know where we stand in regards to the children.  Danny and I feel the Lord leading us in the way of adoption.  However, there are many questions that need to be answered first.  The most important - do the kids even want to be adopted?  How much all together is it going to cost?  Vlad turns 16 in August - is it even possible to finalize everything before then?  We are in touch with an adoption agency and are in the process of getting those questions answered.  She is going to ask the Ukrainian translator that lives in Kherson (the region where the kids live) to go to the orphanage and ask the children if they want to be adopted.  Also, we received a total cost of approximately $35,000 to adopt all three.  We currently have a little over $12,000, so we are officially more than 1/3 of the way there!  Regarding being able to get things finalized before Vlad turns 16...the answer was "Maybe.  We need to see if they want to be adopted first".  Yikes!  So, we will just continue to wait on the Lord. 

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

(Lyrics from Lincoln Brewster)

Lidiya as we arrived at the airport to send her back...



Sometimes the answer to prayer is "no"

So, here I sit at my computer with my heart in my lap.  I don't have any other way to describe how I am feeling. I have cried many tears over the past two days and I have had to sort through my feelings and emotions.  I have cried, prayed and cried out to the Lord!  Why are my precious children from Ukraine not coming home for Christmas?

We received a call on Monday that it wasn't looking good for the kids to come.  No explanation as to why but just that it doesn't look good, so we needed to pray.  I had many thoughts running through my head and I prayed...we all prayed.  I emailed those that I knew would pray, those that I consider my family and we all prayed.  Well, God answered our prayers.  I believe this was his answer: "The kids will not be coming for Christmas.  But I want you to trust me".  Sometimes people believe that if the answer is "no", then God must not have answered our prayers.  One day I was teaching Coby about answered prayers and I told him that God answers all prayers.  He told me that he did not believe God answered all prayers.  I asked him why not.  He said, "Well, what if I prayed right now that I want God to give me a million dollars?  He wouldn't answer that prayer".  I told him that I disagreed and he asked me how I could possibly disagree with that.  I told him that God's answer to that prayer would more than likely be "no" but nonetheless, he answered it.  "Ohhhh...now I get it", Coby said!!  So, I truly believe that God hears and answers all prayers.  His answer might be yes, it might be no, it might be maybe, it might be not now, it might be wait....who knows what his answer might be but I do believe he always has an answer.

The answer that we received was that the region in which the kids live (Kherson) is shutting down all hostings indefinitely.  The local regional authority in Kherson is upset about the number of adoptions that have resulted from hosting programs in the past year. New Horizon's For Children (NHFC) is not the only program that brings kids from this region. There were 7 in the last 12 months and 4 of them were NHFC related. They are viewing the host program as a “child trafficking program” and making accusations now and investigating each of the orphanages, directors and others involved in the region in adoptions. It comes down to someone, somewhere, doesn’t want the kids to be adopted, therefore, they have now closed this region to hosting.

I'm not really sure I understand this completely but what I do know is that God is ultimately in control and he loves those children more than I ever could.  He has opened way too many doors for us in this area of hosting/adoption that we can not come to the conclusion that this means we are finished.  Four weeks ago, we had $850 towards our hosting and today we have a total of approximately $11,800.  Danny and I both firmly believe that the Lord is asking us to completely trust in him and to go get our children.  We now have almost a third of the money that is needed to fund the adoption of these children.

We have had many people ask a lot of questions since we started talking about hosting/adopting children from Ukraine.  Questions like:  We have a lot of orphans in America...why not just adopt here?  Why not adopt from a country where it is easier?  Why would you spend $10,000 to host, why not just apply that money towards adoption?  Well...there really is one simple answer for all of the questions....we are doing what we believe the Lord has asked us to do.  An orphan is an orphan no matter where they live and if the Lord is asking us to go to the Ukraine, then that is where we will go.  He never said it would be easy.  Since he has shut down the hosting for this Christmas, we will now apply that money towards adoption.  :)

We will go to the Ukraine with the intent to bring these children home.  There is no guarantee that we will get to bring these children home...so many things can happen.  But I am going there with the thought that I am pregnant.  And just like in any pregnancy, even though you hear the baby's heartbeat and even though you see the baby on an ultrasound, there is still no guarantee that you will have that baby.  My pregnancy will begin when we start our homestudy.  So, I will share the news when we conceive!  And I will update everyone on the process of my pregnancy...up until the day of delivery.

Thank you all for your prayers and for following our journey.  I mean this with all of my heart - I am truly humbled at the outpouring of love and support that we have received...truly humbled.

Pictures of the children that you are reminded to pray for

We just don't deserve it!!

I am being completely honest when I say that I do not feel worthy of what we are receiving right now.  The Lord is blessing us immensely regarding the hosting and potential adoption of three Ukrainian Teenage Orphans.  The only possible explanation is that He is doing His will and we just happen to be the vessel in which He is doing so. 

I am reminded each Sunday, as Pastor Davey is teaching through the book of Esther, that God accomplished His will through Haman, Mordecai, King Xerxes and Esther.  None of them were really worthy of being used as a vessel to accomplish His will (especially Haman) but He still chose to use them.  Now, I'd like to think God isn't using me like He used Haman but I definitely don't feel worthy enough to be used like He used Esther.

I am so unbelievably humbled right now - I am just in a state of awe and I am thinking that I will wake up any minute now.  I feel blessed and honored to even be used to bring in three orphans.  I have no clue whatsoever what I am going to do with 4 pre-teens and teens hanging out at my house.  Someone just asked me tonight, "Do you feel capable....?"  I just chuckled and say "nope" and she said, "No, I'm serious" and I just responded by saying, "So am I"!!  LOL  That's how I feel.....completely incapable.  BUT...isn't that just when He wants to use us???  When WE are incapable HE gets all the Glory!!

So there are two huge things I wanted to share with everyone.  The first one is just "one of" the biggest praises regarding bringing the children here for Christmas.  We had our Silent Auction Saturday Night and I was once again completely humbled by everyone that showed up.  I know I practically begged people to come but I still didn't expect the turnout that we had!!  I believe we had over 130 people come.....so thank you so much to everyone that supported us by donating a basket, donating money, bringing food, bidding on baskets, helping to set up and tear down, donating time, etc, etc.  The Lord was so good to us and blessed us with $4841!!!!!  Wow!!!!  I can't even put into words...............well, that's just it, I can't even put into words what I want to say!!!  Thank you!!!  We now have all of the money that we need to host all three children for Christmas.  We still have some added expenses of having the children here....connecting flight fees, Christmas, food (after how Lidiya ate this summer, I expect my grocery bill to double with 3 more mouths to feed), clothing, etc.  However, we still have one more fundraiser and I am hoping that we will have enough to also start our home study, if the Lord opens the door to adoption.

The second thing I wanted to share was this amazing article that was written up in the Fuquay Independent (on the Front Page!!) and the Apex Herald and is scheduled to be in the Holly Springs Sun.  If you are anything like me and you cry when the wind blows the wrong way, I should warn you to go ahead and break out your Kleenex Box.  I know the story, actually, I was the one who told the reporter the story and I still cried when I read it!!!  Again, as much as I wanted the article to show up on the front page, I really just did not expect it to and the fact that it did just completely humbles me.  I am not saying that lightly.....over the past 4 weeks, I have been so overwhelmed by all of the great things that are happening that I truly mean it when I say it humbles me!!!

Here is a picture of what the article looks like on the cover of the Fuquay paper

What a precious story...well written by Jessica Highsmith!

http://theapexherald.com/bookmark/16440314/article-Auction+will+help+fund+adoption+proccess#.TsbvfDyLCK8.facebook

This was the story that was run in the Apex Herald about our story regarding these three orphans that we are trying to bring here for Christmas.  I believe it will run in the Fuquay Independant and the Holly Springs Sun next week.  I hope you will be touched by the story...it was beautifully written.  Thanks to Jessica Highsmith! 

Saying "goodbye" this summer was very hard!!!

VERY HARD!!!

Coby wasn't sure what to feel but he misses Lidiya and can't wait to see her again!

A few baskets....they are coming along and we have awesome stuff to offer!!!

Here are some baskets that are completed.  You can bid, even if you are not going to be able to attend the auction.  Just let me know what you want your min. and max. bid to be and I will proxy bid for you.  I will list more as we get them completed.  All values are approximate!!!

We have a total of about 35 baskets to be offered!!!!!

So please make sure you come out and fellowship!!!

STARBUCKS BASKET

Value:  $85

Four 1 lb packs of coffee

1 NC Coffee Mug

1 create your own tumbler

1 starbucks tumbler

GOLF BASKET

Value:  $340

12 Golf Balls

2 bags of Golf Tees

1 Golf Towel

4 Rounds of Golf at the Raleigh Golf Association

4 rounds of Golf at Knights Play

$50 Gift Card to Edwards Mill Bar & Grill

DENTAL BASKET

Value: $1200+

1 gift cert. for a whitening/bleaching

1 gift cert. for an exam, cleaning and x-rays

1 gift cert. for $250 towards needed dental work

1 FlexCare+ Sonicare Toothbrush

1 Sonicare Airfloss

1 At-home tooth whitening system

Misc. manual toothbrushes & toothpaste
All from Riccobene & Associates

COLONIAL SPORTS MINISTRY

Value: $50

1 gift cert. for a Spring 2012 Soccer or Baseball Registration

TWONGO / RESTAURANT.COM PACKAGE

Value: $350

$100 Twongo Credit
(worth $200 because Twongo deals are offered at half their value)
$50 gift cert. to Spinners Restaurant @ The Four Point Sheraton
$25 gift cert. to Amante Gourmet Pizza
$25 gift cert. to Thai Spices and Sushi
$25 gift cert. to Mambo Italiano
$25 gift cert. to Klara's Restaurant in downtown Cary
(Authentic Czech Cuisine)
We have personally eaten at all of these restaurants (except Spinners but heard great things about it) and we have thoroughly enjoyed all of them.  That is why I picked them for this package!!!

CREATIVE MEMORIES SCRAPBOOKING BASKET

All I have to say is...y'all are lucky I won't be bidding....cuz I'd fight ya for this one!!!

Value: $350++

Creative Memories - Memory Mate Bag

1 pack of multi-colored photo mounting paper
1 pack of die cut shapes
Hundreds of stickers
Photo mounting triangles
I pack short cuts pre-cut mounting paper
1 set bold-tip pens
1 set fine-tip pens
Photo labeling pencil
Corner rounder
3 pairs decorative scissors
Personal mini-trimmer
Custom cutting system
3 blade set and mat
12 inch pattern
Circle patterns
Oval Patterns
Photo scissors
Fast formulas layout book
Plastic storage sleeves for stickers and paper
Gift Certificate for a creative memories consultant class on making a calendar
Picfolio mini album

CAR CARE BASKET

Value: $200

TWO - $50 gift certificates from Discount Tires towards a new set of tires

(Can not be used together)

$25 Gift Certificate from Colony Tire

1 roll paper towels

1 Black Magic Tire Shine

1 Wheel and Tire Cleaner

1 can of window / glass cleaner

1 Turtle Wax Car Wash

1 auto sponge

1 wash bucket

TWO gift certificates for a full service car wash at Bunkey's

SOUTHERN LIVING / WILLOW HOUSE BASKET

Value: $125+

1 beautiful distressed decorative cross
Estate Trivet Trio
1 Busy Mom's Cookbook
1 Simple Suppers Cookbook
1 glass flower vase

LIA SOPHIA JEWELRY PACKAGE

I received additional Lia Sophia Jewelry, so I have taken a few of these pieces and combined it with the other pieces I received and now I have two Lia Sophia Jewelry Packages.  Both packages have 5 pieces of jewelry in them.

Value: $426

5 Necklaces
1 ring
1 bracelet
1 pendant

DESSERT BASKET

Value: $55

$10 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate to Coffee & Crepes

$10 Gift Certificate to Happy Hollys Ice Cream / Snow Balls

4 Free Jr Frosty's at Wendy's

4 Free Small Frozen Yogurt at Skinny Dip

2 Free Quarts of Italian Ice at Rita's

A batch of Homemade Cookies

(not pictured because then they wouldn't be fresh - would they?!?)

GOURMET CHOCOLATE BASKET

Value: $50

Godiva Milk Chocolate Tablet Bar
Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Caramel Premium Bar
Lindt White Chocolate Truffle
Harry & David Dark Chocolate Moose Munch Bar
Almond Roca Buttercrunch Candy
Chambury European Chocolate Truffles
Dolcetto Chocolate Filled Wafer Cookies
Primo Dolce Chocolate Truffle Cookies
Angelina's Sweet Butter Cookies
Beth's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tapestry Chocolate Covered Graham Cracker
Fontazzi Butter Toffee Pretzels

This would be a perfect Christmas Gift to ship to a relative!!
I even have the box it came in and I'll give it to you, if you want.
YUMMY!!

TEEN GIRL BASKET

Value: $285

OK - this is the cutest "basket" e-v-e-r!!! 

Included is a fuzzy papasan chair from Justice for Girls

Inside is a ton of "girly" stuff including:

Mary Kay Make Up and Lotions

A Book:  "One Thousand Gifts"

A Worship Music CD:  Sara Groves

Candles

Girly Soaps

An Angry Bird

Coasters

Note paper

And so much more!

BLESSING BASKET BY JENNIFER FLEES
AND BASIL THE CAT

The basket doesn't look too nice in this picture but the stuff inside is awesome!

Value: $105

Gorgous Vintage Silver Plated 4 Picture Locket
Hand-made Ornament
A dozen blank cards with beautiful photos taken by Jennifer Flees
Beautiful Wall Art by Jennifer Flees

KIM SHARPHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE

Value: $150

1 hour photo shoot with no sitting fee

All photos taken included on a CD at no charge

for you to take anywhere you wish to have any of the photos printed

(just the CD makes this package priceless!!!!)

This is a photo taken by Kim of our family with Lidiya

HEALTHSOURCE CHIROPRACTIC/MASSAGE PACKAGE

I have two of these packages to offer.  Plus, I have included one in the spa basket.

Value: $170 each

1 Consultation, Exam and X-Rays

1 - 30 minute massage

This package is probably the most special to me because I personally know Dr. Bob (the chiropractor) and he is a wonderful Godly man!!!  Not only does he have a huge heart but he is a great doctor.  When our family was seeing him, we had to stop due to finances.  Yet Dr. Bob wanted to continue to see us, despite our inability to pay at the time, because our health was more important to him than the money.  I can not say enough good things about Dr. Bob!!!  If you have ever been nervous about seeing chiropractors, please bid on this package and give Dr. Bob a chance.  I promise...you will not regret it!!!

WORSHIP PACKAGE

Value: $55

1 American Patriot Bible

1 Chris Tomlin Christmas Worship CD

HOUSEWARMING PACKAGE

Value: $65
Really - you can't place a value on this package because the three wall plaques
are hand-made and I can't even imagine what they are worth!!

1 Romans 8:28 Wall Plaque

1 Blessings Wall Plaque

1 Family Rules Wall Plaque

1 Decorative Cross

Set of 3 Hearts:  Family, Hope and Faith

I have listed just over half of the baskets, items and packages that we will have at the auction.  I will not be posting anymore baskets with complete descriptions and pictures but I will try and list as many of the baskets, items and packages that we will have at the auction so that you at least have an idea.

Another Creative Memories Scrapbooking Basket worth $350

A fast food basket with coupons for IHOP, McDonalds, Southern Roast Coffee and Chick-fil-a

Another photo package

Another golf package from Twelve Oaks in Holly Springs

A Monkey Joe's Birthday Party Package for 16 kids worth $199

State Fan Basket

Sherwin Williams Paint Package

We have a total of about 35 baskets to be offered!!!!! 

So please make sure you come out and fellowship!!!