Russia... Ukraine...?

As I mentioned in the last post, Ukraine passed new legislation.  If we adopt from Ukraine, we will have to adopt a 5-yr old child or older.  Additionally, Ukraine is making some adjustments that will slow and/or halt international adoptions for an indefinite period.

We are praying and asking God what to do.  We know we feel very drawn to Eastern Europe... so we are investigating other countries. When we began this journey, we wanted to go to Russia, but our adoption agency isn't licensed in Russia; They do facilitate Ukrainian adoptions, so we thought Ukraine would be the clear choice.  We are CRAZY about our adoption agency, Lifeline Children Services (http://www.liflineadoption.org/).  They are conducting a contract home study for us.  Our social worker, Gisella, is soooo amazing; we adore her.  She has made this difficult process much easier. 

Anyway, we settled on Ukraine because (1) Lifeline has an amazing Ukraine coordinator, named Jana; (2) the country is part of Easter Europe; and (3) our church friends, the Housers, are adopting from the Ukraine.

Side Note:  The Housers are in Ukraine right now!  They will bring home their little girl sometime within the next few weeks!!!!  You can follow them at www.FollowUsThere.blogspot.com

From my research thus far, a Russian adoption will be much more expensive.  However, we could adopt a 1-3 year old, which has always been our prayer. 

I don't know what God has in store for us.  All Matt and I really want is just the child that He planned for us, wherever he or she may be.  Please pray that God will tell us what to do and where to go. 

I'm an accountant; Additionally, I was raised to be very fiscally responsible.  It's really important to Matt and I that we be good stewards of the money He has given us.  Please pray that He will help us find a way to fund this adoption and still be good stewards.  It may seem like a bizarre request, but it's on my mind most everyday.

Lots-of -Love!

PS - I'm very humbled that you are following us on this journey.  I'm still stunned that anyone would read our blog.

Prayers for Direction

HELP!:  I'm sorry I haven't posted anything.  Matt and I are feeling really defeated and confused right now.  Ukraine has passed new legislation which requires the orphan to "be at least 5 years old before they are eligible for intercountry adoption."  WOW!  We were not anticipating adopting a 5-6 yr. old.  We thought we were going to the Ukraine to adopt a 2-4 yr. old.  We feel really sad, to be honest. 

Ukraine Legislation Link:  http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=notices&alert_notice_file=ukraine_9

We both felt like God was leading us to Ukraine.  Now, I feel stupid; I feel crazy.  What if HE did not say Ukraine?  What if HE did and we are going to be the parents of a 5 yr old....  That just makes me cry because we will have already missed so much of their life!

I don't know what God has planned.  Matt and I are begging God to be very clear with us and give us direction.  I have journeyed with God through enough crisis to know that HE is always faithful to finish the good work HE begins (Philippians 1:6).  HE knows that I am worried and confused, and sad.

Please pray for Matt and I as we ask God what to do.  We don't know if we are still going to Ukraine or if we need to look at other countries.  We need to decide within the next couple of weeks.  I know our little one is out there.

On a Positive Note:  Our Home Study is going well.  We meet with Gisella (our social worker) this Thursday to discuss mine and Matt's parenting philosophy.  The books assigned by our adoption agency, Lifeline, have been really helpful.  They are teaching us the difference between parenting a biological child versus an adopted child.  Maybe I will talk more about that at a later date.

Home Study - Round 1

We had our first home study visit with our assigned social worker, Gisella, on Friday.  Before you can adopt (or foster parent), you have to complete a series of interviews and an INSANE amount of paperwork.  Did you think buying a house was a lot paperwork?  Me too, until now.  I could buy 20 houses and not have as much paperwork to fill out.  LOL. But the end result makes it all worth it.

Our appointment was 9am at our house and was to last 2-3 hours.  Matt and I took the morning off.  Side note - Matt and I have to wear business attire to work every day.  He looks very handsome in his suit and tie, but he lives life in shorts and a t-shirt.

I wore a blue dress and sandals.  Would you please guess what Matt chose to wear on this day... the day we make our first impression on the lady who approves us for a child?  Matt had on shorts and a t-shirt that says, 70's Big.com!  What!?!  I was panicked!  I said to Matt, "We are interviewing for BABY, not a litter of kittens!"  Ultimately, he settled on shorts and a polo shirt.  What are you going to do?

Gisella is amazing.  (PS - she wore a dress, leggings, and flats).  She is beautiful, sweet, honest, positive, and forthcoming.  More than this, she is also a Christian!  She asked very thoughtful questions.  I think our first interview went really well.  Round 1 complete!  Our next round of interviews are individual and scheduled over the next two weeks.  Moving right along.

Adoption Parenting: Prepare me or Scare me?

Our adoption agency has assigned us two books to read.  If you don't know me well, you may not know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read.  I read several books every month...  If you open any of my books, you will see portions of the text highlighted and notes in the margin.  Perhaps that is why I rarely read fiction - what is there to write in the margins?

The first book is titled, Adoption Parenting (by MacLeod and Macrae).  This book serves two purposes:

1. A Resource Manual
2. A Reality Check/Scare Tactic

The book is in deed an incredible reference.  It gives an adoptive parent guidance on facing a multitude of challenges.  Additionally, the book points the reader to other resources should we need additional help.

However, I can't decide if this book is giving me a reality check or trying to scare me.  I'm sure it's the former, but I have learned that there are more challenges ahead than I had initially anticipated.  I'm only 87 pages in (the book is roughly 500 pages), and already I'm worried that our child will suffer from attachment issues, developmental delays, speech delays, sleeping disorders... the list goes on.  Is the book trying to prepare me or scare me?

I cannot imagine how afraid I would be if I could not find rest with God.  HE comforts me.  He reminds me that He is in control.  I don' know what challenges are ahead.  I do know that my God has proven Himself faithful to me countless times.  I cannot trust myself, but I can most definitely trust the One, the only One, who has never failed me.  Jesus, You are my constant companion.  :)

I pray, Lord, that you will keep our little one safe.  The book says that our child will suffer developmental delays because he or she spends so much time alone... in an institution.  This breaks my heart.  Aloneness.  Lord, You have never been alone.  There has always been community in the Trinity.  I pray that You will comfort our little one.  Make Your presence well known.  Talk to him or her.  Give her pleasant dreams.  Develop him with Your hands.  I'm asking You to do much more for our little one than I can think to pray for.  He or she belongs to You first.  If You will care for and comfort our little one, what do I have to be afraid of? 

NOTHING!