Adoption grant offered for 2 teens in Ukraine

We adopted our 16 year old daughter, Vicka, from Ukraine a little over 2 months ago. Daily, she has fretted over the future of her best friend. She graduated from the orphanage this year at age 15. She has a 16 year old brother, who graduated at the same time. They both had birthdays yesterday, July 6th. Thus, they have exactly one year before they “age out” and can never be adopted. A grant has been offered that would fully pay the facilitator’s fees for the adoption of these 2 children. The facilitator’s fee is the biggest expense of an adoption from Ukraine. A family approved to adopt Vika and Dima would only have to pay for transportation, food and lodging in Ukraine, as well as the fees associated with completing their dossier here in the States. In addition, we would personally help anyone walk through the process of preparing their dossier.

We know these children and would love to tell anyone more about them. We have lots of pictures from numerous visits to their orphanage. We would also be happy to answer any questions about the adoption process itself. Please commit to pray that this brother and sister would find their forever family. They are precious children who have little hope of a future in the poor area in which they live. They both have expressed the desire for a family. Please forward this link to your friends and acquaintances. You never know but that this might be read by someone whom God has already prepared as Mom and Dad to these 2children.

Welcome Home Vicka

Inching Closer

As I call it a night on this side of the Atlantic, Gabe, Roman and Vicka are boarding the plane from Lugansk to Kyiv. It was a tearful good-bye but all is well. They will spend the weekend in Kyiv and hopefully have the Visa on Monday.

Chosen

Life is hard. Raising children is hard. Raising an adopted child is double hard. I am questioning my abilities lately. I often feel like a colossal failure. I spoke with 3 other adoptive Moms this week. They did not use those same words but from what they told me about their struggles, they were not feeling quite so competent either. Its not enough just to love these children. They need more. So much more. And so I have spent quite a few weeks wallowing in my self-pity as I have come to realize that I don't have it in me to raise these children. I am out of ideas, out of patience, out of resources.

God has watched me wallow in this place. He's even called out to me to get up once or twice (an hour). But I've just laid there. Defeated.

But then tonight God whispered a sweet but powerful word into my ear. Chosen. I have often tried to encourage my children with this word. "I chose you," I have told them. Out of all the children in this world, I chose you as my own. Blank stare. I've had one even tell me I made a mistake. They do not appreciate this idea at all. Its just a word.

But tonight God did not remind me of my choice. He reminded me of his. "I chose you," He told me. Out of all the people in this world, I chose you to parent Vitalik. To parent Roman. To parent Vicka. Will I laugh at God and tell him he made a mistake? Will I buckle underneath the weight that my God has gently laid upon my shoulders?

Can you believe I even buckled in front of one of them? My dear sweet little Roman heard my complaining and said to me "Mom, God will help you do whatever he has called you to do." Grace? Did you say something about grace, Roman? Yes. I may be out of ideas but I am not out of grace. I may be out of patience but I am not out of grace. I may be out of resources but I am not out of grace. In fact, there was new grace this morning. And like manna, there will be just enough new grace tomorrow morning. And every morning thereafter.

God chose me as the parent of these children, not because he saw something wonderful in me. In fact, he knew I couldn't handle it. He gave me the burden, knowing it was too much for me to bear. God chose me so that His power could be made perfect in my weakness. Chosen. Its not just a word. It is a gift. It is an opportunity. It is a difficult and narrow road. Why would I have ever expected anything less?

And now may God grant me the strength to embrace his choice; to get up out of the miry clay of doubt and unbelief; and accept His generous outpouring of grace that supplies all my needs according to his riches in glory.

Verdict's In

Court went well today. The decree making Vicka our daughter will become final on April 20th. Still holding our collective breath until we have cleared the final hurdle. Gabe said they all had a good day together. He will leave Lugansk in the morning and be home tomorrow night.

So far so good

Gabe and Sasha made it to Lugansk. Its early Thursday morning there. They will go get Vicka soon and spend some time together before the final court hearing at 2:00. By the time I wake up, we should have a verdict.

We Finally Received our Interpol Clearance

It took our clearance 49 days to get to the SDA but at least it finally came. I'm glad we came on home and did not try to wait it out! Vicka was starting to get anxious and is now thrilled that we will be returning soon.

Gabe will travel back to Ukraine next week to finish up the court proceedings. The final hearing is set for Thursday, April 8th. The decree should be final April 18th. One of us will go back at that time to bring her home. God is good.