What a week it's been! The past two weeks really have been packed with friends and family, ups and downs.
Our sweet friend, Ziwase, came to stay with us for a week between her college graduation and her marriage to Tony Osimbo. We met Tony and Chichi (Ziwase) when they came to a small group meeting at our house last summer. We discovered that Tony already knew our son JD from Bethel Christian Camp years earlier. Tony is from Kenya and ChiChi is from Zambia. We had a great time watching her prepare for her wedding day. It is so amazing how we all end up where we are and how we have the privlege to be a part of each others lives.
Our contact in Ukraine had to depart the country suddenly upon learning of her grandmother's unexpected death. Please be in prayer for her and her family during this time. She will now remain in the States throughout the summer raising support and sharing about the orphans there in Ukraine.
Personally for us that means we no longer have communication with the children. We are so thankful that the Lord allowed us to share our hopes and plans with the older boys before she came home to the states. Hopefully they can be encouraged until we make it there.
We began redoing our pantry/laundry room last Friday, but halfway thru the mess we realized that the wedding party would be dressing at our house on Saturday morning so we needed to put all the "mess" up until next weekend!
On Saturday we received an email from our contact at immigration. It appears they are waiting on one form from DSS in order to finish processing our paperwork. She tried to be encouraging regarding the time frame, even wished Carol a "Happy Mother's Day". Carol wanted to say that all she wanted for Mother's Day was completed paper work, but instead told her that we would be patiently waiting! This is where we must trust that everything is in His timing and His control. We cannot make this happen.
In fact....It is totally and completely beyond our ability to do the task set before us, therefore we have decided we will not strive for it, but we will rest in Him who is able.
Mother's Day yesterday was really nice. Children (bearing gifts...always nice) and grandchildren running/crawling around (Josiah (1yr old) even played the harmonica, I'm sure he'll be as good as Dylan one day!), extended family over to spend time with Grandma, chicken on the grill, and even our special "adopted" daughter from church, Jenn, came and hung out for an evening of movies and popcorn.
What a blessed Life! Utterly amazing! We're just deeply missing our other children.
Please continue to pray with us to bring them home soon.
James 5:16-17 (the Message) ...The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't — not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.
With Love,
Steve & Carol
Open Arms
...caring for orphans and adoptive families...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Promises of God
Never forget that our capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based on, the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit. O. Chambers
As I read these words a few days ago, I began to consider…..
What has He promised?
Well, He told us that the children are ours; that we are to go and get them. He told us that he would provide the money to do this very thing. Most of all He has promised to never leave us. It can be so hard sometimes to remember His promises spoken to our heart in the quiet of the night,when the daylight is blaring in our eyes and the amount in the checkbook is not what is needed. However this is where we are and either we believe or we doubt.
Hebrews 11: 1, 3
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. …By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
He alone sustains us. We are so arrogant to think that we can do this or do that...nope it's all about Him...and right now we choose to believe! Please pray with us as we continue the wait for the paperwork to be processed and for the funds to arrive!
We've been doing some additional research on the area where we will be traveling, thinking maybe there is more for us to accomplish while we are there. We've also been trying to catch up with some translators that we met when we traveled to Moscow in the 90's. We have a few leads and are praying the Lord will show us what to act on. It's a busy time of year anyway with graduations and weddings. We just want to stay focused on the task at hand.
Thanks for checking in on us.
Blessings,
Carol and Steve
As I read these words a few days ago, I began to consider…..
What has He promised?
Well, He told us that the children are ours; that we are to go and get them. He told us that he would provide the money to do this very thing. Most of all He has promised to never leave us. It can be so hard sometimes to remember His promises spoken to our heart in the quiet of the night,when the daylight is blaring in our eyes and the amount in the checkbook is not what is needed. However this is where we are and either we believe or we doubt.
Hebrews 11: 1, 3
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. …By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
He alone sustains us. We are so arrogant to think that we can do this or do that...nope it's all about Him...and right now we choose to believe! Please pray with us as we continue the wait for the paperwork to be processed and for the funds to arrive!
We've been doing some additional research on the area where we will be traveling, thinking maybe there is more for us to accomplish while we are there. We've also been trying to catch up with some translators that we met when we traveled to Moscow in the 90's. We have a few leads and are praying the Lord will show us what to act on. It's a busy time of year anyway with graduations and weddings. We just want to stay focused on the task at hand.
Thanks for checking in on us.
Blessings,
Carol and Steve
Sunday, April 19, 2009
ИИСУС ВОСЌРЕС ВОИСТИНУ ВОСКРЕС
JESUS IS RISEN! HE TRULY HAS RISEN!
We celebrated Easter last week, but in Ukraine it was celebrated today. They celebrate Orthodox Easter! We learned this Easter greeting in last week's language class.
We look forward to a letter from the children. Hopefully we will hear from them this week. We received some more great artwork from Galia last week. She is quite the artist. Yes, I know we are already very proud parents.
We spent this weekend in NC taking care of Samuel and Josiah (our 3 year old and 1 year old grandsons) while Rebekah and Tim attended a conference in Greensboro. Even so, we actually had a little time on Saturday while they napped, to study our Russian lessons. For that we were thankful! We also found a great park to enjoy with them also.
Our Russian language study is progressing. We are actually beginning to see concrete improvement. Please pray as we continue to study. We also need prayer for the final immigration form to arrive so we can complete our dossier and of course finances.
Most of all, we really appreciate your prayers.
Have a great week.
Steve & Carol
We celebrated Easter last week, but in Ukraine it was celebrated today. They celebrate Orthodox Easter! We learned this Easter greeting in last week's language class.
We look forward to a letter from the children. Hopefully we will hear from them this week. We received some more great artwork from Galia last week. She is quite the artist. Yes, I know we are already very proud parents.
We spent this weekend in NC taking care of Samuel and Josiah (our 3 year old and 1 year old grandsons) while Rebekah and Tim attended a conference in Greensboro. Even so, we actually had a little time on Saturday while they napped, to study our Russian lessons. For that we were thankful! We also found a great park to enjoy with them also.
Our Russian language study is progressing. We are actually beginning to see concrete improvement. Please pray as we continue to study. We also need prayer for the final immigration form to arrive so we can complete our dossier and of course finances.
Most of all, we really appreciate your prayers.
Have a great week.
Steve & Carol
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday
It’s been a time of too much to do and not having enough time and of being careful to be mindful of God’s timing and what He wants us to do now and what to do later. The Lord’s timing is just that, His timing not ours. For His thoughts are far above ours!
We are ready to go get our kids. He has a work still to accomplish in us and I’m sure in them also, to prepare us all for the transitions to come. The older boys are used to seeing their younger siblings often and this will change everything from what they have known as their family unit for these last few years. The older boys seem happy about the adoption of their younger siblings…....but I’m sure the adjustments will be difficult for them just the same. Please pray for them in this.
We are still waiting for one more document to arrive so we can have our dossier completed and looked over before sending it to Ukraine for translation and filing. Part of the timing thing that we cannot control! That will be a day for celebration! Of course then we will begin the wait. We plan to use that time to spend on studying our Russian…..another prayer request.
We received some beautiful paper flowers in the mail Friday. Galia made us flowers and had a friend mail them to us. They sit in a vase in the dining room to decorate for Easter. It is always encouraging to receive letters and pictures from the children! A tangible reminder of why we are doing this. Their words of I love you and I miss you say so much. How do we have this connection when we have never met?….how do you love a baby before you give birth?….Like much of life, this connection between parent and child is a mystery. A mystery that God has woven into our beings as a reminder of His love for us as our Father. Only His love is always perfect. May we look more and more like Him each day.
Here are a few photos to enjoy....until we have more news….
We are ready to go get our kids. He has a work still to accomplish in us and I’m sure in them also, to prepare us all for the transitions to come. The older boys are used to seeing their younger siblings often and this will change everything from what they have known as their family unit for these last few years. The older boys seem happy about the adoption of their younger siblings…....but I’m sure the adjustments will be difficult for them just the same. Please pray for them in this.
We are still waiting for one more document to arrive so we can have our dossier completed and looked over before sending it to Ukraine for translation and filing. Part of the timing thing that we cannot control! That will be a day for celebration! Of course then we will begin the wait. We plan to use that time to spend on studying our Russian…..another prayer request.
We received some beautiful paper flowers in the mail Friday. Galia made us flowers and had a friend mail them to us. They sit in a vase in the dining room to decorate for Easter. It is always encouraging to receive letters and pictures from the children! A tangible reminder of why we are doing this. Their words of I love you and I miss you say so much. How do we have this connection when we have never met?….how do you love a baby before you give birth?….Like much of life, this connection between parent and child is a mystery. A mystery that God has woven into our beings as a reminder of His love for us as our Father. Only His love is always perfect. May we look more and more like Him each day.
Here are a few photos to enjoy....until we have more news….
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Hurry up and wait...
The Home Study is done! Yeah! We are waiting on the final report. We’ve been in contact with our facilitator in Ukraine and they are checking on things on that end. In addition we are waiting for one other document then we can finalize our dossier for mailing and translation!
Emotions have run high this weekend as we informed the two older siblings of our desire to adopt the younger four. It seems they are all for the adoption. However, there is still their elderly grandmother to consult. Please pray that she will be comforted by the letter we sent explaining our desire for her to continue to be involved in the lives of her grandchildren. Imagine how hard this will be for her. To be in a position where you are unable to care for your grandchildren would be hard enough, but to see them adopted and leave for another country is more than one can imagine. We think she is being told today.
We have been taking Russian Classes one night a week. We are learning the alphabet, grammar and conversation. We are trying to piece together our Russian phrases. There is so much to learn. Steve and JD have a much better grasp than I do…but I’m determined….at least when I don’t break down in tears!
We’ve asked church friends and others to be on the lookout with us for a set of bunk-beds for one of the rooms. This is the only piece of furniture we should need. Because we are unsure of the time of year, we will wait for specific items for the children such as clothes until we return.
So….what we need now is to finish our dossier, have it checked over and then mail it off to be translated. Then we wait for approval from Ukraine.
Then, while waiting we watch to see how the Lord will provide the needed finances. The finances to travel, just the airline tickets alone are a lot, two over, six back, six weeks there in an apartment……the adoption fees themselves, medical exams for the children, passports for the children, etc. The Lord is Jehovah, our Provider.
The flurry of preparation is overwhelming, but the hardest part will be the waiting that is yet to come. Pray we will use the time wisely.
We checked out a stack of library books last week on Ukraine, Ukrainian culture and Russian adoptions. Hopefully we can spend a little time with those this week. The one video we checked out was dry, but informative! :o)
We haven’t received any letters from the kids since Valentine’s Day. The translation takes time so we have to be patient. There are lots of other families waiting for letters too.
Please pray for the kids. Specifically, for their health, their emotions, their spirits, and that they will have hearts ready and open to their new future.
Pray for us too, for insight and wisdom. To be ready in season and out. This is one journey where we will need to be ready for most anything on a moment’s notice. As always, thanks for standing with us…..
Blessings until next time…..
Emotions have run high this weekend as we informed the two older siblings of our desire to adopt the younger four. It seems they are all for the adoption. However, there is still their elderly grandmother to consult. Please pray that she will be comforted by the letter we sent explaining our desire for her to continue to be involved in the lives of her grandchildren. Imagine how hard this will be for her. To be in a position where you are unable to care for your grandchildren would be hard enough, but to see them adopted and leave for another country is more than one can imagine. We think she is being told today.
We have been taking Russian Classes one night a week. We are learning the alphabet, grammar and conversation. We are trying to piece together our Russian phrases. There is so much to learn. Steve and JD have a much better grasp than I do…but I’m determined….at least when I don’t break down in tears!
We’ve asked church friends and others to be on the lookout with us for a set of bunk-beds for one of the rooms. This is the only piece of furniture we should need. Because we are unsure of the time of year, we will wait for specific items for the children such as clothes until we return.
So….what we need now is to finish our dossier, have it checked over and then mail it off to be translated. Then we wait for approval from Ukraine.
Then, while waiting we watch to see how the Lord will provide the needed finances. The finances to travel, just the airline tickets alone are a lot, two over, six back, six weeks there in an apartment……the adoption fees themselves, medical exams for the children, passports for the children, etc. The Lord is Jehovah, our Provider.
The flurry of preparation is overwhelming, but the hardest part will be the waiting that is yet to come. Pray we will use the time wisely.
We checked out a stack of library books last week on Ukraine, Ukrainian culture and Russian adoptions. Hopefully we can spend a little time with those this week. The one video we checked out was dry, but informative! :o)
We haven’t received any letters from the kids since Valentine’s Day. The translation takes time so we have to be patient. There are lots of other families waiting for letters too.
Please pray for the kids. Specifically, for their health, their emotions, their spirits, and that they will have hearts ready and open to their new future.
Pray for us too, for insight and wisdom. To be ready in season and out. This is one journey where we will need to be ready for most anything on a moment’s notice. As always, thanks for standing with us…..
Blessings until next time…..
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Home Study
Well, the home study is through. In a couple of days she will send us a rough draft of her report. I can hardly wait to see if we "passed" the test. Seriously, the interview went very well. All our hard work getting the house in shape was time well spent. Teresa is a neat woman who knows how to do her job. We felt "at home" with her.
By the time the final draft of the home study is sent to the U.S. Immigration, we should have our dossier complete and ready to be checked over for errors. Then.....send it over to Ukraine for translation. Maybe two or three weeks for translation and then it goes to the Ukranian government for approval. That process takes about three weeks.
Hopefully, we should know something in about 6 to 8 weeks. We are sooooo ready to get our kids. Mama asks often "When are you getting the children?" We tell her that the process will take several months to get all the approval documents from both the U.S. and Ukraine. She looks at us and tells us that the house will be dirty by then!
One more step completed and we are doing the next thing.
We have been studying Russian with a tutor for these past 6 weeks and begin Russian Language classes Monday March 16th. Please pray for clear minds and clear ears!
Please continue praying with us for God's provision of finances and for His provision of peace in our home and hearts. These areas have been a challenge of trust for both of us, but He is faithful always.
Until next time.
Steve and Carol
By the time the final draft of the home study is sent to the U.S. Immigration, we should have our dossier complete and ready to be checked over for errors. Then.....send it over to Ukraine for translation. Maybe two or three weeks for translation and then it goes to the Ukranian government for approval. That process takes about three weeks.
Hopefully, we should know something in about 6 to 8 weeks. We are sooooo ready to get our kids. Mama asks often "When are you getting the children?" We tell her that the process will take several months to get all the approval documents from both the U.S. and Ukraine. She looks at us and tells us that the house will be dirty by then!
One more step completed and we are doing the next thing.
We have been studying Russian with a tutor for these past 6 weeks and begin Russian Language classes Monday March 16th. Please pray for clear minds and clear ears!
Please continue praying with us for God's provision of finances and for His provision of peace in our home and hearts. These areas have been a challenge of trust for both of us, but He is faithful always.
Until next time.
Steve and Carol
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