A snapshot into what her future held...

A snapshot into what her future held...
Zhukovka, Russia

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Slipping and Sliding


I’m listening to my babies outside… there are lots of giggles and “whoa-s!”. They are playing on the Slip-n-Slide! Summer fun at it’s prime!

There is one baby missing however, and my understanding is that she is at summer camp. It apparently is a “camp” set up, in the middle of the forest, within walking distance of the orphanage. I’m told there’s a lake. At first, I got excited that our girl gets to go to camp! Then, “mom reality” set in: Does Sveta know how to swim? Is the camp co-ed? Do they put sunscreen on the kids? Is there protection against wild animals in the forest? See how my imagination works? I nearly work myself up to an anxiety attack!

God is there though, at camp… he is with Sveta and all of the other children. I have to just trust. That’s a word I am learning a lot about on this journey… TRUST.

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


So very true! And I find comfort knowing that the weight of the world doesn’t fall on me. God takes it for us. I trust Him that he will take care of Sveta both at camp and at the orphanage, and I trust Him that he will bring her home to us this winter.

She is already missed by each of us on a daily basis. Some days, it’s going to the library. Some days, it’s going to get ice cream. Today, we miss her giggles… outside on the Slip-n-Slide!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Refinement and Birthdays

Today is my 36th birthday. Happy Birthday to me- I'm on the "other" side of the mid-thirties, inching closer to... you know what comes next. Wow.

It's ok though... truly, I'm ok! The reason... well, first let me admit, I always imagined getting older as equating to- losing purpose in life. Getting depressed. I mean... NOTHING, at all, to look forward to. Wrinkles. Gray hair. No hair... bald!

Yes indeed, I do now have a few wrinkles. I do now have a few gray hairs. BUT... I also now have a "richness" in my life that I never imagined. In fact, I have more purpose now than I ever imagined. I'm needed more now than I ever imagined! AND... I'm, also, more at peace now than ever before! I know God better. I know my husband better. I know myself better! 36 is actually feeling pretty good! Accept, of course, for the occasional stiffness I feel in the mornings shortly after waking and the "sometimes" fasciitis in the feet. (Girlfriends-we've had this discussion!)

I'm always amazed at what can happen in a year's time! That's why we can't completely plan out our lives, too far in advance... we CAN set goals for ourselves, but we never truly know what will happen in a year's time. That's kind of exciting- don't you think? When I turned 35, for example, NEVER did I imagine we would be adopting a 9-year-old girl from Russia! One observation however- and I'm sure if you think about it, you'll find it true of your own life... many things that I spoke about either as a child, teen, or early 20-something have happened! For example, when Kevin and I were dating, both of us mentioned we would like to live in the Carolinas. Check! We wanted to live in a brick house. Check! And Kevin thought it would be "cool" to adopt, since "there are so many kids out there who are in need of homes." Almost check!

Another thought about this adoption. When we first found Sveta's photo, online, back in February, and decided to pursue the adoption of her, never did we imagine how many people this would affect, other than ourselves and our two children. I am now beginning to see how God is using it for His glory! We have two sets of grandparents who are excited to be grandparents again! (Thank you, Grammie and Bump-Bump -AND- Mammaw and Pappaw!) We have great-grandparents praying for us. We have our siblings who are supportive, encouraging, and willing to help out! We have friends praying for us! We knew we were loved, and now, we know we are BLESSED! (Love you all!)

Additionally, family and friends have shared that this adoption has encouraged them to seek the Lord and read what the Bible says about orphans. Wow! Praise God! - - I've watched my husband, who rarely shares his personal feelings/opinions/thoughts, etc. talk with people about how we were moved by a message, at church, pertaining to adoption and how he felt the Holy Spirit working within him, to adopt. Again, praise God! - - And, one more to share... I made a new friend recently while working freelance at P&G, and she confided that she talks with her husband about our adoption in an effort to open his heart to it and God, in general. GOD You are so good!

In conclusion, I'm glad that God has continued to "refine" me year after year, leading up to now, 36 years! I look forward to more refinement, as we continue on this journey He has put us on. And, I'm always amazed at how God works in us and through us, for His glory.

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Romans 8:18
Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Nutrition for the Body... AND Soul.




Wow- -can't believe how far we've come since I last posted! ALL of our paperwork should be arriving in Russia, in the next two weeks! We have passports... we applied for the I-600A which will allow for Sveta's visa... our home study is complete along with social worker visits... we've learned what an Apostille is at the Secretary of State's office in downtown Columbus! (And how expensive they are!) Things are really moving... and smoothly. I acknowledge this fact to God everyday, because it's HE who is allowing it all to flow. It's HIS will and HIS perfect timing. I haven't been anxious, at all, since Easter weekend. I've just remained focused. The goal is for Kevin and I to meet Sveta in mid-August and accept the referral of her. August is not that far away! Yay! I can't wait to meet her, and I go to bed at night thinking about our first meeting. I'm pretty sure (knowing me) that I will cry the moment she walks into the room. I will get teary, and Kevin will grab my hand and give me the little smile he always gives that boosts my confidence. I, also, can't wait to see how Kevin reacts and interacts with Sveta. He is such a great daddy, I just know he'll know exactly what to do. It will come naturally for him.

So... of course, we're always talking about Sveta like she's already here! Today, we got our first share of our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Basically, we buy a farm share for the summer months, and each week we get the most beautiful basket of fresh produce. This time, we got broccoli, zuchini, radishes, and lettuce. As Evan and KK gobbled down the broccoli (which they call "mini trees"), I thought about how blessed we are, and how we can't wait to bless Sveta. At the orphanage, she doesn't get a variety of foods and not nearly enough fruits and vegetables. I'm already concerned about her diet and her overall health. We are truly eager and READY to provide our sweet daughter with the nutrition she needs... for the body and the soul.

Bryansk Home

Bryansk Home
My two favorite colors together seem to be common in Bryansk homes.