A snapshot into what her future held...

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

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Late-April


We are expecting to travel for court in late-April. We just got word yesterday that our pre-court date is April 11th. We aren't required to be present for the pre-court, only the actual court date.

This trip will be a quick one. We'll fly into Moscow, do our medicals there, then hop a train down to Bryansk. It's about a 7 hour train ride, but it seemed to go fast during our December trip. I think it's, because we were in and out of sleep. We arranged for sleeping quarters on the train so we could stretch out and rest which is much needed with an 8 hour time difference. The train was actually pretty nice... warm and clean.

So, onto family happenings... Evan is doing well and eating us out of house and home!!! (growth spurt), Karrigan has started soccer and is enjoying it despite practices being cancelled due to spring rain, Kevin is about to start the Reds season, and I just completed my last show (publicist work) until the fall... Monster Jam up in Toledo. All and all, life is good.

Two prayer requests...
1. That we receive the grant we just applied for (Much, much needed)
2. That God will supernaturally provide the funds needed to complete the adoption

People, even Christians, get a little funny when money is talked about. I've even been guilty of getting a little cynical about it when it's brought up in church. I heard something really inspiring today while watching Joyce Meyer. She said... "Even God gives... For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only... you know the rest.". Yes, God is a giver. I'm seeking to be more of a giver, also.

If any of you have any quick turn-around fundraising ideas, to help us complete the adoption (we're in the home stretch!) please let me know! One friend loves my cakes, so she suggested I bake and sell Easter cakes or Spring cakes! Any thoughts, y'all? ANY ideas are welcome.

As always, THANK YOU for your love and support.

My devotional verse for today... (no joke!)

I John 3:17-18
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.


Blessings,

Emily

Ps. A new friend, also adopting from the same orphanage as Yuliya, was kind enough to take a package to Yuliya. As you can see from the photo, the Easter bunny came a little early to visit our girl! Chances are, we'll get to take her another chocolate bunny next month! Can't wait! xoxo

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Feeling the Love!






Wow... last night, we felt the love. Truly.

Our dear friends, Tara and Cody, held a fundraiser, at their beautiful home, to help bring our Karis home. It was such a lovely evening! Truly... lovely. To be surrounded by many of our closest friends... nothing compares. (We did miss those friends who couldn't be with us! We know you were with us in spirit!)

Our friend, Christi, is doing something SO generous, I don't know how we could ever possibly re-pay her! Please see the link attached... especially if you are a parent or grand-parent. Amazing. http://www.snickerdoodlesphoto.com/blog/kahrs-family/

As always... THANK YOU for your love and support.

~Emily

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

One year knowing Julia!

February 21st marked our one year anniversary of finding our sweet girl! In many ways, it's hard to believe it has been a whole year... then, I think back to last summer which DRAGGED. I think about ALL of the emotional ups and downs... finding out we couldn't travel last August due to the Ministry of Education, in Russia, taking the month off for vacation! Then, we were told shortly after, we can't even pursue the adoption of our child for at least a year, because her father was found! Imagine that bomb and what it did to us... only to find out a couple of months later that, that information was for ANOTHER child... NOT OUR CHILD! Then... scramble... get paperwork together... we're going to Russia in November... no, no... December! AND THEN...................
......... WE WENT!!! We actually WENT the first week in December and met our daughter! The little girl we'd been dreaming about for 10 months! Was the wait, the emotional stress, the sleepless nights, the tears shed, the many talks with family and friends, the money, the paperwork... was it all worth it??? ABSOLUTELY.

And now... a year into the process... we do believe we're in the home stretch! We've had to re-do some paperwork that started expiring (didn't think the adoption would take this long)... BUT the end of the journey is now in sight.

What have we learned??? Faith. Trust. Patience. What else??? We live in the greatest country in the world... we are blessed... God uses children to bring us closer to Him.

Although we can't wait for the adoption to be finalized (and hope to never look at another piece of adoption-related paperwork) we hope the journey will go on for a very long time. It has bettered us... grown us... and brought us closer to Jesus. How honored we are that He chose us to grow... and parent this little girl.

Bryansk Home

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