HAPPY BIRTHDAY SVETA!!!

Our sweet girl turned 10 today! We have no idea if the orphanage celebrated or not, but we are celebrating and thinking of her all day! Can't wait until next summer when we can have a party with family and friends! The kids did a great job helping with the cake! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET SVETA! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Fair Future

It has been quite a week- -one that I'm sure, I stretched myself a little too thin for. Somehow though, all worked out, and I'm pleased this Sunday and am feeling the relief of rest! Let's see... the kids attended an all-day Church Day Camp, in which I was one of the leaders. I worked the Farm Bureau booth twice at the Warren County Fair, for four hours each shift. And... the kids both participated in the Guys and Gals Lead on Friday night, and Karrigan participated in the Little Miss Warren County contest Saturday morning. Whew! Today, we attended church, and tonight, I must finish some paperwork for my publicist job before we head to the Union County Fair tomorrow! Busy, busy... but life is good!

On the way to church this morning, we were re-living and re-hashing the recent fair events! Both Evan and Karrigan got really excited about the possibility of Sveta participating in the fair next year! Karrigan promised she would teach Sveta how to lead "Diamond" the ewe lamb, and Evan agreed! Of course, that led to a discussion about who Sveta will want to play with more- - will she want to do "girlie" things with KK like playing dolls and doing crafts, or will she want to learn sports and how to play video games with Evan! I assured both kiddos that Sveta will likely enjoy some of the same activities that both of them do. And she will, also, be able to teach them a thing or two!

This morning at church, as I was praying during worship, I felt a peace come over me. God told me, through the Holy Spirit, that next summer, as we look back at all of this we're dealing with now- the stress, the unknown basically... it will all seem like it never really happened, because He was there for us the entire time, taking care of everything. He, also, shared that when the Ministry of Education, in Russia, comes back from vacation in mid-August, the employees will be ready to get to work and will process our papers quickly! I'm going to stay optimistic about this, and go with it! I love it when God puts things into my heart! The biggest thing I heard from God today, is that although we haven't received the "official" letter- we have been granted a loan from one of the companies we applied to!!! God said the financial concerns, regarding this adoption, will be taken care of. I have FAITH, so I declare the messages of the Holy Spirit to be true, this day!!! It's vulnerable of me to put all of this out here on our blog, for everyone to read, but I want everyone to know how God keeps His promises... all we have to do is have faith in Him!

We ask for your prayers this week, dear family and friends.

These are the verses headed for the bathroom mirror... good reminders when the enemy's "doubt" starts to surface.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. (Psalm 138:3)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Love to you all,

Emily

Dreams, Disappointments, and Stepping Out

Just a quick update on us... we found out yesterday that we will not be traveling to Russia next month, as we had anticipated. We are now being told it will be more like October! The Ministry of Education, in Russia, is on vacation through mid-August, and unfortunately, we are at their mercy. So of course, this was a "shock to the system" and certainly disappointing! Our dreams of meeting our sweet girl next month went down the tubes. HOWEVER... of course, God has a plan in this and every situation. There is a reason we are not leaving next month, so we must accept that and adjust our way of thinking.

2 Samuel 22:31
As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

Before we got this news, I had enjoyed coffee earlier in the day, with my dear friend, Tracy. http://www.ourpromisedson.blogspot.com/ She asked me a really interesting question that completely made me think the rest of the afternoon! She asked if we had bought any clothes yet for Sveta. I explained that no we hadn't, because I suppose we just wanted to make sure this adoption was really going to happen. Immediately, she said with conviction, "You KNOW this adoption is going to happen!" I was speechless for a second. "Yes!" I said, right back with conviction! "Of course I know it's going to happen!" She further explained that buying one's child an outfit is a "step out in faith"... in essence, I would be saying to God and everyone else- -YES, I KNOW this is from you Lord, and I have FAITH that you, Lord, will make it happen.

Well, guess what Karrigan and I did? We made a stop at Old Navy. I'm not really sure why we chose that particular store, but I was hoping they were having a sale, since right now, we are all about SAVING! Sure enough... girls tank tops on sale! I wanted to purchase just one item to hang in Sveta's closet, so that I could "step out in faith". Because it was such a good sale, we ended up getting Sveta two and Karrigan two, and of course, little sister gets to match big sister!

Two bright-colored tank tops now hang in the closet. Not only do they make me smile, they make it a reality that sweet Sveta will be home... by next summer.

Initial Paperwork Now in Russia!

Our "initial packet" to the Bryansk region of Russia made it, this past weekend, with no hiccups what-so-ever! Additionally, it has made it into the hands of the regional coordinator there. Hooray!!! I got a brief text from the "deliverer" of our packet, dear Angie, my new friend from Mercer County, Ohio who is also going through the adoption process with the same agency as us- European Children Adoption Services based in Plymouth, Minn. Angie and her husband are presently in Russia, and this time, they will bring home their sweet son, Roman. I have been so blessed to get to know Angie, and I thank God for placing her in my life.

Angie was kind enough to ask the regional coordinator if Sveta was in the same orphanage as Roman. As I suspected (since she is a few years older), she is not. Angie offered to take a couple of photos of Sveta for us while there (if the kids were in the same orphanage). That would have been great, but I accept that it just wasn't meant to be. It's amazing how we as "waiting" adoptive parents just want so badly to have a photo, a video, or even just an observation by a friend, who has seen our child and can give us a nugget of information that we didn't already have. We won't know a lot about Sveta until we actually arrive in Russia, which should be in about 6-8 weeks. Although that's the typical time frame after the "initial packet" is delivered, I think Kevin and I are still in denial almost that it's actually going to happen. We still just haven't wrapped our minds around the idea that we will soon be hopping on a plane to Russia, then a train which will take us 7 hours to see our daughter! I've said in this blog all along, our adoption is a journey... journey indeed. ~Especially since Kevin has only been outside the states to go to Mexico, and for me, I've only stepped across the border to Canada.

As for other happenings... hmmm... well, this weekend, I finally felt at peace for the first time since summer began. I've been so under pressure to fill out the grant and loan applications and fundraise, that I just haven't felt a lot of joy like I normally do in the summer. Also, I believe that the enemy was stealing my joy. This weekend, I chose to get it back! We had an incredibly fun Saturday walking the nature trails of Pine Hill Park, in Mason. Afterwards, the kids had a blast running through the fountains there! We even packed a picnic lunch and just RELAXED. Kevin and I both needed that. We decided to continue the fun at home, camping out in the backyard! Now that was memorable! Although our tent is supposed to sleep 6 persons, our experience is that four persons was tight enough! As we were sipping our coffee on the back porch Sunday morning, Kevin commented, "We'll soon need a larger tent with a third child and all." He was thinking of Sveta in a way I hadn't yet... all FIVE of us camping out, as a family. It's thoughts like that, that bring me joy and put a smile on my face. Having a wonderful family like mine... how could I not smile!

All good things must come to an end

As I wipe the sweat from my brow, I can take pleasure in a job now... done. Our lavendar has all been picked. I'm sure the bees are not especially happy with me; however, as we all know, all good things must come to an end. While those pesty, yet necessary, bees have enjoyed their daily nectar, Kevin and I have enjoyed the fragrant aroma coming through our bedroom window each evening. There is nothing like the delicate smell of lavendar... at least we think so. It does not appeal, however, to dear Evan. I can understand where he's coming from though, because it's hard for me to believe that lavendar is in the same family as mint. I do not care so much for mint, as when it hits my tongue, I almost feel a shock to my system.

The pale, purplish color of lavendar appeals to curious Karrigan, and she enjoys inhaling the goodness of the flowering plant while playing outside. She also enjoys the fact that lavendar draws her very most favorite things on earth... butterflies! Luckily, she has been content seeing only white butterflies zooming through the flower spikes. The colorful butterflies tend to hang out on the cone flowers.

I'm sure our sweet Sveta will enjoy the lavendar, as well, since she will get to partake in the lavendar soap-making process with her brother and sister. That is what we shall do with these glorious flowers and flower buds. Perhaps by the time we get Sveta, we will be set up to make lavendar honey! Now that is something to think about in the coming year.

Sooo many uses for lavendar: Saches, potpourri, soap, honey, in baked goods such as scones, candied for cake decorations, herbal teas, dried flower arrangements, aromatherapy... I could go on...

Reflecting now... it is a bit sad to say goodbye to the lavendar this year. However, time moves on, and for that, we are grateful. That means we are days closer to meeting our "newest"... sweet girl.

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Cool fact: Essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used in hospitals during WWI to disinfect floors and walls. Who would have ever guessed?

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!

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.