Leaving Today

We decided to go. Don't know what will happen from here, but we'd like to come home with a new addition to our family.

Whatever God has planned for us, we're willing to accept it.

We'll keep you "posted".

God bless,

Andy

Larisa's not available

Just found out in an email from Kostya. It looks like Larisa's mother is going forward in her plans to win back rights to her daughter. Larisa wants this to happen. The courts are certain to pave the way.

Right now all I'm feeling is shock. We knew this was a possiblity. I still never really believed this would happen. I always felt it would work out...and it will. Just not the way I expected it to.

I just pray things work out for Larisa. Maybe our efforts spurred her mother into action. Nothing makes us want something (or someone) more than the possibility of losing it. If that was God's purpose here than so be it. I may wonder but I may never know in this lifetime.

So where do we go from here? I don't know. Colleen and I are going to think about for 24 hours. And pray. Right now I simply feel like I've lost a daughter.

Part of me wants to shut down, crawl in a hole and forget the whole thing.

On the other hand I know there are so many children there deserving a chance.

To be continued...

May 31st!

Praise God!

Kostya just sent word. We've got an appointment for May 31st (in case you haven't figured it out yet :-) Looks like we'll need to leave on the 29th - I'll update you on that.

Colleen got the email. Kostya usually emails both of us. Needless to say I was surprised by the teary phone call I got from Colleen.

All she said was "May 31st". I immediately know what she meant but I wasn't sure whether it was a good thing or not - I still have no idea about Colleen's schedule at work. Looks like it's ok though.

The NAC director looked up Larisa's name and said she's available for adoption. My understanding is "available" is a loose term - no one is available until a Unkrainian judge says so and by that time the child is instantly unavailable (joining a family wanting to adopt).

Please continue to keep this in prayer.

Okay, I promised a briefing on "The Russian Connection" so here goes.

Ethan and Ryan wrestled this past winter. At one practice, I heard one man speaking to one of the wrestlers in what sounded like Russian to me. So I asked him. He was speaking Russian to his son Nikita (hopefully the spelling is correct).

Turns out Nikita was in the chess club I ran (I had no clue he was Russian). Pete, Nikita's father, and I talked quite a bit during practices. He and his wife Oxana have a daughter Larisa's age (Marsha). When we got a letter from Larisa, Nikita interpreted some of it. He gave up because he was out of practice. We later found out he did much better than he gave himself credit for.

We lost contact with them because things got sporadic for both of us near the end of the season.

About a month ago Colleen and I went to Easton to a friend's promotion party. We took the Dover Road back (this does connect) as it must lead to Dover and we needed to do some shopping. The Dover Road does not lead to Dover.

We eventually got there. But not before finding the Super Walmart just south in Canton. We were looking for luggage and some things for Larisa. Checking out who was standing there but Pete and Oxana! They said they'd been thinking about us and would like to help anyway they can.

We've had dinner at each other's house since. Wonderful people. Marsha is a lovely, levelheaded girl who should be a terrific influence on Larisa.

Everytime I think about this I can't help being awed by God's complete care and provision for us.

Two weeks gone and no news

There's really nothing to post. We are still waiting for an appointment date from the NAC.

Kostya our translater tells us there are other families waiting also. He's going to try for an appointment - I'm assuming next week to ask about the delay.

So far it seems efforts like Kostya's will nudge things along. Of course there's always the possiblity the nudge will anger someone and stop the process altogether.

On the home front, Colleens employer is adding a new module and they want her present when the "go live". This is scheduled for the end of May. Please keep this situation in prayer. Yes, God is in control. Unfortunately that knowledge doesn't make possible conflicts worry free no matter how much it should.

Next post - we'll head back in time to explore "the Russian connection".

God bless,

Andy