The beginning of our Adoption Story:

Seems God has big plans for Charlie and I, plans we just came to realize this past October.  Early 2009, I began to sense that God had something in mind for me, that life was going to change in some way, I could feel it coming... I shared those feelings with Charlie, and we began to pray, that whatever it might be, that He would make it clear, and that He would prepare us.  In March 2009 over the course of several weeks, our Pastor shared our churches (Prescott Christian Church) new vision statement, “Passionately Pursue God, Creatively Care for People, and Continuously Contribute to the Kingdom”, Charlie and I then began to pray about how that would translate into our lives.  Motivated by His love, we desired to do more, we began praying as Jabez did, for God to expand our territory for His glory.  It was then in October, Pastor Jason preached the “And Justice for All” series. Through that sermon series we became aware of the plight of orphans in Eastern Europe, over 100,000 in Ukraine alone, with 90% of them being social orphans due to alcoholism, abandonment or imprisonment of parents.  At the age of 15 or 16 these children are turned out of the orphanages unprepared for life outside a home.  The statistics of life after leaving the orphanage are grim.  Sixty percent of the girls will wind up on the streets as prostitutes.  Seventy percent of boys will enter a life of crime, ten percent will commit suicide before the age of 18.  Shortly after, it became abundantly clear to us, what God had in mind.

Charlie picked up an old issue of a local horse publication and found himself reading about a 13 year old Ukrainian orphan, who in July was enjoying a cultural camp/hosting program in Mesa Arizona. Lena was her name; she loves horses, and was hoping to find a family.  We contacted the adoption agency, to explore the idea, and felt we received nothing but confirmation that this was the direction to head.  Although still wondering if God might be pulling our leg, because really the whole idea seemed a bit impractical. Charlie and I are empty nesters; we have 3 grown children between us, and 3 grandchildren.  We think about retirement from time to time.  Not to mention the cost of an International Adoption being $30,000 or more… certainly not in our current budget… So after more prayer, and some wise counsel from Pastor Jason, which included the statement, “you still have some tread left on you”, we have relaxed into what we believe is nothing short of Gods plan.  I also think both Charlie and I have come to the conclusion that God is all about “impractical”, and that we never ever want to "retire" from His service.

Through these past months it has been amazing to sense God’s presence, and watch as He works out the details.  For He must, this is a God size endeavor!  We are incredibly grateful not only to our church family at PCC for partnering with us spiritually and financially in this incredible journey we find ourselves on, but the “Men in Ministry” group (a men's contruction ministry within our church) also volunteered to add a bedroom on to our home, which to date is just about complete.  Yep, God at work, no doubt!  We are also humbled by the out pouring of love, encouragement, prayer and financial support we continue to receive from family and friends.

We were able to make contact with Lena in February, first by mail, and then by email.  We are now in touch with Lena by email several days a week.  She is anxious to come “home”, and we are anxious to bring her home!  In our hearts she is already our daughter and it is difficult to be so far away from her.  But we are being patient understanding that God will use this time to prepare all of our hearts and minds for what lies ahead.  If all goes as planned we are hopeful that in November, Lena will travel home with us.

Through this blog we hope to keep you posted on our progress, we are unable to share pictures of Lena at this time over the internet (in our agreement with adoption agency), but in time… to date we have completed our home study.  Work on our dossier has begun, with hopes that it will be completed by months end.  Over the last several days I have been abundantly blessed while reading the blog of the mother of one of Lena’s good friends who was welcomed home by her new family the end of July (Dear Linda, thank you so much for the encouragement, your offer of friendship, which I gladly and humbly accept, and for "Praying Kristina Home"!).
My prayer, that you might find yourself blessed and encouraged as much as I have been… and that our King would be glorified!   Judy

"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.

But those who make their journey home across time and miles,

growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,

are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us

by God's very own hands."

Kristi Larson