Prayer, Petition, Thanksgiving...

Charlie and I certainly haven't been bored since I last updated our blog.   But I've been a bit of a "bump on a blog" (my new nickname bestowed upon me by Charlie, which really was quite funny when he said it), because I've been busy praying, petitioning and giving thanks over a few things... it is now time to share, as we believe, we are still on the right path, and God remains on His throne.

This past week we were told by our facilitator, Konstantin that it looks as if we'll be headed to Ukraine the middle to end of December.  In the very beginning of our adoption process, we had hoped to bring Lena home this summer past.  We then learned that Lena had never been put on the National Registry in Ukraine, which means, that a child is available for adoption only by a Ukrainian Citizen for a period of one year, prior to being available for international adoption.  Lena had been in the orphanage (actually it is a boarding school, not all children in the school are orphans) for 5 years, and for some unknown reason had never been placed on the registry.  It was the end of November of last year, fairly early in process, that we received this information, so we assumed we were looking at the end of October or first of November to travel.  Then very recently, it was changed to the end of November, first of December.  Keeping in mind we have been told from the beginning that the time frame was uncertain.  But really how often do we "believe" we're living in uncertainty??  Gotta put a name to it, a date to it, a reason for it... anyway we finally believe that we have received accurate information, not that anyone was trying to deceive, we've just been working with incomplete information, which seems to be the way it is when working with any government agency, home or abroad.  It has now been confirmed that Lena has successfully passed local and regional registrations and has been successfully registered at the SDA (State Department of Adoption) level and will become available for international adoption sometime during the period of December 16th through the 28th. 

So now let me explain why this information was cause for some serious prayer and petition. 
The longer we wait, the larger the chance that another vote could take place to put a moratorium on adoptions, actually the vote is again scheduled for October 8th.  We're hopeful it will once again be postponed, or voted down.  Another reason, everything shuts down during the Christmas (keep in mind that Ukraine celebrates Christmas January 7th, so it will be a very long holiday season) and New Years Holidays, the SDA, courts, and U.S. Embassy.  Could a 3 to 4 week trip turn into 5 or 6??  
And it was our hope (more like counting on) that the adoption would be completed by the end of this year, so we could take advantage of the "$13,000 adoption tax credit" this coming year.
 
So now on to the Thanksgiving.
Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the guys from our church were out to finish Lena's bedroom!  Actually they got all but a couple things completed, but were here yesterday to finish it up.  It's absolutely perfect!!  Words can't express how grateful Charlie and I are for the work that's been done, and the hearts that it took to complete it.  Lena's bed is made, and pictures are on the wall.  I still have a few more decorative things to do, and then the only thing missing will be Lena.
Then this past Saturday, Charlie and I were able to spend another hour on the phone with Lena with the help of Galyna.  It was just as wonderful and fun as the first time.  Lena was excited to begin English lessons with a tutor that Konstantin was able to set up for us.  Her first lesson was yesterday.  Lena laughed and said, NOOO!, when Charlie told her that next time we talked we would not be using Galyna, that she would be her own translator.  :]

This is what we hear God telling us, and notice, it is not a suggestion, we're told to do it, it is possible.  
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always, I, will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts in minds in Christ Jesus.

So we plan on spending Christmas in Ukraine!!  Actually 2 Christmases, we'll celebrate ours the 25th of December, Ukraine's on January 7th.  Our first Christmases and a New Year spent with Lena, how great is that!!

Vote smote... nothing happens without HIS ok.  Remember?

And what's $13,000??  We've seen Him do much bigger things than that!

We would ask, as our journey continues, please continue to pray and petition with thanksgiving with us!

Charlie and the "bump on the blog"  :]

Lena's room is ready!

only thing missing is Lena...

stars on her ceiling!

Libby on her bed... :]