Adoption Update, Prayers and more...

[WARNING - THIS BLOG POST MAY CONTAIN RANDOM THOUGHTS, BUNNY TRAILS, AND A LOT OF 'HUH'S....IT'S JUST THE KIND OF MOOD I AM IN]



You all know that I have been exhausted with this adoption process for a while now. I am weary of the fight, tired of telling the story, exhausted with the process, so DONE with paperwork…but I’m not done, weary or tired of trying to be Anya’s Mama (if that makes any sense at all…)

I know I have said it before, but I KNOW I can not bring her home on my own will. I know Christ knows me, He knows how tired I am. He knows what makes me tick – what gives me the energy to push on.

And so I push on.

This past week, it seems a lot has happened. But, ‘a lot’ I guess could be up for interpretation. But before I tell you all that has happened, let me back up.

About a month ago, I started going to a Bible Study with a group of gals from my church. We’re studying biblical disciplines…not an easy study, but (for me) a very necessary one. Admittedly, I have not been good at reading the book every day. I have not been good about implementing the disciplines into my everyday life. But, God knew that before I started this study. Although I haven’t been good about that, I have been good about one of the disciplines – focused PRAYER.



I have been taking time out every day to really focus on my prayer-life. For those that know me well know this is kind of a huge thing for me. Finding time to add anything to my calendar can be a miracle. But, this is important. Something I KNOW I HAD to do.



STUFF THAT HAS HAPPENED
In the past week, we were able to get a set of important documents from California. We have figured out a way to get the medical information done - one of those nutty requirements from the Judge in Russia.

One of the families who is waiting with us (I’ve blogged about them before), got a final ruling form the Russian Supreme Court. They overturned the decision from the local Judge…in her own words – this is what that means:

And then of course on Tuesday we learned that it appears we will get a court date within the next few months and once again I was torn. My heart told me to jump for joy, to yell the good news from the highest mountain; my old self told me to shield my heart since the fact remained that a court date does not guarantee a done deal. For a few days it's been a battle again, but today's it's like I got whacked upside the head. Trust. Such a short, simple word. Such a hard thing to do.

So, we (along with those pre-adoptive-parents we're waiting with...we must TRUST the God we've been praying to for SO LONG! This is kind of where the rubber meets the road. Where our Trust is tested...I'm up to the challenge!

We have another friend, who is also waiting with us – who is completing some final documents to submit their dossier (again) to the Judge in Russia.

Yes another family is completing documents for their dossier to be presented for the first time.

The Embassy in Moscow is working closely with all of our cases, and things are happening on their end. They have the contacts and relationships with those in power in Russia. They can bring attention to our situation that we can’t bring on ourselves. Stuff is happening, things are moving. GOD IS GOING TO WIN!

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
Since the Russian Supreme Court overturned the regional Judge’s decision, chances are she won’t make “that’ decision again. This is good. The ‘reasons’ are things all of us are dealing with.
Once a prescient is established with a set of documents, it makes things much easier to appeal (and submit). This is all just my opinion.


Someone WILL get a court date – which is a HUGE step forward for everyone.

We’ve had several groups pray for this adoption situation over the past few weeks. I’ve heard some amazing stories of things that have come out of that prayer. Regardless of what your spiritual background is, we can all agree that unified prayer is a good thing. Here are some of the prayer reports:

• A week ago, a specific prayer was that a court date be granted…to anyone – an American. Our prayer was answered.


• Prayer warriors have told me that in the midst of praying, they were seeing visions from God of our victory; they are seeing a parting of the waves and a calm sea.


• The stronghold that has Anya (and others) is being released. We believe now more than other that we are in the right fight!


• I've received several emails from people I don't know...encouraging notes about our adoption journey (thanks to a new friend from Canada!) - the right words at the right time. Isn't God's timing amazing?!

AND SO NOW...That is all I know (so please don't ask)...this is it...the end, nothing else. I'm not holding anything back, have no further opinions...this is it. I promise.