what to do in Lake Buena Vista

SO here we are , on the 'free' day of this business trip. My plan was to:
1. relax by the pool
2. hit up one of the Disney parks, maybe Universal or something

Well - with the bum foot, all that walking (theme park style) just doesn't sound like fun. And, it's cloudy - scattered rain all day.

So what to do? Sit in my hotel room and blog!?

I am going to the pool, I don't care...I will henceforth be known as the crazy lady lying the the rain reading her Spiritual Disciplines book.

Hope to post some photos later today.

it was horrible, humilitating...

Yes, I surrendered to my bum foot. While going from one gate in Detroit to catch our next flight today, I broke down, and let my hubby wheel me through the airport in a wheelchair. My thought was that:
1. we'd get from point A to point B faster
2. people wouldn't gawk at me hobbling around the terminal
3. I am sure there is some benefit to my ouchy foot in not walking 32 miles from the C gates to the A gates

Well - people did gawk. Apparently no one under the age of 80 gets wheeled around in a chair...through the airport. Maybe people didn't see the 10 pound massive plastic and Velcro boot on my foot. I wondered what they were thinking.

I decided to hide behind my computer bag.

update on adoption

I just posted an update a few posts below...I started writing it a few days ago - and when I posted it, it posted as if it was a few days ago...not now. So, I wanted to be sure you all knew to look through the weekend posts...if you are here for some adoption news. :)

About the weekend - part-2

So, Friday night, my hubby and I went to a favorite restaurant. To my surprise, some friends met us there - making for a great night. Thanks Davis's and clan for a fun night!




The festivities went into Saturday night - we decided to check out a new restaurant in town (Villa Macri) and as soon as I sat down, my cell phone rang. It was one of my dearest friends, Kathy - she said "did you just walk into Villa Macri? I think you walked right by our table!" What a nice surprise!


Needless to say with all this excitement this past weekend, I am wore out. I am older now, ya know! I think I need a good old-fashioned nap!

[afterthought - do you notice a pattern here? Food, eating, more food and eating...gee, I wonder why I feel like a blow-up version of myself today!]

About the weekend - part-1

My birthday was this past weekend. Generally on my BDay weekend, I invite friends over to our house for a cookout - they don't know it is for my bday - and I like it that way. It's always THE way I want to spend that day...serving my friends, and allowing them to have a great time...and we always have a memorable time! (in photo to left Brian and Vicki)

This year, we kicked off our cookout with a time of prayer. We prayed for little Jessie, the adoption, oppressed regions in the world, and so many other things I can't begin to remember them all...a full hour of non-stop prayer - IT WAS SOOO COOL!

I think the BEST part of the evening was when my brother's butt went flying through the seat of one of the chairs we have (well, had) on the deck. In his defense, the wicker on the chairs was old, and that was probably the reason...but don't think that I didn't have a TON of fun teasing him about it!

Of course, then my darling husband had to go ape on the other chair. He said he was 'helping, just in case someone else tried to sit on that chair" He didn't want anyone to get embarrassed...but, I think he just had a good time punching holes in the chairs!

Then came the cook-out portion of our night. We all ate, and ate, and ate some more!

Joan, Kim, Steve and Kris pigging out.

Nathan and Mica playing horse shoes.

My brother (Dan) with his gal-pal Whitney

The Moms (my mom and Marty's Mom)

Little Miss Sarah - acting silly! She is stinkin' adorable!

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.

update on Jessie-2

Hi everyone - good news on the Jessie front!

Also - as a reminder for those in the Michiana area (and if you don't live in MIchiana - we will be praying from 3pm - 4pm) - we're hosting a "prayer cookout" on Sunday (tomorrow) - we are going to gather to pray for Jessie (and other things that have been going on in our circle of friends). If you would like to join us, drop me an email and I'll send you specifics.

Below is a note I received about what is going on with her:

We spent about 5 hours at the hospital today doing a full body scan and talking to a team of specialists. Here is the update.

First and foremost…Glory to God!

Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

And the prayer of FAITH shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; James 5:14,15

We prayed specifically that the cancer in Jessie's body was not in her bone marrow (even though initially the doctors thought it was) Also specifically that the cancer was not anywhere else in her body. Praying specifically we are able to give Glory solely to God when these prayers are answered.

Both of these prayers were answered today! So what does this mean? It means it is in her favor that this tumor is isolated. Surgery really at this point is not an option and would leave Jessica handicapped with no use of her arm. She has to undergo High dose chemotherapy and possibly radiation. She also has to do stem cell transplant as the chemo will kill her cells but also her bone marrow. The stem cell transplant reintroduces her own cells back into her body.

What we are specifically praying for now is that the chemo will shrink the tumor and eliminate it. Jessie has possibly a year of treatment and a long road ahead of her.

Thank you so much for your prayers, concerns and to all that are able to help in fundraising of any kind.

God bless all of you.

Bart and Kim

Russia bans 3 adoption agencies following baby's death in U.S.

I do not understand why people murder children - and why it seems to be happening over and over again to Russian children. Here is another tragic story of a child who died and the father is to blame.

This child was from Virginia (as was Nina Hilt) - I feel HORRIBLE for anyone from VA who is trying to adopt.


http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080711/113805362.html


Russia bans 3 adoption agencies following baby's death in U.S.
21:31

11/ 07/ 2008

MOSCOW, July 11 (RIA Novosti) - Three international adoption agencies, including one that failed to inform Russia of the death of a baby in the U.S. this week, have been banned from operating in Russia, the country's adoption authorities said on Friday.
A 21-month-old baby adopted from Russia three months ago died in the U.S. state of Virginia on Tuesday after being left by his foster father for several hours in the back of a car, in searing heat.

The Russian Education and Science Ministry's adoption commission said in a statement: "The agencies to be banned from working on the territory of the Russian Federation include a representative office that violated the requirements of Russian law on swiftly informing us of the death of an adopted child."

The baby, born with the name Dmitry Yakolev, was left strapped in the back seat of his foster father Miles Harrison's car when the man drove to work in the town of Herndon. The boy was left in the car in the hot sun as the temperature in the vehicle rose to around 55 degrees C (130 degrees F).

Harrison, 49, was supposed to take the child, who he had named Chase, to a day care center on Tuesday morning but went straight to work, leaving the child in the SUV with tinted windows until late in the afternoon, when a passerby saw the child and alerted the office receptionist.
Herndon police spokesman Jeff Coulter told RIA Novosti earlier on Friday: "Mr. Harrison is in the hospital, where he was admitted in a state of shock after the death of the child. We will give him time to recover, and then we plan to arrest him."

Coulter said no charges had been filed against Harrison, but that he would be charged with manslaughter, and if found guilty could face up to 10 years in prison.

The incident had been expected prompt new calls in Russia for tighter controls on adoptions following several other scandals, notably the killing of a two-year-old girl from Siberia by her adoptive mother in the United States. The woman, Peggy Sue Hilt, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in May 2006 for beating the child to death.

Around 120,000 Russian children were adopted both in Russia and abroad in 2007, a 6.4% increase on 2006, according to the Science and Education Ministry.
For more information in Russian

We're going to Disney!

Yes, it's true - I have a fashion conference that will be held at Disney in Florida later this month. As part of this conference, we are able to take advantage of discount tickets to all of the Disney attractions.

So - should we take advantage? What should we see / do? What should we skip?

Remember, we're adults - no kids...

Any suggestions?!

Jessie

Hi friends,

Just heard from Kim, and she said that Jessie is in good spirits this weekend. They were able to get out and have some much needed fun. The next few weeks are going to be hard - but we're praying for a miracle!

I thought I would post some pictures of Jessie (and her sister, and her Dad) - so you know who you are praying for.

I was reading our senior pastor's blog tonight. He is heading to Camp Adventure - a middle-schoolers camp. Personally, I can't imagine looking forward to spending a week at camp with hormone-run middle school kids. God bless Mark for loving Camp Adventure!

Anyway - here is what his blog said about a conversation Mark was having with some guy:

After telling a guy I was heading out Sunday for another week of Camp Adventure,
he commented...
"C'mon Mark. Is all the effort and time worth it? Don't you have other things to do? Missing sleep and sweating for a week in a rustic camp with Middle-Schoolers seems crazy. Why do you keep doing it? Does it really matter?"

I think it does matter (I've been going to Camp Adventure for the last 35 years) so let me spin the question...Let me ask you, "What matters in your life?"

Ask yourself: "Was there a week of my life that marked me, inspired me and changed me - for the better? What happened during that week? Who made that week so special to me? Why am I still cherishing that week as a formative time in my life?"

It got me to thinking - about a week in my life that marked me - changed me. Without hesitation, the week we went to Russia in 2004.

What about you?

Siberian city built on gold and hydro-power

This is a story about the region where Anya is.

Siberian city built on gold and hydro-power

The world's largest and deepest lake Baikal is situated in the Irkutsk region in eastern Siberia, home to some of Russia's most breathtaking natural wonders. Russia's main gold-producing sites also lie along its shores.

The Siberian region is abundant with many other precious metals, as well as having hydro-electric power.“We’d start our shift at 8 am. If you were 20 minutes late, you could get six months in prison!” recalled Efim Veshchev, a gold-digging veteran, now in his 90s.

The hunt for Siberian gold started on the shores of Baikal more than a century ago. The Irkutsk region still remains one of Russia’s main gold-producing sites.Working in the goldmines was tough and risky and few wanted to take such chances. So the job was often done by prisoners and there were plenty of them here.Since Tsarist times, the city of Irkutsk has been known as a place of exile.

By the end of the 19th century, every second man here was a deported convict, many of them nobles. Over the years, the city’s turned into a real melting pot.

During the Communist years the region’s vast natural resources became a magnet for ambitious projects. In 1954 the construction of the Bratskaya hydroelectric plant started and it now provides power to hundreds of homes and factories.

from: http://www.russiatoday.ru

for today...

I wish I could figure out how to make a link here...anyone know?

I read this on another blog that I frequent called 'bring the rain' (link is in the side bar titled Audrey Caroline). If you haven't been there, and need to be encouraged (or not), check it out. DAILY I read something that Angie (yes, I feel like I am BFFs with the author) said that makes me say WOW!

Through my Bible Study group, I've been trying to find ways to get closer to God. Closeness will allow me to listen and hear His Will better...today, here is what I read on Angie's blog:

I stay close to God by spending time in His Word. It looks small on
paper, I know, but that’s the only way you can consistently walk with Him.
When I’m not reading my Bible faithfully, I feel like the distance creeps up.

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17

Seems so simple - but it is just what I needed to hear (or read)!

update on Jessie

I just got a note from Kim - an update on Jessie's surgery today. Below is the update - please pray for her, her family and the doctors...

Jessie’s cancer has come back and it has spread through her body. The doctor is saying that she has a 20-30% chance of survival, but it does not look good. He said that the fact that it took four years for it to come back is a sign that her chances may be a bit better. She will start chemo and radiation right away.

isn't it funny

Isn't it funny, when we're not feeling well, or if something hurts - that seems to be all we can talk about. But, when things are great - we really don't mention that.



I mentioned in an earlier post that I hurt my foot. Well - it still hurts. I went to the doctor today (if you ever need a food Dr. I highly recommend Dr. Sandra Cho - she ROCKS!) - and there is something legit wrong with my foot. Nothing that rest, Ibuprofen and 4-6 weeks won't heal.



I was on my way home, talking on the phone, and found myself telling the person on the phone about my foot. They didn't ask, they didn't care...



So instead of telling you all about my poor foot, about how I can't climb in and out of the pool without being in pain, how I am walking really funny - I am going to share good things that I experienced today:

• I am grateful for a wonderful husband. Someone who loves me (and my hurt foot!)


• I am glad that prayers seem to be answered with regard to our most recent paperwork - the people we're working with in another state are on top of things, and we will have what we need from them Saturday or Monday.


• I am blessed with good friends, who laugh with me (and sometimes at me)

PRAYERS PLEASE

Hello All - please join with us in prayer for this little girl - her soon-to-be stepmom is one of my closest friends.

This is a quick note to ask you to be praying for Jessica. For those of you who don’t know…she is soon to be my step-daughter. Jessica is going to be 8 this month and at the age of three was diagnosed with cancer. She has been cancer free for 3 years now, but is going in for surgery on Thursday because they found some “hot spots” on one of her scans today. This is not necessarily cancerous. The doctor says that it could very well be a cyst that he can easily remove and biopsy on Thursday.

God HEALED Jessie three years ago, and we continue to stand on that TRUTH! Please pray with us that the Lord would send His ministering angels to Jessica…That they would continue to minister healing to her body; peace to her heart, mind and soul; prosperity in every area of her little life.

reading in the pool

Reading in the pool...good in theory - not so smart in practice

oh my foot

So, husband and I were walking into Staples yesterday, and I got this shooting pain in my foot. Not just any pain - the kind that makes you stop, take a deep breath.

All yesterday afternoon, I kept getting this odd pain in my foot - causing me to walk funny...which has become fodder for good jokes in my house...husband should be a stand up comedian.

Foot still hurts today - like an eternal cramp.

The good news? Walking in heels feels BETTER than flats! YAY!

Documents again

I've spent most of the morning completing more documents for the adoption. It's funny how time fades your memory. I need to fill in blanks with things like our passport number - before, I knew this like I know my phone number. Today, I had to look it up.

I just hope we are able to get everything in order and back to Russia before all of our other documents expire (which is in August). I think the Judge is on vacation in July - so we might be out of luck. Please pray that this next step goes quickly, that there are no hiccups, that everyone that needs to complete something does so in an expedited manner...and that I don't lose my mind in the process.

I wonder

Every year, I put these milestones in my calendar, and think to myself "Anya will be home by XXX".

Generally these times are Mother's Day, then her birthday, then Christmas.

Anya's 6th birthday was yesterday. Another birthday without a mama and papa - without any overboard celebration.

I wonder how she spent her day, or if she even knew it was her birthday. Since it was on a weekend, who knows - since her regular caregivers aren't with her on the weekends.

I wonder if she got the box of birthday gifts we sent. I wonder if she was told that I sent an email last week.

I wonder how much she know about what is going on. I wonder if she know how hard we are fighting for her. I wonder if she knows what love is. I wonder if she is discouraged since we haven't been able to bring her home.

I wonder if she will ever know how exhausting this process has been; how many times I really didn't think I could keep trying; how much I love her, but wondered if that was enough - I hope not.

So, on her birthday weekend - I am praying the God continue to give me strength in this fight. The He keep her safe, the He protect her. And I am also praying that He open the doors that need to be opened NOW so that I don't have to go through another year of milestones in my calendar and think "Anya will be home by XXX"

Craziness of adoption

Let me first say that I know there is no way I am going to be able to complete this adoption. It is going to be all God. If it were simply up to me - my pushing, my document preparation skills - Anya would have been home for years now. I know it is going to be because of prayer and God's grace.

I felt like I needed to say that before I went any further.

[a little background]
I have some friends who had a son who was taken by cancer several years ago. Their beautiful little boy had this amazing sparkle in his eyes - that is what I remember the most...those bright blue eyes.

As this family was going through all the treatments, they were also researching a lot of alternative treatments. I remember praying for them as they traveled (to what seemed like) every corner of the earth, in the hopes that something would be the cure for their little boy. At the time, in the back of my mind, I will admit a little part of me wondered if they had lost their minds. Some of these alternate treatments seemed like hokus pokus.

OK - fast forward to me...now.

If I told you everything that I have tried to get Anya home. All of the prayer meetings we've been to, all of the people we've had pray for us...you would think I had lost my mind. We even stopped at a friend's place last weekend to have this man pray for us. He is from Africa - and is a missionary to the United States (sounds backwards, I know...that is what I thought too). Anyway, we thought maybe he has the gift of powerful prayer...we should stop in and have him pray for us - so we did. I've gone out of my way to meet people who are from Russia - people who 'rumor has it' have some power in Russia. I've spoken to people who have business connections in Russia. Researchers who have spent time in Irkutsk, who know a lot of people in that city - thinking maybe they knew someone with some pull.

I don't think I am losing it - and now I know all the feelings my friends went through years ago with their little boy - YOU WILL DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU CAN.

I have an overwhelming feeling that now is the time to pray. Over the past week, I have been getting a pretty strong message to fast and pray. Every thing I read, see, hear on the radio, listen to at church, at small group - it's all about this topic. I think I need to break a little to let God take over to fix it. (which might not make any sense at all...unless you're in my head right now)

So I am going to do another crazy thing to try to bring Anya home. I haven't figure out how/when/what to fast yet. I hope God gives me those answers - because I would like to fast meat (that is a joke - I am a vegetarian).

Anyone have any tips on fasting?

so done with mean people

If you are a long time reader of my blog - then you may remember a random post about mean people a while back. Today - I feel the need to again post about mean people. I am done with them...even if they are the same mean people that won't go away, I am declaring that I am done with them. I will NO LONGER take their calls, or participate in their sad mean world. They spoil my mood and my day. And I don't like it when I let someone else take my joy. So - NO MORE!

I tried praying for them. I tried helping them. I tried seeing things through their eyes. And at the end of the day - they are still mean!

Here are some tips for you if you are a mean person, or might have a tendency toward mean-ness:

1. If you leave a voice mail message for someone - and you are yelling at them...chances are they will not call you back

2. If someone comes to your office that you don't want to see, don't pretend to be on the phone - it will ring and your feeble attempt at being mean and ignoring the guest will only make you look stupid

3. Don't get mad at the messenger if you don't like the message (in other words, it's not my fault if the USPS took 5 days to get a letter to your house, when typically it takes 2)

4. If you are given something for free, don't complain about it and try to return it for a 'refund' (how you get a refund on something you didn't pay for is still a mystery to me)

5. If you lie, you will be found out. If you are dishonest, it will bite you in the butt. If you cheat, you will not win. SOMEONE ALWAYS KNOWS WHEN YOU LIE AND CHEAT.

And, my final rant on mean people. The meanest people are those who claim to be Christians...and are mean. It makes me so mad when I know someone is trying to con me, and follows it with "I'll keep you in my prayers". I want to say "no thanks".

Would that be mean?

The Notebook

Has anyone ever seen the movie 'The Notebook"? It was on WSBT tonight.

I don't see movies often...there are a lot of reasons for this - but the fact remains, I just don't got to or watch movies often.

Tonight we decided to watch The Notebook - and now I feel like I have been crying uncontrollably for over an hour (maybe this is one reason to steer clear of movies?!)

Here is my question - if you saw the movie at the theater - and saw it tonight on TV...does the theater version end like the TV version? DON'T TEL ME HOW IT ENDS if it is different.

so I have to write a bio...

I have been asked to speak for the IU Entrepreneurial Series this year. I think it is a big deal, and I am honored and humbled to be asked.

The other day, I was asked to send my bio to the University, so they could get the brochure done for the series.

I am usually one who is not short on words - but this time I am.

I asked for a sample of what they were looking for, and it read something like this:

Mrs. Smarty Pants 4 time author and chief executive officer of
Really Big Company

For the past 25 years, she has been creating strategic sales, marketing and training programs for numerous clients, including NASA. In 2001, Mrs. Pants was named Indiana
Business Leader of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. She also was named the State Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc. Magazine. In 2003, she was inducted into the Indiana Academy which honors citizens’ contributions to cultural, scientific, literary, civic,religious, and educational development in the state.

She is a native of Oklahoma and a graduate of Purdue University. She
also holds a Masters from the University of Notre Dame, and an honorary doctorate from Harvard.

So - I need to win some things and be named as some things...and fast! I am feeling like a complete loser, and am not sure why they asked me to speak - unless they are looking to contrast Mrs. Smarty Pants with me...which would be an interesting conversation. I know I would be better dressed, and she would have shoe envy...and her big words would make me wish for my online thesaurus!

Invitation

I just started a new Bible Study group. I am so excited about this group. The whole point is to go "further Up and Further In". Love that.

One of the cool things about this group, is that it meets on Tuesday mornings at Panera. Now, why would I think this is so great? Well, Panera has the best Chai Latte I've had in a long time...I know, that alone isn't a great reason to join a Bible Study group, but for me, it worked. I was also excited to be a in a study with a diverse group of ladies - pastor wives, those that work in full time ministry, those new to Christ...and me.

I also love the idea of a study being focused on getting close to the Word. For me, over the past 4 years on this adoption journey, I feel like sometimes I am all prayed out. I have found myself trying to pray, ask God for guidance, ask for peace...and I can't. I am all prayed out. I need something new, a new way to energize my prayer life...and I really love it that this study came up at just the perfect time.

Another thing that I love about this group, is that we have people joining in 'virtually' via our group's blog. I would like to invite all of you to join with me. The book is called Spiritual Disciplines Devotional: A Year of Readings by Valerie Hess. You can find the book on Amazon. The link to our study's blog is http://michellewegner.typepad.com/further_up_further_in/

Michelle, the facilitator of the group said it best when she posted this on her blog:

My favorite books ever are the Chronicles of Narnia books. I have read and re-read them ever since I was in 2nd grade. The final book entitled "The Last Battle" is about the end of the Narnian world. As the world was crumbling around them, they had to march "further up, and further in" to the land Aslan called them to. The land crumbling around them was dying, and yet they looked ahead and saw Aslan's land, the "real" Narnia. Where everything in Narnia was like a paper copy of what they saw ahead of them.

Further up, and Further in is how I want to live. I want to live every day walking closer to Heaven, seeing new things with my eyes. Seeing Heaven for what it is. Seeing earth as the paper copy of Heaven.

I'm glad you'll be joining me on this journey. I'm sure there are plenty of
adventures ahead.

I love my job

I love my job...every day I thank God for my 'job'. I truly can not believe that THIS is what I do for a living. One of the reasons I love it so much is that I am able to bless women in a very unique way. One of those ways is through the magazine I am the Fashion Editor for. Every year, the magazine has a Mommy Makeover contest. This year, we couldn't pick just 1 winner - so we decided to choose 2. One as our Makeover Winner, and one to Honor.

I am in the process of the final phase before we have the 'big reveal' of our big winner. She is am amazing woman - and everyone who has met her so far in the makeover process has fallen in love with her.

Today - I was able to surprise the Mom we decided to honor.

Ms. Donna is an amazing Mom - one who has a story of strength, persistence and faith. The Board of Directors at St. Margaret's House (an amazing day program for women in South Bend http://www.stmargaretshouse.org/) nominated Donna. Donna is the mother to a beautiful teenage daughter - and today, I got to honor her at a very special gathering at St.

Margaret's House.

I don't want to spoil Donna's story, or anything that will be in the next edition of the magazine - but I do want to share some photos...I think you can tell by the look on her face, she was surprised!

Got tagged

I got tagged on one of my friend's blogs (thanks Judy!) - she is starting a Friday 'theme' post. Each Friday it'll be a new topic, and all you have to do is list 5 things about that topic... Easy stuff, to ease everyone into the weekend...

So here goes:

Top 5 things you love most about the summer.
1. our hillbilly pool
2. gardening
3. slower work life
4. warm weather
5. our beautiful deck

I am going to take this a step farther, and list the 5 things I don't like so much about summer:
1. weeds that get out of control
2. bugs
3. sweating (as I get older, the more I sweat - and it's just not pretty!)
4. our neighbors (it is a nursery type farm...they're very rude neighbors, they dump a lot of junk that becomes our front yard view in the summer, they also have a lot of laborers that don't speak English - they are always running around, not being so considerate of our boundaries, hanging out on the dirt hills that border our property - GRRRRR!)
5. Groundhogs, raccoons, and the like

I tag Brenda, Jessica and Michelle!

My friend is a super star

In one of the pics below - you may have noticed a photo of me with my friend Betsy. We've known each other since college - and have become pretty close over the past few years...she's one of those 'inner circle' friends.

Betsy is married to Dustin - and they have a son, Cooper (who is the same age as Anya). Cooper was diagnosed with Moyamoya syndrome - which is a pretty complicated diagnosis.

Betsy and Cooper were featured on our local news tonight in a story called "A relentless Michiana mother helps her son recover from Moyamoya syndrome"

Here is the story: http://www.wndu.com/mmm/headlines/19579324.html (see the video clip from the story on the web site)

A relentless Michiana mother helps her son recover from Moyamoya syndrome Save Email Print

Posted: 6:29 PM Jun 5, 2008
Last Updated: 6:29 PM Jun 5, 2008
Reporter: Maureen McFadden
Email Address: maureen.mcfadden@wndu.com

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A relentless Michiana mother helps her son recover from Moyamoya syndrome

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Moyamoya syndrome was first described in Japan in the 1960s, and if it hadn't been for the never-give-up attitude of a Michiana mom, it could have killed her son.

Except for the scar running along five-year-old Cooper Tavernier's hairline, he looks like any other little boy.

But Cooper was a very sick boy for two years, with a very relentless mother.

“Out of desperation, the mother came to me and said, "I really think there's something else going on. There is something wrong," explained Dr. H. Jesse Hseih, president of the South Bend Clinic.

When Cooper was three, he started having what his original doctor said were seizures. But medicine didn't help.

“In reality, he was having small strokes, or mini strokes,” clarified Hseih.

So the doctor sent Cooper to the University of Chicago, where he was diagnosed with Moyamoya syndrome.

Moyamoya gets its name from the Japanese language, meaning “puffs of smoke,” and describes the tangle of tiny vessels that form to compensate for blocked carotid arteries in the neck.

“We only see about 100 cases or so of it in the year in the whole world,” remarked Hseih.

“When they diagnosed him with Moyamoya, they told us that the clock was ticking,” explained Cooper’s mother, Becky. “That it could happen anytime. He could have a massive stroke and never recover.”

A week after hearing this news, Becky had Cooper in Boston, ready for the surgery -- with one of the foremost doctors treating in Moyamoya.

“If you find any kind of fresh artery to put into the brain itself, it will grow new arteries,” explained Hseih. “So what they did was they dissected away a scalp artery. Then they took that scalp artery and slid it through that hole they made in the skull, and attached that actual artery to the brain.”

“So no longer does he need that carotid that is getting blocked, but this artery from the brain is growing through a hole, feeding off, creating new arteries, and now growing,” said the doctor.

And Cooper was making a spectacular recovery -- until the day he was to be released from the hospital.

While waiting for their release papers, Cooper completely stopped breathing.

It was an agonizing 12 hours.

“All of the sudden he started breathing on his own, came right out of it, and nobody can tell me why that happened,” says Becky. “He's kind of the miracle child.”

And for more than one reason.

Doctors say Cooper no longer needs surgery on the other side of his brain.

“They told us that his brain was repairing itself on its own -- they don't know why or how -- but we were going to let nature take its course, and they cancelled the surgeries,” explains Becky.

Cooper will be checked every six months, and since his disease is a progressive one he will probably need more surgery as he grows.

But Dr. Hseih says Cooper's prognosis is good, and it was key that doctors figured out what was wrong before it was too late.

Anya's Birthday

Well, the time has come to admit that another birthday is on the horizon, and Anya still isn't home. Every year, I want to go to Russia to spend the day with her - and every year - the flights are way too much for my pocketbook to handle.

So - I went to Target, shopped the $3 t-shirt rack - made sure that there is something for everyone in her group...and got a few things for the little princess. Here is the box. I need to get it to the post office - it usually takes between 2-3 weeks to get boxes there.

*sigh* she will be 6, and has never known what it is like to have the full-time love of a Mama and Papa...

Getting Your Hands Dirty

I love gardening. It is the one thing I do that doesn't involve a computer. It relaxes me - let's me be alone with my thoughts. Some of my best God-talks have happened as I was pulling weeds.

I haven't had time to indulge in this hobby this year...until Tuesday of this week. I actually marked out the day to get some yard work done. I had the day planned, with a trip to my favorite greenhouses. Well, the weather was HORRIBLE on Tuesday. So, I got up - ran to the corner greenhouse, got some (overpriced) things and at least got a start on grooming our 3+ acres.

One of my big goals this year is to have a nice entryway. We're working on getting the front step fixed - so I wanted to have some really nice pots to greet guests...especially since our home will be the location for the wedding of one of my pals this summer :)

Here is what I came up with - in the driving rain on Tuesday. I think it turned out nice! I think I will need to mark out another day to plant some petunias around the house...but for now, this is a good start.

Good Times

We never go out with friends...seriously - maybe a few times a year. I have no idea why - we love our friends - I guess we're too busy. Well, last weekend we went out with friends - specifically, my friends (that matters because if you know my friends, you understand me :))

Here are some pics of our night out...a good time was had by all!


Me and Betsy


Our Michigan pals, the Popes


The Roeders - always a good time when Robin and Don are around!


Me and my Hubby (horrible pic - by the way! Holy double chin!!)


The Gustafson's


The beautiful Kristen


The Taverniers with Marty

National Children's Day

In Russia, they seem to have Hallmark holidays like we do. SOmetime this week, they will celebrate International Children's Day . On annother blog, I read the following stats:

there are 35 million children in Russia
25% of them live below the poverty level
88% of them are below minimum requirements to be judged "healthy"

Sad....

Odd Dreams

I keep having these odd dreams. I wish I could write them off of a product of eating to much before I went to bed, or an overactive mind that is trying to get rest…but night after night, these odd dreams (not bad, not good – just odd) keep happening.

Last night I had this dream that didn’t end. I didn’t get out of bed until after 10 this morning – I was trying to go back to sleep and finish the dream. Well, in this dream, we had been in Russia for over a week. Our entire family was with us. I couldn’t understand why we weren’t able to go to the orphanage. I asked the driver and he said that there was some problem in getting the permission from the adoption center. This was something that I had never heard of before, and as I pressed for more details, the driver just stopped talking.

We finally got to the orphanage, and it wasn’t where Anya was (scary, but I could drive myself there if I were in Irkutsk right now). On the way there, we passed by this car that had a big sign painted on it with the last name of some friends who are also adopting from Irkutsk. Now, I’ve never met this family in person – but I feel like I know them because of how much we’ve shared through this process. Anyway, in the dream, I look and notice that Debbie (my friend) was driving (remember that I have never met her, and don’t really know what she looks like). I am yelling at her, trying to get her attention, banging on the window of the car I am in – but she doesn’t hear me.

So we get to this pace, and the authorities and coordinators are trying to get us to adopt a child – but it isn’t Anya. It is a boy, a very big (like giant) boy. They were trying to convince me that this boy was Anya, and I remember thinking in my dream, that I didn’t want to do this – I didn’t want to be the mama to a giant boy. It was so odd. I look over at the other children, and see Anya…then the dream ends.

Odd

update on the adoption front

I guess I should post an update on what is going on with the adoption.

The good news is that the only agency who is accredited in Irkutsk has agreed to help us. This is huge!

We also got a list of things that the Judge has requested changes on...ugh! Sometimes I get so frustrated. Her primary gripe is that she doesn't like our apostille. She said it isn't perfectly square. I asked for our Secretary of State to change it - which they did, but it isn't a perfect square (it is 16cm x 17cm)...I don't know what to do about this. The agency says that they're working with the Russian Embassy to see if there is some kind of verification they can provide. But - that isn't going to be of any help to us - since all of our documents are there. When I hear that there is a problem with the apostille - all I hear is 'you have to redo your dossier again'. All 125+ documents - in triplicate.

I've redone our dossier no less than 7 times. Sometimes it seemed easier than other times. This last time was really hard - I don't know if it was because of my energy level - but it seemed like every document we needed from someone else (i.e. doctors etc.) was wrong - and had to be redone again and again. The thought of having to redo everything again makes me want to hide in a corner and cry.

Please pray that there is some kind of a resolution to this dossier thing. I simply don't see what the big deal is - all of our documents have been accepted (generally speaking) - it's just this one little thing. Furthermore - according to the Hague (the agency who came up with the whole apostille thing), the way our state provides the apostille is fine. UGH!

I am considering getting in touch with the Secretary of State to see if they have any thoughts - which I know they don't - but, can't hurt to ask.

Update on my Mom

I keep forgetting to post an update on my Mom - thanks to so many of you for emailing and asking how she is doing.

The good news is that she is fine. She will be going back to work next week. Honestly - she hasn't really shipped a beat...just waiting for the Dr. to release her to go back to work. You would never know she just had another heart attack!

She is in the process of fighting with the insurance company to get them to pay for Cardiac Rehab. The only place in our area that has CR is at the hospital that happens to be the closest to her house. Well, for some odd reason, the insurance won't cover Cardiac Rahab at that hospital. They want her to drive like an hour away! Insurance makes me so mad! So - please pray that the insurance company becomes logical, and agrees to pay for her Cardiac Rehab.

Earthquake hits Irkutsk

MOSCOW, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia's East Siberia was shocked by an earthquake on Wednesday, causing no damage or casualty, local media reported.

The quake, measuring from five to six points on the 12-point Mercalli intensity scale, occurred at 03:43 local time (2043 GMT Tuesday) in the Irkutsk region, near Lake Baikal, Itar-Tass said.

The epicenter was located under the Lake Baikal, local seismic station said.

cars and toothbrushes

A friend sent me a copy of an email devotion today. I want to pass it along...how many times has this happened to you?

Do you pray in your car? How about in the shower? Or while you are brushing your teeth? These are all moments in my day when I have learned to take advantage of the time I have to pray. This lesson was brought home to me in a whole new way one day as I was out driving around. It was one of those days when I had a long list of errands and many parking lots and highways to navigate. As I drove, I noticed a silver sedan ahead of me, which made me think of a friend of mine who drives one of those kinds of cars and was going through a tough time. As I looked at the car, I felt like God was telling me that my friend really needed my prayers that day. And so I prayed, and made a mental note to call her and check in with her as soon as I got home.

Just a few minutes later, I saw another similar silver sedan, and so I prayed again. Moments later, another one. This continued on throughout the day. By the end of the day, I was just laughing at how God had arranged for me to notice so many of these silver sedans—so many that I couldn’t not pray for my friend all day. I was reminded that day in a powerful way that: 1) God loves each of us enough to bring reminders to others to pray for us, and 2) God wants us to pray for our brothers and sisters. If we are obedient, He will send us reminders to help us lest we forget in all the busyness of our lives. Saying, “Oh, I meant to pray but I forgot” will be a thing of the past if we rely on Him to help us remember. As my silver car example proves, He can provide us with some pretty creative reminders.

I know one woman who knew she needed to pray for her brother who was going through a tough time. So she decided to pray for him every time she brushed her teeth. Even after her brother’s hard time was behind him, she still found herself praying for him while she brushed her teeth, and was grateful that, through this commitment to prayer, she had formed a habit. So, she continued to pray for her brother and still does to this day.

No matter where or when or what God uses to prompt us to pray, we know that it is vital to pray. God uses cars, and toothbrushes and anything else that is needed to help us remember to intercede for those people who desperately need our prayers. As a recipient of some of those prayers through the years, I am grateful for a creative, involved, active, loving God who will use whatever He can to remind us to lift up each other in prayer.

I miss Russia

Odd, huh. Who in their right mind would "miss" Russia? I do. And it is WAY expensive to go there this time of the year. Not to mention the bug factor in Siberia in the summer (seriously bad). But, I'd take it...

Being in Russia means that you're not comfortable. When I am there, I feel really out of sorts - hard to be the 'me' that everyone knows when I am there. But it's OK. It's just a different side of me. Kind of me without the high heels.

But I miss it...and by 'it', I mean Anya.

another thought on being grateful

I was reading a friend's blog this morning, and someone (who is such a great guy) posted a comment that really hit me. He was going through the same feelings this week with his generosity being met with greediness. In summary, he said this:

Last week my melt down was when guests of the inner city food program I help with were complaining that they did not "like" the Panera Bread bread we were giving away with $50 worth of food and personal care items. I am just so thankful that Jesus screamed, cried, took a break and then went back at it. I am just so glad that He is in charge and I am not

!

Well said - and as my husband would say, 'nuff said.

note to self...

Yeast free, gluten free, wheat free, white rice bread tastes like feet.

a tragic set of circumstances

Hello all,

I have a friend who is adopting 2 children from Russia - actually, they are on the same adoption journey in Irkutsk as we are. One of the children they are adopting was diagnosed with HIV. As recently as a few months ago, they received a report that this child was doing very well, and was getting needed medical attention.

Yesterday, my friend and her husband received a call that their little boy's condition had deteriorated. He is in stage 4 HIV, has shingles and who knows what else. All she knows for sure is that he is in a lot of pain, and stuck in an orphanage, in a place that doesn't have adequate medical care to treat him.

As a mother, can you imagine her pain? Her frustration? Her anger?

Please pray for this family - and specifically for this little boy. We are praying that some miracle happens, and that the boy is allowed a medical Visa to come to the United States to receive much needed medical attention. And maybe that this family's case be heard and granted SOON!

Have you ever...

Have you ever had one of those times when you offer someone a discount, and they don't think it's enough of a discount; tell someone you are thankful to be paid for work done, and then feel like you have to fight to actually get the check; offer to pay for something to help a cause, and be told your donation wasn't significant enough; done something nice for someone annomously, and then heard they thought it was a stupid gesture; been in traffic - stuck in the wrong lane, and no-one will let you in; agreed to do a job no one else wanted to do, and then get grief for it; offered to help someone, and be told your help isn't the kind they need.

I am always grateful. Grateful for life, love, work, friends, family. I can't even imagine not being grateful...so those who aren't shock me, and 9 times out of 10 - they ruin my day.

It is so easy to get a bad attitude. I understand that people who are generally miserable can not be made happy by anything I do for them or to help them.

This all got me to thinking about Jesus. And what he must have felt like when he was trying to help people, and they wouldn't take his help. He tried to save people from themselves, only to be laughed at.

So I will continue to do the right thing...be grateful and gracious even to those who I want to smack. I will be careful about who I do business with, and who I hold as a close friend.

I sleep very well at night...I wonder if they do too.

Russian Orphans

I saw this on another blog - but was a good reminder of why Russia...here are some stats:

More than 700,000 orphans are living in 2,000 state-run orphanages. Of those, 95% have a living parent either unable or unwilling to care for them. Sadly, that does not include the estimated 2 million to 4 million homeless orphans living on the streets and in railway stations....

Of those who are nor adopted and leave the orphanage between the ages of 16 and 18:
-50% of the girls become prostitutes
-40% of the children become addicted to drugs or alcohol
-40% commit crimes
-10% commit suicide

As if that were not bad enough...
-Just 1 in 10 former Russian orphans becomes a functional member of society
-132,500 children are abandoned to the state in Russia every year, up from roughly 67,000 in 1992.
-Nearly 4,640 Russian orphans were adopted by Americans in 2005, down from a record 5,865 in 2004. The 2006 and 2007 numbers are lower (because of new regulations)
-13 out of every 100 children adopted by Russians are eventually returned to the orphanage.
-40 million children in the former Soviet Union are living in poverty.

Sources: Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation

Tell Teleflora what you think!

UPDATE: Teleflora did change the website and classification of this kind of Mom. Now, instead of 'non-Mom' it says 'adopting mom'. I will say that I still don't like this - a mom who has adopted a child is every much a MOM as one who birthed a child. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE! A mom is a mom! It is unfortunate that Teleflora had to make a distinction between the 2.

Having said that - I do, however, know there are situations where there is a woman who is a mother figure who isn't really a mom. I have a close friend who has a mother figure in her life (she calls her 'adopted mom')...so, I do see how this can be. Teleflora should call this classification of Mom 'Mother Figure' or "Filling a Moms Shoes".

I was reading one of the chat boards I frequent today, and was SHOCKED to read this!

NBC and Teleflora have this incredible Mother's Day contest going on where an adoptive mom has been labeled a "Non-mom Mom".

http://www.americasfavoritemom.com/mothers-day-2008/static/semiFinalists

Their definition of a "Non-mom Mom"?

"Grandparent, stepmom, or mom to adopted children, each one raising and loving a child. A priceless gift for everybody."

Unbelievably insulting!

Can you believe that?! Saying that an adopted mom is a NON MOM! I am spitting mad! And I plan to tell Teleflora and all of the other sponsors what I think about this insensitive comment. Horrible! What do you think?

Who Are You?

I was reading a friends blog today, and got me to thinking about my World Map. So, I looked at it and realized that there are red dots in places I don't *think* I know anyone! Looks like there are some in London, France, Iran (I'm serious), India (makes sense - hello Jilly!), Mexico City (ish), San Diego...

I am just curious who you are! I might have friends who have moved, and I don't even know it! So, if you are one of these mystery people, drop me a comment so I can say hello!

-Kathy

Mom had a heart attack...

Thursday night as I was driving home from work, I was very excited that I had 4 days off. Well – maybe not ‘off’ but 4 days with no appointments. Time to relax, catch up n laundry – maybe start working on the yard – I thought maybe I might even catch on up some filing! I can’t remember the last time I had 4 whole days with nothing to do.

So, on Friday, did some laundry, and shopped for some gifts, and we ate nachos and popcorn for dinner (I am a gourmet). As I was drifting off to sleep, was thinking about all that I wanted to do on Saturday. Sleeping in was pretty high on the list.

At 3:30am, the phone rang (which can never be good). My first thought was there was a tornado, and my brother was calling to tell us to get in the basement. It was St Joe Regional Hospital. My Mom had another heart attack.

My Mom is in her mid-60’s, and this is her 2nd heart attack. The last one was only about 18 months ago. Heart disease runs in out family, so (imo) this is nothing to take too lightly, or brush off by saying ‘whew, she’s going to be OK’.

Mom is doing well, is still in ICU – but we think she will be moved to a regular room today. Her Dr. said she will need to stay in the hospital for 4-5 days.

inspiring trust

Though one of the blogs I follow, I found this video. It is from a pastor of a church in Nashville. I am trying to fin the words for the video I want to share with you - life changing, eye opening, inspiring. I know people who have had failed adoptions, who have had suffered significant loss, who have seen disappointment with a job or relational situation...if that is you - watch this. Even if you are one of the lucky ones who has never experienced unanswered prayer, or never had a disappointment - watch this.

It is kind of long - but WELL WORTH IT! I suggest letting the entire video load (so, get it going, turn off the sound) - and come back to it so you can watch it without the video feed hiccuping.


Smith Family Story from Matthew Singleton on Vimeo.

Is the grass greener?

I've been following the birth story of a member of a Christian band that I have loved for a long time. The band is Sela. Todd (member of the band) and his wife found out that their unborn child was very sick. If you are a blog-addict (and I am NOT pointing any fingers here...), get some Kleenex and start at the beginning of this story http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Well, the end of the story is that baby Audrey died shortly after birth. Gun wrenching, faith testing, ugly-cry producing. The thing I love about this Mom, is that through her pain and grief, she is praising God. She is one that is focusing on the end of the story!

Because this is a family of musicians, they wrote a song in tribute to their dear baby girl, and in the hopes that it will help others that are faced with unimaginable grief. It is a powerful song.

Happy Russian Easter!

Christ is Risen! Христос Воскрес
Easter Blessings Пасхальное Благословение

prayers for a friend

Hello Everyone, and Happy Friday~

I have a good friend who is adopting from the Irkutsk region too - she and I have been in this game together since 2004...and we're STILL in this game together!

Her documents are in the process of being resubmitted to the Judge. The Judge has given her a deadline of April 28th. Everything is falling into place in a miraculous way (DHL delivered the documents faster than you would believe, we think there was an extension to the deadline because of a Russian holiday - which is GOOD!).

Please please pray for our friends and their documents, We are praying specifically that God lays His hands on the whole situation, that the documents are accepted by Judge Stepanova, and that this family is given a court date - and of course, that the court hearing is successful.

the grass is greeener

I read on someones blog recently something that made me think...

We always think that the Grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Sometimes we don't realize that green grass requires a lot of rain.

is this good or bad?

Several of the families who we are waiting with have decided to start a chat group online. This has been GREAT! We have been sharing information, struggles, rumors - all in a safe place where we are assured there is no one lurking (if you've ever participated on a char board, you know there are almost always lurkers that are there for motives that aren't always pure).

Anyway, last night, one of the moms noticed that her child's photo on the Russian database had been changed. Before I go into more detail - let me explain what the database is (in a nutshell)...it is a place for Russian citizen to go to 'shop' for a child. Every child who is available for adoption is listed on this database. Anya is there...and has been for a long time. In the past, the photo that is there was one that was taken of her when she was a baby (like 8 months old) - I thought this was great, since I have photos of her at under 1 - today.

Anyway - Anya's photo had also changed. You can see the translated version of the site here:
\http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usynovite.ru%2Fdb%2F%3Fdo_search%3D1%26s%3D2%26y%3D2002%26r%255B%255D%3D38%26p%3D5&langpair=ru%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

So - is this good or bad?

Bad - maybe the officials have been told to 'shop' her around to Russian families. Maybe they are actively looking to place her in foster care? Maybe I am totally freaking out!

Good - or this is good - this will prove to the Judge that the director and officials did everything they could to find a Russian family for Anya (that is always an issue in court). One thing that is good, is that the photo is a horrible one, and her demeanor is listed as troubled (and she is NOT!!..there are lots of kids whoa are listed as social - and I would think a Russian family would choose a child who is social over one who is troubled (YAY!).

The ironic thing, is the the only 'new' photos that we can see on the database are ours and another family who has taken their case to court. That is, well, interesting.

thoughts to blog about

It's funny - every day I think of things to blog about - but then when I get home, I always forget what I was going to say.

Today is a good example - I drug my hubby to the mall - and I HATE the mall (which you wouldn't think, given that I am a professional shopper - seriously - that is my job...) - anyway - we're at the mall, and I think of all the reasons I hate the mall - and think I should share my wisdom with the masses via blog. Truth is, I have very little (or no) tolerance for stupidity or poor customer service. I know - many of you are laughing hysterically now - because in many situations the very definition of the mall is mass stupidity and poor customer service.

Then we go to eat. Went to one of my fav places - Uptown Kitchen. Love that place. Great service (since that is one of my hot buttons) - they seem to recognize me when I walk in (although I know they have no clue who I am, I like the feeling that they remember that I was there before). No stupid people there at all...love it. Good food, good tea...

Then to church - isn't it odd how when you are going through something, you relate everything to YOUR situation - and it's hard to just sit back and take in a message. Does that make us narcissistic?

Got home, and started loading music on my IPod. My plan was to organize songs that I am going to use for 2 HUGE fashion shows I'm producing this week. But - then I get side tracked...and 20 or 30 CDs later - here I sit, singing my heart out to Faith Hill. Have you heard the song "There Will Come A Day"? It's on the 'Breathe' album. That song gets me...and I think Angie H from church should sing it :) - anyway, I know that a lot of pre-adoptive-parents read this blog. I just want to encourage you with this - THERE WILL COME A DAY.

THERE WILL COME A DAY

It's not easy trying to understand
How the world can be so cold, stealing the souls of man
Cloudy skies rain down on all your dreams
You wrestle with the fear and doubt
Sometimes it's hard but you gotta believe

Chorus:
There's a better place, where our Father waits
And every tear He'll wipe away
The darkness will be gone,the weak shall be strong
Hold on to your faith

There will come a day, there will come a day
Wars are raging, lives are scattered
Innocence is lost, and hopes are shattered
The old are forgotten, the children are forsaken
In this world we're living in
Is there anything sacred?

There will come a day, there will come a day
The song will ring out, down those golden streets
The voices of earth with the angels will sing {HALLELUJAH!]
Every knee will bow, sin will have no trace
In the glory of His amazing grace
Every knee will bow, sin will have no trace
In the glory of His amazing grace
There will come a day, there will come a day
Oooh there will come a day
I know there's coming a day, coming a day

Who Do Ya Know in Eugene?

A friend suggested that I find out if Irkutsk has a sister city in the U.S. Sometimes, those relationships are strong, and the officials from both cities become friends. So - off to Google I go...

I appears that Irktusk has a lot of sister cities around the world. But, here in the US, it's Eugene Oregon.

Here is what I found out:

Eugene, Oregon, USA
Eugene Sister Cities Foundation, Inc.
Almost a decade ago, a dedicated group of Eugene citizens pooled their talents and resources to form the Eugene-Irtkutsk Sister City Committee. An agreement between the two cities - so far apart but with so much in common - was drafted and signed by then Eugene Mayor Brian B. Obie and Irkutsk Mayor Yuri Shkuropat. In the years since, the Eugene-Irkutsk Sister City Committee has enriched the life experiences of people here and in Siberia. We in Eugene have stood firm in our friendship with Irkutsk as political changes wrenched the U.S.S.R. apart. We supported our Sister City as they traded their hammer and sickle banners for the red, white and blue of the Russian flag. Both cities have exchanged many delegations representing the cultural, business, and academic communities in each country.
Contacts in Eugene: Galina Groza, ggroza@teleport.com, Phone: 686-0546 George Davis davisassoc@igc.org

Contact in Irkutsk: Ludmila A. Kurbatova, Irkutsk mayor's office, Phone: 243704, 340893 (Mr. Kushnaryov).

Officials from Eugene
An official delegation from Eugene came on June 1-4, 2001, to celebrate the 340th birthday of Irkutsk.
A small but energetic official delegation helped Eugene's Russian sister city, Irkutsk, celebrate its 340th birthday. The delegation, comprising Galina Groza, chair of the Irkutsk Sister City Committee, Sage Ratterman, a board member of the same committee, and Mary Walston, representing the City of Eugene at the request of the Mayor, as neither he nor any of the city councilors were able to attend, arrived in Irkutsk on Saturday, June 1, after a long trip from Eugene. Though weary and tired (in part from the travel and in part due to the 16 hour time difference), the delegation was warmly greeted by smiling faces including Ludmilla Kurbatova, Eugene's long-time sister cities contact, her son Kostya, and several other local officials.

With a population of over 700,000, Irkutsk is the major industrial commercial center between western Russia and the Far East, and between Siberia and China. Built in 1900, the Trans-Siberian Railroad links these distances together, a major engineering feat given the harsh climate, numerous water systems and rugged terrain, requiring especially cold-resistant building materials. There are also numerous educational institutions there, and it is a tourist destination point due to its proximity to Lake Baikal, 40 kilometers to the southeast. The Irkutsk Region is vast, greater in size than the Pacific Northwest, and the city is surrounded by rivers, mountains, and beautifully rugged nature which hides its abundantly rich mineral supplies - in many ways similar to Eugene.

Highlights of the week included attending a private reception with Mayor Yakubovsky and his staff, visiting educational and medical facilities, stopping at a Lake Baikal traditional log village, picnicking on the shore of Lake Baikal on the local fish delicacy, touring the Decembrists' House, attending a youth concert at one of the performing arts centers, and participating in informal discussions with new and old friends.

Mayor Yakubovsky spent a great deal of time with the Eugene delegation; there was an exchange of gifts in connection with the 340th anniversary of the city. The City of Eugene presented a plaque depicting the two continents linked together by the Pacific Ocean and two 17th century sailing ships, or "partner ships". The 18th century exploration of northern Pacific waters was headed by Captain Bering, who finalized his plans in Irkutsk before heading east to set sail. These beginnings led to eventual Russian settlement of Alaska.

Plans are now underway to welcome an official delegation from Irkutsk in late September. For more information, contact Mary Walston, City Manager's Office, 682-5406 or Galina Groza, Chair of the Irkutsk Committee, 686-0546.

For more information see Community page of Eugene, Administration of Irkutsk Region

Link A Family
Link A Family helps establish pen-pal relationships between families in Irkutsk and the Angarsk region of Siberia and families in Eugene (and elsewhere in the U.S. and Canada). Started two years ago as a project of the Eugene-Irkutsk Sister City Committee, Link A Family has linked around 200 families.
Periodically project director Jana Nelson sends an advertisement to friends in Irkutsk via e-mail, and they publish it in a local newspaper. She matches the letters she receives with American families based on profession, family size, and age.

Initially Nelson tried to establish a regular courier service between Eugene and Irkutsk, but it proved too time consuming. Now letters are exchanged via the post. She has found that mail delivery works fairly well if people follow a few guidelines: use metered mail instead of stamps; don't enclose anything extra with the letter; and use manilla envelopes--they look more official.

Currently Nelson is looking for more correspondents in Irkutsk and environs (she has enough American participants). For more information contact:

Jana Nelson E-mail: 71564.1704@compuserve.com

President Bush to go to Russia

I am searching for a good news story - and will post it as soon as I find one...but President Bush and Putin are going to be meeting this weekend. Let's pray that adoption relations comes up, and that some bridges are built for us!

Thanks to so many that have sent words of encouragement to us. Here are a few that really touched my heart, or made me laugh!:

I don't know if this will help or not, but I recently learned that it's good to pray for "release." i.e. pray for the release of the evil forces against you and that kind of thing

Have you thought of just kidnapping her? I am sure you have!

I’ve decided to start a “Pass along the Passion” for you two… not sure what may happen, or where the message may travel, but going VIRAL has meaning, gives HOPE!

I will continue to pray friend.

You guys have persevered for such a long, long time. Of course we will send you some of our strength through prayer. And in our prayer meetings we will break the demon powers in Irkutsk over your precious Anya.

Just remember that with God all things are possible!

Countless are the stories that we don’t know the endings of yet. Oh, yes, we know that ultimately we will be in Heaven and all will be well, but for now, on this earth we don’t always know how things are going to turn out. Hence, we walk by faith and not by sight. We hold the hand and trust the heart of our all seeing and all knowing God. He alone knows the beginning from the end. He alone knows what lies ahead and the avenues He will use to take us to each point. Joy comes when my delight is found in knowing and following the One who knows what He has in mind for each of my situations and the day it will no longer be hidden from my eyes.

In all this, Thy will be done

Adoption Update - April 2008

TOO TIRED TO PRAY

Have you ever prayed for something in your life for what seems like an eternity? And have nothing significant happen? Have you ever wondered if God was listening, and then prayed some more?

Friends, we need your help to continue to pray for Anya and the adoption. We hate to admit it, but we are so tired, beat up, mentally exhausted by this process we need to lean on the strength of our friends.

We know God's plan is not to keep Anya an orphan. We know that He has opened amazing doors for us to continue this fight. We also know that the only reason we're able to keep fighting for her is because of the power of prayer. We're just tired.

The stronghold that has it's grip on Irkutsk can be moved by the power of God. We need to continue to unite in prayer against anything and everything that is standing between us and bringing Anya home.

In the past when we've come together in prayer, amazing things have happened. Today, there are 4 families (including us) who have documents in the works to bring our children home from the orphanages in Irkutsk. We American families are committed to pray and fast until all of our dossiers are accepted by the courts, until we all have a successful court hearing, and have our children on American soil. We are all trying different approaches, in the hopes that one of us will crack the code.

Each day, we will be specifically praying and fasting. We have friends all over the country who have offered to fast on specific days of the week for us. Will you join with us in this time of prayer?

We won't bore you with everything that is going on in the adoption community right now (if you want details, please visit our blog). Just know that we have more things working against us than for us right now. All we have is prayer, and God on our side!



Help Us Spread The Word
If you are willing to join with us in prayer, help us spread the word.
We know many of you have blogs, are parts of prayer groups, and know people who are prayer warriors. Please pass along our prayer request to everyone you know. Feel free to post the need for prayer for the orphans in Irkutsk Russia on your blog.

WE TV tonight

On We TV tonight at 8PM Eastern, there is a show called 'Women Behind Bars'. Peggy Hilt (the women in Virginia who killed her Russian adopted daughter - that started the downward spiral ultimately leading to all the trouble we're having) will be featured.

No - I'm not kidding...

Here is some more info on the program:
http://www.wetv.com/shows/women-behind-bars/episodes/EP010293120004

Wisdom from a child

I can't even think of what to say about this, except - THIS is the way I want to be able to see EVERYTING in my world! Windom from a child...