adoption paperwork

It's been a while since I posted anything about the adoption - so I guess I should say a little something about it.

I am having trouble getting the new medical form done. We known someone who is good friends with the medical director at one of the big clinics around here. We need him to get this done. I haven't been able to get any contact info out of my friend. I tried to just call the office -and he isn't taking any new patients...so they wouldn't make an appointment for me to see him.

Generally, I hit a closed door, or a 'no' and I see that as an exciting challenge. Now - a 'no' just makes me tired...and I put that document that needs to be done on my 'to do' pile. This has been going on for weeks now...and it's still not done. And, it is on my 'to do' list for next week.

Why is this ONE document SO HARD to get done? I've completed (literally) thousands of documents for this adoption...the same document done 6 times (different each time) in triplicate...and it didn't tire me. I just don't know why I can't muster the energy to get this done this time.

IMEDIATE PRAYERS NEEDED for our missionary friend

Hello All,

We have a prayer request. Our friend, Wes (some of you know him) has a daughter named Martha. She is the mom to 5 children. Her husband died several years ago. Martha is a missionary in Israel. Her (and her husband's) life's work is to help ill children get much needed life-saving medical help in Israel.

Martha and her family have lived in Israel for a long time (I don't know exactly how long...but a long time).

A few weeks ago - Martha was visiting family on the West coast - and heading back to Israel. Upon landing in Israel - she (and her 5 children...all young kids) were detained for 10 hours, and deported back to New York. The only reason given was that thier Visas were not in order...after 10 HOURS!!!!!!

Her home and life are in Israel. Martha and her kids are at a hotel in New York trying to figure out what to do.

A family friend met Martha and the kids in New York to help them get settled. As he was helping them, his van was broken into. Everything he owned was in the van (computers, clothing, passport). He was packed and heading to Indiana...so now, he has nothing.

Please pray for Martha and her kids...and the family friend (John). From what I understand, Martha is working on getting to Indiana...that is where Wes is.

Updates, donations and words of encouragement can be found through Full Life Crusade. http://www.flc7.com/home.html

update on Jessie

A quick update on Jessica. Jessica goes in for her Stem Cell Rescue on the 19th of August and needs your prayers. Jessie is doing well. If you would like to follow her progress, go to the following website. At the top of the site - you can see photos, leave her a message (which she would LOVE)...you can tell her you know her through her Dad and Kim.

http://www.caringbridge.org/wi/jessie/guestbook.html

more pics from Kim's shower

Another Party

Last weekend, I had a bridal shower for my friend Kim. Kim is getting married the middle of August - I am so happy for her! She has found a great guy.
Here are some photos of the party:

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)