Two more documents arrived today!! Only 4 more to go!! I've been not feeling well since Friday but I have to say that I am feeling a lot better tonight. I know it is because so many people are praying!! I am in the FOCUS mode. Making my list and checking things off as they get done!! Today had a bit of a trial at WalMart, but it worked out in the end and I just keep reminding myself that at some point I am going to look back at this very stressful and challenging time and be able to laugh. Today I went out to lunch with my co-workers. We ate Chinese and my fortunate cookie said something to the effect of "you are able to juggle many tasks at one time!" Ha!! Now is that profound or what?
Throughout this journey, I have met some people who have just been exceptional and who have gone above and beyond in helping me get the documents that I need, especially over the last 6 months. A lot of the times, I get it, turn it in and something has to be changed on it. It has to be done over and notarized again. I really want to acknowledge Heidi with my home study agency. She has been a true delight to work with. She is one of the most efficient persons that I have had the privilege of working with. I am truly grateful for all that she has done to help me bring Natalie home!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday Update
Today I received my VISA. So I have my ticket and my VISA the two critical items I need to go to Russia. I have also received several of the documents that I need, so now I am down to just 6 more needed. One I know is in the mail and will be here tomorrow. Keep praying them in!! Still waiting on the birth certificate!!
My mom is pretty well settled but has been having some issues with her new appliances, so hopefully they will get those all worked out this week. Been busy putting the house back in order and starting to pack. It is hard to believe that I will be leaving in just about a week. Two families from my agency travel tomorrow and go to court on March 4th. I know they are excited to see their children again. The neat thing is that by time I arrive in Krasnoyarsk, they will have already gone to court and found all the good places to eat and visit. I'm thankful for this and the fellowship I will have there. God is good!!
My mom is pretty well settled but has been having some issues with her new appliances, so hopefully they will get those all worked out this week. Been busy putting the house back in order and starting to pack. It is hard to believe that I will be leaving in just about a week. Two families from my agency travel tomorrow and go to court on March 4th. I know they are excited to see their children again. The neat thing is that by time I arrive in Krasnoyarsk, they will have already gone to court and found all the good places to eat and visit. I'm thankful for this and the fellowship I will have there. God is good!!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
And then there were 11.....
I'm not talking about days before I leave, but the number of documents that I need before I do leave. Started out this morning needing 14 and have it down to just 11. Out of those, one is my VISA (on order) and one is tax stuff (done but not printed) and 5 need to be apostilled. I have 2 of the documents that need to be apostilled. Today I had the day "off" and I use that very loosely. I left home at 8:30 and went to the doctor's office to get all my medical tests updated. They are only good for 3 months and mine were done in November. I go to a walk in clinic. I keep hearing in the news how bad the flu is and now I have no doubt. The place was packed. It took 2 hours just to get to the exam room and another hour to complete all the tests. By this time it was 12:30. Not a big deal if that was all I had to do. I was supposed to be at the immigration office by 1:00 to be fingerprinted. It is 1 1/2 hours away. So I managed to get there by 1:55 and was out of there by 2:15. On my other 2 appointments, I had to wait about 45 minutes. So I left there and headed back home to my home study agency. I arrived there an hour and 45 minutes later!! But I got the documents that I needed.
At this point, the next step is to continue to wait for the documents to arrive and to begin "deep cleaning" and packing and preparing to be away a month. My mom is now moved into her little abode and I am moving and cleaning and preparing for Natalie to come home.
Thank you to all of those who are praying and please keep praying that all these documents will arrive very quickly!!
At this point, the next step is to continue to wait for the documents to arrive and to begin "deep cleaning" and packing and preparing to be away a month. My mom is now moved into her little abode and I am moving and cleaning and preparing for Natalie to come home.
Thank you to all of those who are praying and please keep praying that all these documents will arrive very quickly!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
When it rains, It Pours-Part 2
I feel like it has been forever since I have sat down and written on my blog. There is much to tell so I am warning you that this will be a long post. When I last wrote on Thursday, I am sure you could tell how very discouraged I felt. It has been such a long process. After I published the post, I found out that 2 families had received a court date for March 4th. The judge only issues court dates on Tuesday and only 2 court dates are allowed per agency. So I knew that I would not be going for a court date again. That was probably one of the lowest points in the whole process. I felt like I had done the paperwork over and over again. I had reached the 4 month mark and it was another let down. I have often heard that when it is the darkest moment that is when the Lord shines the brightest. After work I went home and was working out in the yard. When I came in there was a message from my family coordinator. I tried to call, but she had already left for the day and the office was closed on Monday. I then checked my email and had a message from her announcing my court date. Because I had not talked to her personally, I held off posting until yesterday. Since then it has been a whirlwind.
In the email, she wrote that because my mom lived with me, they were requiring 3 additional documents. Sounds easy, but far from it. Even though it had been told to me several times, that they did not need these because she would be living in the addition with separate entrances, they still wanted them because they were not sure how the judge would respond. All of these documents need to be in Moscow before I arrive on the 6th so they can be translated and notarized. What is so interesting, is that there is absolutely no way I could ever get these done in time if I had a court date of March 4th. So 24 hours after the lowest point, I see God's incredible timing and I am so glad my departure date is not until the 5th.
So the first document was a medical exam. All of these documents required notarization and to be apostilled (state seal.) We were able to go to a clinic on Saturday and have this completed. On Friday after I received the email, I immediately called the psychiatrist as that was the next document needed. Since it was after 6:00, I got his voice mail. But on Saturday when we were out, he called and left several possible appointment dates. He had an opening on Monday at 5:30. So went there Monday night and that was completed. The third document they need is a police clearance. This is needed from every state that she has lived in during the last 10 years, which was 2 states. So like me she has to have one from NC and a Federal one. Please pray that they will be able to read these prints on the very first time. Remember the Federal one is the one that rejected my prints, the first time and the second time took 10 days to give me a clearance. She had to be fingerprinted by USCIS previously and they were not able to read these (done computerized) and told us that the older you get the less distinguishable your prints are. I am also taking pictures of the addition to show the separate entrances as a back up. So on Monday before the evaluation, we got to police station and she has 3 ink cards done. I am able to send 2 to the Federal location and then on Tuesday I am able to mail out the one for NC. You can only send it through the mail. Now I am waiting for all of these documents to come back on letterhead and notarized. Please pray that they come quickly as they all must go back to the state capital to be apostilled and then to the agency and then to Russia. I am now under 2 weeks to get these done. I have also not received my birth certificate and need that ASAP!!
Meanwhile, the addition is almost finished. I am feeling the pressure to get my mom moved in and settled before I leave for Russia. On Saturday, my friend Lisa gives up her afternoon and helps me move about 80% of the furniture in. I am sore for 3 days afterwards. But the place begins to look homey!! On Sunday another friend Nancy helps me move all the boxes out of the attic. I need to do this in order to move boxes out of Natalie's room into the attice (yet to be done.) Monday the final work is done on the addition and the final inspection is completed. She canofficially move in. On Sunday we go shopping and buy a stove and refrigerator. On Monday they deliver it with the wrong stove cord and no hose for the ice maker. So after working, fingerprinting, psych eval we make a trip back and get the right parts. On Tuesday night more friends arrive, Ed, Cynthia, Nancy, Marty, and Lucas and the stove and refrigerator are hooked up and the rest of the furniture moved in. Now it is just a matter of unpacking and moving in the rest of the boxes which my mom will do slowly. That means I can now move things around upstairs and prepare Natalie's room and the guest room.
Back on the adoption front, I am trying to get ready to go. The office is closed until Monday and I have no information about some important things. I am able to contact a family that is traveling the week before me and they provide all the details on Friday night. So I am able to book my ticket (see side bar for flight information), prepare my application for the VISA (sent off Monday and received yesterday) and work on other details. The bank is closed Monday, but I am able to leave a voice mail and the staff member calls me back yesterday and is working on getting "new" bills for me. I email USCIS ( the agency that allows me to bring Natalie into America) because my current fingerprints expire April 4th the day I return. I am scheduled to be re-fingerprinted tomorrow, but afraid I will not receive my revised I-171 form in time. They reply yesterday and it will be here 5 business days after my prints are done. Whew!! I send an email to the Moscow coordinator letting him know my travel days and request hotel reservations and I ask if there is any way I can also bring a stroller. I can take 2 checked items as far as Moscow but can travel with only 1 checked item in country. Take a look at my return schedule and you will see why I want an stroller. He replies with my reservations and assurance that I can leave the stroller with him. What a blessing! I also find out that the medical/lab work I had done in November is no longer valid and that all my test must be current in the last 3 months. So all of that has to be done over. Ahhhhhhhhhh!! Until I pull them out and take a look and see that it was the nurse practitioner who signed off on everything. After I see that, I am sure that the judge would not have looked at that kindly. So this time I will make sure the MD signs off. Then I find out yesterday that they also want a notarized letter from my GYN doctor. So I call today and they don't have a notary in their office. But the office manager is wonderful and calls me back later in the day to tell me that there is one in their sister office and she will get it notarized there!! I am also in contact with the pediatrician letting her know that Natalie with be home soon!!
Tomorrow I have taken the day off to get the new labs/blood work done, drive a 3 hour round trip for my fingerprint appointment, get the oil changed and to go grocery shopping. I need to get the oil changed because I am going to West Virginia on Friday 29th and Saturday 1st for my nephew's wedding. This Sunday I am working and Thursday my brother flies in. Somewhere in there I need to pack and get ready to be gone a month.
So it has been pouring here!! But along with the downpour of so much to do, there has been a downpour of blessings and seeing how things are working out and falling into place. God has placed so many people around me who are helping me and I am so grateful!!
Now it is time to prepare more documents and do the laundry that has been piling up for almost 2 weeks!!
I appreciate your prayer, please don't stop!!
In the email, she wrote that because my mom lived with me, they were requiring 3 additional documents. Sounds easy, but far from it. Even though it had been told to me several times, that they did not need these because she would be living in the addition with separate entrances, they still wanted them because they were not sure how the judge would respond. All of these documents need to be in Moscow before I arrive on the 6th so they can be translated and notarized. What is so interesting, is that there is absolutely no way I could ever get these done in time if I had a court date of March 4th. So 24 hours after the lowest point, I see God's incredible timing and I am so glad my departure date is not until the 5th.
So the first document was a medical exam. All of these documents required notarization and to be apostilled (state seal.) We were able to go to a clinic on Saturday and have this completed. On Friday after I received the email, I immediately called the psychiatrist as that was the next document needed. Since it was after 6:00, I got his voice mail. But on Saturday when we were out, he called and left several possible appointment dates. He had an opening on Monday at 5:30. So went there Monday night and that was completed. The third document they need is a police clearance. This is needed from every state that she has lived in during the last 10 years, which was 2 states. So like me she has to have one from NC and a Federal one. Please pray that they will be able to read these prints on the very first time. Remember the Federal one is the one that rejected my prints, the first time and the second time took 10 days to give me a clearance. She had to be fingerprinted by USCIS previously and they were not able to read these (done computerized) and told us that the older you get the less distinguishable your prints are. I am also taking pictures of the addition to show the separate entrances as a back up. So on Monday before the evaluation, we got to police station and she has 3 ink cards done. I am able to send 2 to the Federal location and then on Tuesday I am able to mail out the one for NC. You can only send it through the mail. Now I am waiting for all of these documents to come back on letterhead and notarized. Please pray that they come quickly as they all must go back to the state capital to be apostilled and then to the agency and then to Russia. I am now under 2 weeks to get these done. I have also not received my birth certificate and need that ASAP!!
Meanwhile, the addition is almost finished. I am feeling the pressure to get my mom moved in and settled before I leave for Russia. On Saturday, my friend Lisa gives up her afternoon and helps me move about 80% of the furniture in. I am sore for 3 days afterwards. But the place begins to look homey!! On Sunday another friend Nancy helps me move all the boxes out of the attic. I need to do this in order to move boxes out of Natalie's room into the attice (yet to be done.) Monday the final work is done on the addition and the final inspection is completed. She canofficially move in. On Sunday we go shopping and buy a stove and refrigerator. On Monday they deliver it with the wrong stove cord and no hose for the ice maker. So after working, fingerprinting, psych eval we make a trip back and get the right parts. On Tuesday night more friends arrive, Ed, Cynthia, Nancy, Marty, and Lucas and the stove and refrigerator are hooked up and the rest of the furniture moved in. Now it is just a matter of unpacking and moving in the rest of the boxes which my mom will do slowly. That means I can now move things around upstairs and prepare Natalie's room and the guest room.
Back on the adoption front, I am trying to get ready to go. The office is closed until Monday and I have no information about some important things. I am able to contact a family that is traveling the week before me and they provide all the details on Friday night. So I am able to book my ticket (see side bar for flight information), prepare my application for the VISA (sent off Monday and received yesterday) and work on other details. The bank is closed Monday, but I am able to leave a voice mail and the staff member calls me back yesterday and is working on getting "new" bills for me. I email USCIS ( the agency that allows me to bring Natalie into America) because my current fingerprints expire April 4th the day I return. I am scheduled to be re-fingerprinted tomorrow, but afraid I will not receive my revised I-171 form in time. They reply yesterday and it will be here 5 business days after my prints are done. Whew!! I send an email to the Moscow coordinator letting him know my travel days and request hotel reservations and I ask if there is any way I can also bring a stroller. I can take 2 checked items as far as Moscow but can travel with only 1 checked item in country. Take a look at my return schedule and you will see why I want an stroller. He replies with my reservations and assurance that I can leave the stroller with him. What a blessing! I also find out that the medical/lab work I had done in November is no longer valid and that all my test must be current in the last 3 months. So all of that has to be done over. Ahhhhhhhhhh!! Until I pull them out and take a look and see that it was the nurse practitioner who signed off on everything. After I see that, I am sure that the judge would not have looked at that kindly. So this time I will make sure the MD signs off. Then I find out yesterday that they also want a notarized letter from my GYN doctor. So I call today and they don't have a notary in their office. But the office manager is wonderful and calls me back later in the day to tell me that there is one in their sister office and she will get it notarized there!! I am also in contact with the pediatrician letting her know that Natalie with be home soon!!
Tomorrow I have taken the day off to get the new labs/blood work done, drive a 3 hour round trip for my fingerprint appointment, get the oil changed and to go grocery shopping. I need to get the oil changed because I am going to West Virginia on Friday 29th and Saturday 1st for my nephew's wedding. This Sunday I am working and Thursday my brother flies in. Somewhere in there I need to pack and get ready to be gone a month.
So it has been pouring here!! But along with the downpour of so much to do, there has been a downpour of blessings and seeing how things are working out and falling into place. God has placed so many people around me who are helping me and I am so grateful!!
Now it is time to prepare more documents and do the laundry that has been piling up for almost 2 weeks!!
I appreciate your prayer, please don't stop!!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
When it Rains, It pours!! Part 1
Just a quick note to tell you all that I have gotten a court date. I leave for Russia March 5th. There is so much to write and tell, but I just don't have the time. Please be in prayer as there is so much going on!! Will write more soon and tell all!!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Pressing On
Today the painters showed up and finished touching up the addition. So all that remains are very small projects inside like filing down a door, putting on storm doors, hauling away unused items and such things. So I hope to move more things in this weekend. Since I didn't know when the painters were coming, I wasn't able to plan for friends to move the furniture this weekend, so it looks like the majority of the furniture will be next weekend. Too bad I'm not partially bionic or I could do it myself.
I know that not being bionic is not my only limitation. There are other skills I lack like drawing, singing, fixing a car and so on. Yet I know that there are areas that I do excel in like organization and getting things accomplished. I have always found it interesting that God has gifted us all in so many different ways, but not in all ways. I know that it is so we can lean on Him and on others that He brings into our lives whether it is at our job, the church, the neighborhood or family. Learning to lean on others or to ask for help can sometimes be a humbling process, but it can also be a joyful time. By that I mean that I can serve others through the skills I have or I can get to know some wonderful people because of the skills they have. I think one of the best gifts that we all have, is the gift to encourage one another and to support one another. Through out my life I have met so many people that have been an encouragement to me.
So today I want to thank those of you who have continually encouraged me during this adoption process and I want to ask you to continue to pray for me to have the strength to continue to press on. On Saturday it will be exactly 4 months since I left for Russia for the first trip. I was told that I would get a court date in 2-4 months. I have hit that 4 month mark with no hint of a court date. Today it is 2 years, 8 months, 1 week and 1 day since I submitted my application. At that time it was 9-12 months from start to finish. During this whole process I have yet to complete a step in the suggested time frame. I know in my head, that God's timing is not my timing, but please pray that I will know this in my heart too and that I will be able to completely rest in His timing.
I know that not being bionic is not my only limitation. There are other skills I lack like drawing, singing, fixing a car and so on. Yet I know that there are areas that I do excel in like organization and getting things accomplished. I have always found it interesting that God has gifted us all in so many different ways, but not in all ways. I know that it is so we can lean on Him and on others that He brings into our lives whether it is at our job, the church, the neighborhood or family. Learning to lean on others or to ask for help can sometimes be a humbling process, but it can also be a joyful time. By that I mean that I can serve others through the skills I have or I can get to know some wonderful people because of the skills they have. I think one of the best gifts that we all have, is the gift to encourage one another and to support one another. Through out my life I have met so many people that have been an encouragement to me.
So today I want to thank those of you who have continually encouraged me during this adoption process and I want to ask you to continue to pray for me to have the strength to continue to press on. On Saturday it will be exactly 4 months since I left for Russia for the first trip. I was told that I would get a court date in 2-4 months. I have hit that 4 month mark with no hint of a court date. Today it is 2 years, 8 months, 1 week and 1 day since I submitted my application. At that time it was 9-12 months from start to finish. During this whole process I have yet to complete a step in the suggested time frame. I know in my head, that God's timing is not my timing, but please pray that I will know this in my heart too and that I will be able to completely rest in His timing.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Chapters
I love to read and for the last several years it seems like it is hard for me to find time to read as much as I used to read. Once in awhile, I will get a book on a Friday and stay up until the wee hours of the morning and just have a marathon of reading time. For those times when there is no way I am going to finish the book in one setting, I stop at the end of the chapter and place my bookmark in the book and close it for the evening. Then there are those days when I come to the close of the chapter and think, just one more chapter and then I will go to sleep. And of course there are the times when I have to read through the whole book and I just can't stop at the end of the chapter.
Today I was thinking that I have encountered all of those situations lately. For instance, with the adoption, I know it is the end of the chapter and I can put my bookmarker in place and "go to sleep." I found out today that there will be no more court dates given in February. So I don't have to jump every time the phone rings, because it will be at least another week or two until I hear something. This frees me up to think about other things. Today not only was I able to finish a chaper, but also the book concerning my second job. I had given notice about 3 weeks ago that my last day would be the 27th of this month. But today I discharged the last patient I had on my caseload. The manager had already made arrangements and hired another therapist to be on call and work in that facility at needed. So he graciously allowed today to be my last day there. What a great feeling to know that after I finish my full time job, I now have flexibility to work on other projects and get other things done. As we continue to see major progress with the addition, I feel like the other situation where I am at the end of the chapter, but I am not ready to put the book down, because I need to just do a little more. Over the weekend, I have been bringing out more boxes of my mom's, putting up curtain rods and blinds and moving out some little pieces of furniture. I have also started pulling out some things of Natalie's (like the play kitchen) and putting things out and moving things around as my mom's stuff is moved into the addition. I find that I just can't unpack one box, but want to keep doing more. Today the plumber pretty much finished and there is a commode, running water and faucets on both sinks. Small other little projects like putting the door stops in were also completed today.
It really is amazing after months and months of hardly anything happening, I find myself just wanting to "keep on reading the chapters" as I see things unfolding in front of me at this new pace. It is exciting to see what tomorrow will hold and I wonder what book I will finish next!!
Today I was thinking that I have encountered all of those situations lately. For instance, with the adoption, I know it is the end of the chapter and I can put my bookmarker in place and "go to sleep." I found out today that there will be no more court dates given in February. So I don't have to jump every time the phone rings, because it will be at least another week or two until I hear something. This frees me up to think about other things. Today not only was I able to finish a chaper, but also the book concerning my second job. I had given notice about 3 weeks ago that my last day would be the 27th of this month. But today I discharged the last patient I had on my caseload. The manager had already made arrangements and hired another therapist to be on call and work in that facility at needed. So he graciously allowed today to be my last day there. What a great feeling to know that after I finish my full time job, I now have flexibility to work on other projects and get other things done. As we continue to see major progress with the addition, I feel like the other situation where I am at the end of the chapter, but I am not ready to put the book down, because I need to just do a little more. Over the weekend, I have been bringing out more boxes of my mom's, putting up curtain rods and blinds and moving out some little pieces of furniture. I have also started pulling out some things of Natalie's (like the play kitchen) and putting things out and moving things around as my mom's stuff is moved into the addition. I find that I just can't unpack one box, but want to keep doing more. Today the plumber pretty much finished and there is a commode, running water and faucets on both sinks. Small other little projects like putting the door stops in were also completed today.
It really is amazing after months and months of hardly anything happening, I find myself just wanting to "keep on reading the chapters" as I see things unfolding in front of me at this new pace. It is exciting to see what tomorrow will hold and I wonder what book I will finish next!!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Timing
Today the contractor returned and covered up the sewage pipes and leveled out the yard. We were talking and he told me that it is much more common for the inspector to fail the sewage line the first time than to pass it. Although I know God's timing is always perfect, I am still amazed at such a thing as this. I feel like we are coming down to the wire between when the addition is done and my mom moves in and when I leave for Russia. The fact that this passed inspection the first time, just confirms to me that God is going to get her moved in first. What a huge relief that will be for me and for her. About 2 weeks ago I joked with my mom that I could think of about 100 things that needed to be done for the addition to be completed. I did come up with 50 and since have added 20 more. But at this point we are down to just 20 things that need to be completed.
My brother who lives in Alaska will be flying in for a few days at the end of the month. And even though I am ready to go to Russia, it would be okay if I was able to see him and then go. So this may all be part of the reason for the delays. Again God's timing.
I also found out that starting in 2007 NC now allows for a tax credit for adoption. So if my process had not been delayed due to reaccreditation, then I would not be able to claim this on my taxes for next year. Timing!
It is nice to be on the other side of some difficult times and see why those delays were necessary. So when I am stuck behind another of those roadblocks, I just have to remind myself: TIMING!!!!
My brother who lives in Alaska will be flying in for a few days at the end of the month. And even though I am ready to go to Russia, it would be okay if I was able to see him and then go. So this may all be part of the reason for the delays. Again God's timing.
I also found out that starting in 2007 NC now allows for a tax credit for adoption. So if my process had not been delayed due to reaccreditation, then I would not be able to claim this on my taxes for next year. Timing!
It is nice to be on the other side of some difficult times and see why those delays were necessary. So when I am stuck behind another of those roadblocks, I just have to remind myself: TIMING!!!!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Whew!!
I can't believe it has been a week since I last wrote but then again considering the week I have had, I'm not surprised. And the funny thing is that nothing I did was related to the adoption. It started Saturday as I began moving boxes out of the attic into the addition. It is not finished yet, but the kitchen cupboards are in. Knowing how much stuff my mom has (because I packed it all a year ago) I wanted to get a jump start on it. I'm not kidding when I say there had to be about 25 boxes. As you seasoned packers and movers know, kitchen stuff works better in small boxes. I also moved all of her Christmas decorations out of my attic into hers. It was a very full day and we were both pretty tired by the end of the day but happy for the progress. The next day I was up early and worked for several hours at my job, onto church, then I took all those boxes to a friend's house where I packed up a lot of her things. Then to a Super Bowl Party. Monday morning, I was back at work, then onto the second job and from there onto helping my friend move all of her things into storage. I got home about 9:15. Tuesday I went to both jobs and then onto a church meeting. Home at 10:15. Wedneday off to the doctor's after work and running a few errands. Thursday worked both jobs and then finally finished my laundry that I started Saturday (can anyone relate here?) Today I worked my normal job and came home at time. Whew!!!!
The addition continues to look more and more like a little apartment. Monday a gentleman came from 10 AM to 10 PM and laid the vinyl and carpet. Wednesday the plumber showed up for an hour and took lots of notes. He came back on Thursday and put in the kitchen sink and the fixtures for the shower. At theatpoint the contractor showed up with his back hoe. They dug a huge ditch around the house and began laying the pipes for the sewage line. Today they were able to complete that and have it inspected which it passed. My poor yard looks like a huge construction site, but it will be so worth it in the end.
That is what I often hear during this adoption journey. And I really do believe that is true. This week there were some minor break throughs. The company handling my birth certificate billed my credit card on Wednesday so that tells me that they have started to process it . Also I found out that my documents were sent out to Krasnoyarsk. Once there they will be translated and then notarized and submitted to the court. Considering how many people are currently in court, in country, awaiting a referral and being processed for court, I anticipate at least 2 weeks for that to happen. I have nothing to verify that, just a time estimate I've given myself before I start getting restless again. I have been told, once the court receives them, then I should hear of a court date shortly after that.
I know people have been praying as there is a real peace just to rest in the Lord and focus on other things. Considering what my week has been like, I look forward to the weekend and slowing down just a bit!!
Yesterday when I was driving to work, I was stuck behind a car. It was going slow and there was no way to pass it. I didn't follow it too long before it moved into the left turning lane and I was free to go around it and actually go the speed limit. I was thinking how so many things are like that in life (including the adoption.) How there are road blocks and we are making progress even if the progress is slow. BUT once that roadblock is gone then we are free to take off!! I am so grateful for the roadblocks with the adoption that have been removed and I feel like I am just cruising now!!!!
The addition continues to look more and more like a little apartment. Monday a gentleman came from 10 AM to 10 PM and laid the vinyl and carpet. Wednesday the plumber showed up for an hour and took lots of notes. He came back on Thursday and put in the kitchen sink and the fixtures for the shower. At theatpoint the contractor showed up with his back hoe. They dug a huge ditch around the house and began laying the pipes for the sewage line. Today they were able to complete that and have it inspected which it passed. My poor yard looks like a huge construction site, but it will be so worth it in the end.
That is what I often hear during this adoption journey. And I really do believe that is true. This week there were some minor break throughs. The company handling my birth certificate billed my credit card on Wednesday so that tells me that they have started to process it . Also I found out that my documents were sent out to Krasnoyarsk. Once there they will be translated and then notarized and submitted to the court. Considering how many people are currently in court, in country, awaiting a referral and being processed for court, I anticipate at least 2 weeks for that to happen. I have nothing to verify that, just a time estimate I've given myself before I start getting restless again. I have been told, once the court receives them, then I should hear of a court date shortly after that.
I know people have been praying as there is a real peace just to rest in the Lord and focus on other things. Considering what my week has been like, I look forward to the weekend and slowing down just a bit!!
Yesterday when I was driving to work, I was stuck behind a car. It was going slow and there was no way to pass it. I didn't follow it too long before it moved into the left turning lane and I was free to go around it and actually go the speed limit. I was thinking how so many things are like that in life (including the adoption.) How there are road blocks and we are making progress even if the progress is slow. BUT once that roadblock is gone then we are free to take off!! I am so grateful for the roadblocks with the adoption that have been removed and I feel like I am just cruising now!!!!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Be Still
I sent my request for my birth certificate on the 22 of January and it arrived the next day. I have called several times and each time I have been told that it has not been processed. Last night I began to panic as I thought about all the personal information that is in the application letter. No one seemed to know where it was since it was not in their system. This morning I called again to express my concern that after 10 days it seemed to have disappeared. I spoke to a woman at length and finally she agreed to send an email to the department that should have received it. She told me she would call be back. A gentleman I spoke to last night also told me he would call back which he never did. I have to admit I thought for sure I would not hear back from her. About 2 hours later I was standing in my office watching the rain pour down outside. As clear as anything in my mind I could hear the words, "Be still and know that I am God." I felt a tremendous peace about the whole situation. And I knew it was God's gentle way of reminding me that I don't need to panic or feel frantic. About 10 minutes later I got a call from the woman I had spoken to. They had located the envelop and apparently they are very backed up because of a huge influx of requests (in light of the movement with adoptions, I can believe this to be true) and that they would be processing it very soon. It was such a relief to know that it was not somewhere floating around. So once again, I am reminded to "BE still" and let the Lord take care of things.
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