Are we having fun yet?

We picked up the girls in Atlanta on Dec 11 at 10pm.  It was a great reunion with Rita and I was able to give Lera that hug that I should have given her last August!  We spent the night in Atlanta and then headed to Starkville on Monday to meet with Marks professor.  The girls surprised me with how well they got along...I guess I was expecting more fussing.  But I began to see in the girls what I suspected- they bring out each others strengths.  Rita's english is amazing in verbal communication as well as very good written skills.  Rita speaks Latvian, Russian, some Italian, and English.  Lera speaks Russian, a little Latvian, and completely understands English but refuses to speak it!  Rita is Lera's translator.  I just sit amazed when they talk together.  I see so much more of Rita's personality now; her silly, funny side, her serious side, her moodiness, but mainly her laughter.  I've heard many things about Lera from her previous host families and most of it was very good, and seems to be accurate (including her stubborness!).  We enjoyed our time in Starkville walking around campus, watching the squirrels, going to Bulldog Lanes to shoot pool.  We met with Cathy, my best friend from college days, and saw her two girls.  It was great to reconnect, but sort of eye-opening when we realized it had been nearly 25 years since we spent afternoons at the Entomology Department taking care of the moth cultures and sneaking off to TCBY for a vanilla and coke float!  Oh, those were good days!  I dont' feel this old!
So, Tuesday Mark headed to campus to meet his professor and the girls and I made our way to the breakfast buffet for fresh waffles and fruit.  After some good news from Marks professor, we left Starkville and headed to Vicksburg.  We stopped in Bovina to pick up Bella, and then drove home to introduce Lera to her new home. 
One of the first things Lera did was head to her bedroom that she shares with Rita, climb on her bed and smile.  I have so enjoyed watching her relax here, a first hug initiated by her, a smile, a laugh, and then the pranks and tickles.  Over this past week she has even felt comfortable enough to stay at home alone with Mark.  They spend time working math and physics problems.  Mark writes out Algebra problems and she works them.  Then Geometry, and she works them; then calculus and she just looks at him and laughs!  Great thing is math transends all languages!  He showed her physics problems dealing with fulcrums and stresses, and friction, and she was able to work them...  Her spatial understanding is excellent.  Of course, Mark already has her entering Engineering at Miss State!  (ok, maybe I do too!).
Rita has reacclimated really well.  She amazes me with her patience and caring for Lera.  She loves to be busy with any kind of work, be it raking leaves, vaccuming, washing the car, or bathing Max.  She is so responsible, so caring, yet she loves to have fun and laugh.  My heart simply overflows with compassion and love for this girl!  Ok, I have dreams and visions for her also...Vet, Social Worker...something helping those in need!  I know God has placed so much inside this 15 year old girl and he has her on a path to be used in His Kingdom.  I just can't wait to see exactly what that will be!
I have loved getting to know these girls this past week.  From watching the first taste of shrimp and crab legs, to watching them make 'gogo', to listening to their whispers in Russian, and hearing the music that God has placed in their hearts.  I look at them and just think, these are my girls; can this really be?  Everything seems so right; not at all stressed...except for when Rita asked if we had paid everything for the adoption, and if we could get our money back...ouch!  I told her no, we couldn't get it back and asked if she still wanted to come live with us.  She said yes.  Only thing we can figure is she had skyped with her foster family that morning and she was homesick.  She really loves them, and it seems that she helps them out an awful lot with babysitting.  I know she misses them so much.  She did say that this would be a huge change and would be hard;  I asked if she realized her life was going to be different whether she stayed in Latvia or moved here; she said yes.  We told her to listen to what God was speaking in her heart.  She seems happy now.  Lera seems happy.  Mark seems happy; Michael seems happy; I'm happy!  So we wait to see where we go from here...and when... and where... why is all we know, and sometimes we even ask why!  But in our heart of hearts, we know why! 

They're here!

On Sunday morning, 12/11/11, we dropped Bella off for a play date(s) with David and Dian, and Rusty and Ginger, then headed the car east to Atlanta.  The drive was amazingly quick...just over 6 hours not because we were speeding, but because I don't think we encounted a single construction zone...of course, it was Sunday!  So after arriving in Atlanta, we ran a few errands to buy things I had forgotten to pack, like toothpaste, went to eat at Longhorn Steakhouse, and checked into the hotel.  After a quick nap, it was time to head to the airport.  I think I could go there 100 times and still get turned around as to the North terminal and South terminal!!!  If it were left to me, we would probably never find our car! 
So, after arriving, we met up with several other host families and enjoyed seeing everyone's posters.  We also met LeAnn's daughter, who was adopted about 4 years ago from Latvia.  She is now 17 and helping her mom with New Horizons airport arrivals!  She was so encouraging as she told us how well she has adapted to life in America and life in our school system.  That helped alleviate some fear I have of understaning how these girls will adjust.  It will happen...it will just take some time. 
So with video camera, Fuji camera, and iphone in hands, we anxiously await the group of kids who have now been traveling over 24 hours.  The kids from Rita and Lera's hometown left around 2 am on Sunday morning (which is about 6 pm Saturday night our time) and arrived at 10 pm Atlanta time!  That included a 7 hour layover at JFK and nothing  to do!  I sure admire the chaperones who have travelled with the kids and managed to not lose a single child! 
As they walked around the routunda, we try to spot Rita and Lera.  I finally see Lera, but never saw Rita...then began to wonder if something happened and she couldn't come.  She was saying Saturday that she was sick again...but then, of course at the back of the line, there was this young girl who has impressed upon our hearts because of her candidness, her heart of gold, her courage.  As we were called to come 'claim'  our children, it was such a relief to hold her and be able to tell her we were so glad she came back.  And then, Lera...this child who we don't yet know except through other's eyes.  With big, clear blue eyes that sparkle with such mischief, yet such a longing deep within.  I finally got to do what I wished I had done when they left Atlanta in the summer...I got to give her a big hug!  After our photo was taken, we headed to McDonalds with the Fletchers and Ksenija to catch up and hang out!  Everyone was so tired, so we soon parted ways and we took our 2 daughters back to our hotel to get a good nights sleep. 
When we arrived, they spotted two gifts I had placed on their bed...an early Christmas gift and welcome gift rolled into one... two iPod touches.  I wanted to get them something that would entertain them on the trip home as well as give them access to a translator, camera, video, and some internet access.  This little device is perfect!  They also came with gifts...Lera had knitted me a beautiful pink pillow and Baiba had knitted a warm pair of socks.  They also gave us a huge tin of Latvian chocolates...and when I say huge, I mean HUGE!  I don't know how Rita carried this around this whole trip! 
Over the next day, we got to see the interaction between Rita and Lera.  I was worried they would fight all of the time, but I've been pleasantly surprised (of course, it's only been a day), at how attentitive Rita is to Lera and how well Lera listens to Rita.  I think the hard thing will be getting Rita to step down as 'mom' and let me mother Lera.  Rita's heart for others just leaves me in awe of this child.  And yes, for those of you who have hosted Lera, she is still resistant to speaking English.  I don't think there is much she doesn't understand, but she sure won't speak it, which puts Rita translating everything!  Right now, we look to Rita to help us communicate... I guess we need to stop but it is so easy for everyone (except Rita). 
We've had some fun times, some laughs, some looks...  A few boring moments, but I think boring was good today!  With Christmas just 10 days away, hectic is just around the corner!  All in all, I've really enjoyed this host so far!  Now, on with the rest....

When worlds collide!

Well, in just over 24 hours, we will join many families in the Atlanta airport as we anxiously await a group of kids from halfway around the world walk into our world.  Approximately 80+ orphans from Latvia will arrive to spend the next 4 weeks with Christian families all over America.  Some are going to California, Colorado, Texas, New York, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and two special girls will come to Vicksburg, Mississippi!  We didn't think we would be here again, but delays in separating Lera and Ksenija have slowed our process.  But, as we sat in Hope Fellowship Church last night, the word given was there would be rapid acceleration in those plans God has ordained, and our hope deferred that has made our hearts sick, will soon be sight!  I fully believe that while the girls are here hosting over the next 4 weeks, we will get the word from Latvia for our travel date to start our adoption.  There is such a peace that God has this all in His hands.  Now, we must concentrate on the next 4 weeks and getting to know Lera and Rita better and letting them get to know us.  There are major trust issues to overcome.  They have to know that they can trust us completely.  How hard is that?  Could you put your life in a strangers' hands?  It will be a process that has already begun, but will take years to complete.  Years of dedication, years of encouraging, years of proving that we love them...  only through Christ can this be accomplished. 
So, as we get ready to sleep, kids from all over Latvia are loading into cars and buses to make their journey to Riga.  Around midnight our time, they board their flight to New York.  Then, after a layover that almost equals our normal work day, they board their connection to Atlanta.  We will be gathering, waiting, meeting other anxious parents, hoping we can communicate with these kids that have been entrusted into our care. 
Lord, we ask for your blessing upon each child, each host parent, each host sibling, so that your love will flow through us and touch these children.  Help us to connect with them and be able to teach them about you at this most special time of year.  Lord, bring healing to their hearts and help them to trust again.  Help us teach them of forgiveness.  Let us be examples for their eyes and ears.  Let us represent you well.  In Jesus' name. Amen! 

Totally amazed!

You know, technology is amazing.  Today, I logged into the computer to check email and see if the girls had written.  After a disappointing 'you have no mail from the girls', I saw my Skype box pop up and a notice that our girls were online!  What a pleasant surprise I had today.  We ended up talking with Rita for over an hour.  Lera was watching TV and I don't think Rita told her we were online.  But Ksenija stopped by the computer to say hi!.  At one point, my husband called us from work, so I had him talking to Rita by holding our phone next to the computer!!! How strange...He's at work in Mississippi talking on a phone to a computer to our daughter half way around the world...What a connected world we live in! 
Rita shared more of her heart with us today and I am constantly amazed at how giving this young lady is, sacrificing 'things' that would make her happy, to help someone who should be helping her.  But she gives with a pure heart, expecting nothing in return other than the joy of giving a little warmth and care to another.  I don't know what God has in his plan for her, but I can see where he will be able to meet the needs of others through her huge heart!  Yes, we need to protect her from being 'used', but God will lead us to teach her.  Who knows, one day, I can even see her walking this same path that  we are on...reaching out to a child who needs to know unconditional love!  My heart is overflowing with love for our beautiful daughter!

And we wait...

It's been a while since I've updated... nothing new really happening (at least from our viewpoint).  Rita and Lera have been sick for the past few weeks with some kind of flu or virus.  In fact, I think the whole family has been sick over the course of the past month. 

We were able to connect through skype this past Sunday which was great.  We had a camera so they could see us, but they don't have one yet, so we couldn't see them.  But the voice connection was very clear. 

We purchased the 2nd bed for the girls room and I have it set up.  We will go shopping once they get here so they can have some input on decorating their room.  I'm working on getting all of the unsold garage sale items out of my house.  I will donate some, consign some, still trying to sell some, and the bowflex is going to a friend.  I've finished the girls welcome posters for the airport and made a couple of ornaments for them for our Christmas tree.  My goal this weekend is to clear the back porch so we can set it up for a 'den' for the girls and to have extra space for family to gather at Christmas. 

So, at this point, we are just waiting for a referral and a travel date.  Our dossier was delivered to our lawyer on 10/7, was taken to translation, then was received at the Children's Ministry office on 10/24.  Another court hearing was held on 11/11/11, but I've not heard anything official. 

Fundraising has slowed.  Not making progress on getting a location for the Israel presentation.  We were approved for LifeSong and the Both Hands project.  We hope to do that in the first part of 2012, but I need to get a travel date before we set a date for working on a widow's house. 

Separation Anxiety

I got a letter today from our facillitator that the Orphan Court is requiring a letter from both families (us and the Fletchers) stating how we will keep the two sisters close.  There is no issue on our end, or the Fletchers, but we just need to let the court know that we understand the importance of this relationship between the two girls.  So pray that we can convey that to them and that they finalize the separation.  Otherwise, there will be 3 girls who may not get adopted! 

I don't think I updated previously that we are hosting our 2 for Christmas!  They will arrive Dec 11 and return Jan 8.  We were hoping to be traveling during this time, but because the court wants to make sure the separation is best for the girls, that has put a delay in our travel.  So, we will have a very busy, fun, exciting Christmas with Michael and our 2 girls.  Then, all of Marks family will be here Dec 27th until Jan1.  Plus we will get to meet Tysa (17) for the first time, and they will all get to see Hailey (5 months)!  I think the girls will outnumber the guys for the first time!!!!

Received our notification

Yesterday we received our notice of receipt from the Latvian Childrens Ministry saying they have our dossiers.  I don't think they are doing anything with them yet, but at least they have them.  The girls have another court hearing on 11/11/11 to finalize their separation (supposed to be just a formality). 
We were told there was no way we would travel before Christmas and not sure how long it will take before the girls are 'available', so we decided to host for Christmas.  So, it will be a wild and crazy Christmas this year!!!!

Thanks to all...

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our yard sale and for those who came and bought.  We sold about 1/2 of what was donated... Wendy- the wagon and Tonka truck were some of the first things to go!  I will probably be heading to Philadelphia to set up for a yard sale on Saturday at Mark's brothers house.  They are in a great location to have a sale (besides having fun with my in-laws!). 

We talked with the girls today and they are doing well.  Last week was a holiday week from school.  Rita got to spend a little time with her Dad before he left again.  She says Lera is still very excited to come to America.  They are looking forward to 'hosting' us and introducing us to their foods and culture. 

No additional news on the dossiers.  Still waiting to hear from the Children's Minsistry for a travel date. 

Dossier update

Because of some other issues concerning hosting, we have been trying to find out when we may possibly travel...will it be December, January or later? In this questioning, we found out our dossiers have been translated and are now at the Ministry!!! This is at least a week sooner than I expected. Making progress...
Today I ordered an extra long twin bed for Rita at Dykes Furniture. She is a little too tall to be comfortable in the regular twin we bought last year, but Lera, oops, Vanessa, should fit quite nice! Enjoyed talking to the ladies at Dykes. I love spreading the word about adoption and hosting, always hoping it will spark an interest and result in another child finding a forever family.

Let the Raffles begin!

Sandra Thomas, Vicksburg's 2010 winner of the Best Licensed Massage Therapist, has graciously donated a 1 and 1/2 hour massage for us to raffle off.  She said it can be used in 3 30-minute massages, or 1 1-hour and 1 30-minute massage... your choice!  Raffle tickets are $5 and can be purchased at Sandra's business on North Frontage Road or by using the Donate Button on our blog.  Please put your name and "massage" in the Purpose box so I can create a ticket for you.  We will hold our drawing on the Sunday before Thanksgiving so you will be ready for a much needed stress reliever after Black Friday shopping!!!  Or, this would make a GREAT Christmas gift for that someone special!!!
We are also raffling off a gift certificate for a pair of in-stock boots, up to $150, from Bovina Feed and Seed!  This raffle ticket is $15 and can be purchased at Bovina Feed and Seed or also by using our Donate button.  Please put your name and "boots" in the Purpose block so I can register you for the correct raffle.  Again, this would make a GREAT Christmas gift!  They have a great selection to choose from!  
For each entry, I need you to send me an email with your name and phone number, raffle and donation so I can contact you when you win!!  Email:  charlotte.freeman9141@yahoo.com. 

Loving it!

It's amazing how God works in our hearts to bring healing.  Without us ever realizing it, little by little, He chips away at hurt and mis-trust and replaces it with caring and acceptance.  All during our hosting, Rita never once said she loved us, never called us mom and dad (or even host-mom/dad), and rarely ever gave us a hug.  In emails and phone conversations, there has not been an acknowledgement our our "love ya's".  But last week, all of that changed.  I received an email from her and she signed it 'Love, Rita'!  Then, a phone conversation ended with 'I love you too'!  Such sweet words, reassuring us that the connection we feel to her has not gone unnoticed, but given time, will grow into a relationship that will last forever! 
Tomorrow is Lera's birthday!  I still haven't heard if they have received the package I sent them.  One thing they have been having fun with is deciding on new names!  Rita quickly picked hers:  Rita Jessica.  I looked it up and Rita means 'Pearl' and Jessica means 'He sees'.  I immediately thought about the story in Matthew 13 of the merchant who found a pearl of great price and sold everything he had so he could purchase it!  When I emailed her that meaning of her name, and told her that God sees her value and her beauty and has shown it to us, she emailed back with 'Wow!  That's cool!!!'.  Lera wants to completely change her name and has chosen Vanessa which means butterfly.  It fits her!!! Now to find a middle name for her!  Any suggestions that I can send her?????

Birthdays and Blessings

Today my oldest daughter turns 15. She is celebrating with the family who has raised her for the past 7 years. She said it has been a very good birthday and tomorrow she will have another party with friends. Wednesday, my youngest daughter turned 13. There is so much about her I don't know. I've only met her three times! But I still feel a connection to her that goes beyond just caring, but is delving into the realms of love. Communication with her is sparse and only comes through the older daughter. But I think she is trying to speak more English. We will call them soon to wish them a Happy Birthday and hear about the party. I hope their birthday package arrived, but I don't think it has yet or we would have gotten an email from them. So I just focus not on the birthdays we are missing but all of the one's yet to come! The sweet 16's, the milestone 18's and 21's; their first birthday as a new mommie, and the forever 29's! So though we've missed the kiddie birthdays, we have so many more yet to come...happy birthday my little one's!!!

Fundraising and friends

I have officially started off our fundraising for the adoption. Our first endeavor was a Mary Kay party with a few friends two weekends ago. We raised enough to apostil the dossiers and ship to Wende in Georgia so she could hand deliver to Daina.
Next fundraiser has been the Covenant Blessing. I wrote this for a little boy I pulled off of the angel tree years ago. I realized he may have never had anyone speak a blessing over him or offer him encouragement and a vision for his future. So I wrote out a blessing for him. I saved it to my computer and have actually given it to a few people over the years. But I find it very interesting how God will give you something, not to be used at that specific time, but to store away for time of famine. And because this was brought to my remembrance, and God has led others to read this, we have received 25 orders to date, which should pay for one of the girls one-way tickets from Latvia to the USA!!!
I have also started asking for donations for items we can use in a garage sale. I'm planning on the last weekend of October or first in November if the weather doesn't cooperate. Now, I need a location. Going tomorrow to see what I can find. I have had several donations and I need to go through my closet and attic this weekend.
My next fundraiser immediately after the garage sale will be the Israel calendar. I am especially excited about this because it combines two things I love to talk about- Israel and adoption. I'm hoping to find a venue where I can give my Israel presentation. I love doing it. And am always amazed at how God enables me to stand before people and talk...I typically am very shy. So if you want to see one of the most amazing places on earth, call me.
I'm also working on an idea for some Christmas ornaments... Just in the idea phase right now. That should wrap up fundraising 2011. Then hopefully we will get a big project in between our first and second trip.
Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far, whether through finances, or sharing the fundraising info with others, or praying for us. We need all three. Thanks and God Bless!

Uplifting conversations

We were able to talk with the girls foster mom at length on Saturday and got some valuable information. It was such a joy to talk to her. She used to be an English teacher so there is little lost in conversation. I got Lera's family history which will help to understand behaviors and attitudes. She is a strong Christian woman who has a heart of gold! Then on Sunday we were able to talk to the girls. They had been at a church youth rally this weekend and said they had a great time... Well Rita did. They are trying to wrap their minds around coming to America for ever. They asked about hosting and couldn't seem to understand they don't need to host again- they will possibly already be here! Their birthdays are coming up soon and I am gathering things to ship to them. Our dossiers arrived in Georgia today and will go with Wende as she travels on her 2nd trip. She will hand deliver to the lawyer on Friday. We are now waiting for translation and our invitation! In the meantime, we will be trying to raise the money needed for our first trip.

Hearts Desire for 2

9-25-11  The start of the blog!
We have learned so much over the past year.  We have learned things about ourselves, things about orphans, things about God, and things about technology...ok, still learning that stuff.  So what is this thing called adoption that we are pursuing...and why? 
Our journey started years ago with a thought.  After a miscarriage, and yet even before then really, the thought of adoption kept coming to me.  Wow, that was probably 7 or 8 years ago.  After the miscarriage I attended a Crabb Family concert where they passed out sponsor cards for Holt International.  I sponsored a girl from India, and as I was drawn to learn more about the orphans around the world, I began to open my heart to possibilities of a daughter; not through birth, but through choice.  One little girl in particular grabbed ahold of my heart.  I found myself praying for Vaishnavi so passionately, so broken, so intently. I can remember praying for God to bring her here, to give her a family, and selfishly to bring me a daughter like her. I looked into adoption, but there seemed to be barriers, whether they were real or just from my own fear of being rejected. So years went by with just hope remaining in my heart. Was it just not time?
In April 2010, we were introduced to New Horizons For Children based in Acworth, Georgia. We prayed about hosting a child from Eastern Europe and felt this was a good step. We decided to wait until Christmas to host and selected Rita as our host child. But soon after we chose her, another family started adoption with her. So we chose Emily and thought, after a wonderful host period, that she would be our daughter; but when she returned to Latvia, she changed her mind. After a few months of heart healing, we decided to host again. We searched the photolisting for one girl, but none really spoke to us. We thought about 2 girls and considered sisters Ksenija and Valerija. We found out they didn't want to share a room so we moved on. I had about given up and we were only a few weeks from the deadline. I was going to just select whoever was left and when I opened the listing, there was Rita!!! So we signed up to host her. Then we found out that she is in the same home as Ksenija and Valerija. We had a good host and about half way through, Rita asked if we could consider adopting Valerija as well. We looked into it and checked with the family hosting them, and found they were not wanting to adopt Valerija. So here we are now- with paperwork on it's way to Latvia and hopefully our first trip before the end of the year! It's good to allow God to chose your path!

Dossier on it's way

What a way to close out September... On 9/30/11 our dossier was mailed to Wende so it can be delivered to Latvia on Wednesday Oct 4th.  One more step complete on our adopton journey.