Counting Down

On April 22nd, our updated documents arrived in Riga, Latvia and were delivered to our Latvian Lawyer.  We had already emailed our homestudy and it was due out of translation on April 23rd.  My gut feeling was that we would have our referral before the end of the month with travel in mid May.  I kept thinking how awesome it would be if we flew to Latvia on Mother's Day...well, on April 24th, we were given our court dates of May 15th and 29th, which means we fly out of Jackson on...Mother's Day!  Our official referral came on Friday the 27th and we immediately signed and returned, as well as emailed the Director of Children's Ministry to accept our referral.  So now, we have airline tickets booked, we have a room in Riga for our first night, an apartment in Liepaja for 14 days, and then an apartment for 3 nights back in Riga. 
Rita seems very happy with this change in her life.  I think Lera is happy.???  We are happy and excited to begin this journey.  We don't always understand 'why us'.  We are just glad we were chosen for this amazing opportunity!  The girls are such a blessing.  It is exciting to discover aspects of their hearts, to feed their hopes and dreams, to begin this life journey together with them.  Another adoptive mom wrote recently about feeling sad that she had missed so many of her adopted child's 'firsts'; but then she realized, even though the child was a teen, she still got to experience so many of the 'firsts' she enjoyed with her younger children, just with an older child!  I, too, look forward to many firsts! 

A Long Time Coming...

Much has happened in the past few weeks.  We have been been poked and prodded, tested, stuck, and questioned extensively.  And the verdict is...ADOPT!  A second opinion says, ADOPT!  And now, our agency has issued our renewed homestudy, I received it on 4/12, had them apostilled that afternoon, and shipped it to the Lindell's on 4/13.  It's rather interesting that Chris and Julie will be the one's to take these final documents to Latvia for us...we met them in Atlanta for the Christmas 2010 hosting.  We were hosting Emily and they were hosting her foster sister, Val, for the second time.  The girls communicated off and on during the hosting period and we thought we had 'lucked out' on our first hosting experience.  Everyone was sure we had found our daughter...even Emily's statements and actions said so!--until she got back to Latvia!!  Chris and Julie were supportive as we dealt with the heartbreak of 'losing' Emily.  Now, as we get ready to make our first trip to adopt Rita and Lera, Chris and Val will be making their 3rd and final trip to Latvia to finalize Val's US immigration status.  They will hand deliver our documents to Daina. 
We just got an email from Daina that our updated homestudy, which we emailed to Daina on 4/12, will be out of translation on 4/23, the day she should get our originals.  Then, all that is left is for the documents to be notarized in Latvia then delivered to the Childrens Ministry office.  Next should be our referral...
And again, we are tied with a Georgian family... this time it is Ken and Heidi Fletcher.  The Fletchers are adopting Lera's biological sister, Ksenija.  We were informed that we would all be in court together since the girls have to be adopted at the same time. 
So now it is time to reveiw the checklist of things that are needed for the 1st trip.  A handful of forms, income tax summary page, gifts for about 5 ladies and 2 men, gifts for the foster family, clothes for Rita and Lera, and a large sum of cash in the form of brand new $100 bills that can be exchanged for Lats and Euros.  Thankfully, the few fundraisers we had done last year plus selling some items we no longer used, have funded trip #1 (minus that pesky little thing called Airfare for 4!).  But, God will provide for that also.  Hopefully, in a little over a week, we just might have our referral.  Could we really be at this point?  It's been a long time coming, but maybe it's just about time!

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart...the verse which inspired the name of our blog.  A reminder came through email this morning that I need to delight myself in the LORD.  A scripture with an instruction, and a promise.  The same promise Rita used on her cardboard testimony last summer for the NHFC video.  A promise I refuse to give up on.  As written by Robert Hotchkin on Elijah List: 
("Delight yourself in the Lord." That word delight in the original Hebrew is "anag" which means "to be soft or pliable." When our circumstances are difficult, or we have been believing for a promise of God to come forth and it has not yet manifested when we think it should or the way we think it should, we can often suffer from disappointment and discouragement. This can cause us to harden our hearts toward God, giving into fear and lies like, "Well, He hasn't come through yet so maybe He isn't going to." But when we take our eyes off those circumstances and put them back on God, we remember what He is really like. We remember that He is loving and kind and merciful and gracious and generous and faithful and trustworthy – no matter what! When we stop trying to figure out what He is doing, and focus on what He is like, it becomes easy to delight in the Lord. And as we do, our hearts "anag" – they soften, opening back up to Him, and we are able to believe and receive again.) 
I see this much like the steak I mentioned a few posts back...it has been beaten so much lately that it has become fork tender!  It is not easy to be 'tenderized'.  It's often very messy.  But the outcome can be quite glorious! 
We have made a little more progress toward the finish line.  Slowly, surely, we will get there! 

"One day, voices that lie, will all be silenced
One day, all that's divided will be whole again
One day, death will retreat and wave it's white flag
One day, love will defeat the strongest enemy
So we wait, for that one day, come quickly
We want to see Your Glory
Every knee bows down before Thee
Every tongue offers you praise, with every hand raised
Singing Glory to You and unto You only
we sing Glory to Your name." 
"Glory" by Selah

Pressing toward the mark for the prize

Saturday, March 10th...Springing forward on our clock tonight and springing forward in our attitude!  I decided to only speak of positives- I choose to see the vision of meeting our girls in Latvia.  I choose to see us bringing them home.  I choose to hear their laughter in our house.  I choose to believe.  Today, I got a letter from MSU Vet Camp...Rita has been accepted for a full scholarship to their 3 day Vet Camp in June.  My job is just to get her there...well, technically, God's job is to get her there.  We will do whatever it takes, whatever is required, whatever!  We have faced so many delays in this process that it just doesn't seem to matter anymore.  You know when you get news that would normally make you double over, but instead you just say 'whatever', you are becoming 'seasoned'.  Sort of like a steak that has been beaten to the point it is now tender enough to cut with a fork...yeah, we are there! 
Wednesday night at sundown started the Jewish holiday of Purim.  This, of course, goes back to Queen Esther's bold appearance before King Ahasuerus to plead for the deliverance of her people.  So Purim is a celebration of the day of deliverance from oppression.  Wednesday night, I was invited to give my presentation on Israel to Living Waters Church.  I only had a few days notice, but everything went great (ok, there were a couple of technical diffficulties with my 6 year old computer, but I was able to fill the gap with stories of our trip).  I felt it was a day of deliverance from the oppression that has been over us.  A day I decided to appear before the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and ask for His mercy and favor.  I know He is faithful to hold out that golden sceptor to us, His children. 
Lera's sister told me she has been praying so hard for everything to get approved and she feels like March 21 will be a good day.  I'm agreeing with her...a new season, a new chapter, a new beginning.  A start to a new life.  March 21, 2012.  Lord, hear your children!  We ask for favor, for supernatural intervention.  Lord, we ask that you work your miracles for us!!!  You are the only one who can make this happen. 

2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 
1 Corinthians 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 
Hebrew 12:1  Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men...

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men
Gang aft agley,
An'lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me
The present only toucheth thee:
But, Och! I backward cast my e'e.
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!

Feb 5th, all was right with the world.  Feb 6th, we had our visit with our social worker to update our soon-expiring homestudy.  Feb 7th, I was calling for prayer!  How quick and unsuspecting a little piece of news (or a plow) can change things.  Where your focus is on your future plans, now it drastically takes a turn to the here-and-the-now!  Survival becomes the only thing you can deal with.  Emotionally drained and unbelievably fearful, we began to fight to save all we have known to be true, and even there did questions arise.  Like a tornado spinning out of control...but did we even see storm clouds?  I don't think I saw them.  I was only seeing blue sky and then BAM!  What the enemy hit us with knocked us both for a loop.  But Jesus stepped in and picked us up.  Slowly, He has dusted us off, and we are again proceeding to the finish line, slowly, surely, when BAM!!!  Another hit, but this time it was supposed friendly fire!  Hmmmm...Houston, I think we have a problem!  But you know what?  This time, I refuse to fall... see the first hit taught me a lesson!  Jesus is standing by my side!  He has strengthened me into a strong, Christ-dependent woman!  I will not give heed to fear, nor to doubt!  I will stand my ground and fight for what I know God has promised!  I will not be moved by this attack.  I will stand knowing Jesus has my back.  He is my shield and my strong tower, He is my strength, my hope, my deliverer!  I'm hanging onto the Rock, and the Rock is hanging onto me!!!  He never lets go!

Still chomping...

So, all of the paperwork is done for our updated home study!  FBI Fingerprint results are back...just need to copy and send all of the originals to New Beginnings.  Olevia will be here tomorrow at 4 for the required visit to complete the update and then just wait for the Home Study to be reissued.  This process has been fairly quick!  (Gee, I think that's a first!)
We had a surprise when we got home today from my parents.  I took the dogs out for a walk and found 5 adorable puppies in our pasture.  No idea where they came from.  Asked a few neighbors, but no one is claiming them.  Anyone want a really adorable dog?  Looks like they have been well cared for and they are very clean.  One in particular loves to snuggle at your neck...ok, might have to keep that one!  Rita and Lera want a dog they can train.  Of course, we have Max, but he's about 7 and set in his ways.  Then there is Bella, but she is more 'my' dog I've been informed.  So, I've got 4 pups to give away...unless I can find the owner.  Can't afford 5 more dogs!
We have skyped all weekend with Rita and Lera.  Their Foster Mom also facebooked me to let me know that the girls have 'agreed to endure each other' for adoption.  They really are close, but I think the little green monster raises it ugly head as they are vying for their position in our family.  Rita said she would like to go to Vet Camp but Lera doesn't...so I mentioned that we would drop Rita off at 9 and pick her up at 5 and Lera and I would go find something to do.  Rita quickly said she wanted to go hang out with us!  It took a little pursuading to get her to agree to Vet Camp again.  I really see this as a great opportunity for Rita to have a role model who is achieving what she wants to do...be a Vet.  The Vet students are the camp counselors and the professors teach the sessions.  It will give her an opportunity to see if this is something she would really like to do, and if so, hopefully give her motivation to improve her school work.  Rita is extremely bright, but I think right now, she is lacking motivation, or vision, or confidence.  ??? 
We have had some wonderful conversations this weekend.  Rita is sick again and now running fever in addition to the stuffy nose.  I had sent a bottle of Robitussin back to Latvia with her after their FM asked if I could send some medicine that actually works.  They used to be able to buy 'Toclase' and she said it worked great; then, they took it off the shelf and all they have now are sugary syrups that don't work for cough or cold symptoms.  She said she doubted the Robitussin would help, but she also has the same cold that Rita has, and after using Robitussin, she said she needed to apologize and asked if I could bring more when we come!  I told Rita she needed to take some medicine, but she said it wouldn't work on her.  I told her it would stop the runny nose that is draining down her throat, into her lungs and stomach, and making her sicker.  She laughed and said I should be a doctor!  Lera got the Robitussin and Rita took it!  Hopefully she will get a good nights sleep. I guess she will miss another day of school tomorrow.  Her attendance has been really bad since returning to Latvia.  I don't know what to do about that...
They are now consistantly calling me mommy!  It is very sweet to hear and read.  This is a huge step that they have taken.  Lera also has requested a tutor for her English!!!!!  Soooo HUGE!!!!  Maybe by the time we get there, she will be willing to speak to us?  That would be so awesome!  I can't wait to have a real conversation with this child and see what is really in her heart!  Her eyes are the windows to her soul, but out of her mouth her heart will flow.  Can't wait! 
A fellow NHFC family has been very heavy on my heart this weekend.  They are in the process of adopting the two little gypsy girls we had initiated a referral for, but we withdrew after discussing them with some previous host families.  I knew they were beyond what I could manage, but my heart was so enamoured by them and I felt very led to continue praying for them.  I was so excited when I met the family that was hosting them this summer and again to find they were adopting them.  Now, while on their 1st trip to Latvia, the adoption has fallen through because of deception and confusion.  My heart breaks for the family and for the girls as they give up their chance of breaking free from this orphan spirit and coming into the spirit of adoption..  This is the fear I think every family and every child faces while in this process....will they back out?  Will they forget us?  Will they leave us too?  Not only are these emotions experienced by the child, but these are thoughts that are always in the back of my mind.  I'm thankful that Rita and Lera have pledged their committment to 'agree to endure' each other.  But I know it only takes one misconception, one person whispering lies in their ears, one deceiving spirit, and it can all fall apart.  I never thought in my wildest dreams that Emily would have said 'no'!  But, she did.  We almost punted this whole adoption thing, but I didn't want Emily to give up, and realized I couldn't give up either... And that led us to Rita, who led us to Lera!  And now we have an ever growing family tree with branches in Georgia, Virginia, New York, and Latvia...with every family who has loved these girls!  But, I won't feel secure until trip 2 is complete, knowing those concerns can turn into reality.  My heart hurts for you, Tabby! 
I wonder what the week of Feb 5th will hold for us?  Will we get word that the Fletchers' Dossier has been received in the Children's Ministry?  Will we get our referral this week?  Those are the next two steps... All of the families who got their referrals in January have now received their travel dates for late Feb- mid March.  Come on....we are ready for the gate to open so we can RUN!  We're tired of chomping at the bit!

Updates abound...but it's all good!

How does that song go..."you put your left foot in, you take your left foot out; you put your left foot in, and you shake it all about; you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around.  That's what it's all about!"  Well, one thing...I'm learning to take 'news from Latvia' with a little less fretting and a lot more action!  So, last week, Kelly realized our Homestudy expires Feb 21!  So what does that mean?  A quick call to New Beginnings in Tupelo answered that question:  updated medicals, updated fingerprints, updated background check, updated police checks, updated child abuse registry, updated vet records, updated W-2's, letters of employment, DL, SS, Doctor letter...and $740 fee.  Hmmmmm.  Ok, so I hit the ground running Thursday and Friday. I filled out all of the forms that I could to give permission for all of these agencies to investigate us again, got our son to sign his when he got home from college this weekend, and mailed those off Monday.  Called and made appointments with our doctors to get a TB test, HIV and RPR bloodwork.  Called the vet and got vaccination records.  Emailed copies of our SS & DL's to NB.  Completed Michaels medical on Wednesday.  Mark and I go get our bloodwork and TB updated Friday morning, then drive to Raymond, pick up Michael when he gets out of class, and then to an FBI center in Flowood to get fingerprinted at 3:00.  Supposedly we should have results done first of next week.  We will have a visit from Olevia, our awesome social worker, at some point in this process (Gee, add cleaning the house in there somewhere!!!!!).  But, it's all good.  Almost done...just waiting...yep, just waiting...again. 
I've been skyping with the girls quite a bit.  They are really in a funky mood.  They are fighting constantly now and Rita says she cries all the time.  She's sick with this sinus stuff again and can't breathe.  She does not want to go to school anymore.  Her grades have plummetted and she thinks that's ok because she won't need any of those courses when she gets here!  I've tried to tell her she will...she's not hearing me.  I asked if she felt that she was in an 'in between place' in her life right now... one foot in Latvia, one foot in America?  She said maybe.  I know this has got to be hard on these kids.  I know how hard it is for me to concentrate on work right now.  I'm ready to be there, but can't be yet.  You feel like a race horse at the gate, just waiting for the bar to lift so you can run as fast as you can...very frustrating because the bar seems stuck closed; but you have to stay on high alert, or when it does finally open, you will get left in everyone else's dust!  But, it's all good...  I know, or at least I hope, I'm learning something in this phase! 
I have listened to Rita's song so many times.  It's haunting.  Beautiful.  Raw.  Telling.  Sometimes I listen and it's just sad.  Other times, I feel tears whelling up inside, not because of saddnes, but out of love.  Rita told me today she was so upset because of all of the people who are dying in Eastern Europe and Russia due to this massive cold.  The high in Liepaja today was like 2 degrees F, and it's been like this for almost a week.  Other areas of Russia and Ukraine are seeing temperatures dip into the -10's.  I wonder where God will use this child...She says she wants to be a vet (and I'm getting her and Lera enrolled in Vet Camp this summer at MSU!), but I so can see her doing so much more...well, I know God will direct her path in this.  My job is to encourage her to be everything she can possibly be and listen to HIS voice.  'For I know the plans I have for you, saith the LORD'! 
So, are you wondering why I'm not mentioninig Lera much?  Remember, Rita and Lera are fighting...I haven't been able to really 'talk' to Lera 'through Rita' for a little while.  I have emailed her and I tried to skype with her this morning, but that didn't work.  I'm trying to let her know I love her very much and I haven't forgotten her.  She really is a sweet girl.  I see so much potential for her here.  I just pray God will help her understand the power her words have to inflict pain.  Blessings or cursings...I pray one day she can speak blessings freely.  I'm praying for wisdom here!  I need to do a scripture search on 'tongue'- wow!  Lot's in Psalm and Proverbs, of course!  Hmmm...wonder if Mark can do a few lessons on 'the power of the tongue'!  Oh, Honey!....
Well, the girls should be waking up now to get ready for school.  Time for me to call it a night!  It's all good...