Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

from our family to yours.



Submission Date

We got our submission date today for our dossier.  It is March 1.  I am so excited because it is not really that far away.  A busy few months and then I will get to see my sweet girl in person.  Oh and by the way, she has a little brother that may be available as well.  God is so good.  When Gary and I first started pursuing adoption from Ukraine in 2009 we wanted a girl and a boy.  When we went to Ukraine last year I wanted to connect so badly with the children we were shown and I couldn't understand why we weren't, why it just didn't feel right.  Now I know after looking at pictures of a sweet girl, our sweet girl, that God had something for us that we needed to wait for.  He knew, when we didn't.  He knew what we needed.  He knew we needed to return home.  When we were broken-hearted and questioning why we went so far and came home without a child, He knew.

So this Thanksgiving we are thankful for a dark-haired girl with big brown eyes and freckles.  We are thankful for a family, that I will share with you when the time is right, that followed the call on their hearts to adopt from Ukraine.  A family that found their daughter and was looking for a family for another girl at the same orphanage.  A family we didn't know before I came across their blog.  But God knew and oh how thankful we are.

Tina  

So Far To Find You

This song touches my heart so much.  I have waited so many long years to find my daughter.  Through all of it God has been so faithful and has been right there with me even when I didn't understand. 

Hang on sweet girl we are coming to get you.
~Tina

Drinking from My Saucer Because My Cup Has Overflowed

Things are happening in our home, exciting times for sure. 

We are going back to Ukraine for our daughter.  Praise God my wonderful husband is following this mamma's heart.  I know that my daughter is there and I can't wait to meet her.  I have been blessed to see a picture of a girl that I think is the one God is leading us to. I so knew we couldn't go back to Ukraine blindly again.  That was a heart wrenching time but God has been so good to show us His timing is perfect.  We just need to patiently wait instead of running ahead of Him.  Did I mention how great my husband is to follow the desire of my heart when he is still just a little skeptical after our last experience?  He is so awesome and God knew I needed this kind and gentle soul in my life.

The other happening in our home I can't quite reveal yet but oh how blessed we are with two beautiful little boys.

My cup runneth over.

Tina


 

Counting My Blessings

With so much going on sometimes I just have to stop, find a quiet place and count my blessings. Here are a few of my blessings.

Gary, my wonderful husband that God so graciously brought in to my life. The perfect match for me. 




Theron, my son who has grown up so fast and I can't believe it is time for college. The day you were born my life changed forever and you have been such a blessing.




My two foster sons, how could I have known that day you came to our house some 3+ years ago the gift that God was bestowing on me. You two keep me young.

  










I have so many other blessings in my life but these, these are at the top of my list.

Take time to count your blessings today.

Tina

Encouraging Word

I so needed this encouraging word this morning and just wanted to share just in case you may need it also.

So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Gal. 6:9

Be encouraged and know that if God has placed something on your heart He will supply what/who you need to accomplish it.  Looking forward to what God has stirring in my heart.

Tina

Blessings

The words to this song are so powerful.  I just wanted to share.  I have been blessed so many times by things in my life that I didn't understand while I was going though it.  God is good all the time.

Tina

SDA Closing Temporarily

FYI - I just heard from my facilitator that the SDA will be closing June 1 for 2-3 months for reorganization.  Has anyone else heard anything about this? 

Living Out of a Suitcase

I was checking my little ones back pack last night to see his days work, any notes from the teacher etc., when I came across a book, The Little Boy Who Wanted a Family.  I thought that was an interesting choice of a library book for him, a 5 year old that can't read very much yet.  I assumed he had chose this book because the boy on the front cover was dressed like Superman.  I proceded to see what the book was about and couldn't believe my eyes.  This book was about a 7 year old boy in the foster care system.  He had been moved from home to home and finally someone wanted to adopt him.  Someone that loved him for who he was and didn't want to move him again.  In the end he did get adopted and finally was able to put his suitcase in his closet instead of under his bed. (He kept the suitcase under his bed so he could be ready when the social worker came to move him.)

After I read this book I wondered is this what my little guy feels like.  He has been lingering many years in this system and he so desperately wants closure, a family he can move on with, a life that is secure, not "living out of a suitcase. "  When I asked him why he chose this book he said, "I asked one of the older kids what the name of it was and I liked it."  I then asked him, "Is that what you want?" He said, "Yes."  He went back to playing and I just let it go for now.  He is not my touchy, feely child.  We will read the book and talk about it more.

It made me so sad that my hands are tied when it comes to the foster care system.  It is a process that takes so much time, gives so many ungrateful chances and leaves me wondering why?  In the mean time, the children are the ones suffering.  Can you imagine the chaos in their minds?  We as adults hate to leave anything that we do out there, lingering, yet these children are expected to just go on about their lives and bounce back.  Yes, children are resilient and they do adjust as best they can.  But that doesn't mean they are without feelings and those feelings can rear their ugly head at any moment. So it makes me think, I wouldn't like "living out of a suitcase" would you?