Blogging blues

Well, I've looked at enough other blogs to know that I'm just not blogger-saavy. Technology has always presented it's challenges and this is no exception. It seems that thoughts and eloquent speech just flow from the fingertips of some, and I write and backspace, re-read backspace, etc. Not sure exactly what information belongs on a blog, and what information should really just remain in my thoughts...hmm...

We received a little package from our "A" yesterday, containing just a little snippet of a video of him and some postcards and a CD with music. What a relief to get something from him after all these months. It felt like a little reward for getting our paperwork submitted!! It's just amazing to me how God can just continue to grow love in our hearts each day for our "A". I pray that somehow he is feeling more loved as well.

While the last few weeks were filled with chasing around for documents all about us and the proper format and the proper signatures, etc, now it feels as though the real "waiting" begins. We continue to pray for God's timing, for our ability to trust and obey, and for all of us to have open hearts to receive one another.

Some days waiting just feels hard, but God is good. Read Phil 2:14 today "Do everything without complaining or arguing" didn't even make it to 9am without a little whining. Guess it's something to keep working at--maybe tomorrow I'll get to 9:15.

Sunny Days and Fridays

It's good to see the sun! Fridays are always popular here at our house. The weekend break from the routine is good. We live in Michigan, so even though we're beginning to see the grass in the yard, I know that it could still be covered in a blanket of white a few more times before we see an end to winter. It's good to know that God is in control of everything, from weather to adoption paperwork! We are nearing the end of our paperwork collection phase. Then it's a matter of waiting. Most people ask what the time frame is--we really don't know. Once we complete the paperwork, it's all in the hands of the people processing the paperwork and the governments of both countries to move us forward.

We were thankful to be able to send a package to our "A" recently, and then heard from the deliverer that he is well and excited and wants to know when we're coming. While the wait seems long to us, I'm sure that for him it seems much longer. Please continue to pray for him, for his health, safety, and salvation.

We've been able to connect with some more families who have adopted from Russia in the past, and the help and encouragement they provide is invaluable!

As I was cleaning yesterday I found an embarrassing number of cobwebs and was reminded how easy it is for me to get "cobwebs" in my heart and attitude that just hang there until I notice them and ask God to "sweep" them away.

Ps. 27:14 Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart.

Perspective and Gray Days

Prayed with a friend this morning and she reminded me of the many blessings in my life. It's good on gray winter days to have someone to help keep things in perspective. We are truly blessed. C is recovering, much slower than he would like, but still recovering. We continue to work on our paperwork and are making good progress. We have not heard anything from "A", but were able to send a couple of greetings to him through others traveling there. Our WI friends should be home tomorrow with their son. It's has been quite a process and they have kept us up-to-date daily. Another friend who was planning to bring another child into their family had some complications and the child is no longer available. Please pray for peace, comfort and wisdom for this family on how to proceed.

Again today I was amazed at how many people I've come into contact with through this process and how many others have either gone through the process or know of others who have. We have met some really great people going through this adventure right alongside us. Last week we enjoyed a Russian potluck with 7 other families. We were encouraged to find that everything was actually edible (except for maybe some super-flat pancake things). It was fun to try new things.

We took a trip to Lake Michigan last weekend and enjoyed seeing the frozen lake and walking out on the ice mountains. It was great to see the beauty and breathe in some fresh air and see sunshine.

On the gray days I'm reminded of Ps. 43:5 - Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.