Another November Update!

We are extra thankful to God this Thanksgiving season for adoption journey progress!

The hard cast goes on Monday. Elliot has already decided he wants a camo cast!

Our week started in the ER with a broken arm and ended with a great email from our adoption agency! I am grateful and giddy to share that Thursday we were issued not only our ARC (Adoption Recommendation Committee) approval, but we also received unexpectedly our NOC (No Objection Certificate)!!!!!  This means the only official step that remains is our local court date in the city of Thor's orphanage. We don't know how long to expect. It could happen in two weeks or two months. Once the court approval happens, we will travel 1-2 months later when Thor's passport has been issued, and our travel is arranged with our agency chaperone in India. George and I will then go to India for two weeks to hug on our new little one.

Thank you for all your prayers as you have followed our adoption journey. Although we are still waiting, we are waiting for something different knowing that we are much closer to embracing our babe. Please pray for a timely court date and a warm, fuzzy judge who is eager to place a child in his forever family!

Wait for the Lord; 
be strong, and let your heart take courage; 
wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27:14

November Update

Tahquitz Canyon Hike in Palm Desert, California

 Scenic Highway 74 between Palm Desert and San Diego

 San Jacinto State Park Nature Center, Idyllwild, California.

When the US government closes the national park you are aiming for, find a state park! 

Hike in San Jacinto State Park, Idyllwild, California

Since I last shared an update, we were granted the Article 5 letter from the US Embassy in New Delhi. As of today, we have now been waiting one month for the ARC (Adoption Recommedation Committee) in Thor's home state in India to grant us approval for the adoption. This could happen within the next month or 10 months from now. We are aware that it has taken at least six months for another family in the area waiting. Then we will request approval from CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) and the local court in Thor's orphanage's city. For now we continue to pray that it is God's will for Thor to come home to be with us soon. I think God is just providing the time He knows I need to nest!

"God knows what you need before you even ask Him."

Matthew 6:8

Our Referral of a Little Man in India--Woohoo!

Gavin's First Karate Tournament

Elliot's Second Karate Tournament

In the process of adoption through India, a referral is not guaranteed until we have been issued a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC). We had initially planned to not share any news of an accepted referral until we had the NOC out of fear of sharing the great news only to have to share our loss of the referral later. We have experienced a miscarriage and know the pain of broadcasting joy only to be forced to then share heartache.

That said, we have had a change of heart (or rather I convinced George I could hold it in no longer!). In  May when we chose India, it was because of a little boy our agency made known to us (I will call him "Thor" since our boys like that name, and we are not at liberty to share specific information about him until we are granted Indian court approval). Our Uncle Joe had just passed away after serving in India, where he was serving in ministry. We had explained to the boys that Uncle Joe was now in Heaven helping God to pick out our little brother. Shortly after that, our agency asked if we would consider a little boy in India! We accepted the referral and immediately dove into all the paperwork necessary to make it a reality. We had to have our home study modified and submit both a "change of country" request and extension to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) since our immigration approval was about to expire. We sent a completed dossier to India.

We received our I800A approval from USCIS, which means we are approved to adopt a child from India. Upon receipt of this approval, we immediately filed our I800 application to specifically adopt our own little Thor. We are happy to share that we have now received this approval! Our approval was then submitted to the US Embassy in New Delhi, India, and they have requested the preliminary paperwork for Thor's U.S. visa. We submitted that yesterday, so we now await issuance of Thor's Article 5 letter within a week. The Article 5 letter will shift the wait into the hands of India.

It is exciting to already have memorized the smiling face of the little one coming home with us eventually, but it is torment to not be able to go now and grab him up in our arms. It could be six to twelve months before we actually head to India. The timing is all in God's hands, so we are trying to be patient. (Forgive me for not sharing a picture of Thor here in that we are not allowed to share his picture until we are granted custody because of a confidentiality agreement for his protection.)

"How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son."

Ephesians 1:3-6

Redirected

My 6 & Under Little Leaguers: 

The last time these two dudes can be on a baseball team together until 

they play varsity as a senior and sophomore!

Well, I stepped away from sharing on our blog when we were faced with a decision whether or not to pursue adoption in a country other than Moldova. We have no doubt that God remains right on schedule. As eager as we have been to simply embrace a new member for our family, God's journey for us always has much more in store. In March 2012 we began to pursue adoption of a little boy in Moldova. We knew this country was working to get off the ground and had no official timeline yet. We knew we were in unchartered territory. We knew patience would be part of the process. In April 2013 we began to talk to our agency about options other than Moldova.

Also in April, our family lost our Uncle Joe. He was a priest who had been serving in India. We explained to Elliot and Gavin that Uncle Joe was now in Heaven, where we could guess he was talking to God about where to find our new little brother.

We felt an allegiance to Moldova, but we wanted to be open to God's leading. We know we were led through Moldova for a reason, but after much prayer we chose to step out of the line and into the process in India in June. Coincidence that our beloved Uncle Joe had been serving in India? We think NOT! I have many more details to share in what has been an amazing experience, but I didn't want to let my desire to include ALL the details delay my sharing this glimpse of what is happening any longer.

I thought about starting a new blog entirely, but I decided it was important to see the whole puzzle coming together. I have spent much time on other adoptive families' blogs, and I want this blog to be useful and honest for others who may be considering growing their families through adoption. I don't want to take away the Moldova part of our journey, even though I may never travel there. Hence, I introduce you to the next phase in this blog's development and a new name, "From India to Nashville."  Love and blessings to you. Much more to follow...

The boys had to draw a picture or write a statement about the adoption as part of the dossier for India. Gavin drew the above picture of our family. 

I will let you guess which one is our "new little brother from India." 

Elliot wrote the statement below when I asked him to write what he thinks about having a new little brother from India...'nuf said!

In their hearts humans plan their course, 

but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Florida Bait to Get THE Call...Unsuccessful

Our view from the beach chairs in Naples, FL

Well, my "Florida bait" did not work. The trip came and went, and we have yet to receive that much-anticipated phone call saying, "We have a little one for you to love!" Despite the fact that we are more than disappointed and eager, we are also very hopeful. Our agency says that Moldova continues to display progress in the process of identifying children in the orphanages who are in need of permanent homes and forever families. We are simply waiting for them to identify and match us with a little one within our age parameters of up to 36 months.

In an effort to "speed the process," we used a trip to Florida as "bait."  George and I have not had a chance to get away together without our little men since February 2011, so we decided it was the perfect time to fit that in before a big trip to Moldova. I was convinced that as soon as we booked a flight to see our friends in Florida for a weekend in May, we would get the call. Keep in mind that we turned down the same opportunity with our friends for Labor Day weekend because we were "waiting for a special phone call." One can actually say I was using the trip as "bait" for the adoption to move forward... "If we plan a trip, the call will come!" Well, my bait did not work, but the beauty of it is that we were still winners in the end in that we had our weekend getaway! Can I get a "WOOHOO!!"  Since the call didn't come, I got to steal away with my hot hubby for three nights and anticipate an approaching phone call (if it's not received, the call is still ever "approaching").

For those friends just tuning in, we will be making two trips to Moldova.  After THE phone call, we will travel to Moldova the first time for two weeks. We will hug on our new little one(s) and initiate the legal process. When we return to the US, we have to leave him behind until we return about a month later. On the second trip of two weeks, we do all the other technical things, like go to the US Embassy for a travel visa for our little one (he will be considered a Moldovan traveler until he hits US soil), complete a physical examination, and appear in court before a judge. Well, we are now 14 months into this adoption world, and we have no more idea now as to when to expect that call than we did in March 2012. We do know that God has perfect timing, and He is always right on time. Regardless of when that call comes, we continue to be one day closer to big hugs in Moldova...

"We can make our plans, but God has the last word."

Proverbs 16:1

Easter in Moldova

Happy Easter to Moldova! Yesterday Orthodox Easter was celebrated in Moldova, and today is a public day of rest in celebration of Easter. It is a big week for rest in Moldova in that Thursday, May 9, is Victory and Commemoration Day in Moldova, another day of rest. I am guessing that my phone will not ring this week with news of major activity in the adoption world, but I sure would love to be wrong! Don't get me wrong. I am all for days of rest, but selfishly I would prefer that there be no government holidays until our new little person is being hugged by us.

The next public holiday in Moldova is August 27, Independence Day in Moldova (1991). Pray that we hear great news of a referral by then!

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait on the Lord, I say."

Psalm 27:14

The Hamptons celebrate Easter (especially Elliot) here in Nashville with smiles

For those who have a thirst for more knowledge regarding Easter in Moldova...

(Taken from worldofmoldova.com)

Easter is the most important religious holiday in Moldova. Easter is a transitioning holiday and the exact date for it is calculated using the lunar-solar calendar. The day of Easter is taken to be on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. And because the vernal equinox usually occurs on the 20th of March and two full moons are a little under 30 days apart, Easter usually happens either at the beginning or at the end of April. Although there have been cases when the Easter holiday occurred at the beginning of May, or at the end of March.

There are numerous Easter related traditions and most of them relate to the Church, after all, Easter is the day when Jesus resurrected. People use a different greeting in Moldova on the days of Easter – they say "Hristos a inviat" which means "Jesus resurrected". And the reply for the greeting is "Adevarat a inviat", which translates to "Indeed resurrected". Some people might actually be offended if you greet them by just saying "Hi, how are you" on Easter.

It is also customary to color eggs in different colors for Easter, although red is considered the traditional color. A large variety of meals are prepared for Easter in Moldovan households, such as Easter cakes and Easter bread, which must be sprinkled with holy water at a church. And of course, lamb serves as the primary meat during Easter. Plenty of other national food is prepared in Moldova for Easter: placinte (a type of filled pastry), galuste (rice and ground meat wrapped in grape wine leaves), mamaliga (cornbread), various salads, soups, main entry meat dishes (especially rabbit and lamb), as well as various deserts. Many people bring all the above mentioned food to be sanctified, not just the eggs and the Easter bread, which usually causes huge lines to form at and near the church. It is advisable to arrive early on.

The second Sunday after Easter in Moldova there is a holiday called "Pastele Blajinilor", which translates roughly to "Easter of the Gentle". People bring flowers to the graves of their family and friends, and exchange gifts with others who came to mourn on this day.

Christian Alliance for Orphans will soon meet in NASHVILLE

The Christian Alliance for Orphans’ annual Summit has become the national hub for what Christianity Today recently called, “the burgeoning Christian orphan care movement.” Summit IX on May 2-3, 2013, at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN is expected to draw 1,800 to 2,000 pastors, grassroots advocates, organizational leaders and church ministry heads. Alongside more than eighty workshops, the unforgettable plenary sessions will include David Platt, Randy Alcorn, Michele Bachmann, Bishop & Donna Martin, and other global leaders. Summit inspires, equips and connects for adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry. (taken from the Summit 9 website)

I am writing this post as part of the Summit 9 Blogger Giveaway. Check out all the details at www.summit9.org. We have been challenged to share with others why we see value in attending this important meeting, so I couldn't resist the chance to do so below...

(Two little dudes who are excited to soon hug their new little brother)

I totally have orphans on the brain these days. As of this month, we have been in the process of adoption for one year and are waiting impatiently for the call to tell us we have been matched.  In retrospect, we can see so clearly that God prepared us for this journey much further back than a year. We have been surrounded by the beauty of growing family through adoption both through our extended family and numerous close friends. When we finally decided to fill out that adoption application, we quickly realized we were not on a rescue mission but on a journey to be united with the little one God made for us. Our first two children arrived via C-section at a local hospital, and our next child will come to us via plane from across the Atlantic Ocean.

God didn't stop when He pierced ours hearts for our waiting little one. He opened our eyes to much more. The books Adopted for Life and The Strength of Mercy gave a new perspective on our calling as Christians. Despite the torment that comes with learning more than your heart wants to bear, we have found ourselves unable to pull ourselves from everything we can find about the unmet needs out there. It is overwhelmingly to actually stop and acknowledge the painful circumstances of so many in the world.  Then came Radical, Fields of the Fatherless and The Hole in our Gospel.  Our pursuit of one little person led to an eagerness to know how God could use us in a way we had not previously been available to Him.  We are hungry to know what He wants to do with us.

We are left with many questions. Do we simply focus on preparing ourselves for the child who will soon be in our arms? Are we to be advocates for filling all American guest rooms with a new family member they just didn't know they had yet? How can we encourage our church to push beyond its current outreach ministries to actually actively spur our congregation to adopt, foster children, or help others who do as part of an ongoing ministry? How do we challenge others in our community to view the need of orphans up close rather than from a distance? How can we help to stir hearts in some way, whether small scale or large? 

I don't currently know what God is calling me to do. Perhaps He just wants me to "be still" for once (He knows I have an ongoing challenge with this!) I just know I want to do what He wants me to do, and I am praying for clarity as to exactly what that is...no matter how scary the answer I find. What better way to find some of these answers (or even just the first of many answers), than to throw myself into a world of people focused on these precious children?  For this reason, I am headed to the Christian Alliance for Orphans' Summit 9 in Nashville this May. I encourage others to do the same to see how God wants to use their special gifts.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose."

Philippians 2:13

Ugh. International Women's Day--March 8

Ugh.  Come on, really?  Another public holiday for Moldova while we wait to be matched with our little one(s). "What holiday?" you may ask...International Women's Day.  Wanna know more?

In some regions, the day lost its political flavor, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. In other regions, however, the original political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner. (taken from Wikipedia)

Moldova recognizes International Women's Day as a "day of rest" or a public holiday. Yes, I know this is a good thing for the world, but it is a bad thing for me and my ever-increasing need for others throughout the world to share my sense of urgency about matching us with our little one(s). Instead of being frustrated that there is one less day for someone to seek out the babe who needs big hugs from the Hamptons, my plan is to also take a day of "mental rest" from waiting on this process. My "Women's Day" will be about stillness.  I am going to make an appointment with myself to just be still in prayer and open to God's direction.

Next public holidays to anticipate...May 1 is Labor Day.  Orthodox Easter is May 5, which means they have a public holiday on May 6 for Orthodox Easter Monday.

One kind of positive note...they don't "spring forward" this weekend in Moldova like we do, so that is a whole other hour that isn't being lost until March 31...follow me?

A glimpse of my boys being "still." I often go to tuck little ones in and find that Gavin has climbed into bed with Elliot. I don't think Elliot even knows about it.  Too sweet.

He says, "Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10

Watching the Cocoon

Our friends Gray and Cal introduced us to a new world when they told us you could order your own caterpillars on the internet. With a simple visit to Insect Lore, our five live caterpillars arrived in the mail in a small plastic cup.

For days we watched them diligently as they moved around the small container with the food included, and we resisted the temptation to open the lid out of fear that the bacteria would be introduced to the fragile creatures.  After about a week, they climbed to the top to transform into chrysalides!

When they had all latched on to the top and safely curled up into chrysalides, we gently transferred them on the paper liner of the lid to their butterfly garden.

We watched and waited to see a butterfly emerge.  Two of our butterflies popped out of their cocoons when we weren't watching, but the third one was born before our very eyes!  All four of us had a chance to witness a butterfly making its way into the world!!  I have to tell you it was a super cool thing for all of us! 

The butterfly information told us that of the five caterpillars, we should expect that at least three would emerge.  All five of ours are now flitting around in their garden!

Now we are waiting for the temperature to consistently be above 55 degrees before we can release them (right now we have a dusting of snow floating to the earth...) 

Well, for those of you wondering how this ties into our monthly adoption update, it is to share that we are still watching the cocoon.  That precious little beautiful babe is just waiting for the right time to fly into our lives! We know God's timing is absolutely perfect, so we are celebrating the fact that everything is right on schedule! (Yes, I am still a bit impatient with this perfect schedule, but I am aware of my need for personal development in this area!) 

Please continue to be in prayer for this whole process in that I am hopeful that somewhere in Moldova our file is right at the top of someone's pile of papers waiting to be reviewed, bringing us one day closer to hugs in Moldova!

Elliot and Gavin pause for a hug during a hike at the Ag Center

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Only News is Snow News

Ugh. Just thought I would share a monthly update to tell you there is nothing to tell you. I call our agency frequently just to make sure. Although they politely and sympathetically explain that they will not hesitate to call when they have news of any kind, it doesn't keep me from hoping that maybe today will be the day I catch them right before they have the chance to call me!  

The only news to share is that our babes had their first snow day here in Nashville, which is really sad considering that our "sledding hill" was just a wet grassy hill after a few passes. I have to admit I had more fun on the sled than they did. They seemed more concerned with making huge snow balls to pelt at the Daddy. I will continue with the monthly updates on life with our two precious dudes while we await the arrival of another or "anothers"...

Interesting tidbit for today?  It is supposed to rain in both the capital of Moldova and our capital of Nashville tomorrow.  Coincidence?  I think not!

Oh, so glad that Dad made that crazy purchase of sleds that sunny, dry day about a month ago!

Yes, Elliot made a snow man (lower left corner).  He was so proud!

Gavin's "tough" face

"Come now, let's settle this," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool."

Isaiah 1:18

Another Hampton Milestone

We celebrated four years of Gavin today! As he crawled into bed with us this morning to snuggle, I whispered, "Good morning, my four-year-old!" He responded, "Mama, I'm not four yet. I haven't had birthday cake yet!" Well, there you have it...the secret to maintaining your youth...avoid eating birthday cake!  It is the birthday cake that actually makes you a year older!

We had a grand day of birthday cake (with mandatory self-chosen hats), went to a totally cool place for kids (complete with kid bowling, roller skating, bumper cars, and video games), and a walk back in time as we watched "The Debut of Gavin" footage taken at the hospital back in 2009. The boys were really confused in that Gavin thought he was the little boy in the video (actually Elliot).  Elliot wanted to know where he was, and we had to explain that "the new baby" was actually a small version of Gavin! I am so grateful that we caught these moments on video.  I pray that it won't be long before we are celebrating the life of our new son (or sons) from Moldova!  We are always one day closer to that big hug...

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord!

Psalm 127:3

2013 is the Year!!!

Despite having no idea of an actual "due date," we pray this will be the year!!  In the next 360 days, we hope to hear about the little person God has made to be part of our family! Although we are still impatient, we are excited to know that we are in the "matching room" in Moldova. The final document needed was sent, translated, and certified at the beginning of December. 

The Moldovan Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7th based on the old Julian calendar (We Westerners and the followers of the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrate on December 25th because of the new Gregorian calendar...you may recall from an earlier post that Moldova has strong ties to both Romanian and Russian heritage).  For this reason, we have been told to expect no movement in the coming weeks based on government closures.  That doesn't mean I can't hope for a phone call by the end of the month!

(A Christmas ornament my crafty baby sis Shannon made for our family tree as we await the little one who will forever make Moldova part of our lives and ancestry. It has a map and "Made in Moldova" glued on the inside. So cute and super thoughtful...Thanks, Sis!)

My heartbreak over the adoption ban put in place by the Russian government has again reminded me that I am not in control of this adoption adventure; nor is the Russian government ultimately in charge of these precious souls.  God is in charge.  God has a plan.  They are HIS children. We know that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28).  I know that offers little in the way of instant comfort for those crushed in their Russian adoption process; it just means there can be healing, and something good can come of this horrible situation. My prayers go up for them.

Sure, I can write my to-do list, be proud of the neatly-organized filing system I have set up for the multitude of paperwork required by adoption, call my agency for updates, or constantly troll the internet to see what the blogging world is saying about adoption today. It won't make God's perfect plan fall into place any faster.  What will make this wait more bearable?  I can pray that my heart will be so in sync with the will of my God that I am content in the "waiting."  I am still allowed to be excited and eager.  I am still allowed to cry. Yes, I am a cry baby (inherited trait from the Welsh side of me...).  I am likely to shed a lot of tears during this process...both joyful and sad, but that doesn't mean that my trust doesn't remain in the one who initially sent me on this journey. After all, Jesus cried, too.

Your Moldovan lesson for today:

Merry Christmas and happy new year!

Crăciun fericit și An Nou fericit!

Go to the website below for pronunciation:

http://translate.google.com/#auto/ro/Merry%20Christmas%20and%20happy%20new%20year!

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

II Timothy 1:7