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.