I get to be the one...

I've toyed for a bit on how I would share this news.  

It's a little bittersweet, but I am truly excited to be sharing!!  

So, without further ado....

I'd like to introduce you to....

 'Seraphina'. 

Hmmm....I know her adorable face is hiding and hopefully soon I will be able to share it with you.  But I can share that she is 2 (about 6 months younger that L.  So when L eventually does get to come home, her little sister will only be littler for 1/2 of the year!)  And she's got big brown eyes and dark, spiky hair (she's little, it'll grow!) and squishy cheeks and perfect little piggy toes.
   She's absolutely beautiful and....

 I.am.in.love!

'Seraphina' is a code name of sorts.  Her country in Latin America doesn't want her information to be shared publicly until a bit down the road.  Sometimes I might refer to her by this code name or sometime by 'J' which will be her name when she comes home.  It's the American version of her name and pretty fitting if I do say so myself!  It means, "God will add"...perfect right!?!

I want to share that this does NOT mean that I am in any way giving up on bringing L home. God's plan is just leading me down a beautiful side road and someday (even if it takes a couple of years!) I will have two daughters to share my home with.  'Seraphina' needs the love of a mother and I have that love to give.  She has spent the first two years of her life living in an orphanage and deserves to have a family to call her own.  I'm just the lucky one that God put on the path to be able to be that 'family'.  

So, the 'Whatever You're Doing' song from my last post....

well, this is what God was doing.  

He was leading me to my daughter.

The current theme song...

'I get to be the one' by JJ Heller

 Just listen to the lyrics.   

Who I Am on World Down Syndrome Day

Today is World Down Syndrome Day.  3/21.  To celebrate the greatness of individuals who were born with a 3rd copy of their 21st chromosome.

This day has been celebrated for a while but last year, 3/21/2012 was the first year this day was celebrated as an International Holiday.  At the end of 2011, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared this day as World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) and that first official recognition happened last year, 3/21/12!  This year for WDSD, the IDSC (International Down Syndrome Coalition) is running a video campaign titled...

"Who I Am"

 

Individuals with Down Syndrome are just that....individuals.  They are artists and dancers and singers.  They are friends. They are employees and employers.  They are funny. They are spouses.  They are sons and daughters. They are smart. They are athletes. They are brothers and sisters.

They are loved.

On this World Down Syndrome Day, I'd like to share this face....

 Though she waits for her family on the other side of the world, 

she is so loved on this side of the world.  

She is a daughter and a sister and I am a mother.

Whatever You're doing...

I realize it has been two months since my last post.  And I apologize for the silence.  The past couple of months have been full of a few ups, some downs and well, acceptance that things will not be happening as originally planned.  For those readers who were left with the last post and have not had the chance to be updated on changes with Russian adoptions over the past months, I will quickly recap and give you a brief two month update.

From the last post...everyone in process was waiting for the Russian Supreme Court to make their ruling on how to put Putin's ban into effect.  They gave that ruling and it was that families who had been to court were allowed to bring their children home.  It was amazing to see a number of families travel after the first of the year and come back to US with their new additions. (Though that process was made very difficult for them!)  For those of us who had not been to court yet, technically it meant our process was over.  Let me just interject here that the human side of me had a mini melt down when this occurred, another adoptive parent called it an 'emotional disaster' and I think that's a perfect description but then I was reminded that God is really the one in control.  This seems funny to write, but just because Russia says 'no' doesn't mean people are obeying that.  I know, how can you just ignore that, you might ask?

Let me try to share a quick explanation as to why no is not be accepted as the final answer....    
There has been some talk of trying to 'change the rules' for families in the various stages of the adoption process.  There are also families who have filed a suit with the European Court of Human Rights.  Families are fighting back and fighting hard!  Our government is finally starting to put forth a wee bit of effort AND God is still in control!!!  As most things in government it will be a long process, and it is a process that is still pretty unclear.  No one really knows what things will look like in 3 months or 6 months or a year or...??  So, even though right now the answer from R is no, the answer from God is....'remember that this is HIS plan that we're all following'.     

And that's the past two months in a nutshell...

If you haven't figured out, I like to turn to music that seems to say just the right things.... I have a playlist of all of my favorite 'adoption songs' or songs that have meant something over the past year.  Some seem to always be relevant (While I'm Waiting by John Waller for example!)  But the current theme song is....

 

 Whatever You're Doing by Sanctus Real

It's a song that has been around for awhile and that I've liked for awhile, but sitting back and really listening to the words, it just makes perfect sense, now.

These lines...."And all I can do is surrender....Whatever you're doing, inside of me.  It feels like chaos, but somehow there's peace. It's hard to surrender to what I can't see, but I'm giving in to something Heavenly"

I tweak it a little in my head...though I know He is working 'inside of me'.  I feel like it's even bigger than that and I think more along the lines of 'Whatever you're doing.' and that's just it...'whatever you're doing....It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace.'   

I can't see what God's long term plan is, but I can surrender and follow where He leads.   'Whatever He's doing' is so much bigger than me (or Putin or Russia or the US) and I just have to remind myself of that on a daily basis.

I will always consider L mine and she WILL be home someday, it just may be awhile.  All in God's timing.  But, like my other theme song says...

'I will serve You, while I'm waiting.  

I'll be running the race, even while I wait'.   

What does that mean exactly?  

Hmm, good question.

 

Your Help is NEEDED!!!

     There is a way YOU can help!!  It will only take a minute of your time and could potentially make the difference of life alone or life with the love of a family for thousands of orphans.

Members of Congress have a short window of opportunity to sign on to two letters regarding Russia’s recent decision to ban adoptions to the United States.  The first letter is to President Vladimir Putin of Russia and the second is to President Obama.  Both letters appeal to each leader to recognize the basic human rights of these children and all children in Russia to a family and to work to resolve the pending cases of children who were in the adoption process prior to the January 1, 2013 ban. 

 

Senator Roy Blunt and Congressional Coalition on Adoption Co-Chairs Senator Landrieu, Senator Inhofe, Representative Bachmann and Representative Karen Bass are currently circulating these letters for signature by their colleagues, with a deadline to sign on to these letters of tomorrow, Wednesday, January 16 at 12pm EST .  Please contact your Senators and Representative today and urge them to sign on to these letters and lend their support to Russia’s children.  Offices interested in signing on should contact Libby Whitbeck in Senator Landrieu’s office or Kristina Weger in Senator Blunt’s office.

I have enclosed the contact information for the Senator Chambliss and Senator Isakson in Georgia and for the Congressman Kingston from District One in Georgia (Glynn County). 

I've also given an example of how brief the contact could be.  Just click the link, copy and paste. It's that easy to make a HUGE difference!!!

If you live outside of Georgia you can find your Senators’ phone numbers and email address at

 www.senate.gov

 

and you can find your Representatives’ phone numbers and email address at 

www.house.gov

Here is the link for the congressional district map for Georgia

georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/pdf/GeorgiaCongressionalDistricts2012Statewide.pdf

If you live in Georgia:

Contact Congressman Jack Kingston (District 1)
Savannah Phone: (912) 352-0101
Brunswick Office: (912) 265-9010
Email:   https://kingston.house.gov/contactform/default.aspx

Senator Johnny Isakson
(202) 224-3643
Email:    www.isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm
 
Senator Saxby Chambliss
(202) 224-3521 
Email:    www.chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email
 
Sample email or phone 'script':
 
Dear _____________________,
  I'm writing to urge you to please sign the two letters that are coming before Congress regarding Russia’s recent decision to ban adoptions to the United States. They must be signed by Wednesday at 12pm and are deeply important to me as a constituent. If you are interested in signing these letters please contact Libby Whitbeck in Senator Landrieu’s office or Kristina Weger in Senator Blunt’s office.
Sincerely,
Sarah Meyer

I can't thank you enough for taking a few minutes of your time to email or call.  And please feel free to share with friends and family.  The more we can show congress how important this is, the more signatures these letters can get. 

And of course, prayer is still top on the list.

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! 

Bold and Confident

  The past few weeks have been quite an emotional roller coaster. Ups and downs on a daily basis.  With the news from L's country, regarding the current ban, changing from one minute to the next. (You can read through some of the many stories and articles this separate post.) The news in the morning might be different from the news in the evening and then there may be nothing new for days...leaving us all waiting.  Waiting to hear what the final outcome will be. The best (and worst) part is that we are still waiting...
  Sometimes, it's easier to put words together in a post than other times and well, this is one of those 'other' times.  So, this song has been one (of many) that have been on my daily soundtrack for the past few weeks.  And these words say a lot right now...

I'm waiting,

I'm waiting on you Lord and I am hopeful

I'm waiting on you Lord though it is painful

but patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step, in obedience

While I'm waiting, I will serve you.

While I'm waiting, I will worship.

While I'm waiting, I will not faint.

I'll be running the race even while I wait.

I'm waiting, 

I'm waiting on You Lord  

And I am peaceful,

 I'm waiting on You Lord  

Though it's not easy no, 

but faithfully I will wait... 

Yes, I will wait.

 
And I will move ahead bold and confident 

Taking every step in obedience

 
While I'm waiting, I will serve You.

While I'm waiting, I will worship. 

While I'm waiting, I will not faint.

I'll be running the race even while I wait.

"I will move ahead bold and confident.  

Taking every step in obedience."   

    I think these two lines jump out the most.  I am still moving forward. God has got this, I am confident.   

Could the wait be longer? Possibly.

Might I have to take a few extra steps in the process? Maybe. 

Will I have to work a little harder? Probably. 

Is God in control? Definitely.

The thought of potentially losing her is excruciatingly painful. I admit that I am very human, and there are moments that doubt creeps into my human brain and I feel defeated. heartbroken.   

BUT those are the times that prayer helps the most and I am reminded that God is greater, bigger, stronger than anyone in L's country or even than her whole country!!! I will continue to take steps forward (there may be an upcoming post with new pics of L's room!) and I will continue to have faith and I will continue to trust because He's.got.this!

So, I will wait.

Some of you may wonder what can be done?

Is there anything that would help?

Yes. You can pray. 

Pray for the hundreds of families that are struggling with uncertainty right now. 
Pray for the thousands of children that would be/will be effected by this law. 
Pray for the agencies that are trying to figure out how everything can continue work from this point out.  
Pray for the civilians in L's country as they fight along with us, protesting and standing up for all of the orphans in their country.  Pray for all of the government officials involved in the decision making.
Pray for L that she will continue to stay healthy until she can come home.  
That is the biggest thing you can do, pray. 

 

   

  

News Links

This post is really nothing fancy.  I've simply put links to some of the many, many articles, stories and briefings regarding developments in L's country.  Some of the information is hopeful and some not so much.  Of course, the initial news stories are a bit irrelevant at this point, but I thought I'd share for anyone interested in the background details.  I have tried to put them in order (with the newest at the top) and will attempt to add more as any new and relevant information is shared.  For those families in the process, our agencies are keeping in contact, the DOS (Department of State) and USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) have held a couple of conference calls and are working to keep families informed. 

 Really at this instant, no one has a clear cut explanation, so we all continue to wait.

Thanks for keeping L and her mama in your prayers.

There are quite a few stories from families at various stages of the process - just google 'Families in Process R* Adoption Ban'

(you will need to type the full country name)

 The following articles cover the protest in L's Country that happened today (Sunday 1/13) - WOW, just WOW - 
 http://rt.com/news/moscow-adoption-law-protest-908/

 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/14/world/europe/thousands-of-russians-rally-against-adoption-ban.html

http://en.rian.ru/video/20130113/178751400/Thousands_Protest_Anti-US_Adoption_Law.html

Some articles just have to make you laugh -  http://www.celebdirtylaundry.com/2013/angelina-jolie-brad-pitt-marriage-russia-vladimir-putin-wedding-adopt-russian-baby-0111/

Protest story- http://www.aljazeera.com/video/asia/2013/01/2013112124150438424.html

The treaty that is being talked about in many of these stories -   

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fd9327b24f96a310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

When in reality, this is what's coming from the other side - http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2102567

(translation)

 http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kommersant.ru%2Fdoc%2F2102567&act=url

Nothing like a misleading headline on the US side to get hopes up - 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/10/world/europe/russia-us-adoptions/index.html

 http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2101567

(translation)

 http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kommersant.ru%2Fdoc%2F2101567&act=url

And then good news -

 http://ria.ru/society/20130111/917802066.html?ria=ft9qvvifg3fhmvao9vpl203it3rra3gq

(translation)

 http://translate.google.com/translate?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ru&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://ria.ru/society/20130111/917802066.html%3Fria%3Dft9qvvifg3fhmvao9vpl203it3rra3gq

Not so good news - 

 http://ria.ru/society/20130111/917772194.html?ria=jl6f4h8cetiakjab1citlf962l9nd9d8

(translation)

 http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fria.ru%2Fsociety%2F20130111%2F917772194.html

http://www.smh.com.au/world/russia-clears-courtapproved-us-adoptions-20130111-2cl7t.html

 http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130110/178697643.html

 http://en.rian.ru/russia/20130110/178694199/Bilateral_Russia-US_Adoption_Agreement.html

 http://russialist.org/russians-to-march-against-us-adoption-ban/

 

 http://top.rbc.ru/politics/09/01/2013/839574.shtml

(translation)

 http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftop.rbc.ru%2Fpolitics%2F09%2F01%2F2013%2F839574.shtml

 http://ria.ru/society/20130108/917351161.html?ria=kmlmdpajr7hvn0vd2gf4ibnrt8n4alm3

 (translation)

 http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fria.ru%2Fsociety%2F20130108%2F917351161.html&act=url

 http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/8/russian-ban-on-us-adoption-turns-children-into-paw/

Thank you Mr. Schlegel!!

http://www.regnum.ru/news/polit/1610852.html

(translation)

 http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.regnum.ru%2Fnews%2Fpolit%2F1610852.html&act=url

  Even the locals in L's country are against it -

 http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/04/vladimir-putin-s-adoption-ban-raises-issue-of-who-will-save-russian-orphans.html

 http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/putin-signs-adoption-ban/473742.html#ixzz2GONChOCr

Another 'signed it' article -  http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/28/world/europe/russia-us-adoptions/index.html

 And he signed it...http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/12/202401.htm

 

The Upper Parliament passed the bill - http://www.kasparov.ru/material.php?id=50DAD68C3FD03

(translation)

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kasparov.ru%2Fmaterial.php%3Fid%3D50DAD68C3FD03

 http://www.forbes.ru/news/231524-sovet-federatsii-edinoglasno-odobril-zakon-dimy-yakovleva

 (translation below)

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.ru%2Fnews%2F231524-sovet-federatsii-edinoglasno-odobril-zakon-dimy-yakovleva

 http://rbth.ru/articles/2012/12/23/vice-speaker_zheleznyak_lists_conditions_on_which_russia_may_not_ban_21384.html

 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/24/world/europe/citing-broken-system-critics-fight-russias-adoption-ban.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=1&

 http://www.vz.ru/tags/dima-yakovlev/  

(below is the google translate of this article, there are actually a few stories here) 

http://translate.google.com/translate?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ru&tl=en&twu=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vz.ru%2Ftags%2Fdima-yakovlev%2F

 http://www.themoscowtimes.com/mobile/article/473444.html

 http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=798

 http://rt.com/politics/russia-ban-us-adoptions-183/

The first 'news' -  http://en.ria.ru/russia/20121217/178218802.html

Day 27 - November isn't over yet

Okay, after kind of catching up on missing half of the month, I realized that November isn't over yet.  The daily 'Thankful Posts' were meant to be each day for the month of November.  So, can I do four more? Sure, why not.

Today, November 27, I'm Thankful for this kid....

 

I've mentioned him in quite a few posts.  He's really a pretty amazing kid, even in all of his quirkyness.... He's got such a big heart. And is probably tied for second in eagerness for his niece to come home! 

He's my brother. And yesterday, he turned 16.  

Gasp, 16?  Where has the time gone?  

He has actually turned into a pretty great teenager...I can't wait to see what the next 16 years bring.

Day 22 - Thanks & Giving It

I'm truly thankful for my family, the time to spend together, to enjoy each others company. 

(Especially while sitting at this beautiful table!)

For my fiends, new & old. And all the 'typical' good things, food in my plate, a roof over my head, a good job (that I enjoy). This Thanksgiving Day, I'm thankful for 'really' learning to let go and trust God. I'm thankful for so many changes over the past year, and for so many more to come! I'm especially thankful that this spot...

...will be full next Thanksgiving!

A "whole lotta" Thanks

Well, my whole attempt to 'keep up', didn't work out so well (obviously!).  And I have missed....uhm....15 days worth of 'Thankful Posts'.  That's right, I'm a slacker.  Though, a thankful slacker, really.  So here are a few things that have come up in those past  few many days. 

This fuzzy little kitten appeared in my development about 2 weeks after I moved in. He was maybe 6 weeks old and so shy and timid and lonely.  After a few short days, he and my dog quickly adopted each other and have been BFF's ever since.  (Literally, this cat follows us everywhere on our multiple daily walks and rubs and loves all over the dog.  And the dog will stop and wait for the cat to catch up, or hurry to go 'say hi' with a little sniff and lick.) I admit, I now feed this scruffy thing twice a day (even though I really wanted to from minute one)...


....and am thankful to my silly dog for insisting that this fluffy grey kitty become a part of our family.



I have already mentioned my thankfulness for Preschool paperwork and here's another little taste of that.  These are just a few of the faces that will one day be Little Bear's classmates and friends.  I got to sub in the 'Walker' room at school and it happened to be this sweet boy's 2nd birthday.  

 

He brought cupcakes to share with his friends.  They were all very thankful!

 

A friend and her son made delicious little 'Thankful' goodies to pass out.  So, I get to be thankful for other people being thankful! (And for her Grandmother being an excellent baker!!)

I spent a weekend with 8 of our youth at a High School Fusion Retreat.  The purpose of the weekend was to give these High School kids a chance to grow closer to God and their friends.  It was an awesome weekend watching them share and learn and worship.  This young man was there with his church youth group.  During one of our worship times, he was looking around the crowd (of about 125) and looked a little lost, trying to find a familiar face.  He walked over to a certain redhead, put his hand on her shoulder and spent the rest of the worship next to her.  He knew how special her heart is. It was so great to see him interacting and participating with all of the other 100 plus High Schoolers. I'm thankful for this weekend in so many ways.

And last, but not least....

Tiny pink Nike tennis shoes.  Enough said.