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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

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
 
and you can find your Representatives’ phone numbers and email address at 
Here is the link for the congressional district map for Georgia


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!!! 



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Saturday, January 12, 2013

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. 








 



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

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

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

(translation)

And then good news -
(translation)

Not so good news - 
(translation)





 
(translation)


 (translation)


Thank you Mr. Schlegel!!
(translation)

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



 

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

 (translation below)




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






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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

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.
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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!



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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.


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Monday, November 12, 2012

Day 11 & 12.....Butter and Horses

I spent Saturday out of town, just a bit north in Savannah, GA.  It was a very long, but very good day.  There were lots of laughs, fantastic finds and tired feet.  And also there were horses and butter.  An odd combination I know.  We took the opportunity to go on a horse drawn carriage ride through downtown Savannah and learn a bit more about the town and it's history and to re-view some of it's hidden gems (which this old town has PLENTY of!).  Savannah's history is tied pretty closely to my little island's history, too, so it's always fun to learn more about things that overlap! 

I'm Thankful for this delicious meal....
I can't think of anything better at the moment, than Southern fried cookin', y'all...fried chicken, corn pudding, cheese biscuits, rice and gravy, beans, sweet potatoes, lemonade, and for dessert... 
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.  I'm pretty sure there was at least a pound of butter in this meal and I enjoyed EVERY bite of it!!!

...at none other than this fabulous restaurant!




 And for this four legged creature...
The lovely Batman














who carried us around to see this..
Yes, Georgia is the only state that mines pink marble...who knew?











     
 And this...
 Those curves above the windows are called 'eyebrows'.  On this house they are made of iron.  All of this iron work cost over $100,000 back in the 1800's. AND this house was the first to have running water. I suppose when you put that much into the outside of your house, the least you can do is also be the first one in your neighborhood that can flush the toilet and take a shower!

And this...



This church has the tallest steeple in town. And the bells were hung upside down for almost a century...but they were ringing today!


And this...
Beautiful

    








Ah, the beauty of history and some mighty good cookin'.  
That's what I'm thankful for... (and leftovers for the next day too!)
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Days 8, 9 & 10...Nature

Well, one week into November and I've already become a blogging slacker.  I shall catch up though and WILL finish up the month.
For all three days, I'm thankful for the sightings outside of my door.  I live in such a beautiful place.  I don't know how anyone could walk from their door to their car without noticing something amazing. I sometimes take my surroundings for granted. I pass by the annually blooming plants, the palm trees, live oaks with their gigantic limbs swooping to the ground, the super expansive sky, and on and on...
8 - Something beautiful blooms ALL YEAR!!
9 - No matter the background...always amazing
10 - Live oaks and Spanish moss...need I say more?





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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Day 7....Preschool

This fabulous orange folder is full of everything needed to enroll L in...preschool.  YIKES!! and HOORAY!! at the same time!  She will not be starting the day she gets home, of course, but there is a waiting list so she's getting signed up now and that way, there will be a spot for her when she's ready.

There are a few great things about this.  First, um, reality check, I am signing up my kid for preschool. Second, she will be get to be in school with her new 'friends'.  The same kids that she'll get to play with outside of school and at church! And.... Best of all.... She will be in the same building as her Mama!  I'm so thankful to be able to have a preschool just down the hall.  I'll be able to check in on her throughout the day, comfort her if she's too upset, and make sure she is aware that I will always be there (especially in the first few weeks) and will be able to just peek in and watch her grow and learn and experience everything new!  What a treat to be able to be so involved and know that she's learning while in such a great, caring environment!  

I'm so thankful for this beautiful orange folder and all of it's fantastic contents!
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Day 6....Running

I admit, I can't believe that I am writing that I am thankful for running.  In reality, I have a love/HATE relationship with running.  I have to give myself a little pep talk while getting dressed in my running attire, which continues as I chose a playlist and leash the dog, and then, when I'm actually 5 minutes into my run, I think I've finally got myself all geared up for the next 45 minutes of torture.  

The first 15 minutes are usually not that bad, I get into the groove and am just going right along to the speed of the music playing in my ears.  Then I realize that I still have another half an hour (or more) to go and the pep talk resumes. I convince myself, for 5 minutes, to keep going and then something REALLY crazy happens, I start to enjoy it.  (I know, I said it was crazy!) The ache that starts creeping up my legs, the feeling like your lungs just can't take one more breath.  It almost becomes like an out of body experience and your moving one foot in front of the other, but it can't really be you doing it!?!  The sky is so perfect in the morning, the birds are singing.  Some mornings, the ocean is calm others it's splashing into the sand. It's a like a little taste of Heaven.

And before I know it, I've circled around and am heading back into my neighborhood.  My condo is just ahead of me and I've made it.  An hour after initial pep talk and I feel WONDERFUL!!  I feel like I could conquer the world.  My head is clear (as I've just spent an hour thinking all of the thoughts that I could). My body is tired in that feel good, I've just worked really hard sort of way.  My lungs feel like I could hold my breath for half an hour with no problem.  It's such a great feeling. By the end of my run, I'm extra thankful for running! 

(Editors Note: This was written AFTER the morning run.  These words probably could not have been written prior to the morning run!)
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