What a roller coaster year 2010 was. We lost Brad's dad and my grandad this past year but God also blessed us with our new daughter Jana. We are truly so grateful for all the many blessings God has poured out on our family.
As I reflect on the new year coming I wonder what great things GOd has in store for our family. Sometimes I fear where he might take us or what he might ask us to do but my experience has shown that when we are obedient the blessings are immeasurable. I know this that God continues to place the plight of orphans on my heart and I wait in anticipation for how God is going to use us to accomplish his instructions of taking care of orphans and widows.
People often comment on how expensive adoption is and of course it is not cheap. Ours would not be possible without our many friends and family partnering with us to make it happen along with Lifesong for Orphans and Promise 686. However, I wonder why we in America don't think twice about dropping $35,000 for a new car or truck that we will wear out and discard so quickly but we think the same amount to save a child is too much to pay?
I pray that each of you that read this blog will contemplate how God is calling you to take care of orphans and widows. Even if you don't feel led to bring one in your home you can help make it possible for others or take care of those who cannot be adopted. Start your new year by making a committment to help - check out the following organizations - http://www.servintl.org/ - SERV has an orphanage in Lodwar, Kenya, New Horizons for Children http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org/horizons/hosting.html, Lifesong for Orphans http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/ , Promise 686 http://www.promise686.org/
May God bless you this new year. Thank you for your continued prayers as we wait to complete our adoption of Jana. Please also pray for all the hosting families and hosted children that God will give each direction regarding adoption.
God bless, Paula
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Court Today :)
We woke up to a huge blanket of snowfall this morning. I believe it snowed all night. It is so beautiful. We had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel and then headed out to Madona about 3 1/2 hours away for court.
Court was scheduled for 2:00 and about 2:30 the judge had not come and I began to worry a little. We later found out the translator was in a car accident and had to be taken back to Riga. The judge allowed Daina to tranlate so we would not have to reschedule. Thank you God!!
Court went very smoothly. The judge was very nice. She asked things like when did we decide we wanted to adopt and how Jana gets along with her brothers. She also wanted to know more about my job and Brad's.
We also found out the Izabella is definitely not available for adoption and that her mother is trying to get her back. Please pray for God's will in this situation and that she will be safe.
We have a day tomorrow to rest before the 20 hour trek home. Flights were super expensive on Friday's so we delayed our return one day to fly home on Saturday. I am thankful we chose to fly through MOscow instead of Frankfurt as there is a terrible snow storm delaying flights out of Frankfurt.
Thank you all for your prayers. We have one more trip in January but the adoption was final today :) We are so blessed to have Jana as our daughter forever. Thank you God!
Court was scheduled for 2:00 and about 2:30 the judge had not come and I began to worry a little. We later found out the translator was in a car accident and had to be taken back to Riga. The judge allowed Daina to tranlate so we would not have to reschedule. Thank you God!!
Court went very smoothly. The judge was very nice. She asked things like when did we decide we wanted to adopt and how Jana gets along with her brothers. She also wanted to know more about my job and Brad's.
We also found out the Izabella is definitely not available for adoption and that her mother is trying to get her back. Please pray for God's will in this situation and that she will be safe.
We have a day tomorrow to rest before the 20 hour trek home. Flights were super expensive on Friday's so we delayed our return one day to fly home on Saturday. I am thankful we chose to fly through MOscow instead of Frankfurt as there is a terrible snow storm delaying flights out of Frankfurt.
Thank you all for your prayers. We have one more trip in January but the adoption was final today :) We are so blessed to have Jana as our daughter forever. Thank you God!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Trip 2 in Latvia
We arrived a few hours ago to snow on the ground. It was a 24 hour trip and we are exhausted. We have court tomorrow at 2 so we are about to head to bed because we have a 4 hour drive each way.
We thank you all for your wonderful prayers. We are so thankful for each of you.
We thank you all for your wonderful prayers. We are so thankful for each of you.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Answered Prayers
Thank you all for your prayers for a date before the end of the year. The Lord answered and we are headed back to Latvia :) Our court is scheduled for December 9 at 2:00.
Next Sunday is Orphan sunday and I pray that we all can help to make sure there is one less orphan in this world. What is God calling you to do? Please check out New Horizons for Children at www.newhorizonsforchildren.org
John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.
Thank you for that promise.
Please pray for Tiffany's healing and for Ashley a friend's cousin is very ill with an unknown problem - pray for wisdom and revelation for the doctor's.
God bless you all, Paula
Next Sunday is Orphan sunday and I pray that we all can help to make sure there is one less orphan in this world. What is God calling you to do? Please check out New Horizons for Children at www.newhorizonsforchildren.org
John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.
Thank you for that promise.
Please pray for Tiffany's healing and for Ashley a friend's cousin is very ill with an unknown problem - pray for wisdom and revelation for the doctor's.
God bless you all, Paula
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Prayer Needs
Hi Friends and Family,
Brad and I wanted to give you an update and thank you for your continued prayers for our adoption.
Jana is adjusting well to our family and to school. She and her brothers joke, laugh, and fight together just as it should be. She has been such a wonderful blessing to our family and we thank God for each day that he brought her into our family. She is funny, outgoing and excited to try new things. She will starting Hip Hop dance lessons this week and is so excited. She did a few trial weeks and loved it. She is struggling in school but of course that is much to be expected until she can learn more English. Her daddy has had the pleasure of taking her to dance and this has been a new experience for him . She is a daddy’s girl and loves to be with him. He has even taken her mall shopping .
We have a prayer request. We received our I800 approval last Saturday and we are awaiting a court date. Typically one is issued right away but it has been a week and we have yet to receive one. Please pray for us that we would receive a court date quickly if it is God’s will. We know that we cannot travel to Latvia after December 5 until late into January because the lawyer will be busy with the hosting program children and of course celebrating Christmas and the New Year. We are praying that we could receive a court date next week. If we can get one in the next two weeks then we can complete the adoption before December 5 which is our prayer. We trust God will work out the perfect timing even if it not our timetable. Thank you for lifting this request before Him.
We have a huge praise. We were approved for a matching grant through Lifesong for Orphans and Promise 686. Promise 686 will provide dollar for dollar matching funds up to $4000.00 to help with financial costs of the adoption. We expect to pay another $15,000 for Jana and more if Izabella is cleared for adoption. We are sending out support letters and covet your prayers that God will make a way financially for this adoption as well.
We thank you for your prayers in the loss of Brad’s dad and ask that you continue to lift our entire family up in your prayer time as we learn to live without Papaw. My phone still has his name in the contacts and I can’t bear to take it off. We miss him greatly but we know that he is preparing a place for all of us and cancer free in heaven. He touched many lives for the Lord and we pray that the seeds he planted in Alaska and at home will be watered and will grow fruit and be a legacy to his commitment to the Lord.
If our story has moved your heart for adoption there are many waiting children who need parents. The hosting program deadline is the first of November. Please check out the site at http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org/horizons/help.html . Let there be one less orphan in the world because you answered the call.
God bless you all,
Paula and Brad
Please also pray for our friend Tiffany who is having major surgery this week.
Brad and I wanted to give you an update and thank you for your continued prayers for our adoption.
Jana is adjusting well to our family and to school. She and her brothers joke, laugh, and fight together just as it should be. She has been such a wonderful blessing to our family and we thank God for each day that he brought her into our family. She is funny, outgoing and excited to try new things. She will starting Hip Hop dance lessons this week and is so excited. She did a few trial weeks and loved it. She is struggling in school but of course that is much to be expected until she can learn more English. Her daddy has had the pleasure of taking her to dance and this has been a new experience for him . She is a daddy’s girl and loves to be with him. He has even taken her mall shopping .
We have a prayer request. We received our I800 approval last Saturday and we are awaiting a court date. Typically one is issued right away but it has been a week and we have yet to receive one. Please pray for us that we would receive a court date quickly if it is God’s will. We know that we cannot travel to Latvia after December 5 until late into January because the lawyer will be busy with the hosting program children and of course celebrating Christmas and the New Year. We are praying that we could receive a court date next week. If we can get one in the next two weeks then we can complete the adoption before December 5 which is our prayer. We trust God will work out the perfect timing even if it not our timetable. Thank you for lifting this request before Him.
We have a huge praise. We were approved for a matching grant through Lifesong for Orphans and Promise 686. Promise 686 will provide dollar for dollar matching funds up to $4000.00 to help with financial costs of the adoption. We expect to pay another $15,000 for Jana and more if Izabella is cleared for adoption. We are sending out support letters and covet your prayers that God will make a way financially for this adoption as well.
We thank you for your prayers in the loss of Brad’s dad and ask that you continue to lift our entire family up in your prayer time as we learn to live without Papaw. My phone still has his name in the contacts and I can’t bear to take it off. We miss him greatly but we know that he is preparing a place for all of us and cancer free in heaven. He touched many lives for the Lord and we pray that the seeds he planted in Alaska and at home will be watered and will grow fruit and be a legacy to his commitment to the Lord.
If our story has moved your heart for adoption there are many waiting children who need parents. The hosting program deadline is the first of November. Please check out the site at http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org/horizons/help.html . Let there be one less orphan in the world because you answered the call.
God bless you all,
Paula and Brad
Please also pray for our friend Tiffany who is having major surgery this week.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Answered Prayer -Matching Grant Approved
We are thanking God today for His provision. We were notified this afternoon that Lifesong for Orphans with the assistance of Promise 686 her in the Atlanta area have partnered with us to help fund our adoption. They have blessed us with a $4000.00 matching dollar for dollar grant.
The financial aspect was our biggest concern and God is providing. If you would like to help you can send gifts to Lifesong for Orphans Benton#1475 P.O. Box 40/ 202 N. Ford St. Gridley, IL 61744. It is a tax deductible donation.
We are expecting USCIS 1800 any day now :) Praying it arrives this week.
Thank you and God bless
The financial aspect was our biggest concern and God is providing. If you would like to help you can send gifts to Lifesong for Orphans Benton#1475 P.O. Box 40/ 202 N. Ford St. Gridley, IL 61744. It is a tax deductible donation.
We are expecting USCIS 1800 any day now :) Praying it arrives this week.
Thank you and God bless
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