A quick e-mail to let you all know that life is better after sleep and food. The circumstances haven't really changed too much, but the attitude is better. I am back in Berdyansk and the sun is shinning. It was in the low 40's, a heat wave compared to December and January. Everyone is doing a double take at me, they remember me but they aren't sure it is me without Rick at my side. We are staying at hotel Berdyansk on the 11th floor! For any of you that have been here, I think you understand, I love the view but the elevator ride is alittle hairy. How often does the elevators get inspected? We even have a bath tub! The toilet doesn't flush, but the bathtub has a hand shower that reaches the toilet so we can fill the tank with that water and flush the toilet. This is probably a God thing. I have Marina with me for the weekend and she thinks Mama can fix anything since she fixed the toilet.
I picked Marina up at 1:00 to spent the weekend with me. We will be together until Monday morning before school. This does make Berdyansk paradise to me. When I saw her yesterday, she was angry, full of hate and feeling rejected. This weekend is a ministry retreat. We are going to talk alot, pray alot, and build self-esteem. The last couple of days, Marina has been hit hard with feelings of rejection. Her younger sister by one year who has been adopted came to the orphanage. Her mama works there. She makes it very well known that she has her freedom. Today we ran into the guardian she had a few years ago, and this women is the reason Marina can't come home with me now. The guardian is a long story, but she never met up to her roll as a guardian. The director said everything bad to Marina that could be said in front of her yesterday. Marina was beside herself. Things are improving fast. She and I are laughing again.
Please pray that doors open for us. Thank you
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Berdyansk Blues
Hi all,
Fran, Nancy Hathaway, and our attorney Alina arrived in Berdyansk and picked up Marina for the day. Franny is fatigued- no sleep to speak of in 40+ hours. I thought by veiwing her e-mail to me you would pick up the urgency in specific prayer. We are dealing with a dark country with years of fear and suspicion. Please remember them in your prayers.
Rick
Hi Rick and Yana,How are you doing. Are there spit balls all over the house. Are you eating more then hot dogs. I have not visited Yana's friends yet, I will tomorrow. I love you Papa and Yana.Things are not looking good for Marina. Galina has denied ever telling us to do a student visa. She said she made a contact with the minister of education and he said absolutely not. I haven't been able to get through to the embassy. Marina is very sad, she doesn't like Galina. She has a give up attitude. Galina stated a case that Marina is a bad girl and would be to much to handle. This was in front of Marina. Yesterday Marina's adopted sister came to the internet. just another reminder of what a bad rap she is getting. Galina also said in front of Marina, that Marina is not a good student, she does not do good. We had a come back for everything, so she said she was going to call the minister of education, go away while I have lunch and I will let you know what they say. Of course you know what she was going to say he said and she did. I have to figure out how to find the truth. I e-mail Mike at the embassy, I can't get through by phone. Alina said she might have time to see the ministry of education. I am tired and feeling hopeless. I feel defeated. Do you have any encouragement? I look forward to your e-mail. Good to talk today.I love you,Fran
Fran, Nancy Hathaway, and our attorney Alina arrived in Berdyansk and picked up Marina for the day. Franny is fatigued- no sleep to speak of in 40+ hours. I thought by veiwing her e-mail to me you would pick up the urgency in specific prayer. We are dealing with a dark country with years of fear and suspicion. Please remember them in your prayers.
Rick
Hi Rick and Yana,How are you doing. Are there spit balls all over the house. Are you eating more then hot dogs. I have not visited Yana's friends yet, I will tomorrow. I love you Papa and Yana.Things are not looking good for Marina. Galina has denied ever telling us to do a student visa. She said she made a contact with the minister of education and he said absolutely not. I haven't been able to get through to the embassy. Marina is very sad, she doesn't like Galina. She has a give up attitude. Galina stated a case that Marina is a bad girl and would be to much to handle. This was in front of Marina. Yesterday Marina's adopted sister came to the internet. just another reminder of what a bad rap she is getting. Galina also said in front of Marina, that Marina is not a good student, she does not do good. We had a come back for everything, so she said she was going to call the minister of education, go away while I have lunch and I will let you know what they say. Of course you know what she was going to say he said and she did. I have to figure out how to find the truth. I e-mail Mike at the embassy, I can't get through by phone. Alina said she might have time to see the ministry of education. I am tired and feeling hopeless. I feel defeated. Do you have any encouragement? I look forward to your e-mail. Good to talk today.I love you,Fran
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Burning the Bridges
When I started this journey, I thought that I would go to the Ukraine and get 2 daughters, then return to life in America. I knew that it was going to be a change, after all 2 teenage girls with a different language living in my home that was definately going to be a change. I was mentally ready for that. I thought 2 months leave of absense was plenty of time to make the changes, adjustments, and then move on. I never dreamed that my life would change this much. I have one wonderful daughter, Yana and I am battling another country for my other daughter. My leave of absense became 3 months, but the battle continued on. My 3 months leave is over and I am on my way back to the Ukraine. Major change, I had to leave my job! That was never part of my plan and today when I walked out of Chambrel, leaving behind the last 10 years of my life, I was once again broken. Chambrel is a senior living community filled with some of the best people in the whole world. They have become some of my best friends and certainly the people I have the most respect for. I know that I have grown in so many ways because of the great people that live at Chambrel. I will also have to say that I think I have become an expert on growing old too. Who ever thought that I would be going back to the Ukraine one month and 6 days after I left the Ukraine. This is a journey and it is God's journey. This summer I am going to get on all the roller coasters at Busch Garden to see if any of them come close to the highs and lows that I have had these last 3 months. I am an emotional roller coaster. I left Chambrel and drive home to find an e-mail from Marina. " Mama, I am okay, I don't have time to write I have an English test and have to study. I love you, Marina. " The low becomes a high and my feet hit the ground running to prepare for the next leg of my journey. God never leaves me in the lows too long. I can't stay in the lows too long, Yana is an absolute clown. She never fails to give us at least one good belly laugh a day, most of the time it is two or three.
One week from today I will set out to the Ukraine. I look forward to seeing the people we left behind, the orphan children (especially Yana's friends) and especially Marina, the wonderful people at the church and many others. I don't think I am looking forward to the cold. It is getting pretty nice here in Virginia. The cold weather in Berdyansk is a small price to pay to go back and see Marina. I can't wait to see the turns and twist that this leg of the journey are going to take. Whatever they are I know that this is all God's plan, I am just the instrument that He is using to accomplish His will. He is writting the story.
Fran
One week from today I will set out to the Ukraine. I look forward to seeing the people we left behind, the orphan children (especially Yana's friends) and especially Marina, the wonderful people at the church and many others. I don't think I am looking forward to the cold. It is getting pretty nice here in Virginia. The cold weather in Berdyansk is a small price to pay to go back and see Marina. I can't wait to see the turns and twist that this leg of the journey are going to take. Whatever they are I know that this is all God's plan, I am just the instrument that He is using to accomplish His will. He is writting the story.
Fran
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Good News Arrives
I could have written this at 2:30 a.m. because I was sitting at the computer rejoicing and wanted to tell someone, but I decided to go back to bed and wake Rick up and tell him instead. I woke up at 2:00 a.m. and could not go back to sleep (alot of those night lately). I was really beginning to believe that we would have to have Marina go to court to fight for her registration rights. Everyday that slips by is vital in our eyes and in hers too. I was beginning to see a child behind bars imprisioned for other people's mistakes and not being able to get out. Everyday for months we have prayed for her to be registered, it all started in September 2007. This of course is the re-registration, the one that gets recorded at the SDA office. Rick and I began to grieve this. It was taking every ounce of energy to make it through this last week. Is it possible that the system will totally fail her and she will not get registered? It is nothing for the SDA to say they lost the records and the process would start all over.
Today, by e-mail we got word from Alina, the lawyer in Kyiv, that Marina is registered!!!!!!
That is so much pressure off of us, even though it is not the miracle we are looking for, it is a victory that was worth fighting for. I think of the many times that people told us to just move on, get another child, don't worry, and many other little slogans that reduced this child down to one of the stray dogs that live on the streets of Berdyansk. Just choose another one. When God puts a child on your heart to adopt, He makes it personal. He has given us a love for Yana and Marina that is so special. I marvel at this love, because it is not natural to have towards children that are not biologically your especially in such a short time. It is God's love and it can only come from Him and Him alone.
Today we rejoice in this victory, but we are still on our knees asking for a miracle. The ultimate would be to get an appointment with the SDA office to adopt Marina before March 5th. That is when our homestudy expires and we would have to get a new one with updates. Our daughter would be with us forever, and the adoption would be behind us. This is God's journey and the miracle is His. We will pray and know that He is God. He answered a very important prayer for us immediately last night, He showed us that we are in His will and obeying His directions. That was a great affirmation at a time of extreme weakness. He reveals Himself personally just at the right time. Wow, what a journey, who would have guessed that our journey would be so bumpy. I know one person that did, it was no surprise to Him that it would be. One year ago in February I met Marina and knew that I loved her enough to adopt her. One year ago, God introduced me to Marina, gave me a heart for her, and knew that my life was about to change, it would go through some of the darkest spiritual times I have ever had and yet I would draw closer to Him because there was no where else to go. I look forward to the end of the journey, when Marina is home and I can say, this was worth the ride. Right now, I just thank God that He does care and He is traveling the journey with me.
Fran
Today, by e-mail we got word from Alina, the lawyer in Kyiv, that Marina is registered!!!!!!
That is so much pressure off of us, even though it is not the miracle we are looking for, it is a victory that was worth fighting for. I think of the many times that people told us to just move on, get another child, don't worry, and many other little slogans that reduced this child down to one of the stray dogs that live on the streets of Berdyansk. Just choose another one. When God puts a child on your heart to adopt, He makes it personal. He has given us a love for Yana and Marina that is so special. I marvel at this love, because it is not natural to have towards children that are not biologically your especially in such a short time. It is God's love and it can only come from Him and Him alone.
Today we rejoice in this victory, but we are still on our knees asking for a miracle. The ultimate would be to get an appointment with the SDA office to adopt Marina before March 5th. That is when our homestudy expires and we would have to get a new one with updates. Our daughter would be with us forever, and the adoption would be behind us. This is God's journey and the miracle is His. We will pray and know that He is God. He answered a very important prayer for us immediately last night, He showed us that we are in His will and obeying His directions. That was a great affirmation at a time of extreme weakness. He reveals Himself personally just at the right time. Wow, what a journey, who would have guessed that our journey would be so bumpy. I know one person that did, it was no surprise to Him that it would be. One year ago in February I met Marina and knew that I loved her enough to adopt her. One year ago, God introduced me to Marina, gave me a heart for her, and knew that my life was about to change, it would go through some of the darkest spiritual times I have ever had and yet I would draw closer to Him because there was no where else to go. I look forward to the end of the journey, when Marina is home and I can say, this was worth the ride. Right now, I just thank God that He does care and He is traveling the journey with me.
Fran
Friday, February 8, 2008
Headed Back
Today I will be booking a flight back to Ukraine, this time Rick will play mama, papa and friend to Yana, while I am in the Ukraine. Things will never move along for Marina, unless there are forces helping them to move. God is using this trip for more then one purpose. Nancy Hathaway, president of "Heart for Orphans" will travel with me. The organization wants to open group homes in Ukraine for aging out orphans. Nancy has adopted 3 children from the Berdyansk orphanage. It is amazing what God is doing. More and more players get into this heart that God has for the orphans. God moves the players at just the right time and unfolds His plans right at the time that He gives us eyes to see and ears to hear. Nothing in life is for not...there is purpose for everything. As painful as it is for me to not have Marina in our home, I know that God has a plan and it includes her.
We will leave to the Ukraine on Feb. 26th, arrive in Kyiv on the 27th, before noon. We will take the evening train to Berdyansk. We will be in Berdyansk at 10:00 on Thursday morning. We will get to Berdyansk with our feet running. For me, the first and most important issue of course is Marina. I hope you have never stopped praying for a miracle, I still do every day, and night. I know that the plan did not work out according to my perfect will, but my will has never been too perfect anyway. It is His will that I am seeking. I don't want to misdirect you, I have gone through my anger about all this, but at the end of my anger, I truely want God's perfect will in this adoption of Marina. He sees the whole picture, I see what is in front of my eyes.
Marina writes by e-mail almost everyday. Yesterday she said she really wants us as her mama and papa. I think she actually said papa first. What she can't see is that we are her Mama and Papa, God gave us the heart to be that. We think of Marina as our daughter, we have adopted two, we are just not allowed to bring the other one home yet. It sure has helped me understand the pain that God had when He gave his only Son to die for us, even though He knew that He would bring His son home.
Please pray for this trip, for a miracle for Marina, for the "Heart for Orphans" to see God's perfect will, and that the people behind the organization will have the courage and strength to carry out His will in unity. I can't even begin to imagine the spiritual battle field that is infront of opening up group homes and helping large numbers of children be victorious. I can just hear it now, "This is law, this is not the right form, and you need the blue stamp". When we have the ribbon cutting ceremony and pray a blessing on the first Group Home that Heart for Orphans opens up, I will personally invite you to the celebration. I promise you there will be dancing in the streets, to the joyous song, "Our God Reigns".
Fran
We will leave to the Ukraine on Feb. 26th, arrive in Kyiv on the 27th, before noon. We will take the evening train to Berdyansk. We will be in Berdyansk at 10:00 on Thursday morning. We will get to Berdyansk with our feet running. For me, the first and most important issue of course is Marina. I hope you have never stopped praying for a miracle, I still do every day, and night. I know that the plan did not work out according to my perfect will, but my will has never been too perfect anyway. It is His will that I am seeking. I don't want to misdirect you, I have gone through my anger about all this, but at the end of my anger, I truely want God's perfect will in this adoption of Marina. He sees the whole picture, I see what is in front of my eyes.
Marina writes by e-mail almost everyday. Yesterday she said she really wants us as her mama and papa. I think she actually said papa first. What she can't see is that we are her Mama and Papa, God gave us the heart to be that. We think of Marina as our daughter, we have adopted two, we are just not allowed to bring the other one home yet. It sure has helped me understand the pain that God had when He gave his only Son to die for us, even though He knew that He would bring His son home.
Please pray for this trip, for a miracle for Marina, for the "Heart for Orphans" to see God's perfect will, and that the people behind the organization will have the courage and strength to carry out His will in unity. I can't even begin to imagine the spiritual battle field that is infront of opening up group homes and helping large numbers of children be victorious. I can just hear it now, "This is law, this is not the right form, and you need the blue stamp". When we have the ribbon cutting ceremony and pray a blessing on the first Group Home that Heart for Orphans opens up, I will personally invite you to the celebration. I promise you there will be dancing in the streets, to the joyous song, "Our God Reigns".
Fran
Monday, February 4, 2008
No News is Bad News
We talked to the Lawyer in Kyiv this past Saturday, Marina is still not registered. Maybe this is good, maybe they will find a way to let her be adopted now. Please don't stop praying for a miracle, this little girls wants to come home so bad. We are trying to call her weekly, we e-mail her everyday. Yana is such a joy, I can't wait to experience our full joy in both children. We have had some very low valleys in the last couple of days. There is nothing that would please satin more then to divide Rick and I. The last 2 days he has tried hard. This morning we were set free from it. The flesh is always trying control the situation, I know that God is in control and it is His journey. There are miracles taking place daily. Yana's love for Marina has grown. Her bedroom door is covered with pictures of Marina. Her room is prepared for Marina. Her heart has soften towards Marina, she tells her she loves her when they talk. One day our family will be complete. Thank you all for the prayers, please don't stop, I do believe our miracle will happen!
Fran
Friday, February 1, 2008
Yana is Adjusting
TGIF-thank God it is Friday-
I am sure that is how Yana feels after one week of school. I don't say that because of the stress of going to school, it is because getting up at 6 a.m. is not her lifestyle. She is adjusting to the "Big School" environment very well. The first day of school was not the hardest, the second day of school, when all the girls in her art class wanted to include her and be friendly to her, then it really was hard. She was o.k. being ignored, then no one knows she hasn't a clue what you are saying. That day she wanted to pull out of art class. I found out that the girls were trying to include her and it was too awkward for her. The third day, it didn't seem too bad, she started pointing out people she met and those in her class. The fourth day was great. She came bouncing out of school with a big smile on her face. I asked her if she was still in art class, the answer, yes. Do you like it, the answer is --yes. She told me that things are getting easier and she still liked the big school. I admire her strength, wow what courage. She said she can understand English alittle better. The icing on the cake was the e-mail from Marina. She wrote that she doesn't think she will ever learn English. Marina speaks and reads English a little better then Yana, but to structure a sentence...that is hard for Americans. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement to Yana, she is getting there.
Marina is doing good. She is strong also. She is starting to trust that we will be back for her. We e-mail her daily and call her once a week. She is a part of the family. Yana is anxiously waiting for Marina too. That is a God thing, He has worked on hearts that is for sure.
Don't call Yana too early on Saturday morning, she is going to crawl under the blankets and sleep, sleep and sleep.
Fran
I am sure that is how Yana feels after one week of school. I don't say that because of the stress of going to school, it is because getting up at 6 a.m. is not her lifestyle. She is adjusting to the "Big School" environment very well. The first day of school was not the hardest, the second day of school, when all the girls in her art class wanted to include her and be friendly to her, then it really was hard. She was o.k. being ignored, then no one knows she hasn't a clue what you are saying. That day she wanted to pull out of art class. I found out that the girls were trying to include her and it was too awkward for her. The third day, it didn't seem too bad, she started pointing out people she met and those in her class. The fourth day was great. She came bouncing out of school with a big smile on her face. I asked her if she was still in art class, the answer, yes. Do you like it, the answer is --yes. She told me that things are getting easier and she still liked the big school. I admire her strength, wow what courage. She said she can understand English alittle better. The icing on the cake was the e-mail from Marina. She wrote that she doesn't think she will ever learn English. Marina speaks and reads English a little better then Yana, but to structure a sentence...that is hard for Americans. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement to Yana, she is getting there.
Marina is doing good. She is strong also. She is starting to trust that we will be back for her. We e-mail her daily and call her once a week. She is a part of the family. Yana is anxiously waiting for Marina too. That is a God thing, He has worked on hearts that is for sure.
Don't call Yana too early on Saturday morning, she is going to crawl under the blankets and sleep, sleep and sleep.
Fran
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