Appointment...check!

well, after months of anticipation we had our appointment today!  We viewed approximately 15 profiles most of which were extreme medical challenges.  We have chosen a boy named Dmitri (which was my Ukrainian great-grandfather's name) who is a few months younger than Nathan and according to his paperwork, he does not have significant medical needs and has the typical motor and psyhological delays associated institutional living.  We will leave Saturday at noon to travel the 350 kilometers to the region where his orphanage is and will meet him on Monday.  We are praying that this is indeed the child that God has for us and that when we get to Bilopillya on Monday there are no significant problems that we feel can't be overcome in our family situation.  A specific prayer request is that, assuming we find that Dmitri will be okay with us, we need to find decent lodging in the village where he is located.  Currently, we are going to be staying in Sumy, which is 30 minutes from the orphanage and that will be expensive traveling to and from the hotel to visit Dmitri for 10-14 days.  the village where he is located has only 18,000 people and in a third world country that means something very different than it does in the US.  also, please pray for the three of us.  we are having a difficult time getting used to the people and culture here...Nathan is already asking to go home :(  on the upside, we have met some amazing Christian people (who speak English!) that have been taking great care of us.  I will keep you updated as much as possible,but until then, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,and all these tings will be provided for you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself...
Matthew 6:33-34a

On our way!

As I sit here gazing out of the window at the Atlanta airport, I am still bewildered that we are actually on our way! We have waited SOOO long for the chance to expand our family and now that it is happening, it feels a little surreal. In a few short days we will see the face of our new child. But first, we have to make it through 12 more hours of flying :-) We don't know what the next few day and weeks hold, but we do know that God has brought us to this place and HE holds tomorrow in his hands. So we will go forth from here trusting Him to guide our way. Thank you for your prayers and continued prayer. They are felt and appreciated.

One Step Closer!

More good news came today.  Our appointment has been moved up and CONFIRMED for March 29, 2012!  We have purchased plane tickets and will leave on the 26th.  God has lined up some amazing things for us today and we have so much to be thankful for.  I want to share a few specific prayer request with you:

1.  Safe and "peaceful" travel (especially with Nathan)
2.  Strength for my co-workers as they will be seeing little time off in our absence if nothing changes.
3.  Wisdom on behalf of the workers that select the children for us to choose from.
4.  Wisdom for us as we select the child we want to meet.

and MOST importantly,
please pray that God would consistently send people into Micah's life that love him, and hug him, and keep him safe until he can come home with us!

"All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

The Wait is OVER...well, almost!

After 31 days, it finally happened.  We have received an appointment with the Ministry of Social Policy in Kyiv for April 2, 2012!  We will leave the last week of March and come home at the end of April or beginning of May with Micah!!!  Thank you for your prayers and keep them coming!  We need to begin praying that our first referral is the perfect child for our family so that our time away from home is as brief as possible.  Also pray that God will continue to protect Micah and bring people into his life that love him and show him affection.  We are so excited I could just float!

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4