Mike and I got away to the mountains for a couple of days this weekend. A much needed escape from the computer and paperwork. We made sure to get home in time to call Viktorija today (taking into account the 7 hour time difference). Last week was to be her first week in school since her hospital stay. She informed us that she missed Thurs and Fri due to a fever (cold and stomach ache). Mike and I just looked at each other with sadness when she told us that she was going to the doctor tomorrow. It seems like she's been sick since she returned to Latvia!! She never even had a sniffle while she was here with us. She expressed concern that if she didn't get well "maybe they wouldn't let her come to America". We tried to assure her that we are coming for her soon. She's a tiny girl. I don't know that her little body can take too much of this. She just needs to be here with us so we can get her the care she needs. I think stress and anxiety aren't helping the situation. She told us she was sad that she couldn't go to church today. She wanted to "talk to God". We told her that God listens no matter where you are.
This entire process is a lesson in faith. We have no other choice but to trust that God is in total control of this situation. He knows how much we want to be with Viktorija right now (esp. when she's sick). We covet your continued prayers for Viktorija, and for us as we move forward with the next step.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
VIktorija on the mend
Viktorija was released from the hospital on Thursday (9/9)....FINALLY!! We spoke to her on the phone today and she sounded good. She is happy to be starting school on Monday. She said, "Now time will go fast since I will be in school". Of course, she wanted to know how "the documentation" was coming along (for the adoption). We continue to try and explain that everything will happen in God's time, and that we are working VERY hard to get things completed. I think Mike is trying to break an all-time record for the fastest adoption ever :-) Our final draft of the home study should be in our hands next week, and then we are on to step 2 (out of 3 major steps).
We had a pleasant surprise in the mail yesterday...our first letter from Viktorija. It was a 2 page letter that was quite newsy and well-written. She admitted to having some help with translation. But, it was very sweet and expressed her gratitude for bringing her to America and showing her the love of a family. The letter included a "portrait" of our family, drawn by her. It included her, Mike and me, and our two dogs, Cosmo and Rosie, and her stuffed animal, Ella. For those who don't rmember, Ella is the animal she created at build-a-bear workshop. I had placed a recorded message inside Ella's body that told Viktorija how much we love her. She stated in her letter that she sleeps with Ella every night and thinks of us.
Viktorija's desire and need for a family makes me realize how much we all take for granted. She has had 12 years to think about what it would be like to have a "real family". She will soon know, and we will spend the rest of our lives letting her know just how special she is and how blessed we are to have our daughter.
People have said to me that we are doing such a great thing adopting an older child. But, this is what Jesus did for me when I accepted Him as my savior at the age of 13. He "adopted" me into His family. If He could accept me at that age, with all my sin and rebellion, then our adoption of Viktorija is really a very small step of obedience to Him. God gave us this love for Viktorija, and He knew before I was even born, that someday I would be a mom to this special young girl. It is my hope and prayer that I will be the example of the godly, christian woman spoken of in Proverbs.
With all of the hours spent on research and paperwork (Mike says he's spent over 200 hours thus far!), the financial aspects, anxiety, and excitement, we believe we are taking the path God has paved for us. We are honored and excited that He shose us to be Viktorija's future parents! Thank you for your continued prayers.
We had a pleasant surprise in the mail yesterday...our first letter from Viktorija. It was a 2 page letter that was quite newsy and well-written. She admitted to having some help with translation. But, it was very sweet and expressed her gratitude for bringing her to America and showing her the love of a family. The letter included a "portrait" of our family, drawn by her. It included her, Mike and me, and our two dogs, Cosmo and Rosie, and her stuffed animal, Ella. For those who don't rmember, Ella is the animal she created at build-a-bear workshop. I had placed a recorded message inside Ella's body that told Viktorija how much we love her. She stated in her letter that she sleeps with Ella every night and thinks of us.
Viktorija's desire and need for a family makes me realize how much we all take for granted. She has had 12 years to think about what it would be like to have a "real family". She will soon know, and we will spend the rest of our lives letting her know just how special she is and how blessed we are to have our daughter.
People have said to me that we are doing such a great thing adopting an older child. But, this is what Jesus did for me when I accepted Him as my savior at the age of 13. He "adopted" me into His family. If He could accept me at that age, with all my sin and rebellion, then our adoption of Viktorija is really a very small step of obedience to Him. God gave us this love for Viktorija, and He knew before I was even born, that someday I would be a mom to this special young girl. It is my hope and prayer that I will be the example of the godly, christian woman spoken of in Proverbs.
With all of the hours spent on research and paperwork (Mike says he's spent over 200 hours thus far!), the financial aspects, anxiety, and excitement, we believe we are taking the path God has paved for us. We are honored and excited that He shose us to be Viktorija's future parents! Thank you for your continued prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)