Matthew 7:25

" And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."


Matthew 7:25


What a crazy week, but exciting too! It is another early morning, I have been awake since 4:30, unable to sleep. I have taken time in the Word this morning, and I always take such comfort in the Scripture above. I completely delight in knowing that ultimately God is in control and already knows the entire process and path we will be on. He knows the trials and He knows our hearts. He chose us for this mission, and He has shown His love right from the beginning.


We had an appointment to take the many documents we gathered for the dossier, to our state capitol to be apostilled. This is a form of authenticating all the signatures on all the documents. We have just learned to say, "It makes everything OFFICIALLY, OFFICIAL!" On Saturday, our facilitator from the Ukr*aine sent an URGENT email. He found a spelling error on a critical document sent by Homeland Security. We could not have it apostilled without a correction. So, prayerfully we decided I would take a chance in being able to just show up at Homeland Security without an appointment and see if they would fix it Monday morning. My friend and I got up very early to make the 2 hour drive south from where we live. Just before we left, I remembered that I had an email address from a gentleman that worked in the office, because he had helped us schedule our first appointment with them on Jon's vacation. I decided to send a quick email informing them of what was happening. Prayerfully, I hit the send button and hoped they would be able to help us.


The rains where unbelievable traveling. It felt like we were driving through the car wash the entire way. It was exciting and wild, right from the start. The wind gusts would actually move the van enough, that it would feel like you were being bumped by something. We arrived at Homeland Security, had fun trying to get my friend through the metal detector with some articles of clothing still on, ;0) and then took our number and waited. It was only about 10 minutes, they called my number, I went to the counter and said who I was and she looked at me and said, "you are here for the name correction!" She took my document, went out back and came right out with it fixed! They were expecting us and were wonderful. What a great start to our day.


We headed back north, one hour to the state Capitol. We got to the 4th floor and found the Secretary of States office area. Explained what we needed done, and off they went working on apostilling the documents. I was very thankful for my friend when they told me they could not do our house deed paper, because the notary was not in their file. I thought we would need to go back to where we live and get it fixed, but they got on the phone and worked it all out and were able to verify the notaries standing and get her registered. Praise God! Then the big shock. One of our documents had been notarized in New Hampshire! Maine COULD NOT apostile this one. We had to have it done in New Hampshire. Well, my very resourceful friend got on the computer, looked up the phone number and address and we called to see if they would do it that day. WE figured if we sent it in the mail, then we would take the chance of many things happening. They told us if we were there before they closed at 4:30 they could do it for us. We anxiously awaited all the stickers being put on the other 31 documents because we were going to have JUST enough time to make it there. At this moment, we suddenly took on the role of those people participating in the show "The Amazing Race."


We ran to the elevator, out the doors of the Maine capitol and programed in the New Hampshire capitol on the GPS. It said arrival time 4:40! That would be in good weather. I prayed, and just believed we were to GO! So, we headed south, again! 3 hour trip to the capitol building in New Hampshire, terrible rains, many prayers. We phoned and asked our friends at home to please pray for our safety and success. We know He honored those prayers, because we got to the building just in time. It was 4:27 when we arrived, and we ran into the building, found the elevator, got off and found the office. When we walked in very winded, the women all smiled and said, "You made it!!!" They had the paper all ready and waiting, and it took all of 5 minutes to complete. Wow, we went outside the office, and my friend looked at me and we laughed and that is when she said, "It is like we are on the amazing race!"







Isn't that what life really is? An amazing race?! We have a time to be born, and a time that we will die . . . and all we have are the unknown days in between. How do we want to spend them?

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."

Hebrews 12:1-2

We were overwhelmingly blessed on Sunday with an unexpected phone call from Kristina! We were able to speak to her using a translator for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Her precious voice was such a gift from the Lord. Jon said she asked, "When will you come pick me up and take me home forever, what day?"

We cannot wait for God to bring us together. We know that through the rain and the wind, our feet are firmly planted, and we will weather the storms with Christ as our foundation. Because of Him, we have the endurance to continue on, putting one foot in front of the other, until our race in completed someday.

Here is a photo of Jon speaking to his "daughter" in the Ukr*aine. I cannot put into words, the joy, excitement and complete blessing this was to us.

Please keep praying for our journey. As the papers are now on there way, we can still use your prayers. Naomi has pneumonia, many electronic devices at our home are just breaking, Jon just had some work changes, the boys have been sick, and so on. Nothing huge, just lots of little things.

Keep the spaghetti luncheon in prayer, and hope to see you there. God has been so gracious in providing just the funds we have needed for each step. The next one is a big one, the travel expenses as well as another fee for the facilitator. Pray for continued favor on this journey, as I know He has it all worked out.

Have a blessed day!

The paper chain is almost complete!!!!!

Today I am so excited because we received the forms from USCIS we needed to finish our dossier. We found out today that tomorrow we should have the background check forms we need a copy of, as well as doctors papers (pray). Then we head to a friends for notarizing and Augusta for apostilling(sp?). Off the package goes to the Ukraine, and we wait for a travel date. Can you believe it? 2.5 months from beginning to this point. Now, the focus needs to be on continued fundraising and hopefully donations from above. ;0)

We are making progress, and the Lord is faithful to move on people's hearts at just the right time. It is a bit difficult to think ahead to the large travel money needed without anxiety creeping in, but I have been heavy in the Word, and He has been faithful to His promises, so who am I to worry. I have felt extremely close to Him this week, so even though I see the darts and trials all around me and my family, my focus has been calm and steady. Just enough light for the step I'm on, is probably all I can handle and God knows that. He also knows I am a planner who likes to see it all worked out, so He can use this to grow me along the way.

We have a place on facebook that lists all the auction items with photo's and people can place bids early, but it will end at the Spaghetti Lunch. I will ask my friend if there is a way to post the link on here. I am not good at this stuff.

Thank you again for all your support and prayers. We love you all!

1 John 3:22

There is a direct connection between obedience and getting your prayers answered. Don't keep telling God what YOU want without asking Him what HE wants. (Stormie Omartian)

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

1 John 3:22

We have posted the silent auctions items that we have collected so far on our facebook page. I will try to connect it to this site somehow. People may begin bidding, and we will fill in the paper to take to the auction. You do not need to be present to be the highest bidder. We will get it to you if you are local in Maine. Thanks for all your support and prayers.

Ezekiel 36:27

"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36:27

Stormie Omartian says, "When you find it difficult to do what you KNOW you need to, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Of course, you still have to take the first step, no matter how daunting, intimidating, dreadful, uncomfortable, or distateful. But when you do, the Holy Spirit will assist you the rest of the way."

I am so thankful for those words. There are days when I feel full of the Spirit, and days when I need to fill the tank. Even then, I never feel alone, because I know He is with me, no matter what. We are at a place in the adoption where we know we must continue to move forward. We are not sure how it is all going to come together, but we have to trust God that He has a plan bigger than we can see. We have been blessed with about 1/5 of the money needed to finish the process. That isn't too bad since we will probably have a total of 6-7 months from start to finish. We will continue to pray for direction and guidance in this journey. We are thankful for all the people God is using to make this happen. We appreciate not only your donations, but your friendships, your prayers, and your encouragement. We know it is going to take the help of many others to bring her home. This is one of those times in life where we are not in control of the ride. We heard Him say "Go" and we stepped out on the water. We believe He will not withdraw His hand.

We will have tickets for the Spaghetti feed after services this weekend in the Lobby. There is no table or sign, so just look for Jon or Tonya Davis.

We still hope we can get more desserts for the dessert table at the Spaghetti feed.

Please keep praying for donations, as we really need $1000 by the end of the month.

Thank you again for all your support.

Blessed while waiting . . .

I am so thankful for the kindness and friendships we are finding in other families that are connected to children in the Ukraine. Every time we are contacted and they share some new information about Krystyna, we feel that much closer to her. I am not going to share the story I heard today, but it really made me smile, and I could just picture her personality. We have been given the opportunity to speak to her on the phone next Wednesday, using the cell phone they sent to the boy they are adopting. He is a close friend to Krystyna, and so our building a friendship will only benefit our kids once they settle in to their new families. Their son shared that Krystyna was very excited to get our box we sent and she can't wait to talk with us. We may be traveling on the same timeline as this family, so we might be able to share expenses for drivers, translators, apartments, etc. That would really help cut costs. Please keep us in your prayers. We have a lot of funds to raise, but we still have peace that the Lord is directing our path.

Updates:

Spaghetti Luncheon tickets on sale for April 10th

Collecting yard sale items now

Collecting bottles and cans/ or drop off at JR Redemption Center, Brewer

Hot tub for sale

Any other ideas welcome!

EXCITEMENT . . .

Today I actually feel excited about adding Krystyna to our family. I have been through so many emotions, but to be completely honest, the focus has been on just doing what we felt God wanted us to do. We had a Christ like love for her in our hearts, but now it is more real, and personal. We are starting to feel very connected with her even though we still have not met her in person. I can see the boys are going to be great big brothers, and hope she is here this summer to have time to get to know each other before school starts again. We even got a shirt on the clearance racks at Walmart that has a pink soccer ball in the shape of a heart on it. She will be thrown into the soccer world quickly and hopefully become her brothers biggest fan! ;0)

My prayer calendar said yesterday:
We know a lot about what we're supposed to be doing, but we often have a hard time doing it. We must pray that God will enable us to be disciplined enough to do what we need to do.

Thank you Lord for giving us the ability to do what You are asking of us. Keep us focused on Your plan. Thank you for the help of others, the gifts of others, and the prayers of others. Thank you for using Your church in ways we don't even know, to bring Krystyna home! May we continue to listen, hear and do what You ask of us in all situations.

We should have more exciting updates coming soon, as Krystyna has sent us her first letter. We hope to be sending our dossier by the end of March, God willing, and then it should be about 2.5 months until travel time. That puts us mid-June. Please keep praying for provision in any form to help make this happen. We want to thank people for donating desserts or auction items for the Spaghetti Luncheon on April 10th, please come and celebrate with us. Also, thank you for yard sale donations. We don't have a date yet, but will try to have one soon. May God bless your days and keep you safe until His return.

Peace . . . harmony

Today I got up this morning without much sleep. It was a different kind of night, not a fretful, upsetting lack of sleep, but a wonderful night spent with the counselor. When I was fully awake at times and checking the clock, it was because I thought it must be morning, but it was 12:35, 1:33, and on and on. It was as if I had been spending hours listening to great advice and having one on one talks with the Father all night long. I was at peace. My doubts and questions seemed gone with the knowledge that He was there and in control of everything, no matter how it all ends. I understood that we have done all we can on our side, and that He was pleased with that. I didn't need to worry about doing more, just the best we can with what we are doing. I also know that we are unable to provide the funds and that is OK. We have made known the best we can that we will not get grants because we are doing a private adoption, and God will take care of the rest. I have had a peaceful day, and when I looked up peace this morning in the back of my Bible it said:

harmony in personal relationship, especially with God

And the Scripture that I love was listed below, and always a great reminder for me.

Jesus asked, "Do you finally believe? But the time is coming--in fact, it is already here--when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

So, I went about my day knowing we are in God's will, we have done all we can, and now we will just press on with what we have been told to do, and know He will always be with us. I know He has a great plan that only He can bring full circle. My prayer is to be listening when He tells us to do something, and be still when we are to do nothing. So, today was a do nothing day. Well, not nothing. I spent the day in the Word first thing, time with Naomi who is getting over RSV, and little time talking with two friends. Great day.

When I got on the computer this afternoon, we were blessed with another donation. Praise you Lord, for the timing, and thank you seems so little to the couple who donated. I can't tell you how you blessed our day. We can now send the first payment to the Ukraine! You were part of an incredible hug from the Lord today and we will never forget your lovingkindness. I pray daily that we will be able to listen to the Lord and do the same for others when He calls us to act. I can't wait to see you and give you a huge hug though, you really were part of His miraculous plan unfolding today.

So, I will continue to be open to His leading and be active when He says go, and still when He says just wait. Please keep us in your prayers. Our next goal is $2000 to go with our dossier. We have about $500 of it now, so pray for His perfect timing and a softness and movement of hearts to help.

Many blessings to you all, and thank you for your prayers, encouragement and help!

Endurance . . . (to withstand, suffer or persevere)

What a week. I went through so many emotions. My family went through sickness, and it hit everyone. Started with little Naomi on Sunday at 4:00AM then David on Tuesday, Matt and Jon on Wednesday and finally me on Wednesday evening. At the same time this was going on, we were working on paperwork that needed to be finished and had finger printing to do on Thursday morning. We are working on trying to raise money for the adoption by having a spaghetti luncheon on April 10th at Jon's moms church in Brewer. This has been a trial to put together, as the times and details have not fit into "our" hopes and plans, but they are all coming together. Any how, through all this, by Thursday, I was feeling really tired, including my hope and faith that this was all going to work out. I admit I was feeling very weak and hopeless. On Friday morning, even though I was in the Word, I looked at Krystyna's photo and just started crying. I fell on my knees and cried to the Lord, just begging Him to please take care of her. If there is a family in the Ukraine that should adopt her, please just speak to their hearts. I felt like there was no way we were going to be able to do this in time. The amounts are so huge to us, and the support and encouragement seems to have just stopped. Being surrounded by brothers and sisters and feeding off their hope and belief filled me with more strength I guess. So, with how down I was feeling, I made it worse by feeling like I didn't have faith, because I was doubting. But in Luke 7, it says that admitting doubts helps resolve them. I really questioned so many things, one of them being how involved are we to be in trying to raise these funds? Is faith just sitting around waiting for the money to be delivered? I feel like people don't want to hear what the need is and what is going on. Well, after being a bit grumpy on Friday, even though I was using what the word said and trying to resolve why I was doubting by searching the Scriptures, I went to bed feeling overwhelmed. I was already in love with a child that God brought into our lives, and already feeling no control over her circumstances.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
(1 Corinthians 13:7)

When I woke up on Saturday, Jon had taken Naomi so I could sleep in. I have to tell you that my first thought was just sleep until you feel like getting up. Exhausted, I sang a worship song to God in my head and prayed. I had all intentions to stay in bed and be VERY lazy. I thought, I have had a tough week and "deserve" a little rest. All wrapped up in the nice warm blankets, the hum of a fan going, quite relaxed and happy with this plan, I heard "Get up! Press on."


Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.
(Hebrews 10:36)

You guessed it, I got up! I went out and looked at Jon and said, "What are we going to do today to keep moving forward?" We decided we should take letters around to businesses for donations for the luncheon and silent auction. It has not been easy to humble ourselves and admit we can't do this in our own way. It has been difficult because when we stepped out, we believed we would qualify for some grants that would help shrink the need. We won't qualify for grants because we are not using an agency in the US because Ukrainian laws are different, and this takes us out of most grants. That is just one trial but the Lord is using it to grow us. We believe the Lord is continuing to mold us into His plan for who we will become.

For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
(James 1:4)

We already know we have a much different understanding for when God tells people they are to go on a mission and then they ask for help. We have helped in the past, but I admit I have been a person thinking, "if you can't afford it, why are you doing it?" We surely have seen money in a different way over the last two years. We are blessed with every dollar the Lord provides and extremely thankful we still have a roof over our heads.

So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.
(1 Peter 1:6)

So, to Praise Him for a wonderful day yesterday and to praise Him for my trials as well, I say, "I LOVE YOU LORD, You are always there in the good and the bad. You still love me even when I am doubting and hurting, and YES, you love Krystyna more than I do. I need to trust you with her life and trust in Your plans and what we heard You tell us from the start. We will Press on!"

Because we did, we have been blessed by businesses and friends. I will list some items for the auction below, and want to thank everyone. When I figure out how, we will add a page with names and items donated.

50 pounds of spaghetti
10 cases of soda
overnight package at Vacationland Motels hot tub suite
3 $25 Sports arena passes
plant
Cowans gas card
2 bike helmets
Restaurant gift certificates
survival kit
Rebecca's gift certificate
Northstar photography 2 family sessions
Quilt, lap quilt and desserts by some great friends!

I will update better later, but need to get ready for church. Thank you everyone for your support really. I only share my ups and downs, so if someone else is going through it, maybe they will know they aren't alone. I have learned that adoption is one of the most intense battles out there. I think anything that our enemy doesn't want to see happen makes the journey a bit more difficult. It is also something you have no control over, and that being one of my faults, releasing control, it always is a trial. Thank you friends and family for sticking with us in the good and bad. We love you all.

VERY EXCITED AND BLESSED!

Today I was blessed by an email from Ukraine. It read:

Hi Linda,

just want to let you know that Kristina called me yesterday all excited as she RECEIVED YOUR PACKAGE!!! She was so happy and worried how to write a letter and what to write in it, etc. . . etc. . . .I can tell she was very happy!

Another good news for you is that the additional check on her legal status came positive! She is available on the national level and her referral is properly filed, as of today!

What a great day! I can't wait to read her letter and to send the next box. Praise God for this child, and may He keep her hope and dream alive until we can travel to get her.

JUSTICE . . .(a bit intense today)

I spent yesterday in a great study on Justice by Doug Sauder. There was so much information, and Scripture to meditate on that I imagine I will still be reflecting on it for a while.

Proverbs 28:5
Evil people don't understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely.
He explained that when we are young children, or immature, all justice and fairness issues in life revolve around us, but when we have matured in the Lord, justice then becomes about others. It is then you become willing to step out to change a wrong you see being done to someone else.

Deuteronomy 24:17-22
"True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to ORPHANS, and you must never accept a widow's garment in pledge of her debt. Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I have given you this command.
When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don't go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all you do. When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don't go over the boughs twice. Leave some of the olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. This also applies to the grapes in your vineyard. Do not glean the vines after they are icked, bu leave any remaining grapes for he foreigners, orphans, and widows. Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That is why I am giving you this command.

A special friend of mine and I have been discussing how we have been asked to step out into an area we do not have the money to complete. In doing this, God has shown us many things and we believe we are to share His heart for the orphan. Maybe that is why He chose us for this mission? I don't know. I know that during the study yesterday, Doug said we all need to remember a time when we had a need, and it was not met, and how we felt. How weak we became in this need. He said that God knows if we understand what it means to be weak or helpless, and it is remembering these times and how we felt that will help strengthen us to take a stand and "make you a great carrier of His justice."

So many people think the expenses of adoption are benefiting the family, or the country directly, and they see this as the injustice. That is wrong. There are many people involved in the adoption process both in our own country and the country of the child being adopted. Yes, it would be nice if some fees were reduced, but people need their jobs to support their own families, and yes, it is hard to see some countries benefiting from orphans in any way. BUT, reality is this price it takes to free the orphan and give them a safe and loving family has become a RANSOM on their life. So many families would adopt if it wasn't for the cost, it is too high a price for an average, loving family to bear alone. Please consider becoming part of a group that will rescue Krystyna, and then maybe more children from bondage. Here is an example of how all Christ's church can stop looking the other way. Krystyna's "Ransom" could be paid with 100 people pledging $100 each. It can be all at once or $50 for two months. That would cover the Ukrainian legal expenses. Her immediate need is $3000 in the month of March to send our dossier and begin the process within the Ukrainian courts.

Luke 11:42
But how terrible it will be for you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you completely forget about justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things.

Doug expressed how it breaks Gods heart when we neglect the love of God, when we see a need and walk right by. WE miss the main point of what God is trying to teach us. Love one another.

Amos 5:21-24
"I hate all your show and pretense-the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won't even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your hymns of praise! They are only noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry."

I know God has said to me, why don't we take a stand for the orphan the way William Wilberforce did to abolish slavery? Is it alright to turn a blind eye to children being exploited, or cast them aside just because it is a big problem, therefore we feel we can't make a difference? Justice . . . 143,000,000 orphans in the world! They circle the earth at the equator, shoulder to shoulder 4 times! Just because we can't make a dent we say, I will do nothing? Look into these eyes . . .




Think about what happens to these children when they age out of the orphanage. They are then homeless and on the streets. The sex traffickers are waiting, the criminals, and many commit suicide. How many are saying, I can't help them all? But now look at them and think what would I do if I knew that was my daughter, or my son? Would you do something then to keep your daughter or your son from such a life? Something to consider. If you feel compassion, love, you are feeling the heart of God within you.

I will leave you with Scripture that caught my attention last year quite strongly. It was Isaiah sharing about how true worship was more than religious ritual, going to church or fasting and reading the Scriptures. These people missed the point of a living, vital relationship with God.

Isaiah 58:6-7
No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Isaiah goes on to explain how you will then have a time of refreshment and blessings.

Isaiah 59 goes on to explain:

Isaiah 59:15-16
Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who tries to live a godly life is soon attacked.
The LORD looked and was displeased to find that there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So He himself stepped in to save them with his mighty power and justice.

Praise the LORD that He was willing to adopt me in my time of need. That He loved me enough to call me His child. I pray that I become more like you each day, teach me Your heart and Your ways.