" 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?
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!
3 comments:
WOW!!!! How exciting! I can't wait to see pictures of you all together when she finally arrives here! God Bless.. Louise Cunningham, Veazie
I love this picture of Jon! Krystyna is going to be so blessed with her forever family!!!
Love you all!
Liz
What a fun day! One we'll not soon forget!
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