Our judge was an hour late and so when court started he asked us our names and birthdates. He read our rights and read our petition. We sat, stood, sat, stood, sat, stood, sat, then stood one final time and walked out the door 20 minutes after court started. Since he was late he couldn't finish (or barely even start) our case today. He could have stayed later to finish it but he just didn't feel like it. Angry, sad, emotionally fragile....those are three words to describe my current emotional state. This moment is by far the hardest for me since we have started the process. Our facilitator was shocked and she said this is the first time court has not been finished in one date for her. We knew to prepare for this but all of us were thinking since we did everything and more that we needed to that we would only have one court date. He even asked us at the beginning, "Would you like to have just one court date?" Umm yah. Why the heck did he ask if he had no intentions of doing that? Of course there are some theories that I can't share even on a private blog, but only God knows. I have not heard of this happening to any other RR family. We were really hoping to go home and recharge our batteries. I feel like I'm running on empty. Even if court is done Friday (please please please) we may not be able to get a flight home because of it being Easter weekend. Whatever day the court decision is final....we will still have at least 2, if not 3, weeks left in country.
In need of prayers and any encouraging words you may have. All that comes to mind for me is "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers" which doesn't make me feel any better at the moment.
We're so sorry about how things went today. It's just all so discouraging. Praying for you and Shawn - praying that God will encourage and strengthen you. Praying that things are finalized on Friday. Praying for amazing experiences in the next few days for your family.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you...
JTHTL
so sorry,we are praying for all three of you.we have grown to love that little girl of yours thru this blog.she is a little light and she will be home with you soon. You are so strong to have gone thru so much already. the next few days will work out just hold on to eachother and know that God is working even if it is not how we plan it it is his plan. he knows what he is doing even if it is hard stick in there the end will be amazing once you get to fly out of that place with sweet zoya in your arms.
ReplyDeleteSarah- Just remember that God works in mysterious ways.
ReplyDeleteAunt Janice
Here is another one of those "I don't get it" times. I don't pretend to understand but I will pray for God's strength for you. I will pray that you will know His love in new ways--the height and depth and length and width of it. I will pray that you will learn all He wants you to learn from this pain and that not a moment of the suffering will be wasted. From this pain you will be better able to encourage others who will suffer in similar ways (I Cor. 1:3-7) As we are in this week of commemorating Christ's ultimate suffering, it's good to remember that whenever we suffer on any level we are able to identify more with Him (I Peter 4:12-19). As God gave the rainbow after the flood so He will give you blessings when this suffering is over. Hold onto each other and most of all hold onto Him--your only comfort and hope. I am continuing in prayer for you all.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about this news today:( I was sending you two prayers at 8:30am this morning but maybe they all just didn't reach you in time. After everything you two have been through to get this far I know you both will make it like true champs! I'm hopeing things turn around soon and you get to bring your beautiful Zoya home:)
ReplyDeleteI am really bummed out for you guys. I thought for sure things would go smoothly!!! If I were you, the only thing that would bring me comfort is knowing that even though it seems really hard right now, a year from now, 2 years from now, whatever, you will be HAPPILY EVER AFTER and look back on this time and just laugh! You will have amazing stories to tell Zoya about how hard you fought for her, and all the hardships you endured. So hang in there...great things are to come for sure!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry it didnt happen the way you wanted it to! Im also pretty sure about the theories you suspect are more than likely true. Our first adoption WAY BACK in 1991, yes I'm probably old enough to be your mother, was a true life lesson for both my husband and myself. We were young and he was stuck in Romania for THREE months!! I missed him and wanted him and our new daughter to be home NOW! Then with our adoption last year we were away from our kids and in South America for a month. So even with experience of the adoption process and being through it many times it still is hard to be away from home! I know it is not want you want to hear, especially now, but it WILL all work out in HIS timing. You guys have each other to lean on. You have a beautiful little girl that WILL be coming home with you. You have family and friends back home praying for you and soon, believe it or not, this will all be a precious memory! REALLY!!! Try to enjoy, yes enjoy, this time. It will all be the past in a blink of an eye! Stay strong!
ReplyDeleteNance
No words Sarah. I'm just so sorry to hear this. I'm praying Friday is the day and this judge opens his heart. So incredibly frustrating. Big hugs and let zoyas sweet smile cheer you up tomorrow. We are all praying for your family.
ReplyDeleteAm so sorry for you and Shaun, but please remember to have faith in Him!. Remember, faith is remaining strong and joyous in your relationship with your heavenly father when times are tough! Remember, you're in labor now and as a lifetime L&D nurse, things don't always go as we plan! Ask anyone who's come to the hospital with a birth plan printed out! Your Zoya is at the end of this trying experience! All labor is worth the reward! Now, wipe away tears, hug your hubby, and go out for a delightful "whatever suites your fancy" ! I love you all like you're my kids and Zoya is my future grandbaby! ( and you really are, in the family of God.)
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah! We have been praying for you and little miss Zoya! Please remember the end result is mommy, daddy and baby home safely. Perhaps God has a reason for you staying with Zoya instead of returning home. We will continue to pray for you and trust that God will blanket you in His love!
ReplyDelete~Mary
Praying, hugs.
ReplyDeleteDear Sarah and Shawn, may God wrap a blanket of strength around you. This judge just did not know what to do for you today, he needs all of us to pray for him that he will see the love and caring that we all see. Bless you and Shawn as you continue on this journey. We are with you, behind you and beside you every step of the way. Take care of each other, enjoy each and every minute with your princess Zoya and remember at every minute, someone is thinking of you. Love to you all, Debbie N.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the way things turned out today...continuing to pray for your strength. Hold on to each other...soon you will fly. Liz
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to say something.....I remember my homesickness in a foreign country under very difficult circumstances, these feelings come back, when I think of you both on this day... May God wrap you up in His Love, His Hope, His Strength!
And we really want to pray you threw this difficult time and that on GOOD FRIDAY everythings turn out GOOD for you all!!!!
Love Christina
I am so sorry! We are definitely praying for you all during this tough time. God always has a reason for everything and just as you said He knows the perfect timing. Who knows who's life you may touch or affect while you are there during this extra time. Praying!!
ReplyDeleteHang in there, it's in God's hands, He won't let you down. Love you and miss you! Kathy and Bren
ReplyDeleteDear Sara and Shawn.
ReplyDeleteI feel privileged to be a part of this exciting time in your lives and to be able to witness your personal relationship with God. As you both grow closer to the Lord, you do grow closer together. What a blessing for Zoya to have both parents strong Christians who will dedicate her life to the Lord.
Even though strong in the Lord however, we all have our human moments(or hours, days, weeks, etc). The God who created us certainly understands and loves us regardless.
Keep up the faith (I know you will) and realize too that Satan would like to frustrate you and your plans, but what Satan means for evil, God can turn into good. We wait and watch. The battle is God's and He has all ready won!
Take some time to focus on each other and have a "date". And remember this special week and what it means to us Christians.
God is in control, He is still on the throne and He loves us!!! (Although we will still have a lot of questions for Him when we do see Him face to face.) :)
Praying for you,
Gail Jacobs
Sending a big, fierce hug to two (no, THREE) wonderful and amazing people who are loved, loved, loved by God and the rest of us here too! My mantra through many hard times in my life "This, too, shall pass".
ReplyDeletePraying for you every day. xoxoxo
Praying that Friday will be the day you become Zoya's Mommy! God is in Control and He loves Zoya very much! It will happen! And the angels will be dancing too!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Hi Sarah and Shawn,Remember FRIDAY is GOOD FRIDAY so maybe thats a sign of whats to come.God has all things planned out for each and one of us so pray that his day is going to be your day.She is so cute.Iloved your captions for lunch time.I'll be praying for you two. Aunt Marianne
ReplyDeleteOh, I jut had a thought....perhaps he meant to give you one court date....then suddenly realized he had explosive you-know-what and had to rush home, so now Friday will DEFINATELY be your day, cuz he will be feeling better by then! (No disrespect, LOL)
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