Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Getting Closer...

Well I learned a lot today. We eventually made it to the SDA building to pick up our paper saying we could go visit Zoya tomorrow. We had a taxi driver who sat and looked at a map for a while before he figured out where he was supposed to go. He spoke no English so we called the translator and she spoke to him telling him (again) where he was supposed to take us. We got there and there were 2 other families waiting. They got their paperwork, signed the book, and left. We sat there noticing there were no papers of ours there…ugh. Our facilitator explained that since we were supposed to get them yesterday they were still upstairs and had not been brought down yet. We sat and waited and finally they brought the papers. We showed our passports and signed a book. They gave us a paper to take with us and our entire dossier back. Boy did seeing those documents bring back some memories.


We are in need of prayers. Our facilitator told us we need to be prepared for lots and lots of questions. He said people will not understand why we want to adopt a child with down syndrome. It is hard enough for most families to deal with the questioning. He told us to expect even more questions than most families get because we are not like most families. We are younger than most adopting families, and we do not have any children of our own. Basically he said people will think we are crazy for wanting to adopt this child. He even told us he himself doesn’t think we should. Nice. He did tell us though we get the award for cutest adopting couple! Haha. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have been called to adopt Zoya. But, it’s almost like, if people keep telling you you’re crazy you might start to believe it. I know we’re not crazy but I have had a question or two pop into my head saying, “this is not crazy….right?” I know in my heart this is our path. Now we just have to prove to all these people that we really do want to be Zoya’s moma and daddy and that we want her because we value her and she is worthy of a family. Our facilitator said not to try to change people’s minds (which we did not intend to do). So we are trying to be prepared as our facilitator has told us to be. How do we prepare? I guess I will be taking up quite a bit of God’s time tonight! So tomorrow we set out to prove ourselves to a bunch of people we don’t know.

We have learned that we should not smile (we sorta already knew this) but our facilitator told us absolutely not to smile at people. He told me especially not to smile at any men because that would mean something that I’m not trying to convey! People here are very different, they really don’t show emotion. We learned to close our eyes in the back of cars in Ukraine unless you want to pee your pants in fear. We learned that it is okay to park wherever you want and that all 4 wheels do not need to be touching the ground at any given time. We learned we have NO CONTROL over a single thing here. We learned how hard it is for people who can’t communicate effectively in everyday life (we are two of those people at the current moment). We are learning to appreciate different cultures, despite our vast differences. We learned that this adoption is an uphill battle but we will fight until Zoya is home where she belongs.

We are on such a journey of faith. We have gotten into cars with people we don’t know, who don’t even speak English, we have committed to bring home a child we’ve never met, we are at the mercy of others all day every day. “Uncomfortable” and “out of our element” are understatements. Is it as bad as it sounds? Nope because the big man upstairs has it all under control.
Here is a picture of what we’re having for dinner tonight….do you know what this is? That’s okay we don’t either. I’ll let you know after we eat it :)
Our train picks us up at 11pm (Ukraine time) and we will arrive in Zoya’s region at 7am. Hopefully we will go to our apartment and have an hour or so to settle. Then we will begin all the meetings and questioning, and at some point, get to meet Zoya!! Please keep us in your prayers. Specific requests are a continued sense of peace and certainty in our hearts, to eliminate any fears we have, an ability to answer the questions from our hearts and in a way that would convince these people that we really do want to take Zoya home to love her and give her a moma and daddy, that I would grow some thick skin (because I've never had it!) and that we would feel God’s presence with us at all times.

16 comments:

  1. Im thinking and praying for everything to go smooth,

    hugs from your mexican friend
    and cant wait to see Zoya!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praying.

    Please know that this is what God has called you to do(James 1:27-Religion that God accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world) so you will be faced with opposition.

    satan does not want this child out of her currently prison to feel the love that God can show her through you as her parents. he is going to do whatever he can to try and get you outta there(James 1:2 Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trails of many kinds bc you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance). But you and I and the Lord all know that you are not going anywhere. You have not gone this far to be done now. You can do this and you will.

    Heres a couple more for the road

    Philippians 4:6do not be anxious about anything but in everything prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace that transcends all understanding will guard hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

    Ephesians 6:10 (Putting on the armor of God).

    2 Tim 1:7 God doesnt give us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and self discipline. (Meaning that the fear you have is not from God so it is from.....satan!)

    My prayers are with you. When I get afraid I pray 2 tim 1:7 and Psalm 91, Though a thousand may fall at my side and 10,000 at my right hand, no harm will come to me.

    So I am praying that over you and Zoya. Be blessed! Hugs!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're NOT crazy. You are listening to your heart, and what the Lord put there for you. Zoya will bless you in ways you can't even imagine, and the Lord will bless you for listening, even when it's an uphill battle.

    It REALLY doesn't matter what other people think. It doesn't. Other people have values that are not yours. You reap what you sow, and when you sow love, the rewards are great!

    ReplyDelete
  4. We are praying for you all!! So excited for you! You get to have a wonderful gift and blessing from the Lord in your arms so soon! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. May God give you His deep peace in your hearts. You follow His call and you will be blessed.
    And be shure: Gods power and control is over everything and no one acts unless he ordains it!
    Praying!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm going to pray for boldness in your hearts, wisdom in your words and a deep sense in your very beings that she IS YOURS when you set eyes upon your little one for the first time! GOD IS ABLE! He has brought you this far... He will see you through. I can't wait to read your blog tomorrow!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. looks like chicken cordon bleu?! so....what exactly was it? hahahaha!! Mya says hi and she misses you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I pray that you get rest tonight and let the Lord take care of tomorrow. he will be there for you and he knows your heart trust in him and you will be fine.
    so excited to see some new pictures of her if you get to take any.make sure to take a bunch with you guys holding her for the first time they are the best pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sarah, try also to remember that these children that have something 'wrong' with them are NOT valued at all there...therefore, they cannot understand for the life of them why we would come over and spend so much money to bring them home. They are very image conscious, especially the women, and to have a child with something wrong them, is just unacceptable.

    Atleast that is what we saw and experienced. It was sort of like the people that had one child (which most do NOT have more than one anymore) and that child is very pampered, and well dressed, yet the orphanages are FULL of children that have nothing. It's like the dogs over there, either their street dogs, running everywhere, not even 'seen' by people, or it's a pampered pet with a snowsuit on.( yes, I saw several with snowsuits on) So it's kind of an 'all or nothing' society.

    ReplyDelete
  10. OH Boy! God is totally strengthening the too of you soo much! EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER! You guys are incredible and in my prayers! Love you both and everything you do!


    Maybe you should of brought Seth along as back up..........

    ReplyDelete
  11. Haha the label says cordon bleu. How was it?

    I would highly recommend the ice cream from a bag.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Do you have pictures of you teaching your little ones in LS with you?...anyone who could see those pics would know in their heart..without a question or doubt you are Zoyas mama and daddy. You are an amazing couple on an unbelievable journey, God will be with you and hold you both in the palm of his hand. Prayers are flooding the airways...feel them, catch them, hold them and be strong. Anyony one that can teach LS with multiple disabilities in MTSD has the strength to hold up under any questioning! Love to both of you. Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  13. oh sarah, you are not crazy. at all. i completely understand how you might feel that people perceive you as such [been there. done that. still there. haha.] i have tears in my eyes as i type this to you. i get goosebumps every time i think about your journey to get zoya. she is yours. God has placed her on your heart...and that far exceeds any logic or whatever of this world [which, this world, i highly over-rated].

    God's love is crazy. you are showing that to zoya and the people of the ukraine. they likely won't 'get it', but that is what it is. it IS crazy...but so is God's love for us. so, i guess in some ways you are crazy [heheee], for exemplifying and being God's hands and feet by showing love to this little girl who God called you to love...to be her forever mom and dad. so...pour out that 'crazylove' from God onto zoya. :) [see: francis chan's book 'crazylove']

    also-put on your armor...suit up. [see: 'warrior woman' by...me.] ;)

    hugs, love, and prayers to you both.

    lorrae :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sarah, I agree with Lorrae. This is crazy love you have and it can only come from God Himself. I'm praying especially hard for you to be able to show that God looks on the heart and not on outward appearance. You are learning so very much during these difficult times. What valuable classes in living! No one will be able to take away your joy when you hold that precious baby.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tomorrow is a new day and I will be praying hard tonight that everything falls into place tomorrow : )

    Your not crazy it's called Mommy love and it has a hold of you like no tomorrow!
    Remember some people do not get it and they never will, Some people might go through there entire life and never understand the whys.
    God has choosen this little girl for your family and he has a bigger plan!
    This is a journey that started as a single step and with each step of the journey it provides a deep insight as to what direction God is leading you too in the end you will really understand the why's!

    Hugs and so can't wait until tomorrow : )

    Sharon

    ReplyDelete