10/10/10

I started this blog to document our adoption journey and then to make it into a book for Calvin later. I couldn't pass up the opportunity though to praise God. We have had many changes in our lives with changing schools unexpectedly, leaving our church and find a new one. Through these changes God has shown us that his plans are better than ours. Yes I do miss my old church, mainly because of the familiarity. I still have the same friends, and we get together for play dates, so nothing has changed there. However, we took a huge leap of faith to join a church plant and it seemed it wasn't going anywhere. We would find a school, building to meet and it would fall through. The launch date for our new church was to be 10/10/10 but we postponed it because we could not find a place to meet in the community. Needless to say, God provided a building for us 10/10/10. We met last night for a pot luck and we had 54 people. Some from the community but mostly from the mother church who is planing the church. We are excited to see how God is working in our midst. There are so many more stories I can tell you how God has moved and place us exactly where he wants us. Change is scary, walking by faith is scary but it is better to walk in faith and obedience knowing God will always be there with us leading the way. Brings me back to my favorite verse 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.' Also the verse about God being a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Praising you Lord for your faithfulness and keeping your promises.

passport renewed

Wonderful surprise today, UPS delivered my new passport. It only took them a couple of weeks. I was expecting 4-6 weeks, so that was FAST. Now my passport is good until 2020. Chris has his doctors appointment tomorrow with our 'new' doctor. Chris and I switched to the kids doctor because mine closed his office and Chris' is just way to slow and there are too many hoops to jump through over there trying to get his paperwork back with a signature etc. I love our kids doctor, you take the form in with you, he checks you out, asks you questions and signs off right there. Chris' doctor would have him come back a week later to pick it up signed etc (that was probably when we had blood work done etc, but it took them forever to get it back to us.) I had my appointment last Friday and got my hep B shot (in case we travel this year) and my tetnus. I still need to get my flu shot (for volunteering at the hospital). Did any of you get the Hep b for traveling, it was recommended on the CDC site? They also recommend Hep A (food and water) but I really don't want to get more shots, and I have heard the food and restaurants in Bulgaria are very good so not to worried about that and we will just drink bottled water or boiled at our apartment/hotel. All this to say that I am hoping to have our homestudy done by the end of this week so I can mail it with our I800a extension. Anyone send their paperwork to Chicago? IF so how long is it taking? I have heard others saying it is taking 3 months to have their extentions approved. Please pray with us that that isn't the case, we need it sooner. Praying for God to move mountains, as we know He can. Praying that our paperwork will go smoothly, with no requests or corrections and that our son will be protected and be able to come home soon.

Moldova Program

http://www.carolinaadoption.org/international-programs/moldova/

Stacie brought this country to my attention. A great program worth considering. The children have to be on the registry for 2 years so the youngest you can adopt is 2 years old. Time frame looks good. Once your dossier is in you get a referral within 9 months and then travel a few weeks later.

Still haven't seen any healthy children referred to the USA that are young. I know of a couple of families that have been waiting for 2.5 years so far.

Updated Homestudy

Met with our new social worker today to update our homestudy, so we can send it with our I 800a extention paperwork. Made a few significant changes... praying for God's leading. Praying for Calvin to come home soon and for his protection. Otherwise, life goes on. Each day a blessing from our creator. While we wait we are:

1. Making applesauce

2. Visiting apple orchards

3. eating donuts

4. making homemade pumpkin pie and eating them too

5. homeschooling

6. Helping with a church plant in the innercity

7. praying

8.praying

9 worshiping

10 praising

11. learning to walk by faith and not by sight

12 learning to be patient

13 teaching our children to grow in the Lord and have HIS WORD on their hearts (Deuteronomy)

14. Working on adoption paperwork AGAIN

20 months registered...

We have been waiting over 2 years for you to come home, Calvin. It has been 20 months since we were registered with the Bulgarian government. Praying for you to come home soon. Sending kisses your way.

Roma people being kicked out of France...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11186592

Mackinac Island

Ferry to Mackinac Island

This past weekend we went to Mackinac Island with Chris' family. The weather was beautiful, blue skies and in the low 80's. We stayed at Mission Point on the island, which the kids love because of Mac the Moose. At 8:30 there is a story time with Mac the Moose (a book about Mackinac Island) and the kids get a cookie and jug of milk. Saturday we rode the 8miles around the island. Last year Caroline did great, this year she complained her legs were tired, so we made many stops along the way.Cathryn rode her bike for the first time on the island and made it half way until she got a flat tire. Thankfully Chris had an attachment to pull her on the back of his bike.

I will post pics in a few days!

Now we are getting ready for school to start next week. Caroline's school, North Hills Classical Academy, had to close because of not enough tuition paying families. We were very sad to see them close their doors. Caroline got a great education there last year. She is learning grammar that I learned in high school!! We found another school close by that is also a classical school. They do the same grammar, different math though. Singapore instead of Saxon. She had her placement test and did fine. She still struggles with money!!! Trinitas Classical School has combined classes so the 1st and 2nd grade will be together. I am curious to see how it will work. Cathryn will be home schooled and we will begin next Tuesday when Caroline goes to school. In the coming years, my goal is to homeschool both girls in the morning and then do a homeschool partnership where they will go in the afternoon for classes such as art, music, Latin and science. I think I could teach the other subjects:) We are sad summer is coming to an end but we look forward to what God has in store for us this year. Hopefully a little boy will be home with us from Bulgaria this year.