As I sit here in my humble home surrounded by chaos, I need to take the time to reflect on the past two days. It is just now that I have had the opportunity to sit and reflect and hopefully grasp what lies ahead for Dave and I.
On Wednesday, after a lovely visit in Kildonan Park with good friends, we received the email we've been waiting for for what seems like a life time:
"Congratulations Dave and Jen! You have an appointment scheduled with the SDA (Social Department of Adoption) on August 27th, 2014. Please begin to make the necessary arrangements..." Wait! August 27th?!? We have a little under two weeks to prepare for the next biggest decision of our lives?!?
The next five minutes were frantic calls to parents, family and close friends, not to mention patient employers who have graciously waited with us. Next came the flood of questions for which today we still have no answers.
We can say that we are leaving between August 20th and August 24th. Our appointment is on August 27th at 11:00 a.m. (Ukrainian time)
Travel plans are under way, currency is being exchanged, dogsitter finalized (Thank you Matt:)) and unfortunately, we've had to cancel a much anticipated road trip with two great friends, Kim and Kevin. Sorry we can't be with you, we were very much looking forward to spending time and traveling with you guys.
There are many unknowns.
In less than two weeks we will be sorting through files of potential sons and daughters. What is most unfortunate is that we have not been able to focus yet on the true reason as to why we are going through this process, parenthood. Life changing, marriage changing, parenthood. We have not been able to embrace and encourage each other as we enter into the labour stage of our adoption, until this very moment. What type of mother am I going to be? A fun mom, or a mom whose worry takes the place of fun? What kind of father will Dave be? How do we plan for a child whose age range falls between 2 and 14? What kind of books do we buy? Russian, English, Ukrianian? How do we teach our child(ren) grace and love and the value of self sacrifice? How do we (and what does it mean to) impart our love of God to a child who may or may not know God in their own life? How do I love a child who may not understand how to love us back as quickly?
My hope is that when I hear of a mother and father holding their new born for the first time, and see that love immediately takes over and is imparted automatically between parent and child, that this will happen for Dave and I. But the reality is, it could take a really long time. This is a part of the process, or so we have been told in the hours of educating seminars and conversations that we have had with the agency. Returning home is going to be a lot of work, this is certain. But for the time being, let's just get to the Ukraine. It is surprising just how unprepared you feel when over two years of waiting comes down to two weeks notice. The past two days have been an exercise in how to prepare for two months of travel in 5 days. More to come as our travel story continues to unravel...
What can people pray for?
1. First and foremost, safety
2. the current situation of Ukraine
3. Discernment during the child selection process which starts on August 27th at 11:00 (once again, Ukrainian time). We have exactly one hour to go through all the files that meet our parameters and to decide on which child(ren) to see at the orphanage
4. Finances, we will be away for two months without any income coming in from either of our jobs
5. Matt and the dogs, it's going to be a long time for them:), and one of the hardest part of this journey will be leaving our babies behind for two months.
6 comments:
Reality and excitement set in! We will be praying for you...declaring and believing your steps are ordered by the Lord, that His plans and purposes for you will be accomplished, that your heart will beat with Heaven's rhythm and that His strong arm of protection and grace will overshadow the entire process. Hugs form Uncle Carl and Aunt Ruth.
No spell check there....that would be "from" not "form"...
Wow, it came quick all of a sudden! We love you guys and pray that your trip is safe! We ask God to grant you peace, clarity when making your choices, Love instantly and tons of finances in this venture. May God grant you with wisdom, love, passion, commitment, trust, loyalty, hope and faith that you will need in the days that lie ahead of you.
You will be greatly missed in this time and thought of often as you already are. May God grant you strength and the ability to make amazing choices. May you remember God chose you and you are choosing another!
Will you be great parents? Yes because:
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
You have every ounce of light inside of you both for this/these child(ren), you have been called, set apart and made known in such a time as this. God will not leave you orphaned nor your child(ren).
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
John 14:18 NIV
New International Version
Again we love you guys and are praying for your protection and guidance. We trust that God will come through for you and your family <3
Shauna Hart & Family
Oh and Aug 27th is my girl's b-day <3
thank you ruth and shauna.
and shauna, that is very cool about your daughters b-day
Dave and Jen
I love your honesty in the blog! My husband, Dave, and I will for sure keep you guys in my prayers. God got you...and He will direct you to the right child(ren) for you to adopt. This child(ren) will be abundantly a blessing into your life :)
-Nancy & Dave
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