Russia Update

Here is the latest news on Russia from the most reliable sources:

US State Department

Joint Council on International Childrens Services

Also some good news reported by the Moscow Times:

The Moscow Times

Our agency is reporting activity again, so it appears that things are moving, albeit slowly, and Russia will remain open for international adoption while the two countries work out an agreement.

Garage Sale Fundraiser

Dear Friends & Family,

May 21st through 23rd is the annual Great US 50 yard sale (www.route50.com/yardsale.html), and we are planning to use it as an opportunity to raise money for our Journey to Hope again this year!

If you have any clothes (childrens), toys, furniture or household items that you've been wanting to get rid of and are willing to allow the proceeds to go to our adoption fund, please let us know. We can even come box it up and haul it away for you (as long as you are in town!). All you have to do is have it ready to go!! Or you can drop it off at our house any time up until the sale.

Please be sure to spread the word to your Cincinnati area friends, family and coworkers (even if you're not able to come) and/or bring a friend and come buy some stuff yourself! All proceeds will go to the "Journey to Hope" adoption fund.

We are so thankful to friends and family like you that have helped us get this far on our adoption journey. We still have a long way to go ... please help us bring HOPE home from Russia!

Blessings,
Chad, Emily & Benjamin, too!

Mother's Day

I was once the childless woman on Mother's Day. For six years, we longed to be parents and wondered if we would ever be blessed with that which seemed to come so easily for everyone but us. Then came our Benjamin and I was finally able to celebrate Mother's Day with a child in my arms. I have also been the bereaved woman on Mother's Day. After only two years of joyful celebrations, Mother's Day became bittersweet for me because of my daughter's death. I celebrated for the child in my arms and grieved for the child I could no longer hold. I wondered if Mother's Day would ever be joyful for me again. Now I am the waiting mother; waiting for a 4th Mother's Day for our rainbow to come; full of hope and longing for the day she will finally be here; full of joy for the child still in my arms; and, by the grace of God, full of peace over the child I am no longer able to hold, but will see again one day in Heaven. I now see Mother's Day so differently. I see it as an opportunity to send a card to a bereaved mother whose child cannot be in her arms this Mother's Day. And a way to love on the mothers who are taking care of sick children who may not be here for another Mother's Day. It's also an opportunity to care about the women who want to be mothers, but are on the infertility rollercoaster and grieving each month for the child that was not conceived, as well as all of the motherless daughters and sons whose mother's are not here to be celebrated. Mother's Day is bittersweet for so many people. Please take time this weekend to reach out to a mother who needs your love.

And for my friends who are childless or missing a child this Mother's Day (and those who love them), this is for you ...

For the Childless Woman on Mother's Day
(click the link above to view)

Russia Update

Here's the latest update on the situation in Russia. The next meeting is scheduled for May 12th. It looks hopeful and we've received updates from our agency indicating that adoptions are still going through during negotiations. We won't be sure how this affects our timeline until this summer. Please keep praying that the process will not be delayed unnecessarily and that the doors to Russia remain open!

U.S. Department of State Announcement

A Hope Blessing

Today we were given "A Hope Blessing" (baby shower) for Hope. Since we don't know how big she is yet, everyone gave gift cards, money and special mementos for her memory book. My favorite gift was a frame of our family, including Abby, and an opening for a photo of Hope. It was nice that someone thought to include her, too! Here are some pictures from the party. It was meant to be a surprise, but it turned out that I couldn't come at the time the party was planned, so they told me. But I did not know who was invited until I showed up (Chad and his mom made up the guest list) or what the theme of the party was. Thank you Chad and "Nana" Linda for making "Hope's Blessing" a special day ...

AMOS STORY
Aaron Ivey. ©2009 IVEYMUSIC. (ASCAP)

Another photograph to wrestle in my head
Another sleepless night on concrete featherbed
These thoughts of you like bullets to my soul
We’ve got to find a way to get you home

I’ll find a way to get you here
If it takes my fleeting breath
Another sunrise hits the ground
And it’s a dark lonely sight
Lightyears away I hope you know
There is somebody searching
For the way to get you here

I will get you here

Throw the clocks away and run out to the street

We’ll fly to distant clouds where it’s just you and me
A day will come when all of this is gone

You’ve got to find a way to believe

I’ll find a way to get you here
If it takes my fleeting breath
Another sunrise hits the ground
And it’s a dark lonely sight
Lightyears away I hope you know
There is somebody searching
For the way to get you here
I will get you here

Close your eyes and dream of a better day with me
As angels hold you tight, may you sleep in peace tonight

So dream, dream, dream my child
Hear the whisperings of hope

It’s a song that you can sing, as you sleep in peace tonight

Another Update

Here is another update on Russia Intercountry Adoption. The Department of State has received no official notification that adoptions from Russia to the United States have been suspended. However, it appears that the adoption process has slowed down.

Volcanic ash prevented the U.S. delegation from traveling to Moscow over the April 17th weekend. The delegation now plans to travel to Moscow during the week of April 25. Please continue to pray that the door to intercountry adoption in Russia remains open!!

Joint Council on International Children's Service

U.S. Department of State Intercountry Adoption