18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
[This was our prayer list during the timeframe through returning home with Mila and Yana]
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name! Please answer the following, according to Your Will:
[UPDATED 02/08/2012]
- That the home study process goes "without a hitch"; that it is completed quickly and thoroughly the first time. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That the arrangements we seek for the care of our 3 boys during our first trip come to pass. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That our children and caregivers remain healthy and in good spirits while we are away from home. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That we will faithfully communicate daily with our children and caregivers back home while away. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That Kathleen and Gayle remain in the baby house they currently reside at, until we can get to them. Gayle did remain in her baby house, but Kathleen had been transferred back in October 2011. Although this part of our prayer was not answered according to our will, we do understand why God ordained this. We hope to explain why in a future blog post.
- That Kathleen's and Gayle's caregivers know the Lord, and treat them with dignity, compassion, mercy, and love until we can reach them.
- That our financial needs will be met. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That through the adoption journey, our witness to those "neighbors" we encounter advances (not hinders) the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although there were moments where I am convinced the Gospel was advanced, I personally have never been to the "repentance corner" more in my life than during this trip. I consider this a gracious act of Mercy on behalf of the Lord, who provided the trials to draw me closer to Him.
- That God grants us the blessing of wisdom with regard to learning how to best care for Kathleen and Gayle. ANSWERING!
- That we overcome our fear of traveling to another country. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That we make time to learn about the people and culture of the country we travel to.
- That we take advantage of any opportunities to have fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ while in that country. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That we, as parents to Kathleen and Gayle, will be prepared with knowledge of and a compassionate response to what will be a big, big, big change in their lives. ANSWERING!
- That whatever administrative changes which are supposed to occur in country around early June do not impact the home study and dossier processes we have underway. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That the USCIS grants us approval in a timely manner. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That our petition for adoption be reviewed by an "adoption-friendly" Ukrainian judge. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY FOR BOTH!
- That our travel between the 2 orphanages goes safely. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That Kathleen and Gayle become aware of the love we have to offer them, and that the bonding time bears joyous fruit! ANSWERING!
- That our adoption mission can be used as a testimony to other brothers and sisters in Christ to raise awareness of the orphan care crisis, and be used to advance His Kingdom! ANSWERING!
- That the Lord leads a Christian family to adopt Katelyn! ANSWERING! SHE IS ON THE RR "MY FAMILY FOUND ME" PAGE
- That our flights from Philadelphia to EE city are on time and safe. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That we have BOTH court dates scheduled before 12/31/2011 WE HAD COURT FOR GAYLE ON 12/28/2011; COURT FOR KATHLEEN IS SCHEDULED FOR 01/10/2012. THE LORD'S TIMING IS PERFECT!
- That this experience draws our children closer to their Grandparents, and vice versa ANSWERING!
- Please pray that it be the Lord’s Will to orchestrate the events necessary to expedite our paperwork through the Ukraine Dept. of Adoptions; so that we can have court for Kathleen on 12/27 COURT FOR KATHLEEN IS SCHEDULED FOR 01/10/2012. THE LORD'S TIMING IS PERFECT!
- Please pray that the judge hearing Kathleen's adoption petition will hear a motion to waive the 10 day appeal period, and agree to the motion. Temporally speaking, this is not very common, but we know that this is possible through the Lord's direction.
- That the 10 day appeal period for Gayle goes without incident. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY!
- That our post adoption decree paperwork (primarily the birth certificate and passport) is completed in one day. ANSWERED IN THIS WAY FOR MILA GAYLE
- That Gayle's passport is ready in 3 days (as opposed to 5). ANSWERED IN THIS WAY
- That both Mila Gayle and Yana Kathleen obtain a "clean bill of health" from the Embassy Medical Checkup so they can get their travel visas (and not delay our departure back home). ANSWERED IN THIS WAY
- That our travel home from EE to Philadelphia goes without delays (due to weather, mechanical, or any other type of issue). ANSWERED IN A DIFFERENT WAY; YET, WE KNOW THAT OUR DELAY WAS FOR OUR GOOD AND HIS GLORY!
