News

Well, for those who have been following our story, we have been pursuing our Ukraine adoption for almost 2 years. We found out several weeks ago that the two kids we had met and grown so fond of in our hearts, were not available for adoption. This, along with some other pretty big factors that we have been wrestling with over the months, has caused us to officially cut our ties with Ukraine. We still are very passionate about adoption and will pursue a canadian adoption through the government (usually some higher needs kids). It has been one of the hardest decisions to make.

On a more happy note, we have gone ahead with our fundraiser (since this whole adventure is quite expensive) and have recorded and produced a CHRISTMAS CD. "Peas on Earth" (we always referred to our kids as our "sweet peas")
Fun songs for the family. $10. SO if you are out there and would like one...let us know. It costs $2 to ship up to 3 cds to you. WE'd be happy to do so.

Asking for Prayer

As we start our 4th round of paperwork, in hopes of a submission date in the spring, I am asking you to Pray for us..that we will be faithful to God, that we will love each other in this process.(.that I find quite stressful) It has been quite a ride over these past 2 years..with I'm sure more adventures to come. I believe it to be a miracle that we are still on the road to adoption. I praise God for that. We are trusting God to provide for us, in every way as we seek him out in these days.
Thanks,
monika

we're registered

AFter 18 months and 3 sets of dossiers, we are now registered, the first of 3 steps in our Ukrainian ADoption. We are thankful and now must work on our papers again (hopefully for the last time) until our submission day in February 2010. That's the latest.

the countdown is on....

...not exactly the way you think. We have about 6 weeks left until our papers once again expire. They have not yet made it back to the embassy so it will be interesting to see what happens. We have decided that after 18 months of doing the same paper work only for them to expire or requirements to change from the Ukrainian side, that after this deadline, we will reconsider the whole Ukraine route. This is hard to write as we have invested alot...especially emotionally into this. It seems to be like a cat chasing it's tail as it would appear next to impossible for us to get our papers processed in time for them to make it alive to Ukraine. Praying for God's Will to be done and for us to have a peace and Hope in that.

around the world and back

Well, our dossier was not approved in Ukraine, not because the papers were incorrect, but because it came in one instead of three bundles. So, we are back at square one after one and a half years. Needless to say, we are tired, but trusting that God is indeed showing us his will. We will see what is to come in the next few months. I pray that God has adoption in mind for us. To him and not me, be the glory.
monika

more of the same

we are still waiting for news on submitting our paperwork. It is a long process and it is hard to stay joyful and hopeful. We might have to re-do our papers for once again, some obscure reason, or we might be able to submit soon. Hoping to hear more soon.
monika

A couple of weeks have come and gone and we have given much business to the local courier in our town. We are happy to say that our dossier (without the latest requirements) is now in Ukraine and undergoing translation. That is indeed wonderful. I was starting to wonder if we would ever get it out of the country. Now to send of the last of the documents TODAY and pray they join up the rest of the file soon so as to be able to ask to submit possibly even in February!

Thankful

Just sitting at my computer at the quiet part of the day, thinking about what will become of this process we are in now. We have just couriered our second copies of the new requirements (2 days after we couriered off our dossier again)...and are praying that all things will work out.

I am so grateful for what I am learning through this:

-letting go of what I think is in my control
-nothing is predictable
-cherishing my family
-praying for these new members to be

Will be keeping you posted as soon as we hear from our facilitator!

cheers,
monika

In record breaking time, we have had our new forms notarized etc. It is on the way to our agency and then off to get authenticated again.

I know that God will glorify himself in this, whichever way he answers.


Just thought I'd post a picture of our family. My husband Richard, our son Kai (3) and Tomi (just shy of 2). Cheers

another setback

We ended off 2008 but still hopeful for the next year. On Jan 1 , we heard that due to the new forms and us just having finished our 2nd time around dossier, only to totally restart our third... there is only a very slim, slim chance that we will be able to submit our dossier in order for it to be accepted for 2009. Needless to say, I have cried, been frustrated and have tried to understand this whole process. Please pray with us for a "miracle". Our dossier will be going to the notary and off to Ottawa again in the next couple of days and then our part is done.
Our hope is built on NOTHING LESS than Jesus blood and righteousness...what a comfort!