So close, yet so far away

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. 

Fight for the rights of widows.

Isaiah 1:17

I know God's timing is perfect. I know it in my head and in my heart, but it does not always make the waiting any easier. Some days my heart aches so bad to see our boys that I don't think I will make it through the day. Other days I try to stay busy working on the dossier, their bedroom, painting something for them, etc...It seems to make me feel close to them-like they are here with me. I was thinking the other day-it will be one year on September 2nd from the first time we met Daniel and Christian. On September 9th it will be one year since we touched them last. That made me sad, but also thankful that we met them, that they will soon be with us forever, and really amazed at how fast a year goes by.

Here are 2 paintings I've done for their room.

 

It gets hard answering the "So, when are yall going?" question. We don't know. Every time we think all the paperwork is ready and we have an idea of when we'll be going, something else comes up & the dossier is still not sent to Ukraine. It is very challenging being so close to ready, but still feeling so far from it actually  happening.

It's amazing though, (why I am even surprised by this I don't know) God always shows up with something to sustain us when we feel like we can take no more. While Daniel was at camp, we had friends there too. They kept us supplied with photos and even let us skype with him one day. Also, his phone had service in the town they were in, so we could continue to text him and call. We really enjoyed talking to Daniel one-on-one, him not having to share the phone with his two more talkative brothers. We feel like we got some great bonding and communication done during this time having him all to ourselves. But having him alone meant not having the other 2 to talk to.

Christian and Henry had gone to Italy for the summer. We had no way of contacting them or even knowing exactly where they were. We did good over the 1st weeks, but as it neared a month without contact we (and by WE I mean mostly ME)  began to lose it: crying a lot and being sad. Then, out of no where, Bill gets a friend request from a lady in Italy on Facebook. He almost didn't accept it, but I reminded him the boys are in Italy.  Her name Valentina and she's awesome. She said Vlady (Henry) has stayed with her family for the last 3 summers. We have been talking on FB & skyping all week. All I needed was to see that sweet face and I'm back on cloud 9! Now if I can just find Christian! He left Italy on July 27th. I checked with Daniel and he said he's not at the orphanage, he's gone to visit someone in Kiev. I know his sister lives in Kiev, but I can't imagine he would be with her and not Henry too. Hopefully I will be able to talk to him again soon.

Danial at camp with "his baby" Nastia.

 

 

 

Daniel with our friend Rachael Vogel at Camp.

Henry in Italy sitting a Ferrari!

Henry with a Lamborghini!

Thank you everyone for all your support and your prayers. We are so close, yet so far from being there. Please continue to hold our family up in prayer, that we will continue to fight the good fight, and follow this dream to its wonderful end.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7