It's Official....

Even typing those words made me feel like I was going to throw up.... Something about telling the world makes it more official than receiving confirmation that the application has been received and is being reviewed....

So, if you haven't already figured it out.... We have sent in the application to begin the adoption process and make Y a part of our forever family.

(insert screams, cries, celebrations, confetti and maybe a little throwing up.... ha)

I've said it before and I will say it every day for probably the rest of my life.... What God calls us to is not easy.  Nothing about it is easy..... Every step is a struggle.  Each step is partnered with anxiety, worry, fear, determination, trust, faith, uncertainty, doubt, reluctancy, comfort, assurance, etc.... It is a constant battle between flesh and spirit, faith and doubt.  And we are standing smack dab in the middle of it.  AND WE COULDN'T BE MORE THRILLED!!!!

God is moving in our lives.  Of this, there is no doubt!  We can see His hand guiding us, moving us, nudging us, comforting us and directing us.  Our plea is that we will only listen to Him, and follow Him.  That we will not listen to others, and most of all.... Ourselves.... That God's voice will ring LOUDLY and PLAINLY over our own and anyone else who may try and oppose what God is directing.

We covet your prayers.  More than anything, we need your prayers.  This is not, nor will be an easy process.  There will be many hills and mountains four our family to climb and we will need the love and prayers of our family and friends above anything else.

Pray mostly for God's will.  In our lives, and in Y.  Pray that we will not be lead by emotions and /or fear, but that we will be lead by God's voice.  Pray that no matter what the future holds for us that we will be able to accept it with comfort and peace.  Pray that God will provide the money we need for this big endeavor quickly. :)  And lastly, but certainly not least, pray that God will receive all the Glory in and through this situation.  That this will be all about Him and nothing about us.

And for the record.... Y doesn't know.   As much as we would love to tell him and talk to him about it, it is one of the rules of the hosting organization that we do not discuss adoption with them.  So we are respecting their rule and not telling him.  We would ask that you not mention it to or in front of him either.  Even though he doesn't know English well,  he most definitely knows that word. :)

And just a little update on him.... He is doing great.  Each day is better than the last.  He has come out of his shell more and more.  He has to be one of the most caring children I have met.  So attentive to what needs to be done and helpful without being asked.  He just jumps right in and helps with chores or cooking, or whatever the task is.  He never complains.  EVER.  He has eaten everything I have cooked with a smile and almost every time has gone back for seconds. :)  And he never stops eating.....

His life has been hard.  Very hard.   Much harder than any 13 yo I know.... or adult for that matter.  He has revealed things to me about his past that would crush your heart.  Please pray for him.  He has to return to the Ukraine no matter how bad we want him to stay.  There is no other choice.  Pray for his protection and for his heart.

Life for Y is more different than I even know back home.  It is hard.  But God has a purpose for Y.  A great one.  I can see him softening.  We talk about God, often.  He knows who God is.  He even knows who Jesus is. He knows what He did and why.  It's quite beautiful to see his face when we talk about forgiveness and how freely God gives it.  I absolutely can't wait to see what God does with this sweet boys life.  And how He will work all that he has been through for good according to His purpose.

Pray for us as we continue in this walk of blind faith.  Not knowing the outcome of this endeavor is the hardest part.... but then it wouldn't be faith if we could see ahead, would it?

And...... to keep the suspense up....here's another little nugget of information.... we will be hosting another little angel in a couple of weeks.  He will be with us for the second half of the summer and to say we are excited is an understatement.... That's right... there will be TWO Ukrainians under this roof.... That's crazy you say??? Maybe.... but isn't that just how our God works?  :)))))

To be continued......