We have now been home a month. I have missed sharing every moment in this blog. I wanted to let everyone one know why I have stopped, there are two reasons I have stopped blogging. one, I have been consumed...He is a blessing to our family but the transition also consumes a lot of my time, on top of having 4 very active children and taking them to all of their activities, not to mention homeschooling 4 and teaching English. But the other reason is the main reason, I got an email that said we are no longer to blog or facebook about our adoption. this email went to all of the families. but it said it is against Latvian law to share the adoption process on any social network, and if it is seen by Latvia they can terminate the adoption. I originally thought that because we had hosted that we could continue sharing about our journey. but the law is that you can share about your hosting but not about your adoption until after your second court.
I am very happy to announce that we will be going back to Latvia for our final court October 17. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers our journey although a blessing, can at times be a challenge.
Love you all, and hopefully I will be blogging after October 17!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
week 3 in Latvia
It has been a blessing though to be here in Latvia for this time. It is good for us to get to know Latvia and where he has lived for 15 years. and for us to experience what it feels like to not be able to communicate with anybody because that is what he is about to live in, and that is not fun.
This week we have gone back to the beach, which we all in enjoy. it is only a 20 minute train ride. so wish I lived that close to the beach. We enjoy the beach because it is a place all of the children enjoy spending the day. we took lots of snacks and bottled waters this time and stayed a little longer. playing in the water, riding the paddle boats, and digging in the sand doesn't require talking and that is really nice. Mitchell also likes to jump on the trampoline that is on the beach. how cool is that, I love the beach here.
at the end of our day at the beach Mitchell sat on my towel with me and scoops up a little sand and tosses it on my leg, well those of you that know me well know that is just the beginning of a war. so I threw some back on him and then he threw more and then it is on...huge sand war. I was covered in sand and so was he, and then we are running all over the beach throwing sand. fun at the time and then 2 seconds after the war is over, its ok I'm ready to go:) I hate to be covered in sand. It was a lot of fun and lots of family bonding at the beach. Him and Matthew love to splash everyone and team up with each other to annoy me and the girls.
We also visited the Riga Zoo this week, lots of fun. I hadn't put that on our things to do list, because I thought they wouldn't want to go...you know being teenagers. but we got bored enough to head to the zoo for the day. and you know I always say this and the day at the zoo proves it...teenagers are just toddlers in bigger bodies. they had a lot of fun. I heard "mom come here and look" all day from all 4 of them. Matthew sticks his map through a slit in the door of the monkey cage and a little monkey grabs it and runs with it. it was so funny because then the daddy monkey charges Matthew and slams into the glass right in front of Matthew, I got it all on video. we all stood there and laughed forever. not a dull moment.
The days do seem to drag, I miss things like my car, Costco, we walk a block to the grocery store and everything here is sold in very small amounts. We are a big family and we have to be able to carry what we buy. So we all carry a bag home, which is not a lot of groceries for a family this big. Then we carry them up 4 flights of very steep spiral stair way to our apartment. Then put them away in a tiny refrigerator. The cost of food over here is killing us. Tony finally found a bottle of mustard this week, and it was about 3 Lats which is about 6 Dollars, and the bottle was tiny. So of course he has not had mustard on his sandwiches. Every thing is packaged small and cost at least twice as much here. We have run out of all the supplies that I had packed, and now are having to purchase even more at the store. So the funds are running out fast.
Mitchell and I work on an English lesson everyday, and he does very good with it. He doesn't think so and gets very discouraged. But he learns it very fast. He is always the one that ask to do our lesson, I wait until he is ready because it just goes well that way. So somewhere in our day he will say mom you teach me english now. and we sit at the kitchen table and go over at least 3 lessons and review games each day. I know it has to be very difficult and scary to know you have to learn a whole new language to be able to talk to your family.
Mitchell is very ready to be an American. He wants to learn English and told me he doesn't want to speak Latvian anymore. Which I don't agree with I want him to keep his Latvian and Russian language. He is very through with this country, breaks my heart that he wants to bury everything about it. We visited a Latvian museum this week about this countries' history and it was amazing what all happened here during WWII. to actually see a yellow star that the Jews wore, was unreal. What a chance for the kids to see first hand things from this war that we can't see in America. But he was not a happy guy that day and didn't want to walk around and see Latvian History. I hope one day he can with God's help overcome these feelings he has for his past and his country.
This week I ask him if he was going to miss Latvia when he gets to America and he said "no miss Latvia". He said he has only lived here 15 years. I said that is a long time, he said no, I will live in America longer. He said he will be an American forever. He said that people in America know God and people that know God are happier people. My fellow American Christian people, do you hear that...I think this is another lesson for us all from Mitchell. People that know God are happier people...let's not forget that. because what I see in America is that is changing. hold on to the God we serve and the JOY He brings into our life because it reaches the world and changes lives.
Mitchell is a very loving child. He hugs and puts his arm around us all day. He is so very happy to finally have a family and he tells me everyday. He is starving for love and affection. Our Social worker also visited the last time this week, and Mitchell had the idea to show her all of our pictures in my computer so he could tell her how things were going. he sat with my computer and the poor lady had to look at over 300 pictures. I looked at him as he clicked through the pictures with the biggest smile on his face you have ever seen. He so enjoyed showing her his family and all we have been doing. after the pictures Tony and I had to sign a form that stated that after our stay here with him we wanted to pursue the adoption, Mitchell asked the lady what the forms was (of course in Latvian) and she explained it to him. We both signed it and passed it back to her and when he looked down at the paper with our signature on it his face turn a little red and his eyes looked like he could cry. That moment made it a little more real for all of us. This coming week will be even more real. Monday Mitchell will go to court and have to write a statement that he wants to be adopted by our family and he will sign. and then on Tuesday we have court that will give us permission to bring him to America while we finalize the adoption. Those two days will be two days he has waited a long time for, and I can't wait.
This week for the most part has been the most wonderful experience of my life, but at the same time has been the hardest challenges I have ever been through. Our family has been challenged physically, mentally, financially, emotionally and spiritually like we have never experienced. But we always, no matter what the day holds, say this is where God has us, no doubt in any of our minds that this journey is of God and that is what always brings us through. We hold on to God and trust Him fully.
Mitchell is an amazing child. God has a plan and purpose for all of this. I can't tell you how much I love this child. Saturday night he and I sat down to discuss his middle name. We need to finish a paper that has his new name on it before we leave. He grabbed my computer and wrote, today I am born and you are my mom, and I want you to name me. That right there is worth it all. It just melted my heart. He is precious, and all of the challenges on this journey are nothing compared to the blessing of having him be our son.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Week 2 in Latvia
This week has been packed with lots of fun things but we still have moments of feeling trapped in this apartment and being seriously bored...six of us going, what do you want to do, I don't know what do you want to do, I don't know what do you want to do...about an hour of that every afternoon...
some of my observations of Riga, Latvia...It is almost like Brooklyn, reminds me so much of Brooklyn, but with more historical buildings. but the buildings are full of graffiti are so much like Brooklyn. I feel safer walking down the streets here than I did in Brooklyn. People you pass even at night, just don't seem as though they would bother anyone. They are not friendly don't smile or wave or even make eye contact, but they don't bother each other. I have seen more than I did in Brooklyn. I have seen teens drinking, a man rolling his own smoke in the park in open day light, one night we saw a meth addict he didn't have a shirt on and was just freaking out, very skinny (that was very sad) we enjoy all of the musicians on the street we will stand and listen to them a lot and throw money in their case I actually wish we had that in America it is nice to walk around and hear music playing and all of them are very good. The people here are a lot skinner than in America I guess from all this walking all day and there isn't as much fast food, Only Mcdonalds. They are very beautiful I am in a world of beautiful blue eyes everywhere. The women are always dressed up, skirts and heels. There are those that Mallory and I have about arrested for Fashion NO NOs... We have pictures!! Mallory and I have had fun looking at the world of fashion wee woos. I'm talking plaid and plaid together...leopard print and flowers...She and I are dying over here. but for the most part everyone here is very helpful and very nice, and most of them try to help communicate in English with you. Gives me a whole new look at the Hispanic community in America and how we treat them.
Back to my Mitchell, We have been working on English just about every afternoon, he and I will sit down with a book we bought here that has English and Latvian. He is doing so well, but doesn't think he does. He has had a couple days of feeling down about learning English. I am sure to him it feels overwhelming. He wants to learn it now, and doesn't want to wait. He tells me everyday he wants to talk to me but can't. It breaks my heart. Please pray for him, that English will come very easy and fast for him.
One day I told him we wanted to go back to the Bookstore and get him some books in Latvian so he can have them to read when school starts back. and he told me no, he said he was American now, no more Latvian books. I told him he was an American that spoke Latvian and we needed some Latvian books to read for school. he just smiled. He is very ready to go home, he tells me that every day. He says "Go home to America". He is so ready to leave Latvia, said it is full of bad people.
We enjoyed the baltic Sea, that was a great day. It took us 20 minutes on the train to get there. The sand is so soft and beautiful, Mallory figured out why, she said the tide doesn't come in...I was like oh yeah, so the sand is just so beautiful. They had volleyball nets out, cabanas, snack bars, trampolines, playground. It is great when the tide don't come in. We took a huge paddle boat out in the water and that was a lot of fun. Mitchell jumps off the paddle boat and of course Morgan goes right behind him. The current pulls her out further from the boat and she can't swim hard enough to get back. Mitchell was amazing he swam to her and stayed with her as we paddled back over closer to her, I heard him telling her, "Morgan, don't stress, it is ok, don't stress" I love how he cares for the other three. many times he will ask them if they are ok. like after him and Matthew swam and then got back on the boat he went over to Matthew and said you ok? He is so very loving.
We have also been to see Superman, went shopping, went to a fun park at our favorite Latvian restaurant, Mitchell wanted all of us to ride the swings together, that was fun. And then on Saturday we were invited to go to a 4th of July Celebration at the US Embassy. It was so very cool to be at the embassy, we have never been to an American Embassy before, what an experience. We were very excited about that and even teared up when we got there and saw America flags and Patriotic music. It was beautiful and made us very home sick. They even had old America cars lined up. Mitchell says I like that one, I turned and looked and you wouldn't believe it but it was a 66 Mustang, how ironic. I said well we had one but we sold it. If I had to do it over again I wouldn't change a thing. It was well worth selling that car. It was funny though what they had there to represent America, as we walked around to all of the tents they had hotdogs, Mcdonalds, pizza, and I guess this was suppose to be a banana split but it was one scoop of Ice Cream and a banana laying beside it and a little chocolate syrup swirled on top. So, our 4th of July cookout was McDonalds...yuck, We are ready for a real 4th of July cookout, We miss America!
our week ended with our very first Sunday morning at church. It was just so unreal, I thought I feel like I was just at Freewater Church up in front of everyone talking about how we were getting close to going and getting our son, to now getting to go to church with our son. The picture above is our Sunday morning picture. We took the train about a 30 minute ride to church and then a short walk. It was a very big church. The people were very friendly and helped us get to the English section. They had earphones for English translation. Beautiful worship, and a wonderful message, several got saved. I really enjoyed being there, I love to worship in other countries and feel God's presence. We know he is every where but to feel it is an eye opening experience, I think so many people in America think that their church and their ministry is what it is all about, and it isn't God is so much bigger than just your world. It is a shocker to some but God's kingdom doesn't revolve around you...sorry had to throw that in. It is good to get out of the country and worship with other Christians around the world because they will put Americans to shame. Church was 2 and half hours and no one was in a hurry to leave. It was just beautiful.
Mitchell had asked me for a Bible some time back and I couldn't find one, so I told him when we were in Latvia we would find him one. As we were leaving the service I asked an usher where I could get a latvian Bible, and he said they had a bookstore. So we bought Mitchell his first Bible and he was so very happy. I think that was the best Bible Tony and I have ever given away. How we take for granted to have a Bible of our very own.
I guess I have to say my favorite moment of the week was when Mitchell took our picture with my phone and posted it on my facebook page and said with it I love my mom.
We still have 2 more weeks...another Social worker visit, one more court time and a couple visa appointments. Looking forward to completing this a coming home.
Please continue to pray for our family. Love you all!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
First week in Riga
Wow, I thought I would of blogged everyday when I was here but it hasn't happened that way...so here is an update on our first week, we have been here on our first trip to bring our son home.
Travel day was very long, we left June 16th, Sunday morning at 7am for the airport flew to Philadelphia and then Germany and then finally arriving in Riga, Latvia at 1:30pm on Monday. but with excitement of seeing Mitchell I was not tired at all. The plane landed and when I saw the airport that said "Riga", my eyes filled with tears, at the thoughts that he was in that building waiting, and It was a matter of minutes before I would see him. It was like a dream, felt unreal that we were finally here and finally going to see him again after 5 long months. After in the airport we got our luggage (11 suitcases!!) that took awhile. it was very crowded, we went down this hall to go through the doorway that led out, and when we stepped through the door Mitchell was standing as close to the door as he could and as soon as I stepped through the door he grabbed me and hugged me so hard it sent my sunglasses, that were on top of my head, flying through the air. we were blocking the whole door way but we didn't care, I dropped all of my bags right there and hugged that child. We didn't get any pictures of this beautiful moment, it happened so fast. He went to everyone after that and hugged them, and then we headed to our apartment.
Mitchell got to go back to our apartment with us on that day until 10pm that night. The orphanage allowed him to stay with us for a while. after settling in we went for a walk around Old Riga, He was so happy to show us around and take pictures. He held my hand around the whole city and smiled from ear to ear. After we went back it was very difficult to let him leave and go back to the orphanage, he left and took the bus back for the night. I held it together pretty good, knowing I needed to unpack and that we would see him in the morning. but it was so difficult to see him and then for him to leave.
Tuesday morning we were picked up by our attorney to go to his orphanage. The Orphanage director had request to sit down with us and review Mitchell's file together before court. Our court wasn't until 4pm, I was worried that after our meeting he would have to stay there until court and not be with us all day. but our attorney said that would be up to the orphanage director. As soon as we pulled up and parked Mitchell came out the door and grabbed me and kissed me, my attorney said I guess this is him, and she started laughing. There were lots of children playing in the yard and they all stood and watched. After our meeting with the director, which we learned things about our Mitchell we didn't know, about his family and his past...would break your heart, maybe I will share that one day...We then went and got to see his room, it was up some stairs that were concrete and then down a hall, when he got to his room he opened the door with a key, felt more like an institution, but was very nice and clean. His room had 2 beds in it and a desk. He then talked in Latvian back and forth with the lady at the orphanage and then our translator said that Mitchell asked to leave with us, and they said yes. He opened this sliding door which was a closet and pulled out his suitcase, he was already packed. I thought that was so cute, they said he got up at 7am and had been ready and waiting. I am thankful for all of the staff at the orphanage they are so very nice and helpful in this journey. as we were leaving and Mitchell was rolling his suitcase behind him the director starting crying. she said she was going to miss him. She wished all of the children at the orphanage were like him. He was so good and sweet. All of the children that were outside stopped and watched as Mitchell pulled his suitcase and all of his new family walked behind him. There faces were shocked and concerned. That moment was hard, my heart broke for all of those children. None of them moved as they watched us head to the car.
At court that afternoon, the social worker from the orphanage said to the panel that Mitchell came home from America and told them he wanted to be with this family forever. That he was very happy with our family. The panel of ladies from the Orphan Ministry were very nice and asked me a few questions mostly on why our family wanted to adopt him. After I said he fits well with our family, Mitchell spoke up and told them he agreed. they all smiled and laughed a little. It was an easy meeting with it so obvious that he wants to be with us and that we love this child so much.
We pretty much stayed around Old Riga, walking around this beautiful city, touring old churches and seeing WWII museums, which by the way are just the coolest. I have taught Mitchell to play spoons and he loves it as much as we do, we now play a lot of spoons:)
Thursday was our visit with the social worker and it went well, they didn't stay long and said they wouldn't be back the next week because it just wasn't needed since he has already bonded with our family. Thursday night we went and meet some of the other families that are also here, I have meet them on Facebook during this journey. It was so great to finally meet them and their children. It has been a blessing to be on this journey with a group of friends that are called to the same challenge, that have the same heart for Latvian children.
It has been a dream come true to be at this point. I can't even express the joy to finally have this child with us. He is so happy, and loves on all of us all day. He is so precious and has such a big heart. Him and Morgan have so much fun in this apartment i love to hear them laughing in the other room, it is enough to put a smile on your face for all eternity. I am sure most of you have seen pictures of him holding my hand, well just let me say how it melts my heart to be the mom of such a wonderful child, he holds my hand pretty much every where we go. I can't Thank you all enough for your support and prayers for helping us get to this point in our journey, let me say all of the tears, paperwork and heartache were very well worth it!! Thank you for sharing in this walk with me, you all are a blessing. I will blog more about this week later...fun stuff this week. love you all! Blessing from Riga
Travel day was very long, we left June 16th, Sunday morning at 7am for the airport flew to Philadelphia and then Germany and then finally arriving in Riga, Latvia at 1:30pm on Monday. but with excitement of seeing Mitchell I was not tired at all. The plane landed and when I saw the airport that said "Riga", my eyes filled with tears, at the thoughts that he was in that building waiting, and It was a matter of minutes before I would see him. It was like a dream, felt unreal that we were finally here and finally going to see him again after 5 long months. After in the airport we got our luggage (11 suitcases!!) that took awhile. it was very crowded, we went down this hall to go through the doorway that led out, and when we stepped through the door Mitchell was standing as close to the door as he could and as soon as I stepped through the door he grabbed me and hugged me so hard it sent my sunglasses, that were on top of my head, flying through the air. we were blocking the whole door way but we didn't care, I dropped all of my bags right there and hugged that child. We didn't get any pictures of this beautiful moment, it happened so fast. He went to everyone after that and hugged them, and then we headed to our apartment.
Mitchell got to go back to our apartment with us on that day until 10pm that night. The orphanage allowed him to stay with us for a while. after settling in we went for a walk around Old Riga, He was so happy to show us around and take pictures. He held my hand around the whole city and smiled from ear to ear. After we went back it was very difficult to let him leave and go back to the orphanage, he left and took the bus back for the night. I held it together pretty good, knowing I needed to unpack and that we would see him in the morning. but it was so difficult to see him and then for him to leave.
Tuesday morning we were picked up by our attorney to go to his orphanage. The Orphanage director had request to sit down with us and review Mitchell's file together before court. Our court wasn't until 4pm, I was worried that after our meeting he would have to stay there until court and not be with us all day. but our attorney said that would be up to the orphanage director. As soon as we pulled up and parked Mitchell came out the door and grabbed me and kissed me, my attorney said I guess this is him, and she started laughing. There were lots of children playing in the yard and they all stood and watched. After our meeting with the director, which we learned things about our Mitchell we didn't know, about his family and his past...would break your heart, maybe I will share that one day...We then went and got to see his room, it was up some stairs that were concrete and then down a hall, when he got to his room he opened the door with a key, felt more like an institution, but was very nice and clean. His room had 2 beds in it and a desk. He then talked in Latvian back and forth with the lady at the orphanage and then our translator said that Mitchell asked to leave with us, and they said yes. He opened this sliding door which was a closet and pulled out his suitcase, he was already packed. I thought that was so cute, they said he got up at 7am and had been ready and waiting. I am thankful for all of the staff at the orphanage they are so very nice and helpful in this journey. as we were leaving and Mitchell was rolling his suitcase behind him the director starting crying. she said she was going to miss him. She wished all of the children at the orphanage were like him. He was so good and sweet. All of the children that were outside stopped and watched as Mitchell pulled his suitcase and all of his new family walked behind him. There faces were shocked and concerned. That moment was hard, my heart broke for all of those children. None of them moved as they watched us head to the car.
At court that afternoon, the social worker from the orphanage said to the panel that Mitchell came home from America and told them he wanted to be with this family forever. That he was very happy with our family. The panel of ladies from the Orphan Ministry were very nice and asked me a few questions mostly on why our family wanted to adopt him. After I said he fits well with our family, Mitchell spoke up and told them he agreed. they all smiled and laughed a little. It was an easy meeting with it so obvious that he wants to be with us and that we love this child so much.
We pretty much stayed around Old Riga, walking around this beautiful city, touring old churches and seeing WWII museums, which by the way are just the coolest. I have taught Mitchell to play spoons and he loves it as much as we do, we now play a lot of spoons:)
Thursday was our visit with the social worker and it went well, they didn't stay long and said they wouldn't be back the next week because it just wasn't needed since he has already bonded with our family. Thursday night we went and meet some of the other families that are also here, I have meet them on Facebook during this journey. It was so great to finally meet them and their children. It has been a blessing to be on this journey with a group of friends that are called to the same challenge, that have the same heart for Latvian children.
It has been a dream come true to be at this point. I can't even express the joy to finally have this child with us. He is so happy, and loves on all of us all day. He is so precious and has such a big heart. Him and Morgan have so much fun in this apartment i love to hear them laughing in the other room, it is enough to put a smile on your face for all eternity. I am sure most of you have seen pictures of him holding my hand, well just let me say how it melts my heart to be the mom of such a wonderful child, he holds my hand pretty much every where we go. I can't Thank you all enough for your support and prayers for helping us get to this point in our journey, let me say all of the tears, paperwork and heartache were very well worth it!! Thank you for sharing in this walk with me, you all are a blessing. I will blog more about this week later...fun stuff this week. love you all! Blessing from Riga
Thursday, June 6, 2013
10 day count down
CAN I JUST SAY WE ARE GETTING VERY EXCITED!!
we are doing a 10 day count down until we see Mitchell! Every morning we send him a picture of something here, with the number of the days left til we see him.
TODAY IS DAY 10!
we only have 9 days until we fly but the count down is until we see him!!
I can't believe we are getting this close!
We are very ready got our Euros in the mail today and our family sticker for the car. suitcases are just about complete, apartment is booked, airline tickets have come in the mail, and even have the taxi scheduled to pick us up at the airport. We are about as ready as it is going to get. I am getting a little nervous we haven't ever flown across the ocean before...we have flown on long distances even Alaska but not over the ocean.
I will blog more tomorrow, have something on my heart I would like to share but don't have the time today. Be Blessed all my wonderful friends, Melanie
we are doing a 10 day count down until we see Mitchell! Every morning we send him a picture of something here, with the number of the days left til we see him.
TODAY IS DAY 10!
we only have 9 days until we fly but the count down is until we see him!!
I can't believe we are getting this close!
We are very ready got our Euros in the mail today and our family sticker for the car. suitcases are just about complete, apartment is booked, airline tickets have come in the mail, and even have the taxi scheduled to pick us up at the airport. We are about as ready as it is going to get. I am getting a little nervous we haven't ever flown across the ocean before...we have flown on long distances even Alaska but not over the ocean.
I will blog more tomorrow, have something on my heart I would like to share but don't have the time today. Be Blessed all my wonderful friends, Melanie
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Reflecting back
The month of May was a month full of anticipation and waiting. I had prayed and prayed we would hear from Latvia by Mother's day. Seeking God for answers and hoping for dates. It was a month that seemed to drag on forever. All day and Night I prayed, The urgency was because our Attorney in Latvia was going on vacation on May 17 for 2 weeks, I was so very desperately wanted to have dates before she went on vacation. Mother's day came and went and still no word from Latvia.
By Tuesday May 14 still nothing, I spent time with God that day and read in Hebrew 11:1, the Faith chapter, reading over all of the men and women of Faith, I know that moment in God's word was a break through in my life and in this journey. I felt God spoke and said Victory, I felt that and I absolutely knew that God was going to bring this miracle of dates in the next 2 days.
I woke up with anticipation, knowing this was going to be the day. The hours went by and nothing. So I went to pray and spend time with God on my front porch on Wednesday May 15th about 12:30, which is 7:30 in Latvia, the enemy telling me it is after hours in Latvia and I wouldn't hear from them now. I stood on what I knew God spoke to me. only 2 days before our attorney is to go on vacation. I was trusting God fully, that this was in His hands. I have learned through this that we as Christians don't walk in Faith like we should myself included. We say we do, but we worry, we trust in things that we see, things that are in front of us. Hebrews 11:1 says Faith is the substances of things hoped for, evidence of things "Not" seen. This was huge for me I was faced with hope in God for something that wasn't in front of me. I held my phone in my hand as I was praying, I got a notification of a email from our adoption agent that said "Referral", I jumped up screaming, running in the house I was so full of joy I couldn't even read it, Tony had to read it, and I said I don't care what it says, lets just hurry and accept it. For those of you that don't know a referral is information about your child, and is released when you request to adopt them. You have to review and accept it before they send you dates to travel to Latvia. I talked on the phone with our Adoption agent and I told her I was ready to go and wanted dates before Daina (attorney) goes on vacation...she later that night called me and said she talked with Daina (which at this point was 11:00pm in Latvia!) and she said she would contact the courts first thing in morning to see if she could get dates, but Riga is the slowest in giving dates and she couldn't make any promises.
So, here we are the last day before Daina goes on vacation...May 16th, I waited all day to hear...each hour I look at the clock...by 12:30pm I said God it is after hours in Latvia and nothing...I decided to sit on my porch and pray instead of crying in my bathroom floor, or laying in my bed crying...I thought my last miracle was on the porch at this same time yesterday, so on the porch I went...praying, and then, A NOTIFICATION ON MY PHONE POPPED UP THAT SAID "WE GOT DATES"
once again I jumped up running in the house screaming.
On the very last day before we would of had to wait for 2 weeks with nothing, God shows up and gives us a miracle. in 2 days we got our referral and dates, for those of you that don't know this is not the norm, days usually go by before you get dates after a referral.
I thank God everyday that at that exact moment on my anniversary God gives me dates to travel to Latvia to finally go get our son. I later saw on the Refferal email that our attorney actually got our refferal from the orphan ministry the Friday before Mother's Day, I did get it for Mother's day...God held onto it I know to show that He is God and all glory goes to Him. Just in so many stories in the Bible, God likes to make thing happen in the impossible. I thought of Gideon when he had 32,000 men (or so) and God took him down to 300 men, to go to battle with, why? to show that He is God and so He gets all the Glory. 2 days before our attorney goes on vacation we get our refferal, the day before she leaves, we get our dates. I love my God of the impossible! To God be all the Glory!!
Now it is June 1, and we are 2 weeks away from going to latvia to get our son. We leave June 16th and will arrive in Latvia on June 17th. Mitchell is very happy, he said he can't wait!
Thank you all for your prayers and support through this journey, we are no where near close to it being over, but we are very close to having him with us again!
By Tuesday May 14 still nothing, I spent time with God that day and read in Hebrew 11:1, the Faith chapter, reading over all of the men and women of Faith, I know that moment in God's word was a break through in my life and in this journey. I felt God spoke and said Victory, I felt that and I absolutely knew that God was going to bring this miracle of dates in the next 2 days.
I woke up with anticipation, knowing this was going to be the day. The hours went by and nothing. So I went to pray and spend time with God on my front porch on Wednesday May 15th about 12:30, which is 7:30 in Latvia, the enemy telling me it is after hours in Latvia and I wouldn't hear from them now. I stood on what I knew God spoke to me. only 2 days before our attorney is to go on vacation. I was trusting God fully, that this was in His hands. I have learned through this that we as Christians don't walk in Faith like we should myself included. We say we do, but we worry, we trust in things that we see, things that are in front of us. Hebrews 11:1 says Faith is the substances of things hoped for, evidence of things "Not" seen. This was huge for me I was faced with hope in God for something that wasn't in front of me. I held my phone in my hand as I was praying, I got a notification of a email from our adoption agent that said "Referral", I jumped up screaming, running in the house I was so full of joy I couldn't even read it, Tony had to read it, and I said I don't care what it says, lets just hurry and accept it. For those of you that don't know a referral is information about your child, and is released when you request to adopt them. You have to review and accept it before they send you dates to travel to Latvia. I talked on the phone with our Adoption agent and I told her I was ready to go and wanted dates before Daina (attorney) goes on vacation...she later that night called me and said she talked with Daina (which at this point was 11:00pm in Latvia!) and she said she would contact the courts first thing in morning to see if she could get dates, but Riga is the slowest in giving dates and she couldn't make any promises.
So, here we are the last day before Daina goes on vacation...May 16th, I waited all day to hear...each hour I look at the clock...by 12:30pm I said God it is after hours in Latvia and nothing...I decided to sit on my porch and pray instead of crying in my bathroom floor, or laying in my bed crying...I thought my last miracle was on the porch at this same time yesterday, so on the porch I went...praying, and then, A NOTIFICATION ON MY PHONE POPPED UP THAT SAID "WE GOT DATES"
once again I jumped up running in the house screaming.
On the very last day before we would of had to wait for 2 weeks with nothing, God shows up and gives us a miracle. in 2 days we got our referral and dates, for those of you that don't know this is not the norm, days usually go by before you get dates after a referral.
I thank God everyday that at that exact moment on my anniversary God gives me dates to travel to Latvia to finally go get our son. I later saw on the Refferal email that our attorney actually got our refferal from the orphan ministry the Friday before Mother's Day, I did get it for Mother's day...God held onto it I know to show that He is God and all glory goes to Him. Just in so many stories in the Bible, God likes to make thing happen in the impossible. I thought of Gideon when he had 32,000 men (or so) and God took him down to 300 men, to go to battle with, why? to show that He is God and so He gets all the Glory. 2 days before our attorney goes on vacation we get our refferal, the day before she leaves, we get our dates. I love my God of the impossible! To God be all the Glory!!
Now it is June 1, and we are 2 weeks away from going to latvia to get our son. We leave June 16th and will arrive in Latvia on June 17th. Mitchell is very happy, he said he can't wait!
Thank you all for your prayers and support through this journey, we are no where near close to it being over, but we are very close to having him with us again!
Monday, May 13, 2013
waiting
Update:
well we are still waiting to hear from Orphan Ministry, to receive his file. It has been 2 weeks, which feels like months. from what I have heard there is no set time schedule of this process. some people have gotten theirs in 2 weeks some 2 months. Of course I am praying for the 2 weeks. I know God has to be tired of hearing from me about this adoption:)
Mitchell is doing very good, he goes to the gym every few days, plays outside now that the weather is beautiful in Riga.
I talked with him on the phone this past Saturday and he said a new sentence in English...He said we only have 3 more weeks until summer. I was really proud of him. He tries very hard to learn English. I know that can't be easy. He is very excited that summer is coming.
He wrote me one day last week and was sad because they had told him we were hosting him and that he would be coming June 27 until Aug.1 and he didn't like that at all. Told me he was sad and didn't know why he would only be in America for 1 month. So I told him we had decided not to host him this summer, that the adoption agent said we should be in Latvia in June or July. He was ok with that. and said that was what the orphanage director told him, but he believed me. I am very glad God directed me not to host, he really didn't understand that and didn't want to do that. God is good and always leads us in the right direction. I am so thankful for the God I serve. I told him we first thought we might not get to come to Latvia that soon and we were going to host so we could see him over the summer, but I don't know if he understood that. All he knows is he wants us to come to Latvia and then bring him home forever not for a month. So He knows we are just waiting on Latvia to let us know when we can go and he is good with that.
We have finished his room. new carpet, painted it green (which is his favorite color), got his new bed and comforter. I still have to put things on the walls and hang the curtains, but it is coming together, and ready for him to come home. I told my family I am so happy for him to have his own room and to have a "big" bed. He has been in an orphanage sharing a room with boys in a twin bed for a very long time. So happy for him. I sent him a picture of his bed today, and he said he liked it a lot!
Well, thank you guys for your continued prayers as we continue to wait. I have good days and bad days, I live on an emotional roll a coaster journey. but I try to tell myself I have only waited for 4 months and which is just a small indication of the waiting and heart ache he has done and gone through for years. Many many years of waiting to be with a family.
well we are still waiting to hear from Orphan Ministry, to receive his file. It has been 2 weeks, which feels like months. from what I have heard there is no set time schedule of this process. some people have gotten theirs in 2 weeks some 2 months. Of course I am praying for the 2 weeks. I know God has to be tired of hearing from me about this adoption:)
Mitchell is doing very good, he goes to the gym every few days, plays outside now that the weather is beautiful in Riga.
I talked with him on the phone this past Saturday and he said a new sentence in English...He said we only have 3 more weeks until summer. I was really proud of him. He tries very hard to learn English. I know that can't be easy. He is very excited that summer is coming.
He wrote me one day last week and was sad because they had told him we were hosting him and that he would be coming June 27 until Aug.1 and he didn't like that at all. Told me he was sad and didn't know why he would only be in America for 1 month. So I told him we had decided not to host him this summer, that the adoption agent said we should be in Latvia in June or July. He was ok with that. and said that was what the orphanage director told him, but he believed me. I am very glad God directed me not to host, he really didn't understand that and didn't want to do that. God is good and always leads us in the right direction. I am so thankful for the God I serve. I told him we first thought we might not get to come to Latvia that soon and we were going to host so we could see him over the summer, but I don't know if he understood that. All he knows is he wants us to come to Latvia and then bring him home forever not for a month. So He knows we are just waiting on Latvia to let us know when we can go and he is good with that.
We have finished his room. new carpet, painted it green (which is his favorite color), got his new bed and comforter. I still have to put things on the walls and hang the curtains, but it is coming together, and ready for him to come home. I told my family I am so happy for him to have his own room and to have a "big" bed. He has been in an orphanage sharing a room with boys in a twin bed for a very long time. So happy for him. I sent him a picture of his bed today, and he said he liked it a lot!
Well, thank you guys for your continued prayers as we continue to wait. I have good days and bad days, I live on an emotional roll a coaster journey. but I try to tell myself I have only waited for 4 months and which is just a small indication of the waiting and heart ache he has done and gone through for years. Many many years of waiting to be with a family.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Faith
Today May 1
Host or not host that is the question? For several weeks we have been praying and trying to decide to host Mitchell for the summer or not. Hosting would mean that we we see him June 27th no matter what. I love that, it's a sure thing:) I have told him we will see him in June with confidence, because I thought well if we are not in Latvia by then I know we can host and we will see him. That has given him hope, something to count down to. It has really helped him for months now. Yesterday, he said mom, tomorrow is May 1, only one more month until we are together. I got a sick feeling in my stomach, let me tell you why...
Two weeks ago I was praying God we need to know what to do about hosting, we have to make a decision by the end of April, but we don't know when we will be in Latvia to bring him home, could be June could be July but who knows. I filled out the hosting application, and now have several emails from New Horizons to complete more paper work for hosting. but I have this uneasy feeling of lack of faith, like it is my back up plan if God don't come through. Ever been there? why are we like that?
So a couple of weeks ago getting our approval from the USCIS didn't look to promising, another adoption family got theirs in 2 1/2 weeks and then I got an email from the agency that said the USCIS is very over worked at the moment and said they will get everyone's approval completed in a 90 day window!!! 90 day window!! needless to say that was not one of my better days. So, here we were needing to decide on hosting and I get an email like that...I prayed God give us a sign in your word you give people signs..if we are to not host let us get our approval the week of April 22. Here it has only been one week we enter into the second week April 25 I decide to call USCIS and check on our approval, and the lady says "Yes you have been approved on April 24th it is in the mail!!" By Saturday April 27th we had out approval letter. We were approved in 1 1/2 weeks!
I am still thinking host or not host, this is still the question,and I remembered my pray of God give me a sign, and it hit me He give me my approval by the "end" of the week!!! But yesterday I told God can I have a second sign?...you give Gideon more than one sign
Why do I still worry, why do I feel sick to my stomach, because hosting is a sure thing, that I will see that child in June. Not hosting, I don't know when I will see that child.
I am a fixer, I like to make things work, I plan, organize, I , I , I. Well this journey has taught me that I don't do anything...I can't do anything...I can't fix anything...BIG lessons for Melanie Bell over this journey...Melanie is not in control:) I know none of you are this way:)
God give me a vision this morning I want to share with you.
This journey right now in my life is this, I am hanging off a cliff, dangling over a pit. Only holding on to a single very thick rope. This entire journey since I first saw Aloizs picture on Facebook I have been holding on to this rope going into this big dark hole where I could not see the end of. God showed me that He is this rope, and that he has been leading me down this hole, giving me a little more rope a little at a time, as I go further and further down. I am not in control, I can't make it go faster or move in anyway. I can only dangle and move further as He allows. I can't let go, He is all I have got to hold onto. Now I am close to the bottom, and Aloizs, my Mitchell is standing at the bottom of this pit, and I can see him reaching up to me. I want to let go of the rope and jump to the side wall of this pit and climb down, because that would be a sure thing to get to him. But that would not be the way. I have to trust God and hold on to him. And as I look at Aloizs and he is reaching up, he was continuing to say "mom, I am ready." like he tells me everyday...mom I am very very ready to come home. In this vision God showed me this...He holds me as I reach for Mitchell...I long for the day that our hands connect, and Mitchell lets go of everything around him, he leaves everything he knows, everything that has been familiar to him for 15 years, in complete trust to grab my hand as I completely trust and hold onto Gods hand. And as we come out of this pit Mitchell lets go of the past and trust me who is trusting God for his future. Seeing the bright light at the end of this tunnel, as we follow and hold onto the light.
I think this was my second sign.
Praising God for this vision that only can come from Him! We serve a loving God that can not only do the impossible but He loves us completely while He does it!!
I looked up the definition for Faith here it is:
Host or not host that is the question? For several weeks we have been praying and trying to decide to host Mitchell for the summer or not. Hosting would mean that we we see him June 27th no matter what. I love that, it's a sure thing:) I have told him we will see him in June with confidence, because I thought well if we are not in Latvia by then I know we can host and we will see him. That has given him hope, something to count down to. It has really helped him for months now. Yesterday, he said mom, tomorrow is May 1, only one more month until we are together. I got a sick feeling in my stomach, let me tell you why...
Two weeks ago I was praying God we need to know what to do about hosting, we have to make a decision by the end of April, but we don't know when we will be in Latvia to bring him home, could be June could be July but who knows. I filled out the hosting application, and now have several emails from New Horizons to complete more paper work for hosting. but I have this uneasy feeling of lack of faith, like it is my back up plan if God don't come through. Ever been there? why are we like that?
So a couple of weeks ago getting our approval from the USCIS didn't look to promising, another adoption family got theirs in 2 1/2 weeks and then I got an email from the agency that said the USCIS is very over worked at the moment and said they will get everyone's approval completed in a 90 day window!!! 90 day window!! needless to say that was not one of my better days. So, here we were needing to decide on hosting and I get an email like that...I prayed God give us a sign in your word you give people signs..if we are to not host let us get our approval the week of April 22. Here it has only been one week we enter into the second week April 25 I decide to call USCIS and check on our approval, and the lady says "Yes you have been approved on April 24th it is in the mail!!" By Saturday April 27th we had out approval letter. We were approved in 1 1/2 weeks!
I am still thinking host or not host, this is still the question,and I remembered my pray of God give me a sign, and it hit me He give me my approval by the "end" of the week!!! But yesterday I told God can I have a second sign?...you give Gideon more than one sign
Why do I still worry, why do I feel sick to my stomach, because hosting is a sure thing, that I will see that child in June. Not hosting, I don't know when I will see that child.
I am a fixer, I like to make things work, I plan, organize, I , I , I. Well this journey has taught me that I don't do anything...I can't do anything...I can't fix anything...BIG lessons for Melanie Bell over this journey...Melanie is not in control:) I know none of you are this way:)
God give me a vision this morning I want to share with you.
This journey right now in my life is this, I am hanging off a cliff, dangling over a pit. Only holding on to a single very thick rope. This entire journey since I first saw Aloizs picture on Facebook I have been holding on to this rope going into this big dark hole where I could not see the end of. God showed me that He is this rope, and that he has been leading me down this hole, giving me a little more rope a little at a time, as I go further and further down. I am not in control, I can't make it go faster or move in anyway. I can only dangle and move further as He allows. I can't let go, He is all I have got to hold onto. Now I am close to the bottom, and Aloizs, my Mitchell is standing at the bottom of this pit, and I can see him reaching up to me. I want to let go of the rope and jump to the side wall of this pit and climb down, because that would be a sure thing to get to him. But that would not be the way. I have to trust God and hold on to him. And as I look at Aloizs and he is reaching up, he was continuing to say "mom, I am ready." like he tells me everyday...mom I am very very ready to come home. In this vision God showed me this...He holds me as I reach for Mitchell...I long for the day that our hands connect, and Mitchell lets go of everything around him, he leaves everything he knows, everything that has been familiar to him for 15 years, in complete trust to grab my hand as I completely trust and hold onto Gods hand. And as we come out of this pit Mitchell lets go of the past and trust me who is trusting God for his future. Seeing the bright light at the end of this tunnel, as we follow and hold onto the light.
I think this was my second sign.
Praising God for this vision that only can come from Him! We serve a loving God that can not only do the impossible but He loves us completely while He does it!!
I looked up the definition for Faith here it is:
faith:
Noun
| |
Synonyms
COMPLETE TRUST, DID YOU SEE THAT "COMPLETE TRUST"
I encourage you today to completely Trust God with your life.
So the question host of not host...I think not host...Me being real with you guys today, putting myself out there, vulnerable.
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Friday, April 12, 2013
Where are we in our adoption process?
Well tomorrow marks 3 months Aloizs Mitchell has been gone back to Latvia. I haven't blogged in a month, it gets harder as time goes by. I still here from him all day everyday, some days he is very talkative and some days he only writes: Mom I love you, I love you for life es apsolu (which is I promise) one day last week he sent me 83 messages between the time of 8:30 - 5:00. I am very thankful that I hear from him everyday all day. We also talk on the phone about every 3 days. His English is getting very good, I am glad we are able to talk on the phone, it helps him continue to talk in English and it helps to hear voices. Saying bye on the phone is still very difficult for me. We talk about 20 minutes each time and that is the fastest 20 minutes of the day. Please continue to pray for him that God will continue to protect and take care of him as he waits. I can't imagine the waiting and patience this child has had to learn over the years, it makes me feel bad for even saying these last 3 months have seemed so long, when he has been waiting for 6 years. I have been asked about where we are in the adoption process so I am going to list the process and you can see what we have finished and what we have left. Thank you all so much for your support, prayers, and being on this journey with our family.
Here is our Adoption list we have been checking off:
1. Apply to our adoption agency with an application (Jan. 19)
2. Was approved as an adoptive family (Jan. 24)
3. Applied to NC Homestudy our Social worker (Jan. 28)
4. Mailed An Open Door Adoption agency our contract (Jan. 29)
5. Began our homestudy (Feb. 4)
6. Worked on Homestudy Documents and meet with the Social work 4 times (all in the month of Feb.) very busy month:)
7. Completed Homestudy (March 4) (for those that don't know a homestudy is a very detailed 15 page paper of everything about your family that is put together by a social worker. It has to have interviews with you and your children, marriage cert., birth cert., passports, financial reports, police reports, child abuse clearances, and the list goes on...)
8. Apply to USCIS with form 800a. (March 6)
9. Complete Dossier Documents (March 6)
10. Mail Dossier Documents to Latvia and translated(March 8)
11. Get appointment letter from USCIS to have fingerprints done in Charlotte. (April 11)
12. Get approval letter to adopt internationally from USCIS
13. Family is approved by Latvia and receive a referral of their child (which is his file, that will be sent to us to review)
14. Family receives an invitation to travel to Latvia!!
15. Family makes 1st trip for Orphan court, this is were we will be interviewed by orphan court, then granted temporary custody to spend 3 weeks in Riga, Latvia with Aloizs; Our family and Aloizs will be visited by social worker who writes a report for the court recommending the adoption; then we go back to court again where the court approves the formal match of the family with Aloizs; and sends the case forward to a court of Law for adoption proceedings.
We then can travel back to the US with Aloizs, and wait for our next court date.
16. 2nd trip to Latvia Only one parent and Aloizs go on this trip. This is an another interview in court for the approval of the adoption. trip will be about 4 days. We return home for approx. 30 days
17. 3rd trip to Latvia to finalize adoption. Aloizs has final medical exam, and obtains immigrant visa and new passport. this trip we will be in Latvia for about 7 days.
CAN'T WAIT UNTIL STEP 14!!
AND THEN OF COURES STEP 17!!
Thank you for your prayers!!
Here is our Adoption list we have been checking off:
1. Apply to our adoption agency with an application (Jan. 19)
2. Was approved as an adoptive family (Jan. 24)
3. Applied to NC Homestudy our Social worker (Jan. 28)
4. Mailed An Open Door Adoption agency our contract (Jan. 29)
5. Began our homestudy (Feb. 4)
6. Worked on Homestudy Documents and meet with the Social work 4 times (all in the month of Feb.) very busy month:)
7. Completed Homestudy (March 4) (for those that don't know a homestudy is a very detailed 15 page paper of everything about your family that is put together by a social worker. It has to have interviews with you and your children, marriage cert., birth cert., passports, financial reports, police reports, child abuse clearances, and the list goes on...)
8. Apply to USCIS with form 800a. (March 6)
9. Complete Dossier Documents (March 6)
10. Mail Dossier Documents to Latvia and translated(March 8)
11. Get appointment letter from USCIS to have fingerprints done in Charlotte. (April 11)
12. Get approval letter to adopt internationally from USCIS
13. Family is approved by Latvia and receive a referral of their child (which is his file, that will be sent to us to review)
14. Family receives an invitation to travel to Latvia!!
15. Family makes 1st trip for Orphan court, this is were we will be interviewed by orphan court, then granted temporary custody to spend 3 weeks in Riga, Latvia with Aloizs; Our family and Aloizs will be visited by social worker who writes a report for the court recommending the adoption; then we go back to court again where the court approves the formal match of the family with Aloizs; and sends the case forward to a court of Law for adoption proceedings.
We then can travel back to the US with Aloizs, and wait for our next court date.
16. 2nd trip to Latvia Only one parent and Aloizs go on this trip. This is an another interview in court for the approval of the adoption. trip will be about 4 days. We return home for approx. 30 days
17. 3rd trip to Latvia to finalize adoption. Aloizs has final medical exam, and obtains immigrant visa and new passport. this trip we will be in Latvia for about 7 days.
CAN'T WAIT UNTIL STEP 14!!
AND THEN OF COURES STEP 17!!
Thank you for your prayers!!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
St Patrick's Day felt like Valentines day
Today is St. Patrick's Day, but felt more like Valentine's Day, like most days do for me. Most of the time we share how much we love a family member on special days like Mother's Day, Valentines Day or Birthdays. All the days in between we might say "I love you" in the morning and at night. Maybe on the phone here and there...how many times do we tell the ones we love, that we love them?
I hear from our Aloizs all day and night and I am very thankful that one we have the technology to talk and two that he would take the time to write me.
So today I thought wow how often I have heard him say I love you everyday since he has left which has been 2 months, and thought wow, we should should say I love you more to the ones we love. That how much more loved we feel when we hear that all day. I decided to reopen all of my messages from him today and count how many times he told me that he loved me...and it was 40 times just today that he said "I love you my mom for life, I promise." Have any of us ever told our family we loved them 40 times in one day?
can I say I feel loved by this child!
I have often said that I feel a lot of times like he says to me what he wants to hear back, of course I say it back each and every time. He has been robbed of a mom telling him "I love you" everyday of his life, and we have 15 years to make up for.
Tell your family you love them more, tell your children you love them more, don't miss an opportunity you never know how that could change a day, change a year, or even change your child's future. When we feel loved we are secure, happy, fulfilled, safe, empowered, successful, encouraged, and even invincible. Love is a powerful thing. The Bible says
- 1 Corinthians 13
[ The Greatest Gift ] Though I speak with the tongues ofmen and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I havethe gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. ...
- And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
To God be the Glory!!
To God be the Glory!!
WOW! God is so Good! Tuesday 3-5-13 What a day!! I blogged the Mountain that was in front of us...$6000 that was needed to go with our next documents which was double what we thought. God said do you trust and Believe that I have got this? It was a hard day, to find out that we had hurried to get our documents completed and then find out we needed that kind of money. Tony, had said it was double the amount we needed so when God did it there would be no doubt that HE did it. After my cry yesterday God spoke to my heart and said to do what I had told Aloizs to do and that is trust and believe. So, I did...I give it to God Trusting that He would make away...
6 or 7 hours later we got a phone call, with $6000!! Yes! You heard me GOD turned it all around in less than 8 hours!
Praise God for His Goodness, He is still God of it all, In control of it all!! There is NO Doubt God is in this adoption for his Glory!! He has great plans for our Aloizs! and I can't wait to see this child come here and share his testimony of what God has done in his life!!
We traveled to Raleigh today, to get our documents Apostilled by the the NC Secretary of State. These documents will be going to Latvia!! We got up very early, very excited to get this phase completed. We dropped them off and they said they would be ready in the morning. We left and toured the Capitol and the museums (School field trip) It was fun...at 2:00 Tony said lets just stop by and see if they happen to be ready. So before we headed to our car to leave we stopped in the State office, the lady looked and she said yes they are ready!! She said now open them and look through them before you leave. It was 2 big packs of papers, about 90 pages! so I did and I am so glad we did. One document was denied because the notary didn't stamp it. So I called her and we flew (not really) home to get it stamped before the doctors office closed and we have to go back to Raleigh in the morning...for ONE document!! But I am thankful the papers were ready early, so we can still get them finished in the morning instead of having to go back again on Friday!!
So, Tomorrow all of these Documents will be mailed (over nighted) with a $6000 check to our adoption agent and then Friday will be scanned to Latvia to be translated!! I am very excited to have all of these documents completed, We are praying for all of these documents to be approved rapidly.
The next steps (that are going on at the same time) are to wait on the US CIS to send us a letter of appointment to be fingerprinted by the US immigration office, and then we will wait for them to send us an approval letter. This Application was able to get mailed TODAY, Thanks to Total Praise in Song, my dear precious friends that raised the funds for this application to be mailed!!
In the mean time our documents in Latvia will be translated in Latvian, so they are ready to be reviewed. When we get our US approval that will then be sent to Latvia as well, in hopes that all of the other documents are ready and translated. Then we wait on Latvia to send us an approval and a date to travel!!! Sorry I know this is probably hard to understand and boring. But just know we are now very close but also we are at the hard part of waiting, not knowing how long this could take...
We are now in the stage of raising funds to travel to Latvia, one of the biggest expenses of this journey...We will have to live in an apartment in Latvia for 3 weeks, with cost of airfare for 5 to Latvia and airfare for "6" home, and all of the other expenses in Latvia. So as one thing is complete and is a BIG accomplishment we are now facing our next big step which is another mountain, But I am believing God is going to do GREAT things once again.
Thank you to all of you that donated this week you guys are amazing, and such a BIG part of this journey with our family!! The money that was donated to Open Door this week by so many of you, will stay in the Bell account and go towards our travel expenses. We still have much to raise...
Some fundraisers coming:
March 23rd Yard Sale
April 6th All fore! Aloizs Golf tournament at Sapona Golf club.
April 27th Spaghetti Dinner at The 1st PH Church in Winston-Salem
**Thank you to all of you that are planning and working so hard on all of these fund raisers!! WE LOVE YOU ALL!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Do you Believe me?
Do you Believe me?
Today was a precious moment with our Aloizs, that I am going to share even though I don't normally share our conversations, but today I feel God needs to be glorified. This morning I am in conversation with him and he asked me "mom, do you really know that we will be together forever?"
I said back that yes, I know we will be together. why? did someone say we wouldn't? He said "mom, I worry"
I said you will have to trust me, do you believe me when I say we will be together? He said "Yes, I believe, I believe you that we will be together, I love you my mom forever."
It was a very precious moment. He then went on to tell me in 6 more messages in an hour that he loved me. I share this because of what happens next...
I then was on the phone with the adoption agent, most of you know we have all of our paperwork ready, I have worked very hard to get it done very quickly...I am on the phone with her reviewing all of what is needed this week, checking off each thing...I have down that we will need $3000 by Friday, (which we only have $850) but I am not worried, knowing it is going to happen some how...
When she gets to the amount the check needs to be for she says...$6000. I say ok and hang up...
Can I say my heart went to my stomach and I felt as though I could of thrown up...that's me being real with you guys...very real...letting you all into a part of my life I wouldn't normally share...I called Tony, and he says it will be God for sure when this happens this week! Feeling sick and overwhelmed I go sit in in my bathroom on the floor and cry my head off...I prayed God I know you have this but I am worried, this is a lot of money! God said "Do you remember what you said to Aloizs today?" WOW! Does God have a way with just a few words! I melted in tears, and said God I believe, I believe God you have this. How God is teaching me through this journey is absolutely amazing. I don't know how or where this money will come from...But I am believing God for a miracle. I wanted to share this most intimate moment with you so when it does happen God will be glorified in it all. Is this hard for me to share absolutely...but To Him be the Glory for what he is about to do. I love this child and I know God is doing amazing things in his life and through his life. He is definitely changing me and growing my Faith everyday! Love you all!! God is still in control of it all, I Believe Him do you?
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Waiting for forever
...now 6 years later he still waiting for a family...Waiting for forever...Waiting for a family to love must feel like forever, waiting to have a mom to love you...waiting for forever is what it must feel like to a child. Day in and day out not knowing if that day will ever come.
Many times He has said he waits every day for me. I can't imagine how long waiting must be for a child without a family. Six long years (about 2,190 days) without a family.
Now, he has found a family that loves him. He is happy and sad everyday. back waiting for what feels like forever. He cries because everyday he wants to see his family that he loves again. He says his dreams have finally come true...he is so close, but yet still waiting, still not very sure what the future holds, but has a glimpse of hope that that day of being loved in a family could finally be just around the corner.
It is so very hard after being with us for 4 weeks to now be separated. a lot of children that have been institutionalized have attachment disorders, and so far with our Mitchell he shows no signs of this, he is very much attached to me and our family. I hear from him every morning when he gets up at 7:30am (Latvia) which is 12:30am here in the US. Usually by 1:08am (8:08am Latvia) He is at school and is at the Library writing me. and so goes the rest of his day. He writes me most days all day or at least once an hour every hour. It starts at 12am for me and then he will go to bed and I stop hearing from him at about 4pm (11pm Latvia) I am very thankful for every message from him. I am glad he is able to stay in touch, I don't know what we would do without it. It is a blessing to be able to communicate so much. We also talk on the phone every 3 days. His English is getting very good, and we are able to talk more and more while on the phone. It is a blessing that I am so grateful for!!
With all of that said you can see why there are never any blogs:) I am writing him all hours of the day and night...while working diligently on ALL of the adoption papers and running that goes along with it. Not to mention Ministry, and homeschooling and fund raising... but I miss being able to update everyone. I want everyone to know I greatly appreciate all of the encouragement from you guys during this journey. This has not been an easy road to go down. I get little sleep, my heart is heavy, my mind is full of all the "Adoption detail stuff", and I love my family and try to still be with them and keep up with their schedules. I hope I live to see him come home:)
update on where we are in the process.
A few days ago we had what I thought was going to be a big bump in the road and that it would set us back 2-3weeks, I had my moment of a cry on my bed. (which I can't remember the last time I have had one of those) after my wonderful husband reminding me God is still in control I got up and got back to work on our next set of papers. With in the next few days...maybe the next day, It all turned around...God is still in control! We have now jumped ahead in the process with a miracle of having our Home study finished (should have final copy this week), ready for our next application for the US, and on Tuesday we get our final papers for LATVIA notarized and should be ready to head to Raleigh to have them Apostilled with the next week !! We are very much ahead of the game, God turned it all around. Praise God for His Greatness, and care for every detail of our life! We serve a God that nothing is impossible!!
Now that we are ready with these papers, we are at a very expensive stage in the adoption process. These next documents are very expensive costing $1000s. with these next few steps we will need around $3000-$4000. But just with the issues from last week we are believing God for a miracle, because we know He can do the impossible.
If you would like to make a donation, we could use your help right now. Every amount helps!! Thank you all for your prayers and support!
To make an online donation you can go to the link below, and designate for Tony and Melanie Bell
Thank you and God Bless each of you!!
Monday, February 11, 2013
God is Always on time
God is Awesome and always right on time, not a minute too early and not a minute too late. As most of you know we needed $1400 today for our home study. Well our fund raiser went very well and we were very thankful for everyone that bought our Double love Bouquets for Valentines. But as of 8am this morning, we were still $500 short. I went to bed last night without one worry. Tony and I had peace that it was going to be ok. That sounds like I am making that up or like that is easy...but in times past I would of been worrying and Tony would of been worrying, but I would of been more verbal about it. But we really didn't worry we went right to bed and never give it another thought. I had told Tony that we are being tested, and things will be provided as we show we trust God for every step. 8am came around 2 hours before we need the money...I get a text "did you get all of what you needed?" I text back no. 9am, 1 hour before the social worker arrives, and we have a check in the mailbox for $500. Praise God for being right on time. We serve a Big God and He and only He can provide when we trust Him. I know that this whole journey will be like this, I said it from day one, it will be one step at a time. When we got to adding up all of the donations, we were off by $5. (not much or anything to worry about) and in a matter of seconds, I got a message on my phone that said, "Melanie I just made a donation online for $25 for your adoption"... the timing was amazing. God is just Awesome! so we paid what needed to be paid and God started our next hurdle with $20 to start.
The Home study was long and full of paperwork, we had everything that was needed to be turned in. And she give us 4 more things to accomplish this week. She had originally told us that the Home study would be finished by mid March, today she said she would have it finished to be reviewed by THIS weekend!! one month ahead of schedule!
Then Tony and I headed off to the Doctors office to have TB test and blood work etc...for our Physicians report. Which someone had told us they called a week ago to get an appointment and they didn't get one until April. I call the end of last week and got one for today. Can I just say God is just Awesome! We got everything we needed and the test results should be ready on Thursday. Dr. Hess is the Best!
Okay so if that wasn't enough to be the best day ever, Aloizs sends me a message about a video(Hillsong, lead me to the cross, with Latvian lyrics) I posted on the Latvian social network called frype, and he said that song made him cry. He said he loved Jesus. I said it is beautiful what Jesus did for us on the cross. He said that Jesus was his savior. Then he says he is thankful again the God has given him a family.
It really has been a great day. We are Blessed beyond measure, Just that God loves us so much he sent his Son that we might be saved, and every other Blessing is just because He can.
Matthew 7:11
The Home study was long and full of paperwork, we had everything that was needed to be turned in. And she give us 4 more things to accomplish this week. She had originally told us that the Home study would be finished by mid March, today she said she would have it finished to be reviewed by THIS weekend!! one month ahead of schedule!
Then Tony and I headed off to the Doctors office to have TB test and blood work etc...for our Physicians report. Which someone had told us they called a week ago to get an appointment and they didn't get one until April. I call the end of last week and got one for today. Can I just say God is just Awesome! We got everything we needed and the test results should be ready on Thursday. Dr. Hess is the Best!
Okay so if that wasn't enough to be the best day ever, Aloizs sends me a message about a video(Hillsong, lead me to the cross, with Latvian lyrics) I posted on the Latvian social network called frype, and he said that song made him cry. He said he loved Jesus. I said it is beautiful what Jesus did for us on the cross. He said that Jesus was his savior. Then he says he is thankful again the God has given him a family.
It really has been a great day. We are Blessed beyond measure, Just that God loves us so much he sent his Son that we might be saved, and every other Blessing is just because He can.
Matthew 7:11
As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
What is in a Name?
What is in a Name?
I have often taught or even preached about the importance of a NAME. Over and over in the Bible we see this to be true. God names Adam, and he lets Adam name all of the animals. When we give something a name it shows that it belongs to you. Adam(man) had dominion over the animals on the earth, so God shows this by letting Adam name the animals. We also see over and over where God changes a name of a person to show a new identity, like with Abram to Abraham, Saul to Paul. We even see King nebuchadnezzar tries to change the name of Daniel to try and change his identity. This name change wasn't a positive thing but was a way to take away Daniels identity as a child of God's. With Paul his name change was a away to put away old ways and to start a fresh new ministry for His new found Savior, Jesus. There is a great meaning behind a name. We name our children we give them that special name, it shows ownership, or a since of belonging.
Aloizs for the last several weeks has been asking me to give him a new name. He doesn't want to be called Aloizs anymore. I at first thought he was referring to a middle name because he doesn't have one. But I later figured out he doesn't want the name Aloizs. I ask him what name he wanted, and he said "No mom I want you to give me a name." Can I just say that all the years of teaching God's Word and about the importance of a name and an identity all came back to my remembrance. It has melted my heart for sure. Every day he would ask me what his name will be, and I have told him I would have to think about it. Until finally it came back to my remembrance a name that I have had for a very long time.
11 years ago today, Morgan my youngest was born. February 7th. On this day Tony and I anticipated the birth of our child, not knowing if it was a boy or a girl. We had a girls name and a boys name ready on this day. Of course we had our beautiful baby girl that we named Morgan. But I had a boys name, that is If I ever had another son I would call him Mitchell. Well 11 years later I have a new son, that is wanting me to name him. God brings this name back to my remembrance and today 11 years later I get to use this name and name Aloizs, Mitchell.
Aloizs/Mitch everyday tells me he loves me at least 50 or more times a day. He tells me he loves God, He loves Jesus, He loves Dad, He loves his brother and sisters, he loves our church, He loves the dogs, and then in 20 more messages in a row He will tell me that He loves me over and over. He is the most loving child, full of love. There isn't a more perfect name for him, the meaning of Mitchell is Who is like God, and I got to thinking about that God is love. He is like God in that he is so full of Love.
A child that hasn't been shown very much love in his life could be so full of love has to come from a Heavenly Father, God has poured this love on Him and it over flows out of him.
I have met a new friend on Facebook that knows Aloizs from going to Latvia on mission trips over that past several years. I told him about Aloizs wanting his name changed, and he said he remembers him and another boy talking about that in the past. That they wanted to change their name, and they did several times picking around. He said he is eager to change his identity, to put his past of Latvia behind him. He also said you see this in children that have a very painful past. Aloizs is very serious about doing this, and told me he wants me to call him Mitchell now. That he doesn't like the name Aloizs because of Latvia.
So from now on his name is Mitch, a precious child sent to us from God, full of God's love.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
talked with Aloizs today
Well I got to talk on the phone with Aloizs today:)
He wanted me to call him and he sent me his phone number. I sent him a message that we wouldn't understand each other, he said he wanted to hear my voice. So I called him today...Let me say, it was the best $30 I have spent in a long time. It was well worth it to hear him talk and say "I love you" He said he was very happy. He sounded very happy to be talking, and he did very good in speaking in English. Amazing how well he is picking up English. He is an amazing kid, and I am so thankful God has chose us to be his family. I have something to share that we talked about but it will be a blog all in itself. I will share it soon.
We are faced with a huge mountain in front of us, but I know God says with Him we can move mountains. Praying that this mountain that stands before us that has to be moved before we can see Aloizs again, will move quickly.
Aloizs said that it has always been his dream to have a family. would you please help us in making his dream come true. There are many ways to help, we need your prayers,
and we need financial support. Any amount is a blessing and is one step closer to having him back. Thank you to all of you that have been so supportive from the very beginning, you have touched and changed a life. You have been a huge part of what God is doing in Aloizs' life. I love you all!
Donate online: (designate donation to Tony & Melanie Bell)
https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=581703392&vlrStratCode=3UEltyzO6yU0mhKeVVosnzXTceoSWXbnClGCe0XxvCAExSBF6vTPejZu7UYVWhbG
Our you can mail a check made out to Open Door Adoption Agency to:
Tony and Melanie Bell
748 River Grove Ct.
Lewisville, NC 27023
He wanted me to call him and he sent me his phone number. I sent him a message that we wouldn't understand each other, he said he wanted to hear my voice. So I called him today...Let me say, it was the best $30 I have spent in a long time. It was well worth it to hear him talk and say "I love you" He said he was very happy. He sounded very happy to be talking, and he did very good in speaking in English. Amazing how well he is picking up English. He is an amazing kid, and I am so thankful God has chose us to be his family. I have something to share that we talked about but it will be a blog all in itself. I will share it soon.
We are faced with a huge mountain in front of us, but I know God says with Him we can move mountains. Praying that this mountain that stands before us that has to be moved before we can see Aloizs again, will move quickly.
Aloizs said that it has always been his dream to have a family. would you please help us in making his dream come true. There are many ways to help, we need your prayers,
and we need financial support. Any amount is a blessing and is one step closer to having him back. Thank you to all of you that have been so supportive from the very beginning, you have touched and changed a life. You have been a huge part of what God is doing in Aloizs' life. I love you all!
Donate online: (designate donation to Tony & Melanie Bell)
https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=581703392&vlrStratCode=3UEltyzO6yU0mhKeVVosnzXTceoSWXbnClGCe0XxvCAExSBF6vTPejZu7UYVWhbG
Our you can mail a check made out to Open Door Adoption Agency to:
Tony and Melanie Bell
748 River Grove Ct.
Lewisville, NC 27023
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
What is impossible for God?
What is impossible for God?
Nothing is impossible for God...
On October 12 This picture shows up on my Facebook
and my world around me stopped ...and my life is now forever changed. This face of a child 4,221 miles away in Latvia that was praying for a family, God puts on my Facebook, from a Facebook page I have never heard of or ever liked. They had posted many pictures but not just any of the pictures were on my wall just this one at the very moment I was scrolling down the Facebook wall.
Nothing is impossible for God.
Some of you may know this story but I felt lead to share this story for those that may not.
Our family decided to not host this child but to host a younger one instead. We then found out that the younger boy we were going to host had been adopted. They told us we would have to pick another child to come for Christmas, and they sent me an email with a list of pictures of about 7 or so pictures of children from the Ukraine. I just didn't feel that these were it but I clicked on one picture to see if it would give me their bio, but when i clicked it, it took me to another link, and on that link was this picture of Aloizs again. I picked up the phone and called New Horizons for Children. I asked her about Aloizs and she told me there wasn't a link to the pictures she sent me.
What is impossible for God?
I then told her he was the first child I had seen and was the reason we were even hosting to begin with...she said well he is from Latvia and Latvia is now closed their hosting for Christmas, and they would have to ask if they could reopen it so he could be hosted. she said she couldn't make any promises but she would ask and call me back.
What is impossible for God?
Within 10 minutes she calls me back and says you are not going to believe this he is still available, they are closed but have left this boy opened for hosting... She was so shocked and said wow this is meant to be
What is impossible for God?
We then hosted Aloizs an you know the rest, I have fallen in love with this child like my very own.
nothing is impossible for God, He hears and answers prays and does the impossible because He can. Mallory said it is like God holds the world in His hands and looks down at it like it is Google Earth, and takes His fingers to zoom in on a life that is praying and sees Aloizs in Latvia and then zooms over NC and sees the Bell family...and then Says, nothing is impossible and crosses our paths from 4,221 miles away.
We serve a Great Big God with a Great Big Heart that loves us all and Nothing is impossible for Him
Nothing is impossible for God...
On October 12 This picture shows up on my Facebook
Nothing is impossible for God.
Some of you may know this story but I felt lead to share this story for those that may not.
Our family decided to not host this child but to host a younger one instead. We then found out that the younger boy we were going to host had been adopted. They told us we would have to pick another child to come for Christmas, and they sent me an email with a list of pictures of about 7 or so pictures of children from the Ukraine. I just didn't feel that these were it but I clicked on one picture to see if it would give me their bio, but when i clicked it, it took me to another link, and on that link was this picture of Aloizs again. I picked up the phone and called New Horizons for Children. I asked her about Aloizs and she told me there wasn't a link to the pictures she sent me.
What is impossible for God?
I then told her he was the first child I had seen and was the reason we were even hosting to begin with...she said well he is from Latvia and Latvia is now closed their hosting for Christmas, and they would have to ask if they could reopen it so he could be hosted. she said she couldn't make any promises but she would ask and call me back.
What is impossible for God?
Within 10 minutes she calls me back and says you are not going to believe this he is still available, they are closed but have left this boy opened for hosting... She was so shocked and said wow this is meant to be
What is impossible for God?
We then hosted Aloizs an you know the rest, I have fallen in love with this child like my very own.
nothing is impossible for God, He hears and answers prays and does the impossible because He can. Mallory said it is like God holds the world in His hands and looks down at it like it is Google Earth, and takes His fingers to zoom in on a life that is praying and sees Aloizs in Latvia and then zooms over NC and sees the Bell family...and then Says, nothing is impossible and crosses our paths from 4,221 miles away.
We serve a Great Big God with a Great Big Heart that loves us all and Nothing is impossible for Him
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