Just today, as I was trying to figure out my blogger.... all the promps are in Russian, I realized this THANK YOU was never published. I am hoping each and every one of you will accept my most sincere apology for not ensuring it was posted when I intended to post it.

 

Please share this far and wide, and around the globe, as I have been told by Tina, That is where donations came into Grace Haven from.

 

 

 

                                  THANK YOU ...

 

 2 small words that can not possibly convey our gratitude to all of you who are advocating, donating, and shaking heaven on behalf of our kids. Please know this need is very REAL. The danger for Nana, equally real.

 

Tina asked me ...if we have a back up plan, financially.... my response to her "JESUS".

 

We cling to Jesus and believe His promise to us in Mark 11:23, Matt. 21:21, Matt 17:20 and Luke 17:6...."For verily I say unto you. That whosoever shall say unto the mountain, Be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says will come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says".

 

 

   Our HOPE is in you Lord. Thank you all, so very much, for your continuing effort... as for Bob and I... we will continue, obedient, eyes on Jesus, walking it out.


 

 

 

 

 

ONWARD...

 

Bob and I have had some time while we WAIT....

 

We had a little delay so took advantage of the time to see a bit of  Kiev.

 

 

All the while  we have continued to see God's hand at work... to hear His voice leading us. Assuring us...

 

 

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

 

 

 

“All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish.

 

 

(our home away from home)

 

Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all.

Isaiah 41:10-13

 

(shopping for socks for Bob)

 

 

(Seeing Kiev)

 

(every where we walked...

this friendly guy followed ;) )

 

(Only catholic church in the city)

 

 

(St. Andrew's Church)

 

(Andriyivs'ky Desent)

 

and

then on Sunday morning we hit the road....

 

 

and found our way to a very important city!

 

 

Look closely...not ONE but TWO referrals IN HAND!

 

YES, we had an amazing visit with a precious girl who has been waiting 21 months for us. Nothing will ever match the look on Nadiya's face when she came through the door and saw us there, saying ..."Mama!!" There were lots of tears by all and lots of hugs. Bob in tears as he told Nadiya he was so sorry it had taken so long and how much he loved her, really opened the flood gates!

We received a very warm welcome from the staff at her trade school. The Director, vice principal and social worker  all were wonderful to us, and bent over backwards to complete all the necessary documents so we could head back to Kiev. It took them all of about an hour. We spent time with our Nadiya while they worked. It was so good to share pictures of how our family has grown and changed since she was with us.

 

Then the good-byes. The director shook Bob's hand. Then gave Nadiya a hug and said something about "papa".... and then hugged me and kissed my cheek! She said to me, " you good kind Nadiya's mama." With tears in her eyes she thanked me (us) for coming for Nadiya.

 

Did we feel His favor? Absolutely we did.

Can we walk confident that the work He has started in us, He will finish?

Absolutely He will.

Bob and I are exhausted... Bob is coming down with a cold.

We appreciate your continued prayers.

 

 

This bog post courtesy of our facilitator, Max Grudiy, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ... without them, this post would have never happened.

 

 

 

 

Journey to treasure...

I have cried out to God, seems like a million times,
 wrapped in this scripture ...

Psalm 7

I come to you for protection, O Lord my God.

Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!

If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion,

tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

O Lord my God, if I have done wrong

or am guilty of injustice,

if I have betrayed a friend

or plundered my enemy without cause,

then let my enemies capture me.

Let them trample me into the ground

and drag my honor in the dust.

Arise, O Lord, in anger!

Stand up against the fury of my enemies!

Wake up, my God, and bring justice!

Gather the nations before you.

Rule over them from on high.

The Lord judges the nations.

Declare me righteous, O Lord,

for I am innocent, O Most High!

End the evil of those who are wicked,

and defend the righteous.

For you look deep within the mind and heart,

O righteous God.

God is my shield,

saving those whose hearts are true and right.

God is an honest judge.

He is angry with the wicked every day.

If a person does not repent,

God will sharpen his sword;

he will bend and string his bow.

He will prepare his deadly weapons

and shoot his flaming arrows.

The wicked conceive evil;

they are pregnant with trouble

and give birth to lies.

They dig a deep pit to trap others,

then fall into it themselves.

The trouble they make for others backfires on them.

The violence they plan falls on their own heads.

I will thank the Lord because he is just;

I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

 

Of all the things I have learned on this adoption journey... the truth that GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS STEADFAST AND UNCHANGING...AND The knowledge that when God opens a door no man can shut it, is so very precious to me.

 

We rejoice in thankfulness today, for after this very long journey, THIS door ... 

 

 

THIS inconspicuous, unlabeled, door. THIS door that leads to a stairwell that is equally inconspicuous. This door opened to us. And on the other side we found the opportunity for treasure of immeasurable worth that has been hidden in the darkness..

 

It seems like so very long ago you whispered your promise into my heart...

 

This is what the Lord says to his anointed,

 whose right hand I take hold of

to subdue nations before him

and to strip kings of their armor,

to open doors before him

so that gates will not be shut:

I will go before you

and will level the mountains ;

I will break down gates of bronze

and cut through bars of iron.

I will give you hidden treasures,

riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the Lord,

the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Isaiah 45: 1-3

 

Thank you Father, for on this day, your promises became tangible.

And in my heart I hear you whisper. A whisper filled with gentleness, overwhelming love and reassurance.

 

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8

 

 

ALL GLORY IS YOURS, CHRIST JESUS. ALL GLORY IS YOURS.