Dossier translation complete

We received word this week that our dossier has been translated and sent to Krasnoyarsk!!! Yea!! We need a couple of additional documents but they can be sent later. The team in Krasnoyarsk will now start looking for our children. It's possible we could make a trip this year yet as an approximate wait is 2 - 6 months. At this point it looks like we will get the kids early to mid 2009.
Thank you all for your continued prayers. Now we wait.

Russia/Georgia conflict

Some of you have shared concerns for our adoption plans due to the crisis between Russia and Georgia. Here is an update from our Agency. We are not concerned as our faith is strong.

Dear Families in the Russia Program:
"We are all saddened by the news of violence between Russia and Georgia that has been reported since last week. Our thoughts go out to the innocent families and children affected by this unfortunate unrest.
The US State Department has not issued any further travel warning beyond the June 2008 statement that “travel to the Caucasus region of Russia is dangerous”. None of the regions in which our Agency operates adoption programs are in this area. In addition, we have consulted with our Russian staff and they do not anticipate any immediate impact on international adoption in Russia. Other than the potential for increased security measures with air travel, we do not expect any changes or disruptions to your adoption process.
As you can imagine, the long-term impact on US-Russia relations and the possible implications for international adoption is too difficult to predict at this point. As always, we will continue to keep you updated on any developments that we expect could impact your adoption process.
Please contact your specialist for questions regarding your specific case.
Best regards,
The Russia Team"

Blessings along the way

I took a break from reading Adoption/Parenting books to read a book given to me by my sister-in-law Linda. I just finished reading this awesome book called "The Shack" by William P Young. You may have heard some controversy about this story regarding God being portrayed as a woman. Get past that, there is so much more to this book. I count any thing that brings me closer in my relationship with God a blessing and this has blessed me in so many ways. . . I know our children will reap the blessings through me. =o) I will let you find your own blessings in it.

Last night we were blessed to spend an evening with some dear friends who were being visited by their son and toddler grandchildren, Nathan and Natalie. It did my heart good to spend time with them just watching kids be kids, they are so precious. My heart is so looking forward to children of our own. . .

We were recently on vacation in the Carolinas. We spent time with Peter's sister Kathryn and her family - we are so blessed to have their love. Being included in their family outings to the lake house and to Charleston gave us more insight into being a family. They have three lovely daughters who will make wonderful cousins for the children they are excited to meet.

We also spent time in Nags Head, NC with my brothers Joe and Dave, and Dave's family, and my cousin Al and his family. Everyone is so excited for us and looking forward to meeting the special children waiting for us so far away in Russia. We are looking forward to showing them the ocean and how to make sand castles! I'm sure their Uncle Joe will enjoy teaching them how to fish.

In the meantime, God has blessed us with incredible patience. Peter and I are thoroughly enjoying each other as we wait. We have been reminded time and again ;-) that we are in for a BIG change. We are so very happy to have each other to spend our lives with and pray our families and friends all experience the joys of a blessed marriage.

MaryEllen