I have been contemplating this post for months now.  I don't even know exactly what to say.  First, I am so sorry that I haven't  blogged about our circumstance.  Most of you have no idea what has happened but we have not yet traveled to go get the girls.  It has been a long 4 months and I will go more into detail of what has happened soon.  I will continue to keep my blog closed until after we travel.  Yes, Lord willing we will be traveling again soon.  Continue praying friends.
 A dear friend gave me a devotional book a while ago called Jesus Calling, and these words I often think about, somehow they put it all into perspective for me.   Four months of pain have also been four months that have really taught me how to joyously live for the Lord.

Do no resist or run from difficulties in your life.  These problems are not random mistakes, they are hand tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth.  Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting Me to bring good out of them.  View problems as opportunities to rely more fully on Me.
When you start to feel stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me.  Thus, your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us.  Although self sufficiency is acclaimed in the world, reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom.  Thank Me for the difficulties in your life since they provide protection from idolatry of self reliance.

2 Days!!!!!

Ok, I knew leaving my boys would be difficult, but tomorrow is the day and emotionally it is so so hard.  My 13 year old is expressing it the most that it is going to be hard for him to have us gone for so long.  He is concerned and very worried so please pray for Him.  My youngest isn't verbally saying how this is affecting him but I can see it loud and clear through his body language. He has been stuck to my hip for days.  The middle boys seem to be okay for the moment but I know a week or two and they are going to be wanting to go home.  So please keep us in your prayers this is a hard 6 week transition.  It pulls my heart into two directions, I want to be home with my boys yet I want to go get my girls.  I never knew how hard these days would be.  They are in good hands and I am so thankful for Grandparents.

Our bags are packed.  We leave in 2 days.  Today I am focusing on paperwork.  Paperwork to take, bills that need paid, schoolwork that will need to continue to need to be done.  It is a bit overwhelming, so I hope I can get through it all today.

I have waited and waited for this day. (Still learning patience) We can say today that we are fully funded!!!!  MY heart is over joyed today as I sit in amazement at how my God has provided for our adoption.  This has not been an easy 8 months,  but would I change any part of it, absolutely not.  Today is a good day and I come here today to say thank you  to all of you who felt led to help us through your prayers and by giving.  I am so humbled to say thank you as I know many many of you gave so sacrificially.  I write this with tears streaming down my face as I think about all of the people in this adoption.  This is one obstacle no longer in our way.  This barrier has been broken, my God is good all the time.  He always makes a way.  We were called to bring these girls home but without you it would have never have been possible.  Now we journey across the country in just 7 days to go hold the girls that were always in our hearts.  I am just over the moon excited to go.  God is in this, and He is continually paving the way though.  He continues to prove faithful, even when my head ponders the possibilities that this wasn't going to happen.  Praising God, today!!

Overwhelmed today.  I sit here in tears as I watch others step in and help us with the last of our funding.  A few weeks ago, I was like okay God, I have nothing left to do.  I have no more fundraisers, I have nothing left to do to make this happen, I was wiped and drained emotionally, financially and had to just turn it over to God.  When I let go and trust in Him I am in awe as he has turned others hearts towards us.  Not just one or two but several people, several families are in process of helping us come up with the rest of our funds. I truly am not worried, because God has provided everything so far and we are only short a measly 1000.00.  I humbly say thank you to all of you.  The last 8 months money has been slowly but steadily pouring in.  I look at the relationships I have made along the way, and others in my community that I will have lasting relationships with as they poured out love over our family.  God is doing so much more here than just providing the money for our adoption.  He has opened up my eyes, and my heart to people just like me.  8 days and counting, we are 8 days from boarding a plane to meet our daughters.  I am overjoyed even thinking about it.

Praying, Packing, Praying Packing!!!!

We are going to be boarding a plane in 10 days.  I am completely overwhelmed I have so much to do, as well as continue every day life.  Our newest plan is to stay in country for the whole 5 to 6 weeks to get our girls.  Unless something happens and we have an extra long wait.  It is hard to believe that we are 1000.00 dollars away from being fully funded.  I just can't believe it. So picture me frantically running around trying to get every last detail taken care of, I'm at the point where sitting on a plane for all those hours is actually looking like it might be relaxing.  So giddy, really cant believe we are going to be there soon.

We are on our way!!! 14 days and counting!!!!

We have our tickets, we leave from Omaha at around 12:00pm on Friday April 20th, we have two weeks.  Oh my goodness, I need to pack.  I'm still in shock and can't believe it.  We will be there soon!!!  We even have about a 4 hour layover in Munich, where we will meet another family that is traveling to go get there daughter so we will be able to travel together to Kiev.  How exciting is that!!! We will be in Kiev on April 21st about 4:30 pm.  It is still unknown as far as how long we will be there, when we will come home if the holiday will make our stay a lot longer, if we will come home before court or after court, or if we will stay the entire trip.  Oh my goodness I'm letting God take control, because I have no control over any of it.  This has been a reoccurring theme for me this week, let go let God.  It is all in His timing and for His purpose.

Winners of Prizes

Yeah!!!

Prize #1  100.00 giftcard to Walmart

Mom2many 

Prize # 2 100.00 giftcard to Target

Martinville's  cheerleaders

Prize #3  A Vera Bradley bag.
Carol M.

 Prize #4

There is one for each month and then one with a cupcake for birthday. 

Mandy