First of all, Scott and I did come to unity in our decision to adopt Yasha -- a huge answer to prayer! Of course Alek knew it all along, so was not affected by our indecision. While we were trying to decide, he would tell us every night that he wanted to pray for his brother Yasha. Even today when a little boy in Sams Club was talking to us about his older brother, Alek said, "I have a big brother too. His name is Yasha." Yasha is already a part of our family, and will forever be a part of it whether he comes to live with us or not. Yasha, our son.
This brings me to the second part of our news -- the wait to bring him home will be LONG! Yasha is currently not available for adoption because he is not on the national orphan registry in Kiev. Once he is put on the database, he will not be available for international adoption for 1 year. So we are looking at about 1 1/2 years to bring him home. God is good and has prepared us amply for this wait. After the 2-year wait we had for Alek, this does not seem as long as it once did. Still, waiting is hard and although I do know that God is working in all of this, I wonder why it is such a struggle to form our family? Many times over the last few weeks I have asked this question, and nearly every time God has touched my heart by reminding me of the thousands of prayers that went up for Alek during our waiting time. The product of that prayer is a little 4-year old boy that radiates the love of Jesus to all who meet him -- he is literally a magnet. While waiting for Alek, I joined the many people who asked the question, "Why would God make you wait for Alek when it would be SO MUCH BETTER for him to be home in America with his parents?" When I look at Alek, I know during that 2 years God was doing the work in his life that needed to be accomplished for His purposes. I firmly believe the same is true for Yasha. And so it goes with all of life here on earth, people look at outward circumstances, but God is working His plans and purposes that are unseen until the proper time.
Sprinkled in with the seemingly bad news have been several blessings. First, Yasha wrote us a letter. He drew me a picture of daisies (my favorite flower) and true to his extroverted nature, wanted to tell all of his friends in America "hello." We also received this recent picture of him receiving our care package sent to him in Ukraine. Notice the warm smile on his face. It is different than the picture we first saw of him.
On a very positive note, Yasha WILL be coming to visit us for Christmas for 4 weeks!! We are hosting him again through New Horizons for Children http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org/ (check out their website if you know anyone who might be interested in this awesome program). Your life will never be the same again.
5 comments:
Scott & Lynn,
You two are amazing examples! I remember so well the lessons you taught us during the time together in Chelyabinsk. Your trust in God as the ultimate controller of circumstances and handler of all the details was a model then and has been a source of encouragement to us as we have faced challenging circumstances ourselves. I just want you to know how you have encouraged us by your example (we even quote you sometimes!). We will continue to pray and share this request with the church here and we will join with you again for the process of Yasha's adoption.
Love to all of you,
Kara
How wonderful! I have been checking back often waiting to hear something/anything! I am so excited Yasha is coming home for Christmas! What an absolute gift and blessing from God! Please do keep us updated as often as you can. One question: does Yasha know your intent to adopt him? Will you be able to tell him when you see him next?
And i can't agree more with your assessment of Alek as Jack is the same way. It may have taken a while to get our sons home, but the love and joy in their hearts is apparent. God did move mountains on our behalf while we waited-just not the way we thought they would be. I wouldn't change it for the world! Love and hugs!
God is watching your journey again and knows that you are worthy of that journey. There IS no way to speed up time so we try and stay busy in His work. That's what YOU do every day.....we're all being prepped for an assignment and you're working very hard (with excellent results, I might add) at being a mother. Look at Alek's little smiling face and then you always know that God's plan IS worth the waiting. Love you LOTS
Aunt Cydney
Lynn,
I am sorry it will take so long to bring Yasha home to his family. Thanks to God's blessing of New Horizons' program, you guys will get to see him, and hug and kiss him, and continue to grow your bond with him over the time that you spend waiting. As you already well know, your perseverence will pay off with untold dividends. Can you imagine how Yasha's self-esteem will grow in knowing that you aren't giving up on trying to bring him home to his forever family! What confidence this will give to your new son!
May God's blessings continue to rain on you. You, Scott, and Alek will hold fast to your confidence because you know that it is all working together for the good of your family, as you love and serve our Lord.
I will keep in touch, and I hope that you will, too!
Stephanie
Happy to read your update and glad about your news. I also would like to know if Yasha knows of your intentions? I will continue to keep you in my heart and in my prayers. Love you -- bobbie
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