UPDATED: Candlelight Vigil

UPDATE: PICTURES FROM THE VIGIL

 

 

Jason & I Praying

OpenOurEyesPhotography

 

Handing out Prayer Balloons

OpenOurEyesPhotography

 

Jesse - a former Student of mine, and his mom Sherri

"This candle burns for Polina. Please let her come home to her family."

 

Photo from Peoria, South Africa

 

Polina's Granny & Papa

participated from California

 

Children Praying for Children=Powerful!

 

Tyler prayed, "Please give Polina to her Mommy!"

 

 

 

 

Candlelight Vigil

Mary Mae Elementary Cafeteria
102 & C St in Bentonville

Saturday, Jan. 12th

6:30-8:00 CST

IF YOU PARTICIPATE FROM HOME, PLEASE COMMENT WITH LOCATION AN PICTURE IF POSSIBLE! 

This will be a time of community fellowship and prayer. The Russian people have shown my family so much support and offered to try and help Polina in so many ways. There are several families who will be travelling to Russia on Sunday without knowing if they will be bringing their children home. We are not scheduled to travel until the end of the month, but want to show support to the other families as well as the Russian Citizens who will be holding a protest against the adoption ban on Sunday. Also, the Russian Gov’t and the Dept. of Education (like DHS) representatives from each region will be meeting on Monday.

If you would like to come support us and the 740,000+ orphans in Russia, we would love to have you! Feel free to spread the word!

Death & Separation - Two in Two

Everyones questions:
1) Have you heard anything? Just the news coming out of Moscow & reporters "checking in" from around the world. Nothing from agency or State Dept.

2) How are you doing? I guess I'm growing closer to God in a very painful way! Y'all tell me how strong I am and what an amazing witness and how God is using my blog and story for His purpose. Well, I'm glad to be able to use my blog to reach people for Jesus. I just wish it wasn't because I am losing my child...my second child in as many months. It was from experience that I wrote "the blog that started it all" about my child dying being better than knowing she was half way around the world and there was nothing I could do to help her or tell her I love her or why I didn't come. And let me just clear the air and say that in no way did I wish death upon Polina. I was simply talking of the difficulty for a mom to be separated from her child. 

And so there you have it. God sent His son to die on the cross for our sins, and yet He is separated from those who do not believe.

He knows how I feel. There are few people on this planet who can understand my emotions. But He can. He knows & I don't even have to tell Him. I'm so thankful for that because I really don't want to talk about it. If I talk about it, I might forget to breathe. That's how I'm doing. 

The Russian Foreign Ministry's Response...

This is an article (translated) on the response from the Russian FM in regards to the US Dept. of State in regards to following the bilateral agreement signed by both countries in November.

FM: We stopped and not "suspended" agreement with the United States for adoption
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement, which chided the U.S. State Department in an attempt to distort the position of the Russian Federation on an agreement on adoption between the two countries.
This agreement on cooperation in the field of international adoption (adoption) between Russia and the United States by Russia stopped, stressed the Foreign Ministry.
Its position in the Russian Foreign Ministry decided to clarify, after the Jan. 8 U.S. State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland said that the Russian side, "one day after the New Year," informed of the intention to "suspend" the bilateral usynovlencheskogo agreement.
"Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that officially transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow on January 1 note with a notice of termination - and not about the" suspension "- of the said agreement in connection with the entry into force on the same date, of the Federal Law" On measures of impact persons involved in the violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms, rights and freedoms of citizens of the Russian Federation "- said in a statement department.
"Any other interpretation, attempts to distort the essence of our position is unacceptable," - said the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Recall that in Russia from the beginning, came into force called "antidetsky law", which is a response of the Russian authorities to "act Magnitsky."
The document suggests the visa and financial sanctions for U.S. citizens who are involved in violations of the rights of Russians. The law also contains an amendment, according to which a ban on adoptions of Russian children by Americans.
This amendment terminated the agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States for adoption, which was signed in Washington on 13 July 2011

I Will Battle On With a Peace Beyond Understanding

Recently, in regards to adopting a special needs child and since this fiasco has begun, I have been told things such as, "You're an amazing person" and "What you're doing is amazing" and "I don't know how you do it, you're incredibly strong."

I don't see it that way. It's just what God has called me to do and He is the one who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 says I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

I am a wife, a mother, and a special education teacher.

Most importantly, I am a child of God.

That is where my joy is found. That is where my comfort is found. But the God of our universe is not here for our comfort. He is here to be served. Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I am unworthy of His grace, love, and blessings, Some Russians have pointed out that Polina is NOT mine and I do not "deserve" her. It's true. She is mine only in my heart, but she is God's creation and it is only by His grace that we have come this far in this process and it will by His grace if I am ever to bring her home. All children are a gift  from our creator, and he calls us specifically to care for the orphan. James 1:27 says Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

And so, I will continue to do what I can to show my love for Polina and to fight not only for her, but for all of the orphans. I believe this is what God wants me to do. Esther 4:14 says, "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise ... from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Since our first trip to Moscow and meeting the people of Russia, it has been clear to me that this adoption is about more than just Polina. I didn't know what that meant or that I would find myself here today. God knew this was going to happen and only He knows how it will end. God is in control of all things. This was not my plan.

Our plan is not always His plan. Our timing is not always His timing. Ours is flawed. His is perfect.

This law may be something temporary, just a set back until His timing is right for her to come home. But it may be eternity before I am reunited with the child who is my daughter in my heart!

I have to choose how I will react. I could withdraw and run away from God. but I pray that I will allow him to use me through this to bring others to know Him.

On our first trip to Russia, as we rode the Metro in Moscow, I commented to Jason, "These people need the love of Jesus." To smile or make eye contact with others was to stick out like a sore thumb. Forget the Walmart rule of greeting others within 10 feet as we walked the streets! We actually found ourselves trying to look down and to frown. But not always having walked with God, I understand it.

The people of Russia have endured, and continue to endure, much beyond what most Americans can comprehend. A Russian commented on my blog in reference to some unfriendly comments, "They were so long tortured, robed, raped, misled and deceived that they are not able to react as normal people. Forgive them they don't know what they are doing." I realize that sir, and I do forgive them as Jesus Christ set the example when he prayed on the cross about those who were killing him, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do."

An American commented on my blog that Americans and Russians would be the closest of friends, if we really had a chance to know each other. As an American who has met Russians and broken beyond the outside, I find that to be sooo true!

Philippians 4:4-7 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

And so, I leave you today with a prayer.

Dear Lord Jesus, with heavy hearts, we rejoice in knowing that you are in control and you have a good and perfect plan for the lives of those who love you. Thank you that we have had the time we have had with Polina and the opportunity to open our eyes and hearts to the people of Russia. I thank you for her caregivers that love her so much for the the Russian people who have poured out their love and support to us! Lord, we ask that you remove our anxiousness, that you help us to rest in your ever-present peace. We ask that you move the hearts of those in power to do what is right, just, and holy. Speak to their hearts Lord and show yourself to those who do not know you so that we may be brothers and sisters in Christ! Finally Lord, protect the orphans as we know you are the father of the fatherless! Thank you for dying on the cross so that we may have eternity with you and that we have hope for that future absent of the pain and sorrow we know today. Amen.

Not in "The Six"

The roller coaster of emotion that has been the past couple of weeks since arriving in Moscow on Dec. 16th has taken another turn - a long, plunging, death defying drop!

It's the kind where your breath is taken away. When you feel you might loose your lunch.

I have discovered that Polina is not one of "The Six" that are spoken of. It seems that those are children whose parents have not only been through court, but whose 30 day waiting period is over prior to January 1st. There are far more than 6 families that expect to return in January to get their children...families who have already cleared court, but are not through the 30 day waiting period.

Why a 30 day waiting period? In case her biological parents come to get her. Her mother never even called to check on her welfare. I don't think she's coming to get her!

Let me say this. Communication is non-existent in this issue right now. Register with the State Department is all anyone has officially been told by anyone that I know. I know they don't want to tell us something and be wrong. But something, anything would be nice. Even if it is that they won't know anything until....... Could there be a light in the waiting?

I don't expect to hear anything until after January 8th. Do you know how far away that is? When you have to sometimes remember to breathe, it's a long way! Everything in Russia shuts down around New Year's. This year, they have 8 days of holiday after New Year's when EVERYTHING is closed. No one goes to work. And so, I don't expect anything can be done or figured out during that time.

I'm angry. I'm hurt. I'm sad.

I'm breathing. I'm resting in the promises of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It's all I can do. It's the only peace and hope I have!

How Did We Get Here & What's Next?

As of right now, this blog has had over 13,500 hits from over 35 countries since Wednesday. It's been translated and printed in Russian. I've been fielding calls and emails for interview requests from worldwide media. I can barely keep up with that much less the endless comments.

I want to say this to the Russian people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You are good people who want the best for your country. The comments I have received are overwhelmingly positive with only a few negative mixed in. My heart is with you!

I never could have imagined all of this! This isn't because of me. This is because of God! He is my father, and he is the father of the fatherless! If you do not know Him, I'd like to introduce you. Just leave me a comment!

He is the reason I am clam. He is the reason I have strength to continue on and fight for my daughter. He is the reason that though I'm scared beyond words for the safety of myself and my daughter, and for the fate of all orphans, I will continue to press on and fight for justice. We have an enemy in Satan. But we have victory in Jesus!

That's how we got here.

And as I predicted, President Putin signed the bill banning American Adoptions as I slept last night...committed to keeping all of my electronics turned off!

I haven't had time to cry since I awoke before 7 am PST.

So what's next?

It is my understanding from the current news reports in Russia that SIX children whose adoptions have been cleared in court will be able to come home. That would make my Polina one of six. For that, I rejoice. For the remaining 700,000 plus orphaned children in Russia, I weap that the number of families able to adopt them is being reduced and I pray that President Putin will make it possible for more Russian citizens to open their homes, and that you would answer the call to do that!

Russian people, you are amazing people. I pray that you would adopt your children into your homes. I believe that being adopted by Russian parents is good for them! I know the process is long and hard. I pray that your president makes it more smooth and possible for you. I know that your infrastructure isn't set up well for handicapped children like Polina and that it makes it difficult for families to care for them. Please understand that there are children in the "home for invalids" that are completely capable - far more than Polina. They can walk. They are smart. They understand far beyond what we give them credit for. Don't pass them up. Check them out!

Even if you can't adopt, you can help. You can foster. You can visit. You can volunteer. You can love. You can pray.

I wish I could write more now, but I have some other things that I need to attend to. But again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. You have mine!

The Russian People

I want Polina to be proud of who she is and where she came from. I want to watch the Olympics with her and cheer for the Russian gymnasts and figure skaters. Those are my particular summer and winter favorites, but we'll cheer for hers too!
Of course we have been taking pictures of her country like crazy to have for her. We hope to take her to some of the major landmarks and take pictures with her there when we go back to get here. That's the easy part.
I've been thinking about what I'm going to tell her about Russia to help her be proud of her heritage. The thing I want to tell her most about is the Russian people. They have endured so much over their lives - living during the Soviet Era, the Cold War, and then the tearing down of the Berlin wall and fall of the Soviet Union. Nevermind the harsh winters!
When you see Russians on the street or in the Metro, they may seem rough on the outside, but wouldn't you too? It's not their style to smile and say hello. But when you get to know them, you see that that is just an outer shell.
The Russians I have met have been kind, loving, compassionate people. They love their country and families. They have been welcoming and appreciative of us adopting a special needs child from their country. We have received many thank you's and well-wishes from the orphanage caregivers to people we meet on the streets. Even the orphanage director who told us directly that she doesn't agree with adoption of these children really wants them to have what's best. She just has different ideas of that than we do.
And so, I will tell my dear Polina that her people loved her, they cared deeply for her, and they wanted her to be in a family that loved her and could care for her. I'm so thankful for those people!