The Young Family Farm

…all the while–as they were in Ukraine…their little girl from Ukraine…was just up the street from their home…surrounded by many they also know…who were praying for a miracle…

When we decided to host in February–and we decided to host a child that was aging out…I had a feeling we’d all fall in love with her (and we did), and I was worried about what the night of her birthday would be like for her and for all of us that loved her. I prayed through the spring that the Lord would show us all clearly and bring a family if it was His will. And even before we met her at the airport–I knew we’d make the days long and full and hope for a miracle…whatever the Lord wanted we would follow.

We felt our call was to LOVE BIG…and what that was to look like we didn’t know exactly–and watching Princess T pray over us on the night of her birthday sent us all to a place that we hoped we wouldn’t be in…in complete desperation for the girl we had loved. Looking in–I know some may say, “WHY DON’T YOU DO SOMETHING?!” But the truth was we are not called just because there is a need. Our call was to love and stand in the gap…and their call was to say yes to forever–something that would happen quickly, in faith and after a whirlwind of emotion.

I emailed the day earlier as I knew Andra, T’s new mom, through Wiphan–a ministry we both pour our hearts into. For 5 years we have served on the board and for several years Andra has been over the Zambian schools library. I knew their adoption had fallen through–and although I knew their hearts were in a whirlwind–we emailed our hearts for her. The response was one of great faith…

From the heart of T’s mom…

As it stood, we were to have our 2nd SDA appointment on Thursday (T’s birthday was on Monday). We didn’t talk much to Alex or Nastya on Monday. Everyone was worn out emotionally from our experience. Trav and I just hung around the new apartment which was so lovely and in a beautiful part of town very convenient to all the sights. Throughout the next day or so nothing much happened. All of a sudden I was getting emails from home – about a precious 16-year-old girl aging out of her orphanage. Ironically, I already knew of her because I was keeping up with the Andrea’s blog, Babe of My Heart, all summer long and knew Tetiana’s entire story. (To think I was reading this preparing for my daughter!)

The teenager Andrea’s family was hosting was in dire need of a family because, as I said, her days at her home of many years was about to change and she would be largely on her own. She was one of the children from New Horizons Hosting program and actually turned 16 her last week in the United States. Her sweet 16 birthday party was quite the event of the century, I might add. Several of my closest friends (thank you so much Nancy, Staci and Nina) reminded me that adoption is about what God wants – His Providence. And with that said, I can’t go against His plan for me and say that I am adopting to do His will. I had firmly stated that I couldn’t possibly bring home a teenager. But all that was before I knew THIS teenage girl, a beautiful girl named Tetiana. Then ~ everything changed!

I remember reading about Tetiana. I can recall the rather challenging first couple of weeks of hosting and the miracle breakthrough. What I remember most from Andrea’s blog was how Tetiana was adapting to American culture and how beautifully she got along with Andrea’s 4 little ones, how compassionate she was about those that are less fortunate (and that includes those in the animal kingdom!) and about her sense of humor and awe about her life in the Young home. Such spunk! But what touched our hearts the most, especially given the out-of-control sense of entitlement of youth today, is what happened at her sweet sixteen birthday celebration. Instead of soaking up all the attention she was receiving, she blessed everyone else at the party. To see this precious teenage girl’s faith being so strong having come out of the conditions she did ~ she puts me to shame!

Now–I, Andrea, must chime in here! After this most precious party–on Monday…I received an email from Andra and Travis that was one of great faith. They shared how not one, not two but several people contacted them about Tetiana. One mom friend who emailed her had even had a dream about the couple and T! ALL approached Andra without knowing anyone else had–so amazing to see the Lord leading so many to affirm her parents in this step of faith. THIS–however–is what blesses and ministers to me the most in their response. They did not ask me a list of questions about her personality–or how she’d respond–or what we thought about this or that…instead their email to me said they had a SDA appointment on Thursday–so they would need her “name, birthdate, orphanage number and I don’t know what else”. Those were Andra’s exact words. She had no idea WHAT they needed–but they knew they were being led to this child and they just needed to submit her information. And with a beating heart and trembling hands–I jumped up–ran in her room (she was spending the night with her best friend) and got the information she needed. SUCH FAITH! And the story continues…

Wednesday came around and Travis and I agreed to adopt a 16-year-old girl named Tetiana. Of course we had natural wonders or reservations as anyone would, but we would not let the streets claim another child of God. And this–our Tetiana is. Raising a teen girl seemed impossible and we wondered if this would allow Travis and I the opportunity to really be parents ~ she would already be grown, wouldn’t she? We would have so little influence, wouldn’t we? And attitude ~ oh my, what would Trav do with another eye roller in the house?! So much needed to be done to transform the prepared room into our precious T’s room–a room for a teenager. Oh–my head was spinning! Doing what our Heavenly Father asks of us trumps it all. Being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ is not about bedroom décor, teen attitude (although she has far more right to have one given her life story than we do!) and what I think may be easier. It is doing what our Heavenly Father has called us to do ~ James 1:27. Ultimately, the hesitation was about one thing one thing only ~ rejection. And not hers either. Mine! What if her heart was not open to receive us? What if she didn’t like our family? Receive me as Momma? What if, what if, what if? Following Him involves risk. Always. And this precious one of God–she is worth every risk we now take and will take in the future to show her how loved she is.

When this momma makes up her mind, there is no turning back! My husband was overjoyed, and we excitedly called Andrea with the news that we were officially pursuing T’s adoption. And then we got to skype Tetiana with an interpreter. We shared a little bit of our lives, our personalities and had a sneak peek into each other’s soul. Something else funny happened that day. After one of Tetiana’s final dentist appointments in Atlanta before her return to Ukraine, she wanted to see our home. So Andrea took her by the house! Take a look below…

She is hiding behind one of my bushes near the front door. What’s funny about this you ask? There is this precious Ukrainian teenage girl in the front yard of a home in Roswell, the family is not home because they are in Ukraine pursuing HER adoption, and the family’s son is at the home sleeping and is totally unaware of the drama in the front yard! At this point, he had never even heard her name mentioned!

Andra–can I just chime in for a second and say when I saw your son’s car in the driveway I thought we’d tip toe around. I wasn’t sure how in the world I’d explain this one to him as no one knew all the craziness YET! I have to say this was ONE of the sweetest days with T! We peaked over the fence looking at your pool…and her being a FISH of course she wanted to swim in it! Can you imagine if we had;)? This day truly was so sweet–and getting to talk about you and Travis with her was so dear…truly holy moments in our home…

So everything is set to go except for coordinating everything with our facilitators ~ or so I thought! We had to postpone our Thursday SDA appointment because there was a slight glitch in Tanya’s paperwork in the database. Not a big problem but waiting til Monday would give us more time to fix it and avoid a hassle later on. We only get 3 changes at SDA, and then we would be sent home–so we wanted to be sure to leave some breathing room just in case.

We ran into a few more glitches along the way–but one by one we walked through them. And carrying us of course was His strength, BUT it also helped to have the connections we were making as we continued to Skype with Tetiana across the world. We laughed as we discovered that we had such similar interests. Truly, it was uncanny! If folks didn’t know us very well, they may have assumed Trav and I were just making it seem like we liked the same exact things! She starts out ~ likes music, likes Passion City Church, likes to swim, loves to cook, loves scrapbooking, likes books and so obviously loves being part of a family. (What about mine?!?) If she had asked us first what we liked we would have given her the SAME answers (but of course we would have to add that we are obsessed with college football too.) No problem about the football because I hear Andrea’s father has been working on that for us already. Roll Tide! We still have about 2 more weeks to get her yelling Go Jackets too!!

So it would seem all was well–and then another glitch appeared–a much bigger one this time. Although we were USCIS approved, we realized we were not approved yet for up to age 16. We had to find out what was to be done, if anything, to make this happen. Oh my, those hours on Wednesday night just about did us in. We finally got word that an addendum to the home study could be done in time! This was probably, not definitely. Once I knew there was a strong possibility that an addendum could be done and our adoption facilitator was already working on making it happen with the USCIS, I made the call. I explained the delay, the problem and the most likely resolution. It was a very rough night for us but the end result was a blessing! We would have to postpone SDA again to the NEXT Thursday in order to get the new documents, but all was well, the process was underway!!! AND this very special lady was going to be our daughter!!!

All this took place the night before the New Horizons children were to depart for Ukraine. The summer hosting was reaching an end. Between Andrea’s family and mine, not a single emotion was spared. Tears flooded our eyes from fear of losing Tetiana and then from the joy of knowing she would be in our lives permanently as we became her forever family! God is so awesome!

Wonders never cease. We were able to go to the airport in Kiev when T’s plane arrived to greet all the New Horizon children! It was not a very long meeting, and it was in the middle of chaos while all the children were being taken to their buses or trains to leave for their regions. But we savored the few moments we had. T was nervous, and I was nervous-and Travis was all smiles!

Now the wait until we see her again…but OH how worth the wait it was…

We arrived by bus in a town where our new facilitator/attorney and her interpreter would be waiting to pick us up and drive us to the city where T’s orphanage is located. We knew this was not going to be an easy drive. I can handle pot holes but this entire stretch is made up of CRATERS. That is a wonderful way this town has figured to keep outsiders from coming in! Once again we had no contact with anyone and knew everyone was on pins and needles about our first visit to the orphanage…we had no Internet connection, but we did get woken up by roosters!!! Yes, it is a very primitive place.

Can I just chime in here again Andra–and tell you that when you say we were all waiting on PINS and NEEDLES that is a bit of an understatement?! Seriously–Nancy and I were texting back and forth DYING to hear anything…for DAYS! But YOU are right–when we received this next bit in an email from you–it was SO worth the wait for us all! Please continue Momma Andra… 


We arrived Monday at T’s orphanage after taking care of business early to allow this visit to take place. I’m not gonna lie, my heart was in my stomach that things might be different and T would not receive us warmly and/or she may have changed her mind. Keep in mind the experience we just had!


Ok…..(Kleenex alert)….we walked in the orphanage (Travis and I, along with our facilitator/attorney, the Inspector and our interpreter) and we are standing outside the directors door waiting to enter. All of a sudden I peek in the restroom (door is open) and a girl is inside washing clothes in the sink. It’s Tetiana! I turned around to tell Travis and in a millisecond she noticed us, screamed, yelled, “My Momma and Poppa are here!” She ran to each of in tears, kissing and hugging us!!! Trav and I lost it! Our whole team is in tears! The inspector, not even knowing we knew each other, was in shock….it was right out of a Disney movie!

At this point I’m convinced we have a daughter!! 

The rest of the story is also amazing. Just know how blessed this adoption is! We completed all the necessary documents in 2 days which has NEVER been done in this region and the director of the orphanage says she wants to hurry the adoption along and have us get our court date (are you kidding….the director wants this for us?!)  because Tetiana will be transferred to a trade school on Sept 1 (remember she just turned 16) and none of us want her to have to make this move unnecessarily. So everything went smoothly, paperwork has been turned into the SDA to prepare for our court date which will be next week (the 30th–please pray for us!). We’ll return right after court as there is a 10 day waiting period and then we’ll return at the end of the first week of September to finish the paperwork, our embassy appointment and HEAD HOME! So much traveling! But the important thing is that Tetiana has found her forever family–and what a huge, extended family she also has. She may not make it home for the GT/Va Tech season opener Labor Day Weekend, BUT she will have many more football games ahead of her…..probably more than she wants! We can’t wait to have our sweet girl home…and we are so thankful for the prayers of His people on her behalf.

Please pray for T and her family next Thursday, the 30th! Mark your calendars and join us praying for a smooth court appointment–and for protection over T in the days that follow until they bring her home forever…should be the 3rd week of September. We can’t WAIT to see her thrive in her forever family (get ready for Christy Nockels being played really loud…and maybe even Brittany Spears here and there. I hope you and Trav love to dance!) We love your family to pieces–and can’t wait to watch the rest of the story unfold!!!

When you are called to just love big…

I’ve been MIA lately sharing my heart–because much of what is going on in my heart and on my mind has to do with our being on our knees and daily updates really with T…that I haven’t been able to share. Much still has to happen, but much has been done–and we ask her precious prayer warriors to pray alongside with us more than ever now. This story won’t be able to take place in 1 part–but really 4–and only 3 of those parts have been written. So bare with me this week while we {I won’t be the only writer from here on out} while we share…together.

Our story REALLY starts here with T: JANUARY 28 POST YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ THIS ONE UNTIL YOU HAVE READ EVERY DAY BEGINNING WITH JANUARY 28th!

BUT–really…that is not where this story begins to have God’s fullest glory in it. This story really starts 16 years ago on July 30th in the Ukraine. And while so much of this precious life was shared with us–this part of the story is NOT mine to share. It is hers. And I do know one day she will share much of it–and she will use it for God’s glory. Maybe here. Maybe in a book. Maybe all over the world. God will use it. It is raw. It is tough. It isn’t fair. But it’s beautiful. And one little girl–spent much too long without a momma or daddy. God gave her a family for 5 short weeks for the summer for the first time in a very, very long time–healing happened…love happened…but what happened at the end the summer known of us could plan, create or even dream up. {Get your tissues…because God is good.}

Through out our summer, we continued to pray hard–asking God what it was He wanted us to do.

Do you want us to adopt? Do you want us to advocate? Do you want us to support her in the Ukraine? Do you want us to move to the Ukraine? Do you want us to find a family in the Ukraine to partner with us? Do you want a better school there for this child? We asked ourselves and the Lord all of these questions–some more than others all depending on what we were gaging from our sweet T.

We watched others who were brought in to love her with us–mostly my parents–begin to ask these stories too…and to ask these questions with us…and even by themselves–between them and the Lord.

The wrestling for each of us looked different…but it was good–and I can honestly say it was pure…it was centered all around His will–and for her.

We had a little bit of an advantage than other hosting families when it came to going really deep with our girl as we have so many dear friends who speak Russian. Many of these friends also got to know our sweet T well–and because she was very clear in the first weeks that she WANTED to return to Ukraine and go to the trade school…and because connecting in the first weeks was more like survival–we really sensed the Lord was saying we were to love her big for the summer…until we were shown otherwise. I met with one of my dear Russian speaking friends and mom who has 8 adopted children from this part of the world (thank you Susan Hillis for SO MUCH of your time, energy and love this summer!) to seek her wise counsel–and as she had gotten to know our girl–she said it was very clear to her that we were hearing the right thing, to keep doing what we are doing. She confirmed from her countless conversations that it was also clear to her that T was very much connected to an aunt and cousin in Ukraine, that she didn’t express interest in staying–and that there were things she could do to help us look after here there. MIND YOU–that this was just our 1st and 2nd week into hosting…we still had 3 weeks to go.

But one gift we did not have like the other host families had–WAS TIME. Our sweet T was turning 16 in just 3 weeks. Any of you who have adopted know that 3 weeks is much too short to even update a home study much less have one written–so the chances for us were truly impossible–yet we believe in the impossible so we this was why we tip-toed carefully in trying to feel out her heart…because for other families they could wait after their host children go home to have the orphanage ask them their desire–but for T…someone would have to guess and take a leap of faith. For now, with everyone she met she glamorized the Ukraine and her life there–and we wondered based on the stories if she lived in an orphanage at all.

But you see–the truth for many of these kids is anything BUT glamorous. Our sweet T has so much pride and dignity. She is also a very smart girl, who knew the time table reality–with no idea that adoption for her would even still be possible. When you host through New Horizons you are not allowed to use the word adoption so these children don’t get false hope. This is tough in our house–because this was something that is obvious in our house that we have a heart for. She would ask questions about our son from Ethiopia daily–about his past, his birth mom, his history. She would ask to see pictures–to hear his story–and how he became a part of our family. She loved these stories and asked the same questions over and over. And every time–my heart didn’t want to answer. She’d sit there with my little boy in her lap asking these questions–and I’d talk to God in my heart full of WHYs and WHAT ARE YOU DOING? every time too. Why Lord does there seem such long wait lists for some? Why Lord does no one stand in line for older children like her? Why Lord are you opening my eyes–yet you aren’t telling us to move forward? Why Lord? Why Lord? WHY LORD?

My ways are not His ways. And I consoled my heart telling myself that this was not she wanted as she was very clear about how wonderful the trade school would be…how she’d be a cook one day…about how much she missed Ukraine. And every time–God was faithful…and when I asked if He wanted us to take a leap of faith–I would hear so clearly in my heart, “Wait. Trust Me.” This sounds easy enough–but every night I’d sit with the Lord after she was asleep and I would cry. I sensed I was missing some of the truthful parts of her heart…was this really what she wanted–or was this tough skin? What would her life be like? I know you can do anything Lord. Are you going to use her there–but will you protect her? I want to trust you here Lord–but who puts an orphan on a plane and wishes them well? I can’t do that. Lord–you are saying WAIT–you are telling me to TRUST YOU…oh this alone is going to be a leap of faith for me.

We made my parents nervous sharing with them the Lord wasn’t telling us to wait–and that we felt we were just supposed to trust the Lord with her future–and be a part of it in some way but we weren’t sure yet. This made my parents wiggle–okay–it made them toss and turn…wait–it made them wrestle with God…what could they do…what did He want them to do–and Richard and I along with my sisters stood alongside amazed that they were even asking these questions. The Lord had opened their eyes and my parents were not okay with kids–especially this one–aging out. My dad began making phone calls–to schools about VISAs–even asking if they were in the position to do something permanent. They did all the background checks and got approved by New Horizons to have her for a weekend–and in that weekend spending time with her and also a Russian speaking friend they got the same exact feeling we did…they too felt she wanted to go to the trade school. They began brainstorming with us and calling Ukraine ministries to see what the options were and how we could love her big across the world. And for those of you who think THIS would be a miracle to do with your parents–as hard as it all was…I was seeing the Lord and His glory. (Thank you mom and dad for loving so big with us. When I was so tired and needed rest–you were there. You loved big in ways that ministered to ME. Thank you for teaching me again how to love big. Mom…you amaze me. Dad–I don’t even know what to say. Just wiping away tears thinking of how amazing your heart is. God’s love is present in you! I want to love like that every day…thank you daddy for teaching me how to love big this summer.)

By week 3 we all felt certain we were to love big this summer. But by week 3, we were also getting into our groove–and I began to wrestle with God in a new way. Okay Lord, I hear you saying wait. But just so you know–we all love her now. We aren’t okay with her going on the streets. We will trust you–but this is serious now Lord…I mean–Lord, you do realize this is serious??? HELP!!! And there was silence…met by tears…because we knew we were supposed to wait. So in the waiting–we rested in our hearts (the best we could) and we loved big. All the while–in the back of our minds…there was a big clock quietly ticking. I just couldn’t imagine this little/big girl not in a family…not having a momma and a daddy…did she want this–would she want this–maybe from afar? Oh the questions we asked. And oh how we loved. Unless you have ever hosted or fostered a child like this…you will never know what this does to your heart…how it opens your eyes…how you feel like you are giving your heart to the Lord just to be broken in a million pieces…and to KNOW you could jump before God says jump…yet you wait. There are so many times I would just look at Richard and tell him to take me to the hospital because I needed oxygen to breath. Every night, I would ask the Lord to take away all the worry–so I could just LOVE BIG in the morning. It wasn’t pretty at night–but joy always came in the morning.

Because her story didn’t begin when she came–because there were layers upon layers–it was really hard to tell what this angel wanted in her heart. As I began to see glimpses by the 4th week–and my heart knew. I knew she wanted more. I knew she’d never admit it. But I also continued to hear God say WAIT. At this point, we were all madly in love with our big stinker. Lord, you see that she turns 16 in a week…right? You see that she’s about to age out??? I mean–just wanted to be sure you hadn’t forgotten. Okay Lord–forgive me for asking you that. I KNOW you see this. I KNOW you love her more. I KNOW you have a plan. We trust you Jesus…and then the tears at night would come. This mom is NOT a cryer. I’m not. I’m not. I’m not. Richard could (before this summer) count on ONE hand how many times he had SEEN me cry. I was desperate for something to happen…tell us…tell my parents…tell SOME BODY. I got online and knowing the timeline–and that now truthfully if this girl was going to find a forever family it would have to be someone who was ALREADY approved by USCIS for the Ukraine. I felt like I should just advocate…I had heard the WAIT–but I felt like it was now or never…and something in me said it was okay to do this. I typed on Facebook for others to pray for a family who was approved by USCIS for Ukraine already and basically for a family who didn’t have a child already to adopt or for one whose adoption had fallen through. Okay, okay–I know a long shot–but I typed it none the less.TRUST ME.

The day before her birthday–I took her to Stone Mountain Park. It was just T, me and Isaac. The two miracles and I rode to the top of the mountain–something this heights phobia mom would never do with or for anyone else…but it was her request–so we went. I sat on top of that mountain with these two–and there was SUCH A PEACE. God loved her. God loved Isaac. God loved me. And He would take care of us all. We could rest. We could wait. We could trust Him. I watched her dance on that mountain top…and an older man close by laughed–I wanted to tell him that he was watching a miracle dance…I knew and believe His hand was on her. I knew we’d always be a part of her life in some way. I knew she was not supposed to be our daughter. I pulled out my cell phone and not sure if I had service–but I called my parents from that mountain top. I called them and told them there was a plan–I didn’t know what it was–but it was right and it was good.

Then the next day–something happened that none of us were prepared for.

It was her 16th birthday. The day this child would “age out” and on September 1st after returning to the Ukraine would be transferred to the trade school. We knew this school wasn’t glamorous anymore–as our sweet friends the Brubakers had shared with us what it was really like. They had recently adopted Oksana (now 15) from Ukraine earlier this year. They had gone in and seen the trade schools…and what really happens after the lights go out there. We knew we needed to get her in a different school. Can I just fly back on a plane and figure this out??? Oh my heart.

The birthday was glorious and sweet. Her first birthday celebration ever–and she told us normally she just got a candy bar on this day–but today–it was just glorious fun! Jumpies, cake, ice cream and coke…singing and dancing…and of course Brittany Spears really loud. I shared about this sweet day–and how she prayed over us. But after she prayed–I left something out. We had several Russian translator friends here–so there was no missing what she said or wanted to say. On her 16th birthday and just 3 days before leaving–she told us in front of everyone that she did NOT want to go back…she had never been loved so big–and she wished she could stay. She shared with everyone how at first she didn’t want a family but now she wished for more…and she shared how much love had done for her–and how much she loved us.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. And everyone there–was desperate with us. They now sensed their own taste of this wrestling we had been doing. Friends came to say their goodbyes and only whispered in their hug that they were praying for her and for the rest of our week–and thank you for letting them love her. They knew the days ahead would be sacred and they wouldn’t hear from us from awhile. My dad had to drive back to Alabama to work the next day–and no one will never know what this man did this summer…but when this stinker was giving us all the stink eye he knew HOW to love her (he’s parented 3 stubborn teenage girls) and he was the one that taught us how to really love. She sensed his unconditional love–and he had become her most precious friend and grandfather too. She squealed “PAPA!” louder than all the other grandchildren…and when he got ready to leave…we saw her heart break in two as she knew this would be the last time she saw him. It was like telling your grandpa goodbye forever…and this was the only Papa she had ever known. For the first time I saw our princess weep–and for the first time my children saw their Papa cry too. It was so emotional…just too much…and our sweet son struggled and cried too–but not because of what you would think…he was crying because he said he missed his Papa–and all of us. An older child comes with lots of layers–and lots of layers need lots of attention. We knew we were all where we were supposed to be. But it just didn’t make perfect sense yet. The princess dried her tears–and Oksana saved the day by asking her to spend the night. We were very protective of the time we had left, but the Brubakers had become close to us–and Oksana was a dear friend now…and we knew she needed to go.

My dad cried all the way back to Alabama (he didn’t tell me that–I just know he did). I cried as I threw away each coke bottle…her most favorite thing. My mom was staying for the rest of the week to help us love big the last few days–and she tucked the other children in for the night. When all was quiet–I sat down to check my email…and there was a miracle waiting in my inbox. There was a couple we already knew who was adopting a 11 year old in Ukraine–and they were responding to an email I had written earlier about Tetiana.

Their adoption had fallen through. They had an SDA appointment the DAY T would be leaving–meaning they had to submit the name and personal info of the child they would be adopting by that day. I had learned of their adoption that fell through–and I took the leap of faith in boldly emailing them to tell them about our girl. I mean, what are the chances you’d change from a 11 year old to 16 year old?? But I knew this family–they were believers–and the were best friends with the Brubakers–empty nesters no longer empty nesters after they adopted their 15 year old from Ukraine recently. I sat their on the DAY of our girl’s birthday—the day the world says it’s too late…and tears streamed down my face as I read their words. For God–it’s never too late. HE IS ALWAYS ON TIME. This sweet mom had been reading my blog throughout the summer–laughing alongside many of you–crying alongside many of you–preparing her to bring home her daughter. YET…little did she know…that this little girl—might very well BE her daughter.

They wanted to know more–they were open but unsure…but first things first–they needed her personal information for the SDA appointment. NORMALLY–when I finally got to check my email she would have been in her room with her door locked. Explaining why I needed to get this information out of her room from her things would have been tricky had she been here as she couldn’t know about this yet as New Horizons is careful not to give these kids any sense of false hope–but the Lord had paved the way…she was spending the night with her new best friend…and I was able to send them all the information they needed. The decided we would Skype together the next morning so I could share with them without T here—and we’d Skype again at lunch so she could “get to know them”.

T would be leaving on Thursday morning bright and early–so our next 2 days were spent Skyping back and forth to the Ukraine–emailing them back and forth at night–and me on the phone 24-7 while PRAISE GOD my mom was here to watch the children. I was having to call New Horizons, the translator from the orphanage, this family’s adoption agent, and lots of communication back and forth to the Ukraine. The translator talked to her to feel her out a bit as this family’s situation was a bit different because they had their SDA appointment scheduled for THAT WEEK…and there was no doubt in the translator’s mind that this girl wanted a family–and she was totally interested in learning more about her best friend’s parents.

I had to laugh when I looked on their Facebook page and scrolled back to February when they announced their adoption. They shared that they were going to adopt one of Oksana’s friends in Ukraine…but little did they know that while they were in Ukraine–their daughter would be HERE–becoming best friends with their friend’s daughter. And little did we know–that a dad who loved to cook just like T–and a mom with who has a child psychology practice–would be the very parents for our girl. The translator had asked her some questions that got our girl thinking…and I shared some special things with T that you’ll hear about in the weeks ahead. She told me I was like a big sister…and I told her she was my baby sister–and I loved her to pieces. NOW THIS…THIS made sense to my heart…and we did what sisters do–we made pinky promises about the future…and for the first night–in many nights…this mom went to sleep with no tears.

I thanked God for telling me to WAIT and to TRUST HIM. Over and over and over again all summer I kept saying, “Lord–we could do THIS…I can do THAT…” People would ask and I’d hear myself say “We could…I could…somebody could…” But over and over we heard the Lord say, “WAIT. TRUST ME.” The Lord called us to love for 5 weeks. The Lord called us to stand in the gap until her parents were ready. The Lord called us to trust and to wait. YES–we could have jumped in before He said jump–and it might have worked. But it wouldn’t have been HIS WAY…and His ways are higher and better and more glorious than ours. We had seen this angel thrive most when she got a weekend all to herself with my parents–so while we knew she’d be awesome with littles…we knew she’d really thrive and dance with room to grow, heal and to just be loved BIG on. SO many things would have to fall in place in the days and weeks ahead. But for now these friends of ours where getting to know her…she was getting to know them…and there was no doubt (as EVERY one of their interests and likes were the EXACT SAME) that the Lord had hand picked this family for her. There was no doubt they would adore her…and there was no doubt that the Lord was going to work this all quickly…it was already happening. The Father’s love for our T is great…He would open doors, speed up the process…because she had gone long enough without a family of her own.

And that is where their story begins…also with loss–but ending…actually really beginning all over again with a beautiful, precious, baby girl…all 16 big years of her. And their faith to step out and say YES…because they didn’t hear WAIT…they heard TRUST ME and FOLLOW

…and they did.

Let the celebration begin!!! T has a family!!! She will be home forever very soon. And she’ll live around the corner from us. Close to her best friend Oksana–and close to her extended family…that in 5 weeks grew quite large. We need your prayers for a smooth court appointment (hopefully next week) too.

This is of course just or side of the story…to taste the full miracle–you need their’s too…and you need to “meet” them. This most precious mom will be sharing this week bits and pieces of what the Lord was doing on their side!!! Most of all–we need your prayers for the weeks ahead. Tetiana absolutely is in love with her new momma and poppa–and she is so excited to have a family…super excited to get to see Oksana for the rest of her life…and I got to talk to her on Saturday (I spent the morning at her new house with her moms and we called her together! She and her husband had just flown in from Ukraine for a breather after being there for a MONTH so they can gear up for a 16 year old before their court appointment.)

Their version is not my story to tell…so I can’t wait for you to hear this part from her. God is writing the most beautiful story for this family…and we are so humbled and honored to be a small part of their family’s beginning. They will now forever be family to us–and I really can’t believe we are going to get to see her again and again and again. I hope someone at her graduation asks us if we know her well…can’t wait to say, “Just a little bit;).”

Thank you to T’s new parents for letting us love your daughter. You have no idea how blessed you both are…and you know we are here for you every valley and mountain top. She is ONE AMAZING girl…and I can’t wait to now cheer on the sidelines. God is so good all the time. Thankful His ways are higher.

(I left out SO MANY details!!! I’ll have to fill in later…but the highlights are hopefully all here!!! T’s momma has so many details to share–and I can’t WAIT for you to hear her version of their journey…it is beautiful.) Thank you so much for praying…I say that on behalf of her new family. Please don’t stop praying…and pray hard until you see airport homecoming pictures!!!!

Love y’all.

andrea