I'm coming for you Gracie

Yep, that's right little girl, your mama is coming to take you home!

It will be 10 months since I saw you last and I wonder about so many things. I wonder if you'll remember me. I wonder if you've grown. I wonder if you'll be excited or scared to go on your new adventure with me. I can't wait to find out.

We have quite an adventure ahead of us you and I. I can see it unfolding before us.....

This is what I know so far: I will fly out of Eppley Airfield in Omaha at 10:30 AM on August 6th. I will catch a connecting flight at Chicago O'Hare at 3:40 PM and fly Lufthansa to Frankfurt, Germany. There is a +7 hour difference between the two cities. That makes this a little over an 8 hour flight. Then I'll leave Frankfurt at 7:50 AM on Sunday, August 7th and arrive in Moscow, Russia at 1:00 PM. Moscow is +2 hours ahead of Frankfurt. That makes this flight a little over 3 hours long. Then on to Novosibirsk, Russia on a flight that leaves Moscow at 10:45 PM and arrives in Novosibirsk at 5:40 AM on Monday, August 8th. There is a +3 hour difference between Moscow and Novosibirsk which makes this flight a little under 4 hours long. WHEW!

Sometime the first couple of days after I arrive in Novosibirsk, I will have my physical which is performed by several Russian medical professionals. I'm hoping to see Gracie on the 8th as well, but I don't know what will happen.

Court will be held on August 10th and God willing, the judge will say yes and so we'll begin our 10 day waiting period. My understanding is that these are 10 business days, so Gracie will be released on the 24th of August. There are a few details that need to be taken care of while we are still in Novosibirsk. She will need her passport made and I'm not sure what all else.

We'll leave Novosibirsk on the evening of the 26th and fly back to Moscow. While we are there, Gracie will have to undergo a physical and then we'll get her Visa so that she can enter her new homeland. :) There are several things I would like to do while we are there. I am really hoping to take Gracie to the zoo. I've heard a lot of great things about the Moscow zoo, but I will have to decide if I have the bravery to make that excursion or not. I also want to tour Red Square and find something small as a keepsake for Gracie to remind her of her heritage.

Then on August 31st, one Miss Grace Clifton will make her first Trans-Atlantic flight. We'll leave at 7:05 AM to arrive in Frankfurt at 8:25 AM. We'll leave Frankfurt at 10:45 AM and arrive in Chicago at 12:40 PM. That makes this an almost 9 hour flight considering the time difference. And then finally from Chicago, IL to Omaha. We'll be landing at 4:48 pm on Wednesday, August 31st. ANYONE who is near enough to come meet us at the airport will be welcomed with open arms and tears of joy. I won't guarantee that either of us will look or smell very good at that point, so be forewarned. You can cancel now for your own protection. For anyone who can't meet us at the airport, hopefully in the coming weeks we can try to meet up with you.

The very next day, we will begin a new month and Gracie will begin a new life. I expect that she will be overwhelmed with all of the changes and other than medical appointments, we'll spend most of our time in the quiet of her new home where she'll learn to be loved and to live as a valued part of a family who fought for her and loves her more than she can comprehend. I will be establishing myself as her mother and so she will not be out of my care during this time. I will however, be more than happy to receive any visitors as I'm sure this mama will want to catch up with everyone but I feel that I need to do what I can to ease Gracie's transition into her new world. I will of course be doing what I can to update this blog frequently to keep you all posted.

God is so good! I'm getting my girl!

A short update...and some hope

Well, I think the ball is beginning an ever so slight, almost imperceptible, suggestion of a roll.

My agency, which is located in Minnesota, contacted me the other day to tell me that the judge would not require any further documents that would slow my progress. She may however require me to hand carry other documents to her when I come, but nothing that will delay a court date. The next step in this long process is a meeting. It's required for any Russian adoption regardless of where the adoption is taking place and must happen prior to setting a court date. The meeting is with the judge, the Minister of Orphans (MOE for short), the orphanage director (whom I never got to meet the first time), and the social worker who observed Gracie and I on our second meeting. I will not have representation during the meeting but I don't believe I will need to. They are strictly discussing the legal aspect of Gracie's adoption to make sure all of the legal requirements have been met and she is truly available for adoption. I never knew about this meeting prior to this call, but it makes some sense to me now.

Well, this meeting is set for July 21st. Next Thursday! Since they are 12 hours ahead, I could wake up on Thursday and receive a court date as soon as my agency checks their emails! If not, then it is likely to come on Friday. I know they will be so happy to give me a court date!!!! This wait has been hard on them too!

And now, here's a prayer request for you all.....

USCIS (Homeland Security) requires all foreign adoptive parents and family members over age 18 to be fingerprinted and background checked. Sydney and I had that done a long time ago. Everything went well and I've had that in place for going on 18 months now. Well, those fingerprints expire for Sydney and I on August 10th. I am fairly certain I will be in Russia at this time. These fingerprints CANNOT expire while I'm over there. The adoption cannot take place on August 11th if they haven't been renewed. I've sent a request for re-fingerprinting about 2-3 weeks ago, but have not heard back from them and well, it's the government, so I've had no luck with contacting them by phone. I've sent an email to the ombudsman, but haven't received a response back for that yet either. Please pray that this is easily accomplished. Pray that Sydney can get the day off so we can go to Omaha for a 10 minute re-fingerprinting. Thank you!

This little girl needs to come home!

This wait

This wait....

Interminable: adjective- monotonously, annoyingly protracted or continued; unceasing

I have known for quite some time that I don't wait very well. I remember eyeing presents under the tree just knowing that somewhere under there was the perfect gift. The one I pined for, the one that got repeated at least once on my list to Santa. And thank goodness I don't remember ALL of the presents I unwrapped and ever so skillfully rewrapped after finding one more stinking box of golf balls (sorry mom). Yes, I was naughty that way.

I will now admit it out loud (or in writing) to anyone who reads this.

I DON'T WAIT VERY WELL

and this is apparently not the time I'll start

You see, I have the best gift waiting for me.

One picked out by God Himself a very long time ago. She's 5 years old and weighs somewhere near 20 lbs or so, has an impish smile and is just a bit bossy.

The anticipation is taking it's toll. Every day gets harder and harder. Every call is eagerly answered only to disappoint when it's not the voice telling me that I need to pack my bags.

I've spoken with the ladies at my agency. They're getting a lot of grumbling from me these days. I know it's not their fault, but I look to them for answers and the truth is that they don't have any either. They have no answers as to why it's taking so long for the judge to issue a court date. I've asked if the facilitator that lives and works in Novosibirsk can go to speak to he judge and petition her to set a date. To express that Gracie has had a mama who is working to get to her as fast as she can for a full 1/3 of her life. To explain that this little girl is on borrowed time and she has so much waiting for her over here where she has a home and family.

So, if I can be so bold as to ask for your prayers. Prayers to help me wait and prayers that I don't have to wait much longer.
I can't wait to get to this gift!

But I will wait as long as it takes.

I'm sorry....And a wedding

Well everyone I'm sorry. I've been horrible about posting lately. Not much to say and I've been unusually busy these days.

I spoke to my agency last week and was told that there has been some activity on my papers. They know that the papers are being viewed by the court system because they've had a request for additional documents. Fortunately they didn't want documents from me as busy as I was, but from the agency itself. Getting documents from the agency means they can be generated within a couple of days time and on their way soon. In fact, I think they are on their way already. There was some talk of my birth certificate apostille expiring, but I believe the agency asked for leniency since well, it hasn't really changed in the last 43 years. They don't expect it to be a problem though. I asked if any more requests were expected and was told there was no way to know if that will happen. So, I have reason to hope that someday soon I will hear from the court system informing me of a court date.

Now on to the good part of my post..... It's about family! Family I haven't seen in years and family I miss every day. We laughed and loved and celebrated the reason for getting together. We missed those who couldn't come and prayed our thanks for those who could and most of all, rejoicing for new family.

My sister-in-law Jennifer, Tyler and my "little" brother Tim.

My Aunt Bev, my mom and me.

My cousin and friend, Melissa and me.

Melissa and her children, Logan, Elora and Noah.

On Saturday, May 28th at 4:30 p.m. my son married his best friend. It's a date we've been anticipating for nearly 8 months and for quite some time felt like it would never ever come and it was a beautiful and enchanting day. Emilie, my new daughter-in-law put in a great deal of planning into this day and every minute of it showed. I wish I was half as organized as she is. Everything was done impeccably. She looked beautiful in her dress and despite all the commotion of the day, seemed to be relaxed.

Tyler looked so handsome in his tuxedo and although he had a bit of difficulty understanding that he couldn't see his fiance prior to the wedding, he seemed to enjoy his day.

Saying their vows.

Exchanging of the rings.

During the song.

Sydney had the honor of being one of the bridesmaids. She was also the soloist and sang beautifully. Her voice cracked a time or two from emotions, but that only lent itself to the poignancy of the song chosen by Tyler and Emilie.

Hugging his little sister.


FINALLY!

Ahhhh!

What a blessing to see my son grow up and begin his life in a God honoring way. A mom couldn't ask for more.

New picture!! Look at my serious girl!

What a good surprise I got today when my friend Amy found a newly posted picture of Gracie on the Russian database of orphans. Doesn't she look so very serious? Can't wait to put a smile on that face. So glad that May is just around the corner!

A year and a half

A year and a half ago today I committed to adopt and bring home a little girl from Russia. Little did I know the journey I would go on. I think it is amazing that today God used this passage from Our Daily Bread to encourage me.

Dealing With Delay

In April 2010, clouds of ash spewed by a volcano in Iceland closed airports across the UK and Europe for 5 days. Nearly 100,000 flights were canceled and millions of passengers around the world found themselves in an enormous holding pattern on the ground. People missed important events, businesses lost money, and no one knew when it would end.

When our plans fall apart and there is no remedy, how do we deal with frustration and delay? Isaiah 26:3-4 is an anchor for our souls in every storm of life: "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in (Jehovah), the Lord is everlasting strength." Whether we're facing annoying inconvenience or heartbreaking loss, this rock-solid promise is worth memorizing and repeating every night when we close our eyes to sleep.

Today, when plans are shattered, do our minds dwell on the circumstances or on the Lord? During frustrating delay, can we still trust the loving heart of God? In the hymn "Like a River Glorious," Frances Havergal so beautifully expressed what we long for. -David McCasland

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest,

Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.__Havergal

I remember how devastated I was when my adoption suffered it's first major delay when a child was sent back to Russia alone. Sadness overwhelmed me at times and I spent much time searching for the answer that would explain how someone could be so irresponsible and cause so much damage to so many people, to so many children not to mention her own adopted child.

I also remember thinking how I could have been stuck in Russia during the very time referenced here. How devastated that I would have been if I had been stuck overseas when this volcano blew it's top and so many people had to find new plans as they dealt with their delay. I remember thanking God that I didn't have to deal with that sort of delay.

Then during another time of waiting, I remember praising God that I was home safe as a room in the Moscow airport was bombed. The same room I had been in just a few months earlier and if I had gotten my way, could have been in at the time of the bombing.

So now, as I sit yet again for another delay, I am here asking God to help me see the reason that I am waiting again and see what He wants me to learn from this. Undoubtedly, I am learning to look to God through this process.

I know that God has His reasons for the delays and I'm trying to keep my eyes focused on Him. Sometimes I fail at it and sometimes I don't get the lesson until after the fact, but God is faithful and Gracie will come home. And in the meantime, I pray that I use this time well and that God will gently remind me to keep my eyes on Him.

Joe and Anni Ross of Broken Bow along with Alice Ross (Grandmother of the bride) of Ten Sleep, WY, Deana Clifton of Cairo, and Craig Clifton of Denham Springs Louisiana along with Ken and Shirley Macke (Grandparents of the groom) of Mullen, NE, are happy to announce the upcoming marriage of their children Emilie Ross and Tyler Macke.

Emilie is the 2007 graduate of Broken Bow High School and a 2010 graduate of University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family studies. Emilie plans to further her education by enrolling in a masters program in Oregon.

Tyler is a 2005 graduate of Grand Island Senior High School and a 2010 graduate of University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Distribution. Tyler is employed by Eaton Corporation as an electrical sales engineer.

A May 28, 2011 wedding is planned in Kearney, NE. The couple will reside in Wilsonville, Oregon after the wedding.

MAKES A MAMA PROUD