Saturday, June 28, 2008

Fun Night!


No court date yet everyone.  However, we have heard that we are just waiting on a document from Moscow that needs to be signed by the mayor of the boys' town.  Once that is done Irina can go to a judge and set a court date.  Let's hope this week or next!!! 

Meanwhile, we had a fantastic time tonight getting together with Eric and Becky (the link to their blog is over on the side) who are waiting to go to Vlad and meet their children.  We hope to all go at the same time.   Thanks for a fun time guys! 

Blessings to all who are waiting to travel on first or second trips or who are still waiting for a referral.  Just know that God's timing is perfect even though it seems endless to us.  You are all in our prayers! 

Joel and Clarion

Friday, June 27, 2008

The waiting continues

Hello, everyone!  Unfortunately, we're still waiting for news of a court date.  A couple of other families from our agency received a court date of July 10.  We rejoice along with them, but can't help but be a bit envious.  At least one those families travelled to Vlad on their first trip after us, but timing is unpredictable in international adoptions.  Things don't always go in order.  We have been very disappointed in the St. Louis staff from our agency because they are never able to explain the delays.  That seems absolutely crazy to us in this world where instant communication is at our fingertips.  Speaking of instant communication, another family in Vlad picking up their newly adopted child has been kind enough to inquire of the Vlad staff about our case and send us e-mail updates.  As far as we know, Russia's government social workers in Vlad are working to finish up our boys' paperwork and we should have good news of a court date very soon, hopefully within a week or two.  Our agency coordinator has told us to hold off on updating documents that are soon to expire, which seems encouraging.  We both agree that this LONG wait has been the most difficult thing we've ever had to deal with.  We have our ups and downs, usually one of us is positive one day and the other of us is a bit down.  So we take turns encouraging one another.  We had hoped to have the whole summer at home with our sons, but the Lord's timing is better than ours.  Thank you for your continued prayers for us and our boys.  We are thankful that, even though we are apart, they are well taken care of by the wonderful caregivers that they have in Russia.  Please also pray for the other families who are waiting for referrals, travel dates and court dates, as well as those who have recently completed court and will soon bring their children home.  Hopefully we'll have more news soon!

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

No More Paperwork???

Today my (Joel's) FBI background check report came in the mail. Clarion's arrived last Saturday along with both of our Missouri background checks.  Everything has now been notarized and turned in to our agency.  They will have all of the documents apostilled and sent off to Russia this week.  We should be done with all of our paperwork updates now!  What's next?  More waiting!

Clarion is in California this week visiting her sister and getting away from it all.  I am at home taking care of the dogs, cleaning up the basement, and getting ready to teach a summer course here at Concordia Seminary in Biblical Hebrew.  It's nice to have something to keep me busy!

We are definitely very anxious!  Each day brings hope for a call that we have a court date.  Please keep us and our boys in your prayers.  We hope and pray that the boys know that we are coming back for them soon.  Please pray also that we get a court date before our medicals and psych evaluations expire (mid-July).  Our prayers are with all of the waiting families and their children!  God bless you all!

Love,

Clarion & Joel