Be Still and Know that I am God

We have been back from Ukraine for a little over a month now, anxiously awaiting news of a court date.  When we left on November 13th, our facilitator, Alex, was working on getting another copy of Igor's birth certificate and some other official documents.  Those all needed to be turned in to the SDA to request a court date.  About 2 weeks ago we heard that the birth certificate and documents had been sent and should arrive at the SDA within days.  It had been our prayer that we might get a court date in early December so that Igor could be home by Christmas.  However, on Monday this week, we learned of yet another roadblock which will potentially cause several weeks delay.  One of the documents is missing from Igor's packet, and without that document, the SDA cannot give approval for a court date.  The paper that's missing is a form that Igor's biological mother signed in the hospital at his birth, relinquishing her parenting rights.  On Monday, Alex relayed to us what the options were in obtaining this document.

1.  Send someone back to his birth town to find it.  This is nearly impossible as this town is in one of the most volatile war zone areas.  You can't even pay people to go into this area.
2.  Forge it.  Not really an option because the SDA has the right to throw out our entire dossier and close this adoption if he does this.
3.  Talk to someone in parliament and try to recreate the document.  This seems like the best option, however this will take several weeks.  When the SDA receives this document and finally does give approval for a court date, the court date will be at least two weeks out.

When I heard this news on Monday, and realized we were now looking at maybe the end of January for a court date my heart sunk.  More WAITING!  Ugh!  I'm - so - tired - of - waiting!  I was a grump for the rest of the day.  Frustrated that Igor would not be home by Christmas, frustrated at all the bureaucracy delays, frustrated that a war had to happen right in the middle of our adoption.  I was not in the mood to hear all the reasons why I should trust and obey.  I just wanted to be mad for awhile.  Thankfully, God didn't let me stay there very long.  The very next morning in my bible reading time, God didn't waste any time at dealing with my bad attitude.  In Elisabeth Elliot's devotional, "Keep a Quiet Heart", this quote jumped off the page at me:

       "Be Quiet!  Why this anxious heed about thy tangled ways?  God knows them all, He
        giveth speed, and He allows delays."  EW
                   
                                            and this from the Psalms…

Psalm 40:1-3  "I waited patiently (NOT!) and He inclined to me and heard my cry.  He brought me up out of a pit of destruction, out of miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord….How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust!
Since I am afflicted and needy let the Lord be mindful of me.  You are my help and my deliverer;  Do not delay O my God!"

But, Lord?  Igor!  He's still stuck in that orphanage!  Is it not far better for him to be home with a family who loves him?

Be still and know that I am God.

Yes, but this is taking SO LONG!  And Igor is not getting any younger, and neither am I for that matter!

Be still and know that I am God.

Lord, you gave the Moore's a court date.  You gave the Pettus' a court date.  What about us???

Be still and know that I am God.

Ugh!  It hurts!  I'm tired of waiting!  I want my child!  How can this be good?

"Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  I am your Hope, your Stronghold, your salvation, your Refuge.  Wait in silence for me.  Trust me at all times."  (Ps. 46, 62)

And so we continue to watch and wait for God to move mountains - to rescue this child and bring him home to us.  When God had realigned my wayward thoughts He brought me to the place where I could once again offer up a "sacrifice of praise."  What could I be thankful for in all of this?

- traveling in December would have been super difficult for Jim as December is one of the busiest months for his practice

- plane ticket prices are exorbitant this month

- we can now enjoy all the holiday celebrations with family and friends

- God is only good.  His ways are higher than mine and He is working in ways I can't begin to understand.

One year ago today we were at the RDU airport, waiting anxiously to meet a sweet Ukrainian boy whom we would host for 4 weeks.  Who knew that a year later we would still be waiting for that sweet Ukrainian boy?

Igor will now be spending Christmas at the orphanage and for those who are willing, there is a way to bring some Christmas joy to the children of Pishana.  Ukraine celebrates Christmas on January 7th.  Most of the orphanage staff will be on vacation over the holidays.  Many of the children have some family nearby that they spend the holidays with and others will be hosted by Americans.  But there are some, like Igor, who will have to spend Christmas at the orphanage.  Nasledie Heritage Foundation is sending 18-20 volunteers to put on a 3 day camp for these children and hopefully bring them some Christmas cheer.  They need about $800 to cover the costs of lodging and other expenses for this camp.  If you would like to donate you can click on Nasledie and follow the prompts for "Just Give" to donate online.  In the program section you should click "other" and write "Slavik and Alyona Puzanov - Pishana Camp".  If you mail a check it actually gets to them faster.  Checks can be mailed to:

                                             International Messengers

                                             P.O Box 618

                                             Clear Lake, IA 50428

Again, include with the check the information that the donation is for "Slavik and Alyona Puzanov - Pishana Camp."

"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a 

sacrifice of praise to God, 

that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."

Hebrews 13:15