My heart aches for all the people of Ukraine but I would be lying if I said that the faces of my friends, "Flower," and countless orphans don't flood my mind at the thought of the prospect of war in Ukraine. Then to think that I could be there when/if it happens is a whole other level of concern.
Right now I have been reminded in my spirit, that all I can do is pray...not just over the situation as a whole but to be sure I am holding tight to Jesus and His word. If God wants me to stay home and trust Him for the answers that I will not have as to why He led us this far to put on the breaks, then that's what I need to do. But if God is telling me to "go" and continue to trust Him with every step, regardless of the outcome, then that's where I must be faithful as well. Also, of equal importance, that God keep mine and my husband's heart aligned with His. Right now we aren't feeling differently but we need to be in agreement when it is time to board the plane.
This past week there were families that had their dossiers submitted 1 and 2 days before me that found out they were registered. Our dossier has not yet been registered or rejected. The previous group of families received not only their registration confirmation but their travel dates at the same time. With all of the current timeline averages it appears that 1 of 2 things is most likely to happen this coming week (as long as there are no issues with our dossier)....we will likely either receive confirmation of registration early in the week and receive a travel date the following week or we'll have no news until the end of the week and receive both registration confirmation AND a travel date at the same time. In either scenario it also seems likely that we would receive a travel date for the last week of April! That's just a few weeks away!
I am so thankful for the reminder from a close friend that because I will be breaking this adoption up into multiple trips, I do not need all the money before trip 1. It's slightly nerve wracking to think I would still have quite a bit of funds to pull together between my referral trip and court BUT there is also some peace in that. I have written over and over how God has provided AS WE HAVE NEEDED IT and truth is I don't NEED to have all of the money for trip 1; so we need to just focus on what we do need.
For trip 1 we need airfare for me and my travel buddy (not feeling inspired to travel alone during the threat of a Russian invasion and will be taking another adoptive mom and dear friend with me), food and lodging for up to 2 wks, in-country transportation (taxi &/or driver, trains &/or bus), and a portion of the facilitation fee. I have calculated that trip 1 will cost roughly $8,000. This means we are just $3,100 shy of what we need to travel in approximately 3 weeks.
I am so incredibly thankful for the donations last week. With the sale of our china dinner set (had it for like 13 years and used it maybe twice), some savings here and there, and donations, we brought up our adoption funds by over $1,000! Thank you so much! I kid you not, when one person gives ANY amount, God multiplies it! I see Him do it time and time again.
So with just $3,100 from the goal in 3 weeks (rather than focusing in on $21,100 in 3 weeks), I am feeling a bit more comforted. Is it really any harder for God to provide $21,100 than $3,100? Not at all! But remembering that in the past He has provided as we have needed it, it's a great reminder that He can and will still do the same.
I am hoping to have a fundraiser put together soon as we are exploring options. As always, your contributions of any amount are GREATLY appreciated.
Please keep praying for Ukraine!
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