Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Court

Today has been a very sad day for us...  My heart is so heavy.. that I know it's ONLY by the grace of God that I'm even still able to type....
The visit this morning with F and G was good... however, they are BOTH very sick... and we were accused of taking them in the PE room with another family who was bonding... and now due to US exposing their little girl...  that little girl is sick and the smaller group is coming down with the same virus...
YEAH... I'm sure it was us.. and F and G.. the entire group got sick from our girls in oh let's see... 11 hours.. NOT LIKELY!!!

Then to end the session... Faith SCREAMED and BAWLED and BEGGED me not to leave her...  CLINGING TO ME SCREAMING.... "Mama Nyet (No) Paka (bye bye)" over and over and over"....

so we then have less than an hour to get to court...
the judge GRILLED everyone in the room for over 2 hours....
she asked us the same things over and over.... and then proceeded to demand that we prove what the minimum income for a family of 6 is in the state of Oklahoma...   All our forms (which they had us to prepare) state the average income... not the minim....  she wants the minimum....  we told her our 'guess' ... that wasn't enough...
She grillled Svetlana... Svetlana got really upset after about 1 1/2 hours... and the judge did not like that ONE bit... she read her the right act... then at one point she gripped at our translator and at one point or another she pretty much had it out with everyone in the room.....

She did not make a decision...  and called for a recess to review the  documents.... (how long does it take to look the forms over?).....
oh.. at one point she demanded that her verdict will not be made until the girls mother is brought in as a witness...   No one has seen her for YEARS...   her rights have been taken away YEARS ago...
the list goes on and on and on.....

I don't even know what to say...   I don't know what to type...
our next session is on Jan. 13th @ 11 am....    now, we will miss our flights home.... we will now miss Bailey's ball games on Sat.haven't seen ONE of her games this year yet...) ...  
everyone is saying there is NO way she will waive the waiting period... there's no reason to ask...s o that's officially out of the ? now....

The ladies who support us so much were so kind.. and gave us hugs and begged us not to be sad.. finally, through my tears in the van.. I said. that I just don't understand why she seems to want to attack us... we are trying to do a good thing here... give two little girls a wonderful home... and give them everything they could ever need... why is she so determined to attack us time and time again?  

As I was sitting in that court room fighting back the tears... and just let me tell you at about 1 hour and 30 minutes... you could just feel it was NOT going to end today.... I started just praying in my head and thanking the Lord for this judge... and the positive verdict and for Faith and Grace... and the scripture he gave me before court on Dec. 14 came to mind: 


"They will fight against you but will NOT overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord!"
Jeremiah 1:19:

...so I guess that all I can say is that even when my heart breaks into...  I don't understand why things are the way they are... I wish I could make things differently...  I am thankful that the Lord reminds us that HE is in control... and HE will rescue us (including Faith and Grace)!
Thank you Lord for your promises....  

PLEASE keep praying

29 comments:

Andrea said...

I am just sick that you have to wait two more days. I pray that the judge does the right thing. We are all behind you. You know that. xo Andrea & Anelya

Friends and Family said...

It is so unfair all you are doing such a wonderful thing everybody can see this everybody I guess but the Judge I pray God is already working on her heart and I also pray for the children in the babyhouse that the sickness passes quickly at least F and G are able to have you for a small amount of time each day soon very soon you will all be together, I know not soon enough xoxo

Amanda CT

Friends and Family said...

Posted this on Facebook too, but I wanted you to see where God led me for you today!
‎2 Thessalonians 1:11 - on 1-11-11:)
Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of FAITH with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. GRACE is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.
Know we're praying!
Love,
Becky

Kari J said...

This same story plays over and over. For those I know who have had to endure it the succes is there. YOu will bring those babies home! Your patience is amazing (although I know it must be worn very thin at this point). I know your faith is strong so cling to that.
My prayers continue to be with you and sweet G & F.

Jill (& Bob) said...

Hugs and prayers for you...don't know what else to say. Our hearts are breaking for you too...but it's not time to be defeated it's time to pray and pray and pray some more so we will do just that!

Friends and Family said...

I love you guys! God is bigger than any judge! :) Keep your head up, he has a plan!!!
~Shannon A.~

Friends and Family said...

I'm so sad to read this - Your strength is amazing. I pray the Lord will continue to fill you with the love and courage to continue fighting. Someday I'm sure this will be a distant memory when you are all home together. I cannot begin to understand what this judge is thinking. May God change her heart soon.
Julie from OH

minime0910 said...

Just this morning someone asked me why I named my daughter Hannah, and I immediately thought of you Lanetta. As I am guessing you know, I named my daughter after Hannah from the old testament, who (because she was unable to bare children until later in her life) was known as "the one who waited." She never lost faith, and God eventually rewarded her.

1 Samuel 1:27-28 "For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there."

What most people don't know is that after she had her son, Samuel, Hannah was blessed with more children, three boys and TWO daughters. Lanetta, I will continue to lift you up in prayers and can't wait to rejoice with you as soon as you hear the word "DA" Love, Erin and Hannah

Friends and Family said...

I am so beside myself reading this that I don't even know what to write. Prayers indeed. OH MY GOD. This is beyond anything I've EVER heard. PRAYING.

Jennifer Robinson

Jennifer said...

Oh no, oh my. I am so sorry Lanetta. I don't even know the right words. I am just filld with anger and sadness for eveything that you've had to go through and are going through. This stinks so much. This seems so insane. Praying for Thursday. Big hugs.

Friends and Family said...

This just breaks my heart. I wish the judge could see that you all are very special people and are trying to give the girls a better life than what they can have there. Yesterday I found a samll card on the floor at work and it had a verse on it. I want to share the verse with you. Isaiah 40:31 Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles...
God bless you and your family. Tammie

Friends and Family said...

I know that I cant even begin to feel the pain and frustration you are going through. Lanetta I have to say that I dont consider myself a very religious person, but if I have ever in my life seen a true christian with all the faith in the world, it is you and your husband. Your hearts are truly made of gold and you are so deserving of providing a loving family to these sweet babies. Please know that I think about your family daily and you are in my thoughts. I firmly believe that you are special and this was all meant to be. I wish that you could skip past all of the heartbreaks and fast forward to the happiness. You are in my thoughts..... Stay strong and keep faith.

Love,,
Tonisha

Friends and Family said...

Oh, Lanetta! You are surely fighting a spiritual battle with this judge. Just remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of darkness. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED! The Bible tells us that our words are powerfulj; so use your words to speak to that mountain and tell it to move. Declare, night and day, that these girls are yours and they WILL go home with you!

Friends and Family said...

I am praying . . . and continue to pray. Praying for the Judge heart, mind, God knows.

Christy Mills

Jstar said...

Oh, Gobbles, I am so sorry that this trial (true in every sense of the word!) goes on and on! Our hearts are heavy with you and we join you in prayer that these girls will be completely, 100% *yours* so very soon. And we will pray anew for a soft heart for the judge, that she will want what is right and legally appropriate for these precious girls.

kitzkazventure said...

Lanetta I am so sorry. I do not understand how this can be allowed to go on...maybe this is what Hague is "supposed" to change. All the inconsistency is CRAZY! We are studying this week in Isaiah and one of the questions is Would you rather have God's justice or God's grace. Girl, in this case, I sure would like the justice....seriously!
But then I remember that God loves that Judge too. What if somehow God shows his Grace thru you and she sees glimpses of Him, of His Love. She may never see this again but the seed will be planted. I know I would have wished that he used someone else and just let me get on home with my girls but I see you persevering and being a light. God is being Glorified thru this Lanetta. You and your husband have been beautiful testimonies of His Grace even in your tears and frustration. Hold on to Him. Praying for you ALL! and yes, I answered that I would rather have God's grace in my life....as HARD as it may be to understand! :) karen

Kim said...

I'm very sorry for all this drama the judge is causing and all the pain it is causing you all. Feverently praying for this to be over soon!

lisa said...

I am so sorry for what you guys are enduring! Be strong and know that we are all praying for your family!
Lisa and Stella

Friends and Family said...

Oh Lanetta!!!! My heart breaks for your family yet again! I wish I could see inside that judges heart and understand the anger behind it. We are VERY lucky to be Americans. This WILL end and it WILL end with Faith and Grace coming home with YOU. I believe that in my heart. I wish I could be there to give you a huge hug. Praying for the anger in the judge to evaporate. COMPLETELY!!! All my love, Suz

Trudi said...

My heart is breaking for you and your children. I cannot imagine what is wrong with this Judge. It is unfathomnable, Perhaps she is testing and testing and testing you to be absolutely certain you have the resilience...I don't know. Grasping at straws to try to figure out the nonsensical. and sending you hugs. And prayers.

Our Ukrainian Journey said...

Oh, Lanetta....Sending you so many hugs and prayers. Just keep your heads up and keep faith. :)

Friends and Family said...

Dear Phil & Lanetta,
I am not sure there are any words we can say. Your journey has been an emotional ride for Ron and I. Yet we cannot begin to feel what you are going through. But, yes, we continue to pray and look forward to reading GOOD NEWS soon. Love you, The Cook's

Dean and Janie said...

Dear Lanetta and Phil,

We are so very sorry for the distresses you are going through. But you are correct to hang onto the scriptures God has given you. Hang in there dear friends. We are all thinking of you and praying for you.
Much Love,

Dean and Janie

Friends and Family said...

I don't even know what to say other than I'm hoping and praying. . .
When I get to feeling down, I start reading quotes. . .here are a few of my favorites. . .

Anything is possible, you just have to BELIEVE

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength (And, I honestly can't name very many people who can show as much strength as the two of you have throughout this journey)

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. . .they just make the best of everything. Love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God (If only there was a way to share this one with the judge)

LOVE and PRAYERS from Arkansas,
Summer

Karen, Glenn, Allie, Max, and Sam said...

Lanetta, our hearts are broken for you as well. And for your beautiful little girls -- the daughters in Kaz AND the daughters at home. We thank God every day for giving you the strength to carry on. Your faith is such an inspiration, and is undoubtedly helping others (us included) grow in our own faith. We will pray the prayers of those who have posted before us. We are with you in this -- all of us are!!!

Friends and Family said...

Lanetta & Phillip,

Oh how our hearts are breaking with you this evening. We can't even imagine how strong your emotions are right now just because of how strong our own feelings are after we have read this. Nicholas says to tell you not to listen to those who are telling you not to ask for the waiting period to be waved. He says we all just need to pray about it. Got to love the words of a 10 yr old. Zachariah went and looked up the scripture you posted in his Bible and read it to us. We are believing that God is in control of everything and trusting him in all of this. We know this has to be so hard for you both and so discouraging. Hold your head high and know God loves you all so much. He has brought you this far and he's not going to leave you now. Continue to show these people the Jesus you know through your actions and love for each other and Grace & Faith. Just know we are thinking of you and praying for you all daily.

Love, Hugs, Prayers, & Blessings,
Robert, Cherilyn, Nicholas, & Zachariah

Angie said...

Oh Lanetta! My heart is so heavy for you guys! Continue to hold on to the assurance that God is in control even though this judge thinks she is! He is the one who changes hearts and He WILL rescue you as He promised. There was a couple from Florida that was there when we were and they had many of the same issues and I'm wondering if they also had this judge and this is just what she does when she gets an adoption case. She did eventually give in and give them a yes, so be encouraged!

We are continually lifting you guys up in prayer, and Faith and Grace too! Poor babies! Praying their bodies and hearts to be healed and whole in Jesus name! And for strength for you and for your girls at home. And for the judge to have an encounter with the Lord, and that her heart would be softened and healed of the things that make her act this way. Praying in the name of Jesus for a positive verdict on the 13th, quickly and with no hassle. And that above all else, God would be glorified in all of this, and in you.

Remember, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and power, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Kaz is a dark place spiritually, and Satan hates to see people rescued from darkness into light. God is rescuing these babies into a Christian home (light) and showing Svetlana and her team there Himself through you (light). You are doing for Faith and Grace what Jesus has done for us, and in the process becoming a picture of Christ to all who are watching (even the judge). Of course Satan is fighting you! But we know who is fighting for you! (Ok! I'm stepping off the soapbox now!)

Blessings!

McMary said...

I am so upset and sorry for what the judge is putting you through and what is doing to your family. I don't understand the pain you are going through but I know that God rewards the faithful who wait--You and Phil definitely fall into that category. Just know you have a whole army of prayer warriors fighting for you in the USA. Hugs

Amy, Jeff, LM, SC, & Ashton said...

oh my gosh, this is just awful and I am so so sad and sorry for the day you had over there.... this WILL work out -- it has to work out... and i am sad the added angst along the way... but January 13 will be F&G day...
I am glad you have the faith and power to hang in there --- cheering you along from the US end..

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me!” Matt 18:5

Visit our website...

Click here to visit our website to read about how our journey to international adoption began... and how God spoke to our hearts to open our lives and family to a child who otherwise might not ever know him.
God bless!

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