They were VERY overwhelmed.. but, excited at the same time. Grace was much more relaxed, but she's been in a car a few times before... for various Dr. visits.. today was Faith's FIRST time.... and it was so obvious. She was VERY overwhelmed, but excited... but, clearly shocked and scared. Honestly... I'm so glad we got to take them out today... Thank the Lord! She now has a little of a clue about what to expect...
They were VERY sad when we returned and they found out we weren't playing today.... sad eyes and almost tears.. :'(
Here are some pictures from the outing:
Let me just tell you that we came back to the apartment WIPED smooth out... see we had thought we'd find out today... if it was possible to bring the girls home 'if' we stayed till the end of the month... we thought if the answer was NO... we'd be contacting our travel agency... and getting flights booked for the end of the week... we 'thought' we might get to see Bay and Brook's Christmas play at church... we thought we might be bringing F and G home THIS YEAR! We thought we could be home with Bay and Brook for Christmas if nothing else.... we THOUGHT all wrong!
After a GOOD hard cry across the bed.... and some serious CRYING out to our God....
there are some things that I do know:
HE has a plan...
HE will provide...
HE is in the miracle working business..
HE says there is a WAY when there seems to be NO way...
HE will see this through to the end...
HE is holding our hands...
HE has written the end.... we won't even believe it...
HE said to TRUST HIM.....
HE will NOT forsake us....
HE will provide and make a way were there seems to be NO way!!!!!!
I grabbed my bible and opened it with tears streaming... and read this in Jeremiah 1:19:
"They will fight against you but will NOT overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord!"
PLEASE pray for us.... We have our speeches written... we've rehearsed and memorized and I think we're ready to go....
Dear Lord.... my prayer is that the entire courtroom tomorrow be filled with YOUR presence.... let them FEEL you radiating off of us... let us SHINE for YOU tomorrow!
... and fill our mouths with exactly what you have designed for us to say...
Court (or the first part of court) is on Tuesday at 4 PM our time... so that will be Tuesday morning @ 4am for most of you... please pray!
26 comments:
Aw man, Lanetta. It just seems to be one thing after another on this journey. Absolutely nothing has been easy with the exception of how firmly you felt the moment you both saw the girls.
No good words of comfort here- it seems like you've got that covered anyway.
Embracing you with a hug from afar.
I am SO sorry, we went through a similar thing with ours. We were told court on Dec. 23, which meant we would miss the last flights home to the US before Christmas. We cried, we prayed, and court moved to Dec. 22nd, bringing us home on Christmas Eve. I pray things will come together for you too!
Praying!
Sending you so many Prayers, hugs and positive thinking!!!!! Rob asks me everyday if you are coming home yet...I simply tell him "Rob...we were just in that situation...you know how things change and NOTHING is ever easy." Soon you will be home and trust me...it seems like they have just been there all along. :)
Best of luck at court...it's such a crazy experience. Our court experience took 3 trips with the judge. It's nerve-racking, but once it's final, you'll feel so much better! Thinking about you guys!
Cortney
Praying praying. Believing God will make a way where there seems to be no way!! He is in charge!! In Jesus name!! Terry
We have seen the mind and words of a judge changed as if by an angel. We will pray that the same thing happens in this situation.
Fast.
WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS!!!!! I LOVE YOU AND AM PRAYING FOR YOU! ~SHANNON~
Praying for mountains to be moved tomorrow in court! God Bless
Lisa Dunbar
Just like Cortney said, it also took us three or four times to court before we got a verdict. It is tough but at least the ball gets rolling tomorrow and you are that much closer. We will be in prayer for you...serious prayer!
Kari Letterneau
I'll I can think is . . .NOT yet :) Praying for a miracle for all of you. I can't wait to read your blog tomorrow and be a part of it!! My faith is strong even if yours is weak. Praying! Praying! Praying!!
Becky
I will be praying tonight for sure. I hope and pray the judge does not draw this out, and makes her decision quickly. Hopefully I can catch you on skype tonight..I want to talk to you!
Hugs!
What?!!! I have not heard of court taking more than one day! It is so hard not getting your hopes up, because you never know what is next in Kaz! Well, at least WE KNOW the one who is really in charge and He will hold you close during this next phase!
Hugs!
MaryAnn
Hey,
We will pray for you tomorow, it is a crazy time the court time because there depents a lot of it.
Know that we had the same judge like you going to have there r 2 judges for adoption a man and a woman . We had also the woman fr us it took us 2 trips to court It started at theusday and wednesday 2 days at a row so it can be don this week !!
Know that se looks unfriendly but in our eyes she is fair ok everyting has to be correct papers boundingtime al the legal stuf.
So you r prepared for tomorrow and you have God on YOUR side !!!!
Be blessed we love you guy's
Joost and Caroline
Lanetta, my thoughts and prayers are with you as always. I will pray every chance I get and will probably be up at 4 am so you will get my prayers then to!
I am glad you got to bring the girls out today- what a special treat for them and you.
All will be as God has it planned out. It is not for us to understand. Just accept with a prayer of thanks and a smile knowing He is in control. I believe each moment of adversity makes the bond between you and the girls and the love you feel for them stronger! Although, reading your posts I am not sure if that is possible. Your love for them radiates from you and shows in them. So, even though words may not be much, know that so many are thinking about you and praying daily for all of you- and now for that judge also!
God will make a way, where there seems to be no way, he works in ways we can not see, he will make a way for you, he will be your guide, hold him closely to your side, with love and strengh for each new day, he will make a way....This song was what came to mind when I read this post. Praying for you now and will be up at 4 in the am calling all your names before the throne. God can move judges through our prayers. May you abide under the shadow of the almighty and find renewed strength for the process ahead. Shari
Lanetta & Phil,
We are covering you and the girls (ALL the girls) in prayers. You said it perfectly when you said God is in the miracle working business...that's our father! He can and will take care of everything even when we don't see him working and what he's up to. YES!!! He can make a way when there seems to be no way. You and I both know this to be true. We are standing with you and believing God is going to make some big miracles happen in the lives of those you come in contact with. We are trusting him in all things. We are believing that he knows exactly what you and the girls need. Hold your head up sweet sister....he's not forsaken you or forgotten you. This is just Jerico and we're waiting for the walls to come down. We're circling those walls now in prayer for you and we will be victoreous and triumphant! Love you both!
Cherilyn, Robert, Nicholas & Zachariah
I just read Joost and Caroline's post and now have some hope that you can be home for Christmas. Most importantly though, I will pray that court goes well and the judge will see that Faith and Grace are already your girls!
Prayers flying across the ocean!
Rose
Prayers and love from Michigan. We can only imagine a small part of what you are going through. Thankfully, we serve a miracle working God, who holds this entire situation in his hands. Bless you all. Ron & Cheri Cook
Oh, that is hard news... but we agree in prayer with you that God will work with purpose in all of this - the timing, the judge, everything. We were distressed when we had a brand new judge in Karaganda and he was tough - we had to collect a bunch of additional papers and we were scared! But you know what? God worked in all of it. It turns out that he was the very same judge who determined the termination of rights for Sasha's birthmother and (although we didn't find this out until later) it meant a lot to him to also issue the judgment to connect her with her new family. So you never know what God has in store :)
I love these photos! It looks like you guys are home already, hanging out as a family, and running errands or something. (Although this much snow in Oklahoma would be scarry!!!) You'll be there soon!
Kathy B
Blessings and strength to you. I'm wishing you all the very best from Austin. I admire you so much, your honesty, genuineness and focus on the right things in life. You're an inspiration. Best, Susan
Lanetta,
You melt everyone's heart you come in contact with! What makes you think you can't melt the judge's heart?? :) I'm praying that God makes a way for her to see what great people you are!!
Love from Arkansas,
Summer
Hi, Lanetta and Phil.
Wishing you a speedy court process! Hoping you will have your positive verdict soon.
Patty
I know it will all fall into place.......I just feel it!
Darlene
By now you've been to court, if all is well. I read this post and cried. How frustrating and beyond insane that there is any human being in a position of power in their court system who wouldn't want to get these children into a FOREVER FAMILY instead of making them languish in a nightmarish orphanage. WHERE are peoples' hearts? Drives me crazy. I so pray that things go better than you expect, given the new information. Just keep in mind you have a universe of people praying for you and the girls and your entire family. All of this, we pray, will soon be a distant memory and you'll have your whole family together. We pray. Love,
jennifer robinson
Post a Comment