9 More days until June 30th!!!

So, 9 more days until Lilie is here!!! We are ALL soooo excited to have her back in our home. This morning, Jack asked me "Mom, is Lilie coming?!" with so much excitement sparkling in those little eyes of his and the biggest smile on his face. When I said, "Yes, next Thursday!" he screamed with joy! Rachel is thrilled to be having her sister back, she is outranked around here most of the time with two little brothers. She has been counting down since she found out that we were hosting again.
Yesterday, we recieved confirmation that Homeland Security received our I800A application, so now we wait for a fingerprinting appointment. I am really hopeful that we can get done with this dossier before Lilie arrives so that it can be sent to Latvia. It seems like the time is just flying by and I'm not getting everything done like I wanted to, but I keep reminding myself that it will get done! God has been so faithful and good. He has been putting it all together, piece by piece, just like a puzzle. I can't wait to stand back one day and look at the whole thing finally complete and see how beautiful it is!
Speaking of puzzles...while Lilie is here, we are going to be having her pick out a puzzle that she likes so that we can begin to sell pieces of it, putting it together with everyone's names on the pieces, and hang it in her room when she comes back forever. We know that this will be a beautiful reminder to her and to us in the years to come of just how many people prayed for us, supported us and loved us through this journey! We would love for each family to buy a piece for each member of their family so that everyone's name will be on there individually. Once we have purchased the puzzle, I will post a picture of it on here. If you would like to purchase pieces now, that's fine. They will be $5.00 a piece and you can send cash or checks (made out to "Love for Lilie") to this address:
609 Spring St.
Scottdale, PA 15683
Just be sure to indicate what name you would like written on each piece (one name per piece is all that will fit). Thank you for being a part of this journey. One day, when it is complete, we will stand back and see it completed and we will remember that you had a part in this beautiful plan! 
June 30th, here we come!!!!!!!!!

Moving ahead!

So much has been happening around here lately, and while I cannot share every detail, I would love to share some of it. We have received our approved home study and have filed for CIS Immigration approval!! It is finally time to get our dossier together and get is sent to Eastern Europe and we can't believe that we are moving forward. The timing couldn't be more perfect for us as we were hoping to have it all wrapped up by the end of June when Lilie arrives for hosting. God has been answering prayers "on speed-dial" as I like to say. We had a crazy week a few back and I was feeling pretty frustrated. After asking for prayer and calling on His promises myself, He started answering (and quick!)...
Now that things are coming together so well, I feel that I can share some more of the information that I couldn't before. Back in February we found out that Lilie was not yet legally "free" to be adopted! What a difficult thing to hear. We had believed that she was even when she was here with us so this news was rather devastating. We found out that there was a chance for her to be "freed" in March, however the day came and went and she was NOT "freed". More devastation...So, we waited and we waited...Our next opportunity was June 2nd. Praise GOD!! She is now "free"!!!
It has been such an exciting time for us. We are anticipating Lilie's visit from June 30th through August 4th, we are working to get our dossier together, and anticipating a referral to adopt! We have raised and saved so many funds toward our adoption that it is surely only because of God's greatness and love. We have been able to pay every fee and expense as they have arisen and it looks like that's just going to keep on going! It is amazing to watch Him working out every detail, truly amazing! As I sit here, I am preparing to write out another check to pay for upcoming expenses with our agency and I know that our account will be drained, yet I am not fearful of this. I am confident that He will provide the next fee and the next until we bring our girl home.
This journey has been one of many ups and downs, but mostly it has been filled with blessings. Every time that we have felt weak, He has given us strength. Everytime that we have doubted, He has given us peace. Everytime that we needed the finances, He has provided (in so many ways). Journeys are amazing things. They test your endurance, they test your faith and they give you an amazing new perspective on life. While ours is far from over, we are thankful for all that we have learned so far and we are looking forward to what the rest will bring. We are moving ahead!!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1