Well, it’s not looking good for us to adopt “Flower”. Moving her out of foster care does not seem to be an option and wasn’t one we truly wanted to visit though felt we did have to consider it if it was the only way.

 

After having another good cry, Dan & I talked about it and decided that this is how we would move forward. We are going to submit our dossier next month, as scheduled, and include “Flower” on the Petition To Adopt. We would like for the foster family and "Flower" to give us notarized, written statements supporting this request to adopt her to submit with the dossier. We will also include in the Petition To Adopt, a request for a referral of a younger, special needs child.....and we will continue to pray.

 

We will pray that somehow, in some way the Lord will touch the heart of the SDA Director and we will be approved both referrals. If, however, we are not approved for “Flower’s” referral (as expected), we will hopefully still receive a travel date for the other referral. We are figuring this would put our appointment likely in September. We will continue to pray that over those next 4 months there is a change in Directors at the SDA (this is not unusual and looking at the past year at the SDA even likely). If someone else is in power by the time we travel we will again request her referral when we get there. If we get there and still cannot adopt her, we will most likely request the referral of “Buttercup” too.

 

While are hearts were so sad and heavy at one point today, we still feel hopeful. God is HUGE and can do ANYTHING. It’s not over yet and if we can’t adopt “Flower” now, she still has 4 more years until she is 16. We will continue to pray for God’s will and trust in Him.

 

Cara, thank you so much for your posted comment. I appreciate all the comments we receive on this blog but Cara, your last comment really spoke to me. It’s so true that sometimes these kids are placed in our lives to lead us to others and of course affect our lives and our faith so much along the way. If it were not for “Flower” we would not have headed back to Ukraine to adopt again. Our experience with “Flower” led me to Jesus and throughout the journey she was used to increase my faith tremendously. If God has other children that He has chosen for us then “Flower” is the little girl who led us to them.

 

“Flower” is in a good foster home. I really felt when I read Psalm 146 that God was telling me that He will take care of “Flower”, she will be all right. The truth is, that is all that really matters. While I can’t possibly say how this will all turn out, we are not without HOPE. Please keep praying, we are looking forward to seeing God’s perfect plan unfold for all of us.

I continue to pray for this situation, knowing that God is at work. I am reminded of the words written in Romans 8:26 - 28. I like the way it is stated in The Message translation...

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Romans 8:26-28

We may not know or understand the good that He is working towards, but we can rest assured that His plans are so much better than ours could ever hope to be.

Know that there are many praying for you, for Flower & Buttercup, and for another unknown child (maybe you should call him/her HOPE for now!).

I am so glad to hear that you are moving forward. Don't give up. I hope you get to bring home both girls.