Brenda

We are thrilled to finally be able to say openly that "Yes, we want to and are trying to adopt Brenda!" We felt that week very soon after she arrived, but was not allowed to say anything. Since Brenda read my blog, I had to be "coded" there too.

Once she went home, we officially let Latvia know we wanted to adopt her. Then we had to wait for them to ask her. This is where the communication really started breaking down and as you can imagine, frustrations mounted. Who was going to ask her was unclear. When they were going to ask her was unclear. Then we got a who and then it changed and then the timing changed from mid to late February to March and it really got bad!

After several heartfelt emails, were we finally given some clearer information and found out she had in fact been asked and she had in fact said yes! BUT. Of course. BUT it wasn't enough and the orphan court now wanted her to talk with a psychologist to see if she really knows what that means and if it's really what she wants! That meeting is now scheduled for Feb. 15th. We don't know if she has to meet once or numerous times. But at least we have SOME idea of what we are working with, that Brenda does want to come, and specific things to pray for!

In the mean time, we speak to Brenda almost daily on the Latvian version of Facebook called Frype. Sometimes I catch her online and we "chat" exchanging sometimes 20 messages!

She misses us. She has sent me several messages saying she is crying because she misses us and that really grips at my heart. Then on Wednesday, she sent me one saying her foster mother was angry. That made me feel very helpless as their is tension in her foster home now that she wants to leave.

We also have paperwork we can be doing on hold because it requires large amounts of money that we don't want to spend until we get the final green light. This is frustrating because we could be doing it now!

So that is the gist. I was reminded this week on Brenda's foster sister's twitter page that she reads my blog! So I had to greatly edit the post about Brenda's adoption and realized that I needed to have another one so that things could not be used against Brenda in her foster home.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your love and friendship and so so much for your prayers. I believe in God's power and the power of prayer and so I will be sharing specific prayer requests as the enemy will do what he can to thwart anything good! LOVE you all so very much. I am sure this will be a wild but great ride!

Prayer Requests:

1. That Brenda is confident of our love for her and feels that love even now as she is so far away.

2. That Brenda believes God loves her and feels that love and His presence right now.

3. That Brenda's heart is protected from lies for the enemy, confusion, or doubt.

4. That she is not afraid of the meeting on Feb. 15th and will speak honestly, freely, and confidently.

5. That her foster parents feel validated in their care of her, that God comforts them, and gives them peace.

6. That her foster family does not try and manipulate Brenda.

7. That the orphan court and psychologist have Brenda's best interest at heart and that God will touch each of them with His hand during this process.

8. That we will be given wisdom on what to do and when in this process.

9. That we can hold onto God's truths and promises during this time and pray Heaven down to earth for this child.

10. THAT GOD WORKS MIGHTILY, SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS AS ONLY HE CAN, and that HE WILL BE GLORIFIED IN ALL OF THIS!

Thank you.

Dawn