"What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters
compared to what lies within us."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Crawling out of the hole

WARNING - this will be a whiny post! Travis, this is NOT one for the kids to read!


You always hear that things will get better, that every cloud has a silver lining. You know the song, "The sun will come out tomorrow!". Well, my sun has gone missing.

First, I found out that I wouldn't be able to get the girls out of the orphanage on Friday. Since there is a holiday on Sunday, everyone will take off Monday too, then we have to do paperwork and travel to another region, so the earliest I will be able to break Nastya and Moira out will be next Wednesday. I had always heard that you can pay extra and get the child's passports in one day. Well, not in my region, nope, it takes a full week, not including weekends. Will I ever get home?


I heard from the grapevine that my neighbors at home are saying really hateful, terribly mean things about my family while I have been gone. I try not to care, but it really hurts. They pretend to be nice when they see us, but it's just a lie. These are people who go to church every week, but yet they are slandering my family!


I am so worried about Nastya and Moira. They are so painfully thin.


I am haunted by the children in the orphanage. I feel very honored that the caregivers trust me enough to allow me to hold the other children.








The caregivers in Nastya's room are wonderful. They call the children "son" or "daughter". They have such an important job and they only make about $100 a month.



This is "Michael". He is in Nastya's group. He is available on Reecesrainbow for adoption. He is such a love. He would snuggle all day, but he spends much of his time alone.


Can you see him here? He mostly lies on the floor.


He would look so deeply into my eyes. He would lay his little hand on my chest.





Then, two days ago, I got food poisoning. Everyone orifice in my body was spewing something at the same time. For hours upon hours. Then, I got a fever. I was hallicinating about dancing Gatoraide. I was getting scared. I heard of a Peace Corp guy who got food poisoning here. The hospital tried to operate on him and wanted to remove several organs! I was running out of bottled water and I live 6 floors up. Now I know why I never see anyone handicapped around here. They can't make it down their stairs!

The culprit.


But, the sun did rise again today. I am a little better. I have stopped throwing up. I am still so, so tired. My friend, Anya, brought me some water and bananas. My dad took my kids to the mall at home. My friend at home, Carol, is going to my house tomorrow to spend time with my kids. My mom managed to "baby me" from five thousand miles away.


They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Let's hope so!

21 comments:

  1. oh honey when it rains it pours doesnt it??shame on your neigh bours and its terrible you got food poisoning..i love the pics of the girls i read when ever i see a new post.take care of yourself we all love the pics and wonderful posts please hug that little boy for me..

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  2. OH sending you big h
    Hartman hugs... You always manage to make me laugh,,, and cry! Hang in there my friend. I am sorry this has been such a difficult process. You are a brave amazing woman. Keep your eye on the prize. You are right where God needs you to be, remember that when it seems to much to bear! You are one tough cookie!

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  3. It's been a blessing to follow your blog. Thankyou for sharing your journey. I'm sorry you've had such a hard week. It sounds like Satan is doing his best to derail God's work through you. Hang in there. I'll be praying for you and your girls. If you have access you might find inspiration in reading Andrea's post at Baby of My Heart from yesterday. It is about spiritual warfare when you are doing what God has called you to do. http://www.babeofmyheart.com/the-reality-of-warfare-when-you-say-yes-to-following-jesus/

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  4. Praying things move along and you are feeling better and home with your little loves soon.
    i am so sorry to hear that your neighbors are anything but kind. I cannot understand why or how others can judge so harshly. And I cannot for the life of me understand what they could be so hateful about! i mean do they honestly disapprove of you saving two beautiful children?
    Prayers, prayers and prayers I guess!! :)

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  5. I've enjoyed your blogs so much. I'm sorry about your neighbors.I 'm so sorry about everything and will add you to my prayer list.

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  6. Remember it is always darkest before the dawn!!!!!!!! Sending lots and lots of prayers your way!

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  7. Michael is so adorable!!! I was wondering if the little girl in the red shirt is the one listed on RR as Deborah?

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  8. I am so very sorry that you were so sick! What *was* that you ate anyway? That way I will know to avoid it;op
    Michael is ADORABLE! He needs a Mama:(
    Hang in there!!!!

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  9. Praying for you and your little ones! Try to keep your chin up and believe that you are there for several more days for a "God" reason. Perhaps you will meet someone on your flight home that your story will effect and they will be an advocate or may even adopt someday! Blessings are pouring down on you from above!
    BIG HUGS!
    Amy (just back from Ukraine - 3 weeks!)
    godsarrowsinourquiver.blogspot.com

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  10. God is in control...He is sufficient for ALL of your needs. Yes, there is a reason...it will all be used for God. Keep trusting and loving on those little ones...I wish I could get Michael. I can't. Someone can though!!!!

    Praying!!!

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  11. Oh man! That is just the pitts! Hope you feel better and stronger! It is hard getting over that kind of illness. :(
    God will be with you the entire way! You are almost done! And almost at the home stretch! In 2 months, it will seem like ages ago. :)

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  12. You know what they say, going to church makes you as much as a Christian as standing in a garage makes you a car. I hope you feel better. So sweet of you to love on all the babies of the orphanage. I can't wait to see home coming pictures. Everything happens for a reason! Hope you get better soon.

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  13. Sorry it's so hard right now! Praying for you and your girls (and the family back home).

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  14. oh honey so sorry! will pray for you xxx

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  15. We are praying for you and your family all the way from Mexico City...and as for those mean neighbors...well...they may be jealous because they know they don't have what it takes to be in your place rigth now!!!!
    Keep it up...you are almost home... with all your kids together..as they belong!

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  16. I'm sorry about your neighbors. I'm sure you know going to church doesn't make you a Christian. I'll be praying for God to open doors for you guys to share the gospel with them when you get back. Christ alone can conquer the sinfulness in our hearts. Glory to Him!
    Praying strength and grace for you! Stay in the Word. His grace is sufficient.

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  17. I always remember that when we follow God we sometimes look very strange to others.

    But if looking strange and following God go hand in hand...I'll stick with looking strange.

    I know we'll get mean comments (Already have - from family!) and strange looks when we are out with our girl...but I don't care. I can't WAIT to hold our little Taiwanese princess!

    Thats what it's about...the kids.

    Nothing else.

    Brooke Annessa
    www.theannessafamily.blogspot.com

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  18. We are leaving in the morning. We have 2 unopened bottles of pedia-sure and a box of pedialite singles... can we leave them with RR team for you???

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  19. I am so very sorry that your neighbors aren't following Christ ..yet they go to church.

    http://inhonoroftheking.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-is-calling-of-christ-bible-jesus.html
    I said, who is Jesus..and what is His calling:
    Humble, tender, compassionate, seeing others as better than ourselves, humility (even to the point of death)..so ...if this is SO, why do we judge more often than love? Why do we still refuse to see our own need for Christ each day and some how think we aren't as bad as "so and so"? It is because we refuse to see Christ as He is..and I think that... breaks His heart... read this and see if you agree...
    Philippians 2

    I am so proud of you and your family..and so is Jesus..

    Rachel
    Atlanta, GA

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  20. I was wondering what it was that you ate, too! I'm sorry you are having it so tough, but LOVE the way people respond to you. I think there is something special about you that they recognize, and I think it really matters, that they see adopting parents as warm, approachable people. I believe you make a difference, even when you don't think you have anything in you to give. Your smile radiates love and acceptance, and I keep thinking that someone is behind the camera, now that your husband is gone - someone who likes you enough to catch those great shots for you. And to bring you bananas. You definitely make a difference, even in this time that feels like it's wasted ... it's not. :) Do they have kefir around? It's that fermented milk drink (I know, food poisoning doesn't make you want "fermented" OR "milk") ... it will have good probiotics to help your gut heal, though. Or at least a good yogurt? As for your girls, others are praying even when you are too weak or too busy right now, and He has sustained them this far, and He can continue.

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  21. What I was trying to say is that when you are so loving to the orphanage workers, and they feel they can trust you, you make it easier for those who follow in your footsteps to make bonds during their orphanage visits. I don't even know you, but feel proud when I see you smiling in the pictures and read how loving and sweet the workers are, and where you point out how they call their children "daughter" and "son." You see good where you go. And I don't think I can forget the "where's Waldo" comment. :)

    And really, this wasn't very whiny!

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