As most of you rise to read this post, I am fading quickly. Today was the settling point for the jet lag, emotions and conditions. The kids have been great and their ability to aid in Maiah's transition is priceless. We went out for a little while this morning and had some lunch, but Maiah is traumatized every time we leave. We had dinner with our Friend Carol and her son Ben, who reside here. Maiah loosens up and plays pretty quick but clearly is frustrated by the language barrier. When there is an option to be with someone who speaks Mongolian, we begin the vicious cycle of separation all over again. If any of you are keeping track it was twice today.
Please be praying for us tonight. We are supposed to have an adoption party for Maiah tomorrow morning. The problem is, it is scheduled to be at the Orphanage and we are really torn how to handle this. I know that it is the right thing to do for those who have cared for her, but she is our daughter now and we have to deal with the consequences. To bring her back to the only thing she has known when my main focus and objective is to create distance from that environment is a struggle. I am going to keep tonight brief, I know it is clear, I am spent. To be drained in this manner is why God gave us 22 months to prepare; this is battle both in the spiritual and the physical.
Your comments literally keep us going!! Every 12 hours I get to refill my tank from the awesome love God provides from all of you. Stacy and I truly need you to know that all of you are here with us on this journey!!. The debt we owe you can only be repaid in the same prayers, thoughts and comments you have provided. I leave you with this. Proverbs 3:24 " You will lay down and not be afraid, you will lay down and your sleep shall be sweet." On this we will rest and rise with the wisdom to handle tomorrow.
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23 comments:
I can understand how you all are feeling. You are in mine and Lauren prayers every night. It is time for your family to come home. We miss you and cant wait to meet our new niece. God bless.
All our love,
Chris & Lauren
I have not ever met you guys but feel like i know you through one of my best friend's Amy. You are the most amazing family and i can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. I cannot stop thinking about you all. This is the most uplifting story, and i have shared it with so many of my family and friends. There are so many people with you in their thoughts and prayer's and you will make the right decision's because you are now her parent's. I cannot wait to come to Amy's the next time you are visiting because i am going to hug all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take care and this will be behind you soon.
Love, Rebecca Lyons
I just spoke to Derek and he is wiped out. They are all wiped out. The physical exhaustion has set in along with the emotional and spiritual exhaustion. For those who are saying I wish I could do something, you all can....PRAY!!! It is not the only thing we can do, it is the best thing we can do! God has been so faithful to them through this whole process and He now has them "resting in the shadow of the Almighty" and "under His wings they will find refuge." Derek, Stacy, Nathan, Kaytlin & Maiah "Nandin" we love you with all of our hearts and we know that you are in good hands because He loves you more. Lord renew their strength as they sleep tonight and give them peace, joy and wisdom to face a new day. In Jesus Name I pray......Amen.
All my love xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Mad, Mom, Memere Mad or the Mad Memere! :)
P.S. For those who are still confused on the time over there when it is 9:00p.m.over here tonight it will be 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning over there and that is when that party at the orphange is, the one Derek was talking about.
You will make the right decision for your family. You always do...
You are the stongest person I know, and we are all here to support and guide you through this transition.
Love you,
your lil sis
D,
Well, you truly are Maiah's parents now, and with that comes the inevitable "I don't know what to do in this situation, Lord." Isn't it that way with all of our children at one point or another? You have done a SUPERB job of raising Nathan and Kaytlin to this point by seeking the Lord in these times of decision. He has led you in the past, and I know He will lead you now.
As always, Kenny and I are behind you guys, lifting you up in prayer.
We love you.
hi guys,
please forgive me for not writing yesterday....i'm note quite sure where the day went...please know that even when i didn't physically write anything to you, my thoughts and prayers were with you always....stac, i want you to know that everyone at long plain(liv's school) is praying for your family...i brought a copy of this journey to them this morning so they can all pray for you guys....mrs letourneau sends you a big hug!!!!!
isn't it amazing how many lives you all have touched....as you have heard from a few of my co workers, you guys are the talk of the town at jordan hospital....so many people ask me all the time how you are doing.....even those who don't know you are praying for you....count on those prayers to help you make the right decision...
you have made it this far, you will continue to do the right thing
I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!!! LET GOD TAKE YOU BY THE HAND AND LEAD YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION....LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!!!
We love you and are praying for you! Valerie once worked as a tutor for a girl who was adopted from Russia and we understand how this can be a trying time. God is certainly in control! We admire you so much.
Love,
Brian, Valerie and Anastasia
Having just gotten home from the same journey you are now on, we know exactly how you are feeling! IT DOES GET BETTER! God will see to it! When you get home and settled, please call. Your prayers will be answered and the Lord will provide everything, big and small. Maiah's days will be so full of up's and down's its hard to describe. But at the end of each day, the blessing that she is, and each little smile or nudge will transcend any of the stress. Take care and we can't wait for more news.
Jeff & Michele & Lil Jack
ps: the language thing, don't worry, she understands way more than any of us. You will notice improvement every day!
We love you, are praying for you, asking the Father to pour out His grace & peace over you. I pray the Father will bring a peace to Maiah's spirit and a joy and a knowing that she is finally in the arms of the family who has loved her & waited for her so long. May she recognize in her spirit the connection there is with you...not one made by human hands but by her Heavenly Father bringing her into the family He has prepared for her and bringing her into her destiny. May her spirit bear witness to this even though she is too young to understand and may His peace flood her spirit.
I pray the Father immerse Stacy in His love & peace and that she rest confident in knowing she is in His perfect will... for Derek that he be filled with the Father's wisdom & strength as he leads & guides & brings his family home...for Nate & Caitlyn that the Father supernaturally bond Maiah to them & bring them a sense of security & peace when things are overwhelming. I pray the Comforter hover over all of you and breathe life into you and bring His peace & love flooding into your spirits. May He sing over you as you sleep & renew your strength...and may His presence be so evident at the party that everyone will rejoice & be filled with the joy of the Lord.
Okay I finally figured out how to post but I have been reading and praying for you guys daily.
I just want to encourage you guys to be confident in your decisions as her parents and how ever God leads. You are the ones with a covenat with her and therefore God given insight and authority.
Having lived in a country where I could not speak the language let me tell you it is quite isolating and frustrating ( as an adult). so I'm sure Maiah is going to need some grace in that department.
We continue to lift you up as you walk down the wonderful
road of parenthood.
Love,
Lorna
Derek, you and Stacy are two of the most passionate Christians I have ever met, so consider that in the midst of the emotions you are all immersed in imagine a year from now the testimony that God has provided you. This brief return to the orphanage is just one more addition to that testimony. A testimony that is inspiring so many. I am so encouraged and awed by all of you and the incredible odds, emotions, burdens and sacrafices that God has empowered you to overcome in order to give this little girl a home centered in Christ. This party will be a small bump amongst the hurdles you have leapt over with God's strength and grace to bring you all this far. Keep walking in faith, the reward will radiate in your lives and into eternity, as well as illuminate inspiration in others as they seek God's purpose for their own lives.
God's Love,Peace, and Harmony-
Bryan
I just wanted to let you all know that my entire family, including mom, dad, GG, and Angela, is reading this and praying daily. This journey is being shard everywhere. Angela is sharing it at Chesapeake General and Gabrielle at Western Branch High. Of course if brings tears of joy and sorrow. This is a huge decision you have to make regarding the party but we know you will make the right one! We know our Father has the answer for you and that you do and will hear His voice. Take a deep breath, exhale and listen. Don't second guess it just go with it! It will be the right decision! We will be in prayer. Hope you slept well.
Love,
The Gomoke's
Hey Crazy Petrin family :-)
We love you guys so much and you are in our prayers hourly. I can promise you one thing: YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS! Know that there are prayers lifted up for you from all over the country. God is faithful. Trust in that.
From our own experience and everything we've read, we have found that the third day is the turning point for adoptive children. It seems that something inside them clicks and they have some sort of understanding/peace. We pray that will be the case for you.
Here's a great promise for you:
Isaiah 55:2
"All your children shall be tuaght by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children."
We love you and can't wait to see you. Get home soon!
~ Janie
Dear Stacy and family,
I so remember that 1st weekend w/ Rainey. I can't believe that it was nearly 6 years ago. WOW! Does time fly!
I can also remember how she cried leaving her foster parents and the other family that almost adopted her. I remember her clinging to me at a fast food restaurant, not letting me set her down long enough for me to eat. I remember her playing in her carseat with a wet nap, washing her hands, her Barbie, her seat, anything she sould reach! It'll take time - but she will adjust. Love her and pray! Be patient and helpful to each other. I am praying for you all.
Love, Mrs. (Nicole) Morris
PS. Nathan, are you doing any reading on this trip, or just listening to your iPod? (Ha, Ha!)
shared your journey with some of the folks I work with. They were truly touched and amazed by all the things you have been through and the things you are now going through. Know that my heartfelt prayers are with you all. I have prayed often for this time...that the transition would be smooth and easy for Maiah. It sounds as though it may not be as easy as I had hoped it would be for all of you but our God is so much bigger than all of this. I continue to trust that he will give all of you peace during this time.
Thanks for sharing all the pics of the kids. It was wonderful to see all the beautiful little faces at the orphanage...and more little people to pray for.
I pray that God will continue to grant you strength and wisdom as you continue the trek to bring your daughter home. I can't wait to have her in my class!! :)
Blessings,
Angela
Derek and Stacy,
My prayer is that you will wake up and know what it is you are to do. As I have prayed over you guys today and your situation, the Lord has brought many scriptures to mind.
First, Isa. 40:11 "He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." The God of this universe has placed this precious, beautiful treasure in your hands, and HE is leading you.
Then, Lamentations 3:21-23 "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's gret love we ar not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
I pray that as you all wake this morning that each of you will be acutely aware of the Lord's fresh mercies for this day you are facing. He obviously has not brought you this far to leave you to figure it out on your own now. Put your trust in Him, and watch Him continue to make a way out for this little one. Remember, she is on her way out still......
God had given me and Stacy, you also, I believe the verse in Isa. 45:2-3 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the tresures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." God has shown us that these treasures have to be "mined." That is, the cave is dark and the work is hard and exhausting, but when you bring the treasure out of the darkness of the cave from which it is mined, then you will see the brilliance of its beauty. Keep mining that precious treasure, for you have no idea yet how beautiful she is!
"We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all of your requests." (Ps. 20:5)
We love you guys and continue to keep you lifted up to our Heavenly Father as you make your way out with this precious jewel. Stay focused on the end promise.
Steph
More prayers! Mad thanks for letting us know when. 10 PM tonight it is!
Paula
More prayers! for your awesome family!
Hey Mad... thanks for letting us know the time of the party. 9PM it is!
Paula
Derek and Family,
your family have been in our prayers since the first day that we met you at Mei Ming. The same God that delievered Maiah into your hands through impossible measures for you, is the same God that will give you the strenght and rest that is needed. Maiah is blessed to have you and your family is blessed to have her. Love will break down any lanuage barrier.
Jack, Almarie, Hannah, and Mia (march 2007)
We will be praying for you all tonight at youth group!! We will pray for your bodies and souls to be rejuvinated!!!!
We are having an international focus with some hummus pita and weird flavored doritos!! I'll show the youth some pics. of you all with Maiah!
WE LOVE YOU A TON!!!
Jeremy
The power of prayer is bigger than any one single act. God will answer yours & be there with all of you and your day...I have been praying for sweet sleep all day for you tonight & for an incredible day tomorrow...As you wake now, as we prepare for bed, let God lead you in the way He has already set for you !
Love you guys,
Aimee, Bryan, Logan and Hannah
it's a long day and a short night.
sleep well - wake rested and know we are here and everything gets easier with time.
-erica & David
Derrick and Stacy, May God's peace surround you and your kids - especially Maiah. We are praying for you.
Love, Chuck and Juli
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