As of Monday at 3PM Ukrainian time, Sasha, Ethan, and Silas were declared “our children” by the Ukrainian court! It’s been a year of praying, paperwork, sweat, frustration, expectation and patience. The Lord gave us favor with one of the more difficult judges in this region. Usually there are two court dates that are required but because of the boys health conditions, we requested only one court date.
After the courts decree we went to see the boys for the last time on this trip. It was so sweet to hold them and know they were our boys. Renee and I looked at one another with tears in our eyes and said, “Wow!, 16 years of marriage and now 9 children!, this is intense!” It was also very hard to say goodbye to the boys. We feel so tied to them. They feel like ours. As a “kiss” from God, Ethan (formerly “Dimitri”) was more alive, smiling, and laughing than anytime we’ve seen him to this point. It was like something significant had happened to the boys spiritually. Someday I’ll ask the Lord about how this all works in the spirit realm. I believe at the moment of the courts decree, those boys entered our protection, spiritual blessings, and Godly heritage.
Thanks to all of you who have labored in prayer for us. This has truly been an intense fight in ways we have never experienced before. We needed your support and prayers and you were there. Thank you!
I will return around Jan 12 to get the boys new birth certificates, passports, and medical exams. Renee, my mom, and a friend
will join me around January 17th and we will pack up the boys and bring them home!
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10 comments:
It has been incredible to follow your journey! Thanks for allowing me a glimpse of our Abba's heart for us all in the process! His ways are way beyond our comprehension! I can't begin to wrap my mind around it but it gives me tangible hope for so much more than our limitedness dares hope for or dream of! Much love in Christ,
Sarah
I was just remembering that it was last year at onething that the Lord set your hearts on fire for this.
What a road you've walked since then.
Thanks for plowing so diligently for all of us.
Congratulations, and THANK YOU for saving these angels!! Your faith and patience has been inspirational to me and so many others following your journey. We all look forward to many more blog posts to watch them as they grow and flourish in your family.---Andrea Roberts, Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry
Oh, and I vote you post those cart pictures soon!
CONGRATS!!!! Now be sure to get some rest before you go back cause those boys are going to have you on your toes for a while! :)
Praying for safe travels for your family.
What a privilege to peek in on your journey. Thanks so much for bearing your souls and lives to us. These boys' lives have now been changed for all eternity, I'm certain!
Hallelujah! God does indeed make all things new! I am praying that He protects their little hearts during this time of separation, that HE is their all in all as they await your return, and that all that He has begun will continue in ways inconceivable to our hearts and minds! He is ALWAYS good and His love endures forever! Praying, and thanks for including me in this journey!
Congratulations Derek & Renee !!!
Thank you for allowing me to follow your incredible and inspirational journey.
Blessings,
Rosalie Newell-Wagner
www.whitneyandmore.blogspot.com
Thanks to all of you who have been following our journey. We will keep you updated on this blog for the remainder of our journey, until we bring the boys home and then we will close our private blog and post our updates on the family blog so that you can keep updated there.
Blessings and hugs to you all!
We are SO EXCITED for your family. Jan 12 will be here before you know it and you'll be bringing the boys home! We can't wait to meet them. Happy New Year
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