Prayer requests

We have been so touched reading our guestbook entries these past few days. People we had no idea were reading, or even cared, have sent prayers, joys and encouragement our way here in Ukraine. Thank you! God has used each of you to bless us and our children while we patiently (or not!) wait to come home.

I realized that I ended the last entry without listing out our prayer requests. God has answered prayers throughout our entire process, and we know He is faithful to continue doing so, all the way home (and beyond, of course!).

So, here are our prayer requests. As God brings our family to mind, please pray for:

* That our paperwork gets processed quickly by the National Adoption Center. This is the first thing that has to happen before we begin a litany of various steps (court, birth certificates, passports, medical exams, visas...).

* When it is time to come home, we can find 6 seats together on ONE plane (preferably together!) and the prices are reasonable. Looking on the internet, the cheapest flights we found were $1400 each, and that was only to Seattle!

* That God will handle our vehicle transportation needs in Moscow, if that is His plan. We feel very blessed to have two vehicles that we can use; however, would be blessed to have one vehicle that would fit our entire family!

* That God will continue to bless and comfort Lillia and Anabella who have been away from mom and dad for 1 month now. They apparently are doing quite fine, and Lillia is reportedly very excited about her "2 brothers and 2 sisters from Ukraine". My mother-in-law told me the first night we sent pictures of the kids, she wanted them printed out, and slept with them that night! Anabella is really too young to completely understand. Also, prayers for my parents as they watch the girls until we arrive home.

* That God will begin teaching and preparing us for having boys (!!) and a pre-teen daughter. We have already been very blessed to be in contact with several families that have Christian, homeschooled peers her age in Moscow!

* Finally, as we look forward to coming home, that God will prepare all of us for adjusting to having a LARGE family, and to moving slowly into the school year. We have prayerfully considered our educational options for the children, and for many, many reasons, we feel that homeschooling is the right option for our children, at this particular time. This will allow all the children to bond together and with us as parents, without being away from home 8 hours a day. It will also give them the opportunity to slowly learn English and catch up academically in a loving, family environment. In talking with other homeschoolers, we have heard the first year can be the hardest. We would so appreciate your prayers, because not only will this be our first year, but we will be doing so with 6 children, 4 of which are learning English!