Bring Nina and Katya Home

“This is not the way that I would do it.” Have you ever thought this when God was bringing you through a trial? Have you ever been stunned into worshipful awe when you saw how the details came to a perfect conclusion that only God could orchestrate? This.is.me.  I reflect that just 12 months ago I was dealing with the grief of losing both my aunt and uncle within six months of each other. I loved and cared for them, and I carried out their wishes. Just one year ago, I was readying their home to be rented, and clearing out the estate. I rented the home to a single-mom, and she signed a two-year lease. Done deal. God had different plans!! As I began to pray about the provision of the $50,000 to adopt Nina and Katya, God began to provide in strange and amazing ways. Gofundme (but it takes 10% of the profit), neighborhood collections, and even the pasta dinner. What a dinner it was!! The pasta dinner was a startling provision of more than $5,000. God accomplished this wi

Waiting. Is. So. Hard. I am realizing that sometimes there is much good in what is hard. Right now, I am working so hard, yet I find myself waiting. I wait on paperwork, fingerprints, and others’ decisions. I wait to hear from or about the girls. I wait to see how God will bring the money in. Sometimes, I wrestle while I wait. Oh, not a physical wrestling, but a mental wrestling match- usually on my knees. One match in particular, I kept telling God, “I don’t understand, and I have nothing else to say.” Over and over for four hours this was my mindset.  But, guess what?  I have been humbled to realize that often when I am waiting, the answer is on the way or already done. I wake in the morning to find my prayer is answered in the middle of the night! I think of the phrase, “back to His dear loving arms would I flee when I remember that Jesus loves me!”  I wrestle, but my Saviour has it all in control, and I am right where he wants me- in His arms.   My arms

Silent victories! This sounds like an an oxymoron. These last few weeks have had some quiet, but intense times as we make preparations for Nina and Katya. My anniversary passed last week on the beautiful fall day of September 30th. Rich was at a men's retreat and was concerned that I know he didn't forget. He sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers with an equally beautiful card. These silent flowers remind me of our love and dedication in our home. These same characteristics anchor our home as we have passed some non-financial milestones.  Our meeting with the adoption agency went so well, despite the stress of getting there- Rich got off at noon and off we went. We passed our health exams, references are answering phone questions and written questions. All of these are silent, but golden moments. Donations for the silent auction are coming in- so important.  A wonderful surprise is the $2,000 Ukrainian stipend that will be put towards our adoption! Another Ukrai

 How can a journey be both glorious and challenging in only three-and-a-half weeks? My heart has been overwhelmed, my brain has been blown away, and at times I have been a basket case of nerves. All of it from the peaks and valleys of this incredible journey to bring our girls home!   The valleys:  the home study fee would be larger, the sheer amount of money that we are trying to raise, and realizing that Nina is unhappy being away from her sister at "college."  Questions flood me daily:  can I sponsor for Christmas?  How will we make it through a seven hour home study? Do people judge me?     These valley times have a golden thread though!  Sometimes, I find myself on my knees - a good place and position to be in. "God, I got nothing more to say than what I have already said so I will just keep repeating myself."  He hears. He loves. He comforts. I rest.   The peaks: here is where I feel that I coast downhill, like a child riding a bicycle for fun! "Peak&q

I'm not even sure where to begin. Nina and Katya came into our lives in June of 2017. My daughter Erynne met the girls at our church's youth group on a Sunday evening, and hit it off right away. I knew the needs of the girls for basic clothes, shoes and other things from Michele Reynolds a friend from church. So Erynne and I went out and bought a few things the girls needed. It was when I delivered the clothes to the girls and they thanked me that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God wanted our family to adopt these girls.  Erynne had already mentioned it to me but I wasn't really sure that we could help. So I started praying for God to make it clear to me if adopting them could be an option. Nina and Katya quickly won my heart and I had to talk to Richard about what God revealed to me. Richard was skeptical at first. Not sure how Nina and Katya would fit into our home. There were also money concerns, upfront costs and long term cost. We were both praying earnest

Nina and Katya, ages 15 and 13, are two sweet sisters who have spent the last 9 years living in an orphanage in Ukraine.   They finally have a chance at a forever family in the United States!   Rich and (me)Terri Gardner and our 16 year old daughter, Erynne have opened our hearts to Nina and Katya and now, we want to open our home too.  We want to adopt Nina and Katya!!   Michele Reynolds hosted  Nina and Katya during the summer of 2017 in her home through a hosting program called Guglielmo's Hope.   They came to the U.S. with only the clothes on their backs and a desire in their hearts for a permanent American family.  She knew that she would be unable to adopt them, but it was her hope and prayer that someone in the U.S. would choose to adopt them.  She loved these girls so much and knew that they would be a blessing to another family who was willing to take a step of faith.   At age 15, Nina was so close to aging out of adoption in the Ukraine and I knew this could be her l