It Only Hurts The Children!!

I am sure that most of you have heard about the law that was recently passed in Russia regarding orphan adoption. If not

"Russian President Vladimir Putin just signed a cruel and spiteful law that will bar Americans from adopting Russian children. The new law will wreck the lives of the 46 children whose American adoptions were already under way, hundreds of other American families who had launched the adoption process, and the lives of countless children to come who will now live out their childhoods in Russian orphanages. Americans - including many Bay Area residents - adopt nearly a thousand Russian children every year." continue reading the story here.

I have already been asked by a few people how this decision by Russia will affect our adoption. Well the answer is

NOT AT ALL!!

 

Ukraine is not affected by laws passed in Russia and will continue to allow us and other Americans the chance to help their orphans, by providing loving families for them. We are so grateful that we have not been affected by this law. But, we are saddened to hear that other families will lose their chance to bring children home. I am also extremely saddened to know that so many children will miss out on knowing what it is like to be truly loved by someone. It is heartbreaking to know that they will have to live the rest of their lives alone!

 

So, despite this spiteful law being passed we will still be traveling to Ukraine in 12 days (so excited and a little nervous), and we will still get to bring Olena home.
Thank you to everyone that has prayed for our family along this journey. Please continue to do so. We still need prayers that her sister will not cause us any problems and that our journey over there will be a smooth one.

I wanted to say a BIG thank you to T.J. and Debra Bliss! T.J has so kindly offered to travel to Ukraine with us. He speaks Russian, and met Olena while she was staying with us. With his help we were able to learn a little more about Olena and help her get comfortable in our home. He was a huge help then and he has offered to help us again by translating for us while we are in Ismail. He will be able to help us at the orphanage and at the grocery store and all over. I am so grateful to him and especially to his wonderful wife for allowing him to come over with us. You guys are absolutely amazing! THANK YOU.

 

We are still hoping to be able to raise the money we need. I know I have asked a lot and we are SO GRATEFUL for all of you that have already helped with our journey. But if you can still help us or know someone that can, PLEASE forward our blog to them. Tell them how to donate. We still have a ways to go. We are eternally grateful to all of you for your support.



12 days!!