just 3 things

by Matt MooneyJanuary 9, 2012

We blew out the computer charger & the converter has been given us some problems, so updates have been scarce. Instead of typing a post, here’s 3 things to catch you up.

the story we’re living
Although this won’t attest to it, I assure you that I am getting (and loving) time with Lena. However, I’m also the current cameraman & I’ve been honored to stand back while mother & daughter have holy moments such as these.
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/34287268[/vimeo]

the story we often don’t tell
When you work with government-run orphanages & are adopting internationally- it is a fine line you walk when discussing the situation. However, this timely news piece explains the scenario here well and is centered on a story just down the road from where we currently reside. I implore you to take the time to read & watch this if you are unaware. Lena was set to be transferred to an institution. Instead, God saw fit that we would take her home- our daughter.

Article::

Video::

a story we loved
Met this family while in Kiev. They were all set & in country to adopt 2 boys, but it went all Ukrainian on them. Loved their willingness to follow divine detours; and love where they ended up.

1,847 Comments

  1. Tara G. on January 10, 2012 at 11:31 am

    Love the video!! I saw the video a couple of weeks ago- amazing how the ones in charge have “no idea.” It’s pathetic, but sadly, not shocking. We’ve heard some amazing things that are common belief.



  2. Kim on January 10, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    awesome story!!!!



  3. jo e. on January 10, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Redemption right here on earth…HIS Kingdom showing in your love for everyone God brings you. I am so very proud of you guys. : )



  4. Susan in Ky on January 11, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    Congratulations on your lovely new daughter! She is beautiful, and I am thankful that she is with you now, according to your latest tweet. Best wishes for an easy completion of your adoption journey and safe travels back to Fayetteville (home of my dear late aunt – lots of memories there for me).

    Susan in Ky
    Cousin to 2 from EE



  5. Phoebe on January 13, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    Oh Dear dear Mooneys, I read your tweet today and all I could was clap my hands. We are so excited for you. Praying for a safe journey home and some blessed days of joy as you unite your family together.God is good..He is soooo good.



  6. Staci (Warlick) Freeman on January 24, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    Hi Matt!
    I absolutely enjoyed reading your blog, articles, and watching the newest video of you and Ginny’s newest, sweet addition to your beautiful family. I loved reading and hearing what God is doing in your family’s lives. It is so inspiring to me to see a true example of selfless love. I was so moved and touched by her sweet face. I know God was glorified and IS glorified by your love for her. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!



  7. Lorraine Patterson on February 11, 2012 at 12:48 am

    So I was just perusing my RSS feeds when I popped over to your blog. I was quite surprised to see that WE are the family you linked to. 🙂 My daughter (Mattie) was so excited to meet you in Kiev! I recalled watching your 99 balloons video, so then I found your blogs and started following Lena’s story when I had time to check in. Praise God she’s home, your family is reunited, and God is knitting you all together in His perfect plan.

    We had court Jan. 31, then came back to Texas for the 10-day wait, which is now going to be a 20 day wait. 🙁 Our judge made an error on our adoption decree, and he’s traveling abroad right now. He’s the only authority who can fix the error, so we’re now waiting for his return to Ukraine and the corrected adoption decree, and then we’ll be able to go get our precious new sons.

    PS To Anon Ymous: Yes, our Serbian daughter, Chrissie, went to dance with Jesus May 19, 2010, following her open-heart surgery. Since then, God has chosen 6 more children for our family (including our new Ukrainian sons). God is good!



We blew out the computer charger & the converter has been given us some problems, so updates have been scarce. Instead of typing a post, here’s 3 things to catch you up.

the story we’re living
Although this won’t attest to it, I assure you that I am getting (and loving) time with Lena. However, I’m also the current cameraman & I’ve been honored to stand back while mother & daughter have holy moments such as these.
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/34287268[/vimeo]

the story we often don’t tell
When you work with government-run orphanages & are adopting internationally- it is a fine line you walk when discussing the situation. However, this timely news piece explains the scenario here well and is centered on a story just down the road from where we currently reside. I implore you to take the time to read & watch this if you are unaware. Lena was set to be transferred to an institution. Instead, God saw fit that we would take her home- our daughter.

Article::

Video::

a story we loved
Met this family while in Kiev. They were all set & in country to adopt 2 boys, but it went all Ukrainian on them. Loved their willingness to follow divine detours; and love where they ended up.

1,847 Comments

  1. Tara G. on January 10, 2012 at 11:31 am

    Love the video!! I saw the video a couple of weeks ago- amazing how the ones in charge have “no idea.” It’s pathetic, but sadly, not shocking. We’ve heard some amazing things that are common belief.



  2. Kim on January 10, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    awesome story!!!!



  3. jo e. on January 10, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Redemption right here on earth…HIS Kingdom showing in your love for everyone God brings you. I am so very proud of you guys. : )



  4. Susan in Ky on January 11, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    Congratulations on your lovely new daughter! She is beautiful, and I am thankful that she is with you now, according to your latest tweet. Best wishes for an easy completion of your adoption journey and safe travels back to Fayetteville (home of my dear late aunt – lots of memories there for me).

    Susan in Ky
    Cousin to 2 from EE



  5. Phoebe on January 13, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    Oh Dear dear Mooneys, I read your tweet today and all I could was clap my hands. We are so excited for you. Praying for a safe journey home and some blessed days of joy as you unite your family together.God is good..He is soooo good.



  6. Staci (Warlick) Freeman on January 24, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    Hi Matt!
    I absolutely enjoyed reading your blog, articles, and watching the newest video of you and Ginny’s newest, sweet addition to your beautiful family. I loved reading and hearing what God is doing in your family’s lives. It is so inspiring to me to see a true example of selfless love. I was so moved and touched by her sweet face. I know God was glorified and IS glorified by your love for her. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!



  7. Lorraine Patterson on February 11, 2012 at 12:48 am

    So I was just perusing my RSS feeds when I popped over to your blog. I was quite surprised to see that WE are the family you linked to. 🙂 My daughter (Mattie) was so excited to meet you in Kiev! I recalled watching your 99 balloons video, so then I found your blogs and started following Lena’s story when I had time to check in. Praise God she’s home, your family is reunited, and God is knitting you all together in His perfect plan.

    We had court Jan. 31, then came back to Texas for the 10-day wait, which is now going to be a 20 day wait. 🙁 Our judge made an error on our adoption decree, and he’s traveling abroad right now. He’s the only authority who can fix the error, so we’re now waiting for his return to Ukraine and the corrected adoption decree, and then we’ll be able to go get our precious new sons.

    PS To Anon Ymous: Yes, our Serbian daughter, Chrissie, went to dance with Jesus May 19, 2010, following her open-heart surgery. Since then, God has chosen 6 more children for our family (including our new Ukrainian sons). God is good!