As some of you may know from previous posts, I use writing to help me pinpoint what I actually feel about a given subject. Writing was and continues to be a crutch for me in the grief process- I know “crutch” typically connotes a negative imagery akin to meth use or some variant of codependency, but I mean it here to be more like the object that allows me to get up and walk- though the limp may still be evident.
As of late, it seems that busy-ness (which I am known to despise) has muted my typing fingers- as I can’t quite seem to pick which foe to wrestle when I attempt to sit down & write. It’s not the busy-ness like, “hey, look at me. I’ve got lots of important meetings and agendas”; rather, it is an internal busy-ness where a brain that is accustomed to numerous spinning plates has decided to don flip-flops and one of those gaudy, flower shirts- hitting the beach just as my heart is begging the head to provide some answers.
If you’re confused, then welcome. I have managed to let you in.
The Mooney household is full of joy and bustle- Anders is walking with steadier steps each day, and Hazel is self-initiating visits to the potty- which , in our world, is worthy cause for a half-day parade. We are waiting, with fingers crossed, to start adding on to our home, as soon as the city of Fayetteville can pull its head out of its you-know-what and give us the permit to proceed.
As many of you know, we are in process of adopting a 4.5-year-old girl from Ukraine named Lena. She is housed in the special needs room of an orphanage that the therapy team from 99 Balloons works with in the Kramatorsk region. Thus, spare time as of late has been spent getting something notarized or signed or edited in order to assuage some judge or department whenever the document comes across their desk.
We are attempting to prepare our home, our family and our hearts for her much anticipated arrival. Many details are still in process, but Ginny and I are in the final stretches of dossier preparation; once that is submitted, we will be waiting on a date to travel over there. Ukraine, as is the case with all countries, is unique in its process, and once we travel to Ukraine, we will be there for approximately 40 days. There is a good possibility that Ginny will return to the states somewhere in the middle of that stretch and then join me again in Ukraine before we come home.
Yes, that’s a long time to be away from the rascals, and one of the many things on our ever-expanding prayer list.
My lack of patience, mercy and compassion has surfaced in this adoption process like a submarine at full throttle. As we have set our gaze on bringing Lena from the Ukraine orphanage into our home, I have trace amounts of kindness for red-tape, paper-pushers whose incompetence racks up extra days from me meeting my daughter. I try to let Ginny’s smile and genuine charm run interference with people, and I-ever the ogre- pounce when it’s time to speak with a louder voice. And yes, I am well aware that my attitude needs some work, however, this knowledge is thus far insufficient to actually effect the change we would all agree needs to happen. Just let me have my rant. It’s my therapy, and it’s cheap.
When your brain is scrambled, it helps to have a framework- some short line, easily recited and referred to each time the crazy-train appears to be approaching on the horizon. Our is this:
The 1st and only real question for now: is she to be our daughter?
If the answer to this petition is yes, then all else will come in due time.
The world commonly refers to this as parenthood. With adoption one chooses to step into the kind of things done, without hesitation, for the ones our bodies bore. That’s what parents do- a constant dance replete with gliding steps of joy and pain for those we love deeper than we knew we could.
If you’re so inclined, we welcome your prayers for this leg of our journey.
- For the process, traveling and for favor at each turn.
- For our kids and the details of how they are cared for (hard to plan exactly when we don’t have dates).
- For us to have faith with every tiny step forward.
- Apparently international adoption and home additions are not free. So pray we would win the lottery or hit it big on a nickel slot.
Thanks to all who care and have let us know.
1,670 Comments
As some of you may know from previous posts, I use writing to help me pinpoint what I actually feel about a given subject. Writing was and continues to be a crutch for me in the grief process- I know “crutch” typically connotes a negative imagery akin to meth use or some variant of codependency, but I mean it here to be more like the object that allows me to get up and walk- though the limp may still be evident.
As of late, it seems that busy-ness (which I am known to despise) has muted my typing fingers- as I can’t quite seem to pick which foe to wrestle when I attempt to sit down & write. It’s not the busy-ness like, “hey, look at me. I’ve got lots of important meetings and agendas”; rather, it is an internal busy-ness where a brain that is accustomed to numerous spinning plates has decided to don flip-flops and one of those gaudy, flower shirts- hitting the beach just as my heart is begging the head to provide some answers.
If you’re confused, then welcome. I have managed to let you in.
The Mooney household is full of joy and bustle- Anders is walking with steadier steps each day, and Hazel is self-initiating visits to the potty- which , in our world, is worthy cause for a half-day parade. We are waiting, with fingers crossed, to start adding on to our home, as soon as the city of Fayetteville can pull its head out of its you-know-what and give us the permit to proceed.
As many of you know, we are in process of adopting a 4.5-year-old girl from Ukraine named Lena. She is housed in the special needs room of an orphanage that the therapy team from 99 Balloons works with in the Kramatorsk region. Thus, spare time as of late has been spent getting something notarized or signed or edited in order to assuage some judge or department whenever the document comes across their desk.
We are attempting to prepare our home, our family and our hearts for her much anticipated arrival. Many details are still in process, but Ginny and I are in the final stretches of dossier preparation; once that is submitted, we will be waiting on a date to travel over there. Ukraine, as is the case with all countries, is unique in its process, and once we travel to Ukraine, we will be there for approximately 40 days. There is a good possibility that Ginny will return to the states somewhere in the middle of that stretch and then join me again in Ukraine before we come home.
Yes, that’s a long time to be away from the rascals, and one of the many things on our ever-expanding prayer list.
My lack of patience, mercy and compassion has surfaced in this adoption process like a submarine at full throttle. As we have set our gaze on bringing Lena from the Ukraine orphanage into our home, I have trace amounts of kindness for red-tape, paper-pushers whose incompetence racks up extra days from me meeting my daughter. I try to let Ginny’s smile and genuine charm run interference with people, and I-ever the ogre- pounce when it’s time to speak with a louder voice. And yes, I am well aware that my attitude needs some work, however, this knowledge is thus far insufficient to actually effect the change we would all agree needs to happen. Just let me have my rant. It’s my therapy, and it’s cheap.
When your brain is scrambled, it helps to have a framework- some short line, easily recited and referred to each time the crazy-train appears to be approaching on the horizon. Our is this:
The 1st and only real question for now: is she to be our daughter?
If the answer to this petition is yes, then all else will come in due time.
The world commonly refers to this as parenthood. With adoption one chooses to step into the kind of things done, without hesitation, for the ones our bodies bore. That’s what parents do- a constant dance replete with gliding steps of joy and pain for those we love deeper than we knew we could.
If you’re so inclined, we welcome your prayers for this leg of our journey.
- For the process, traveling and for favor at each turn.
- For our kids and the details of how they are cared for (hard to plan exactly when we don’t have dates).
- For us to have faith with every tiny step forward.
- Apparently international adoption and home additions are not free. So pray we would win the lottery or hit it big on a nickel slot.
Thanks to all who care and have let us know.
1,670 Comments
-
on April 21, 2011 at 12:13 pm
I have added your prayer list to my prayer journal. I have never adopted, but understand the frustration of bureaucracy and paperwork and waiting and waiting and waiting. I honored to be in process with you guys.
-
on April 21, 2011 at 12:16 pm
thanks Brenda. we really appreciate your prayers.
-
-
on April 21, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Hi Matt.
Good luck with Lena and all the surrounding circumstances. I can’t offer nonstop care for your kids, but I would be willing to babysit every so often to take some weight off whomever you do find, if you would like. I think adoption is so fantastic, and I praise you for doing it!
Again, good luck!
-
thanks…your bold to volunteer 🙂 really appreciate it.
-
-
on April 22, 2011 at 9:30 am
a) suck. red tape, delayed processes, etc = maddening. We’ve not adopted but have supported 2 friends through that process. Anybody that can go through it with patience is a better person than I will ever be.
b) praying for you guys. for rest, for some form of moving forwardness (and making up words).
c) thankful that you guys consistently push into the hard stuff. it’s encouraging.
-
on April 22, 2011 at 9:34 am
Always praying for the Mooneys.
If you need anything beyond that, I can be in Fayetteville in 6 hours. With a casserole, big girl underwear, my babysitting groove on, a check, some whiskey, a magic 8 ball….whatever you need.
Love you guys!
-
on April 26, 2011 at 1:11 am
Don’t comment often, but pray for your family frequently. Will be praying for your adoption, for God to move mightily in the paper chase and for all logistics to be worked out.
-
[…] you are new or have slept, you can catch up on our adoption process through a couple of my posts & Ginny’s recent (& beautiful) […]
I have added your prayer list to my prayer journal. I have never adopted, but understand the frustration of bureaucracy and paperwork and waiting and waiting and waiting. I honored to be in process with you guys.
thanks Brenda. we really appreciate your prayers.
Hi Matt.
Good luck with Lena and all the surrounding circumstances. I can’t offer nonstop care for your kids, but I would be willing to babysit every so often to take some weight off whomever you do find, if you would like. I think adoption is so fantastic, and I praise you for doing it!
Again, good luck!
thanks…your bold to volunteer 🙂 really appreciate it.
a) suck. red tape, delayed processes, etc = maddening. We’ve not adopted but have supported 2 friends through that process. Anybody that can go through it with patience is a better person than I will ever be.
b) praying for you guys. for rest, for some form of moving forwardness (and making up words).
c) thankful that you guys consistently push into the hard stuff. it’s encouraging.
Always praying for the Mooneys.
If you need anything beyond that, I can be in Fayetteville in 6 hours. With a casserole, big girl underwear, my babysitting groove on, a check, some whiskey, a magic 8 ball….whatever you need.
Love you guys!
Don’t comment often, but pray for your family frequently. Will be praying for your adoption, for God to move mightily in the paper chase and for all logistics to be worked out.
[…] you are new or have slept, you can catch up on our adoption process through a couple of my posts & Ginny’s recent (& beautiful) […]