As we settle back into normal life in the Snyder household, the processing is slowly beginning. While in Russia, too much was going on. Too much, too fast. We were kept very busy going from the orphanage to various government offices.... papers were being translated for us to sign, presents were handed out to appropriate persons, and smiles exchanged with this most precious new son of ours. Our eyes, ears and noses were filled with cigarette smoke, diesel fumes, and the gray coldness of Russia in winter. Our hearts were filled with the sovereignty of the Lord and the joy of meeting another one of His children- soon to be ours.
Spiritually, physically and emotionally, this has been a difficult journey. But that is where the gift lies. The Bible is very clear. God never promised an easy life. God never promised that following His will would be easy. I was reading James this morning and was reminded: "Consider it pure joy , my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. " I know I will never be complete until I reach Heaven. But I do want to be mature. I do want to grow in my faith . I do want to be humbly on my knees, dependent upon Him for my life. This journey sure puts me there.
The thought of getting on those planes again... that is probably the hardest part for me. That is when my fears overwhelm me. I look around at those around me and fear for my safety. I fear that I will never return to hug my 5 children that await at home. But I have to get on that plane... 8 times for each trip. While flying from Munich to Washington DC last week, security was tight and fear was thick in the air. Everyone watched you if you rose fromn your seat. Stewardesses paced up and down the aisles. I admit to quietly crying the first half hour of the flight. At one point I whispered to Jim, "Next time, I want a private jet".
And we have 3 more trips. AHHHH! Fear and the desire to avoid that gripping fear almost ... well it almost causes me to rethink the whole thing: "I can't do it! It scares me too much. The plane rides, the toll on my other children, the expenses that keep multiplying, the uncomfortableness I feel in this unknown culture, the lack of control I have in all parts of this.." These thoughts flood my mind. The enemy knows my weakness.
I read a quote recently that went something like this: "Stop telling God how big your storm is and start telling your storm how big your God is." Wow! That helps.
I love God. I trust God.. with my life. He has called us to adopt this wonderful ,beautiful little boy of His in a distant land. So I will obey.
We will continue to take one step at a time. One plane ride at a time. One bill at a time.
I keep picturing his little face. I keep opening God's Word to find strength and direction.
This life isn't about the world about us that we can see. His purposes are much farther reaching. As a brother in Christ recently said on his adoption journey, "I am realizing that God's agenda is much bigger than my own."
To God be the Glory.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Home
We arrived home about 7 pm last night. I am so glad to be home!
We haven't posted much lately because we couldn't find any wireless access. We will have to have a new plan for communication next time. It was very frustrating that we felt limited in our ability to communicate with people back home.
We saw our little boy three times all together. By the third time, he blew me a kiss when I left. Then he reached for me. it was just a little, but he reached for me. He was in his caregiver's arms, going back for his lunch and a nap. He waved, blew me a kiss, and reached. He was torn between 2 worlds. My heart was torn....but so happy.
We completed some paperwork to move toward adopting him. Then we headed to the van for a long, 8 hour trip in a cold smelly van- back to the airport. We left our area around 8 pm and arrived at the airport in the wee hours of the morning. After some inconcenient luggage weight limitations for the trip back caused us to reaarrange everything in our luggage, we wandered around the airport until our 5:50 am flight.
We are home now. yay! Due to the fact that we only had a bed for 3 out of the 5 nights we were gone, we are in a bit of a stupor this morning. But throughtout our travels home, I kept picturing that face. That sweet little face with the big brown eyes. Forever in my mind and heart.
I hope he understands , that mama and papa are coming back for him.
We haven't posted much lately because we couldn't find any wireless access. We will have to have a new plan for communication next time. It was very frustrating that we felt limited in our ability to communicate with people back home.
We saw our little boy three times all together. By the third time, he blew me a kiss when I left. Then he reached for me. it was just a little, but he reached for me. He was in his caregiver's arms, going back for his lunch and a nap. He waved, blew me a kiss, and reached. He was torn between 2 worlds. My heart was torn....but so happy.
We completed some paperwork to move toward adopting him. Then we headed to the van for a long, 8 hour trip in a cold smelly van- back to the airport. We left our area around 8 pm and arrived at the airport in the wee hours of the morning. After some inconcenient luggage weight limitations for the trip back caused us to reaarrange everything in our luggage, we wandered around the airport until our 5:50 am flight.
We are home now. yay! Due to the fact that we only had a bed for 3 out of the 5 nights we were gone, we are in a bit of a stupor this morning. But throughtout our travels home, I kept picturing that face. That sweet little face with the big brown eyes. Forever in my mind and heart.
I hope he understands , that mama and papa are coming back for him.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Meeting our little guy
We met him! We met him! Enough said.
So precious. So smart and easy to get along with. So cute.
We waited in the orphanage sitting room for a few minutes. Then without warning, a caregiver comes walking down the hall, holding his hand. AHH! Never in my life ...
They took us into a little room; introduced us; and then let us play with him for a few hours.
My emotions still overwhelm me. I didn't cry. Just such an overwhelming experience for all people included.
He is so sweet. Such a good boy.
Jim and I knew right away, "Yes, this is our son."
So precious. So smart and easy to get along with. So cute.
We waited in the orphanage sitting room for a few minutes. Then without warning, a caregiver comes walking down the hall, holding his hand. AHH! Never in my life ...
They took us into a little room; introduced us; and then let us play with him for a few hours.
My emotions still overwhelm me. I didn't cry. Just such an overwhelming experience for all people included.
He is so sweet. Such a good boy.
Jim and I knew right away, "Yes, this is our son."
What an adventure!
12/28/2009 2:54 PM
There is a now a whole new understanding of how little control we really have in life. I don’t know how people live without a personal relationship with Christ. Seriously! Just getting here has been harder than we ever expected. I thought it would be difficult in Russia. But we couldn’t get out of our own country. We couldn’t even get out of the Midwest! I think Jim is going to share the details of those adventures; hence, I won’t duplicate.
It was such a difficult time when our travel itinerary fell apart and they said there was no way to get to Russia until Tuesday. That meant that, due to the Russian holiday and the visitation requirements for the trip, we would not meet this little boy until the end of January. We were going to have to go home.
We prayed and persisted in finding anyway to make this happen. We offered to drive to Cincinnati or Chicago to make a connecting flight. It was so hard emotionally. It had been hard enough to get to where we were- paperwork, childcare arrangements, puppy arrangements, saying a tearful good bye to the children…I can still picture Alecia, standing out in the cold. Just standing there, watching us go. Once the car started to go, she started to run after the car, waving. The thought of having to turn around and go home and do that all over again was more than my mommy heart could stand.
But alas, with the Lord’s help, we prayed and persisted. As the next 24 hours unfolded, we continued to see how helpless we were and how dependent we were for His help. We came to put away the tears and laugh. What more could we do? Brick wall after brick wall came up. Each time, God would help us jump one more hurdle. But we still were unsure how far we would get in the process. Our adoption coordinator was trying to work things out so that we could visit this little boy for 2 days instead of the required 3. But we were not sure if this trip would “even count”. We might get there and they say “no” we didn’t meet the requirements and we would have to come back four more times. So we prayed and kept going, not knowing.
I am a planner and want my ducks in a row. I want the requirements laid out to follow. No such luck!
But if things had gone as planned, we would have missed out on so many lifelong lessons. God is so much bigger than anything the enemy can throw at you. And He can comfort and support you in ways that come as a complete surprise. The Lord brought a wonderful woman to help us in Chicago. She worked for United Airlines but there was someone else she was working for that night. When we arrived in Chicago and she told us that she had never heard of the airlines and that United had no relationship with such an airlines, Jim and I just looked at each other. "There is no such airline"- not words you hope to hear. But she worked and worked to find us a new plan. At this point it was close to midnight. She found a flight that would leave Chicago around 2:30 pm the next day and get us to Russia on Monday at 1:30 pm. Our adoption coordinator was called and she said we would see in the morning if that was good enough. So, we went out in the cold to wait for a shuttle bus to take us to a hotel in Chicago. Nope- no Russia tonight!
The next day, out coordinator called to say that perhaps it would work out. Our contact in Russia would do everything to make it work. No guarantee but get on the plane!
Upon returning to the airport, we looked for "Perpetual"- the young United woman that we had met the night before. She had told us to find her and she would help us in the morning. God eventually connected us. She greeted us with a smile. She said that when she had returned from work the night bofore, she had called her family and asked them to pray for us. Do you believe that? She said that she thought it was so wonderful what we were doing and wanted to help in any way. She disappeared and came back with our boarding passes. She had bumped us up to the business class. Wow! We had an eight hour flight in the business class.
I have never flown business class before. Wow! I just felt as if God was surprising us with the abundant feast and luxury! We had so much room. We were given great food, warm almonds, a damp, warm towel to wash our faces, and all the comfort you can find on an airplane. I kept giggling at Jim. "This is absolutely crazy!" I'd laugh as the stewardess would surprise us with one more extravagence. Jim and I felt so spoiled! it had been a terribly difficult journey so far and I felt the hand of God just taking care of us in an unexpected, reassuring way. We were really trying to follow God with this adoption. The whole process has been hard. But He has made Himself known to reassure us in those most critical times.
From Frankfort, we flew to Russia . We were told to start running as soon as we exited the plane. We had no time to waste . Our driver and translator whisked us away and on the road to get necessary documents signed in order to request permission to meet this little boy.
It was to be a 6 hour drive. I prayed for good weather and easy traffic. We got both!
We talked and slept on and off. People were waiting. We had to be there by 6 pm or the office would close. At 5:45 pm (isn't that like God) we arrived at the building. We rushed in, saw a few people and saw a new picture of the little boy. At first, they had things confused and were going to give us a girl but... we worked it out.
Paperwork signed, we went to the hotel to eat and recover.
There is a now a whole new understanding of how little control we really have in life. I don’t know how people live without a personal relationship with Christ. Seriously! Just getting here has been harder than we ever expected. I thought it would be difficult in Russia. But we couldn’t get out of our own country. We couldn’t even get out of the Midwest! I think Jim is going to share the details of those adventures; hence, I won’t duplicate.
It was such a difficult time when our travel itinerary fell apart and they said there was no way to get to Russia until Tuesday. That meant that, due to the Russian holiday and the visitation requirements for the trip, we would not meet this little boy until the end of January. We were going to have to go home.
We prayed and persisted in finding anyway to make this happen. We offered to drive to Cincinnati or Chicago to make a connecting flight. It was so hard emotionally. It had been hard enough to get to where we were- paperwork, childcare arrangements, puppy arrangements, saying a tearful good bye to the children…I can still picture Alecia, standing out in the cold. Just standing there, watching us go. Once the car started to go, she started to run after the car, waving. The thought of having to turn around and go home and do that all over again was more than my mommy heart could stand.
But alas, with the Lord’s help, we prayed and persisted. As the next 24 hours unfolded, we continued to see how helpless we were and how dependent we were for His help. We came to put away the tears and laugh. What more could we do? Brick wall after brick wall came up. Each time, God would help us jump one more hurdle. But we still were unsure how far we would get in the process. Our adoption coordinator was trying to work things out so that we could visit this little boy for 2 days instead of the required 3. But we were not sure if this trip would “even count”. We might get there and they say “no” we didn’t meet the requirements and we would have to come back four more times. So we prayed and kept going, not knowing.
I am a planner and want my ducks in a row. I want the requirements laid out to follow. No such luck!
But if things had gone as planned, we would have missed out on so many lifelong lessons. God is so much bigger than anything the enemy can throw at you. And He can comfort and support you in ways that come as a complete surprise. The Lord brought a wonderful woman to help us in Chicago. She worked for United Airlines but there was someone else she was working for that night. When we arrived in Chicago and she told us that she had never heard of the airlines and that United had no relationship with such an airlines, Jim and I just looked at each other. "There is no such airline"- not words you hope to hear. But she worked and worked to find us a new plan. At this point it was close to midnight. She found a flight that would leave Chicago around 2:30 pm the next day and get us to Russia on Monday at 1:30 pm. Our adoption coordinator was called and she said we would see in the morning if that was good enough. So, we went out in the cold to wait for a shuttle bus to take us to a hotel in Chicago. Nope- no Russia tonight!
The next day, out coordinator called to say that perhaps it would work out. Our contact in Russia would do everything to make it work. No guarantee but get on the plane!
Upon returning to the airport, we looked for "Perpetual"- the young United woman that we had met the night before. She had told us to find her and she would help us in the morning. God eventually connected us. She greeted us with a smile. She said that when she had returned from work the night bofore, she had called her family and asked them to pray for us. Do you believe that? She said that she thought it was so wonderful what we were doing and wanted to help in any way. She disappeared and came back with our boarding passes. She had bumped us up to the business class. Wow! We had an eight hour flight in the business class.
I have never flown business class before. Wow! I just felt as if God was surprising us with the abundant feast and luxury! We had so much room. We were given great food, warm almonds, a damp, warm towel to wash our faces, and all the comfort you can find on an airplane. I kept giggling at Jim. "This is absolutely crazy!" I'd laugh as the stewardess would surprise us with one more extravagence. Jim and I felt so spoiled! it had been a terribly difficult journey so far and I felt the hand of God just taking care of us in an unexpected, reassuring way. We were really trying to follow God with this adoption. The whole process has been hard. But He has made Himself known to reassure us in those most critical times.
From Frankfort, we flew to Russia . We were told to start running as soon as we exited the plane. We had no time to waste . Our driver and translator whisked us away and on the road to get necessary documents signed in order to request permission to meet this little boy.
It was to be a 6 hour drive. I prayed for good weather and easy traffic. We got both!
We talked and slept on and off. People were waiting. We had to be there by 6 pm or the office would close. At 5:45 pm (isn't that like God) we arrived at the building. We rushed in, saw a few people and saw a new picture of the little boy. At first, they had things confused and were going to give us a girl but... we worked it out.
Paperwork signed, we went to the hotel to eat and recover.
And so it begins...
Jim's post 12/26/2009 7:30 AM
Christmas was great. In fact the whole holiday season was a lot of fun. We got to do so many of our special Snyder traditions and we have all been healthy. But now our focus shifts, not to something completely unrelated to the season or the excitement, but to the next gift. This gift is one that has been, and will continue to be, given and received by so many. Our “little” family, big family, friends and an amazing number of casual observers are all captivated by this gift. It’s a big gift. It’s like the big gift under the tree that stirs anticipation and wonder in everyone. Everyone sort of knows what it is, but the details are unclear. So we wait until it is completely unwrapped.
Today is the day that we begin in earnest to unwrap this gift. To this point I honestly haven’t been able to distinguish the wrapping from unwrapping, but today we are ready to start pulling the wrapping away. The really cool part is that so many have a part in this. Many are not only part of the unwrapping but they are part of the gift itself. This gift we have given the name “adoption”. Its literal meaning is clear, but doesn’t come close to describing the gift.
This gift is given by God: A new home, father, mother, brother and sisters, grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, and cousins; a new son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. To some the gift feels like hope and some see it as an opportunity. I think there’s something powerful in this that compels people to be more of what they were made to be. This presents an opportunity for people to care and serve and pray and encourage, a rare moment in life where selflessness comes a little easier.
And so it begins…
Christmas was great. In fact the whole holiday season was a lot of fun. We got to do so many of our special Snyder traditions and we have all been healthy. But now our focus shifts, not to something completely unrelated to the season or the excitement, but to the next gift. This gift is one that has been, and will continue to be, given and received by so many. Our “little” family, big family, friends and an amazing number of casual observers are all captivated by this gift. It’s a big gift. It’s like the big gift under the tree that stirs anticipation and wonder in everyone. Everyone sort of knows what it is, but the details are unclear. So we wait until it is completely unwrapped.
Today is the day that we begin in earnest to unwrap this gift. To this point I honestly haven’t been able to distinguish the wrapping from unwrapping, but today we are ready to start pulling the wrapping away. The really cool part is that so many have a part in this. Many are not only part of the unwrapping but they are part of the gift itself. This gift we have given the name “adoption”. Its literal meaning is clear, but doesn’t come close to describing the gift.
This gift is given by God: A new home, father, mother, brother and sisters, grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, and cousins; a new son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. To some the gift feels like hope and some see it as an opportunity. I think there’s something powerful in this that compels people to be more of what they were made to be. This presents an opportunity for people to care and serve and pray and encourage, a rare moment in life where selflessness comes a little easier.
And so it begins…
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Preparing
This weekend, the family went for our annual Christmas shopping trip at Walmart. This is when we split up into 2 groups and buy for one another, covering our purchases with coats. I am just waiting for the day in which we are accused of shop-lifting. :)
After we finished, we went and picked out baby blankets, stuffed animals and a baby scrapbook for our little guy. Wow! So precious. An emotional time for me but I held it together and refrained from crying. I get emotional quite often right now.
We continue to wrap up paperwork, run errands, etc, amidst Christmas preparations. So much to process- I really can't .
I am so grateful for the encouragement, prayers and help from friends and family. At times, I am overwhelmed with how the body of Christ is coming around us right now in preparation for our trip. I am so appreciative!
Several of the kids are talking about how difficult it will be when we leave. Hard for all of us. But it is in His hands now. All will be ok. I am so excited to go. I am thrilled to be meeting our son. I just love my children at home so much. The enemy knows how I struggle with worrying about them. I am the protective Momma Bear.
This is so much bigger than me. Bigger than our family. This is God's work.. God's plan. We just have to trust Him enough to keep walking forward.
After we finished, we went and picked out baby blankets, stuffed animals and a baby scrapbook for our little guy. Wow! So precious. An emotional time for me but I held it together and refrained from crying. I get emotional quite often right now.
We continue to wrap up paperwork, run errands, etc, amidst Christmas preparations. So much to process- I really can't .
I am so grateful for the encouragement, prayers and help from friends and family. At times, I am overwhelmed with how the body of Christ is coming around us right now in preparation for our trip. I am so appreciative!
Several of the kids are talking about how difficult it will be when we leave. Hard for all of us. But it is in His hands now. All will be ok. I am so excited to go. I am thrilled to be meeting our son. I just love my children at home so much. The enemy knows how I struggle with worrying about them. I am the protective Momma Bear.
This is so much bigger than me. Bigger than our family. This is God's work.. God's plan. We just have to trust Him enough to keep walking forward.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Our Son
Wow! It finally happened! We got our referral- the referral. After a rollercoaster ride- such an emotional week (but one that kept me at His feet)- we received a referral on Thursday around 6 pm. Our son....our son....
He is precious and we can't wait to meet him. I can't share much detail at this time because he isn't legally ours. But I will say that I see God's hand all over this. That's a confirmation.
I feel very peaceful and right about the decision. Nervous, of course, but it just feels right.
We leave to go meet him the day after Christmas (December 26th). We are to leave the 26th, arrive in Russia the 27th, see him the 28th- 30th and then fly home December 31st.
I have oh so very much to do with adoption preparation, final paperwork for the adoption, Christmas and enjoying the kids.
But I know it will all work out if I pray and just keep going.
So thrilled to share more as we know it.
What a gift! We are thrilled to see a glimpse at what God has been preparing us for in recent years. The addition of our son.
God has already used this journey to grow us and stretch us in ways that we needed to be stretched. This child has already been a blessing to our family.
He is precious and we can't wait to meet him. I can't share much detail at this time because he isn't legally ours. But I will say that I see God's hand all over this. That's a confirmation.
I feel very peaceful and right about the decision. Nervous, of course, but it just feels right.
We leave to go meet him the day after Christmas (December 26th). We are to leave the 26th, arrive in Russia the 27th, see him the 28th- 30th and then fly home December 31st.
I have oh so very much to do with adoption preparation, final paperwork for the adoption, Christmas and enjoying the kids.
But I know it will all work out if I pray and just keep going.
So thrilled to share more as we know it.
What a gift! We are thrilled to see a glimpse at what God has been preparing us for in recent years. The addition of our son.
God has already used this journey to grow us and stretch us in ways that we needed to be stretched. This child has already been a blessing to our family.
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