J.Michael-isms

The Shiflet family went to Six Flags one day several years ago with another family who had a son J.Michael's age. This friend said that he wasn't too keen on all these roller-coasters, and was content to just watch. Well, J.Michael just couldn't believe it! He turned to him and said:

"We came here to ride rides, not to not ride rides!!!"

Merry Christmas

Newborns

The new daddy yawned. "What a night!" was his thought.
He hadn't yet grasped what this long day had brought.
Strong back ... two hard hands ...
What were they for this task?
Was He sure of this plan?
Did He know whom He'd asked?

The child-mama smiled tiredly - her baby boy cuddled
close ... and a tear slowly trailed down her face.
She'd not known of this love when she vowed to obey.
Now she prayed for a lifetime of grace.

The Son lay in her arms - secure in their love.
A small whimper, a wiggle, a sigh ...
Arms and hands of perfection outstretched and relaxed.
What was there to make his mother cry?

The soft night embraced them - the new family stilled
and found slumber their hard-earned reward.
Bright stars kept their watch on a threesome newborn ... Joseph, Mary, and their baby, the Lord.

by Denise Sherrod,
a home school mom

This was sent to me on Christmas Day and was so beautiful I had to share it.

Merry Christmas to my little ones where ever you are right now, Lord willing next Christmas we will have you home and celebrating your first Christmas with us, your new family, we love you.~Mom and Dad

J.Michael-isms

One day when the Shiflet family was out on their morning walk, Mom made the comment "J.Michael, your hair sure has grown! You just got a haircut too and it's already grown out again!"

And J.Michael replied:

"I know! It's because I'm sweating so much,

that my hair is getting watered, so it grows faster!"

Why Russia?

Often, I am asked the question "Why Russia?" I remember when my husband and I began thinking about adopting and asking ourselves this question too. As we prayed about what country the answer was simply...we believe Russia is where our Sovereign Lord is leading our family to bring home the children He has chosen for our family. Just as the Lord directs missionaries to minister to a particular people group, we believe the Lord has lead us to Russia to unite us with our children.

In the four - almost five - years since David and I began talking of adopting from Russia, we have researched and read more about the rich history of Russia. From the beautiful, old cities that display the wealth from the time of the czars, to the devastating consequences of socialism that still plague this great nation, Russia fascinates us. (picture-St Petersburg Russia circa. 1905-1915)

Russia's orphanages continue to be filled with abandoned children by birth mothers and families who cannot care for them. These children are classified as social orphans. For many birth mothers, giving up their child(ren) to an orphange is hope for a better life for their child through adoption. In the region of Arkangelsk alone, there are 67 orphanges housing children. This is one of over 90 regions in Russia that have orphanges. For ophaned children, the hope of adoption into a family gives them the perseverance to endure, waiting for their family to come for them. For many, especially older children who are not adopted, orphanage life ends in a difficult and lonely life on the streets with little hope of breaking the cycle with their own children.

The more we research, the more our hearts break for the orphans of Russia. Our Russian-born children have already connected us with this country in such a way that our family will never think of "Russia" without thoughts of the many souls waiting in orphanges hoping a family will come for them.

J.Michael-isms

My Brother, J.Michael is pretty good about coming up with funny "J.Michael-isms," that are witty sayings that he invents. I thought it would it be a good idea to share these by posting one every Saturday, so other people can have a chance to enjoy "J.Michael-isms" as much as we do...Well here's the first one, but there's many more to come!!!

One day when the Shiflet family was sitting at the breakfast table Emily walked in, and Mom (Gina) commented on how much Emily had grown since the night before and Emily replied "yes, I do feel a great deal taller."

And J.Michael said;

"How I know that I've grown; is when I wake up in the morn'in and the ground seems farther away"

Entering the Blog World

Okay, we have been talking about starting a blog since the beginning of 2007. Now that 2007 is almost over, I am diving in and starting our blog! So, where do I start? Well, I guess I will start with what is current and possibly later post some "where we were a year ago" thoughts later.

This Christmas season finds me filled with thoughts of "lasts" and excitment of the future of "firsts" as our family will most surely grow from 4 to 6 in 2008. I can't help but think about our children in Russia and pray they are warm enough, healthy, safe and somehow comforted that we are doing all we can to come quickly for them.

Although we do not know anything about them (other than they will be from Russia), in my heart it seems I have always known them. I think that must be part of the miracle of adoption...the Lord has knit them in my heart to love them without seeing them, just as He did with my biological children when they were in the womb.

This week we found out that we will not be registered in a region right away as we had thought, but in hopes of our paperwork not sitting in a region without a match, our agency will make a referral, then register us in that region. This will hopefully reduce our wait. We did receive a timeline. Our longest wait should be mid-April to mid-May for our referral. This is very exciting as now we are certain that by summer 2008 we will be parents again to two Russian born children we have dreamed of for so long. Praise the Lord in His perfect timing.