I had considered adopting internationally from Russia for over two years. After researching Russian adoptions and considering several agencies, I chose AWAA to guide me through this adoption journey. And what a journey it has been! I mailed my application to AWAA on March 8, 2005, and on March 9, 2006, I was standing in front of a Russian judge completing the adoption process to bring my 15-month-old daughter home. The year from March 2005 to March 2006 was extremely busy. Unbelievable amounts of paperwork and documents had to be retrieved. I was quite intimidated when I saw all the documents I had to obtain, but AWAA employees helped me wade through the paperwork
requirements with prayer and guidance. AWAA employees Sara and Christi were always accessible and helpful. They had a sincere desire to help me bring my daughter home.
In October 2005, while on a field trip to a pumpkin patch with my son’s kindergarten class, I finally received the call I had been waiting for…..a referral to meet my future little girl!
I had six days to prepare for my trip to Russia. I had never been outside the U.S., so I was looking forward to both meeting my daughter and experiencing the Russian culture.
I will never forget the first time I saw my daughter. She was an angel that I knew God had picked out for me. Leaving her to return to the U.S. was difficult. Yet, I did not have time to feel sorry for myself. There were immensely more regional documents and paperwork to do. Four months passed before I received a court date to finalize the adoption. My second stay in Russia was three and a half weeks. I could not have gone through a difficult three hour court appearance and the lengthy Russian adoption process without the fervent, daily prayers of my friends and family back home. When the Russian judge finally granted the adoption request, I experienced relief and utter exhilaration. I was a mother again! My family was more complete.
This creation of a new family could only have been a product of God’s infinite wisdom. I have experienced both the miracle of childbirth and the miracle of adoption. I can personally testify that both experiences are equally joyful. I feel particularly blessed to have had the opportunity to feel the excitement of both miracles. Like I tell my children, one of them came from my stomach and one came from my heart.
Thank you, God, for choosing me to be the earthly caregiver for your two precious children.