The news we have been waiting and waiting and waiting for.....

It is with much joy that we finally share the good news with you today!!!  We are overwhelmed with excitement, joy, tears, fears, but are so thankful to God and to all of our family and friends that have walked with us.....through the ups and downs of this adoption journey.  

Yes, we received word last night that we will leave for Mongolia on April 6th and come home with our sweet son on or around April 25th. We are excited to be traveling with another family that is also adopting a sweet 6 year old boy too. I think our 2 boys are the oldest children to ever be adopted out of Mongolia thus far. How awesome is Gods plan, He never leaves us nor forsakes us!! 

Well, we have much to do in just 3 short weeks and I am starting today with making our travel arrangements, finishing up documents,etc......oh, and taking my final exam!!

Please continue to pray for the following:

Seth-for God to continue preparing him to leave the orphanage, for his heart and emotions and for protection and health.....also, it is never too soon to start sending up some "bonding prayers" 

Maiah - that she would  continue to know her place in the family and continue to feel secure...for health as she has been sick once a month for the last 4 months it seems.  The downside to school:(

Nate and Kate- are not coming with us:( Please pray for all the plans to come into place for them for the 3 weeks that we will be gone...they were such a blessing and a huge help last time, they will be missed this trip.....

Derek & I-please pray for health, sanity as we pack and prepare and take care of the long list of things that need to be done before we go!! 3 weeks....Yikes!!!

Also, if you could pray for our friends who are anxiously waiting to pick up their sweet children any day.....

The Mitchells adopting Sasha and Oleg from the Ukraine (they are there now:)

The Worthings adopting Isaac from Korea

The Taits adopting AJ from El Salvador

All our love and thanks,

Soon to be a party of 6

Maiah/Seths new room

Well, most of you know that we had a hard time coming up with a unisex room

idea...so we went with a Mongolian/horse theme and a few camels too.  Horses are a very important part of Mongolian 

culture and Maiah seems to have a love for horses in her blood.  Hoping Seth does too and that he will love his new room as much as Maiah does.....she is very anxious to share, we will see how long that lasts!! Here are a few pics.....

Stacy

Legacy and Thanks...

LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
Two different lives, shaped to make your one...
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.
One gave you a seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One gave you up ... that's all she could do.
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me, through your fears, the age old question unanswered throughout the years...
Heredity or environment... 
Which are you the product of ?
Neither, my darling ... neither...
just two different kinds of love.

-Author Unknown 

We are so thankful to Seth Batbilegs birthmom for choosing to give him life, we will help him live it!!

No News:(

I have received several emails and phone calls today inquiring about news......as we should have heard something by now.  Sadly the answer is no!!

Our agency was in training for several days this week and when she got back to the office today, there was nothing from Mongolia.  At least we know that they are working on adoptions as Maiah's friends adoption was complete this week.  

Please continue to pray for sweet Jargalmaa as she is having a rough time right now.  She is 5 years old and has lots to grieve. She went home with them last night (to the hotel)  and she has asked to go home (to the orphanage) and has done lots of crying and screaming.  Our hearts go out to her and her family as we know exactly what they are going through and all the feelings that come along with this situation!! We know it does get better and that right now only God can bring peace to her sweet little heart.  Please keep them lifted up in prayer. We are hoping a good nights sleep will bring some peace and security and we are hoping today will be a better day for them.  

As for us, maybe next week will be our week:)

Lots of love and thanks,

Petrins

Good news for one of Maiah's sweet friends!!

Yeah, she was officially adopted today!! The family has been in Mongolia for over a week and have been through a lot, however our God had a plan for Jargalmaa's life and He saw it through today!! They still have much paperwork/traveling to finish up but it is all coming together in His perfect timing! Please pray for the the transition which will take place in the wee hours of the morning our time!!  She will leave the orphanage forever, once abandoned but not forsaken and now chosen, loved and adored by a Mom, Dad and 2 very sweet brothers.  Our God is an awesome God!!

Praying for a date!!

Just believing for an official date this week....please pray with us!!

Getting Closer Everyday!!!

As Aunt Mame would say "Getting closer all the time!!"

Well, Seth's legal documents were released to our agency and the Us Embassy, another step closer to bringing him home. Looks like the police clearance issue is all cleared up too, at least we hope so!! We are soooooo close yet we still feel so far away. We are now just waiting on our official "fly" date and they are telling us any day now:) Please continue to pray for Seth, we know long term that this is the plan God has for him but it will probably take him a while to realize that. We know that he will grieve the loss of his friends/nannies there. Thanks for your prayers for him, they mean so much!! Will keep you posted.