The Abraham Family’s Journey to Russia to Bring Home Their Daughter

September 18, 2008

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

On September 18, 2007, a tiny little girl was born in a Russian hospital weighing only 5 lbs, 6 oz. and 18" long. Today she turns one year old!

That same day I posted my concerns about the increasing wait times with our first agency and how we were contemplating switching to a new agency. The catch was we would have to travel into Siberia, something I was very hesitant about since we want to take the boys with us on Trip Two. Little did we know at the time that God was reminding us that this adoption will go according to His plan, not ours.

Over the summer months of 2007, I felt a strange reluctance to finalize our dossier. It was like I just couldn't get it all together and was dragging my feet for some reason. I started out believing I would be one those people who would whip up all the paperwork in record time. But that wasn't happening. It wasn't because I was unsure if we were supposed to adopt. Of that, I had no doubt! I chalked it up to being busy raising four boys and much of it had to do with the uncertainty of agency accreditations in Russia at the time. But now I can clearly see God's hand in this process. He was leading us out of our comfort zone and onto the path that would take us directly to the sweet baby girl arriving into the world that day.

When we received her referral in June, I had hoped to have her home before her first birthday. I wish more than anything that we could be with her today. I hope her caregivers will give our baby a little extra attention today and make her feel special. I take comfort in knowing that we'll have the rest of her life to celebrate birthdays and that we'll be together forever soon.

Today, we will make a pink birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday in honor of the Littlest Tsarina. And when we blow out her candle, we'll all make a wish for court date!

16 comments:

Carrie said...

I am wishing for a court date too! Happy Birthday Little Tsarina.

Troy and Rachel said...

We'll be wishing the same! Happy Birthday Little Tsarina!

Kim said...

Happy Birthday L.T.! Noah celebrated his first birthday in Russia as well. We were blessed that our interpreter liked us and went to the BH and took photos for us. I hope you hear soon!

Elaine said...

Psalms 31:15 Message Bible

Desperate I throw myself on you; You are my God. Hour by hour I place my days in Your Hand.

My time is in Your hands, Father. In you I place all my trust.

Elaine said...

Psalms 31:15 Message Bible

Desperate I throw myself on you; You are my God. Hour by hour I place my days in Your Hand.

My time is in Your hands, Father. In you I place all my trust.

Over-Caffeinated said...

Happy birthday to your little Tsarina! How's mommy holding up?

Mama Fish said...

Kim! I'm praying that you get a court date really soon!

Karen said...

Hello there! We live in Middle Tennessee and are awaiting our court date as well in Kemerovo City. Our daugher turned 1 July 8th. We went on trip one in August. I remember missing her so very much on her birthday. I just think of how much more special her subsequent birthdays will be.
Many prayers for a speedy court date!
Karen

Amy said...

Happy 1st Birthday Tsarina! Hoping you wish comes true very soon.

Janine said...

Me too! Me too! Happy birthday littlest tsarina!!

Thanks Kim for your sweet comments. That really made my day!

Becky and Keith said...

Happy Birthday to your little girl!

hope2adopt said...

Wishing for a quick court date for you! I love the picture of that cute little hand. We just got assigned to Kemerovo for a little girl too! I'll be thinking of you and wishing hard!!!

junglemama said...

Happy Happy Birthday!

junglemama said...

I hope your little girl comes home soon!

Joy said...

I might have to eat some cake and make a wish for her to come home soon too!

Thanks for the preview of her little hands.
Sending you good thoughts,
Joy

Anonymous said...

thank you for the post on our blog! i'm excited about this region. so far i am hearing positive things! i am hoping for the best! maybe you'll receive your court date when we make our first trip! :) should i say, "see you in kemerovo"? btw, your boys are very cute!