My sister, Michele, and brother-in-law, Andy are on a journey to adopt two children who are in need of a loving family.  Here’s is a little bit about their journey so far in Michele’s words:

We sent in our application to America World Adoption on April 30, 2012 after feeling God’s call on our family to adopt. In June, before our home study was even completed, we were matched with twin boys and expected to travel in October to go get them. We waited and October came and went. In November, we discovered the boys birth mother’s financial situation had changed, and she was now able to care for her boys. It may sound strange because we thought they were going to be part of our family, but we are very happy for them and that they are such wanted little boys! It was a blessing to pray over them for those months. The same week, we were matched with another set of twins! This time, they are both blue eyed little girls. They have had their picture posted on a Russian website for adoption since they were infants (probably since sometime around April 2012). No Russian family has come forward to adopt them. Since that time, they have been living in an institution. We hope to be able to travel to meet them in February and start the process of adopting them through the Russian courts.

That is all up in the air depending upon legislation currently proposed in the Russian governing body. There will be one more vote on December 26th in which the bill banning US citizens from adopting in Russia is expected to pass and move on to President Putin’s desk. At that time, he can either sign it into law (effective immediately), ask for changes, or veto it. There is no clear indication at this time if he will actually sign it, even though he has spoken out in favor of it. Please join us in signing the petition in favor of adoptions continuing in Russia by US citizens and praying for all involved in this ordeal. We love a God who doesn’t see this as an impossible situation and are trusting in His plan for our family, and the precious children waiting in institutions in Russia. What a story we will have to tell of His faithfulness!

If you could please pray this Christmas Eve for all the Russian orphans, and specifically, my sister and brother-in-laws future children, wherever they may be right now… for their health, safety comfort and well-being.  The petition takes 1 minute to sign and would mean so much to our family! 

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/voice-of-the-child.html

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!