Remodeling...

So I had mentioned in the previous blog that we are finishing our basement.  With only a few weeks of work, it is starting to come together really well.  Russie and our friend, Rodney, did most of the framing work, and another friend who is a contractor, has been here the last few days doing the electrical, plumbing and dry wall work.  He is hoping to have the drywall done by early next week and be ready to be painted after that.  The girls helped us clean out the basement while they were here and knew what we were going to make it in to.  They were very excited to have some of their own space.  Here are some pictures I took yesterday of our basement and the progress...



This is the bathroom



This is the entry way, we will use this as an area of our shoes and coats.



This was taken inside their closet looking into the girls bedroom



On Wednesday night, we were able to see some of the families that helped with the hosting camp and some families that are going through the adoption process as well.  It was great to see everyone again and reflect on how God has worked in each of our lives since hosting camp took place.  Continued prayer support for all these families is so vital, as this process can be very unpredictable at times.  Every day is so important in this process, especially now since we have met and fell in Love with these kids.  We are prayerfully hoping that we will be able to have our Home Study done, and sent to immigration with our I600A application by the end of next week.  Then we will wait for our 171H letter, which is a very important part of the puzzle.  We will then be sending all our documents to the Ukraine and just have to wait for our invitation.  At first, we were thinking it would be February to get the girls, but if all these steps go smoothly and quickly, it is a great possibility we may be able to make our first trip in December, come back home for the holidays here, then go back over in January to get them.  The Ukraine shuts down for approx. 2 weeks in January for the holiday, so it would be after they open back up that we could go.  God has continued to prove to us that he is in charge of this whole situation and has abundantly provided in all areas, so we know with him in control that this is possible to travel earlier than we originally expected.  This would be great to spend time with the girls before Christmas, then return to share Chistmas with our families.  Before Vika left, she was very emotional and was having a really hard time with having to stay there so long until we came for them, and she asked me, " Could you please come and get us before Christmas?"  I told her that we would probably not be able to do that.  I would Love to have the opportuntity to see them before Christmas, that would make the Holidays so meaningful for us and them.  I will leave you with this song that I absolutley love and has great meaning for me. I heard this song for the first time in our church, sung by our pastor's son's band.  It is called "I'm ready Now "  When I heard it, it gave me chills and was so powerful.  I tried to download it on my phone, but had a hard time finding it.  A few months ago, I found it on youtube and listen to it often.  In church, this Sunday, our praise band played it.  I was moved and captivated by it, just like the first time I had heard it played in that very place.  I stood there on Sunday and realized that I truly am "ready now" to do God's will.  I didn't undertand the first time I heard the song, what that was for me, but I sit here now and I am ready, willing and excited to do his will....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcls_EIcLAg