I think this is the beginning of many thank you from my family. First, thank you for reading this blog-- however shoddy and sporatic I am about posting; I know there are many faithful readers, still. Thank you for reading about babies who need formula, thank you for being a part of our efforts to raise money and meet the goal of $12,500 worth of formula to feed our malnourished babies at AWAA's Transition Home!!!!!
Thank you for praying our family through the past 6+ months of deployment. By grace alone, we have come to the other side of this journey-- he isn't home yet, but he is in the country and working hard to make it back to us!!
Thank you for praying over our adoption process. As with any adoption, there are twists, turns and unexpected hiccups along the way. Of course, we aren't "there" yet; but getting closer every day. I still covet your prayers for our upcoming court date on May 20th, and prayers that we will be able to still travel on June 6th. I stand in awe when I look back upon God's goodness and mercy to our family. From the very beginning, He has caused all things to work for His Glory-- whether it has been providing a much needed document at the right time, causing Tony to come home early for travel, answering prayers on behalf of ALL families in AWAA to pass court, bring home children sooner and cause government systems to work for the benefit of children and families.... He is so good.
The next two weeks are huge for our family. Reunion with our Daddy, wrapping up another year of teaching my boys, experiencing the court system of Ethiopia and by God's grace, legally adding two more children to Team Dragovich. The anticipation is rising... and where there is great good to come, there is also great opposition from the enemy. Please continue to pray for us-- I do not know what to expect. I cannot even fathom. But one thing I DO know...
"I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Be STRONG and TAKE HEART and WAIT FOR THE LORD"!!! (Psalm 27:13-14)
Grace and Peace,
Shari
Monday, May 11, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
An Opportunity for Living Faith
Tom Davis is on a mission. He is raising money to buy a specialized formula for our malnourished babies living in AWAA's Transition Home.
Who is Tom Davis?
Tom Davis is a photographer, author and advocate for orphans worldwide-- in particular, Africa. He has written some great books, including Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds-- a statistic filled, reality check, call to action for Americans; especially Christians; who are supposed to "be the hands and feet of Jesus" or "live the red letters" of the New Testament but sadly seem strangely absent from the front lines on the war against poverty. He has founded an organization called Children's Hope Chest-- with this mission:
Children’s HopeChest believes that every orphan has the right to know God, experience the blessing of family, and have the opportunity to develop independent living skills.
Tom has teamed up with OUR agency, America World Adoption Agency (AWAA) to provide formula to the malnourished infants which arrive in our Transition Home. It is as horrific reality. Infants who are 6-12 months old weighing less than 7-8 pounds. Several of our babies at the Transition Home this very day are on feeding tubes, because their little bodies are too weak to intake nutrients any other way.
PLEASE be a part of this campaign of Tom's to provide Nutramigen-- a specialized formula-- for the babies of our Transition Home. As I stated at the beginning of this post, he is on a mission to raise $12,500 by Mother's Day, so our babies can have a chance at life and to experience the love of a "forever family"!!
Visit Tom's Blog to learn more. Read his interview with AW's Duni Zeneye, and then please consider giving. Think of it as a Mother's Day gift. Give so that another child may have the chance to know the love of a mother. Give so that another mother may have the chance to know the joy of loving a child. Give so that they both may experience the love of the Father through the blessing of adoption.
Grace and Peace,
Shari
PS-- Just a note... the picture of the infant in the picture at the beginning of this post is NOT one of our AW babies. That would violate privacy laws for our TH children.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Today I bought dresses :)
Today was my re-fingerprinting appointment with US Immigration-- USCIS. Tony and I had to be re-fingerprinted for a couple of reasons. One, being that we accepted a referral outside of our originally approved age range-- in other words, our immigration paperwork said that we would bring home either one or two children under the age of four-- and we're not. We are bringing home a 6 and 3 year old. So, when you do that, you have to re-do part of the paperchasing process-- the homestudy and I-171H. The other reason we had to be re-fingerprinted is that our fingerprints will have expired before we finalize our adoption. Fingerprints are only valid for 15 months and the I-171H (which is the whole REASON for getting fingerprinted-- approval to bring home a child from another country) is only valid for 18 months. Both will expire before we travel. So.... I was in Durham, NC today to be re-fingerprinted.
Okay, but here is the fun part... the USCIS office in Durham is conveniently located only 5 miles from Southpoint Mall-- which happens to be one of the nicest malls in the Triangle (Raleigh and surrounding area). It has all my favorite stores that I love to look in and RARELY buy anything at. And, they must have known that Shari Dragovich would one day live near Southpoint and so they decided to put all my favorite stores in one wing of the mall. Half the shoppes are outside and half inside. My favorites all happen to be in a line. I rarely go to the mall-- who has the time or money or needs the opportunity to lust after all that "chaff in the wind"? But, today I had the time AND a little extra money and I was on a mission. Decide on a color scheme for our little girl's room and buy something pink... with ruffles :) I DID BOTH!!!! HOORAY! I have a pink daisy quilt that is currenly scheduled to be in the first week of May on hold for me, I bought curtains that are pretty pink and white striped and I bought FOUR little dresses-- all on sale-- at Baby Gap. And did you know that all gap's little girl dresses have matching bloomers with them???? I was so excited-- still am. :)
It was a great day. I am so thankful to have had it!! I remember when I was pregnant with my first boy and I LOVED going into baby Gap and buying him little outfits. Each boy got less and less from there-- obviously :). But, everytime I would walk in the store, I always had to stop and touch the dresses. This time, I got to go home with some dresses, too!
I hope I don't come across as only being excited about our little girl. For some reason I feel like I need to clarify. I am overjoyed that God would choose me to mother another son :) And I am most excited to see him grow and bound into action with his 3 brothers. And in his pictures, he is already looking like he is taking care of his little sister at the Transition Home. It makes me cry tears of utter unworthiness every time I see his face, think of his life's journey thus far and imagine that I have been entrusted with the continuation of raising this boy into a godly man who will walk in the ways of the Lord.
And as for our little princess... although I may only talk of ruffles and lace and lovely pastels, in my heart and all my prayers, I ask God to soften her little heart towards me, to grant me the wisdom to be a mother to a daughter and provide me the insight to see into her heart and mind so I can reach her, teach her and grow her into a woman of grace.
May 20th is getting closer! Please join our family in prayer as we petition our Lord of Hosts to grant Joshua B. and Rebekah S. to legally become members of Team Dragovich!
Grace and Peace,
Shari
Okay, but here is the fun part... the USCIS office in Durham is conveniently located only 5 miles from Southpoint Mall-- which happens to be one of the nicest malls in the Triangle (Raleigh and surrounding area). It has all my favorite stores that I love to look in and RARELY buy anything at. And, they must have known that Shari Dragovich would one day live near Southpoint and so they decided to put all my favorite stores in one wing of the mall. Half the shoppes are outside and half inside. My favorites all happen to be in a line. I rarely go to the mall-- who has the time or money or needs the opportunity to lust after all that "chaff in the wind"? But, today I had the time AND a little extra money and I was on a mission. Decide on a color scheme for our little girl's room and buy something pink... with ruffles :) I DID BOTH!!!! HOORAY! I have a pink daisy quilt that is currenly scheduled to be in the first week of May on hold for me, I bought curtains that are pretty pink and white striped and I bought FOUR little dresses-- all on sale-- at Baby Gap. And did you know that all gap's little girl dresses have matching bloomers with them???? I was so excited-- still am. :)
It was a great day. I am so thankful to have had it!! I remember when I was pregnant with my first boy and I LOVED going into baby Gap and buying him little outfits. Each boy got less and less from there-- obviously :). But, everytime I would walk in the store, I always had to stop and touch the dresses. This time, I got to go home with some dresses, too!
I hope I don't come across as only being excited about our little girl. For some reason I feel like I need to clarify. I am overjoyed that God would choose me to mother another son :) And I am most excited to see him grow and bound into action with his 3 brothers. And in his pictures, he is already looking like he is taking care of his little sister at the Transition Home. It makes me cry tears of utter unworthiness every time I see his face, think of his life's journey thus far and imagine that I have been entrusted with the continuation of raising this boy into a godly man who will walk in the ways of the Lord.
And as for our little princess... although I may only talk of ruffles and lace and lovely pastels, in my heart and all my prayers, I ask God to soften her little heart towards me, to grant me the wisdom to be a mother to a daughter and provide me the insight to see into her heart and mind so I can reach her, teach her and grow her into a woman of grace.
May 20th is getting closer! Please join our family in prayer as we petition our Lord of Hosts to grant Joshua B. and Rebekah S. to legally become members of Team Dragovich!
Grace and Peace,
Shari
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Hmmmm... Time flies when your...
...being silly with Sam at the park by Grandpa's lake
... Taking in all of Charleston, NC
... Building sandcastles at the beach
... getting shots to travel to Ethiopia
... living at the soccer fields!!
But, here is a synopsis of where we are at adoption wise: our court date is May 20th. If we pass court on this day, we will travel to Ethiopia on June 6th. Yes... I said WE. Tony is COMING HOME!!!!!!!! So that is good news :) He will actually be home somewhere around the 15th of May, so Team Dragovich will have a few weeks together before we dive into expanded family life-- hooray!!! I feel so spoiled :)
But Shari, you say, you said 'if' you pass court... is it possible that you wouldn't pass court the first time round??? Why yes, it is very possible. In fact, today the Semlow family finally passed court after 7 MONTHS of paperwork, red tape and all sorts of problems keeping them from a positive court turnout. BUT... I am here to PRAISE GOD with them and tons of other families who have been diligently praying these beautiful children into their arms. In two weeks, they will be in Ethiopia to finally unite with their three new kiddos and BRING THEM HOME!!! Go check out their blog. There are some happy people over there :)
So, other than just trying to keep up with daily life, I have been trying to pull bedrooms together for J.B. and R.S. (did you notice I didn't say their full names? That is because they aren't legally my kids yet. It is a secret until then :)). I managed to move furniture around and even take apart a bed and put it back together again in another room. I have one room ready for a set of bunk beds and now our little girl's room is screaming for some attention. Funny, that is the room I am most excited to do and it is the last to be done. Oh well. Maybe part of the problem is I haven't settled on a color for the wall-- what shade of green??? Or pink? Or turquoise?? Probably not turquoise. Or should I pick out a bedding set first and be inspired by that? And, WHY is Pottery Barn calling my name so often??? I mean, have you SEEN the little girl bedding from there? Why can't I find something I like as much for cheaper?? Ugh.
So, you see... R.S.'s room sits and waits. But, in the meantime, I really had to put in the garden-- I tilled it myself. Not pretty. You would have laughed outloud if you saw me do it. But, it is done and the garden is in, and now I have to keep it watered. And, I've been trying to make the yard look more presentable. It is weedy. And dead in spots. I just HATE for my husband to come home to a bad yard. That is the ONE thing he cares about. I could have all the bedrooms completely done, planted the garden and even do some lovely landscaping... but he would have been most happy about a healthy yard. Not that it is really my fault-- it is the way water sits in low spots. And other things that we inherited from the builder's "landscaper"... but I digress.
Okay, so now you know the randomness of my thoughts-- especially right before bed. You should be glad I haven't posted more often during this deployment :D!!
Grace and Peace,
Shari
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Walter A. Monke 1910-2009
Last Saturday morning -- the 14th-- was a rainy day. I was so thankful for the rain, because it meant soccer was canceled for the day and I had a day to clean out bedrooms, start organizing and getting ready for bringing new kiddos home. Somewhere in the mid-morning, in the midst of boxes, donation items and dust bunnies, my mom called on my cell phone. I missed the call but heard the ring. So I called back and was totally unprepared for the words I heard.
My grandpa died. He was the most healthy, active, on-the-go 88 year old guy I have ever known :). He had just bought a brand new Chevrolet and had plans for it over the summer. He was VERY active in his local VFW chapter, loved his church, pastor and the morning Sunday School class. My grandpa lived John 10:10-- he knew how to live life to the fullest. Even right up until he fell asleep in his chair on Friday night and walked off into heaven by Saturday morning. My grandpa-- WWII medic officer to the Pacific Front (bronze star recipient for heroic service), high-school ag education teacher and major promoter of local area ag education, successful farmer, adoring husband, strong father, AMAZING Grandpa and Great-Grandpa... now walks with Jesus, and his Lucille :)
Our family is maybe just now beginning to stand up again. Barely. Maybe the shock is over--maybe. The outpouring of love for Grandpa was overwhelming, though not unexpected. He was well known and well loved. I know that I must be the most blessed woman on the face of the earth. The Good Lord chose to put me in a family with multiple strong, honorable, God-fearing, courageous men... my grandfather, father, brother... and then He topped it all off by giving my my husband. Who am I, that I should be so loved, so spoiled, so cherished?
God, grant me the strength to live in the grace and carry on the legacy of full-life which Grandpa knew and walked out so well. Amen.
PS... I have been trying to upload pictures, but not successful-- I think because of my connection at the beach... so look forward to tons of great Grandpa pics!!
My grandpa died. He was the most healthy, active, on-the-go 88 year old guy I have ever known :). He had just bought a brand new Chevrolet and had plans for it over the summer. He was VERY active in his local VFW chapter, loved his church, pastor and the morning Sunday School class. My grandpa lived John 10:10-- he knew how to live life to the fullest. Even right up until he fell asleep in his chair on Friday night and walked off into heaven by Saturday morning. My grandpa-- WWII medic officer to the Pacific Front (bronze star recipient for heroic service), high-school ag education teacher and major promoter of local area ag education, successful farmer, adoring husband, strong father, AMAZING Grandpa and Great-Grandpa... now walks with Jesus, and his Lucille :)
Our family is maybe just now beginning to stand up again. Barely. Maybe the shock is over--maybe. The outpouring of love for Grandpa was overwhelming, though not unexpected. He was well known and well loved. I know that I must be the most blessed woman on the face of the earth. The Good Lord chose to put me in a family with multiple strong, honorable, God-fearing, courageous men... my grandfather, father, brother... and then He topped it all off by giving my my husband. Who am I, that I should be so loved, so spoiled, so cherished?
God, grant me the strength to live in the grace and carry on the legacy of full-life which Grandpa knew and walked out so well. Amen.
PS... I have been trying to upload pictures, but not successful-- I think because of my connection at the beach... so look forward to tons of great Grandpa pics!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Problem File
Ouch. So, I guess it's been a while since I have last blogged. Well... not much to tell. We COULD possibly have our court date moved up into April. MOWA (Ministry of Women's and Children's Affairs) has decided to write more letters of approval for families to be seen in court for March and April. This means that more court dates have beeen opening up and allowing our agency to move families with current court dates in April and May, into March and April. That is great news... but in our case, we won't travel any earlier to get the kids. We will still be traveling either the end of May or early June, depending on when Tony is able to get home. All sort of up in the air-- like I said... nothing new to tell :)
Otherwise, life has been full speed ahead. Which could explain why I can't seem to find time-- or stableness of mind-- to blog. AND... I confess. I facebook a lot more these days. It is just easier. I'm not really sure why... it just is. Okay, sidetrack... see what I mean? I should be in bed. :)
Last week, I had to stop by the dealership where we bought the superburban to sign some papers for the title clerk. When the clerk pulled out the file with letters she needed me to sign, I noticed that the name on the file's tab said, "PROBLEM" in bold print-- all caps. Just like I wrote it. I couldn't help it. I just started giggling and said outloud-- "Hey, look at that! We made it to the PROBLEM file! That's pretty funny! And so... well... so True!!" I'm not sure the title clerk knew whether to laugh with me or be concerned. She just sorta looked at me with a half grin on her face. This made the whole thing more funny to me.
So, I think I've decided that if I ever go insane, I will be a happy insane person. And, when I get old and senile, I think I will be a happy old senile person. This is very good. I really want to be "happy" crazy and not "the mean old ... ", well you get the idea. And if I will not be that way, then oh well. I have decided I WILL be that way and when it happens I won't know, so it won't matter anyway.
Hmmm... do you think I need Tony to come home?? ;D
Grace and Peace,
Shari
Otherwise, life has been full speed ahead. Which could explain why I can't seem to find time-- or stableness of mind-- to blog. AND... I confess. I facebook a lot more these days. It is just easier. I'm not really sure why... it just is. Okay, sidetrack... see what I mean? I should be in bed. :)
Last week, I had to stop by the dealership where we bought the superburban to sign some papers for the title clerk. When the clerk pulled out the file with letters she needed me to sign, I noticed that the name on the file's tab said, "PROBLEM" in bold print-- all caps. Just like I wrote it. I couldn't help it. I just started giggling and said outloud-- "Hey, look at that! We made it to the PROBLEM file! That's pretty funny! And so... well... so True!!" I'm not sure the title clerk knew whether to laugh with me or be concerned. She just sorta looked at me with a half grin on her face. This made the whole thing more funny to me.
So, I think I've decided that if I ever go insane, I will be a happy insane person. And, when I get old and senile, I think I will be a happy old senile person. This is very good. I really want to be "happy" crazy and not "the mean old ... ", well you get the idea. And if I will not be that way, then oh well. I have decided I WILL be that way and when it happens I won't know, so it won't matter anyway.
Hmmm... do you think I need Tony to come home?? ;D
Grace and Peace,
Shari
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Our Official Day in Court
This week has been a bit over-the-top crazy to say the least. Soccer practice for all three boys geared up this week, we had a field trip, I started the week off sick, and we had two days worth of dr. visits to get through for updating our homestudy/USCIS forms in order to get our kids home. Honestly, we have been home to sleep and eat breakfast. That is about it.
BUT... today, when I got home from my madness, I had a lovely email waiting for me from our agency titled "Court Date". HOORAY!! That is fun to open :) So.... our big day in court IS....
May 20th
Now, for those of you not familiar with adopting from Ethiopia, it is quite likely that we will not pass court the first time. The current statistic is 30% of families do not. However, our Yahoo Support Group is praying this number out of existence, so soon 100% of families will be passing court the first time :).
The great thing about May 20th is that it is only around 2 weeks before Tony is expected to be home from his Big D. Now that we have a date, he can begin to work on finding a way to get home in time to travel with me to Ethiopia. Funny, I sorta was hoping that we would find a way to have some "alone" time soon after he came home from the big D... I guess I wasn't expecting to have it in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!!!!
So... to my prayer warrior friends-- mark May 20th on your calendar with HUGE red, blue, green and yellow markers (the colors in the ET flag), and start praying for a successful court date the 1st time!!! Let's pray these two newest members of Team Dragovich home!
Grace and Peace,
Shari
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