Dossier arrived in Ukraine

We spoke with our facilitator yesterday and she had received our paperwork. We were excited that she was able to get it a few days earlier than scheduled. There are some issues with the paperwork that we will have to fix. We were really hoping it would all be "good" but aren't surprised that we have some errors to fix. So...tomorrow we begin working on the documents that need to be changed and hope to get them in the mail as soon as possible. Our facilitator in Ukraine still has to finish translating, notarize the documents and show them to the adoption department to make sure everything looks good before the official submission appointment on Sept. 8th. Please pray that we can get the paperwork corrected quickly and the facilitator in Ukraine will have enough time to finish everything before the appointment. We are also praying that our updated approval from the US government will come in quickly so that can get that to her. We are so thankful to have someone on the ground in Kiev working with us to get this done correctly. She helped some friends of ours with an adoption a few years ago. We are praying that she will see the mighty work of God during this process and come to know Him personally. This adoption is so much more than we can see...our view is so limited and God's plan is so BIG! Thank you for coming along side us with prayers and support!

Adoption Dossier Almost Ready

Hello friends,

Our adoption dossier is almost ready. We are lacking just one more document. Our facilitator in Ukraine has been translating pieces of our dossier over the past few months. Our information is due September 8. Please be in prayer that all goes well and that God shows His glory in this adoption. We pray for discernment and wisdom as we follow God's lead. We also pray for His provision to help fund our adoption.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Frank & Suzanne

Back to school again!

School officially started for all of our children this week. Our oldest was just beside herself "excited" about 8th grade. I was NEVER that excited about school starting. She talked for at least 2 1/2 hours when she got home. Of course, I had to be looking at her while she talked so I could get the full affect. She is crazy! I cherish these times and am so thankful that she is so full of life! (No sulky teen in my house...at least not yet!)

The boys were not quite as excited as their sister to start the new school year. I was able to get them to take the "first day of school" picture with grins on their faces. We have had a slow start but that is the beauty of home schooling. Monday we needed one more fun family day. Then we had to take some time yesterday and have a back to school swim at the pool with some friends. Today was a little more serious and productive in the way of academics.

The kids are growing up so fast. The start of a new school year always reminds me of how time is flying and how we only have a short time to influence these wonderful gifts God has blessed us with. My prayer is that they will listen to the still small voice of their Creator and follow after Him with all their heart, soul and strength.

Adoption Update

Hello friends,

We had petitioned for a sibling group from Ukraine to see if they were available for adoption. We found out today they are not. Which is good news for a couple reasons. First, this means there is still hope for a family member to provide a home for these children. Second, it gives us a clear and focused direction as to what we need to do next.

Our next steps include the following:
1-Waiting on three more documents that we hope to have by next week.
2-Send our dossier to Ukraine by September 6.
3-Wait for the adoption department to notify us of our appointment to meet with available children. We hope this will be sometime in October.

It's an exciting time. Thank you for the prayers, the pledges and the promotion of our adoption.

-Frank & Suzanne

Adoption Support Officially Launches

We are excited to launch the support system for our adoption of Ukraine children. Many of you have asked how you can help. Here is where you go:

www.frankandsuzanne.blogspot.com

From there you access prayer request, a video with information about our adoption as well as a link to give financially.

You can also access or family blog at:

www.bringingupbennetts.blogspot.com.

Thank you so much for your support. Please come back or subscribe to this blog for more information.

-Frank & Suzanne

Ukraine Mission Trip

We are leading a team from our church on a mission trip to the Ukraine April 1-10. We have an awesome team. We are working with a ministry called Mercy's Hope. This group ministers to the orphans in Ukraine. Check them out at www.mercy'shope.org.

Our team will be doing the following:

1-Preparing an apartment building for the arrival of 16-year old girls who are required to leave. Many of these girls do not have a place to go. This "transition" home will provide them with a place to to develop life skills to live a productive and successful life on their own.

2-Passing out boxes and bags of blessing. Boxes have been pre-packaged with supplies, clothing and toys for the children in the orphanage. We will stuff bags of groceries to deliver to the poor in the community.

3-Spending time with the orphans while sharing the love of Jesus.

Please be in prayer for our team and what God will do through us.

-Frank

Home Study Finished

Yea!! Our home study is finished. We had a great time of sharing our story with the social worker in charge of our home study. The last visit was to our house. We were very pleased that our three children behaved themselves during the interview. Greet job kids!!!

Now we are looking for a facilitator to prepare the dossier.

Click on the Chip In link below to donate to our cause.

Frank & Suzanne