Sunday, March 27, 2011

Conglomeration

Brain. Is. Fried. Going on fumes...not much sleeping going on around here. So here are some of the thoughts that are keeping me up at night. It's a conglomeration. Bear with me.

  • The waiting is excruciating. I'm not some kind of super-human pillar of strength. I have bad (OK, terrible) moments. Ask Greg...he gets to see most all of my weak moments. I'm just so sad about not bring able to bring Kirill home right now. BUT...we are strong in Christ. We have God's peace and we KNOW that he knows our heart, he loves Kirill more than even us, and he hears and IS ANSWERING all the hundreds of thousands...I think probably millions by now...prayers going up for Kirill and the other children of his region. We don't know how that's going to look in the end when God is finished writing Kirill's story, but we know it will be used to spread the love of Christ. I know God is being glorified through our precious Kirill.
  • Can anyone tell me how to make a navigation bar? I want to be able to have a place at the top of my blog that will take people to Kirill's Story so that it's easy to find and share. I want to keep posting on here and I don't want that post to get buried. Contact me if you can help...there is an email me option on my profile. I'm not techie. At. All. I could figure it out I'm sure, but I don't have time right now. Someone else designed our other (family) blog and there is a navigation bar on it, but I didn't make it. :) 
  • I'm totally overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, prayers...totally overwhelmed. I mean, the prayers...wow, "Save Kirill" logos are all over my FB page, I have tons of emails coming in every day, there are lots of sweet comments on my blog, texts, random acts letting us know people are thinking of us, offers to help with Clayton while we work on our appeal, friends cleaning, doing errands, helping me respond to messages...I could go on and on. There's no way I can ever thank everyone for everything. I'm just praying that somehow God lets them know how much it means to us. We hope we can be that kind of support to others. The love of Christ's body is a truly amazing thing. 
  • Clayton is not fully aware of what's going on, so that's kind of hard. We didn't want to tell him too much. He's SO EXCITED about Kirill and until we are told "no" and have exhausted every avenue to bring him home, we are not going to tell Clayton otherwise. Right now he's sleeping with the blankie we took Kirill to the orphanage. They gave it back to us during our last trip because they thought we would be taking him home and wanted to send the things we had taken him on our first trip. I cannot hardly look at it without crying. Clayton asked if he could sleep with it so it will have someone to love it until Kirill comes home. Breaks. My. Heart.
  • Our agency thinks our appeal will be filed on Monday or Tuesday and then hopefully the Supreme Court will hear our case quickly. They are guesstimating that it may be heard sometime in the first couple of weeks in April. When we have an exact date, you can be sure I will post it on here. We will need an army of prayer warriors praying for Kirill on that day for sure!
Ok, there's more in my head but I'm going to really try to sleep tonight. I'm going back to work tomorrow for the first time since we left for Russia two weeks ago. It will be tough in some ways, but I'm also welcoming the distraction. I really love my job too, so that helps tremendously! 

Again, I just have to end with a big THANK YOU. We will never be able to adequately express our gratitude for your prayers and encouragement.

42 comments:

  1. Hey Tesney, So many people are praying for you. Be encouraged. Be uplifted. To create a tab at the top of your blog, create a new page and post his story there, and label it on your design screen. Blessings.

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  2. Still praying for everything Tesney!! Watching and praying for the Hooks too!! God is good!!

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  3. Praying, praying, praying that God will show himself mighty on your behalf. Isaiah 54:17

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  4. Sleep well, friend. God's got it.

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  5. Just wanted you to know that I am praying for your family, for Kirill and for the judges involved. Praying that God will move mountains and change hearts! My fb friends are praying, church family is praying. Prayers are going up from Conyers, GA. May the Lord sustain and comfort you all during this time of waiting.

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  6. Praying our hearts out for you guys!

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  7. God Bless YOU! We are praying and won't quit!!!

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  8. We think of you all whenever we hear this song....
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RmZFaruXhs&feature=related
    Continued prayers from our family to yours :)

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  9. I spent my weekend continuing to contact local & national media, as well as every DS organization I could think of. Including some overseas...pleading for support. More importantly, I pray for you all everyday. Expecting a miracle for your family.

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  10. Dear Tesney, I am PRAYING with you and believe that God has the hearts of kings in His Hands, so NO man can deny God! I am a mum of 1 beautiful precious gift from God that also came into our family through adoption and I know how much of a miracle each and every adoption is and how much must fall into place for it to even happen at all, but i feel to share with you that whenever you feel overwhelmed and scared to just take a deep breath and look up at our Heavenly Father. All works for the good of those who He loves and who loves Him. Much love and a hug from my heart to yours. Mel G (Port Elizabeth, South Africa)

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  11. I cannot even imagine the waiting, the ache, the stress. Praying for you all.
    Regarding the nav bar, are you talking about having another page on top? If you go to Design (top right), then on top left, you will see Posting, Edit posts, and Edit Pages. you can add a new page. That new page will show up automatically at the top (if I remember correctly). You can also adjusted it even more via the main design (page elements) panel. I hope Im explaining it correctly.

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  12. Mrs Davis my name is Brenda Peterson. I came by your story through the loux families. I contacted a local Christian radio station about kirill. They want to do a story. If you could email me at bpeterson1002@gmail.com I can get everything set up for you.

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  13. Dear Tesney ~ You have been on my mind and heart almost continuously since I heard about your court date. I, too, have shed many tears for your sweet little boy. And, for you. I know your Mama Heart is crushed...but, I also know that HE is ever present in your life! That you have placed this in His hands.

    On the first day that I heard of the judge's decision, I had a vision of you sitting right next to Jesus, with Kirill on your lap. The two of you were wrapped in a blue quilt and Jesus had His Arm around your shoulder.

    I think about that every time I Pray for your family. It is comforting to me and I hope it brings some to you, as well.

    I will continue to lift you ALL in Prayer and I KNOW that Our God Reigns and is in control of your lives! With His Love ~ Jo

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  14. I was just introduced to your amazing story. My prayers are with you and this very special little boy!!

    God Bless.

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  15. Praying and joining Linny's fast for this whole situation.

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  16. My thoughts and prayers are with you, as we wait today to find out our travel date to the Ukraine to adopt our little girl with DS. Our son was born with DS 8 years ago and is the social hit of his regular ed class and neighborhood school. It brakes our heart to hear the judges' ignorant words. God will use this for good! He has to.

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  17. I borrowed your picture for a post on my blog today. Still praying for you like crazy!

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  18. Tesney,
    I am crying for you and your family right now! We are in the process of adopting a 4 year old little boy that has down syndrome from Russia. We are waiting for the medical commission to be completed so we can get the date set to meet with the judge. Our Sunday School class in Midland, TX is praying for you and your family. I cannot imagine what you and your husband are going through, but God is so amazing and His plan is perfect. Just know that there are many praying for you and little Kirill!!

    Jennie Hogg

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  19. If you still need help with a navigation bar let me know! I would be glad to help you with it. My email is margaannemarie at yahoo dot come

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  20. Hi Tesney,

    I am praying hard for little Kirill and for you and your family! I will continue to pray for a successful outcome to your Supreme Court appeal!

    God bless you and hang in there. Stay strong!

    Kerin (just another Mom in the DS community - Canada)

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  21. Hi Tesney, My name is Amy and I recently learned of Kirill's story through Facebook. I have reposted the Facebook post as well as your post on my blog. His story is really getting out there. I hope that it helps, in some way. I am not a religious person, but your family (including Kirill) are in my thoughts constantly. I hope you find the strength to get through this difficult time.

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  22. PRAYING for your family and that sweet boy!

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  23. Tesney, I just found out about Kirill and your family's story via a friend from church who posted about it on Facebook (and I'm sharing it on my blog). Please know that you are all being lifted up in prayer to our Heavenly Father. I also pray that you can have the peace only He can provide.

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  24. I have written to my local christian radio station about Kirill's story and hope to hear a response. Thinking about you guys in Wisconsin.

    Lydia

    lyd_1983 at yahoo dot com

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  25. i just cannot stop thinking about you guys. my love and prayers are showered down on you all. stay strong and hold onto each other when you can't be. much love jane xxxxx

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  26. how about contacting Klove christian raido?...i could but you could tell the story better, if you think this would be an option I can contact them and see what I can do. let me know narrettog@yahoo.com I know ive never commented but you all have been on my mind so much. praying throughout the day for our Father to soften the judges heart so these precious children can go home to their families.
    I would like to blog a post about you all and the hook family.

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  27. I am praying for your sweet child and for your entire family. The waiting must be horrible. God give you strength! Praying for peace and a mighty act of God. Praying that you will be a pioneer for special needs children in Russia. Praying praying praying.

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  28. HUGS, LOVE, AND PRAYERS

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  29. I added your button, I posted your video and the news report on my FB, I blogged about you, and you are in my prayers until this is won!!! We are also trying to adopt, and my brother was severally disabled. We are trying for a special needs adoption. So this is near and dear to my heart. www.joshandnecha.blogspot.com

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  30. I have run across your story several times in the last few days - just wanted to let you know that we are praying for you and your family. And knowing that our God is a mighty and sovereign one, we will continue praying for His glory to be evident to every person you come in contact with throughout this process.

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  31. Have contacted everyone I can think of that would be able to help in this situation. Have many friends asking what they can do since we re-posted your story on our blog here. Know that we are all praying and standing in the gap for you and your family.

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  32. My heart is breaking for your son as he waits to come home. You're definitely in my prayers. May God give you strength and comfort as you continue to fight for your son's right to have a family of his own. I hope this will pave the way for other special needs children in the area.

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  33. Reading your story just breaks my heart. I have shared your blog link daily on facebook and everywhere else I can think of. I am hoping this is resolved quickly and Kirill can come home!

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  34. I just learned of your story yesterday and have been praying. My (American) friend has a school in Voronezh, Russia for children with Down Syndrome. He wanted to be sure you are aware of the Downside Up organization in Moscow. He said the staff there may be helpful to you. Their website is http://en.downsideup.org/index.php

    Praying in Tulsa, Oklahoma!

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  35. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. (((hugs)))

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  36. Dearest Tesney,
    I have been touched beyond imagination by your story. Please know that I join with the countless others in praying for you to bring precious Kirill "HOME". Blessings....

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  37. We are praying for you and Kiril. Praying that the Holy Spirit directs the opinion of the Supreme Court in Russia.

    God Bless you,

    Lee Ann

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  38. I just ran across your blog the other day, and cried and cried at your sweet video on "Kareen's Journey Home." I just felt I needed to comment...my family adopted a little girl from Russia in 2001. What a process it is!! Such a roller coaster of emotions. I remember what a mess my mom was after she went to Russia the first time, held my sister, loved her, and left not knowing if she'd be back. I know you are in a similar position. I'm sure it's near impossible to keep in mind that everything works itself out just how it's supposed to, and not always on our preferred time frame...but I know it's true! You're in my family's prayers and hope you find at least a few moments of peace at this point in your journey.

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  39. Hi. I was sorry to hear about what your family is going through; I hope Krill is in your arms as soon as can be. It is mind-boggling to think that anyone would think a child would fare better in an institution, especially when presented with people as caring and just plain GOOD as you are.

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  40. I just heard about your story a few days ago, and I have been praying non-stop for you and your darling boy ever since. Continue to let your faith carry you through this process. I am in complete awe of your strength. I hope that your adoption will lead the way for many more angels in Russia to find their forever families.

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  41. I am praying right now that God will open the eyes of the people making this enormous decision, so that Kirill will make it home!

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