WAITING........

It's been a long while since we've posted anything. So, here's a little update on what's been happening since our last post in August....

In November we were told that we were at the top of the referral list & needed to update our homestudy & dossier. We had to reprint all of our documents & have them notarized, authenticated, & apostilled all over again. We rushed to get it done & sent to Kras before Christmas which was a succcess. We were told referrals were coming 9-12 months after original dossier registration. December 2, 2010 was the 9 month mark for us...it came and went. Christmas was very emotional to get through as we were very disappointed to not have our son's picture & information. In spite of our emotional rollercoaster, God was working. He led us to the blog of a family from Chicago who was in Kras on trip #2 to get their daughter! We emailed while they were still there going through the process & it was SO AMAZING to be a part of their adventure. We talked on the phone in early January after they had been home for a few weeks & what a blessing to hear their experience & tips!! We have new friends in adoption & know they are there to offer encouragement & advice when we need it. YAY!!

While the kids were still on break from school after New Year's, we felt like the right decision regarding being gone for two trips was to take the kids on trip #1. We HAD NOT ever planned on them going with us, but leaving them twice, asking friends and family to rearrange thier lives to babysit twice, & just knowing how amazing it would be for our whole family to meet him together made us see that this was the right choice. Scary, crazy, exciting....we will be gone the first time for about 8 days & plan to spend the night with family in London both ways. We immediately talked to our social worker about this decision & got their passports ordered.

In the meantime, God has been showing us how He is providing the funds....thanks to air miles ,fundraising money, last year's tax refund, & this year's tax refund we are funded for the rest of Russia's country fees & travel for trip #1. We know God has a plan for providing for trip #2...He just hasn't shown us yet! Lifesong for Orphans has agreed to keep our fundrasing account open for our travel. All donations are tax-deductable & we are sooooo grateful to everyone who has given in the last year. If you would like to be a part of helping us financially, we would be so blessed!

Checks need to be made to: Lifesong for Orphans & in the memo section write Murphy 1029-Russia (very important!!).

Mail to: Lifesong for Orphans
P.O. Box 40-202 N. Ford St.
Gridley, IL 61744

Thank you in advnace to those of you who feel led to give!! We know God will bless you for giving as much as we will be blessed by your gift!!! We will post an update as soon as our referral gets here & provide fundraising info again!! Please keep praying....we are so close, yet we still feel so far away. We can't wait to see our little boy's picture & finally get to meet him & bring him home!!! Thank you for being a part of our journey. Until next time....

Blessings,

Charity