About Us

Hattiesburg, MS, United States
We are a really average family that just can't get over that we have been adopted by an extraordinary God! We are excited and expectant as the journey to enlarge our family unfolds before us.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Great news!!!!!

Wow! what a day!!!!! Before I get into details, I just want to have a little worship service right here on this blog. We serve an awesome God, and I am standing in amazement of His lovingkindness. God has gone before us and made the way smooth. It's is an amazing feeling to be caught up in something that you are completely aware is beyond your control but in His hand. Honesty begs that I tell you that I was a weepy mess for a little while yesterday dealing with the enormity of the choice we were about to be faced with and our complete lack of a sense of direction. All in all, it was a good opportunity to be brought face to face with the reality of God's grace. Our God showed himself today.

We got up late this morning as a result of a night out with Joel and Mary Ellen Ragains. The big hurdle for the morning was no water in our flat. Not a big deal, just a little reminder of how different this is from home. Just past noon, we met Yana, our facilitator, and had a little lunch. Then we were off to the SDA for our appointment. It was about a 20 minute walk from our flat. On the way, we passed St Sophia church in the Kyiv Rus (the oldest part of Kyiv and the original center of ancient Russia.). That where God gave us a little moment of reassurrance in His reach. As we were crossing the street in from of St. Sophia, I looked ahead and caught a glimpse of a familiar face. I called his name and sure enough it was "Edward" (what we call him in English), a young professor from Kyiv Theoloigcal Seminary and the first translator Tony and I had here in 2007. What are the chances? In a city of 4.5 million people, I see one of less than a dozen people I know!!! And, he is a brother in Christ! And, we have a few moments of fellowship in the middle of the city!! What are the chances? It's a cinch when you put God in the middle of our circumstance. I really think seeing Edward was God's tangible gift of a reminder of His presence and his faithfulness. Wow!

Then, we get to the SDA. Shortly, we are ushered into an office where we met with a psychologist. She was young and very nice. I also think she spoke better English than she let on since she laughed at a couple of my jokes. The office was dark because the power was out (more on that later). After some preliminary discussions including one more check to rule out a biological sibling for Erick (none found), she came back into the room with a stack of files. She began with a boy named "N." He was born in Sept 2001 and he is in the Odessa region. He is reported to have some mild developmental delays nad is quite shy. I have to admit, my heart lept when I heard his name and saw his picture. To make a long story short, we were presented a number of files, but "N" was it. As we conferred for a moment after we heard the files presented, Denise and I had the same reaction. We just knew. I can't explain it, but I know it. The details we have been given tell us that a Canadian couple began to pursue "N" for adoption but had a family emergency that required them to end their pursuit of him. Wow! Please pray that he will be receptive of us. I know that it will likely be hard for him to trust us because of his past experience. I want him to know that he has a family that will not quit on him. BTW, Erick (our little electircian) told them they needed to get the lights fixed, and flipped the light switch. About 30 second after he did it, the power came on. All the ladies in the SDA office got a big laugh over that, and said he needed to visit more often if he could get results like that!

We are supposed to pick up our referral paperwork tomorrow afternoon and then we will travel by bus to Odessa on Sunday (and on to the town where "N" is). Thanks for praying!!!!! Please keep on...

Blessings,

Rick

8 comments:

tbcpreschool said...

Fabulous!!! A seven year old littel boy! Erin and I's prayer this morning that God would make it so evident and obvious for you and Denise. What an awesome God! How is the commute to Odessa? Did God answer that part of the prayer?!!

Rick, Denise, Erick & Nicholas Morton said...

It seems God did answer about the travel portion as well. We will go by "VIP" bus. It is about 5 1/2 hours by bus. I think this bus is probably like Greyhound, but here that is VIP :)! The price is reasonable and it beats a 12 hour train ride...

Tony Merida said...

Unreal... the whole thing is just a tribute to grace. I will be praying for the next phase. ANd if you see any of our other old students, in the middle of 4.5 million people, give them my best. Also, I think Erick can find a few showers to work on over there.

Slush said...

Great news!I'm thinking maby "N" will be a carpenter. He and Erik can hook up and become developers. "Morton and Sons."
Philippians 4:19 is something to rejoice about today. Enjoy the bus ride. I look forward to the next update.

Student Life said...

Congratulations! It feels like I am there with you. I am glad I am not... But I can see it.......the walk to the SDA.....the psychologist..... the dark.

Praying you have a great first meeting with "N". I have chills just thinkin about it.

Happy for you all.

Randy

Conethia and Jim Bob said...

I just happened across your blog and had to respond. What an amazing story!!! We are preparing to go for our appointment on Feb. 26th and found so much encouragement in your experience. Congratulations.

Maureen said...

Praise God!! Nad is a blessed boy. Next prayer....Nad will feel comfortable with you. I cannot see how else he would feel esp...with Erick there to show him the ropes!!!

Leslie said...

what a blessing to be praying for y'all!!! so funny that you used the word "smooth" because as i was praying this morning for y'all, i just kept thinking/saying "smooth" to God...that He would provide a smooth way for you. it's awesome to be getting the updates!!