Monday, August 27, 2007

Talking to Strangers


Sorry for the long absence. We've been very busy getting our family into a new routine on the homefront. But I have managed to keep up with everyone's blog! We're so excited to see many of our web friends posting news of receiving their appointments or having their dossiers submitted. Its looks like many of their paths may cross in country! I hope I am able to meet some of you when we make it to Kiev. Its amazing how friendships have formed in the unique environment of the blogsphere. We've read every single message, and your comments and emails have moved us beyond words. Thank you for sharing your own stories to encourage us in the long process. Recently I spent over an hour on the phone talking with another mom who is adopting from Ukraine. Apart from our blogs, we would have never known about each other. Yet, we are bound together by a common experience and a common faith. Today I returned several emails from families seeking copies of our Orphans of Ukraine video. They join a growing list of families using the video to fund raise for their own adoptions. Two missionaries home on furlough from Ukraine are using the video to raise support for the work they are doing there. And there are also several families using the video as a spring board to start adoption ministries in their churches.

I stored the video on YouTube at the end of December and have been amazed watching the numbers grow. The video has been viewed over 8,785 times. There's something about seeing these children that stays with you. I'm excited watching these things come to pass. God is definitely moving!

6 comments:

Tami said...

I didn't realize you had put the video together! Wow! I posted a link to it on my blog months ago...boy what an amazing response. You did a beautiful job! It still makes me cry! :)

Nataliya said...

Leslie, I'm glad to hear that your kids are doing well after changing the schools, I'm sure they were anxious before the school started.

You did such a good job with the Orphans of Ukraine video, I loved it! It's so nice to hear that many people are watching it, hopefully more kids will find families with your help.

Zack, Jenn and William said...

It's nice to finally know the author of such a beautiful video! I hope you don't mind if I put a link to the youtube video blog, on our blog... We're also in the process of adopting from Ukraine (submitted to SDA, waiting for appointment date). And if it's alright, I'll also put a link to your blog on our side bar (let me know!).

Know that you and your family are in our prayers!!

Jennifer
mom-to-be in Georgia
http://dovefamily07.blogspot.com

Ashley said...

Leslie,

Thank you for your post on my blog and thank you for your prayers. So far, nothing has come over all those letters I passed out at church. I know it's God's timing so I am trying not to stress. I just thought we'd have more money by now. We don't even have enough to start! We really need to get moved first so maybe that is why we aren't supoosed to start yet. Maybe there are going to be many delays and God doesn't want us starting because he knows we will have to redo paperwork. I know this is all for a reason. Thanks again and sorry for complaining.

Rachael said...

The video is really touching. You did a great job putting it together. Is that your Kristina in the picture on today's post? What a sweet girl. I do hope she comes home soon!

Leslie said...

Thank you for the kudos, guys. Rachel, that is our sweetheart in the picture. Its been a whole year since we've seen her, so I imagine she's grown.

Ashley, don't be discouraged. God's timing is indeed perfect. We though our dossier would be complete and we'd be submitted by June with an August travel date. But then we would have been caught in this passport fiasco and I can't imagine being gone from my own for 8 weeks. Things will fall in place according to His timing. Just watch!