С РОЖДЕСТВОМ ХРИСТОВЫM!

This morning while watching the kids open their gifts, I was reminded (again) how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family. The love they show each other and to Dawn and I is priceless.

We are one short this Christmas because early on this year I thought we would have our little one home by now. Little did I know that it would take so very long to get US Immigration clearance. He will be home with us soon and we will celebrate. We pray for him nightly as we do all the children that do not have a home. In the coming new year, may God show us how we can be used to help those children.

To our Russian speaking friends, С РОЖДЕСТВОМ ХРИСТОВЫM!
To our English speaking friends, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Final Documents Sent to Russia

We overnighted our last batch of updated documents (medicals for the eight of us, marriage license) to our agency yesterday and we just got news they were received this morning. They sent us the note below:

The last package of documents we can get there before the holidays start in Russia is being sent out tomorrow. So, the file will be complete in the region before the holidays start. I don't think that ----- will be able to receive a court date before the holidays start, but hopefully we can get one shortly after they resume working in 2011.

Have a Merry Christmas -

Tony B

Medicals

God continues to bless our family in many, many ways. Most would think getting medicals for a family of eight would be easy - just call a doctor and set-up appointments. Nope, not that easy. First, the appointments had to be scattered as there was not a block of time large enough to accommodate 6 kids. Then there was the issue of the TB test that had to be completed on each person. Dawn missed the reading on her TB test and they were going to make her wait two weeks before another test could be run. During the TB test for the four youngest, one of the doctors/administrators suggested they just run a chest x-ray. They had to run a chest x-ray on Polina because she throws a positive result but she does NOT have TB. So, they completed a chest x-ray on Dawn as well. All test came back clean. Something we knew, but we had to do the test anyway. The same nice doctor even suggested that if we could wait until Wednesday, then the same doctor could see all the children. This made it much easier on us and them because we have to have documents notarized and we have to have a copy of their medical license. If all goes well, we should have all the medical documents by the end of the week.

We got a nice check from our old mortgage company due to an overpayment (we refinanced with a different company). This will cover Christmas presents at a time when things are a little tight.

And finally, our son, Grizzly Adams,(his new name due to the beard he has grown) came home from college. He had his final exams this week. Unfortunately, he along with the rest of the family got hit by a bad cold this week. He had to muddle through exams with the stuff. My work took me to the city where his school is located. I was able to check in on him and go get him some medicine. The stuff did not hit me hard until I got home on Thursday. Hopefully it has run its course and will be out of the house by tomorrow.

PRAYER REQUEST: We are still praying for a court date by December 31. This will be tough, but our God can perform miracles.

Evening Prayers & Medicals

From Beach 2010

Last night I was saying bedtime prayers with Nastya and Dima. When I finished, Nastya told me she had some more prayers. I told her to go ahead and say them and I bowed my head back down. She then prayed for all the boys and girls in her old home (village) that did not have a place to sleep. This little girl has a heart the size of Texas and is always thinking of other children.

Dawn, Jeremy and I got our medicals updated this week. Next week we will try to finish things up and get the other kid's medicals updated. I also got our marriage certificate updated. The certification expired so I had to update it.

PRAYER REQUEST: If you will, please pray with us that we will be able to got to court before December 31. If the court approves us, we should be able to bring our little one home the end of January.

Immigration Approval

We received a phone call yesterday from CIS (US Immigration) telling us we had been approved and the paperwork will follow!

Our Both Hands Project Summary

Our Both Hands Project Summary

Activities Completed

• Cut down old oak tree.

• Moved a swing.

• Replaced broken window pane.

• Fastened gutters to shop.

• Secured service entrance cover (shop).

• Replaced siding on second level of barn.

• Installed trim on barn.

• Painted new siding.

• Replaced three support posts on barn.

• Replaced two braces on barn.

• Connected outside air-line to air compressor.

• Hauled off debris.

• Taught Mae to load and fire shotgun.

Total Volunteer Hours: 103!

If you would like to help by making a tax deductible donation, please click on the Both Hands logo above and you will be directed to a website. Scroll down until you see our photo and project. If you click on the 'donate' button, you can make a donation through Paypal. If you would like to mail a donation, you can send it to:

Lifesong for Orphans
P.O. Box 40/202 North Ford Street
Gridley, IL 61744

In the memo section of your check, please indicate "Baggett Adoption #1382"

If you can not donate, we would appreciate your prayers as we work to bring our son home. Thanks -

Tony & Dawn

Both Hands Project

Dear Friends:
Total cost of this adoption will be approximately $34,000. To finalize everything, we will have to make four trips to Russia at a cost of over $12,000. We have partnered with Both Hands and Lifesong for Orphans for an innovative method to help with the financial barrier we face. Have you ever sponsored someone playing golf or walking for charity? In return for sponsorship, we and a team of friends will work on the property of a widow in our community by providing needed repairs. This project is founded upon James 1:27 which states, "" Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

If you would like to help by making a tax deductible donation, please click on the Both Hands logo above and you will be directed to a website. Scroll down until you see our photo and project. If you click on the 'donate' button, you can make a donation through Paypal. If you would like to mail a donation, you can send it to:

Lifesong for Orphans
P.O. Box 40/202 North Ford Street
Gridley, IL 61744

In the memo section of your check, please indicate "Baggett Adoption #1382"

If you can not donate, we would appreciate your prayers as we work to bring our son home. Thanks -

Tony & Dawn

Beach 2010

Earlier this month, some friends graciously allowed us to use their condo down at the beach. The weather was great and we were able to celebrate our oldest son's 20th birthday. This was such a blessing as there are few places that can accommodate a family of eight!




Here is one little girl who loves her big brother! She looks forward to him coming in from college whenever possible.

Raising Kids

As your children grow up, you often wonder if you did your job to prepare your kids for life. Our oldest left home for college a week ago and due to current circumstances, it was difficult to let him go. Our family is going through a lot right now and I did not realize how much I relied on him to talk to and lean on until he was gone. Early in the week, we exchanged e-mails and I had one of those comforting realizations that he was ready to face life's challenges. To have that peace of mind is so wonderful. I am sure he will make mistakes as I did, but his head is straight and his heart is good.

Children are such a blessing from God. I was told something in the past 10 days that hurt. It hurt because it came from a good Christian person and it hurt because I realized there are good Christian people that still do not get "it". This well meaning person that I have great respect for referenced "my kids" and "my adopted kids". I don't see my family that way. I have my wonderful wife and six wonderful children. I am adopted into God's family through Jesus Christ. God does not look at me (nor you) any different than His other children so why would I ever look at my children differently? I try my best to share the love the Father has for me with my wife and children - unbridled, unending, unconditional love. I had hoped others understood that love, but I guess I have not done my job well enough.

Family Update

On July 26, our oldest daughter Christina was admitted to the hospital. She came home two days ago (Friday) and is still in recovery mode but doing well. Friday was also the day Jeremy went off for school. It is odd not having him around. He will do well I just hate that his last week home for the summer was such a mess. Dawn and I were in and out of the hospital and did not get to spend much time with him.

The four youngest and I are in a play at a church here in town. Because of all things happening in our life right now, I first looked at this as a hassle, but the message is good and it has done me good to just listen - God is there and He is in control.

Two weeks back, we did go and have our fingerprints scanned at CIS in Birmingham. I guess we may hear of something soon on the matter.

About seven or eight years ago, I heard an adult speaking to our youth at church and he commented, "If the devil isn't messing with you, then you need to be questioning your life and the path you are taking." Sounds like a strange message, but I have come to learn how very true that statement is.

Russia July 2010

Back from Russia

Dawn and I got back Thursday night from Russia. Does it make sense to anyone else when I say the trip was too long, too short and very rushed? Let me explain a little:

Too Long - Being away from our kids here at home was hard. We had difficulty with our cell phone and could not call home for a couple of days. To make things a little more stressful, we thought we were staying at one motel in the region where our referral was located only to learn we were staying at another when we arrived. The families watching our kids would not know how to contact us in an emergency.

Too Short - We only got to spend a few hours over two days with the little boy we hope to adopt. More time would have been nice just to be able to get to know him and to let him get to know us.

Rushed - Get off the plane, Try to get acclimated to time change. Up at 4:30 AM to travel to region. Drive to region, spend some time with little boy. Drive back to Moscow. Get up at 6AM to get ready for medical screening. Go to hospital and spend 4 hours visiting 8 doctors. Eat dinner, go to bed, get up at 4:30AM to get ready for trip home. Arrive at airport at 7:30, clear immigration and come home.

I wish I could post pictures, but that is no allowed by the Russian officials until after the adoption is finalized. He is a wonderful little boy with very long eye lashes. He is three years old and is a very happy little boy. This was great to learn. Some children are not very happy and they have very good reasons for being like that. They read his complete file to us and asked if we had any further questions or concerns. We asked about food allergies and they did not know of any. They asked if we desired a new medical evaluation and we told them a new evaluation was not going to make any difference. I guess some parents ask for this, but it would not change our mind in anyway. We want to adopt him and that is that. Some argue that they need the evaluation to prepare themselves properly. I can see that, but Russian medicals are written in such a way as to scare the living day lights out of anyone regardless of your health status. When we get home with him, we will have him checked out head to toe by the IA Clinic at UAB. On Tuesday afternoon we signed papers of intent and had them notarized for court.

The detsky dom was very, very clean and had a wonderful director. You could tell she really cared for the children and was so sweet and kind to them. She showed us his bedroom with all the little beds in a row and where they kept their things.

We learned that if we had received our US Immigration clearance already they would have given us a court date. I am going to follow-up on that Monday to see what the status is. They have had our application for over two months and we have not even received our fingerprint letter. Anyway, if we do not go to court within 90 days, we have to travel to Moscow and have our medicals completed again.

I'll try an post a little more detail later. We are still trying to get back on our schedule here.

Visas Received

Tomorrow we leave for Moscow and it has been incredibly busy and hectic! Nearly everything that needed to be done was completed. With four business days to get ready, only one item didn't get completed and I pray they will let us get it done when we return. I knew when we received the call, it was going to be difficult to get it all done in 4 business days. The call came from Moscow and I'm pretty sure they did not realize Monday was a holiday here in the US. I don't know if having Monday would have helped with the one item. I'm just glad we were able to get the the travel visas (a stamp in your passport from the Russian Consulate that gives you permission to enter the country).

We return Thursday afternoon which is great. On our last trip home from Moscow in 2008, we did not get home until about 2AM. Lots of air time this time as we are routed trough Houston. Houston to Moscow will be about 12 hours. Unfortunately I was unable to see my doctor and get some "happy pills" for flying. Don't know what they are, they just put me to sleep!

The Good News

Dear Friends:

Sorry to be so cryptic, but late yesterday afternoon we received a call asking us to travel to Russia next week for a referral. This is great news, but SO much has to happen in just a few days - tickets, visas, etc! That is why we need your prayers!

We appreciate all your prayers -

Tony B.

Prayers Please

Got some good news today, but if you are reading this - we need your prayers.

Adoption Project

Just a short update. On Wednesday, Dawn and I got word we had been approved for a project with Both Hands Foundation (see link on the right side of screen)! Our project is not listed yet, but it will be soon. We are very excited about this opportunity to help a widow in need and at the same time, raise money to help fund our adoption.

I was a bit arrogant in the beginning of this process thinking I was going to take care of things on my own. This was so wrong for many reasons because most of it had to do with pride. I don't like asking for help. You would think I would have learned my lesson from the last adoption. Like the Israelites during the exodus, I have a short memory. I was reminded in February that I can't do anything without Him. I am a bit embarrassed that I actually thought this way. It's by His grace that I wake up every morning and I thought I would petition a foreign government and the US government to allow me to adopt a child - all with out His help. How arrogant!

More to come . . .

Dossier Mailed & 2 Year Anniversary

Well, in the past week we have shipped two sets of documents that make-up 99% of our dosier. The only thing I am waiting on is the apostille on my employment letter that had to be completed in New Hampshire. We also need to go get our local police clearances and that will wrap up our dossier. Hopefully we will have both documents in the next week to ten days. We are also waiting on our CIS appointment to be fingerprinted. We received a letter from them saying they received our application the last week in April. With the last adoption, it only took two weeks to get an appointment. There is a small voice in the back of my head getting a little paranoid about this. The louder voice is reminding me it is all in His timing.

May 20 was the second anniversary of the day we picked up the kids from the detsky dom. Wow time flies, but then again it seems like they have always been home with us. We didn't do anything special other than talk about it over lunch one day. As I look back over the photos, it is amazing to see how much they have grown! Our house is a bit chaotic now days, but not in a bad way. I wouldn't trade one minute of it! I know couples with only one or two kids look at us like we are nuts, but children really are a blessing. I laugh when I hear adults comment about their "private/me" time. You have got to be kidding! Our private time is when we close our eyes at night and got to sleep - but even then there are times when there is a little one between us because they had a bad dream or something.

Dawn and I have a rather unspoken prayer request. If you will, just pray that God will give us wisdom to make the right decision. I know this is cryptic, but it is something that has been weighing heavily on us for several months now.

Sad News from Russia

A week ago last Thursday, I received a sad e-mail from Russia. Tatiana e-mailed me to let me know that the kid's birth mom, Elena, had passed away. This shook me a little more than I expected - I had never met the woman. There is a piece of me that is very angry with her, but there is a much larger piece that feels sorry for her. I do not know what home life for her was like as a little girl, but I do know what her life as an adult has been like in recent years. It was a tragic life that is unfortunately very common in that part of the world. I pray she knew The Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour. I e-mailed Tatiana a note back to let her know how very sorry we were to hear the news and that I would tell the kids in a few days. I even asked her about Elana's salvation. I got an e-mail back from her, but she never addressed that point. I fear Elena died not knowing there was a Heavenly Father that loved her - how horrible.

I told Tatiana that Nastya and Dima do not remember Elena, but Polina has very clear memories of her and loved her. I knew Polina would want a picture and Tatiana promised to send one. I did not tell Polina until last Sunday night. She was heart broken and grabbed hold of Dawn and let her comfort her. I told the little ones on Monday morning. They cried a little.

I spoke with our church pastor about how to "honor" their birth mom's life. I was struggling because she did not lead a life style that I felt I could honor, but I knew I needed to recognize her passing for my children and the rest of the family. She gave birth to my three youngest children and for that I am eternally grateful. Pastor recommended a flower be placed up on the communion table in her memory for today (Mother's Day). I went a little further and asked if I could just get a large arrangement of flowers. He thought that would be fine. So, this past Monday morning, I took Polina to the florist and we purchased an arrangement in memory of Elena. They were there on the table up front this morning with a note in the bulletin that they were in memory of the kid's birth mom that passed away on April 22. I took a picture tonight (forgot my camera this morning) with the kids and the flowers so I could send it to Tatiana and show her how we remembered Elena today.

So, in memory of Elena ...

Home Study approved by State DHR

Well, we got great news from our social worker, our home study was approved by the Alabama DHR and was passed on to US Immigration (CIS)! We received copies of our home study in the mail on Saturday which allows us to apply for grants which we really need. Thanks for your prayers!

The matter in Tennessee has created a lot of questions. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said adoptions by US citizens have been suspended. The Russian Ministry of Education which is in charge of adoptions has publicly stated they have not suspended adoptions. Our agency has families over there right now and they have not had any issues to develop. That said, I am sure that by the time we go to court, there will be some new requirements for us to complete. The anger many families in the adoption community have for this Tennessee woman is very high. But a friend pointed out to me on Thursday afternoon that no one person could do this much damage - it is spiritual warfare. He is exactly right. The devil does not want any of these children to have a home and he also knows that there is an almost certainty that these children will learn the love of The Heavenly Father.

Adoption News

The only real news is that the events involving the Tennessee woman have caused a LOT of problems for parents trying to adopt from Russia. News reports this morning from major media outlets claim that Russia has stopped all adoptions from the United States. That may or may not be true. It seems the official that made the comment may not have had the authority to make such a decision. It could be he was repeating was he was told or speculating. We probably will not have any concrete news for a couple of days.

We still don't have a home study. We were told it would be available this week, but it is Thursday and I have not heard anything from them yet. Also, our Immigration paperwork was returned again. This time they said they needed Jeremy's birth certificate. The documentation we have does not state that we were supposed to send it in. That info will go out in tomorrow's mail.

Pushed and Pulled - Or Jerked?

This past week has been a roller coaster of weather; 70 degree temperature, 40 degree temperature, sun and, rain - lots and lots of rain. Sounds like our life in a weird sort of way - being jerked this way and that. I guess "jerked" isn't the best word for it, but I don't know what other word to use. Our homestudy still has not made it to DHR. Without a homestudy, we can't apply for grants (which we need). Grants are often distributed in cycles and if you miss the cycle, you are out of luck. Last week our US Immigration paperwork got kicked back to us. We did not send the proper amount of funds, so they returned everything. That will have to go in the mail tomorrow with an extra check from the bank.

Our emotions are really being pulled in so many different ways on different levels. All I know is to ask God for wisdom.

Christina had some tests run at Children's Hospital with more scheduled. They ran a blood test (number 4 I think) with no answers for her problems. She had a very rough day today with a lot of pain. I can't stand to see my baby cry and not be able to help her. Please, pray for her. To the doctors, she is just a number. To Dawn and I, she is our precious daughter that is hurting.

Adoption Update

Well, we are STILL trying to get the homestudy "clean" and ready for the Russians. We thought all was done, but alas, in the adoption world, you are never through with paperwork until three years after your court order.

Last week we were told we had to complete the "Hague Training". With our last adoption, we completed at least 18 hours of training and in the back of my mind, I think it was more like 21 hours. The Hague Treaty and certification requires all adoptive parents to obtain a certificate of training - for a fee. The training is from a third party that will provide the all important certificate - for a fee.

Part of being an pre-adoptive parent is closing your eyes and writing out checks for these fees. Some are small and are only a couple of hundred dollars. Others enter the five digit realm. You see, the world thinks that adoptive parents are rich. Why else would someone venture down that road unless our pockets were burdened with too much money. Did I also mention we had to mail the US Government money today to grant us permission to adopt? We sent the money and they could say "no" and the money is gone. Why do we do this? Why do we spend our retirement money (what is left), scrimp and save money from our paycheck? Because God put a burden on our hearts for these children. To outsiders and extended family we are insane. Did I mention we have to have a psychological evaluation - for a fee? Sometimes when I close my eyes, I see lists of fees needed for this adoption. Where is it going to come from? God.

In the last adoption on the 12th hour with three weeks before court, we realized we were $6,000 short. We never said a thing to anyone other than God. One week later, we received $6,000. Am I scarred? Yes. Will God provide? Yes. I know He is there and when I calm down, I take comfort in knowing so.

Please, keep us in your prayers...

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

How Warm and Snug Are You?

It's almost 11:30 and we just got the kids in bed after a small social with some other friends. I just checked the the weather in Siberia in the small village my three youngest were born. Tonight it will be -10 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -27 degrees Fahrenheit. Add to that 4 to 5 feet of snow. I think of all those children there and in the nearby large cities that are living on the streets with no where to go. No warm and snug bed to crawl into, no mama and papa to kiss them good night - just bitter cold and worn ragged clothes. The cold hearted would say, "...kids are resourceful - they'll find a way to keep warm." My answer - how resourceful were you at 5? How about 10?

Worst of all, many of them have never heard of a Heavenly Father that loves them - it is beyond their comprehension even if they have heard of Him. My heart aches for them...