Heartbroken

Dear friends, far and wide,

It is with deep sadness that we learn that President Putin has announced he intends to sign the ban on intercountry adoptions from Russia to the United States.  The would include our adoption of Alissa.

We are simply heartbroken.  Heartbroken for our little girl.  Heartbroken for ourselves.  Heartbroken for our countries - that we have been unable to address our differences courageously, honestly, and with integrity.

We do not know what our next steps are.  With the holidays here in the United States it is difficult to get ahold of anyone.  We will keep you informed if and when we know anything different than what we know today.

Today we can only ask for your prayers.

We pray simply that the Spirit would stir in a loving family to care for this little girl we hope could still be ours - to take her home and give her everything she needs and more.

We pray that, as with all countries, that both the United States and Russia would awaken to the reality that we are a global society.  Even the smallest acts have implications for others.  We pray that every leader in every country could come to this awareness and, despite ideological differences, work for the good of all people everywhere.

We pray for all children without a home and without a family.  May this battle serve to awaken an awareness in all of us that this is not the way we are meant to live, and may that stir us to action.

We thank you for your continued prayers, and words of support and encouragement, they are like gold to us right now, and we treasure them.