2013: Our Eyes Are On God

On Friday morning, we read in the news what we had been fearing for days: Vladimir Putin signed the Russian Adoption Ban into law.

So what does this mean to Ana, to Tim, and to the rest of our family? The short answer is, we simply do not know. We are staying in close contact with our adoption agency and relying on their expertise to work through these issues and guide us as to our next steps. What a caring and professional team they are. 

Already, there's a glimmer of hope for children with special physical needs. One Russian lawmaker has proposed an amendment to the bill that would allow these adoptions to move forward. Our hope, of course, is that the way would be open for any child in a Russian orphanage to find a home, wherever that home may be. 

As we wait for the politicians to work through these issues, I'm comforted by the words that our dear friend Jane Stuart Smith sent to us in a Christmas card:

Things are not as they appear to be, as we see them from our limited point of view. It is easy in our troubled world to lose track of the truth that God is in control. 

Yesterday, we sat in a little country church as the pastor opened these words:

But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! (Psalm 141:8). 

The outcome is in God's hands. In the end, it will not be determined by the politician's pen. We don't claim to know what He is doing or why. But we are trusting in Him. History is filled with stories of miraculous intervention - causes that seemed doomed until God rolled in with a sudden, unexpected deliverance. Please do not give up hope. Continue to pray for the defenseless in Russia.

Savior, He can move the mountains. 

Our God is mighty to save,

He is might to save.

Don't Slow Down Yet

In the meantime, I'm still running and praying. I've got no intention of slowing down. My sights are set on a trail marathon in March. My first race as a member of the RODS Racing Team. If you're able to help donate towards that race, please visit my team page. All of the money raised at this race will go to help orphans through Reece's Rainbow. You can't imagine how kicking in even a few cents per mile will encourage everyone working to help these kids. It's not time to slow down yet.

Putin: Banning Adoptions Is "Not So Simple"

According to today's Moscow Times, Vladimir Putin suggested that - even if the Russian adoption ban becomes law - it may take at least a year for the ban to take force.

Referring to the Russia-US Adoption Agreement that went into effect in November, Putin stated, "The agreement says that if one country decides to quit, it must notify the other side a year in advance. [Undoing that agreement ] is not so simple."

The bill is expected to be approved on Friday, and will then go to Putin for his signature.

Based on what we are hearing, the Russian Minister of Education - among others - has taken a stand against the bill. An online petition opposing the bill garnered over 100,000 signatures from Russian citizens.

Here is the entire text from the Moscow Times article: Putin Hints He Can't Ban U.S. Adoptions

Proposed Russian Adoption Ban

As many of you know, my wife and I are in the process of adopting two orphans from Russia. You may also have heard that the Russian Parliament voted - for a second time - to ban adoptions for American families. This ban is not yet law, but the vote does not bode well for Russian orphans.

What does this vote mean for us, for Ana and Tim, and for the many families now in the process of adoption? We simply don't know yet. It is certainly a call to prayer. This vote is the result of long-standing tensions between  Russia and the United States. Sadly, it is the orphans who will pay the heaviest price if the ban ever becomes law.

We know that our God holds the hearts of all men in His hands. He sits enthroned over every man and government. Please begin to pray that He will intervene on behalf of these children and remove this latest obstacle. Please pray also that God will grant peace and patience to every family affected by this vote.

Here is a helpful summary of the situation, as provided by our adoption agency:

This is a political move in direct retaliation to President Obama’s signing of the the Magnitsky Act on December 14.  The Magnitsky Act imposes U.S. travel and financial restrictions on human rights abusers in Russia ... a third reading of the ban is expected to occur on Friday.  After that, the Council of Federation plans to review it on December 26.  Finally, it goes to President Putin for signature.  He can approve it as written (which we don’t have a copy of).  He can refuse it outright.  He can send it back for revisions. 

This brings to the forefront the complaints from Russia that a total of 19 Russian children have died in the hands of adoptive American parents.  Russian has accused the US courts of imposing light sentences in these cases.  If this ban is signed in its current form, it will invalidate the bilateral treaty which the US and Russia have recently signed and implemented. 

Not all Russian officials agree with this.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a stand against the ban citing the welfare of the orphans who will be denied families.  We have no indication whether special needs adoptions will be considered different from regular adoptions. This is occurring within a week of the shut down for Russia’s holidays.  Government offices won’t start reopening until January 9, 2013 after the celebration of Orthodox Christmas.  Consequently, we don’t expect to have specific answers for some time.   

Once again, we want to stress that this is not law, and many within Russia are opposed to the ban. But we do ask that you would join us in prayer that this obstacle would be removed, and that God would take up the cause of these orphans.

If you would like more information on this issue, here is a helpful article:

Adequate or faulty? Russian lawmakers vote for US adoption ban amid criticism

Team Ilene. These People Don't Know When to Quit.

Back in September, I wrote about Noah Galloway and his friend Ilene. Noah is the Iraq vet who lost an arm and a leg to an IED. In spite of his injuries, Noah trains like a machine.

This is what determination looks like.

Noah and his friend Ilene (who has brittle bone disease) trained for the Tough Mudder competition in September, but that event was cancelled before they could hit the course. 

Well, these two don't know when to quit. So this past weekend, they conquered the Tough Mudder course in Sarasota, Florida. 

Give my previous post on this event a read, and then take a fresh look at your own obstacles.

RODS Racing

It's official: I'm the newest member of the RODS Racing Team.

Ironman Brady Murray founded RODS to help orphans with Down Syndrome find a home. The athletes of RODS run everything from 5Ks to full Ironman races in order to help fund these adoptions.

In most cases all of the RODS athletes race for a single orphan. When that adoption is fully funded, they move on to the next. They've had life changing success; I'm honored to be a part of this organization and ready to run my heart out. My first scheduled race for 2013 is the Instant Classic Trail Marathon. 

Through a special arrangement with the RODS Team, I'll be running to support Ana and Tim until their adoption is fully funded.Older orphans like Ana and Tim are in a  particularly dangerous situation. At sixteen years old, they will have to leave their orphanage. With no family, no social safety net, and the stigma of having been raised in an orphanage, a tragically high percentage of these young people turn to crime or suicide. In some cases, the only thing standing between them and a family is money: it typically costs $35,000 for a family to adopt a child internationally.

RODS works hand in hand with Reece's Rainbow to provide adoption grants. I first learned about RODS through my association with Reece's, so this just seemed a natural fit. Once Ana and Tim are home, I'll keep running until my legs crumble. There are just so many beautiful, needy kids waiting to bless a family. And if pounding the pavement will help to get them there, then let's keep moving!

Almost Home

Russian law requires three visits to the country before we can bring our new children home. The first visit will be to meet Ana and Tim. After that meeting if everyone - Val and I, the children, the adoption agency, the Russian officials - are in agreement, we will make a second trip to finalize the adoption in court.

Lord willing, the gavel will come down and the Judge will say, "We hereby grant you permission to adopt the two children Tatyana Deutsch and Artem Deutsch." 

And then we will wait. 

Because, you see, even though they will be our children in the eyes of the law and in our hearts, we will have to wait thirty days before we can bring them home. Within those thirty days, yet more papers will be filed, and any long-missing family members who want to contest the adoption will have their chance to come forward. 

At the end of our day in court, we will celebrate. We will cry. We will share a family meal. And at the end of that life shifting day, Tim and Ana will go back to sleep in the orphanage. Just like they have every other day of their lives. This time, though, it will be different. Because they will know that they have a home and brothers and sisters in another land. 

Just a little wait, and they will be home. 

Isn't that the reality of the Christian life? Every believer is an adopted child in God's family. We have a home and brothers and sisters in another land.

But still we have to wait.

Hope sustains us, though. Because we know in our hearts that our Heavenly Father has already made the arrangements. Our adoption has been finalized.

Just as I long to bring two more children into my home. Just as my sons and daughters anticipate welcoming their new brother and sister, my Heavenly Father longs to see me. My elder brother Jesus anticipates welcoming me into his home.

Saints who've gone before me will stand with open arms when I cross that final threshold. But for now, I wait.

Richmond Half Marathon: An Unexpected Race

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

The Unexpected Races

About this time last year, as we sat around eating holiday food, my buddy Michael said, Why don't we find a 5K to train for? It"ll help us get back into shape. So...one 10K and two half marathons later, and here I am writing this post

Two Half Marathons in 2012. Whoda thunk it?

And that's the least of the surprises: Going into last year's holiday season, adoption had never crossed my mind. But here I am, working and planning with my wife Val to bring two young people out of a Russian orphanage and into our home.

Funny. I had this feeling that God was telling me to prepare for something big. I just had no idea...

Adoption and racing converged at the Richmond Half Marathon. I thought I'd try using this race as a fund-raiser, and some incredible friends stepped up to the plate to support us. Friend Jeff upped the ante by challenging me to shave 10 minutes off of my previous race time. And he promised a bigger donation if I did.Yikes. No pressure there.

A Strategy Emerges

If you want to cut 10 minutes from your PR, here are my suggestions:

• Run the mile you're in. In Ashland, I kept thinking about the miles in front of me. In Richmond, I just concentrated on staying strong at the moment. It makes a big difference
• Lolly-gag in your first race. Seriously. I didn't know what to expect at the Patrick Henry Half, so my only goal was to avoid the ignominy of being picked off the course by a shuttle. Maybe could have pushed that one a little harder? 
• Concentrate on speed work. Between August and November, I spent more time on speed work. Part of the reason for this - honestly - was because my knees just weren't holding up so well on the long runs. . 
• Have a cause. Brady Murray, Iron Man and founder of RODS Racing told me, "You'd be amazed what you can do when racing for a cause." He was right. 
• Finish on a down hill. The Richmond race closed with a nice decline heading into Browns Island. I try to finish most of my training runs on an incline, so this made for a swift kick at the end. 
• Pray. Can't stress this enough. Things happen when you pray.

Thank You, Pace Team

Just before the start, I noticed a 2:15 pace team in the corral in front of me. Perfect. If I could catch them and then stay ahead, that would get me in the neighborhood of 2:10. So that was the first order of business. By the time I reached Bryan Park, around mile 7, they were long gone. I had a burst of energy inside the park - fueled by the clock that told me I was under an hour for the first 10K.

Expect Great Things from God, Attempt Great Things for God

The Richmond race is behind me. But there's still a lot of ground to cover before we can bring Ana and Tim home. One thing I am trying to learn, though:, is to run the mile I'm in. It's too easy to be overcome by the distance that stretches out before me. But God's grace, like Manna, is enough for the day.