Act on FAITH

You all know about the building of the miraculous Penny Palace over the past 2-3 years.  Well in the past 6 months I have had a new “Project of Passion” to work on.  I call it the  "The Sasha Project”.

In a nutshell:  Nine years ago I went to Russia with my brother and his wife to adopt two boys.  Kept in touch with Sasha - our interpreter, driver and so much more.  (There are a whole bunch of miracle stories there).  It was always my dream to bring Sasha to the U.S. to visit our family.  So I began working on that dream a few months ago.  More details of the Sasha Story have just been posted for you.  The simple 2-week visit has now blossomed into 5+ weeks with 12 adoptive CA families who will be hosting Sasha!

Last week Sasha had to fly to Moscow to have his VISA interview at the U.S. Embassy.  Each applicant gets about 5 minutes to present his case.  The agent refused Sasha’s entry!  Sasha does not currently have a job, nothing in savings, and he lives in the family home (his mother is owner), so he owns no land.

Within 24 hours I had set an appointment with an immigration attorney.  He was wonderful with his insight, but said our chances were not real high.  He recommended that Sasha think long and hard about the time and cost to try a second time.  That night Sasha and I made the decision to “Go Forth!”  and “Believe”

For the past four days we have been scrambling. Pretty much working it round the clock (Sasha’s time zone is 11 hours ahead of mine).  There have been numerous glitches, hiccups, and delays.

This morning we FINALLY obtained our new interview date: June 6, 2013.  When Sasha gets his OK (notice that I did not say IF he gets approved), it will take a few days for processing, then a few days for courier mail, etc.  That ought to give me about 3 days to book the flights! 

That brings us to today’s story …

This morning I was in my stretching/exercise class.  At the end of each session, the instructor has us sit in a circle, tell about our experience in class, and then she shares a word for the day.

My report this morning: “I have zero idea what my body did because my mind was racing about 150 mph on the Sasha Project!”   The rest of the ladies gave more normal reports.

Right at the end, the “Nudging” said, “Go home and book Sasha’s flight!”  Huh?  Again, I sensed, “Go Book Sasha’s flight!”  My Engineering / German background argued: “The Embassy websites advises NOT to make travel arrangements because VISAs are not guaranteed”.  “No. This is NOT logical”.  The Nudging persisted again.

Within two minutes of that argument, the instructor said, “Today’s Message is FAITH. ACT on Faith!”  I burst out laughing and the other ladies wondered why?  I told them about how I had just been wrestling.  That gave me the opportunity to share about the Sasha Project!  The ladies all said they would all be adding their prayers to this project.  The Goodwill is Blossoming!

I went home to book Sasha’s flight. I had only a few moments because someone was expected at my house.  I was frantically working when my guest called to say she would be delayed by an hour!  Thank You Angels.

I did a search for flights.  My “ideal flight” would have Sasha flying in Sunday afternoon (thus avoiding downtown LA traffic) to join our family for a Father’s Day dinner.  The return flight would be after work hours on the planned Thursday in July,

I searched for flights from Moscow to LAX using my Frequent Flyer Miles.  Search #1 had ZERO results.  Search #2 had ZERO results.  I was getting discouraged.  I told the Angels that THEY were the ones who told me to do this.  What were they thinking?

Attempt #3:  Arrival flight 1:40 Sunday afternoon, Departure 9:10 pm.  I could not believe it!  And get this --  the arrival flight had one seat using only half the Frequent Flyer miles I was expecting!!!  Talk about AWESOME!!!!

I have booked the tickets, paid the various airport taxes, and have the Confirmation number!!!!  “ACT on FAITH!”

I can’t wait for Sasha to wake up and read this posting.  He will probably think he is dreaming…