And now back to the rewind... We Boarded that Flight

 
With Chris's confidence we boarded our flight some seven and a half hours after saying that prayer in our driveway. We were finally on our way. Germany, Almaty, Ust Kamenogorsk here we come... 

(photos taken at JFK)
The flight to Germany was long, and the realization that we were leaving the USA hit hard when all communications from the pilot and flight crew were first given in German and then the English translation followed. This was our first flight over seas, each moment and experience an adventure. Until now we didn't factor in the anxiety we would experience not being able to understand or speak the language. A humbling experience to say the least.
We settled into the small uncomfortable seats, and eventually sleep came. After arriving in Germany, and a 3 hour layover we boarded the next flight to Almaty which would land at midnight Almaty time.
As we spent many hours on the plane, I continued to journal to a child who's face had changed 4 times in 14 months and now was replaced with a blur of total uncertainty. This was the epitome of blind faith. As the hours passed and the barrage of thoughts continued to inhabit my consciousness, just as a storm ravaged ocean churns, when the storm passes and waters calm, clarity emerges. During our flights to Ust Kamenogorsk the clarity that emerged for me was, we had weathered our storm, and the love in my heart was prepared to love what ever child would be presented to us.
My journal began the year before, as my first gift to my daughter. I wanted her to have a sense of who I was, and how I felt about her before she entered my life. Because she was adopted I wanted her to have a glimpse into what the journey to her had entailed. The only way I knew to convey these emotions and events were to keep a journal. I prayed my words, which would be read by my daughter many years after they were written, would be a comfort to her when, intellect collides with emotions as she ponders her life story.
Today as I re read my journal entries written just 2 years ago, and I relive each twist, and turn, and tear that culminated into great joy, the journal itself documents Gods presence throughout our journey and just how miraculous his blessings are. We all, including our daughter came to experience how relinquishing control, and accepting Gods plan in faith, sustains you during some of the most painful moments of loss and profound uncertainty.

Next stop Almaty Kazakhstan at midnight.....

The elephant in the room

Before the TV segment about Orson Mozes and AIP air's on AMW, we just wanted to let all who are following this blog be aware, we did submit to the shows producer alot of video and still photo's we have that tell our adoption story. Aside from video's and photos of our family, we included all 4 referral photos and video Orson sent to us of baby 749 (our first referral). We also submitted the investigative report done by Sarah Wallace,(which can be found on this blog in an earlier post) and both of our blog addresses. We have no idea what the producers will or will not use, or how they are going to develop the story line.
Accusations of exploitation were posted online by the Sapp's on their blog after the investigative report aired, and it is our opinion, while these accusations were directed at us and Sarah Wallace, the true culprit was Orson Mozes. The Sapp family in our opinion, were also victims of Orson Mozes and his bait and switch practices. We were always supportive of the Sapp's during their adoption of baby 749, as you have come to see and read about in this blog. Unfortunately as our story is truthfully told in its entirety and the evidence presented, the Sapp's are very much a part of our story. There is no way around it.
So, in preparation of even bigger TV exposure we again reiterate, we are telling our story in an effort to help bring to justice Orson Mozes, the man who perpetrated these crimes against us, and many innocent adoptive parents. While uncomfortable for some, we believe it our moral responsibility to see justice served. Both the Sapp and the Young families, by the grace of God, and in spite of Orson Mozes experienced miracles and adopted the children God planned for us.
Many other AIP clients did not. It is for these families, we chose to go public. If and when Orson Mozes is brought to justice, a very loud message will be sent to the adoption community, that in the USA, illegal adoption practices will not be tolerated. Adoptive parents who join hands, bear witness, and fight corruption have a powerful voice.
Our ultimate goal is to set a precedent in the courtroom to protect future perspective parents from the types of crimes perpetrated by Orson Mozes.

America's Most Wanted

Just a quick post with some news.
I have just received word that the Executive Producer of America's Most Wanted has approved a segment to be televised on Orson Mozes.
The world just got a whole lot smaller for Orson as he is a fugitive right now.
When I have an aire date I will post it here.
I am sure it will take a few months to put together but many of Orson's victims are working together with the producer on this project to see that justice is served.
We all are looking to the day that Orson Mozes and AIP are held accountable.

Below is just a portion of the message Robert Brown AMW Producer posted on the Stop Orson Mozes Yahoo Board. If anyone reading this blog has anything to contribute you can either email me, or go directly to AMW.Com with your information.

"I just wanted to let everyone here know that after speaking with my
Executive Producer yesterday, the Orson Mozes fugitive segment has
been approved for production...which is great news!! My hope is to
have something for sweeps in November and there's early talk of
doing some kind of re-enactment to build Orson's evil backstory."

July 11, 2008 Both Blogs Meet

Below is the post from our first blog written the night before we left NY for Kazakhstan. Our excitement and hope are what we chose to cling to and share online. What we didn't reveal, was the content of a phone call I received from Orson Mozes while running last minute errands before our departure.
No, he wasn't calling with last minute instructions and congratulatory words to send us off. The message he delivered, and the tone in which he delivered it, quelled our excitement and again tested our faith. We were now at strike three. Orson informed me that baby 1011 our third referral, was no longer available. I had to pull off the road because the tears were blinding. The stress, the disappointment and the impending departure just 24 hours later to a place halfway around the world to adopt a child who's face had changed 3 times in a matter of 14 months began to take its toll. I entertained just giving up, and ending this emotional limbo we had been living in. I couldn't help but tell Orson that seeing his name on my caller ID always caused an immediate wave of extreme anxiety. He half chuckled, and said but Ann when you get home look on your computer, I sent another equally beautiful girl. Call me after you see her, you will be happy. Trust me.
Trust him. Isn't that what got us here to begin with? I felt completely responsible for this roller coaster of a ride we were all on, and thoughts of an unhappy ending loomed big. I became emotionally overwhelmed to the point I told Orson I had to go, and for the first time I didn't thank him as I hung up the phone.
When I arrived home and entered the house, Chris and Christopher took one look at me and their excitement turned immediately to concern. Mom whats wrong? Ann what's up? My heart broke yet again to deliver for the third time, the news. She's gone. Orson called. She's no longer available. There was silence. A brief silence, until Christopher asked "so what happens now?" Well, Orson said to check the computer as he sent another referral. I just don't think we should get our hopes up. I am really afraid this is not going to end well. My husband said "we have come this far, lets just see it through". Go check the computer.
So together we looked at referral number 4.  Orson was right, she was a beautiful little girl 

 

but I was none the less very sad. My confidence shaky and my faith faltering.
Chris and Christopher appeared less affected by this latest loss as we did discuss at length since losing Natalia, that we wouldn't fall in love with a picture again. We would wait for the child in the flesh. To me, that advise sounded all fine and good but, I just couldn't do it. I fell in love with all 3 and I was sure, so had they. I think they wanted to appear strong for my sake. So back to packing we went, although silently I continued to have huge reservations about even getting on that plane.
Sleep for me, was difficult that night. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were in the scam of our lives, and we were continuing on a journey that so far felt more like a night mare than the miracle we anticipated when Orson told us "I can hold this child for you". I tossed and turned and listened to Chris snore. I was thankful to God for the man I called my husband. If I had to be in the scam of my life I was glad to be sharing it with him, because no matter what happened we would survive.
We were up at dawn and the excitement began anew, just as it had when we first accepted Natalia into our hearts. We were going to Kazakhstan to meet our daughter.
So with bags packed, tickets/documents in hand and 7000.00 dollars in brand new bills divided between us in money belts, we entered the town car that would be taking us to JFK for a 9pm flight.
As we do with all trips, prior to leaving the driveway we joined hands and prayed. We asked God to guide us on this journey, to keep us safe and give us the grace to accept his plan no matter what that may be. In Jesus name Amen. We turned to the driver and said OK we can go now.
The ride to the airport lasted an hour. Its amazing how conversation jumps around when everyone is excited beyond belief. We did manage not to forget anything.
Unfortunately I packed so well it cost an additional 75 dollars to check the bags. We would be lighter on the return trip because in the suit cases were gifts I bought to give to whom ever we met along the journey to our daughter, who touched our hearts.
After check in, we learned there would be a 2 hour delay. So we perused the airport and found a place to have dinner and celebrate our trip so far.
After dinner and just before boarding, I decided to call Orson one last time. I just needed to know if there were any new developments, so with trembling hands I dialed his number. When he answered right away I wanted to hang up. He must have said hello 2-3 times before I spoke.
Orson it's Ann. We are at JFK just about to board our flight. I wanted to check to see if anything had changed since yesterday.
There was an awkward silence.
"Ann I don't know what is going on over there".
"Orson what does that mean". "Is there a child there for us?"
"Ann I am not sure what child you will get".
Great. Thanks again Orson. I hung up.
I told Chris what Orson said. Then I said "Chris I think maybe we should pull the plug". I am not very confident. I don't mind losing the time and the money but you having to give up your racing and a shot at the championship for a scam is to much for me to handle."
To this day I will never forget Chris's response.
"Ann our daughter is there. We are going."



7/11/2006
Twas the night before Christmas
In our home tonight we feel a celebration beginning. Our miracle is starting to unfold. Our family and friends are acutely aware that something wonderful is about to happen and we feel the presence of God because of their love and support for us.
I headed this post Twas the night before Christmas because the excitement and joy we are experiencing tonight is much like that of child on Christmas Eve.
It truly is by the grace of God that we will be blessed with a precious gift, our daughter. Our prayer is to be worthy of this precious gift. We have been waiting for 14 months for this moment and we know our lives will be forever changed because of an innocent child. We want to share this joy with those who are following our journey via this blog.
Our flight is tomorrow and we will be in Ust Kamenogorsk by Thursday. I will try and post as often as possible.
To those who have gone before us : Chris and Michelle, Steve and Terry, Amy and Anthony, Candy, Jason and Melissa, Tim and Nell, John and Dotty and Marc and Pam. We thank you all for sharing your experiences with us thru your blogs. You have provided the light to guide us on this journey and we will be forever grateful. Although we have never met each of you have become a part of our adoption miracle.