Adoption Court Day

God was with us last Monday in court!  The adoption court session lasted 1.5 hours of very serious discussion and testimony.  It was very stressful not only for me, but for K too.  Thankfully, she was excused from hearing most of the testimony, but she also had to testify while I had to step out of the courtroom. 

In the end, the judge deliberated for about 10 minutes, and came back to inform us that the adoption was approved, and would be legal on November 16, 2009.  Hallelujah!  What my lawyer didn't tell me prior to the court session was that this Prosecutor hasn't been approving any adoptions which seperated siblings, but she did approve my adoption...thanks be to God again! 

K was VERY relieved, as was I, and I snapped this photo of her all smiles!  After the court session, we all went over to the orphanage for a little party for K and me with all her friends, and to see her brother.  It was nice for K to see everybody, especially her brother and her best friend.  The little girls were laughing when K talked, because they said K has an American accent when she speaks in Latvian now!  Can you imagine?!

We took some photos to remember the visit, and all were so happy to see how happy K was.

We still have a 30 day waiting period to go through before we go back to Latvia for our final trip to complete all the paperwork, have K's interview at the US Embassy, and have her final medical exam. This trip will be in mid-January, 2010.  This trip will be much more relaxing for everybody, and we're hoping to have her brother with us during our stay to visit more.

God's PEACE and JOY, EP

Safely In Latvia

After a 15 hour trip, we landed safely in Latvia, thanks be to God!  It is cold and damp here, although it is unusually sunny here at this time of year, I have been told...very similar weather as in CT, except it gets completely dark at 4pm! 

I cannot use any contracted words and many symbols on the computer I am writing at, because the keyboard has all the Russian and Latvian symbols, and none of ours...it is strange!

K and I had a really nice day today, now that we have caught up on sleep a little more.  K is eating all her favorite foods, and really enjoying it so much!  We are definately getting a Latvian cook book, and she said she will translate for me...the food really is good, and while I can make some food similar to what she likes, there are just some really good salads and ways to cook meats that I need to learn to do! 

We visited a friend of Ks today, who owns 2 ladies accessories stores in Riga.  She is Russian, but does not speak Latvian.  K could not believe that she had forgetten so many words in Russian...and then later when we were in a store, she was forgetting some Latvian words too!  She could not believe it, and said she really thinks she is turning into an American girl!  It was pretty cute.  She said she wants to buy some Russian and Latvian books and music to bring home with her to help her remember her languages.  I told her it is like riding a bike, she will never forget as long as she practices.  And she is busy watching her favorite TV shows to help her remember too!

Today when we were walking around, and K told me was really cold, even though she was wearing a winter jacket, although it is a short winter jacket.  At the time we bought it, I strongly advised her to buy a winter jacket that was a little longer to keep warmer, but she chose fashion over being fashionably practical.  She said to me that she has to be a better daughter and start listening to me all the time, not just some of the time, because I know what I am talking about!  Out of the mouths of babes!

So, we will be picked up tomorrow at 1 pm by our lawyer, who will drive us to court in Jelgava, which is at 230pm.  K does not seem as worried today as she was before we came.  She is also excited to see her 3 friends at the orphanage, and give them some gifts we brought along.  Still no word if we will see her brother on this trip or not.

Gods PEACE and JOY, EP 

Second Adoption Trip

Well, it's been some time since I last blogged about K and me!  We are doing GREAT!  K loves school, is making friends, and is assimilating very well into our life together in the US.  We've been having so much fun getting to know each other, our family, helping my mom, attending confirmation classes, school clubs, Girl Scouts, attending Latvian church school and Sunday school!

We can't believe so much time has passed, and we're now preparing for our 2nd Adoption trip to Latvia this Friday!  Wow!  Please pray for us as we journey there--for safe travel, successful court date, and an easing of K's fears about going back.  I will be blogging to keep you updated.  Here are a few photos of K we took to bring with us to show the court what we've been up to this Fall.  Hope you enjoy them!

 

         

And here are a few photos of K and me and K and Grandma:

         

   

A New Friend!

Last week, K was a little reluctant about going to Girl Scout camp, because she just couldn't imagine what Girl Scouts was all about. I tried to explain it to her, but she gave me that puzzled look like it was all getting lost in translation. So, I ended up telling her she'd have a good time, and maybe make some new friends!

When I picked her up after Day 1, she was a little luke warm about the whole camp thing, but she seemed to be looking forward to going the next day.

Flash forward to Day 4, and K came skipping off the bus, all smiles, and exclaimed, "Mom, I made a new forever friend, and her name is Natalie! She is my American sister!" Then she told me how they exchanged phone numbers and e-mail addresses, and I was filled with joy for K! She told me she also made 2 other friends, but only exchanged her phone number with one of the other girls.

When we arrived home, K went right up to her bedroom, got her beading and gimp supplies, and went right to work making 6 beaded critters (4 butterflies/2 lizzards) and a pot holder for her new camp friends. She worked until 11:30 pm making them, and packed them all up in her camp bag for the next day...she has such a sweet and thoughtful heart!

Day 5, I picked K up from the camp bus, and she was again all excited and full of smiles. Her best friend had given her a bracelet with 4 sparkling hearts on it, and had written K's and her name on the plastic band. K's worn it every day since she got it. She also informed me that she would like to go to Girl Scout camp next year with Natalie, and they'd like to go to the horseback riding camp for 2 weeks! (Yessss!!!)

Yesterday, Natalie called K and invited her to a pool party next week with five of her 7th grade girlfriends; and they've been e-mailing and texting each other almost everyday. K is SO excited, and I'm so excited for her! Thank you Jesus for helping K transition to life in America!

P.S. The other day when we were driving home from running errands, K (out of the blue) asked me how God made it happen for all the people in the world to be born from Adam and Yeva? I was stunned, and gave her the best answer that I could come up with on such short notice! I told her to remember that question to ask our Pastor when she starts Confirmation classes in a few weeks! Ohhh boy....

God's PEACE and JOY, EP

Second Court Date Scheduled!

We have a court date! It's November 2, 2009...yeahhhh, but boo hooooo too!

I have to say I'm so excited that it's finally scheduled, but I'm pretty bummed out that it's not until November. Well, at least K will have some time in school to get used to the new routine, before she has to miss a week of school to go back to Latvia. Speaking of school, we had a great meeting with the school counselor earlier this week, which seemed to relieve some of K's fears about school. She's learning that she will have alot of help at school if she needs it, especially to assess her reading and comprehension levels. After the meeting, she was saying how she wished school would start earlier...what a change from the dread!

K is in Girl Scout Day Camp this week. She learned how to make a fire the other day, and then had archery for the rest of the day. I told her the fire-making skills could come in handy if we lose electricity in the winter, and have to use the fireplace! She seems to be enjoying herself, and has been chatting with some of the girls there during lunch time, which his good for her to do since she's a little shy about meeting new people.

K wants a bunny, just like her Godmother, Heidi, now has...in fact she wants 2 bunnies--a boy and a girl! She was telling me on the way home from church that she'd like to have baby rabbits to be able to give away to children who can't "shop" (she means buy) their own pets! What a sweet idea, and I think I have a missionary in the making!

Yesterday, K received her second letter addressed to her in the mail...it was from the church (thanks to our Pastor, he made her day!) . She was SO excited! What a delight she is...I am SO thankful to God everyday.

God's PEACE and JOY, EP

Summer Vacation

We just got back from a relaxing and fun week at the NJ Shore with my sisters, mom, daughter & son-in-law (K's God parents), and cousin. The weather was beautiful, the water was warm (73 degrees), and the sun was out (unlike the weather at home!). Here are some photos of our trip:

Learning to "boogie board"...

Hanging with the family (K's God Parents)...

Flying high with Cousin J...

Wish we had a second week to continue our fun, but we'll have to wait until next summer! God's PEACE and JOY, EP

Getting to Know You

I can't believe it, K has been in America with me for 1 month! How time flies when you're getting to know each other better everyday. K is such a sweetheart, and is a real joy to be with...I enjoy her company so much. The only thing she doesn't really like to do is gardening...boo hoo! Well, at least she likes to stand in my gardens so I can take cute pictures of her when the flowers are blooming. I told her she's another beautiful flower in my garden, to which she said, "Oh mom!"

We went bike riding for the first time over the weekend. I discovered that for K, bike riding in America is really different than in Latvia...case and point, K pointed out that we have MOUNTAINS in CT (although some would say we only have hills!), whereas Latvia is quite FLAT. This was a new experience for K, and we had to stop alot to let her catch her breath. When we got home, she asked me if we could drive to a flat place to ride our bikes next time, because it's too hard.

K has been having more fun times at our Town's Recreation Camp. One day last week, I went to pick her up, and she came bouncing off the bus, all smiles. She told me she wants to go to this camp again next year, and I thought to myself, "Oh she wants to be here with me next year!" Another blessed sign of bonding...thank you Holy Spirit for knitting our hearts together!

K loves our puppy and kitties (all three of them, although she hasn't held my illusive "Rascal" kitty yet!) She reminds me of me when I was young, because I just couldn't hold my kitty enough, and would chase him around the house to hold him one more time. She definately doesn't have to chase the puppy, as he's quite happy to let her do anything to him, even make him look silly in photos!

Can you tell purple and pink are K's favorite colors?! We had a fun time hanging up 8 posters of her favorite Disney stars. She put a picture of Zac Efron on the outside of her room door, while the rest are strategically placed on the walls in her room. It made her so excited to hang the posters up!

We are busy getting ready for our week-long vacation at the NJ shore on Sunday! K went to the ocean for the first time the other day with camp. She said the water was too cold to go in swimming, although she got a little sunburned. I've heard the NJ shore water was 70 F about 3 weeks ago, so we're hopping it will be warmer than that when we get there!

God's PEACE and JOY, EP

Settling In

It's been 2 weeks since we've been home in America! How time flies! Last weekend, K and I went to Maine to visit my mom, oldest sister and nephew. Of course it rained the entire time there, but we managed to have fun celebrating K's 14th birthday. K also discovered Dairy Queen, and we visited there everyday for a delicious treat...it's a good thing there aren't many DQs down here to be found, or we'd both be in big trouble!

K went to Town Recreation camp these past 2 weeks, and had some fun swimming, bowling, going to Six Flags, etc. She's a little shy about meeting so many new people all the time, but I expect that will be easier as time goes on. She will be attending the next 2-week session of camp, and hopefully, the weather will cooperate a little better. Some of the same kids will be attending again, so I'm hoping she'll get to know some of them a little better. She has a few girls that she's been "buddies" with when they go on camp trips, which she's told me about, so another 2 weeks may give her a chance to get to know them a little better. I told her Americans are very interested in people from other countries, and like to ask lots of questions. In Latvia, all people are generally very closed-mouth about personal information and public diplays of emotions, which is a result of being under communist rule for so long. So, I think the openess of Americans will take K some getting used to, but it helped to explain this to her.

We have an appointment with the school principle next week to determine what grade K will be entering in the new school year. I have her translated school records from Latvia for the last 2 years to provide them to help make a determination. From what I'm told, the Latvian schools are more advanced than American schools by grade, so we shall see.

Last night, I asked K how she's liked her first 2 weeks in America with me, and she said she LOVES it! I've noticed she's been learning new American phrases and words, and is trying them out on me. And yesterday in the Pet store, she asked me to explain our money to her again, which we did while waiting for the huge downpour of rain to pass. She picks up everything so quickly, including a discussion about an "allowance" (and she is very helpful, by the way!). She is such a JOY, and I am SO BLESSED to have her as my daughter!

God's PEACE and JOY, EP

One Week in America!

We've been home for one week now. Poor K has been suffering from a toothache! We went to the dentist on Monday, and she has an impacted and infected wisdom tooth. K cried half the day in fear of going to the dentist, only to find out later that dentists in Latvia don't often use novacaine for dental work! Thankfully, the hygenist and dentist were so kind and gentle with K, which relaxed her alot--so much in fact, she later told me she wanted to go back to the dentist! Our next trip is to the Oral Surgeon, and so far she's not afraid to go.

On Tuesday, K started a 2 week Town recreation camp. She was excited about going, but then seemed a little doubtful. I told her she will be able to make some new friends, but she told me she doesn't need new friends, because she has enough back in Latvia! I talked to her about the importance of "silver and gold" friends (thank you Brownie training!), which seems to have made an impression. At the end of the day, I picked her up, she said she had fun, talked with 2 girls, but still wasn't sure about going back to camp the next day.

I'm happy to report that K's attitude completely changed by the end of today. She came bouncing off the bus all smiles (all wet too from the Water Park trip!), told me she was a "buddy" with one of the girls who talked with her the previous day, and then told me she wanted to sign up for camp next year! I had a big smile inside...I'm very quickly learning K's "style" of processing new situations.

K is such a brave girl, a real delight, and a blessing from God indeed! Everyday, I look forward to hearing her infectious laugh, and pray that she will learn that trust and alot of love will be the norm for her new life with me and my family! Amen.

God's Peace and Joy, EP

Visit to US Embassy

Today with much excitement, my mom, A and I went to the US Embassy to pick up A's passport with her new Visa to come to the US. The sun was shining brightly, as we walked the short distance through the park to the Embassy. We walked by the imposing Freedom Monument, guarded by 2 soldiers, which is symbolic of Latvia's freedom--it's similar to the Statue of Liberty. Everyday, I thank God for all His blessings, which now include A!

She is so excited...I'm so excited...we're all so excited! She already told my mom and me that my puppy will be hers when we get home! I told her she will also have 3 very curious kitties waiting to meet her too! She's going to fit in very well to our life in America. We are already planning to rent Ice Age 1 and 2 so we can go see #3 together, which is at the movies here right now. A can't wait to go swimming, ride bikes, have her own room, play outside, make some new friends and just be a kid! I can't wait for that too.

We leave tomorrow morning at 10:30am for the airport, but our flight doesn't leave until 1:30pm, which is 7 hrs. ahead of US time. We'll arrive in Boston at 8:30pm, and then drive the 1.5 hrs. home. As of 2pm today, we were all already packed and ready to go!

God's PEACE and JOY! Love, EP

Last Day in Court

Today is Monday, and we got up early to travel again to Jelgava for the last court date for this trip! It was sad, because we had to pack up K's belongings to take him back to the orphanage. As soon as we arrived at the orphanage, K disappeared as we went on up to A's group area to pack up the rest of her things, and leave some clothes behind for the other kids. There were 2 of her 7 year old roommates there, along with A's best friend, who is 11 yrs. old...I could tell they were very excited for A to be leaving, as is A...they were asking her many questions. We spent about 1 hour there, and left with one suitcase, which contained A's whole life...it's hard to imagine. Leaving there was like shedding old skin...it was good to go, and not have to imagine A there anymore!

K came with us, as we had to go to the Orphan Court hearing next. The judge and panel asked many questions of me and the kids. K signed papers saying he would not block A's way to be adopted, and again restated this to all...and he said he still hadn't changed his mind. On the way over to the court, though, K received a call from his Aunt, who wanted to talk A out of being adopted! A refused to talk to her...this was the first time in probably a year that A had a call from her Aunt, and they live in the same city! A told the judge that nobody would change her mind about being adopted by me and coming to America...she wants a new life, she said. The Court agreed that it was in her best interest to be seperated, and so now Step 2 will begin. At one point, the judge dismissed K, and I ran over to hug him, and told him we'd stay in contact...so sad!

After the hearing, we came back to Riga and went to the US Embassy to get A's visa to come home with me while the adoption process continues in Latvia behind the scenes. On the way back to the hotel, A saw a boy skate boarding, and said she wants to learn how to do that. I told her she has a new cousin who loves to skate board, and would show her how it is done...she was excited about that prospect!

See you soon! Gods PEACE and JOY, EP

A New Name!

Well, we've had several days of fun with K and A around Riga, followed by two meetings with the Orphan Court judge, Orphanage Director and Orphanage psychologist in Riga; and then on Thursday morning, we traveled to Jelgava to appear before the Orphan Court judge. She again asked both kids what they wanted to do, and A said a BIG "yes", and K again said "no". K keeps saying he doesn't want to leave, even though he has no family who cares about him! It is with a heavy heart that I am accepting his decision to not be adopted, because sadly I've also reached this same conclusion about him. It's hard to accept that you can't help everybody, especially if they don't think/know they need help, even at such a tender age! And A is ready to leave Latvia to have a mom and a new life...she is very adamant about her decision, and the courts here will respect her decision to be seperated from K.

A then filled out many papers for the judge to proceed with the adoption process, and then she told the judge she wanted a completely new name, which really surprised everybody! The judge said we had to think of a new name by this Sunday for all her new adoption/immigration paperwork to be completed in time to leave. So, with a little help from my mom and me, we all came up with a fine new name for A...she keeps clearing her throat when we call her by her "old" nickname A, which is now her new middle name; but you will all have to wait until we come home to find out what her new first name is!

How about that...it made me think of the people in the Bible who God gave new names when they became new people in Him, and I know A wants a new life and loving life in America, and she also wants to know/learn more about God!

On Monday, we will get all her official papers, say good by to K, and head for home on Wednesday! A told me was scared to fly, because she and K watched an airplane movie the other night, but I told her God will hold our plane up in the air as He brings us safely home to America, and she seemed OK with that! It's been a long and emotional trip here, although it has had lots of fun and relaxing moments...it will be nice to be back on a normal schedule again, and prepare for trip #2 in early August!

God's PEACE and JOY, EP

Monday Around Riga

Hello...well, we just had a whirlwind of activity over the last several days with the kids, so I haven't had a chance to write! There's just about any kind of transportation to take you where you want to go in and around Riga...it's fantastic! The other day we went go-kart racing, and of course I was the only one with a license to drive, and drove the slowest...that got a few laughs from A, K and R! Then the guys played pool, while A and I tried our hand at the dancing machine, which was good exercise for us both!

On Saturday, we took a trip to Rundale Palace, which is about 1 hour from Riga. The palace was one of the summer homes of the relatives of Katherine the Great. We had a tour guide who spoke English, and told us alot of interesting information about the history. We are about 3 weeks too early to have seen the 14,000 rose bushes blooming in the French style garden...too bad! It is amazing that it survived the Nazi and Communists reigns, although they did have to strip at least 4 coats of paint off all the walls to restore the hand painted walls and ceilings, as the Russians didn't want any memories of the wealthy past! Here are a few photos of the Palace and the kids:

It's been raining here alot lately, so we went to the movies again, which is the only time I hear English on a regular basis! The TV shows are all either dubbed in Latvian or Russian. These kids are amazing...they watch one show in Latvian, switch to a Russian language cartoon, and then watch movies in English! A and K are fluent in Russian, Latvian is their primary language, and they can communicate very well in English...it makes me speechless how they can switch around so much between languages. They've been very helpful to mom and me as we go around town, order food out, asking questions about what we're seeing, or helping to buy items. They are VERY sweet kids! They are also very funny with each other. Mom and I have had some really good laughs watching their antics...sometimes K and A seem older than they are, but then they do something goofy that reminds you they're only 13 going on 14!

Last night, we went to an organ and flute recital in one of the oldest churches in Old Riga. Wow, the organ was amazing, and the acoustics in the church were even more amazing. The organist played Bach and Vivaldi, amongst others, and when looking around in the church, you could almost imagine you were back in time! The kids weren't so excited about "Grandmother" music, but it made Granmother and me very happy to listen and enjoy.

Today we went bowling, and I gave the kids a good run for their money! K beat me once, and we tied on the second game...then the kids played a few more games while my mom and I watched...it was a good thing because they kept getting better!

We will have a second visit from the Orphan Court judge on Wednesday, before the fianl court appearance on June 12th, so keep praying for all of us! God's PEACE and JOY! Love, EP

The Judge Visits Us in Riga

Today is Thursday, but I keep imagining it's Friday...I still haven't gotten over the jet lag, but I'm working on it! It's raining again today, which kind of puts a damper on doing fun and exciting activities outside. So, we've been playing lots of different cards games, continuing to get to know each other, and laughing alot. My friend's son, who is 17 yrs. old (I've known him for 2 ESL Camps now), has been visiting us these past 2 days as he goes to school nearby our hotel. K and A are having fun with him, and he knows all the same card games they do...and they all like to cheat, so I have to keep keen eyes on them all! Even my mom has joined in on some of the card games, and has had alot of good laughs too. When all the kids are talking together, and I ask them what they're saying, they all say together "nothing special," and then they all laugh! It's pretty funny, and it's great to see and hear them laughing so much! And A is pretty good with taking videos on my camera, which will be fun memories to watch together.

We have a pretty good set up in our hotel room with food, so we can eat anytime of the day we want to! Pickles, cheese, meat, soup and bread are VERY important staples, I've learned...not too different than home. We had the staff remove all the alcoholic beverages and candy from our refrigerator, and then we filled it up with our own groceries. Our TV hasn't worked since we've been here, but my mom's getting to know the elderly man in the bluejean overalls, who keeps bringing new TVs to our room everyday, but can't find one that works! K was tinkering with it today though, and seems to have fixed it so some of the channels come in.

I received a phonecall at about 1pm from the lawyer, who told me the Orphan Court judge and her daughter (as translator) were coming to visit with the kids at 6pm this evening! It was a little tense to have her come visit us, because she doesn't speak any English (and I don't understand Latvian), and I think she was happy about that! She came about an hour late, came up to our room, and spoke with the kids about 1 hour, while my mom and I sat there, and were given little snippets of conversation by her daughter. The kids were very talkative with her, which was more than they talked with her in court. They laughed, they seemed serious at times, she asked me a few questions, etc., and then she announced she will be back next Tuesday with more clothes from the orphanage for the kids, and to see how they are doing again! I guess that's good news, I don't know...not much was shared with me, so I just have to keep on praying and have faith! Again, I had the feeling from what little was said that A has her own mind, and K is still a little unsure...now only because he has a girl he likes here (100 miles away).

So, it's off to "Playland" tomorrow with the kids...a teenager's paradise in Riga, I'm told! God's PEACE and JOY, EP

First Meeting & Court

Mom and I met the lawyer, Daina, at 10am on June 1. She and her husband drove us down to the orphanage in Jelgava, which took about a half hour. The first thing she said to me was that K has been talking to the Orphanage Director, and told her he wanted to meet me and was changing his mind about adoption! All I could think about was all the prayers that everybody has been praying for on behalf of A and and K, and I once again had verification of the POWER of prayer, and how awesome the Holy Spirit is when He is at work for us!

When we pulled into the orphanage, I felt sad that there are kids who live in these places! It was not awful, but it was dark and depressing to me. We first met with the Orphanage Director and the psychologist to discuss any questions we had about the kids, and they also told me that they were happily surprised that K asked to meet me too! The Orphanage Director told me that A has been waiting and waiting for me to come, and couldn't wait to meet me. So, we went up to A's Group area, and there she was sitting nervously in a chair...and I went right up to her and gave her a big hug and a kiss, and told her how beautiful she looked! She is about 5'6", beautiful blue eyes, long brown hair, and so adoreable! And then K came around the corner, and I went to him and gave him a big hug, at which he gave me a big smile! He's about 5'7', slender, beautiful gray eyes, and short hair. My mom hugged both of the kids too, and then we went into A's room to talk alone with them. We visited for about 45 minutes, and K said something to the Director, and disappeared. She told me he was going to pack his bags to come back to Riga with us after court!

We then went altogether to the Court, which was very serious, with 2 people presiding in addition to the judge, the psychologist, a translator and the Director. Alot was discussed by everyone of how much interest I have shown in the kids, how well the meeting went, etc., and I had to tell how I found out about the children and what life would be like in America for them. Then, each of the kids had to say how our meeting went, and describe what happened. Then the judge talked with K about what he wanted to do, because he told this same judge previously he didn't want to be adopted, and he told her he wanted to come with me and get to know me! At that point, I had tears in my eyes, as did the other ladies with me...everybody was so happy, and it was the only time the judge had a little smile on her face! After about 45 minutes of discussions, the judge said that the kids could come with me to Riga, and have 2 weeks to get to know me...and then I received some official papers so nobody would think that I've kidnapped the kids. And, she will be coming to Riga to visit with us sometime next week to talk to all of us.

So, we all came back to Riga...we're just finishing Day 2 together, and we're having a really nice time together! Thanks so much to my friends who gave me the UNO and playing cards...we've been playing with them alot. K taught us a really fun card game, and mom joined us in on that one, and won!

One of my Latvian girlfriends and her son came to meet us today, and spent a few hours with us. She will come back tomorrow to go to the zoo with us, so that should be great fun!

Keep up the prayers...they are working! I can feel them working, and I can see them working in the kids! God's PEACE and JOY!

Love, EP

We've Arrived Safely

Hello...we're here!

My mom and I had a very good trip over to Riga, Latvia! Everyone was so helpful where ever we were. As soon as we landed in Riga, there was the special bus to take us right to our hotel, which is in Old Riga. It felt good to get some sleep...there is a 7 hour time difference, so we didn't know if we were coming or going by the time we got here! Also, it is light out until 11 pm, so that helped to keep us in confusion! We ate dinner at 10pm in the hotel, but I guess that wouldn't have been so late if we were home.

We woke up refreshed this morning, and it has been the most BEAUTIFUL day here! Last year when we came here on a Mission Trip, the Latvians said we Americans brought the sunshine with us...and the first thing the hotel staff said to us when we arrived was this was the first day they've had sunshine in Latvia in weeks! What a gorgeous day...maybe we brought it again?!


We went to St. John's Lutheran Church this morning, and stayed to listen to a special choir and organ concert...very soothing to the soul!


Tomorrow is the BIG day! We are being picked up at 10am by the lawyer who is representing me for the adoption, and traveling with her to the regional court in Jelgava (about an hour south). I will be finally meeting the kids there, and am SO excited to see them other than in photos! After the court, we are all traveling back to Riga to spend about 2 weeks together to get to know each other. I have such a "supernatural" calm and sense of peace about me...that Holy Spirit is such a GREAT Helper!

Well, hope to talk to you soon to give you the most important update, and some news about the kids! God's PEACE and JOY to you! Love, EP

Adoption Trip #1 (of 3!)

God has helped me SO much to walk through my grief and keep my spirit uplifted over these last several years. He has blessed me in SO many ways that it would be impossible to list all these blessing here! In fact, my heart healed to such an extent, that I started to think about adoption again about a year ago!

I've been on several short-term Missions trips with my church to Nicaragua, and more recently to Latvia. I fell in love with the people of Latvia, and decided to adopt a child from there. Well, I thought I would adopt a female child, around 7 years of age, but God had other plans for me. In fact, His plans included adopting twins--13 year old twins, K and A!!! Everytime I tell someone I'm adopting twins, I get blank stares and nervous laughter...and I keep thinking ignorance is bliss, and always remember that I have the most Awesome Helper in God to continue to lean on for my help!

Well, it's been 9 months since I started this adoption process, and I'm ready to go into labor now, and have my kids! In fact, I am leaving for Latvia tomorrow, along with my mother, M. I am SO excited, and can't wait to see my kids for the first time in court on 6/1, and spend the next 2 weeks getting to know them!

Please keep the kids, my mother and me in your prayers over the next 2 weeks, and I'll try to keep you posted as to our progress in getting to know each other, and becoming a family.

God's Peace and Joy, EP