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