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