Monday

We had a GREAT day today...all went very smoothly!  We met up with our lawyer friend, who easily guided us through the exit health check-up for K with the only US Embassy-approved physician in Riga. At least K giggled her way through this appointment (the doctor said she is a very ticklish girl, and I was so happy she wasn't crying as has been the usual experience!)  We then went to the Passport Office to get K's new passport, with her official new name in it--YEAH--so that's all done now! 

Then, we traveled the hour down to Jelgeva to sign some papers at the Orphan Court, and to visit her brother.  Everybody who met up with K couldn't believe how well she looked, like a new girl they kept remarking...and they were all laughing, as they say K speaks Latvian with an American accent now!  The Orphan Court judge told us that her brother is regretting his decision to not be adopted, and is working hard at doing well so he can be chosen to come stay with us for the 5 weeks in the summer...it made me sad to hear that, but hopeful for him, because he knows he has a chance at a future.

We then went over to the Orphanage to pick up brother K, and it was so good to see him!  He gave us each a big hug and kiss--he's grown about 4 inches annd his voice has gotten lower!  He and K were talking a mile a minute, and then he was teasing K about her accent, and then she punched him, and it was like old times!  We all went out to dinner, had more fun together and took photos, but the time ended too quickly!  Please keep praying for K's brother...

Another sad piece of news we had is that K's best friend in the orphanage is not doing well--her behavior is getting bad, she was hurting the younger children in her group, and so they moved her in with older girls, but she herself is only 12 yrs. old!  This is a girl that had a family in the US who hosted her 2 times, came to visit her in Latvia, and wanted to adopt her so badly; but she didn't want to leave her parents behind--they are both alcoholics and have had parental rights terminated, but like to hang on to the kids to get a free government apartment when the kids are turned out of the orphanages at 17!  It's SO sad!  I talked with K about her, and she was mad at her friend for not making good decisions; but it was her decision and so only she can be blamed.  This appears to be the mindset of a people who have been under communist rule for a few generations, and are set free and then value freedom for everbody above everthing else--even freedom for children to make bad decisions, when a responsible adult should be making hard decisions for them!  Well, good seeds have been sown, so we just have to keep praying for O, because God can work miracles in people's lives!

God's PEACE and JOY,  EP