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The Red Sea, the NAC and the PARTY
But before I complain about that, I want to say thank you for praying. I worked on my attitude all morning. I kept repeating to myself that God got us here (and that felt like a miracle-getting to adopt) He will get us home when He deems best. I repeated it A LOT this morning and I believed it. I just couldn't quit crying about it. I hope God isn't displeased with my cracking, but I just couldn't make it to happy obedience. The Lord is so gracious though. We found out quite early in the day that court would be tomorrow. I never dreamed we would hear so early in the day.
We were sitting at a car repair place. The Sergei mobile had hit a snag. Long story. But Sergei got the call while we waited. It took me most of the day to really believe this was going to happen. We really haven't had a day like this, except the brothers 3 day. I praise God (and I KNOW Jeff echos) for taking pity on us. I just don't know how I could have made it another 3 days without some real serious crying going on. Now, don't get mad at me for saying this...but I started to feel bad later this evening that we were leaving so soon. Wait, we don't know yet when we are leaving!!! What am I saying? We don't have train or plane reservations yet. Would you mind one more plea? Reservations, don't care what, just need something. Do I sound like I've made a serious break? (don't answer that.)
By FAR the best part of our day came at 5:00. By the hair on our chinny chin chins, we made it to Beckers' tonight for Lena's party with her supervisors and school psychologist. Just meeting them outside Beckers' apartment let me in on how fabulous these women are!! I still don't speak Russian, but one doesn't have to to feel the love, care, and concern these women have shown Lena.
At the end of the dinner (fabulous meal I might add!!-prepared by Paul, Tania and Linda-Paul's sister) the supervisors each made a speech about Lena. What a tear jerker moment that was. I wanted to bawl. Lena did. God has provided and protected these two girls so sufficiently. If these people could commit to these girls for the rest of their years, they'd be set. There is nothing lacking. I wish every child in an internot could have such support.
If you are looking for a way to get rid of some excess money...send it to the Beckers. I'm not sure how, haven't asked them if it's OK that I'm writing this, but we all know, it's just a few of us reading this, so it should be OK to mention this. They are missionaryies after all...how could they not need support? Just write them and ask to be put on their mailing list beck@real.ua They send out updates now and again. They showed the supervisors the playground plans they have been working on recently. Now who else will make sure an internot has a play ground? And that children like Lena have such great support? I know I've said it before, but I'm impressed.
I'm so grateful as well. I would have no way to invite and host a party like the one Paul and Tania hosted. Or the one Lela did. It's just been such a good feeling to get to meet all of these important people and to try to say thank you, even if it is inadequately.
Well, court is tomorrow at 9:00.. that means 7:00 ride to camp (last one!)...it's way too late for me to be up writing...so I'm going to quit. I need to post more photos. I hope to finish later, I just gave you a taste.
If you wouldn't mind...pray for court,(calm nerves for all of us-especially the girls who have to answer questions too), birth certificates, passports, a visit to the internot, travel arrangements, and a day filled with the peace of God. If this moves fast, like it could, we are going to feel incredibly rushed to get packed and out of here.
Hey, do you realize, the girls will be our children after court tomorrow? Wacky wild stuff. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
I was thrilled to see the box around the 25 when I first logged on to the
site because it meant there was an update from today. Then in the few
seconds it took for today's message to pop up I got nervous because I knew
today was a big day with some important news to tell. I'm so happy that
you have your court date tomorrow. I'll be praying for all of you and for
the arrangements that need to be made. It's wonderful to think that you'll
soon be home!
I checked all day at work to see the square around the 25th and didn't see
it until now (8:39pm Monday). I'm so happy for you guys, you finally have
your court date set. I now the girls have been yours in your heart for a
long time but tomorrow they'll be Van Puttens on paper. What an awesome
feeling! Our God is so good. He has been with you throughout this journey
and will continue to be with you to bring all of you home safely. I will
pray for a calm day tomorrow, for courage and no fear for the girls to
answer the questions. Also for a new beginning together.
We miss you.
Amy, it's ok to cry....
A break YES but how serious, we won't find out for a couple days. Today was
a long day waiting for word, I never know if no news is good news as they
say or have you crashed and burned and can't write. You probably won't see
this until after the court date but I do wish for calm nerves (no crying,
forget that I know you toooo well), speed with the whole process, nothing
should take all day when all has been done already. "Trust and obey, for
there's no other way...".
I ddn't think we were going to hear from you yesterday, late as it was. I
figured that the outcome must have been bad and you were too disheartened
to write. Just thinking through my own experiences I guess. Anyway, we were
so excited for you when we heard the news. Thank you God! As I write this
you've already been to court and are driving all over Odessa trying to
gather more docs. So I am praying for favor with the "birth certificate
lady'. I'm praying that it's not her anniversary or something today. And I
am thinking that the 5 minutes Larry mentioned to Sarah is the approximate
time we actually spent in front of the judge. I can't think that he's
totally forgotten in a years time the long hours we spent tracking down
papers in order to get out of town. Praying for you to feel God's peace and
that His glory will be evident in your lives today. I love you guys!
Have been praying for you and praise God that you got your papers signed!I
hope your day has gone well and that you will get all things needed. To me
this was one of the worst days of our trip because after court we had to
return Cole to the internot and we had to drive all around cutting through
all the red tape that had to be done in one day. I pray God is parting the
sea for you in that respect, and that you will be able to fly, drive,
train, out of Odessa tonight and be at the American Medical Center tomorrow
morning. We are talking about you and the kids at VBS, everyone is waiting
for you!