We are sitting in a little coffee shop about 10 minutes from Red Square - rejoicing that this stage is over. The court hearing in Arkhangelsk was surreal. I was dressed in dark suit with brown shoes, blue shirt and yellow tie. Linda was the only woman in the room not wearing stilleto heels. The judge, a woman, was very formal but friendly. Her biggest questions were about us having such a large family - and if Raleigh (our dog) was angry. Court felt tense and anxious, but exciting to be near the end. I read my speech trying not to outpace the translator.It took her all of two minutes to make her decision. And we are parents once again.
'How many kids do you have?' - Only five. I like that line.
After court we went back to the hotel, changed and went for pizza at the only restaurant in town where we know what we are ordering. We ended up with chicken fingers. Then off to the airport where our flight was delayed and we waited for 7 hours. Thank God for books.
There were two lines in court that really stood out to us. Both the baby home social worker and the social welfare representative said in their prepared speeches that "no one came to adopt them because no one cared about their destiny."
At this moment we both felt the unbelievable privilege God has given us stepping into this relationship with J & Z - and I am sure there will be many more awesome lessons about God's overwhelming love for us.
