Baby Pictures from Russia

Back in April, our extended family in Russia sent baby pictures of Polina. Unfortunately, she did not have any of Dima and Nastya. I understand why, but I know that years down the road, they will want that connection. The pictures are great and show Polina with her aunt, her cousin and, her grandfather. I have scanned them in the event something happens to the originals. They are priceless treasures. Also included is a copy of her baptismal certificate. Their aunt is a very good woman and took Polina to church on at least a couple of occasions. We have a certificate for the baptismal and then what appears to be her first communion.

This past week, I have read e-mails and postings from parents who recently completed adoptions and parents who are waiting to complete their adoptions. I am constantly amazed at God's sense of humor! I say that because so many of the children look remarkably like their parents (or soon to be parents). God knew when I was in the womb, that he would place at least three of my children on the other side of the world and have me search them out. Praise God I found them - they were right before my eyes one February evening in 2007.

This fourth of July, we went to the home of a church family for a picnic. While there, I was in a discussion with some other couples - some who knew our story and some who did not. I mentioned I would someday like to go back to the village where my children were born in Siberia. One father looked over at me and asked me, "What are you?" I looked at him quizzically and answered, "Southern." He then asked what took me to Russia to cause my children to be born there. I started laughing and explained that my three youngest were born in Russia and have only been home one year. He had no idea!

God bless everyone out there -