Back at Home - God is Awsome

We arrived home early this morning at about 1:30. Such a very long day for travel - about 28 hours from the time we got up to the time we went to bed. However, God used that time to show us His love and the love of complete strangers. After 12 hour 15 minute flight to Atlanta, we had a 5 hour lay over. Just before boarding our flight to Birmingham, this group of adults that were sitting next to us started asking us questions about the kids because they heard us and them speaking some Russian. So, I shared our story - what we did, why we did it and what a blessing the kids are to us. As we got in line to board the plane, one of the men walked up and poked something in my hand. I looked and saw a wad of bills and explained that it really wasn't necessary. He said, well, "God told you to adopt those kids and he is telling me to give you this money." I was shocked and tried to refuse but he would not budge. It is very hard to accept the generosity of strangers in this way because I do not know how to respond. God is good and has blessed us in so many ways. I know the kidney stone midst our adventure had a purpose, although I don't understand it at this time.

By the way, my stone did not pass until this morning. When I got home, I went staight for my medicine cabinet and took two pills. Not saying that is what did it, but I do believe our pharmaceuticals are second to none. I asked for this particular medication in Moscow, both the pain medication and the medicine to help flush the stone. Doctor said he had heard of it, but that was all.

Anyway. back to the kids... When we got home this morning, Dima went straight for the hat assortment (hard hat, cowboy hats, ball caps) and books, Polina went straight for the clothes and, Nastya went straight for the books. They are shocked at the dogs. They were not afraid and just giggled as the dogs licked them in the face. They know the dogs name's, but they jut walk around saying "sabaka" when calling them (that is Russian for dog).

We are all beat and only got about 4 hours sleep before the kids were calling out "ootra, ootra" (morning, morning). This is their way of telling us it is time to get up out of bed. I am posting one quick photo of the kids on the day we went to visit before court. I will post more later tonight. Dima (Dimitry James) is our son, Polina (Polina Hope) i s our oldest new daughter and, Nastya (Anastasia Grace) is our youngest daughter.



That a million for all of your prayers. While speaking with some of the other families on the trip, everyone had the same story - how much prayer from friends and family had meant to them.