Witnessing a Miracle

Well, today Jason and I got to witness a miracle!

You know from our last blog that Jason and I went to court today for the offical adoption. We were nervous and unsure what it would be like. Thankfully neither one of us have ever had to be in court before. Jason did most of the talking for us and he did a great job! He really represented our family in a true form. There is a lot of offical documents read by the prosicuter and judge, they asked questions from us and we would answer and then Tanya would translate to the judge for us. The judge left the room for about 20 minutes to make her final decision. When she returned her main point was that she agreed we were fit to be Lex's parents and that we could adopt him. Then she dropped a bomb on us all. She said she had an early birthday present for me (my birthday is Friday) and that she was waiving the 10 day wait period! Our translator and the social worker said they have never seen anything like that happen. We were all in shock! Then the judge walks back into the courtroom with out her robe on and hands me a green, glass apple and says "to health and happiness". It was crazy!! And it was nothing short of a miracle!!! Truly.

We have been busy rearranging plans, making new ones, changing them and we feel we've finally come up with our new plan. It was only after we received a cute email from Gabi saying she is sssooooooooooooooooo excited for LLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEXXXXXXXXXXXX to come home! She's called us twice and is besides herself for us to come. Jason and I still have a lot of paperwork to handle, getting visa's to the US and Lex's passport from Russia. We should be able to get him on Saturday, travel to Moscow, do more paperwork in Moscow to travel to the US on Thursday. We were comptemplaiting taking Lex to Germany to meet Gary, Angela, Jason's grandmother and our kids then head to the US but we found out that Lex will not be an American until he steps on US soil therefore he may not be able to get a visa to Germany?? There were too many variables about traveling to Germany so we will be heading home Thursday. I'm sad to not see Jason's grandmother but I am sooo happy about going home!! Praise the Lord!!

I'm exhausted so I'll have to type more later.....
Love you all and thank you for allowing us to see the power of prayer, your prayers, at work in our lives.

Jason and Stephenie

Today is Court Day

Hello! or I should say, good morning!

Yesterday was a great day starting out with a breakfast full of rich conversations and beautiful stories told by Segy and Angelica. After breakfast our driver took a nurse around to all the Dr's for us and had her show our medical reports to them. They signed off on everything and we are medically good in the eyes of the Russian court. We also saw Lex's medical report on Monday and he passed everything with flying colors. the only thing we need to check out in the US is his heart. He had a murmur at birth but they have never been able to detect anything since then.

Since or driver was busy Jason and I had the oppurtunity to relax for a couple of hours. We watched a movie. Or I should say we watched the cheesiest movie in the world, "Troy". We think they really wrote it to be a comedy. Well, that got us talking about some other comedies that have happened on our trip. I hope these don't offend anyone but, we have witnessed some amazing sites. One being a full set of gold teeth: not on a young rapper, and not a removable grill but a full set of BLING on a 60 year old man! It was amazing! Another was when we went to take Lex to get his passport picture taken he got to travel in the car with us, get all dressed up or should I say tied up. The ladies at the orphanage had that poor wearing two ski hats, a coat with a hood, and a scarf wrapped so tight I am not sure how he was breathing! Anyway, when we got to the photo place, which is not a "happy" photo place, that consisted of one room with some ancient equipment and a scary old man. After unrapping Lex the old man places him on a stool in the middle of the room. Lex has been very brave this whole time but after being on the stool for a minute (because the man was warming his ancient camera) he started to cry. We comforted him and he ended up doing great. It wasn't until then that I noticed what he must of been crying about the man taking the picture had a mole on the end of his nose that was the size of his nose.... can you say plastic surgey?? Another thing Jason and I can't get over is in our room we have crunchy carpet... not sure how you get crunchy carpet, but we got it!!

After we had a few laughs Jason and I decided to go eat. Little did we know the laughs would be on us. We walked past a few places and decided to eat at a restaurant that looked very nice and had been recommended to us called the Art Cafe. Most of the restaurants in Russia are cafeteria style and you can get by with a lot of pointing. Okay, there was no pointing here, no pictures no ANYTHING that even resembled English. The waitress was sweet but we could not comunicate so Jason ran back to the hotel to get our translation book. Even with our translation book we could not pronounce things well enough to have her understand us. We must of made a spectecle of ourselves enough that a sweet young Russian man came over and knew enough broken English to help. Honestly, we would have never eaten if it weren't for that man! God bless him because it was our favorite meal so far. I had a mushroom soup (it really was mushrooms) in a heavy cream sauce and Jason had brocolli soup and then a salmon (we think it was salmon) fliet with wild rice and a cream sauce. It was about $30 meal.

Okay I need to hurry so we can get to court but wanted you all to know we have court today at 10:30am. Then we offer to take people involved in the court process to lunch and after will go visit Lex again. Our plan is to head to the train after our visit and roll back to Moscow. We'll be in moscow tomorrow morning, Oleg will pick us up and take us to the US Embassy where we need Jason to give me power of attorney since he is not returning to Russia and then we catch a flight to Germany to see our kids and Jason's parents and grandmother.

I hope to blog soon but not sure when I will have wireless again. We love you all and are so thankful for you and your prayers!!!

Much love Jason and Stephenie

Good afternoon from Penza!

It felt so good to sleep in a bed last night! It had been two days since we had been able to really stretch out. Even though our bed is shaped like a V in a room with no windows (not to mention the crazy wallpaper) next to the elevator we were thankful to have a place to sleep. My mom and kids called when the kids got home from school, which was about midnight here, and I was so thankful to talk with them! They sounded great and told me all about their day and how they are getting ready for their trip to meet us in Germany on Thursday. Gabi also told me that Aunt Suzanne and Karen are getting her room ready for when she returns and how excited she was about it.

The phone rang this morning in our hotel room and it was Serga and Angelica. They are people we have heard about but have never met. They are missionaries here in Penza whos main calling is orphanges. They also work with Scott Werntz with Fireworks, which help to get the kids who gratuade from the orphanges help and minister to them. They had some very interesting stories and I wish I could write them all and allow you to see how God has orchestrated their lives to be at the place where they are right now. But the most impressive thought they left us with was how protestants are really becoming persicuted in Russia again. They said there was an open window in the 90's that allowed the Baptist church to come in and show people who Christ was and that you could have a relationship with him and it was not through works but by grace that you are saved. They became believers after searching for Christ only to find no answers until one day an American knocked on their door and told them about a video that was going to be shown at a rec center down the street. They decieded to go and that is where they saw Billy Graham and heard the "good news" that they could start a relationship with Jesus Christ. Today, their church is down to 100 people, the government and Russian Orthedox Church has spread lies saying that Baptist is a cult and they kill babies, and have other sacrifices. They are very oppressed now and have seen many of their church members go back to the Russian church from pressure. When we asked how they became Christians his eyes lite up and he said "thank you for asking!! I love to tell the story!"

My prayer today is that we, as Christians in America, would say "thank you! I love to tell the story!". We have such a priveledge to be able to worship or God openly and share openly. We have an even greater joy living in the Bible belt and being able to share with so many believers but lets not forget that it is a privledge and joy to share. Your words may change an individuals life forever. I know I assume so many people I know have a relationship with Christ and I need to be better about assuming. If you are reading this blog right now I pray that you know Christ or will get to know him soon. He is my joy, my rock, my salvation and I can do nothing without him. My prayer is you will feel the same way about him if you don't already.

Sandi's verse for today is "whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,"This is the way, walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Love you all, pray for our persucuted brothers and sisters in Christ today.

Jason and Stephenie

FINALLY!!!

Whew! Finally we've arrived in Penza!

Saturday morning was hectic but normal for the "last minute” routine Jason and I have grown accustom too. We got on our 1pm flight with time to spare relaxed in our seats, ready for talk off and then the pilot announces the mechanics need to check out some items and we'll be taxing back to the jetway. UGGHHH! NNNOOO!!! We cannot miss the connection in Chicago to Moscow!! It brought me back to my flight attendant days when people were upset about missing connections and I would have to calm them down. God was so good again though and had the plane in the air within 45minutes and we even had time to spare in Chicago. The flight to Moscow wasn't that full so we had room to spread out and try to sleep. We maybe got a total of 3 hours of sleep on the plane.

We arrived in Moscow and our friend from International Guardian Angels Adoption, Oleg was there to pick us up. It was great seeing a helpful friend after a long day and night of flying! We drove into Moscow and went directly to the Courtyard Marriott City Center where my parents will be staying when they arrive in Moscow on March 14. It is new, clean and really nice looking. It is also walking distance to Red Square. We sat for a while in the hotel lobby, Jason had an espresso and Oleg and I talked about paperwork. I kept noticing people with flowers everywhere and asked Oleg what the occasion was? He said the Sunday after Ash Wednesday is Forgiven Sunday and people bring flowers to each other, etc... I love that holiday!!! I want to celebrate Forgiven Sunday!

After the hotel we drove around for a little bit looking at sites. There were a lot of festivals everywhere because of the holiday. It was so hard to stay awake. I kept closing my eyes and would feel myself falling asleep. We went and ate at My My, which is like a Le Madeline, Moscow style. I had pea soup and Jason had chicken and beet salad. It was very good. We went o exchange money before we got on the train and we had one last Starbucks before heading to Penza. I have a picture of the Starbucks cup with my name on it.... it says Stephenie....but you would never know it. I also ordered all by myself and she totally understood me. I guess there's a universal language for coffee.?

The train was the same one we took last time and it was very clean and nice. All we wanted to do was sleep though! As soon as the "train hostess" checked our tickets and passports we were out! The problem is I woke at about 3am and could not get back to sleep. I watched a movie on my computer, played "Deal or No Deal" on Jason's phone, and still was wide awake. I think it about the time I was crunching on the Sour Cream and Onion Chips that Jason woke up. We finally brushed our teeth and talked for a little while before arriving in Penza at 8:30am this morning.

Tanya and Sasha were at the train station to pick us up and I was thrilled to see them. Seeing Russia on your second trip is much friendlier than your first. It is great to have familiar sites and faces to see. We checked into our hotel, (The Rocea) ate a breakfast of eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, dark wheat bread, yogurt and coffee. Tanya ate with us and we talked about our day. I went up to shower, which felt terrific, then Jason came up to get ready and then we headed to Kutnezts to see Lex.

It is a two hour car ride and the snow was coming down hard. Sasha was being a crazy driver passing all the big semi's. He would pull over and clean his windshield when it got so bad he could see anything. Crazy!

We arrived at the orphanage and saw some familiar faces again. The same sweet social worker and thorough Dr were there. Lex's caregiver brought him in and he said "HERE I AM!!!, All dressed up for you". He had on the usual Russian garb, sandals with funky tights, shorts and a crazy shirt. They had also given him a terrible crew cut with a couple of LONG stragglers of hair left hanging in the back....maybe we can grow a rat tail?? He was a little shy at first, Jason and I played with him while the ladies discussed the paperwork. He was very determined to fix one piece of a broken toy car. They said he does that a lot. He will direct his attention on a task and stick to it until it is complete. They also said he cleans and organizes his toys all the time. Gabi will love that!! They can start an organization company. They should start at my house!

His entire medical checked out okay and his blood work was all negative. Awesome! Next, we bundled him up to get his visa and passport pictures taken. We found out he will have dual citizenship unless he decides to change that later in life. Interesting! He did great in the car... no motion sickness. He was being brave until the man at the photo shop picked him up and put him on a stool. He sat there for about one minute and then started crying. He really didn't make a noise, just a funny face and tears. We calmed him down and he took a great picture. I loved riding in the car with him on my lap. He is going to need a lot of hugs and holding.

We arrived at the orphanage and they unexpectantly allowed us to see his "group rooms". His group was just getting up from naps and after he neatly took off his boots, placed them in his locker, and then put on his slippers he walked in his room and announced "I'm back, but I'm leaving tomorrow!" That made me happy to know he is excited on some level about leaving his comfort zone. He gave Jason and I big hugs and even blew kisses to us then went to see his friends.

Tanya needed to see a couple of older kids at an orphanage on the way home so we stopped and saw them. They were 3 boys about 14 that seemed very well behaved and polite. There was also a girl that was 7 and she was adorable and wanted to sit, lay or be as close to me as possible. It was good seeing these kids and I pray they can find a family to love them. We arrived at the hotel around 7pm Penza time and were ready to eat dinner. Jason and I dropped our stuff at the room and headed down the walking street in search for dinner. Scott Werntz had told us about a potato place down the street so walked down and had dinner there. It was quick, cheep, and tasted good! We’re still not sure what we had on our potatoes (we thought it was mushrooms and onions), but when we tasted it, we think it was liver and onions. We told ourselves it was a special, Asian mushroom cuisine that had a thick texture. We walked around the mall for a little bit, saw some young kids mooning each other and then headed to the room. (We later saw a kid being halled away by the police, and wondered if it was the same one!)All in all, it has been a successful journey so far. Thank you all for your prayers, we can feel them over here! Thanks also to our sweet friend Sandi Walker from Keystone (hey Keystone!) who wrote out a verse a day for us. It has been wonderful to read during these past two days. We love you all, especially our precious Gabi and JR, who we miss tons!!! Jason and Stephenie

Good morning! Praise Lord, our visa's arrived yesterday, we packed last night and we are ready to go! Well, almost. Our flight leaves at 1pm from DFW to Chicago on American and then American from Chicago direct to Moscow. Honestly, we are looking forward to the flight. It will give Jason and I a chance to catch up and talk as well as catch some zzzzz's. (hopefully.)

I am overwhelmed this morning not with tasks or things to accomplish but with the feeling of support and joy. God has been so good to us and is so faithful! He has also provided a "host of angels" here on earth that have showed us such amazing love and support as well as showering us in prayer. We feel your support and love daily! Wednesday night my family and old time friends (including some new friends that feel like old friends)threw Lex a shower at my mother-in-laws house. It was such a sweet time! Thank you all for being so generous with your time and gifts!! It was amazing. Lex has some very cool outfits now. Dude will be stylin!! Actually, dude will probably be saying "where's my tights and sandals"? (I just had to throw that in there. Poor Lex.)

After my overwhelming night Wednesday night, seeing friends that drove an hour to show their support, I was so excited to start our travels to get our son! But God didn't stop there. At Thursday morning Girlfriends at Keystone Church I was once again blown away by Gods touch through human relationship. Susan Thomas is leading the time in Ephesians and before we dove into the word she had the whole room, probably 50 woman, stand up and pray over me and for our journey. SO COOL!! Thank you Keystone woman for loving me, supporting me and praying over me and my family. I can not say enough about Keystone and how much it has meant to Jason and me and how God has shown himself to be so real and evident there. If you don't have a church home I highly recommend it!

Friday I was reading a devotional that struck me as awe inspiring. It talked about Luke 1:18-25 when Zachariah saw a vision in the temple and was speechless. Literally he couldn't talk. I understand that alone on so many different levels. But what the author wrote was something worthy to share. He said "sometimes we tire of waiting for God to give us a vision for what we ought to be, do, or think. Receiving a vision is difficult because it takes time and energy to hammer out what needs to happen in us. (love that!) God chisels away our objections as He did Zachariah's. A vision comes by faith, a vision overcomes restrictions and a vision stretches us." Derl Keefer

All of what Derl writes so profoundly I have found to be true through our adoption experience. When you add the math it doesn't make sense. When you see the plan you think, "it could never work". It has been painful on many different levels but Gods joy has surpassed all our pain. I pray that I never "see" my life again. I understand we all need direction in our life but I pray that my plans and my ideas won't ever get so big that Gods vision for my life is not pursued. I have learned so much through so many of you the past couple of months and you have been an amazing example of pursuing Gods vision for your life and denying your own .

Right now I am having a vision of me running late to the plane if I don't stop so I better go... Love you all, and the next I write, I'll be in Russia!!

jonas brothers

today I went to see a jonas brother movie and it totally rocked. although me and my friends got in trouble by the manager because we were yelling the songs , screaming when ever they showed up on the screan , and we would dance to all the songs. So that probabely wasn't the best thing to do but we kept on doing it. My brother doesn't like the Jonas brothers but I think Lex totally will. Thats it. bye!!!

- gabi

Okay, I am new to blogging and am not sure how this all works but I do believe it will be a great tool for our journey we embark on in 5 days. WOW!!! I can not believe we leave on Saturday. I keep telling Jason, "wow!, You know this is the last time we will go to church with just our two kids... or you know this is our last Sunday meal as a family of 4 ".

Saturday will be here before we know it and I am trying to grasp every aspect of exactly what is going on right now. The kids are being fabulous and are even getting excited now that the time is near. We have a fabulous month ahead of us and ask for tons of prayer to keep our minds, hearts and spirits focused on God guiding us through our journey. (and not the small stuff we tend to sweat about)

We had our pastor and his family pray over us today and his father (who is also a pastor) reminded me that there are many people covering us in prayer during this journey. What a wonderful blessing!! God has been so good to us and I believe; and know from past experiences, that He will be faithful.

Tomorrow is a new and exciting day... I have been called back to recheck my mammogram :0 and Jason and I get chest x rays together in the afternoon. JOY! At least we will know we are completely healthy at the end of this adventure.

We love you all!
Jason and Stephenie