What a difference 17 months make!!

When we last met Dasha she was a surprised and confused nearly eight year old little girl with very short hair. We spent only about one hour with her. She seemed scared, and was not very talkative and didn't even look at us much. Language and cultural barriers made it hard for us to judge her level of anticipation, or perhaps, apprehension for an adoption.

Not a day has gone by since that brief visit that we haven't prayed for her and thought about her. Today, over 17 months later, we finally got to see her again. Words cannot describe how wonderful it was!!

The orphanage was "quaranteed" because of a looming flu epidemic and so we had to wear shoe covers and face masks. We spoke with the orphanage director and her Pediatrician to get an update on her life since we last met. Her health, educational and social development have been great. She is a "good student", takes her studies seriously, and likes school. She is learning math, reading and writing but her favorite subject is Physical Education. (like an American already). She has no health concerns.

She then came into the room, smiled and gave us a hug. She's gotten taller and was dressed up in a nice outfit. Her now medium length hair was done with flower clips and looked so cute, like a little lady. She took us to another room where we talked to her for a while. She has memorized each of the kids names from looking at a photo album that we sent her last year. She specifically asked about Anjaela. She knows Anjaela is her age and seems very excited to meet her. Little does she know, Anjaela has been praying for Dasha almost every day since before we even met her.

We then played several games of UNO. We brought that game because you do not need to speak the same language to be able to play it. Dasha won the first two games and decided she really liked playing it. We had a great time and loved seeing her smile and giggle. We taught her how to shuffle the cards and she decided that was her job every time. She asked if she could keep them for the weekend so she could teach her friends. We took photos and some video as well. She liked our video camera and decided she wanted to say a Christmas poem for us to record.

We learned that after we last saw her she was very excited about the prospect of adoption. That excitement has waned over the many months, not wanting to be disappointed if it did not work out. How could she know how hard we have been working to bring her home. How could she know how many trips we made to the notary public and Secretary of State to complete the necessary documents. The many times we have been fingerprinted and had our criminal background checked. The many frustrations we have experienced that made us wonder if we should continue on.

Today's events tell us why we did not give up. The past frustrations now seem insignificant. Putting our trust in God has kept us going and now seeing answered prayers strenghtens our faith and gives us immeasurable joy. Thank you Lord for the patience to persist. Thank you Lord that you did not allow us to give up. What a terrible mistake that would have been.

Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer".

What's next is another visit with her on Sunday and then court early Monday morning. Thanks so much for your interest in our journey. More importantly, thanks for your prayers as well. We are seeing now just how many have been answered.

Dasha apparently sometimes has a hard time falling to sleep at night, as does Anjaela. So now, God willing, once we complete this part of the adventure, Anjaela and Dasha will now have each other to talk to at night and keep each other awake even longer. What a scary and yet wonderful thing that will be.