Today is a very special day in the life of our family. It has nothing to do with Christmas, or birthdays, or anything that happened lately. This day is special because it marks a year to the day that the twins became ours, and they would begin their lives anew with us.
Our reflection upon this day has been almost constant, and full of emotion. As I close my eyes, I am taken back to another time and place which memories made seem as tangible today as they were then. This is my reflection of that time...
The snow was piled deep and high. Although I had experienced winter in the Midwest, I had never been to a place where arctic winds seemed to blow from all four directions simultaneously. We were thankful for heat, but even more thankful that we made it through the maze of snow and ice closed airports across Europe. Barring any unforeseen last minute obstacles that would push our time into Russia's holiday government closures, our life was on schedule to change forever.
The long awaited day had finally arrived. Wednesday, December 22, 2010 was to be a momentous, albeit busy day. Jet lag and time differences aside, we woke early with great anticipation. We joked over breakfast that it would no doubt be our last quiet one with only the two of us for a long time. We joked about it, but we were both glad. Our wait had been long and excruciating. Our process was tedious and thorough, but the end was finally in sight. This would be our third and final trip to Russia, and soon we would all be home.
The rest of that morning and early afternoon was spent preparing the room for the twins, and shopping for baby food, diapers, and other things we would need to finish our stay in St. Petersburg until we were able to shop again in Moscow. What would have been a simple and easy trip to Walmart in the states, took us several hours over there. The snow was deep and the roads were nasty, to say the least. After dashing back to the hotel for a quick break, the time finally came when our driver and translator picked us up and took us to the baby home-for the last time.
The atmosphere at the baby home was fast paced, but very special when we got there to get the twins. The staff all cried as they brought the girls to us and they said their goodbyes to then, Diana and Olga. As we completely changed the girls clothes from what they were dressed in at the home, to what we would take them away in, the act was quite sobering. Our stateside case worker told us to be prepared to bring a complete change of clothes to take the girls away in. "Bring new diapers, shoes, jumpers, snow clothes or whatever because they will literally take the clothes off of your girls and put them on the next child in line." Wow. I was taken aback when I experienced the paradox of being filled with so much joy and deep sadness all at the same time. Our girls would need new clothes because there were orphans in need right there in the next room. This harsh reality brought James 1:27 to us in a raw and unforgettable way.
Although Joanna and me were excited beyond description, the ride back to the hotel was uneventful. As we smiled at each other and then at the girls all the way back, they were freaked out and sleepy. Within five miles of the baby home, they were both asleep. About the only fun to be had that night was their first bath time. Everything was new and it was all a bit overwhelming for them, as well as for us. For those who followed Joanna's blog from then (www.lovelylittlefootsteps.com), you remember the horrible stomach virus that claimed me that first night, and then Joanna two days later. We were sick as dogs until my mother arrived to help us on Christmas day. Even though it was something I wouldn't want to experience again under those same circumstances, we were able to achieve a certain level of bonding between sleep, throwing up, changing diapers, and mylecon.
By the time we arrived in Moscow, by way of the scary overnight train, we were all pretty much on the mend. Despite learning of Russia when it was still a communist country, the city was beautiful and like something from a fairy tale. The snow covered "onion domed" churches and buildings were beautiful. We had to spend 4-5 days there waiting on passports and paperwork to be able to complete our exit interview at the American Embassy. During that wait, we had fun getting to know each other and just enjoying the time isolated from the rest of the world as the family ties began to take hold. On our final full day, the snow stopped falling and the sun came out. We were able to go to Red Square, and to see the Kremlin. Our pictures do much better justice than words, but suffice it to say, the scope was breath taking. The next morning, we boarded our first plane, headed home taking with us not only priceless memories, but two precious children as well.
The journey from our first conversation about adoption 5 years ago, to finally pulling into our driveway with the twins in their car seats has held many treasured experiences. Along the way, we have learned much about ourselves. We came to better understand that although it took months of prayer, and eventually the testimony from a woman who adopted from China for us to understand God's calling, adoption is no new or mysterious concept to God. According to Paul in Galatians 4, we who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, have been adopted by God into His family. We learned that when God calls a family to undertake a task, you may or may not fully understand how you are going to accomplish the task, but all the while, God guides and directs circumstances by His sovereign hand. We also came to appreciate, after years of struggle and disappointment, Corey tin Boom's statement, "there is no pit so deep that He (God) is not deeper still." And just like that, in God's perfect timing, our family was forever changed in the blink of an eye.
