The Chosen Ones

I know everyone wants pictures, but bear with me for a minute.

I'm sorry I didn't write yesterday. I had every intention of posting, but the day was so emotional and overwhelming. Ater seeing the girls, Travis and I needed time to process things. I thought we were prepared. After all, we have adopted twice before, and we have adopted special needs children. I think the reality really hit me yesterday that we are across the ocean from our family. We felt alone and scared. All the changes were tough for us. I saw a bag of OREOS at the store and I clutched them and almost cried. I was just so glad to see something I recognized. No one speaks English here like they did in the "big city" where we had our SDA appointment. I was tired of "squatty potties". I was having major doubts that we were even doing the right thing. I felt like jumping on a plane and coming home. I didn't feel like I was strong enough to continue on this journey. I didn't want to accept the unexpected. I cried. I prayed and prayed.

I prayed for guidance that we would make the right decision.

When we first got to the orphanage, we met with the director and someone told us about Nastya's background. They finally brought Nastya in. She was dressed all fancy. She gave us a little wave and my heart melted. She cried at first when she saw Travis and snuggled into me. So far, things were going just as I thought they would.

Then, they brought in Moira. My heart stopped.

She was so incredibly tiny. She is the size of a six month old and she is 21 months. She looked so frail. She wouldn't look at us or even look around at anything.

The director said that Nastya and Moira had been in the same room when they were little, but Moira did not progress, so she was put in another room so she could lay down, because of her arthrogyposis. They said Moira did not like to eat. They said she had no will to live, no interest in anything. I'm not even sure what else was going on because I was so shocked.

God answered my prayers today.

When I woke up, I couldn't wait to get to the orphanage to see the girls. I knew then that I had my answer. I felt a peace surround me. All my fear was gone.

So, now to the pictures.....

The orphanage...

Our apartment

God always knows what he is doing. We are not alone.