Answered Prayers

     The last 6 weeks have tested my patience and faith like no other. We recently found out that the 10 day waiting period will be increased to 30 days starting in 2012. On Tuesday morning, I asked the men in our bible study group to pray for the call for our return to Moscow. Specifically, we prayed for the quickest possible means to bring our daughter home. One hour later we receive the phone call from the agency asking if we can be there on short notice. This should allow us to bring our daughter home some time around Christmas. Normally the agency is able to give 10 days notice and they couldn't explain what happened. I know exactly what happened and thank God often for yet another answered prayer.  Christy later asked me why I didn't make this prayer request sooner!

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

     We tried to stay up late after short naps on the plane, finally gave in at 8PM Sunday. We both slept like babies until 2AM then we were wide awake. :-( Since we are up, we mine as well be productive so we head down to the gym. The gym here is amazing with a variety of cardio, weight lifting, pool, hot tub, dry and wet saunas! Christy set a personal record of running a 5K with no rest, she even sprinted the last few minutes! Next, we call our boys on Skype. Of course they had a long list of fun activities done with the grandparents. Once again we will have to re-introduce the word "No" to them when we get back :-) We wait around till the buffet opens at 6 A.M. and head there. The selection of food is not as vast as the last place we stay but still very good, best of all it is free! Christy even tried the raw fish, I hope that I don't have to hold her hair later ;-)

     Irene and Yuri pick us up and we start our 2 hour commute to the baby home. The weather here is actually pretty nice, low 40's and sunshine. Probably not the right thing to be telling you all while you are in the midst of a snow storm. We are so excited to see our daughter which makes this trip nearly unbearable. We finally arrive only to find out that baby "A" is on her way back from a doctor visit and stuck in traffic. After one hour we get a knock on the door and in walks the caretaker with our little bundle of joy. Instantly, the last 6 weeks were forgotten and it feels like it was just yesterday that we were holding her. She smiles at Christy first so grudgingly I let her take the first turn. She warms up to both of us instantly which quiets my fears that she would not remember us. We spend the next few hours playing with the toys and the picture book that we brought of our family. I couldn't help but notice that she has grown some and her hair is filling in beautifully.

     Back at the motel, we work for a few hours and then grab some food. The executive lounge here is awesome, we haven't had to buy a meal yet! Next, we soak in the hot tub, sauna then retreat back to the room. I am hoping for a normal nights sleep tonight!