It’s been a long, tiring journey, but we are finally here…here in her city. I can hardly believe it. It all seems so unreal to not only be here in EE again, but to know that she is within miles of us…no words.

Being a part of her story unfolding has allowed there to be an inner peace that is unexplainable. Yes, there have been stressful parts like preparing a dossier in record time to packing for a family of seven. Yet, through it all, when we have faced any type of uncertainty, we’ve reflected back at what God has done and it has allowed us to have confidence in Him and trust that He has us…and her…in the palm of His hand.

I remember just one week before we were to leave, I wondered where the money would come from to pay our facilitator. I heard Him whisper into my ear, “Remember, I’ve got your back. Just watch what I will do.” And in just one short week, I watched as His generosity built little by little, day by day to give us more than enough for this trip. We are certainly not fully funded yet, but we have all that we need for now and even have a bit saved for Trip 2. I have no doubts He will supply what we need exactly when we need it. Someday I’ll take the time to share a bit more of financial side of our trip to encourage you that you don’t have to make a million bucks to adopt…

Even if you cannot adopt, yourself, be willing to help those who can. You’d be surprised at how God will multiply what you can give into something huge for Him. Whether it’s time, money, creativity, child care, meal making, driving, whatever…He will use it.

It’s been just 3 short years since we’ve been here, but her country has changed. It has changed, in a good way, and so have I. Its newer airport and the city itself are more English friendly. More people speak English and we speak more Russian. We also realize that we have the map of this city imprinted in our head more than we realized. We seem to remember where everything is. On top of that, over the past year, my kids and I have learned more in-depth about the culture of this country—it’s history, it’s rulers, it’s people, it’s artists, composers, writers, mentalities and even some of its language. Our love for this country has deepened.

Maybe it’s this deeper understanding of its culture or maybe it’s from having done this before but it’s a lot easier to relax and enjoy everything this time around. My weary body needs to head to bed, but tomorrow is the day we meet her. Again, I am speechless…