A Special Adoption Related Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend celebrating with friends who have become more like family. One of the many special things about adoption is the special connection that it ties other families together with.

You have all heard us mention our dear friends, the Groffs and many of you have prayed for them over the years. Friday, we met them at their house for dinner to help celebrate their 1 year family day. In many ways it is hard to believe that Anicka has been here for a year and Evan for 15 months but in some ways that seems like such a short time. As if they have always been here. When we first met Kirsten and Vince in 2004, we had just returned from our first trip to Irkutsk to meet Evan and they were about to travel to meet their daughter Anicka for the first time. Evan and Anicka were big buddies in the baby home and ate at the same table and slept near each other. Now both children have traveled half way across the counrty and are home, together in Georgia, USA all the way from begin together in Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia. What a plan God had to put us in each other's lives. It was so much fun watching videos of Anicka and Evan in the baby home together and seeing them play together as toddlers.

Many of you have also prayed for the Wimpy family, our friends from Warner Robins. They arrived home from St. Petersburg with their sons 5 weeks ago, Dima, 6 and Kirill, 3. They came over for lunch Saturday and we so enjoyed meeting the boys and playing with them. They are so much fun and full of energy. Evan would look and them and belly laugh whenever they would speak Russian to him. It was so much fun trying to communicate with them, with what little Russia I know. It made me miss the process even more. The boys seem so happy.

With the Wimpy's was Jane Cook who was visiting from Michigan. Jane is waiting to return to adopt her daughter, Sasha. Jane and I have become very close over the past year or so through the internet and phone. We felt like we knew each other though we had never met until Saturday. Another example of how adoption can knit bonds so close. Jane's first trip was in December, 2004.

Adopting is such a special part of our lives and to many people we know. Some who we have met in person and some who we just feel like we know personally. Please remember to pray for all of the children and the families who are waiting to return to Irkutsk. It has been a hard and long road for them. Please pray that the judge's heart will soften and that cases will be heard again sometime very soon. We think about you guys everyday and pray for you all the time. We love you all!

Brandi, Clay, Evan