Introducing............... (drum roll) Ryan Blake

Well, after going through several names and testing them out in Latvia, he has decided on Ryan Blake to be his new name. He really likes it and while we know it will take you all some time to memorize it, just know that even we forget and call him by his old name occasionally. It will sink in with a little time. Here are some pictures I took of him while we were away in Latvia. He still looks at himself and just sees things he doesn't like. We look at him and just see a handsome boy. As for the graffiti shots, well, I think every boy thinks graffiti is cool. So, I include those because they were sort of neat looking.

It was colder than we expected. A bit of a winter storm rolled through. It's time for spring there, but during our trip came the last gust of a snowy winter. Luckily, Ryan had a coat and was able to bring it with him when he came to us at court. He brought his suitcase he took home from Christmas and when we got to the apartment an opened it up we found it practically empty. Only a few things remained from his time here at Christmas. Everything was gone, not a single toy remained but a hackysack. He had only a few shirts we had given him and his photo album, everything else was gone. Thank goodness I had planned for that and took several sets of clothes for him. He had been telling me all along as each thing was taken from him, but the shock of seeing a nearly bare suitcase really hit home that he wasn't kidding, everything was gone. We reminded him that it was ok, that he would have some new things when he got home.

Home Sweet Home

Hi everyone. Well, I wasn't able to update the blog while we were in Latvia, so today I'm going to catch up! I hope you enjoy seeing many of the pictures from our first adoption trip to Latvia. We got home last night, minus one bag that I hope shows up today. All total, 11 days were involved, so we are pretty tired, but incredibly happy to have our son home. There were tense moments, many on our knees in prayer, but what a wonderful feeling for me to look over at him as we were lifting off the runway in Riga, Latvia. We praise God that He prevailed. There were so many moments when I would simply pray Jeremiah 29:11, I knew the Lord knew His plans and I knew He wouldn't allow the enemy to steal them or alter them. All 3 of us came back as a stronger family unit, ready to embrace all of our new roles.

Latest Updates

We leave Atlanta on Tuesday, March 18th. We have been told that in all likelihood, Gvido should be able to come home with us. Our Latvian lawyer already has his embassy interview setup on the afternoon following court. So, everything looks good. It doesn't look like we will be able to visit his orphanage. Yesterday on the phone he told us that the plan was for him and the social worker to meet us at court and he would bring his things. Granted, virtually everything he took back with him after Christmas has been stolen or broken. We are having to pack clothes, shoes, socks, etc, because he doesn't have much left. Basically, his bag should be small, bless his heart.

I, of course, saw his orphanage when I visited with New Horizons last September. But, I'm sorry Jon will never have a visual of where our son has come to us from. It's unreal to see an orphanage. You just have no idea until you step into one. Having visited at least 20 at this point, some still surprise me. But, I'm going to trust God that He knows what's best for all of us. Gvido's orphanage director hasn't been there since the children returned from America back in January. She's been sick and in the hospital for a surgery. So, I already had a feeling the orphanage social workers might not want an adopting family there, if she wasn't.

Other than that, Gvido is "really, really" excited. He said he thinks the first thing he will do when he gets home is go to his room and sleep in his bed! Yesterday he was wondering if we could bring him some McDonald's. He has told us both about his "dream." His dream is to come to America and to get strong in body and mind. He wants others to look at him and believe he is a good person. He wants to be someone others think highly of. He also wants to work out and get strong physically. He says,, "I will get stronger than dad." It's the simplest dream in the world I suppose. But, coming from a child who's been pushed around, verbally assaulted, told he has no worth, no value, it's truly the thing nearest his heart. I tell him all the time how wonderful he is. One, I believe it. Two, he needs to hear it. Orphans are truly cast-offs. They are not valued as other people are in their society. Rarely do they come across an orphanage worker or teacher who actually places enough value on them so as to encourage them. I say it all the time, all they really need is someone to tell them they love them and they are great. As they grow to trust you, they begin to believe it. I thank God that this one can begin to dream again.

Headed to Latvia!

We just got word today from Latvia, we have our first court appearance next week! We have a total of three Latvian court appearances. This trip is court appearance number one and requires both Jon and I to attend. Hopefully we will receive approval to bring Gvido back home with us after this court appearance!

We are ecstatic. When I think about all the years that have passed, all the disappointments in the area of beginning our family, I acknowledge that I wasn't patient with God at times. I struggled to understand and I had difficulty seeing beyond the hurt. But in the waiting, God taught us so many lessons and grew our faith, patience, trust and widened our vision to go beyond our personal definition of family. When I think about my son, also waiting for years for God to deliver him and wondering where God was... I can now thank God for every moment of waiting, every hold, every no. If it weren't for that, I would not have had the unbelievable privilege of meeting the amazing young man last September who was to be my first born of heart. I think none of us can ever truly imagine the weaving of lives that takes place when we place our hope in God.

Chosen and introduced to us by God, we are incredibly grateful and humbled to share with you our wonderful news. I can't think of a better way to spend Easter, the celebration of new life, redemption and the resurrection of the very Savior who has guided us, than to spend it in Latvia with our new son. (If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22)

Official Adoption Approval

Surprise! We received an important document today. On February 5th, our attorney in Latvia submitted our dossier, which is the package of documents you must submit to be considered for adoption. Today, February 22nd, my email box alerted me to an important arrival; our first official letter from the Latvian Ministry of Family and Children's Affairs granting approval to "Džonatanam Polam Vernonam un Mišelai Linai Vernonai" to officially adopt a child/children.

Stay tuned, next should be our letter granting specific approval for us to adopt Gvido. That's called a "referral." In most international adoptions, the country identifies a child for the parent, so they eagerly await referral because it provides them with the name and photo of their soon to be child. However, in our case, we've pre-identified a child. So, for us, it's just a formality. But, every step taken is a step closer.

We're going to get our boy...

Phone Calls and Emails

Every once in a while, I might post some of Gvido's emails. He is doing such a great job writing in english. You have to read between the lines and sound things out sometimes, but eventually, you catch on! Some things cute, but some weigh heavy on my heart. I've told you throughout the blog that God must have let Gvido in on something because he has certainly chosen us! You will read evidence of that. Precious one, he is clinging to hope and what we felt we were able to tell him with certainty, that yes, he'll be coming back in summer. Of course, he still wants to know when it can be "forever." He doesn't exactly realize it, but God has all three of us walking in faith!

Feb. 20, 2008 Email
hay mam am so hapy dat you are my mam and ay praud det you are may mam ay faster at home with you and JOHN and MOTJO JUNIOR FRENK GOLDIE and BEAR ay love them so much cal cal cal cal be please love your san GVIDZ bye
Translation:

Hi mom. I’m so happy that you are my mom and I proud that you are my mom. I faster at home with you and John, Motchio, Junior, Frank, Goldie and Bear. (All the pets) I love them so much. Call, call, call, call me please. Love your son, Gvido. Bye.

Feb. 19, 2008 Phone Call
After sensing that I was sad and maybe crying, Gvido said to me, “Mom are you crying? Please don’t cry or you won’t be beautiful. When girls cry, they no longer be beautiful.”

Feb. 15, 2008 Email

hay mam hapy vilentain day hay are you du you fil gud ay hope yes yu nou ay wath de movie titanic and nau ay anderstend det GOOD give to as life det we ken live in this wold ay love you

Translation:

Hi Mom. Happy Valentine's Day. How are you, do you feel good? I hope yes. You know, I watch the movie Titanic and now I understand that God give to us life that we can live in this world. I love you.

Feb. 8, 2008 Email

sily boy you are sily mam tenyou for misiges ay hope ay wil home sum mam ay mis burger and latsay tings ay hope you haye a great time with me ay love you and dad to ay wan faster may bike to wride with Timi and may friends ay wan faster at america ay mis you do you mis me yo

Translation:

Silly boy, you are silly mom. Thank you for messages. I hope I will be home soon. Mom, I miss burgers and tasty things. I hope you have a great time with me. I love you and dad too. I want faster my bike to ride with Timmy and my friends. I want faster at America. I miss you, do you miss me too?

Jan.25, 2008 Email

ay faund the pikcurs its yery kuul ay love you ay mis you sou much ay yan faster home you kul mam and ay hay kul dad its yery long time to see you agen ay dont have pasion to yeit tel nay friends ay mis them ay mis you to and dad so muth

Translation:

I found the pictures, it's very cool. I love you. I miss you so much. I want faster home. You cool and I have cool dad. It's very long time to see you again. I don't have patience to wait. Tell my friends I miss them. I miss you too and dad so much.

Jan 23, 2008 Phone Call

Gvido is sick and is running a fever, so no school. I could tell as soon as he came to the phone that he was terribly congested. Take a funny little accent and make it congested and it's really quite comical then! Anyway, as I finished up the conversation, I just told him how much I wished I could be there to take care of him and help him feel better. He said, "it's ok, I feel better now because I got to talk to my mom." How can you not love that?

Jan. 19, 2008 Phone Call

Viktors is a friend of Gvido's at the orphanage. He does not behave well at all. In fact, I was rather hasty in my judgement about Viktors until Gvido set about explaining to me that he acts bad because he feels like he is bad. His mom died at 6 and his dad told him he was better off without him too. Feeling as though he did something wrong, he's ventured into every bad thing he can get his hands on. However, since Gvido returned to Latvia, Viktors has been making changes and Gvido shared with me today, "Mom, Viktors said he's going to be good like me now, no smoking, no drinking and he tells me he believes in God now. He said he would come to church with me next week." He's being salt and light without even realizing it. I'm so proud of him.

Jan. 18, 2008 Email
michelll ay mis you am yery sad kam back to latvija ay mis may pets ay mis hause ay mis john mam ay wil be kam back in ameica on sumer ay you and john kol me
Translation:

Michelle, I miss you. I'm very sad come back to Latvia. I miss my pets. I miss house. I miss Jon. Mom, I will be come back in America in summer... I, you and Jon? Call me.

January 16, 2008 Email
hay MIshell tank yow for mesidž say tu john hay ay love yow say to me abaut du you uil be tek me in your hause for oll d time okay bye bye
Translation:

Hi Michelle. Thank you for message. Say to Jon hi, I love you. Say to me about do you will be take me to your house for all the time? Ok, bye bye.

Departure Photos

Once the children are all back at the gates, a group photo is made before they depart. Thought you might like to see the two group photos. The smaller group is the Russian children who returned Wednesday. The larger photo is all the Latvian children who left Friday night. Gvido is in the back next to Gatis. Gatis is the 17 year old who came as a Jr Assistant, his mother is our Latvian Coordinator. He's the tallest in the background and Gvido's head is peeking just along side his.

Up, up and (sadly) away

Well, the kids are in the air as we speak. Delta flight #58 is their first flight, which has a layover in London. They will arrive in London about 3:30am ATL time and have a pretty long layover. Lucky for them, it's 8:30am London time and they are actually going to take the kids outside the airport to do a mini-tour of London. Then, about 1:30pm Saturday ATL time, 6:30pm London time, they will leave London on Air Baltic #652 for Riga. They arrive in Riga at 4:20pm Saturday ATL time, 11:20pm Latvia time. All total, they are traveling about 21 hours, but it will be broken up at least.

Please pray for Jon and I. Coming home to a quiet, still house is an incredibly lonely feeling. You know it's coming, but there's no way to prepare for that first night apart. Also, please pray for God's guidance as we get on our knees and seek His face to know our role in Gvido's future. Jon and I both feel alot of peace about this time with Gvido, he honestly never had a bad day. For a child that has endured so much in his short life, he has the most amazing spirit. I was able to share with Gvido God's specific word about hosting him this winter. For a child who sometimes feels forgotten by God, I could tell it meant alot to him. He has great difficulty believing God has a plan for his life. If I was him, I'd likely have a hard time seeing it too. If God would have us move forward, I want to share with Gvido this new word from God, as a testimony that God hears us when we cry out and ask His will. I'm learning... as a parent, I can offer my child no guarantees. I'll have good days and bad days. Some days I'll be the superhero, other days I'll be the villain. There is nothing in life that is concrete, aside from the very presence and sovereignty of God. So, we would offer him nothing less than the assurance that we sought God and it's not on our own confidence that we move forward, but because the spirit of God has willed it within us and shown us that He is the light to our new path, one that possibly bears three sets of footprints instead of two.

Thank you for continued prayers over this amazing young man. As God directs us in the coming days and weeks, we promise to update you as we can. Blessings for your new year!

Last Night

Tonight is Gvido's last night with us. The Latvian children head out of Atlanta around 7:30pm Friday night. Today, we went up to Jon's school to show him around. He got to see inside the school, the field house and the stadium. He looks like a natural in a set of shoulder pads, even though I put them on him backwards, my bad!

He's wanted to take gifts to a myriad of people. We are sending small gifts to his orphanage director, social worker, one caregiver and another caregiver that "told him about God" as he explains it. She definitely gets something! He's also taking back pencils and stickers for his classmates and a gift for his class teacher and his school director. A few friends from the orphanage are getting flashlights. That was his choice for them after I explained that, no, I couldn't get them all mp3 players! Bless him; those gifts are taking away from his minimal luggage space, yet he very much wants to do it.

Please pray for Gvido's safety while traveling; all the children. Pray they will ban together on the flight home and behave. Pray their faces are radiant when they step off the plane in Riga to see there caregivers and directors. I want those adults in their lives to know they are different and it's because they are highly favored by God and some Americans! I think it's such a testimony to them to see how different some of the children are when they return. Pray that God will cover Gvido and protect him. May he always make a way out for him, an escape. May God continue to feed the spirit inside him to keep him from the evil and oppression that is in his environment daily. Also, that God's conviction will be ever present in guiding his choices when he returns home. Most of all that Gvido will continue to persevere and endure, until God delivers him permanently from there, if that is His plan. I know the temptation to run away is very strong sometimes. Thank you for following the journey of this very special young man. A gift for us all this Christmas season. We can't wait to hear from God as to His plan for his future.

"Never in my life"

This was the statement that led to Ice Skating... today we checked off another "never in my life" box. Tatjana was able to go Ice Skating with us today and again, with everyone being back in school, they had some wide open space to roam. He was pretty much a natural, but being a bit of a skater boy, I figured it would come quickly to him. He has been inline skating here in the neighborhood so it was just a matter of transitioning from road to ice. He did really well and enjoyed it very much. He's outside playing basketball now, trying to soak up every last bit of America. It's a beautiful day here in Atlanta. Enjoy some of our shots from today!