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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.