What a difference a year can make!!!
Last year when we sat down to write our Christmas newsletter we were anxiously waiting for a court date to appear in Russia for the adoption of two little girls-Katya and Lydia-who had visited America for an "adoption camp".
Shortly after 'Thanksgiving we talked to a family who had
just returned from Russia after adopting a little boy from the same orphanage
our girls were in. One mom had visited with Katya, who asked if we were planning
to adopt her sister as well! It turned out that Katya was part of a sibling
group of two girls and two boys, and was hoping that her l3-year-old sister
would be adopted along with her. We were already far short of the funds needed
to adopt two children-how could we possibly take a third!
Well, after crying for three days straight Gigi decided to
call the adoption agency and find out what would be involved in adopting the
third girl. We were told that in addition to even MORE money, at least one of
us would be required to go to the orphanage to meet her, since Russian law requires
parents to meet and spend time with a child prior to proceeding with an adoption.
We didn't know what to do, so we started praying long and hard, and Tom felt
that God was telling him not to rule out the possibility of adopting Katya's
sister. So . . . in mid-February, Gigi and Paige boarded a plane bound for Siberia
to meet Serena!
What a wild trip! We flew through Paris to Moscow, and after
an overnight there, flew another five hours to the city of Krasnoyarsk. It felt
like we had stepped back in time at least fifty years. While Moscow is fairly
"cosmopolitan" the rest of Russia is quite different - old and dreary,
with a high rate of unemployment and rampant alcoholism. After checking into
a hotel that defies description, we drove another three hours one way to the
city of Kansk, where we were reunited with Katya and introduced to Serena (Lydia
was hospitalized, so we didn't see her until two days later). All communication
was through an interpreter, which made it difficult to converse too deeply,
Gigi had been told that they needed our decision regarding Serena by the end
of that day (talk about pressure!!). Although it was difficult to form a bond
under such circumstances, Gigi felt strongly that God was impressing upon her
that we had the chance to change the course of this young girl's life, and so
we agreed to adopt Serena, too!
After returning to Florida, all of our paperwork had to be redone to reflect
that we would now be adopting three children. It was a long and complicated
process, but finally in April, Tom and Gigi flew back to Krasnoyarsk and officially
adopted Katerina Claire, Lydia Barbara, and Serena Diane!!!
We arrived home with our newest family members at the end
of April. Although the initial weeks were somewhat difficult, we have been amazed
at how well all our girls have adjusted. Serena, now 14, is very bright, although
extremely headstrong. In most ways she is a typical teenager - we're still trying
to decide if that's a good thing!! She is very artistic, has an infectious belly-laugh,
and has quickly grown fond of life in America; her favorite thing is eating
dinner out!
We are very proud of how Paige has handled all the changes
we have been through this year. At 13, she continues to be the life of the party.
Her calming presence helped Gigi tackle the daunting trip to Siberia without
Tom, and she was a wonderful traveling companion. Paige loves the new charter
school she and her sisters are attending this year, and has made many new friends.
She continues to study piano, and she and Serena enjoy the youth department
at our church.
Grace is 11 now, and although it has been difficult at times
for her to adapt to the changes in our family dynamics, she dearly loves her
new sisters, and likes always having someone to play with! Grace was glad to
start a new school this year, and seems to be happier and more at ease now that
the switch has been made.
Lydia, 10, is a gentle girl who strives to please and still
can't believe her good fortune in coming to America. She is genuinely grateful
for even the smallest thing, and not a day goes by without her telling us how
happy she is to be a part of our family. Her English, slow at first, is improving
with each passing day. Lydia has endured surgery on her leg and her eye this
fall, and has come through with flying colors.
Katya, 9, is a real spitfire - full of life and always into
something! She is extremely bright, and has picked up English incredibly quickly.
She is a very confident young lady and definitely quite social. Both she and
Lydia were baptized in October, and they are looking forward to performing in
our church Christmas program next week along with Grace.
We have much to be thankful for this year. We are amazed when we look at what God has done in our lives. Our home is now a very busy (and often noisy) place, and although it has been trying at times, we can't imagine it any other way. We thank A Child Waits Foundation and all of those who prayed for the many needs associated with this adoption. Your prayers worked wonders - God met every need, and He continues to provide as we attempt to get back on our feet and tackle the job of raising these five girls. This will be a special Christmas for our family.
The Pawlus