The facilitator asked if he had any questions for us or concerns about moving to America. He said he had one. He's hoping when he comes home someone could help him learn English! We have several friends who speak Russian and we have Rosetta Stone in English for him.
Later he asked, after we have court, could we have a party at the orphanage to celebrate his being adopted and say good bye to his friends. Absolutely! We also let him know he could Skype with his friends after he's home.
We brought out the iPad to listen to music today. He was going through different songs, then would click to something else. After several songs he clicked on the group Avalon and the song was Adonai. He did not change this song. He doesn't know English very well, but there was something about this song that touched him. He listened to it all the way through. Unlike the other songs he would change before they finished. I closed my eyes, sang, prayed and worshiped while being with my new son.
"You're the Maker of each moment. Father of my HOPE and FREEDOM, oh my Adonai....
"One trembling heart and soul becomes a servant bold and courageous. You pulled across the mountains and the seas, I answer from the deepest part of me, Adonai!"
How fitting. The Lord is Andrey's father of hope and freedom. Andrey was a trembling heart who became bold and courageous to make the decision to have a family. When it was over, he let us know that he really liked that song. I do, too!
Here is a picture from yesterday with his best friend. (who has a mama and is not an orphan. He goes to the school at the orphanage.)
A beautiful, blessed day! Thank you mighty prayer warriors! Please keep going on Andrey's behalf. I'd like to see that smile stay. Isn't it a great smile?
Blessings,
Hansina
Just so wonderful. :) Still praying! And so happy to hear that his best friend has a family.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a Beautiful Smile!
ReplyDeleteKeeping you all in prayer.
love,
Cheryl Alves
What a wonderful blessing you've offered to ask for prayer and then allow me to share in your celebration via your posts and pictures. I prayed that God would give Andrey peace and guide him in the decision that would be best for him. I can only guess how much courage it took for him to make a decision like this -- whichever choice he made. I'm so glad he chose to be adopted into your family who obviously already loves him very much. Good for you, Andrey!
ReplyDeleteAnnette
I absolutly love reading about God moving mountains!! I have to say Andrey has the best smile ever!! I just had to share that It is truly beautiful
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely smile indeed!!! So blessed to be praying with you through this sweet miracle time! :) Lots of love!!!
ReplyDeleteHe shines! Keeping you and your family in my prayers. Love your blog. It's been missed!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that you and Mark have a presence that assured him of his decision... :)
ReplyDeleteADONAI~!
ReplyDeleteOh Hansina!! Tears of joy running down my face!! Andrey is such a handsome boy and looks just so filled up! I'm soooo happy for all of you. I can't wait to follow your journey once home. Prayers will continue from Rob and myself as your journey just begins! We can't wait to come visit your crew!!
ReplyDeleteOh Hansina I'm overjoyed for you all!! Andrey looks so full of excitement, love and hope. The photographs just bring tears to my eyes knowing that his whole life awaits him...one with his very own family. What a dream come true that must be. We are just thrilled and honored to watch your journey unfold. Rob and I will continue the prayers as you bring your new son home and the adjustments begin. We cannot wait to come and visit once everything is settled. Love and prayers to you!
ReplyDeleteYes!! Come visit! Anytime you and your beautiful family are welcome in our home!
DeletePraising the Lord for answered prayers and that sweet smile to stay! Covering you daily in prayer!
ReplyDeleteI prayed and prayed he would change his mind and all the negativity being fed to him would be blocked out of his thoughts! So glad he is making the right choice! GOD IS GOOD! Your story is inspiring, thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDelete~~ From a prayer warrior residing in Jacksonville, Florida ~~
YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!! That's all I've got for you!! :) I'm just so happy and so blessed by what's happening over there!!! YAY!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, we rejoice with you! God is good, loving, and strong.
ReplyDeletePsalm 62
Rachel
Atlanta
www.inhonoroftheking.blogspot.com
Oh my!!! I am moved to tears. I love that song too. Such a miracle isn't it? I have visions of doing the same thing with our daughter when we get her from china. I sing over her even now. Music is so powerful.
ReplyDeleteStill praying,
Rebecca
Love and prayers are flowing from LaCrosse...just want you to know. ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteHe looks so relaxed now. I'm not sure how adoption works in Russia. Do you leave and go back later? Do you stay for a month and bring him with you? I am so happy for you and Andrey. I can't wait to hear about the party planning. That should be fun.
ReplyDeleteRussia you leave and come back. Depends on the region if it's two or three trips. Ukraine is a little different. We stay until we get a court date. That could take two to three weeks. Then we have a ten day wait before we pick up the court decree saying Andrey's our son. The last two adoptions we stayed because it was less expensive than the plane tickets to California and back. This time I was thinking of coming home after court because of the seven other kids. I'll see how Andrey is doing before I decide. Mark would stay and bring him home. :)
DeleteSorry and the Russia thing. I thought that's where you were because he speaks Russian. Dumb of me. That's like I must be in England because I speak English! :)
DeleteOh, not dumb at all! I have people say we are adopting from Russia all the time. Eastern Eurpoean countries were a part of the Soviet Union. Kiev was its capital. They speak Russian and Ukrainian here. They sound very similar. :)
DeletePRAISE GOD!! I am so glad he said "YES" Praise be to Adonai.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Praying and praising God for this miracle He is working!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a remarkable boy your son is. So delighted to see that smile.
ReplyDeleteBeen praying for you all constantly. Great reports. I am sure there are quite a few Russian speaking contacts in Sac area. Michael has a good friend from Russia (Serg) who lives in West Sac who I am sure would be willing to spend some time with Andrey. Nice Christian young man early 20s. He would probably know of other christians who may help with English language study in the Sacramento Russian-speaking community.
ReplyDeleteLove to you all. Praying for the Lord to continue to direct you all. Praying Isaiah 30-21 for Andrey. May God continue to strengthen and help. We know it is still a battle.... but it is the Lord's. Keep praising him no matter what else "pops up" and He will see you through. May God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteWhen you look at the picture of Mark and Andrey, they LOOK like father and son! The nose, the eyebrows, the ridge under thier eyes, the smile, the cheaks when they grin.....
ReplyDeletePraying. Our God is beyond words.