Praise the One True God!

Let me start this from last night.

The kids were fired up as the stockings were hung, and we would go out by 2's to do secret shopping. We had explained that Erin and I were coming home to wrap presents and that part of the fun was to be surprised. We quickly found out the surprise in Russian is suprisy so it was easy to explain. Erin and I wrapped and put presents under the tree. Dan read the nativity story with Sergei translating for us and then we all prayed. The kids are telling us now at bedtime to get in a circle, hold hands and pray. Of course while Dan prays in English they open their eyes and giggle - yes, I opened my eyes too to peek at them!

In the middle of all this Christmas activity, the Tauntons sent a video from Sasha to Christina and Kolya to encourage them about being adopted. Even though it was less thaqn 30 seconds the kids loved seeing Sasha and hearing her! Sergei translated for us and they watched it several times last night and several times today.

Dan, Kolya and Christina went to bed. Christina is always out within minutes. Kolya is falling to sleep faster but not as fast as Christina. Jake, Erin and I stuffed stocking and then watched Mama Mia! Well, most of us watched it, some fell asleep. We finished it around 12 and I went immediately to sleep...BUT woke at 2 and could not got to sleep again. I prayed a lot, still did not fall asleep, so around 4:30 I got up and took my shower - you know, to be ahead of the crowd. Dan woke about 5:30 but when I said we needed to let Christina and Kolya sleep until at least 7, he went back to sleep. However Jake and Erin were now awake and they watched a movie until Christina woke. She came in slowly, saw the filled stockings and ran back to wake Kolya and Dad. She pointed to Jake, Erin and I and motioned that WE had stuffed the stockings not St. Nick. They went through the stocking examining their stuff and trying to figure out what things were. Then we moved to the presents. They had already counted how many present they each had. So we gave them out one at a time. Erin and Jake had already received big gifts so we had gotten Christina and Kolya some toys- they need jackets so tomorrow we will buy their jackets. They were both a little disappointed. Kolya liked everyting and spent time setting up things before moving to the next gift but after all the gifts were opened he brought Sergei to me. He explained that he had asked for a watch and why didn't he get it. So I explained that he had received a lot of nice things and that he needed to enjoy the gifts that he did get. The custom here is to give gifts on New Year's Day not 12/25 so Dan and I were going to get the watch for that day. However we are not telling him but just telling him not now, be content with what you have. We really did not know he was so earnest about the watch. Christina reverted to the quiet thinking girl as she opened her presents. She really did not like the doll or bear but liked the Leapster new game and hair accessories. I do not know what she wanted but I think she was disappointed. We are planning on getting her a ring for New Year's Day.

In Odessa the celebration of Christ's birth is on 1/7 so 1/6 is Christmas eve with a pagent at the church which we plan to attend. There is a St. Nick Day where candy is found under your pillow when you wake.

We played and ate all morning until it was time to dress for court. We got there 2 hours early. Sergei had to bring Christina and Kolya, Dan and I to the court house and then pick up the inspector #2. Marina the director met us at the court house. The thing was the court and inspector could not know that we have had Christina and Kolya at the flat since Tues even at night. That is the main reason why it went so smoothly. God prompted the director to see the predicament at the orphanage for Christina...of being tormented by this other girl and even being persuaded or tricked into hiding from us. So because we had them our relationship had really blossomed!

The court hearing was held in a cramped office with 12 people seated. The kids were asked something like who are these people that want to adopt you and Christina said, Mama and Papa! Then the judge and everyone laughed and it all went smoothly without any tension after that. It only took 35 minutes. It was just a great relief! We went back to the orphanage where the kids had gone on a walk???!! so Christina and Kolya did not even see the kids which we were very thankful. We do have a 12 not 10 day waiting period but it really does not matter as the holidays will make it even longer.

I have to admit that Dan and I are exhausted tonight. Neither of us slept well last night...with Christmas and the court date. Dan has gone on to bed with the kids in one bedroom, Sergei is trying to get a good night's sleep as he leaves tomorrow and Erin, Jake and I will sleep in the living room again. Tomorrow we take over Sergei's room!! Yeah!

Thanks so much. I felt so much peace throughout the last days even with this hanging over us. Please keep praying. We can tell that the kids, especially christina is a little nervous about Sergei leaving. We will see.

We hope that you have had a very merry Christmas. We are very thankful to our Lord Jesus for adopting us into His family. We are also thankful and tired tonight for the 2 little new Edwards kids!!

In Him Alone,

Leslie