Drumroll please.....

We got our court date!!!
We are supposed to leave for Russia on June 4. That's 2 weeks from today *panicpanicpanic* Court is scheduled for the 10th.
That's about all we know for now, but we're supposed to get more details tomorrow. Stay tuned.

One Amazing Evening

Amazing
What words are there to describe this evening?

Let's back up.
A few days after we returned home from our first trip to Russia, we were spending the evening with our friends Jon and Amy. Jon, being a man of BIG ideas and a BIGGER heart, says, "I want to do something to help you guys... but I have no skills!" Before we had time to finish our chuckle, Jon was planning this benefit dinner and silent auction.

Little did we know what had been set into motion.

Jon, Amy, and a long, long list of wonderful friends spent countless hours planning and preparing. Generous donations of all kinds came in from people who know us well and people who have never even met us. Finally, the evening arrived, and well over 200 friends, family, and supporters showed up. An unfathomable $25,000 has been raised to help us bring our children home. Amazing.

To everyone that attended, donated, or supported us with prayer and encouragement, we thank you. We thank you. We thank you. We thank you.

We appreciate the fact that many have joined in because you love us. Many of you simply have compassionate souls. Many care about the state of orphans in the world.

But, know this, what you have participated in is much bigger than Scott and I.
Bigger than a couple who just wanted kids.
Bigger than 3 orphaned children in Russia.
Bigger than this new little family of five.
Bigger than that good feeling that comes with helping out.
Bigger than even that huge amount of money that was raised.

We firmly believe, each of you are sharing in a part of something bigger.
Have you ever been part of helping carry out God's plan?

This is not OUR story of faith.
This is the Lord's story of HIS faithfulness to us.
He doesn't need us... but He wants us.
He doesn't need us... but He wants us.
He doesn't need us... but He wants us.
Now that, is what's amazing.

Hand Picked

I couldn't resist these PJs for the girls:


Hand picked?!
We are more than certain these children were long ago, hand picked, for our family.

And some more good news! Our Petition to Court arrived today! Yay! This is a must have document before we can get our court date in Kras. A few more signatures and formalities, then we send it back and wait to hear about court. We're still hoping to travel in early June, but it's too soon to tell.

We're looking forward to the dinner and silent auction coming up this Sunday. If you haven't heard, our great friends, Jon and Amy, have planned a benefit dinner and auction for us. The cost involved in adopting three children from Russia has become quite staggering. Jon and Amy realized this and set to work organizing a fundraiser. There are so many people behind the scenes who are helping out and making donations. It's already incredible. I'm reminded that when God calls us to do something, He always provides just what we need to carry out His plan.

We're so fortunate that our new family is being built in such a unique way. The prayers and support of others are step by step helping unite us. I will never know how to thank you enough. Just know, that you carry a piece of our family with you.