Back in Sophia

Here we are, back in the capital city surrounded by 2 million people, but feeling so lonely.  At this moment we are away from all of our children.  As most of you are sleeping tonight, we will be flying back to the states.  I'm glad that people speak English in Sophia and don't smoke in the restaurants.  Breathe...

Our visit today was wonderful.  We gave Dimitar his picture book filled with family pictures and recordings on each page for English and Bulgarian.  Excitement filled his precious face with each new page.  The orphanage has agreed to Skype with us using our wonderful new friend and translator Didi.  We also have paid to have him enrolled in English lessons twice a week.  Great stuff for while we are apart.  We explained the process yesterday and again today about WANTING him, just not being able to take him yet.  The social worker there is wonderful...she explained everything so lovingly - in Bulgarian.  Her daughter goes to his kindergarten class in school and now they will be the only 2 that leave for English lessons.

A friend came down the stairs to say hello to all of us.  He went right over and showed that boy the way back upstairs, closing the door behind him.   As our week unfolded, we were blessed to get to see the real Meete (shortened for of Dimitar).  Smiling.  Laughing.  Hugging.  He is all boy - running all over, loves electronics, building, and throwing balls.  Quite a little ham he is - full of spunk and personality.  He will fit in with our kids perfectly!!  He is our son.   We put glow-in-the-dark stars on his bed so he would know that we are thinking of him every night.  He hugged us, told us"chow" and waved good bye holding his Lightening McQueen and Mater matchbox cars.  Obeechum te Meete - We love you Meete.  We will come for you soon.  God's comfort until that time.   

2 Meetings Left in Sredets BG

Our week here has been long, yet rewarding.  I am ever impressed with the care at the orphanage (minus the rotting teeth).  The menu was shared with us and is very traditional Bulgarian food.  Take away all of the smoking and they are pretty healthy here.  No cereals, no sugary breakfast.  Eggs, cheese, meats, toast with butter and seasoning and breakfast sandwiches.  Fruit or "light breakfast" for snacks.  Lunch and dinner always provide a salad and often soup as well.  Salads here have no lettuce - unless you order a Caesar.  We've also seen "Texas" burgers in one restaurant.  We are very happy with the food, juices - peach - yum and coffee - espresso.

We were told at the Orphanage that Metko (Dimitar) cries after we leave every morning.  I can't even imagine on Friday morning after we leave for the last time until we get to come pick him up in a few months.  It makes me cry each time I think of him waiting.

He is so proud to show us off to his buddies.  Last night he took us on a tour of the rooms where his group "lives" and showed us his bed.  What a priss!  Arms out, head high - he marched up the stairs.  We loved it!  I wish we could've gotten it on video, but the other children are not allowed to be photographed...  We played soccer indoors - what fun.  It brought us joy to hear him laughing for the first time.  What a precious guy!  The social worker told us today that he only really started talking more last week.  Wow - prayers are amazing!  Please continue prayers for his heart and for those of the other children in the orphanage.  Tomorrow we leave our child and part of our hearts here... Only 2 more meetings - I pray he understands that we will return.

First meeting with Dimitar - God answers prayers

God answers prayers!  Our first meeting was scheduled for 10:30am today.  That's 3:30am EST!  We sat nervously in a room with some toys, 2 chairs and a footstool.  We were accompanied by Didi (DeeDee), and the director of the orphanage as the social worker went to get Dimitar.  We heard an excited exchange between an adult and child nearby.  Tears came to my eyes.  This little guy, who has only been a two-dimensional photo was just around the corner.  What would he think of us?  As they entered the room a small boy with dark brown hair, a shy smile and beautiful blue eyes came to me and hugged me.  A huge bear hug!  He was saying I've waited for you my whole life, I'm so glad you're here and don't leave all in this one moment.  The social worker told him that Santa brought him some guests.   We are the guests we were told that all of the children wait for.  What a special greeting - Stuart received the same never-ending hug with the look of "well, what do we do now?"  

We bought some toys, with the help or not so much of our kids to give to him.  He quickly went through the 3 we took.  He is all boy and very active.  Extremely detail oriented too.  He put everything away so nicely...even while we were in the middle of a game.  He repeated several American words that we said and communicated much better than I imagined.  His hair has gotten darker than the picture we have (posted in August) and his checks are swollen due to lack of oral hygiene.  I'm glad that Papa is a dentist and will be able to help.  He smelled nice and clean.  His finger nails were recently cut.  

We enjoyed our morning visit and returned at 4:30 for the afternoon visit - forget the fact that it was near dark already.  One of the care givers told us that Dimitar (Meet-a, as they lovingly call him) cried when he awoke from his nap, afraid that we wouldn't come back.  That broke my heart because now my sweet Ashlyn wakes up wondering why we left her and if we will come back.  Our visit again was filled with much love and curiosity as he loves electronics.  I'm not quite sure, but this 5-year old knows how to use a smart phone...hmm...

This week seems long as I miss my children in the US so much and we have a significant amount of down time.  I know it will mean the world to Meeta (no idea how to spell that).  Excited for tomorrow.  Thank you Lord for answering our prayers and opening his heart to us.

Dinner at BudaPest

Kristy and I just finished a fantastic meal at the BudaPest Restaurant and we are very excited to sleep in a bed before traveling across Bulgaria tomorrow.  I want to thank everyone who has been praying for us!  Please keep it up.  The trip has gone very well so far and I can tell that we are being prayed for.  Kristy is very tired of course from the long overnight flight and the time change but other than needing some sleep she is doing very well.  We decided to fly Air France just so we could say that we've been to Paris (and because it was the cheapest flight).  We left New York about 7pm EST on Friday evening and we arrived here in Sofia around noon local time.  Didi picked us up from the airport, escorted us to the hotel, and will pick us up again tomorrow to drive us to Sredets.

I can't imagine what Sredets is going to be like.  Driving from the Sofia International Airport to our hotel was a major surprise to me.  I'm not sure I saw a home that didn't have some large holes from the bricks collapsing.  Someone was having a wedding with balloons tied to all of the vehicles just blocks from the airport.  It was in the gypsy area and it looked like a tarp city.  Even adjacent to this nice hotel are a couple of houses that look like Charlie's before he took over the Chocolate Factory.  I wasn't prepared to see such a wide gap between social classes.  There are a few who drive the BMW's and Benz's but one common thread is everyone seems to be dressed very nice whether they are driving or walking from one shack to another.  The BudaPest Hotel is first class and is a great price.  I am very excited.  Kristy and I miss our girls and boys but we are so excited to meet Dimitar.  I hope he feels the same way!

Phase 1 Rescue Mission is a Go.

Wow- We leave on a flight at noon tomorrow.  The day is almost here.  For far too long the whole adoption process has just been paper work, talk, plan and more paper work.  Now here we are  - a few short days from meeting our son.  He will be more than the little snap shot we've seen.  I am thrilled and sad about leaving my other kids here.  Oh - I'm sure they will have a blast!  Play dates every day, yet home in their own beds at night.  I'm worried about Ashlyn - our little three-year old.  She is very attached to her Mom.  It's mutual.  I know that we are all in the hands of our Lord and savior though. 

With all of the packing and planning (we had our will made out yesterday) - It has been brought to my attention that we are on a rescue mission. Yes - that is exactly what we are doing!  We will rescue little Dimitar from a life of lovelessness, loneliness and deprivation.  We will bring him into a nurturing family and share things with him that he never knew existed.  God's love will shine.  That is so thrilling to me.  I never saw myself as the Navy Seal type.  As I think of it we are soldiers for Jesus and that's close enough to me.  We are the Body. We are the heroes here on earth.

My next blog will have pictures, happiness and tears of joy.  Thank you to our wonderful life group, family and friends for your prayers and words of encouragement when this sometimes doubting and scared mama has needed them most.  You have given me the peace of the Lord - the kids that passes all understanding.  You are a blessing to us, I love you and I thank God for you.