Both visits went very well today! Many changes have been made to the Dom (home in Russian) so much so that we hardly recognized it from 2 ½ years ago. It has all been remodeled and looks so modern now & there is a new playground where just concrete lay before. We are so pleased to see the changes. All of the caregivers have been so friendly and the doctor of the baby home truly loves the children. Ok, I know, enough about that…on to Matvey.
Matvey was out on the playground when we arrived and one of the doctors went to bring him to us. Ryan & I watched expectantly with video camera in hand. It was the sweetest moment and I wish you could all see. Well, knowing Ryan and his love for movie-making, you probably will get the chance to see if you live close! I handed him a stuffed puppy and he held it close. He even let me pick him up and put his forehead to mine and stared. He was reserved but, we could tell he was soaking up all the attention and our gifts helped I’m sure. He is very tender-hearted and quiet so far. No words or sounds came from his mouth during the whole hour we were with him.
We were able to speak with the Orphanage Doctor about Matvey and she filled us in on the sadness of his situation. We were given much more information this time than with Noah. The details are confidential, but I share this to let you know we left this morning’s visit (I more so than Ryan) with heavy hearts. His psychical challenges are more pronounced than I gathered from pictures and to be honest we were not feeling that same emotional high which we felt with Noah. This time we were feeling more sadness and some plain old natural fears were creeping up. I was reminded once again, in my own strength I could not do this. But, hang on, God is faithful! We did a little shopping for some new shoes…his are wearing out, and a couple more toys. Then back to our hotel and begun to talk honestly about how we were feeling. I told Ryan, this precious boy deserves a mother who loves him unconditionally and with excitement…and my question was to the Lord, “Am I the mommy you have choosen for Matvey Evgenievich Novikov?” Now you can imagine the emotions here…we’ve traveled all this way.
Don’t worry this story has a good ending and I only share it in order to give testimony to the truth that when we step out in faith God is near!!!! And it is only God who is able! On top of all these fleshly fears I asked Ryan to pray that I would have peace first of all about a new name for Matvey. We had talked on the plane and still weren’t excited about what we had chosen. In a matter of 10 minutes or so we confidently settled on Samuel. Ryan read some passages in 1 Samuel and we decided Samuel fit. Remember Samuel says as a young boy when called by God, “Here I am Lord”. Samuel grew to be a man of God who trusted and obeyed. Ok, thank you Lord, for yet another answer to prayer. Now off we went back for our second visit, feeling much better, but still afraid.
There we were waiting in front of his door, much like we did with each visit with Noah. And out he walked with a sweet grin on his face. So happy to see us and he let me pick him up and hug him. I can’t explain fully, but I felt an overwhelming peace and excitement to be this boy’s mommy. He is very gentle and by his body language you sense he has been waiting for his Mama & Papa. He looked right into my eyes and melted my heart. Thank you Lord, there was my answer. God is so good all the time, but today I noticed it more than ever because I was at my weakest. Just icing on the cake…a little later a caregiver came out a gave Matvey kisses all over his face and told us with big tears in her eyes that Matvey is her favorite and she wants so badly for us to love him as our own son…we gave a teary response back promising we would. She also asked him to point to Mama & Papa and he did…and then said his first words to us, which were “Mama” and “Papa”. That was it, any fears or doubts we were feeling disappeared and joy replaced them. May God receive the glory for this moment and for every moment forward as we continue to walk in faith and trust Him.
By the way they call him by a nickname which I’m not even sure how to spell phonetically but here’s a try, “Moitya”. Russian sounds are so different from English, but we are learning lots of new words. I was transparent about our (mostly my) inward struggle today, but failed to mention Matvey is a very cute boy and we love every part of him.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Ally for both
Matvey was out on the playground when we arrived and one of the doctors went to bring him to us. Ryan & I watched expectantly with video camera in hand. It was the sweetest moment and I wish you could all see. Well, knowing Ryan and his love for movie-making, you probably will get the chance to see if you live close! I handed him a stuffed puppy and he held it close. He even let me pick him up and put his forehead to mine and stared. He was reserved but, we could tell he was soaking up all the attention and our gifts helped I’m sure. He is very tender-hearted and quiet so far. No words or sounds came from his mouth during the whole hour we were with him.We were able to speak with the Orphanage Doctor about Matvey and she filled us in on the sadness of his situation. We were given much more information this time than with Noah. The details are confidential, but I share this to let you know we left this morning’s visit (I more so than Ryan) with heavy hearts. His psychical challenges are more pronounced than I gathered from pictures and to be honest we were not feeling that same emotional high which we felt with Noah. This time we were feeling more sadness and some plain old natural fears were creeping up. I was reminded once again, in my own strength I could not do this. But, hang on, God is faithful! We did a little shopping for some new shoes…his are wearing out, and a couple more toys. Then back to our hotel and begun to talk honestly about how we were feeling. I told Ryan, this precious boy deserves a mother who loves him unconditionally and with excitement…and my question was to the Lord, “Am I the mommy you have choosen for Matvey Evgenievich Novikov?” Now you can imagine the emotions here…we’ve traveled all this way.
Don’t worry this story has a good ending and I only share it in order to give testimony to the truth that when we step out in faith God is near!!!! And it is only God who is able! On top of all these fleshly fears I asked Ryan to pray that I would have peace first of all about a new name for Matvey. We had talked on the plane and still weren’t excited about what we had chosen. In a matter of 10 minutes or so we confidently settled on Samuel. Ryan read some passages in 1 Samuel and we decided Samuel fit. Remember Samuel says as a young boy when called by God, “Here I am Lord”. Samuel grew to be a man of God who trusted and obeyed. Ok, thank you Lord, for yet another answer to prayer. Now off we went back for our second visit, feeling much better, but still afraid.
There we were waiting in front of his door, much like we did with each visit with Noah. And out he walked with a sweet grin on his face. So happy to see us and he let me pick him up and hug him. I can’t explain fully, but I felt an overwhelming peace and excitement to be this boy’s mommy. He is very gentle and by his body language you sense he has been waiting for his Mama & Papa. He looked right into my eyes and melted my heart. Thank you Lord, there was my answer. God is so good all the time, but today I noticed it more than ever because I was at my weakest. Just icing on the cake…a little later a caregiver came out a gave Matvey kisses all over his face and told us with big tears in her eyes that Matvey is her favorite and she wants so badly for us to love him as our own son…we gave a teary response back promising we would. She also asked him to point to Mama & Papa and he did…and then said his first words to us, which were “Mama” and “Papa”. That was it, any fears or doubts we were feeling disappeared and joy replaced them. May God receive the glory for this moment and for every moment forward as we continue to walk in faith and trust Him.By the way they call him by a nickname which I’m not even sure how to spell phonetically but here’s a try, “Moitya”. Russian sounds are so different from English, but we are learning lots of new words. I was transparent about our (mostly my) inward struggle today, but failed to mention Matvey is a very cute boy and we love every part of him.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Ally for both
10 comments:
Great photo's. I was so pleased recieve them just now. 12:20 PM CA time. I had a good cry as I read the accounts of your honest fears and ultimate faith that God is good and shows us fear so that we may trust him more. Thanks for sharing those moments with us. Matvey looks great to the eyes of this Papa. I have to go the Mexican Consulate tomorrow in Fresno and I'll call the campsite to request an opportunity to visit the kids, we love the three of you.
Papa Howard
Papa Howard was not the only one with tears. I love to see how God is faithful. Not only has He shown His faithfulness to you, but when you share your need for Him, it encourages me. Thank you! We continue to pray! Love, Elise
That makes three of us with tears! I echo Papa Howard and Elise, thank you for sharing! Its so encouraging to hear your heart and see how how faithful you are in all of this! God is so good! Since you shared last year the desire to adopt last year, and all that you've gone through to get to where you are, I've never seen you lose faith. Your lives are such an encouragement to me!
I'm praising God for this blessing he has given you! I will continue to pray for you and your family!
Love,
-Meg
PS -- I hope things are holding up at "Camp" now that the other three campers have arrived! I'll be praying for your parents too!
Praise the Lord for His answers to our prayers! He is such an adorable little sweetie. . .
I had tears the moment I saw the first picture - even before reading :) Thank Jesus for His amazing grace poured out on all of you. What an incredible thing that He "sets the lonely in families" and that He hand-picked you two to come across the world to be Papa and Mama to this little boy. We have been thinking of you and praying for you, and will continue. Thank you so much for sharing what the Lord is doing there!
Your mom had already filled me in with details earlier, but to read it in your words now- my heart is just overflowing! I love the pictures and was so happy to see that he has such a sweet smile. I must admit though, it might take awhile for us to start calling him Samuel.. I love the name, but Noah was so cute today telling us that you were both going to see "Matsey." :-) Give him a big hug for his Auntie and Uncle!
This will be our last comment until at least a week after you're home... We can't wait to hear the rest of your stories and watch Ryan's video that I know he will be working on during the flight home! Love you guys so much!
Praise God for your example of faith lived out and for His faithfulness...and thank you for the updates that serve to encourage us back in Fresno. We have been praying around the clock (yours and ours). Love, Niki
I ditto all the comments said before me. I feel so blessed to see a play by play of God working in your lives, and this is only the beginning. Thank you for sharing. We will continue to pray for you and your daily meetings with Samuel. (I love his name, and he is such a cutie.) Our God is so great! He's so strong and so mighty. There's nothing our God cannot do.
Love, Richelle
It is so sweet that Samuel's first words to you were "Mama" and "Papa." Thank you for your transparency as you share your story. I love the picture of Allison holding Samuel. He looks so pleased and content. You are in our prayers. Love, Anne
Thank the Lord that you are safe and that Samuel has found his forever Mommy and Daddy! What a wonderful story and testament to God's grace. Can't wait to meet that beautiful boy!
Love,
Sandi (For all the Floyds)
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