Why Not?

I didn't get much of a chance to tell the details of court on the last post. Ryan and I were both so tired and emotionally drained from the day, that we could hardly think straight!

The night before court, we ironed our extremely wrinkled up court clothes and tried to get a good night's rest. I think we were both a little nervous so we didn't sleep great. In the morning we rehearsed our answers to many of the questions we expected and prayed together. Our facilitator, Oleg had warned us that the judge had scoured our dossier looking for our reasons for wanting a fifth child. Apparently she wasn't satisfied with what she read...

Our translator, Olga, and Paul, our driver, picked us up at 9:00. We then took a very circuitous route to the courthouse. A three mile drive took more than 30 minutes. The roads and drivers here in Rostov are indescribable. Basically drivers do whatever they want. It's in the 90's here, so it was a hot drive, as well.

The courtroom was small, but no less intimidating than last time. Our judge was a woman and a mother. We immediately thought this may be to our advantage. Olga told us to make her feel sorry for our kids at home who are missing us. Also in the room were a government prosecutor, the court clerk, a representative from the Ministry of Education (the government office that oversees all orphans, referrals and adoptions), and Dr. Masha from the baby home. Olga was of course there as well, to interpret all that was said. Ryan planned to do the talking and when spoken to by the judge, stood up out of respect, just like court in America. Along with the question of "why we wanted a 5th child", Ryan had to answer many questions about our marriage, family life, if we were prepared to adopt Samuel with his special needs, and even about the real estate and mortgage market in the U.S.

After finishing with Ryan, she then addressed me, and wanted to know all of our reasons for homeschooling. I was drilled on all the aspects of teaching our kids at home. Included, was our purpose to be separate or closed off from others in our community. She made statements like "it's easy to teach them the basics while they are young, but when they get older you will not be able to do it." She asked "if I know how expensive it is to raise 5 children?" and "do you school at home because it's cheaper than public schools?". This is all shortly after asking me of my education. Needless to say her words were discouraging and would have been crushing, that is, if I had needed her approval, but thankfully I don't. She asked many more questions and made many more judgements of us which were mostly of negative content. We remained composed and continued to answer her that it is for the joy that we want to adopt this child. Of course, our reasons for adopting Samuel are many, but difficult to explain through an interpreter, to a judge asking very specific questions.

Court went on for almost 2 hours. Oleg said afterward, that he was very concerned for us because we were in the courtroom so long. He is not allowed to come in. As we shared in the last post, the end result was good and gives us great reason to rejoice. She could have denied our petition to adopt Samuel and then we would have had no recourse but to appeal the decision and wait.

The court hearing reminded us of several points during this pursuit to adopt Samuel. We have have come up against trials, roadblocks and opposition. It has come in different forms. And each time, we've had to honestly pray and "count the cost" together. And each and every time with the strength only our God can supply us, we've pushed forward. There is nothing particularly unique, great or special about us, but we've been adopted by a loving Heavenly Father that is beyond description.

"...with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Because of our Savior, Jesus, we can count the cost and then choose to obey. Because we know the result is joy when we follow Him...even into an unpleasant courtroom in Rostov, Russia.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2-3