Today.

My life has been forever changed. I will never again see October 31 the same. Today, in a small court room up many flights of stairs, on a brisk day in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, I became a mother of 4.

We have just returned from our court hearing where Ivan was pronounced Ivan Philip Wolf and part of our family forever! Court went smoothly. Barrett did wonderful sitting silently and ultimately I am convinced won favor from the judge for us.

After our speeches, the judge asked some questions, a few of them about Barrett. She was so impressed that he was there, behaving so perfectly. She asked how he felt about having a brother and if he had been able to meet Ivan. The Lord was so very present, giving us peace and calmness. We spoke clearly and without mistake. The judge smiled many times, especially when looking through our family photo album. There was an unexplainable calm in the court room--the Lord mabe Himself known.

As the end of court came, the Public Attorney granted her approval of the adoption, but did not give her consent to waive the 10 day waiting period. Our coordinators knew how much we were desiring this but had communicated that it is not common in Nizhny anymore and is unheard of in many other regions in Russia. Our hearts sank when the Attorney's words were translated. The judge left the room and I asked if the judge could disagree with the Attorney and waive the 10 days anyway. We were told that the judge had never disagreed with the Attorney before. I sat down, closed my eyes and began to pray. Although I will admit that I was nervous and worried, there was a much more dominant feeling of confidence upon my entire being.

Many months ago, one of our pastors shared the following passage with us: "The king's [ruler's] heart is in the hand of the LORD. Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes." Proverbs 21:1. I am convinced that the Lord put this on our pastor's heart for us for this very moment. This is how I prayed.

Our translator was very nervous and upset. As I finished praying, I knew that the judge would waive the 10 days, even though the attorney had said No. From the beginning, this process has been evidence that it is the Lord who is at work and will receive all credit, not any woman or man. I knew that though this would be the first time it had ever happened this way, it could happen this way with the Lord at work. His mighty Hand moved.

The judge came back, waived the 10 days, and we were done. Parents of 4. Mommy and Daddy to Ivan forever. This day will never be forgotten. We left in a daze. Our coordinator and translator rushed out to complete the final steps of our adoption. Final steps.

We are set to pick up Ivan tomorrow!! We will spend one last day in NN and then head down to Moscow on Sunday. Phil and Barrett leave for CA on November 3rd and Clara, Ivan and I get to go home on November 7th!

This post is full of errors I am sure, and I know it is not very well-written, but I am busy and excited and overwhelmed. Thank you for your prayers! Here are just a few photos of us with Ivan yesterday...more to come SOON you can be sure!