Gotcha Day -- One Year Later

I just have to laugh at the title I chose for this blog!  What's One More?  Really? Ha!  One more can be so much!  (Actually, the title comes from something that Quincy's dad used to say.  He actually wanted to adopt a child from Poland.  He already had five children, and international adoptions certainly weren't as common place or easy (hahahhaha!!!) as they are now -- but his philosophy was, "What's One More?  Just throw another potato in the pot!")

I guarantee you that we never thought it would be as simple as throwing another potato in the pot, but I doubt that we had any idea just what was ahead of us. I know for a fact that I had no idea how much growing up I still needed to do, how much one little girl could take me to the end of any ounce of self-righteousness I possessed and drop me, completely helpless and broken, at the throne of Grace. 

Now, before you get the wrong idea of poor, sweet Sasha -- let me assure you that she was being exactly what she was -- a hurting and desperately lonely orphan child who didn't know how to trust nor what love really was.  And I was being exactly what I had always been -- confident, in-control, and able to get this thing done!  The problem was that none of what I already was would ever be what I needed for this calling.  It wasn't long before I figured it out.  In fact, starting on the second night out of the orphanage, I knew this wasn't going to be simple.  Nothing so easy as throwing another potato in the pot!  What I've learned mostly is that I really can do all things through Christ who strengthens me -- and I can do very little without Him.

I am so thankful to my family and friends who have encouraged me over and over again through this year.  I really would not have made it without each of you!  You have been the rock beneath my shifting sands.

So, now a quick update on Sasha!  She has come SO FAR!  I've created this video to celebrate her first year.  Honestly, I just wanted the first year pictures and video in one presentation for the future -- so it's long!  I warn you.  If you really want to watch the whole thing, grab a tissue and find a comfortable spot -- it's about 16 minutes long, I think!

You'll be able to see in the video that Sasha looks so different than a year ago.  She looks like it's been more like 2-3 years!  I'm sure part of this is just her age and she experienced a genuine major growth spurt!  She doesn't remember any Russian.  It's completely gone!  I'm still so amazed by that!  She's had to change not only her speaking and listening language -- but her thinking language too!  Remarkable!  She's made such great strides in developing into a typical American kid her age.  She so rarely has any temper tantrums anymore -- and usually only when she's tired now.  Yet, she still retains that innocent exuberance of a much younger child.  She's a blessing to so many!  I know that we went over there and got her -- but I know it wasn't just for us.  So many people in our church, school, and even our community have been touched by Sasha's sweet smile.

We are a truly happy family!  I would ask that you still pray for Sasha.  Mostly for two things -- first, that she would continue to progress in school.  Maybe even more quickly and successfully than she is doing now.  Second, that as we go through this second year and the years to come, she would be open to dealing with the emotional pain in her spirit.  Right now, she's like a tea kettle!  Things slowly build up until there's just this pressure that bursts and screams!  She has not had the language nor the maturity to ask the hard questions about her past -- but she will.  Pray that God will prepare her heart even now to accept that He was there.  That His grace is always sufficient.  That forgiveness is freeing.  Pray that Quincy and I will have wisdom for the road ahead.  Thank you all for walking this journey with us so far.  We'll keep you posted!