Sponge Bob, Meeting the Director and Ciao Baby!

We have had a running joke with our boys ever since they were small. Every time we do something exciting or go somewhere fun as a family we ask them - "Is this the BEST day EVER?" - like from Sponge Bob Squarepants. Well today was the BEST day EVER with our Anna!

Meeting w/Orphanage Director (she's standing next to Tony)

When we got to the orphanage we met with the Director. She was on vacation this week but came in to meet us. We could tell that she is a very sweet lady and that she really loves the children. We asked her about Anna's mother but unfortunately there is no information about her. She remembered that Anna was brought to the orphanage as a very little baby but that is all they have. She said when we return to take Anna home they will give us anything they have on file for her. She said she hoped that we could take Anna home before Christmas if all the details fall into place. We do too! Please pray that God will bless our efforts in putting together the final documents and that everything will fall into place with AGCI and the Minister of Justice in Bulgaria.

After our meeting we went outside to see Anna. She was on the playground with her group. The caregiver that was with them said that she had been asking all morning if we were coming back. She ran straight to me calling "Momma!, Momma!". They said she cried a little when she had to wait longer than usual due to our meeting. So thankful that we are beginning to bond - even in this short time and in small ways!
One thing is for sure this little girl is ACTIVE! She wants to do everything - usually 2 or 3 things at once. I think she knows her time with us is limited each day and so she tries her best to fit in everything that she can think of.
Tony and I have been talking the last few days of how thankful we are for the small things that God has done during this time. It has gone so well with Anna. Thank you Lord! Here are a few of them: 1. an orphanage where she gets love and structure 2. Anna likes to be held, hugged and kissed by both of us (some orphans do not like affection or touching at first or prefer one parent to the other) 3. her funny side 4. Anna's intelligence and quick learning (she repeats english back to us and is starting to put together what some words mean)  5. a fantastic translator, Eti who has a 5 y/o of her own and understands little Bulgarian girls 6. great weather - not being delayed in NYC due to the hurricane on the east coast and here to be outside with Anna 7. Anna's kindness to the other children in her group - she shares with them without being told and they do likewise 8. that she loves even the stray dog and wants to make sure he gets something to eat. (Sidebar: We have laughed that if our friend Christy was here she would take the dog too! She loves animals. She would give Roshco a total dog makeover and have him spoiled rotten.)

When we got ready to leave this morning we got some great hugs and kisses. In Bulgaria they have taken on some words from other languages because they are short and easier to say the same thing as the longer Bulgarian words. For example for thank you they say "Merci" like the French. For goodbye they say "Ciao"like the Italians. Anna says both. She has great manners and says merci whenever we give her something, put her shoe back on her feet or wipe her face and hands. So when we leave we say ciao. This morning was especially funny - Tony told her "Ciao Baby" and she said "Ciao Baby" right back at him! We got a good laugh from that. Tony says when she gets home with us he is going to make this a thing for just the two them to say when he leaves for work in the morning.

We are leaving to go see her in about an hour for our last time this trip. Please continue to pray and ask the Lord to help her understand that her family is coming back to bring her home!

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.  From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him into His ears.  He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters...He brought me into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me...You O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.  It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.


Psalm 18 (selected)