The Finish Line!

                                                          


 East bound and down.... we've got a long way to go and a short time to get there...we're gonna do what they say can't be done!

Can you hear the song? I grew up listening to country music. My brother is a trucker. I can hear Jerry Reed singing "East bound and down..." in my head even now. Yeah, yeah, I know that some of the lyrics don't fit. We'll just go with these bits and pieces, okay? So what in the world do they have to do with Vitaly's adoption?

 Well, we just received our travel dates for the third, and final, required trip to complete his paperwork! Dad and V leave on 9/22! When V sets foot on American soil after this trip, he will be our newest American citizen! That trip is reminding me of the song because:

Heading EAST to Latvia - Bryan and V

Got a LONG way to go - financially speaking, we'll have about $6,000 in expenses to complete this journey

A SHORT time to get there! - found out today (8/23) that they leave on 9/22, so we have 1 MONTH to pull this together.

Most would say that this CAN'T be done - but then, most would say that the first 4 legs of the journey couldn't either. We are trusting that God, who started this, will help us to complete it too. If you'd like to join us in getting to the finish line, you may click on the chipin link above to use paypal and donate any amount. For a tax deductible donation, click on the Village to Village link.

We have come SO far - almost there! Heartfelt thanks to all who have helped along the journey so far!

Singing away,
Sue

Leaving Latvia (for now)

eating at Lido with V's friend A

Last day in Latvia  - 8/8.  Will miss this beautiful place and the amazing people!  Truthfully though, this trip was tough as we tried to be a family in a place where that type of interaction wasn't the norm for V.  Not gonna lie - exhausted through those challenging times.  Thankful that Nate and Trey were along to assist.  Appreciate all of the other moments that will be treasured forever.

My hope for this trip was:
1. complete V's adoption
2. serve the kids who are still waiting for their families
3.  make memories with my two boys and our family friend

I can truthfully say that those all occurred!  Loved being a part of those moments that were so special!

Some of the special moments are represented  in these photos:
Kinda out of order and conglomerated, but I am whooped.  So, all here, just a bit mixed :)

one of v's first caregivers - got to visit with her before we left

another boater 

rowboating at night on the river in Riga

flying at the aerodium

higher and higher!

catching our breath after climbing the mountain at Sigulda

K, A#2, and V chill at the apartment

A, baby T, and M visit then take V and me to Jurmala or a night walk in the pouring rain; M was an older guy at v's first orphanage who watched out for him

cave with carvings - Sigulda

some of the gazillion steps up in Sigulda

a and v taking a breather

in front of Sigulda Castle

v and a are under these

look who else we found at Sigulda castle

Ran into the Russian luge team's van and equipment

ready to fly!

visit at one of v's chidren's homes; always think this guy is a
mini-v

goodbye visit to friends at v's old orphanage

zane - used to be one of v's caregivers

dinner at lido's with friends - a, v, a, and vitaly; with nate, trey and mom

You may be wondering - what is next?  Well, there is a 20 day period where an adoption can be contested.  Not expecting that to happen.  Then Bryan and Vitaly return to to Latvia, probably mid-September to care for his new passport and embassy paperwork.  He is now Vitaly Peterson officially, but we need the papers that go along with that.  If you know of any who'd like to help us finish this final step, please see the village to village link at the top of the blog to donate in a tax deductible way.  Have plane tickets, room charge, embassy fees, lawyer fees to go.  Getting there though!  Thanks to all who have helped us to get this far <3

Now for a little rest, then only God knows what is next.

Looking forward to whatever it is :)
Sue

Otra Elpa Orphan Camp - "Second Breath" - Thriving!

Second chances...we all need them...

Welcome to Otra Elpa, Ergli, Latvia!!

tons of rain left us with this rainbow - right over my buddy Dz!  Hmmmm....rainbows speak of HOPE to me :)

fun camp games - NHFC families, look closely :)

Catching up a few days because of computer issues and crazy amounts of fun and challenges in Latvia.

Wednesday began with some icky issues that basically caused us to miss the bus to Ergli, where Otra Elpa (translated "second breath") camp was being held.  This will sound insane to many of you, but I KNEW that we needed to get to that camp!  Only options as it is far far from the city, wait for the evening bus - no way, because we'd end up with only and hour or two at camp :( Boo to that!  So, yes, option two was all I had - pay a taxi to drive us about an hour and a half to Ergli!  ****Note to friends who follow us to Latvia - use the green Baltic Taxi cars.  They are reasonable.  The others, ack!  Like two or three times the price.  Anyway, we made it!!!  And I am sooooo glad that we did!  Also had a cool connection where people we didn't know picked us up to take us to camp and back.  Never met them, but someone who hosted Latvian kids this summer knows them and made the connection!  Oh my, coincidences?  No way!

full of love and courage - following Jesus - susan and jaycee

arturs and v

v and dz

futbol with a brother on your back??

drenched nate and trey don't want to go

dining area - one of two groups fed; milk soup and mini pizzas ; little squished but nobody seemed to care. they were hungry!

group music and speakers - surprised how long they really listened; 18 year old anna 's story of hope after being abandoned by her mom had the place silent as she spoke of pain and grief and trouble and then the healing of God

vitaly, trey, and nate

typical shot of Ergli area

more of Ergli - camp is a bit away from here; did i mention the taxi drove for MILES on dirt roads?  oh my, bet he was wishing someone else had picked up our call :)

across from the Ergli bus stop

traditional breakfast - cheese, meats, egg, tomato, cucumber

and fruit!  ps - the jug of white stuff might not be cream.  my tea didn't take too well to having YOGURT poured into it - haha! the yogurt should have gone with the fruit - oops!

We stayed at the one hotel in the tiny and beautiful town.  Felt bad for the very wet and very cold kids and leaders, but that is camp for you :P  Many of you sent some of the items that they were using too.  Thanks so much for that!

donated camp supplies

Jaycee is coordinating the camp, with awesome volunteers from Latvia, America, England, and maybe more.  It will be really hard to describe the vibe there.  A place of healing and peace and hope I think, but the undercurrents of so much sadness and hardship and need too.  We were welcomed immediately - to the point where Nate and his friend, Trey, didn't even want to leave!  V and I left at 10pm with our ride to the little hotel, but Jaycee promised to get the other guys home later.  They wouldn't leave until after saying goodbye to so many new friends.  I focused on a few volunteers who were amazing, as well as two very special boys that were at camp.  They had returned to Latvia from being hosted over the summer.  Families in the US will get pictures of kids that they miss, as well as messages from them!  The kids got hugs and encouragement from host families through me.  It was such a heart-wrenching but heart-warming experience.  Those boys were different - all I can say.  They KNOW what life could be like in a family that loves them.  Praying that they will find that to be a permanent situation for themselves and not just a treasured memory.  They are in some of these pics, but don't want to go too far in description for privacy.  Some of you will know though :)

Actually, no coincidence that  those two boys were at this camp.  God knew.  He also knew how much they needed a connection to their families.  He also knew how much I love these kids and families, love what Jaycee and crew are doing.  So, He very kindly allowed me the wonderful surprise of being the connection between them.  Something I will never forget.

V jumped in with some of the activities, knew some of the kids, tried to figure out how to be a "past orphan, here with new family" in this setting.  Kind of confusing for him to know how to act.  He loves Jaycee though.  Enjoyed the tree house making and swimming.  Think he liked showing off his new brother and friend Trey too :)

This was one of the highlights of our week.  Worth every penny of that crazy cab ride.  Would have paid more than that to experience what we did.  Once again, don't let money stop you from what you believe in your heart needs to be done.  If I went with the "responsible" option, we would have cancelled or missed most of this whole wonderful time!

Leaving was not easy - felt like we were just getting started there.  But the next morning the bus arrived at 6:20 am and i prefer to be more "responsible" when I can :)  so didn't want to miss the bus again.  Up and at em - next blog entry for the final day in Latvia coming up!

Loving Latvia and every one of the most valuable orphans there - ever hear of the guy who sold all he had to buy what he discovered?  Well, I'm letting you in on the treasure map here - there is treasure in these boys and girls right in the tiny country of Latvia!  If it takes all you have, guarantee it is worth every bit!

Blessed beyond measure,
Sue

Introducing: Vitalijs Alexander Peterson

Wow!  Don't really even know how to put today into words....  Bottom line?  Vitaly is now officially a Peterson, our son 100%!  One year after starting the paperwork, he has parents, 3 brothers, 3 grandparents, an aunt and uncle, a dog, a cat, and an address in Maryland.  A lot has changed since that awful August morning when we put him on a plane back to LV not knowing whether we would see him again.  Such a relief!  The "birth" of an adopted child is every bit as difficult and painful and emotional and joyful as the birth of a biological child.  Both are sheer miracles!  A few photos and details of the day...

 Second court in Latvia finalizes an adoption.  The judge, prosecutor, child, parent/s, lawyer, translator, orphanage representative, Orphan's court rep, and a secretary all gather for the review of documents and questions for all.  Yes, I was nervous.  Yes, I cried.  Vitaly did a wonderful job - most importantly, stating that he wants to be adopted by us!

He decided to wear a suit to court, which got many wows! from those present :0)  Here are a couple of photos from before and after.

v and trey waiting to leave from apartment

the guys are ready for a nap and court hasn't even begun

us with our dream team :)

meet mr. peterson <3

celebration lunch after - v's choice

shashlik is the party food of choice - yum!

Much much more today, but these were the highlights of our special day.

Nothing will ever change the joy of adding a new child to the family - nothing!

Love from Latvia,
Sue