Sat., Feb. 26th - Family, Friends, Food, and Fun!

I got to see my boy this morning! HOORAY!!! He was sweet, as always! I got a few pics and two videos - they're posted on Facebook. After that, I took a bus that I've never taken to a metro stop, and then took 2 metros to meet my friends. We toured a public school of 400 students. The students go to school from age 7 to 17. They graduate in 11th grade. I won't bore everyone with the details, but it was very fascinating and I think we have begun an ongoing relationship between this school and Paw Paw Schools! How cool is that?! From there, we went to our friends' house where we ate a delicious meal, played outside in the snow (yes, they play outside even though it's below zero!), exchanged presents, began a jigsaw puzzle, ate another delicious meal, celebrated a birthday, ate delicious cake... we are very full of delicious food - thank you Marina and Valariy! After a metro ride, we are settled in, warm tired, and full. Looking forward to church tomorrow and worshiping a more than deserving Saviour!!!

Fri., Feb. 25 - To market to market to buy...

Today was GREAT! Got a call from my friend who said we were to be at a prayer meeting and then we could discuss the mission projects. I got to share with 13 college students what God has been doing in our lives, what Christ accomplished on the cross regarding us being adopted into the sonship, and about being doers and not just hearers of the word. We are not all called to adopt, but we are all called to care for orphans and widows. James 1:25-27 was the text I used. After that, I thought that Annie and I would be helping the cleaning crew with snow removal or some kind of physical labor, but instead I was asked to help in more academic areas. They said that I could help a couple of guys who need to work on their English, could give a lecture to the university staff regarding working with special needs, or give a lecture to the education students on working with behavior problems. Since I have so much time here, I chose all of the above. Starting Monday, I will be hosting an English only round table discussion every day at 4pm. At some point next week, I get to meet all the staff and the education students to help with child behaviors. What fun! Once we were finished with the university meetings, we went grocery shopping. We had so much fun. Annie was excited to find out that they have mashed potatoes, corn, and hot dogs here in Russia. We also bought the makings for macaroni and cheese and potato soup - along with a bunch of other staples. It was a blessing to find a grocery store that had most of the comforts that we needed. What I hadn't calculated was the fact that we had to carry the bags several blocks back to the hotel! Oh, my - my arms! By the time we got back I felt like I could have scratched my ankles without bending over! Another wonderful day today. Tomorrow will be one, too! I get to see my boy and then it's off to visit a school. Kids here go to school from age 7-17, and 6th-11th graders go half days on Saturdays. So, Annie and I will be visiting tomorrow, then to our friends' house for a meal, fellowship, and fun! We haven't seen the rest of the family so I'm really excited to see Marina and the kids!!!

Thurs., Feb. 24th - Eat fresh! And, what's that sign say?

My first big adventure in St. Petersburg - we used public transportation! That may no sound like much, but I'm a country girl. My idea of public transportation is walking on the same path with someone I don't know! Anyway, Annie and I took the bus to the orphanage today. We waited at the bus stop, saw the bus, I held out my hand, and he stopped. Of course when I turned around, there was Annie jumping up and down waving her arms like she was being attacked by bees - the driver would have had to have been blind to miss her. We got on, I showed him my paper that said where we needed to get off, and he took us right there! Then, I got to see my boy! He was so happy and giggly, and snugly and cuddly today! It was just nice! The pictures don't do him justice. Annie had a blast playing with him! Then came the real challenge - getting back. Umm, I was only worried about getting there to see him - it never occurred to me that I'd have to find my way back to the hotel! lol Well, we retraced our steps, which worked right up to the point that we didn't get off the bus when we were supposed to. We rode to the end of the route, which was on the complete opposite side of the city. So, we did what every female who is lost in a city does - we ate and we shopped! First we went to Subway - hey, we may have been lost, but we could still "eat fresh!" And then, we shopped. There was a really cool Lego store on the corner, why not?! The people in the store were very helpful at giving us directions back to the hotel. We took the metro back. So, we took two buses, ate out, shopped, rode the metro, and despite the language barrier didn't have any problems. There was only one sign that I really wish I had been able to read - it was on the door of the metro station and said "door swings both ways!" Yeah - I don't know which lasted longer - the bump on my head or Annie laughing! This evening my friend from the university showed up at my hotel room door with a cell phone and checked everything out at the hotel to make sure it is safe for us. How sweet! We are getting together tomorrow to plan out the rest of the week! HOORAY! His wife is so sweet and the kids are great - I can't wait to see them! I love it here!!!

Wed., Feb. 23rd - Today we are missionaries!?

Today starts the second part of our trip - mission work. We are now staying at St. Petersburg Christian University Hotel, and have made ourselves available to the university and to International Church Assembly for any work that would be helpful. We have offered everything from ministering directly to people to shoveling snow and cleaning toilets. Russia is on holiday today and are celebrating Protectors of the Fatherhood (kinda like our Veteran's Day). So far we have slept in, eaten, gotten the Internet hooked up, applied for a grant, and spent mother/daughter time together. It has been a very much needed break, allowing us to recover from jet lag, the busy schedule, and the intensity of court. We take the bus alone for the first time tomorrow morning - we get to see my boy!

Tues., Feb. 22nd - Court: and the verdict is...

Well, our trip is divided into three parts and today ended the first part. Today was court, but first we had to pack up all our stuff and check out of our hotel. We then went straight to the courthouse where I was briefed by the court interpreter. I was told that by the time we get to this stage, it's all just a formality - WRONG! I endured two and a half hours of interrogation - mostly around being Baptist! Somehow the judge thought that Baptists were some kind of cult and that I would isolate Max from society. I was caught very off guard and didn't handle it as well as I wish I had, but I was honest. No less than ten times during the hearing the judge said that Max had Down Syndrome and asked me if I had "thought it through." How do you answer "yes" ten different ways and stay respectful?! Especially when it's a dumb question - especially this late in the process! The only part that really bothered me and I had to bite my tongue was when she said that when a mother gives birth to a DS child she accepts this as her fate, but to adopt... AHHHH I wanted to yell, "his mother didn't accept this as her fate - she threw him away as damaged goods!" I calmly responded by saying "that's the beauty of this - it's a choice. I'm choosing to love and care for Maxim forever." She didn't like that answer, but I'm not sure she would have liked any answer! After a big discussion between the judge and the orphanage director (who is also a doctor), the judge heard the rest of the testimony. The prosecutor, who was there representing Max, was supposed to cross examine me, but she said that she didn't have any questions or concerns. After deliberation, the judge entered the court room and said "congratulations....". I'm not sure I heard much after that. I do remember not being able to hold the tears in and everyone in the court room (except the judge) laughing at me. After that, I got checked into the new hotel, we had a great lunch of traditional Russian pancakes (crepes), went grocery shopping, and I got to see my boy! My son! I was so excited that I forgot to take pictures! That upsets me, but there is nothing I can do about it now. :-( Today's visit is a memory! We said a sad good-bye to our friend/interpreter, Katia, and came to the hotel where we are settled in. The verdict is in - Maxim Alexeovich Smirnoff, as of March 5, 2011 will be officially Maxim Alexey Stickley!

Mon., Feb. 21st - The Dr. is in and in and in....

Well, today started off interestingly! I had my medical appointments today where I was seen by 8 doctors! Yes, 8! I started off with an infectious disease specialist who was concerned about my bloodwork (I brought the results with me), so I had to have it repeated. While waiting for an appointment in the lab, I was seen by a pulmonary specialist who asked if I had ever been tested for TB. I said yes and that the results came back normal. Well that was the wrong answer - it sparked a frustrating discussion regarding "normal" vs. "negative". UGH - the poor interpreter! After that lovely discussion, I got to have my blood taken. After digging around my left arm until I was sure the needle was going to poke out my shoulder, she finally got blood from my right arm. I am bruised from my forearms to my shoulders - at least I have a matching pair. Then we went to the Psychiatrist who insisted that I take the MMPI II - again! He was a very nice, distinguished gentleman who laughed at most of my answers. I was then seen by an oncologist and then three doctors at once! I'll leave out the details, but there is a Russian woman out there who knows me far better than I care for! After such an encounter, it was time to enjoy a Russian lunch - PIZZA! Then off to see my baby boy! Oh he was so happy today! He laughed and giggled until I had to make him stop so he could catch his breath. I am so blessed! Tomorrow is the big day - court! The fate of our family has already been decided in the Heavens, but will be announced by a human judge tomorrow on behalf of the Russian Federation. Oh, my!

Sunday, Feb. 20th - May I Have Some Fahrvergnugen Please?

Well, we were two of four people who spent the night in the Munich airport. We window shopped, played Rummy, and laughed ourselves silly. Annie had slept a bit in Paris so, although she was tired, she was having a tough time going to sleep. You have no idea how funny the word fahrvergnugen is to a slap happy 11 year old! Add a slap happy mom to the picture and you have a whole night of laughing in an empty airport that echos! We were quite easily entertained! We then heard the wonderful words that we had been waiting for - "now boarding...". Hooray! We were off to Russia. I think we were both asleep before the flight took off and we woke up when we hit the runway in St. Petersburg. Somehow the airline misplaced the carseat. After waiting while they searched, we went to claim our other baggage, and don't you know the carseat was with the rest of our luggage. I would have thought that someone would have known that (not to mention that it made no sense because if I had Max with me I would have had to carry him - which defeats the whole purpose of having a stroller! Anyway, at least I got it back. It was so great to see Katia (our interpreter/drive/friend)! We then went to a hotel where we delivered some clothes to other friends who adopted two precious little girls. We visited for awhile and finally made our way to the Anderson Hotel. We are settled in and ready for a good night of sleep in a real bed! Tomorrow is a big day - I get to see Max, but not until after 8 medical appointments! May I have some fahrfegnugen please?!