Here are a few more observations from our visit yesterday (Sat). I was sleeping while Nate posted last night. I'm still trying to adjust to the time change. I fall asleep early in the evening and then wake up at about 4:00 am and can't get back to sleep. I keep trying to shift a little more towards normal each night, but it's not easy!
Like Nate, one of my favorite moments was when she stood at the door way with her feet spread apart and hand on her hips and (with a smile) demanded to know where we had been. "I have been waiting for you!", she said.
She was very lively at first, I'm sure from excitement that we were finally there. Of course that was while the social worker who will be in court was there. She was wildly showing off, but of course she calmed down after she left. Why was I surprised?
Last time we were here, our daughter would call Nate "Papa", but never really referred to me as "Mama". It wasn't surprising to me since all of her caregivers are female. She doesn't need a mama, but she certainly is lacking a Daddy. Well, this time it was obvious to us that she has been studying the "family book" we had left with her. She calls me "Mama" all of the time now and still clearly knows her "Papa". What was so facinating to me was that when I brought out our school yearbook from last year, she was able to pick out me and the kids on every page. More evidence that she's been studying. She still doesn't say the kids names, but instead refers to them as "little sister" and "little brother." She's in a for a big surprise when she gets home and realizes that SHE is the little sister!
As we talked with her, it is clear that her caregivers have been preparing her for what will unfold in the next few days (or weeks). She knows that she will be leaving with us and not returning. She knows that she will be traveling in a plane and a car to get to America to her new home. She understands that she will be leaving her special friend here and will not be back. She would like to write to her friend--no problem! Please pray for this special relationship--not only for our daughter, but also for the adjustment of her friend. I am going to ask today if there is a way to keep in contact with her and keep tabs on whether she is adoptable and if anyone is coming for her.
Tomorrow is the BIG day. It's nerve wracking to know that it is so close and to find out that our coordinator is not in the courtroom with us. It is us, the judge, the prosecutor, the translator and the person who takes notes. That's it. It's up to us to defend ourselves. Ahh!! Nathan and I were discussing the fact that if we are asked questions and we have to answer, we will be fine. If we have to make an opening and closing arguement and such, we're in big trouble! We're going to confirm the details of court some more with our translator today. We do know that it is up to us to make the plea to the judge about the 10-day waiting period. We have been given tips as to what to say and what to use as a sake for arguement. Her medical urgency for care in the US is one, but also there is a quarantine for influenza in her orphanage right now. We will also ask that she can be released early so that she does not get it before she leaves and thus bring it home to her new siblings. Please pray for us to have clarity of thought and to be confident in what we say. We also know that there are a few different prosecutors and one is particularly difficult. Pray specifically that we would not get him on our case.
Off to have our last visit before court tomorrow...
II Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
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