GREAT DAY IN A COUPLE OF WAYS

We had our meeting with the adoption ministry and accepted a referral on a beautiful 3-and-a-half year blond-haired, blue-eyed girl!!

We're now busy making preparations for tomorrow's 12-hour train ride to the orphanage to meet her. Right now, we know literally nothing about her, so we'll post more information - including photos - within 48 hours or so. The photo below was taken right after our appointment.




Okay, we know it's not that important, especially in comparison to a new family member, but we did have another memorable experience involving a meal. Today, we ate at a Russian Cossack restaurant. In Russian lore, Cossacks are known for being wild and crazy, heavy drinkers, and - most importantly - maniacal defenders of their country. We started the meal with pickled cabbage... most excellent!! Pam then had potato dumplings, some of the best ever!! And Stephen had - and this is the menu item name - "Meat in a Pot." It was chunks of beef meat with potatoes, mushrooms, and onions in a cream sauce cooked in a ceramic pot in the oven. Outstanding!!! The photo of Stephen below was taken in front of the restaurant's mural. The two men in the painting are in traditional Cossack dress.



we hope to have more detailed news and information within the next couple of days. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We could feel your warmth in our meeting today.