November 16

Today was the big day. I didn't think I was nervous but I didn't sleep at all last night. I think it has to do with the cold I have and the tea plus medicine I took last night that made me not sleep. We arrived at the court house at 8:30 and found the room. We had no lawyer and the jurist from child protection wasn't even there (he did show up later though). There were quite a few adoption cases but we had to listen to custody cases first. There were about 12 or more custody cases where children were being removed from a home and only two parnets showed up, the rest didn't even show up to contest it. Then we watched as one young mother signed over the rights of her 8 year old child to be adopted. She probably has never had custody of him before but it was still hard for her to sign him over to be adopted by someone else. Then the judge cleared the room of everyone but adoption cases. We were number 13 on the list and she called the first 9 and none of them even were there! I was so amazed that people didn't show up for their adoption court date. When she got to case number 9 the official from child protection finally showed up. We did not pay to obtain a lawyer because it was an open and shut case and we felt we would just be wasting money. We were called up and our case was unusual in that we were the ones declaring them adoptable and adopting them (this is something that the child protection in the county the twins came from told us we were not allowed to do but they were wrong). She asked us why we were changing their names and we told her and she was pleased with our answer and even gave a pleasant smile. Not many people walk around in Romania with smiles on their faces. I try to smile and say hello to people but I get little response so I was happy to see a smile on the judges face. Then we signed a paper and that was it!
We should receive the official paper declaring them ours within 30 days. Then there is a 15 day waiting period when someone from the family can come attest it if they want to. After those 15 days, we go to the courthouse in Timisoara again and get a stamp on the paper that says irrivocable then go to the city hall in Lugoj and request new birth certificates. This could be done before Christmas if we get our paper before 30 days is up.
Our next big hurdle is figuring out the American side of things. We heard from someone today that to acquire a visa for them to enter America it will cost $400 a piece!! We have to go to Bucharest the first of January so we will make an appointment at the embassy and ask all our questions then.
On a lighter note, the court secretary I guess you would call her, she is the one who types all the papers out, well, she can't type. She just pecks it all out with her fingers and really takes quite a while. It would save the court on time if they would provide a typing class for all their court secretaries.
On another lighter night, we were behind a drivers ed car today and it said on the back: "I make abrupt and unnecessary stops." I thought that was funny.
Time for the pizza party and cookies now!

November

I know that everyone says this but, wow, this year has really flown by! I can't believe we are coming upon Thanksgiving in just two weeks! It really is one of my most favorite times of the year. It took a while getting used to being away from family and friends in America but this is our 10th Thanksgiving/Christmas being in Romania and for quite a few of those we have had family visiting. We are blessed beyond measure! Lord willing we will be in the states celebrating with our family next fall/winter! Please pray for us as we have a lot of details to work out and a lot of money to raise for 8 plane tickets! Also, please pray as we look for someone to fill in and translate for us while we are gone. Please also continue to pray that our co workers, the Louks, support comes in soon!

We are just days away from our much anticipated court date. We know that God is in control and most of the time at the final court date everything is done and there are no kinks to work out so we are just hoping and praying that this is the case for us!

We are excited to announce that some new people are coming to church. Some who are already saved and some who aren't saved yet. Some new children also. Please intercede on behalf of the people of Romania. It is such a religious country and many people "believe" that Jesus is the Savior but they also add to what they need to do to be saved and so they are blinded to the fact that they need to trust in Jesus ALONE to be their Savior!

God is good, He is our provider. He is with us in the day to day tasks that seem menial. We are called to live a holy life set apart from the world. Pray for us as we strive to do that and bring glory to God. We pray that you also, will live a holy life set apart unto God for His service wherever you are!

Happy Thanksgiving!