Sweet Experience

I had a sweet experience last night.  Exactly one year ago this week, we arrived home with two wonderful teenage boys---but not the two we had originally fallen in love during our hosting experience.  A last minute technicality with the difference in our ages prevented that.

I was able to visit Tanya and Viktor twice during our visit last year, and it was very hard to say good by and stop hugging Viktor that final time.  I told him we believe in a god of miracles and not to give up hope.

Last October, the same day I received my US approval to adopt Allison, I received word that the Ukrainian age law had been changed, so I could now adopt Tanya and Viktor.  I had to make a choice.  My boys already knew and liked Allison, and I only had room for one more, so I chose Allison, but my heart ached for Tanya and Viktor.

In January, Tanya went on a hosting program to Alabama.  Viktor had left the orphanage to attend Technical school because he's now 17 and a half.  When the Lawrys heard Tanya's story of coming within two or three weeks of being adopted, and then having it fall through, their hearts broke, and they fell in love with her.  We met over the phone last January, and I told her how much I loved Viktor as well.

They arrived here yesterday to make Tanya and Viktor part of their family, and it was a wonderful, tender mercy to be able to finally meet them in person, and find some closure for the hole left in my heart left by two kids who want a family so desperately.  Scott and Rachel are wonderful, good people with a darling young family.  He's the pastor of the Grace at Bell Road Church, and she's a physical therapist.  Their cute children pray for Tanya and Viktor every day.  Here's their adoption story.     http://www.thelawrys.com/ 

The story of their church is beautifully unique.  Seven years ago two congregations merged---one methodist and the other Presbyterian-----because one had lost its pastor and the other had lost its building.  Today they are a strong, united group of loving people who've dedicated their lives to following Christ.   http://www.discovergrace.org

Scott, Anna and Rachel Lawry with me.