We're in Russia!

We have arrived in Russia! We landed in Moscow on Thursday and took the over-night train to Penza, arriving Friday morning.

It is cold and slushy here. Vadim (our Penza translator and all-around guide) said that it has been snowing for several days (not today), but the temperature is above freezing, so what we have is a lot of melting snow. Walking is tricky, but we're getting along just fine.

Today we went to several Russian medical specialists to get "signed off" for the adoption. We will finish on Monday with the specialists. Our court date is next Wednesday (the 14th). We made it to three doctors today, so on Monday we will see five. Anna is a doctor who works with some of the orphanages. She is going around with us (along with Vadim and our driver Misha) to speed the process. It is going just fine.

Tomorrow morning we are going to Gorodische (where the orphanage is) to pick up Jessica and Sam! We get to keep them with us in Penza from then on. We'll post some pictures of our whole family together just as soon as we can!

We cannot tell you how thrilling it is to finally be back here in Russia and about to finalize the adoption. We can't wait to see the kids again and to begin building our "new" family! Even Nathan is totally thrilled to be here and is being a trooper with all the new foods, "fluid" scheduling, strange language, etc. etc. etc. And most of all, he is looking forward to meeting his new sister and brother. We think that God will do a marvelous work in Nathan as a result of this adoption!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know we got here safely (luggage got here with us!), and that everything is going as planned. We are so grateful to all of you for your support, prayers, and offers of help. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

We post more and (if possible) pictures tomorrow!

From Russia, with love,

Glen, Cyndy and Nathan