Everything's New

"Everything's New!"  is a phrase you will hear daily in our home ... cause it's true!   

How fitting for the season ... as we enjoy new life outside springing forth from the ground and trees, there is newness in our home and family as well.

EVERYTHING. IS. NEW.

The update on our adoption of Irena is that she and Jon just returned from our third and final trip to Latvia.  Irena returned with her NEW Latvian passport that displays her NEW name, Irena Hope Bechtle.  We also received a NEW birth certificate, that not only lists Irena's NEW name, but her NEW parents, US!  We now have in hand the documents required to obtain her social security number and US passport.

EVERYTHING. IS. NEW.

Having a mom and dad is new.
Having a family is new.  
Parenting a 14 year old daughter is new.  
Having an older sister is new.  
Having three younger sisters is new.  
Schooling in English is new.
Trying out for the soccer team is new.
Being part of a church community is new. 
Bedtime is new.
As are bike helmets, seatbelts & coats.
Conversations are new.
As is talking about how we feel, what we like, don't like, want and don't want.

EVERYTHING. IS. NEW.

For Easter we got each girl a new devotional book and we are 2 for 2 in reading together at the breakfast table in the mornings. 

Evangeline's reading today came from 2 Corinthians 5:17, 
"If anyone belongs to Christ, then he is made new.  The old things have gone; everything is made new!"

The example was that of a caterpillar being transformed into a butterfly. 

Our parallel is God transforming us to be more like His Son.  
What a beautiful picture and reminder! 

EVERYTHING. IS. NEW.

and

GOD is MAKING everything new ... including US! 


Grateful to know that today!

The Republic of Latvia rules in favor of petitioner and approves adoption

In just a few hours we will get up and head to the airport ... 'get up' assuming that we actually go to bed.

We arrived yesterday, we leave tomorrow. Today we spent 6 hours in the car, two hours at court.

I've given you the verdict, but I will share more of the story.

Our attorney picked up Irena and me at about 11:30 this morning and we made the journey to Jēkabpils, where we would participate in the regional court hearing to finalize her adoption in the Latvian courts.

Of course we had just enough time to stop at a quaint cafe and bakery we visited back in October that lies at the half way point. Amazing latte and quick lunch.

We arrive in Jēkabpils just about 10 minutes before the hearing.

Our attorney spent much of our 2+ hour drive briefing me and Irena on what the hearing would be like and how best to respond to the judge and prosecuting attorney, who would be representing the state of Latvia.

When the judge enters the room you stand up.

When the just addresses you, you stand up.

You do not answer with just yes or no, but you follow up with a few complete sentences supporting your answer.

Everything is in Latvian, so I have a translator that is whispering everything in my ear.

They could ask about anything ...

sibling rivalry?
why do you want to adopt?
how important is your religion to you?
what opportunities are you providing for Irena?

Expect anything.

It was more intense than I was expecting.

The prosecutor had me sweating when she staring asking about church, does Irena have choices, does she keep in touch with her friends, can she choose her own friends, does she get to go out and do what she wants, does she have access to computer, can she use it whenever she wants...

With each question I was nervous about the direction she would head if my answer did not satisfy her? What was the 'right' answer?

The hearing would seek to accomplish three things: approve the adoption of Irena into our family, approve the change of her birth certificate to list Jon's and my name as her parents, and to add her new middle name HOPE, and new last name, Bechtle.

I'm happy to say that all were approved.

Some highlights were hearing from both the orphan court judge (from Irena's home region, whom we met with three times during our October visit) and Irena's orphanage director. What she added to my statement was to emphasis her observation of Irena's relationship with Jon. How Irena had never had a father or male in her life and how attached she already seemed to Jon and how loving Jon was towards her. Her director went on to explain how he had observed Irena's character to have changed after her initial hosting in American and how even today he felt he was interacting with a different girl, a happy girl, who when her first met her in 2010 was so depressed and hopeless and now alive with the hope of her future life as a daughter and sister and no longer an orphan.

The list of things to be grateful for seems endless in the moment.

Here are three photos.
Region Court with Latvian Flag
Door to Courtroom
Our attorney on the right, prosecuting attorney on the left, my translator in the front row.

What's long time?

'What's long time?' is a phrase Irena uses frequently. It can take on a variety of meanings, depending on the context. Most often it means when are we leaving? how long will we be gone? and when will we be back? Her desire for structure and control is very evident.  I can only imagine how out of control she feels at times.  Her life in Latvia was the same every day; wake up at the same time, go to school, same meal for lunch each day at the same time each day, more school, after school activities, dinner, hang out & watch tv, then bed.... and repeat each day.

Her life here in Chicago so far has been anything but routine.  I'm pretty certain that each day has been unique.  It's difficult not to get annoyed with the detailed schedule inquiries.  I just want her to trust that we'll tell her what she needs to know when she needs to know it.

One thing that has remained constant throughout our adoption process has been the magnifying glass that continues to hover over our family, the individuals in our family, exposing family systems, and for me as I continue to have a magnified view of the many ways I can relate to Irena's feelings (and the rest of our family too).

Though I may not use the same phrase or even say it out loud, I'm constantly asking, 'What's long time?'  How long will the bonding take?  How long will it take for you to trust me?  How long will it take for ME to trust You?  What will tomorrow be like?  And the day after that? And the day after that? And I relate to the desire for control.

And isn't this the question we are constantly asking God?  Regardless of our circumstances?

What's long time?

Sometimes we find out right away, while some questions are never answered, not directly anyway.

I do find comfort today though, knowing that regardless of the day, the time, the people, the schedule, the tears, the questions, the activites .... that God is sovereign over all of it!

This is God's promise to us, over and over again in His word.  A few passages that assure me of this today ...

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28 ESV)

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,(Ephesians 1:11 ESV)

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,to receive glory and honor and power,for you created all things,and by your will they existed and were created.”Revelation 4:11

Home

We arrived last evening to warm and sweet welcome of family and friends at the airport.  The last hour of our flight was not what I would have ordered ... very turbulent as we re-routed to avoid the storms, which only ended up offering us a longer flight THROUGH the storms.  I had to make a conscious choice not to throw up or allow my migraine to cause me to faint.  I knew there would be family and friends to greet us at the airport and as I sat by Evangeline helping her to get through the same difficulties I was going through, I told her to just imagine the smiling faces at the airport waiting for us.  This beautiful image is really what got me through this final hour plus before greeting our loved ones!

I didn't have the energy or forethought to get my camera out or take a single picture, but thanks to the abundance of camera phones, we have a few images that captured the essence of the time.  It was really sweet.  I just wanted to soak it in, and not miss anything or anyone.  Of course as we were walking out the door, I missed the walkway and went the wrong way and had to turn around .... and of course I missed a few other moments and hugs as well, but it was such a sweet welcome and reunion of family and friends.  

Our time in Latvia was great, and great for our new family to bond.  But we were missing something for sure ... our extended family and friends who are like family.  This little reunion was such a great reminder and picture to me of the body of Christ and the Community for which we were made and designed to live in, grow in, adopt children into and in which to live out the gospel.  There were of course many family and friends who were not able to join us, but those who were represented the others and it was such a beautiful reminder of how not alone we are in this life.

Elizabeth, Emma and Evangeline were ready to return to school today.  Irena and I have been to the library and grocery store and are just embarking on what looks like an infinite amount of laundry.  The sun is working hard to peak through this dreary day.  I'm grateful to be home and greet what lies ahead.

I've got plenty more pictures on my camera memory card that haven't made the blog yet ... I'll likely have to do some "Latvia, revisited" posts in the days and weeks ahead.

The airport photos are on facebook ... I was happy all the signs came home with us, because there were many that I didn't really get to see at the airport.  As I was up at 4am today I decided to assemble them in foyer and photograph them!

Farewell Riga

It's Sunday night, we leave for the airport at 8am tomorrow, we're 'mostly' packed. It's hard to believe this time is coming to a close. We spent several months thinking about and anticipating this three week stay in Latvia that was required for our adoption. Now it's a memory.

There's so much I could say about it and so much that I'm feeling regarding coming home. I have really loved being here. Old Riga is like being on the set of a movie. I've never been in such a place. It's amazing I didn't twist an ankle trying to get around on these 800 year old brick streets. (and I'm wearing flats.. the Latvian women wear only high healed boots!)

I've eaten more pastries these three weeks than in my entire life, I'm sure of it.. and I will confess that we have just enough time to run & grab a few for the road in the morning and you know we will ;)

My eyes have been feasting on the fall color here.. again, it's unlike anywhere I've been. It's so rich and its as if peak season has been each day that we've been here. I learned just today that Latvia can expect only about 60 days of sun per year and 30 of them are in the summer. In that case, I'm pleased to have enjoyed a few of the yearly allowance of sunny days.

Of greater importance, this has been a precious time for our family. A true gift in many ways and a miracle that God provided for all of us to be here. We're so grateful.

It's been great to know and understand where Irena is from and yet to also experience some of her country with her for her first time as well. What a gift to have this time as a family.

As I head home tomorrow my heart feels some sadness for Irena as she leaves the only 'home' she has known. She is certainly sad to leave her close friends and caretakers. I feel some sadness too that this unique time for our family is coming to a close.

My heart is also a bit scared for the days ahead.. they are filled with unknowns.. not just for Irena but for all of us as we adjust to new roles. Please keep us in your prayers while we make these transitions.

It's good to see how we can bring some of what we had here back home. While 'home' greets us with many responsibilities and schedules, etc. that we did not have here, I believe we can have greater intention to connect even in our home context.

I am also excited! Excited about the privilege of gaining a deeper understanding of my position in God's family as we imperfectly bring Irena into ours. Excited to share with her and help her to see and to know the love of her Heavenly Father. None of us will be unchanged.

I love the first verse of this Third Day song, Children of God:

Praise to the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Our God and our King, to Him we will sing
In His great mercy, He has given us life
Now we can be called the children of God!

The Final Days

Today is Friday.  We have today and two more full days here in Riga.  In some ways our time has gone fast, in other ways, I feel as if we've been here a long long time.

This week has been full with appointments, our second orphan court hearing, finishing homework, and taking in everything else we planned to do here in Riga.

Yesterday we spent most of our day out and about exploring the other side of Old Riga, the President's palace, and venturing further out into the 'centrum' (as they call it here).

We found a restaurant we had read about on Trip Advisor, called Stock Pot.  It's next to a famous historic cathedral, St. Gertrudes.  They serve soups and stews, a unique and original menu, serving 6 soups or stews daily, featuring recipes from around the world.  Of course we tried one of each!

Our time here has been sweet and challenging at the same.  It's been a great magnifying glass in many ways to expose many of our family dynamics that surface as we are living closely together with the one job of bonding and spending time together as a family.  What's been great is to address things as they come up and create new patterns for our new family.  Easier said than done, but God has given us much grace in this process.

We appreciate your continued prayers for our last days here and as we make the more permanent transition with our new family back into our home environment and community.  It's our desire to wrap up our time here well and have a real sense of closure as we move back home.

These three photos below were all taken from the same spot looking in three different directions.

the canal parks

center street of Old Riga

(see if you can spot the Bechtles in the photos)

Monument of Freedom

Zoo Day

We spent a lovely day at the Riga Zoo.  It was a great way to relax and connect before our second Orphan Court appointment tomorrow followed by Visa paperwork at the US Embassy on Thursday.