If It Doesn't Break Your Heart...

We finally got to see Aleksandr again this afternoon! It was a wonderful visit. Pretty much what we expected. He probably cried a little more that we had hoped, but he was very willing to receive comfort from Sara and showed her a lot of affection. As for me, as we all know I'm a big, scary bald guy so I don't hold it against him. I can't believe how similar he is to his brother! The same games we play in the orphanage. He even eats the same. I swear we could watch video on Elijah's adoption and not know the difference (except no yellow tights and girly outfits with frills and lace for Aleksandr). We got some great pictures and video. We got to show the orphanage director pictures of Elijah from home. We even saw his framed picture that we brought last trip still sitting on her desk. She loved the pictures. If only we could just submit those to court. We'd get a "da" no problem. On the drive to and from the orphanage we were coached on questioning from the court. We are pretty confident of the responses we are going to give. We just hope that none of the documents pose any problems with the judge. We spent the rest of the evening taking notes and practicing our responses. Now it is time to try to get some sleep and get up early to practice some more while we get dressed and ready to go.

Meeting Aleksandr today just solidified the fact that we are doing the right thing. He deserves a chance. He deserves a hope. He deserves a future. We have seen the changes in Elijah. Aleksandr deserves to have those changes too. I'm reminded of a line in a Switchfoot song. "If it doesn't break your heart, it isn't love." Love isn't always easy, and this process of loving Aleksandr has been anything but easy. And the stress over court tomorrow is not something we are enjoying right now or will be enjoying while we are going through it tomorrow. But that's exactly what makes it so right. So I will try to embrace the pain in the name of love for a little boy that just needs someone to stand up for him in a suit and tie and be a little uncomfortable for his sake...

JP