Sunday,
June 24, 2007
After receiving the Vanderbilt evaluation of the children we saw
at the
baby home and considering what we saw when observing the
children,
Leigh and I have made the very difficult and heartbreaking
decision to
not proceed with adopting the three children we got to see and
spend time
with.
There were very obvious indicators to us that these children
have been
affected by the alcohol consumption of their mothers. After
getting
medical and social background and input from Vanderbilt the risk
for long
term physical and mental problems are very high. The children
were also
a little older than we had requested which we had to consider in
our
decision.
This has no doubt been a tough few days but since making the
decision
we have found a great sense of peace with it. Leigh and I came
here
this week even after receiving some questionable information
(late
Tuesday the day before leaving) that made us question the
children's health.
Still we felt for our peace of mind we wanted to come and see
for
ourselves.....we couldn't imagine spending days wondering
"should we have
gone?". We have NO regrets for making the trip and through the
challenge
and trial we have grown tremendously....in our love for one
another,
our families, our friends, our faith!! We are both sad but doing
good
and at this point are looking forward to coming home to our
family and
friends, and of course dog, Maddie J.
We feel blessed, even more now than ever before (perhaps?) to
have such
a blessed and happy life! We have so many things to be thankful
for,
and have learned so much while here! Russia is no doubt an
interesting
place! We were able to spend a good part of today touring around
and will
include some pictures in this update as a reflection of our time
now
spent as vacation!
We both want to thank all of you, so many dear family members
and
friends that have shown such amazing support and love for us in
this
journey here! We feel so good to know that each of you will no
doubt trust in
the decision we have made and support us in this as well! We
hope that
all of you, through our journey here, have learned a little
about
Russia, the culture, the sites, and our experience with the
sweet innocent
children who need your prayers much more than we do.....they
need so
much!
We will now begin to make our way home!!! A place we have really
never
taken for granted....but no doubt, do not today!!
With Love,
Leigh and Michael |
Russian Landscape coming in to Petro
Outside the baby home after visiting the children
Hosts/Adoption Counselors in Petro
Play area outside the baby home |
