Court day-take 2-VICTORY!

So here's the deal-we were encouraged this morning to see the sunshine for the first time since we have been here. We alloted enough time for us to take care of some things, have some time to eat, and make sure we arrived early at Obolon metro station to meet Yuriy for a short drive over to the court house. Finally, everyone showed up except for the inspector from the boy's region, and she walked in out of breath just before 4 pm. Our friendly judge and 2 jurors clopped in within 30 seconds. We started our usual round of "who am I" and "why am I here" through the room. Everything seemed to be moving fine, until we got to the representative for the orphanage where the boys live. The director couldn't be there today, so she sent the attorney for the orphanage with a power of attorney letter. There was more awkward silence while the judge perused the papers and asked rapid fire questions to the attorney, who was obviously shaken by some issue. Yuriy turned to us and basically said, "you aren't going to believe this, but the judge is saying that we have the same problem, only it is with the other orphanage now"(with the paper work wording for power of attorney). It got quiet again. Vickie and I were both silently praying and waiting for someone to speak to break the silence. More Russian words are exchanged and finally Yuriy told us that the judge is going to allow her to bring a modified paper in the morning before 10 am.(this same document needing changed wording for the other orphanage could've happened back last Friday when our court was cancelled, but evidently the judge did not want to go forward then)

We just now are getting to the heart of the process and already everyone is on pins and needles to see what is next. So, Chris gets to go first. He is grilled on everything from where he was born, to what his job is, to what is your income, to how many children, to how big is your house, to how are you going to provide health care for them, to what is your shoe size(just kidding), to why do you want these kids, etc... But the exciting thing is that we had a captive audience (judge included) that had to listen to the great story of God in taking us through three adoption adventures! They all had to listen to how we believe that this is possibly one of God's greatest uses of our life, and how we know that this in line with the scriptures and the heart of God. Next Vickie got to share her story, and be grilled with some questions from the judge and the 2 jurors..."why do you want to adopt more kids? How will you discipline them?" So phase one was complete...

Now Your Honor (aka miss congeniality) got to ask our future kids into the room one at a time. It was a small scale circus. First, girl 'k' did a beautiful job, even answering with some English words. Next, big 'k' sheepishly smiled his way through saying to the court with an honest goof up of telling them we had 7 kids. They asked if he knew who we were and he answered, "Yes--Americans!" The court room burst into laughter. Who knew? Next, little 'k' breezed in and energetically told the court that we were his "Mama and Papa!" I think I saw a smile even in the judge's face. Okay, just one more step since no one from any of the agencies represented had a problem with the court findings. Oh yeah, one more thing Your Honor...Chris got the chance to share the story of Karson's brother Ruslan, who passed up the opportunity to come to America with us in 2006, and later died of Tuberculosis. He explained how this motivated us to take action even when we just found out about the sister of these two boys, and how this makes us want to take her into our family as well. There were actually tears from the eyes of the several in the room. We waited as the judge and jurors left for deliberation.

Back they come and everyone quickly sits down to await the answer. Okay stand up again and listen. The court decision is read. Get ready.

Meet 15-year-old Kollin Eric Nichols, 13-year-old Kayla Anastasia Nichols, and 10-year-old Kory Elliot Nichols. All now part of the Nichols' family. More details later!

Blessings,

Chris, Vickie, and Kelsey

Psalm 68:6
"God sets the lonely in families..."