I have an update...

Well, I got this email about five minutes ago:

Hi Deana: After countless emails, calls, etc., I finally was given a reason for the long delay in getting you a court date. I do not understand why xxxx couldn't have said this weeks ago. It would have saved us all alot of angst. If you recall when you were in Russia for your 1st trip, the 2nd child referred to you, was that Sophie? was not off the Federal Data Bank. I guess there was a conversation about making another trip, but xxxx worked it out so you could accept both children and only have to travel one more time. At any rate, one of the children, I assume it was Sophie did not come off the Federal Data Bank until the 5th of this month, so in addition to waiting for a Court date, xxxx has been waiting for the release letter to come from the Federal Data Bank in order to get the same Court date for both children. She hasn't been able to request Sophie's Court date because the letter is still not available. She expects it any day and is hopeful she will be able to have your Court date shortly. Certainly you could have gone for Zack's Court hearing but would have had to go back to NN for Sophie's later on. Atleast this way you only go once. So finally the mystery is solved. I have been calling and questioning why the delay, why, why, why, and finally today I got an answer. Who knows, maybe xxxx was somewhat worried and did not want to mention it in a call or email. At any rate, Sophie is officially off the Federal Registry and we should be getting a Court date just as soon as the data bank letter is received.

My Response:

I did not know that Sophia was not on the Federal Data Bank which means she wasn't available for adoption when I visited her. This is all news to me. While I am so sad, I must look at the bright side of things. I wonder if they had told me she wasn't available for adoption yet, if I would have gone to meet her??? Who knows? It is likely that I would have been apprehensive. And, since they only let siblings be adopted together, that would have meant no Zack or Sophia. That would not have been God's perfect will for me or for them. So, all in all, I feel better for at least being informed. A bit alarmed yes, but informed is good.

I hope to be back in Russia with my little ones this month. Pray with me! God already has it all planned, and the best thing I can do is rest knowing that He will take care of the details of their gotcha day, and I will give Him all of the glory when all is said and done. I mean some people out there are still waiting for accreditation! Life is not all bad, but boy Josh is not going to be happy!