Leaving on a jet plane

OK--A very overused phrase. I'm finishing a few last minute tasks at work and then I will be heading home to finish packing. I leave in the late afternoon. My mom arrive on Saturday night and will be watching Will while I am gone. I am SO VERY THANKFUL that she is willing, able, and happy to help in this way. I will arrive in Russia on Wed afternoon. I will be able to visit with Jonathan on Thursday and then court is on Friday, Feb 20. Please remember us in prayer.

Even as I ready to leave, I'm beginning to miss Will.

getting ready.....

My departure date is set--Feb 16. I will arrive on Wed, Feb 18. The plan, as I understand it at the moment, is that I will visit Jonathan on Thursday and go to court on Fri, the 20th. I'm sure that I will have other things to do in addition, but.... I also anticipate actually being given custody of Jonathan on Friday after court. We will have to follow much protocol after court, which I am yet to know about, and will be leaving on Mar 9.

I have finished all the paper work that I need before leaving although I expect to receive my visa on Wed or Thursday.

I have a lot to do at work to prepare for my departure as well as the normal work that is due for this week. It does seem that extra work has come my way this week in the "normal" course of this week that I didn't expect. I'm not worried that it will get done--the week is just extra hectic.

Will is very excited about Jonathan's arrival--Since he requested prayer last Sunday evening--He asked that God would bring his brother home quickly.-- So, of course, he has consistently said that we know when Jonathan is coming home because he asked God--He then quickly says that he has to thank God--and he does. I'm so touched with that attitude.

The snow is melting as we've had a couple of days in the 40s. We've had to be creative with inside activities--see the picture of Chef William--as well as the frozen tundra choice.

Court Date

Yeah!! We have a court date--Feb 20. I received a call from my agency this afternoon as I was getting ready to leave. I'm excited! I am tentatively scheduled to leave Feb 15 in order to arrive on Feb 17. Our return date is tentatively Mar 11 although I'm waiting to hear for sure. The Lord has been gracious as my mom was originally scheduled to arrive here on Jan 30 (I had been told to expect to return @ the first of Feb.) My niece, Megan, was able to talk to the right person and change my mom's flight to arrive here on Feb 14 without a charge for changing. We're thankful and now to receive the news that I leave on the 15th--how amazing is God's timing?
I've much to do to prepare my classes and other scheduling issues, but I'm so thrilled to have a fixed date. Will is excited but I think he hasn't fully grasped that I will be leaving and returning with Jonathan. He did thank God for giving us a date since we have been praying about this. In fact, on Sunday evening during prayer request time, Will raises his hand and asks that God would bring his brother home quickly. I continue to learn about faith through the eyes of a four year old. How blessed I am.