Preparing to Come to America

We talked with Gertrude today and it was a great conversation. Christina, Gertrude's friend from Latvia, was here. She came and spent the night with Tena so we called her and Christina and Gertrude got to talk. She told Christina that Ilga Grintale (the director of the children's home) has a son about 18 years old that speaks English very well. He is working with Gertrude to teach her English so she will be ready for America. That was great news! They feel she will be coming here soon and they are getting her ready. We actually had e-mailed some of our contacts in Latvia to ask if anyone knew of a tutor we could pay to work with her until she comes back here, and no one ever gave us a name, but apparently they've taken care of it, and it isn't costing us a thing! Gertrude was playing with her friend Veronika, who will be coming back for the Christmas hosting. Gertrude asked me, "Mom, I come for Christmas?" I told her that we hope she will be living here by then. Christina told her she spent the night here with Tena and when I got on the phone I told her also. She says," I know, I'm really happy." and she sounded really happy! I think she is excited that she can talk to her friend and see she is doing well, and she is spending time with us. She knows when she comes she will see Christina. So we talked about how when she comes she can spend the night with Christina. She thought that sounded great. Also, Gertrude said that she talked with her sister Agnese and told her she wants to come here to live, and Agnese said that is ok. Agnese said she will only have herself to worry about and can do what she wants. I don't know exactly what Agense is thinking but we hypothesized that she knows Gertrude will be in good hands and in a good home, and Agnese feels she can just be on her own without someone to be accountable to or accountable for.

Gertrude sounds definitely ready to come. Scott and I talked afterward how even though this process has been slow, and very emotionally and financially painful, that it is, in fact, God's perfect timing and this couldn't have worked out better. Agnese is ready to let her go (it seems) and Gertrude is ready to come. This was not all so cut and dry with either of them last year! Now we just have to wait and see what happens with Dad. Only 10 more days for his court date. Hopefully soon we'll know that we will be going back to Latvia to get our girl.