Tomorrow -- Moscow

This day started with a phone call to my family. My daughter, my niece, and my parents were all able to see the newest member of our family on via webcam. It was wonderful. I can't wait for us all to be together. Oksana took me to pick up Elle's passport, get her ticket to Moscow and then to the doctor approved by the U.S. Embassy. She is realy just amazing and so very nice. Tonight another family arrives who is adopting through Adoption Covenant and Beacon House and I will get to eat dinner with them. I excited to see them. Tomorrow, Oksana picks me up at 11:30 am to go to the airport. It will be nice to have a change of scenery and even nicer to see Debbie, my friend who is going to Moscow to site see and help me bring Elle home. Progress! Please pray for a safe flight (we are flying on a Russian airline!) Love Merinda and Elle.

Finally -- Elle Rachel Condra

This morning started with a trip to the court to pick up the decree -- then to the office of vital statistics -- then to the passport office -- then to the office which apostiles documents -- then to the gas station -- then to the grocery store -- and finally to the baby hospital. Glory Glory Halleluia, I have my Elle! At this very moment she is taking a nap in the crib which the hotel placed in my room. I cannot tell you how relieved I am that this day has finally come. Tomorrow we go to pick up the passport and then to the doctor to have her examination. I am still a little paranoid and will post pictures when we get to Moscow. Love Merinda and Elle

Getting My Baby Tomorrow

Tomorrow I get to pick up my little Elle from the baby hospital. The day will start early with a trip to court to pick up the court ruling, a trip to the office of vital statistics, a trip to get apostiles and then to the passport to apply for Elle's passport. They we will pick up Elle. I went to see her She was full of life -- playing and playing and playing!! And she has such a wonderful laugh! Anyway, less than eighteen hours until I get her. The next day I take her to see one of the doctors approved by the U.S. Embassy and the next day to Moscow.

Missing My Baby

My friend Kristi left today. So I am sitting in the hotel room alone. It is Staturday night, about 8:30pm here and I am missing my little Emma so very much. I so wish she was here with me. It is 10 days until I get to come home with Elle and see my Emma. I am having a full blown pitty party -- no cake, but I might be able to dig up a party hat.

Baby Hospital #4

This is the baby hospital where Ellie is currently living. It is terribly run down. It has some new windows purchased with money raised in the U.S., but fo rthe most part the windows are old and drafty. The building is dimly lit with worn floors and peeling wall paper. The workers there seem very devoted to the children. But there is an overall feeling of sadness. It functions both as an orphanage and a children's hospital. Please pray for all of these children. Merinda

Elle took her first steps!!

Elle stood by herself and took three, count them THREE steps -- all by herself!!! My baby is brilliant. Kristi went with me to see Elle this morning and as an ECI professional declared her officially wonderful!! Then I went with her to see her little girl and as a attorney -- also declare her wonderful -- for what that is worth!! So, I am exhausted and Kristi and I are headed to dinner. Love to everyone!! Merinda

Day Four of the Wait

In Russia the court ruling does not take effect until 10 days after the decision. So, I wait and wait and wait. I had held out a slim hope that the doctor at the orphanage might let me keep Elle in hotel with me. But yesterday she told us "no." She is a really nice doctor, but it could cause them problems. So, I wait and wait and wait.

My friend Krisi arrived yesterday. That was a real treat. I went with her and Oksana to get her permission to visit her daughter. Then we had an adventure at the grocery store. I know, don't envy me my adventures.

It is currently 5AM and I have been awake since 3:30. I figure I will finally adjust to the time just before the flight home.

Tomorrow Kristi will accompany Oksana and myself to see Elle, and I will go with them to visit her little girl. It should be a nice change of pace.


Elle is showing more and more of her personallity. She can stand up by herself!!! No support or help. She gets soooooo tickled when I make a fuss. She just grins from ear to ear and hugs me tight. Then we start over!!

More to come. Keep those prayers coming!!

So Far So Good

Yesterday morning started with an all too brief trip to see Elle. Another family was using the visitation room, so we spent most of our time in the hall because the other available room was too cold. In Russia public buildings are centrally heated and the government turns off the heat in late April or early May. However, no one told the weather it was time to warm up. It is not terribly cold, but in a concrete building with no heat, it does get pretty chilly pretty quick. Elle, however, did not seem to mind. She was bundled from head to toe and ready to cuddle. It amazed me how she clung so very tightly to me. She quickly fell asleep as I held her. I remember Emma doing the same when I came to see her and feeling such a love for her.

Before too long, I had we had to leave. The head doctor of the hospital came with Oksana and myself back to the hotel. They drank coffee while I changed for court. We all then went to pick up the social worker for court. When we arrived, we were met by the idependant translator who would be translating the court proceedings.

We waited what seemed like forever, probably ten minutes, and then filed into the room where the court proceedings would take place. Oksana, had to wait outside the room.

The prosecuter (sometimes mispronouced by Russians as the persecuter -- not confidence inspiring) came into the room. She appeared to be about 12 years old -- gosh I am getting old. she was about five foot six, thin as a rail, tired blond hair, wearing an outfit that was either designed in the eighties or was some sort of uniform with padded sholders and gold stars. On the other side of the room sat the secretary -- or court reporter -- complete with scratch paper and a pen. There were computer monitors in the room, but they were never turned on.

At the front of the room, sat THE JUDGE. She was probably early forties, long black hair pulled back except for wisps that had escaped as a part of a hard day, little or no makeup, a little on the heavy side, and of course wearing a black robe.

This woman some how mastered the ability to remove all expression from her face, all warmth from her eyes, and all inflection from her voice. She grilled me for the better part of an hour. Why did I want to adopt again, why this girl, what if I got married, what if my husband did not like my children, what if I had biological children, what if, what if, what if . . . .

I did my best to explain to the judge that, in my heart, Elle was already my daughter -- that I would never chose a suitor over my children -- that I knew the first time I held Elle that she was my daughter. Finally the judge wanted to know what my bad habits were -- well hmmm I rarely drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs, don't gamble -- I told her quite truthfully that I eat too much chocolate, but otherwise was pretty boring. Finally, the barest hint of a smile which disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

The judge went through every single on of my documents aloud. She made quite a point to check the dates on my medical report. "April 3, 2009" HMMMM My mind raced -- they are only good for three months -- they expired on the 3rd -- oh no oh no oh no -- but wait they expire on July 3rd. Ok as soon as I can find someplace to throw up, I think I my live.

After chewing on the social worker, and questioning the doctor, and asking me on no fewer than four occasions if I still supported my petition -- the judge kicked us out of the room to deliberate.

While waiting out in the hall, the doctor told me that I had answered questions better than any parent she had seen. The interpreter gave me a piece of candy -- not chocolate -- but she thought I deserved something. Finally the judge called us back in.

With great slowness and deliberation, she read the decision. When she finally read the part where I get Elle, much to my surprise, my eyes welled up and tears started to fall.

For the first time, the hardness left the judge's face. She told me congratulations.

The doctor's husband picked her up, we took the social worker home, and Oksana dropped me off at the hotel. I spent the next fourteen hours awake, asleep, obsessing. worrying. anxious, and over all a real joy to be around.

We are one step closer, but as with Emma, I won't truely breathe until the flight home takes off.

Court Hearing Tomorrow

It took over forty hours, but I arrived without incident in Vladivostok on Wednesday and then slept the rest of the day. It is currently 11:00 pm on Thursday. I went to see Elle today. She is doing so well. I can't believe how much she has grown. She cuddled with me today and fell asleep in arms. I so wished I could have slipped her under my shirt and taken her back to the hotel. Tomorrow morning I get to see her again and then tomorrow afternoon I have my court hearing. The hearing will last an hour to an hour and a half. I probably won't get back to the hotel until 6:00 pm. I will post as soon as I get back. Please pray for an easy and successful hearing!!

Leaving my baby to bring my baby home

This morning started at around 4:00AM. Last minute packing, trying to rethink everything I had stuffed into two fairly large suitcases to determine if I had forgotten anything. Most of all, this day started with such a whirlwind of emotions. Leaving home has been so hard. You may not know this (my family certainly doesn't), but it is my job to protect my family from any thing harmful, hurtful, or otherwise unpleasent. I have failed miserably at this task, but know if I am nearby I have a chance at success. In leaving them, I leave them vulnerable to the world -- I am not able to even mitigate their potential suffering. In case you are wondering, I do know how this sounds -- nuts -- and like I may be a bit overly impressed with my role in the world! Nevertheless, there is it. I have left my daugther, my parents, the rest of my family, and the agency. I am bringing home a miracle to join the others in my life. How blessed am I to be so unhappy to leave my family and happy to bring home a daughter all at the same time. So, I will have to resign as guardian of my little univers, for at tlease the next 24 days and trust that my miracles are all in God's hands.

Twenty Three Hours to Go

This morning Emma woke up sick. I sure wish I could put her in my pocket and bring her with me. I so hate the idea of being apart from her. I believe her staying here is best for her -- but not for me!


Well in approximately twenty three hours, I will be taking off from Lubbock, to Dallas, to Atlanta, to Moscow, to Vladivostok. That is a mouth full!! I will arrive on Wednesday noon their time, (evening Lubbock time). I get to see Elle on Thursday and Friday and go to court Friday afternoon. Please pray for a successful and uneventful court date.

Please pray for Emma and my parents while I am gone.

Getting Ready for a Jet Plane

It is almost here!! I leave for Russia on Monday. I fly to Dallas, then to Atlanta, then to Moscow, then to Vladivostok. For those of you keeping track that is two days of travel!! But all worth it. I have my court hearing on the 19th. The decree is not final for 10 days, at which time I will be posting pictures of my little miracle. I will be in Vladivostok for two weeks and then to Moscow for a week to process out through the U.S. Embassy. My friend Kristi, who is adopting from Russia, might have her first trip at a time that overlaps my trip. I hope I hope I hope!!

I have been very blessed. When I adopted Emma, my wonderful friend Caryn came and met in Moscow and helped me bring Emma home. Now with Elle, my friend Debbie (who also adopted from Russia) will be meeting me in Moscow to help me home. How did I get so very fortunate to have such good friends?

I will not be home until the 8th of July. Please keep my parents and little Emma in your prayers. Please also keep the agency and our adoptive parents in your prayers as well. I will be available by email and phone, but I have control issues!!

Thank you all for your prayers so far. Thank you for helping me to bring our little Elle home!