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The Randall Family

On May 25, 2011 our family, now of four was home! Wow home, with children, our children the excitement still rings in our hearts; only a month prior it was just Craig and I with our iPods boarding a plane set for the journey of our lives.

Craig and I married young in 2001 (isn't that what all aging women say?) Our hearts always leaned towards adoption and in late August 2010 we agreed it was the time to move forward with our hearts desire. Four months later our dossier was accepted by the Russian Federation and we were placed on a waiting list just before Christmas. We were open to 1 or 2 children, boy or girl, age range 1-6. Our time was filled with paperwork and trying to mentally prepare ourselves for the "what ifs" of adoption and “unknowns” of the children the Lord had hand picked for us. Our hearts were prepared to settle in for long wait but less than 2 months later we received a referral! On February 11, 2011 Anya called with a referral of 2 children a boy age 2 and a girl age 4 biological brother & sister who were in two different orphanages separated because of their ages.

We were beyond excited as we began to prepare for our first trip to Krasnoyarsk. Traveling from our home in Surfside Beach, SC to the Siberia Region of Russia in the middle of March called for some creative online shopping; our typical wardrobe of flip-flops and shorts clearly couldn’t withstand the forecasted highs well below 0oF in Krasnoyarsk.

The big day had finally come, years of prayers and waiting welled up within us as we approached Vincent’s orphanage. As the door opened Craig and I sat with tear filled eyes in disbelief that we were meeting our son. Vincent’s eyes fixed on Craig intently staring with a smirk on his face he backed out rather quickly saying loudly “it’s a man, it’s a man!!” I became worried that he feared us and Craig’s beard; but within minutes my heart smiled knowing this boy was a man’s man he so desired a Daddy in his life that his shouts quickly seemed to be an excited proclamation to any friends and teachers in ear shot. We were introduced to a very dapper 2-year-old man, as he clasped his hands behind his back while waiting on a ball to be tossed his way. Vincent is organized and meticulous with a man-like mission. His facial expressions alone make unknowing strangers smile. He is witty and has a delightfully loving heart. He asks questions several times to insure he knows the best answer. All of these precious attributes we have uncovered in Vincent’s personality in the past four months, since he has been our son.

Traveling to Bianca’s orphanage that day we felt as though we were on top of the world and increasingly jittery to meet our daughter. The orphanage directors brought Bianca into our meeting room she was brilliant and guarded; her 4 year old fiery persistence exclaimed to us “I don’t know you and I am certain...well pretty sure my life is ok without you” day after day we visited Bianca trying hard to mask the defeat we were beginning to feel in our core. The translator and CWA representative in Russia felt our insecurities and helped tremendously with those closest to our scared little girl, on the third day they brought bubbles for us to try with Bianca. Bubbles! After all of my years working with children how did I forget the timeless, priceless mix of soapy water and the effects it could have on uncertain hearts?!? After only a few short days of connection and playtime with Bianca we had to come back home. Before we left her Craig whispered her a teary promise “we are going to leave for a while and prepare a place for you. We will be back here as quickly as we can to see you again every day for the rest of your life” with white knuckles, clutching her purple dog and picture book we’d brought her she mustered up her strongest voice turned to us with a hug in front of her peers and said “bye, bye” in English as if to let the other children know she was spoken for. Bianca is blessed with a strong spirit; she cares deeply for others and has a keen nurturing ability. She is beautifully persistent and holds tightly to promises, making our return to Russia on April 26, 2011 seem perfectly seamless and expected.

At our court hearing the judge ruled that we could get Bianca one day short of the ten day waiting period as it was her 5th Birthday. On May 13th we celebrated her birthday in the orphanage before leaving; she received a very special picture made by her friends, handprints and names painted on construction paper and on each of our hearts forever. The following morning we, the 3 of us, brought Vincent “home” the bond between brother and sister was quickly apparent as Bianca showed Vincent all around the apartment she was concerned mostly with showing him how many clothes and pajamas he had to which he replied by swiftly throwing a ball in her direction. We hardly realized at the time the impact of her having initial ownership of our family had on their relationship and how important it was that just as their birth order she “knew” us first. Time and time again we saw the Lord in even these smallest of details, details that, as worried new parents weren’t even on our radar. We changed both of their names and were concerned that at her age she may be deeply attached to her birth name; yet again as only He can work Bianca Tea Randall and Vincent Mikhail Randall took complete ownership of their names and their new lives without hesitation.

As I drove Bianca to her third week of Kindergarten this morning I became overwhelmed of the blessings God has granted our family. In the day to day it is easy for us to forget that we have only been home a few short months. The resiliency and adaptability of children’s hearts and the confidence they gleam from being part of a family is a constantly amazing reality!

Our adoption journey has been beyond rewarding, and CWA helped make our experience as smooth as possible. Their care and compassion toward children, was obvious from each representative we had contact with in the USA and in Russia. We would certainly recommend any potential adoptive family to CWA!

- Craig and Kristin Randall