The Walz Family

The month we decided to adopt a baby girl from Russia was the month our daughter was born, unknown to us at the time, of course. It was August 1998 and for a number of years we had talked about adopting a child from another country. I guess we finally decided that if we were ever going to actually go through with an adoption we needed to pursue it soon. We contacted a local agency to do our homestudy, then we contacted Christian World Adoption. We got things rolling by filling in some paper work for BCIS. We had no idea what we were about to experience. Our two biological sons were very excited about the idea of having a sister and they were willing to share a room and a new bunk bed made by their grandpa.

In April of 1999 we received a medical,a two minute video, and two photos of our little girl, then 7 months old. We knew as soon as we looked at her that she was the daughter God had planned for us all along. It was more than coincidence that she looked just like our sons!! Once we knew what she looked like the wait did become more difficult. I would close my eyes at night and see her face and wonder about her. Every night our boys asked God to please send an angel to be with her. I think at that point I ended each day with tears. I looked at our boys and all that they have and I could only think of the poor children in the orphanage with no personal belongings. I did feel quite a bit of guilt about our lifestyle here in America.

In June of 1999 our caseworker called with the news of our court date. July 7th was the magical day. This was also the day that Michael’s mother had passed away. Our Lord taketh away and also giveth.

My mother took the boys to her home for the next two weeks while we started our journey to Russia. God gave me the strength to leave them behind, knowing they would be in good hands and much better off since they were so young (7 and 5).

We tried to sleep on the flight to St. Petersburg, but we were so excited it wasn’t possible to rest much. We landed in St. Petersburg, cleared customs and found Kirill waiting for us. I was so happy to see him holding a sign with our name on it. He took us to our hotel (Oktiabryskia) and made sure we were comfortable. He then helped us make arrangements to actually do some sight-seeing with a tour guide. What an awesome two days we spent there.

July 5th: It was time to fly to Arkhangelsk to find our daughter! Helen and Viktor met us as we stepped off the plane and after finding our luggage they took us directly to the Baby Home to meet Alexandria. We were shocked by the opportunity to see her already. It was a quick 15 minute visit, but it was into the evening hours and we didn’t want to interupt her schedule. Helen had us wait in the hall while she went to get “Allie”. When she handed her to me my body was overwhelmed and I had no outward emotion showing. I had the same reaction when each of my boys were born. I guess I really was in shock. Here we had waited almost a year to see her and hold her and now it was actually happening. As soon as Allie and I looked into each other’s eyes she smiled at me. My heart melted. I knew why God had sent us on this journey. All of a sudden everything delays.

Michael and I stayed with a wonderful couple while in Arkhangelsk, Igor and Valentina. They didn’t speak much English, but that didn’t stop us from getting to know one another at all. Igor taught us how to play a very fun checkers-like game called “corners”. Valentina never left the kitchen and I had to learn how to say, “small portions please”. They took such good care of us. They were willing to give us as much privacy as we wanted and yet Igor was always willing to take us for a walk in the evenings.

The day before court we met with a wonderful lady, Tatyana, who helped us prepare for court. She told us what we should say and how we should act. She had forwarned us that court can be emotional. .I shook my head to agree and smiled at her.

July 7th: The big day!! Our court hearing was scheduled for the morning, but after arriving at the courthouse we found out there was a little misunderstanding and our hearing had been changed to the afternoon. That gave my nerves time to go balistic. I had been prepared in the morning and felt great about things, but I had fallen apart by the afternoon. As we left Igor and Valentina’s apartment for the second time Igor looked at us and said, “Don’t worry, it’ll be OK.” in his broken English. I will never forget those words or the look on his face.

In court everyone did their introductions, then we sat. The judge asked me to stand and right away asked me, “Why do you want this child?” The reality of the days’ events hit me like a brick wall. I tried to say, “Your Honor, we have met the girl, we love her, and we want to take her home.” Then I cried harder than I have ever cried before. I was nervous and scared and wanted to go home. Before we had stepped into the court room I had asked God to give me the right words and emotions so the Judge would know our honest intentions. Well, I guess I got an answer to that prayer! Once I pulled myself together things went quite well and thank God Michael had remained strong from the start. The Judge was kind and the hearing only lasted an hour. She actually asked Michael a question about how we discipline our children. He gave his answer and she asked, “And what if that doesn’t work?” His answer just about put a smile on her face. He said, “I guess that’s why we’re bigger than they are.” He wasn’t trying to be funny as we understood how important and formal this hearing was, but his answer was spontanious.We were so relieved when the Judge stood up and said, “Congratulations, good luck and good bye” all in one breath.

Michael and I hugged each other and headed out of the courthouse. Kirill was waiting outside for us and we all celebrated. We were very fortunate to head to the orphanage to pick up our daughter only moments later. The walk through the orphanage was strange, almost eerie. Alexandria was our daughter and in a few minutes we would be walking out of there forever.

We spent a few more days with Igor and Valentina and it was during this time that we baptized Allie with our Russian 5 friends as witnesses. With our Pastor’s help we were able to share the word of God with these wonderful people who have come to mean so much to us. When we left Arkhangelsk I cried so hard. Tears of relief, tears of joy, tears of sadness at the thought that we might not ever see our new friends again, and tears for all the children we had to leave behind.

We were off to Moscow with our new daughter. We were full of pride and we were ready to show her off, but we knew we needed to wait until we got home. We stayed at the Hotel Ukrainia, which is very close to Red Square. Our Moscow facilitator, Sergei was such a great help with everything. He had our paperwork in order for us and he also took us on a tour. We now have some awesome photos of us and Allie with Saint Basil’s Cathedral in the background! We managed to re-arrange our flight home so we could leave one night earlier than expected. We were so anxious to get home to our boys. We broke up the flight by staying in Amsterdam overnight, which gave us the chance to recuperate. Michael and Allie were asleep so I decided to take a hot bath. My emotions got the best of me again and I sat in the steamy tub and sobbed like a baby. When our plane landed near our home town I stood up and convinced myself that I would be strong when I walked off that plane. I saw my mom crying so I had to stop walking and gather my strength back.

Then I saw my boys. They looked so huge to me. I went up to them and gave them great big hugs and they each kissed Allie. We were finally together as a family, the way God had intended all along. Today Allie is a strong 18 month old little girl. She walks everywhere and gets into everything. She is learning how to talk. She has been receiving only good reports from the doctor. Not bad for a baby who was born weighing 3 pounds, 3 ounces and spent the first 11 months of her life in an orphanage. The boys have adjusted well and they have accepted their little sister so naturally. The adoption process can be such a trying time and emotionally strenuous, but it is also a time to turn to God for strength and endurance. He has rewarded us with the ultimate gift...another child.

Michael & Lynette Walz