Touring Nizhny Novgorod

As we wait for Gotcha Day (9/8/09), we have been taking in some sites around Nizhny. We've enjoyed many activities as well as the wonderful weather. The Pedestrian Walk, also known as Bolshaya Pokrovskaya street, is right around the corner from our apartment. We've walked up and down many days. There are also several great cafes to sit and watch the people.

We spent an afternoon at the Kremlin. We took in the beautiful gardens, architecture, history, and views of the Volga River.

Several evenings we enjoyed free outdoor concerts in front of the Nizhny Novgorod Drama Theater not far from our apartment.

Yesterday, we walked along the Lower Volga Embankment and took a day cruise on the Volga River. It was a beautiful day and the trip only cost 200 rubles/person or $6.00/person.

This is definitely a beautiful and historical city. We have really enjoyed our time here.

The scenery and cathedrals are just breathtaking. This is a photo we took from the river of the stairs at the end of the Pedestrian Walk. This is one of the many beautiful cathedrals. We took this photo from the Kremlin on our walk back to our apartment. It was just at sunset.

Tomorrow is Gotcha Day. Hopefully, we will enjoy a few more sites with our Angel. Later today, we will prepare for her arrival. We are going to get a small cake, decorate the apartment a little, and have a celebration with our Angel and Julia. I guess one could say, "Gotcha Day is the first day of the rest of her life!"

We will try to post again before we leave Friday for Moscow. However, we have had difficulty posting on our blog at the apartment and may not make it back down to McDonalds for free wi-fi. Please check back later this week or the weekend for our updates.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

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Fun Time With Our Angel

Today we had a great time visiting with our Angel. We walked through the neighborhood by the orphanage. She played on the swings for a short time and then took us to a little toy store. She said she wanted to show us some "koo-klas" (dolls). She was especially fond of a Barbie Doll and a baby doll similar to a Cabbage Patch Doll. She told us she didn't have any dolls. That made me sad. We told her we would get her a doll when we get home.

After the toy shop, she took us to a lake. We walked across a footbridge and back. Then she decided we needed to have a throwing contest. She gathered rocks for us to throw and who ever threw the farthest won! Of course, she won every round. She laughed and giggled as we tried to throw farther than her. She also made sure she gave Don the smallest rocks. He would make faces at her and whine, "mah-lyen-kee" (small). She just laughed and giggled. I love hearing that giggle! It makes me smile.

We walked by a produce stand and she was looking at the watermelons. I asked her, "kak et ah pah RU ski?" and she answered "arBUS." My daughter taught me how to say watermelon in Russian!

As we walked back to the orphanage, we stopped at a market because she wanted to buy some treats for the other children at the orphanage (hmm, this is a good thing). We bought juice, pastries, and cookies. Oh, well, at least the juice was healthy!

As we approached the orphanage, several children were standing in the door waiting for us. Apparently, the caregivers told the children that our Angel was being adopted and that we were from America. As we walked up, they began saying "hello" in both English and Russian. They followed us down the hallway smiling and chattering. I recognized one of the little girls from our previous trip in January and I smiled at her. She walked with us and stuck by my side. It was time to say "goodbye" to our Angel again - I really hated that. We gave her hugs and kisses and told her we would see her again on Tuesday. She wasn't too forthcoming with her hugs - we'll work on that!

As we turned to leave, the other little girl was still by my side. She tugged at my arm and said, "I want to live in America too." Oh my goodness, I just about burst into tears. Don overheard and was touched by her as I was. This little child made an impression on us in January and here she was again tugging at our heart strings. There are so many children in the world wanting families - it makes my heart ache. Tonight, we are praying for all the orphaned children in the world - we pray that God will keep them safe and find them families.

For in this hope we were saved. But for hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8: 24-25.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

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