Happy New Year!

Today was a good day. Our jet-lag is starting to subside and we are much more alert now. I can't believe we went three days without sleep and still functioned. We had a whole day with our translator and driver today. It was nice to have someone to talk to and guide us. Our drive was peaceful and I would venture to say enjoyable. We drove through the birch forest that goes on for hundreds of miles, all the way into Russia.

We have decided to keep our daughters given name. Her name is Karina. We played again in the gymnasium. She was very talkative and was singing nursery rhymes most of the time. She got to show off all the colors, shapes, and numbers she knew. But, the most fun we had was playing with bubbles. She laughs often and it is very contagious. She is really a very happy little girl.

Her caretakers call her the star of the group because she is always performing dances and singing. She is feeling much more comfortable with us. She told her caretakers this morning that her mommy and daddy were coming to see her today. At the end of the visit, we were given a giant bear hug.

Our driver was running late, so we had the opportunity to visit for a while with the director. He is such a wonderful and caring man. We can really see how much Karina loves him.

As for the weather.... It was a high of -35 degrees celcius. So cold that it froze the lenses of my glasses, as well as my eyelashes. Mike seems to be doing really well, considering he is only wearing a light jacket. Even the director commented on how cold he must be in that jacket. It is really fun to talk with locals and compare things from America and here.

We are going to ring in the New Year in the comfort of our warm hotel. Luckily, there is a restaurant in the lobby, so we do not have to venture into the cold.

Above are pictures of the orphanage that she lives in.

Happy New Year to all of you and thanks so much for your prayers.