postponed

The court invited both the biological mother and the 8 families who Harry was referred to, to appear in cout. Two famiies showed up. THe biological mother claimed she had to take her youngest daughter to the hospital and did not appear. Our new paperwork apparently was acceptable since she didn't mention otherwise. The two families that did appear were called in one by one, and grilled as to why they didn't chose Harry. Both families said they found the child the wanted. One man was extremely upset with the judge, questioning why this all mattered since they came looking to adopt a child and found one, end of story. What did it matter who else was referred to them. After two hours the judge took what she said would be a 30 - 35 minute break to consider the case. She returned an hour later, read a two page determintion stating since the 6 other families didn't appear and confirm they had been given a referral for Harry, and the biological mother did not have a valid passport to identify herself, the hearing would be again postponed so that orders could be sent to the regional courthouses, demaning the 6 families and the biological mother report to the closest courthouse and sign a statement. The families will be ordered to verify they had been given a referral for Harry, and give a statement why they didn't choose to adopt him. The bio. mother is ordered to appear and sign a statement verifying she willingly relinquished her rights, and asked to comment on the adoption of the child by an American family.

We are talking 4 - 8 weeks to return to court. Estimated. I am not dealing with this news well.

Mike and I are going to discuss what we will do. Clearly he will need to return home very soon to return to work. He is currently on a unpaid leave of absence, and HAS to return so he can start getting paid again. Since today was the day we were supposed to leave for Moscow, yesterday we changed our flights, on the assumption we'd be successful today. It cost us $1400 just to change them. Now we have to change them again - how we don't know. With no guess on a court date, it's hard to figure out what to do and when. Apparently the judge thinks we are made of money. Living here is not cheap, and with Mike not being paid, we need to make some decisions right away. Not sure if we will all just return home and wait for the new hearing, or what. It's all so hard, and so discouraging.

Too much to think about - I am sick as I write this.

Please continue to pray. Pray for the strength to continue, and to make the right decisions.