In process, but making progress

It’s been awhile since we’ve updated everyone on how our family is doing.   By and large, we are adjusting well.  Anastasiya has been home for 7 months now. She is super motivated and people are amazed at how far she has come! When she first arrived, she wasn’t interested in playing a sport, music lessons, dance etc. However, she just finished her first season of volleyball and she is taking piano lessons. It’s great to see her gaining confidence and overcoming shyness.
All of the kids are working hard in school and making good grades, and I am so grateful that God has answered my prayers that they would all settle in – especially the three that changed schools.
In the midst of all the good things, we are definitely still undergoing the process of becoming comfy with each other.  I read a quote in a book that said, “Home is where you can go without being a guest.” We are all working toward becoming a seamless family where no one has to feel like the guest. It takes time: we can’t do it like Mike and Carol Brady who achieved this in one or two episodes. Adam has been part of the family for three years now, and I am really beginning to notice a marked difference, so I know that it will happen with Anastasiya as well.  The spiritual battle doesn’t end when you get home!  When I think of all the hard work it took to bring them home to America or all the hours of labor to bring them into the world, it seems to pale in comparison to the years of work we have ahead of us. I am reminded that “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”  I don’t have the power to do it myself. For now, we will take things one day at a time and do our best to recognize the successes.