Stahlke Adoption

What a Weekend!

It was a fantastic weekend, with two huge occasions:

Saturday evening's fundraiser was a landmark event on our journey to adopt Mikola. The members of Trinity, led by the Fellowship Committee, did an incredible job. The room was festively decorated, lots of people helped to run the various posts, the food was good and very child-friendly, the band played lively music, there were lots of activities for the children, and the tables held many, many wonderful donations for the raffle, bake sale, meal, and door prizes. Many people also donated of their time and talent, including lots of Trinity members, the band, and the Elks, who gave free use of the hall.

Guests attended from many different parts of our lives--Trinity, St. John's, the children's schools, Concordia, neighbors, etc. In addition, many people who could not attend sent cash donations for the fund. The children were excited all day, and the girls especially dressed up. They asked to wear lip gloss, and then insisted that I do so, too. Later at home when I said good night to Bogdan, he beamed up at me and asked if we could have another party like that tomorrow! He and the other four had a fabulous time, and they really sensed that the event was tangible proof that the process to bring their brother home is moving forward.

On Sunday night, Jonathan conducted the Concordia orchestra in his last full concert. (The music department is hiring someone for next fall who will have the orchestra as their primary responsibility; Jonathan is the theory/composition professor in the dept.) Jonathan founded the orchestra about eight years ago, so it was an emotional evening for us. The children attended and were well-behaved (with the help of three friends who sat with us!). We heard four concerto movements performed by student soloists and accompanied by the orchestra. The music was beautiful, and the orchestra did quite well. I was very proud of them and of Jonathan. When he arrived home after the concert, I pulled out a bottle of champagne and some cheese and crackers, and we talked late into the evening about the concert, the fundraiser, the children, and the adoption. Rather than being exhausted, we had been energized by everything that had taken place.

posted by Stahlkes @ 1:29 PM