another day, another call (from the Embassy)

This morning, Feb. 1, we were woke up by a phone call from the Embassy in Moscow. We chatted for about 30 minutes with our friend there.

We learned that as of today, we are indeed the only pending case for an American family in Irkutsk. Not a big surprise, but disappointing as I really thought other families had presented their documents. Our friend at the Embassy said that if they have presented documents, they aren’t ‘pending’ in the eyes of the court. Bummer.

We also learned that there is quite a discrepancy with how the law is interpreted, and some heated letters have been going back and forth between the courts in Irkutsk and the Embassy. Specifically with the Russian law that clearly states that independent adoptions are legal (as opposed to being with an accredited agency). From what I understand, this has become quite a topic of water cooler humor at the Embassy…since the law is clear, and the court is saying that isn’t want it says.

Bottom line is that we all agree on 2 things:
1. More American families need to officially present documents to the court in Irkutsk and get an official statement. With that statement, they will have something to appeal.
2. My gut says that all of the appeals are going to be for the same thing(s). So – if we all go to the Supreme Court appealing the same thing, that will bring undo attention to this regional judge – thereby making her look not so good in the eyes of her superiors (and peers). This is the loophole for MANY families.
3. We need to keep pressing on! We have SO MANY people and organizations watching us and who on our side praying with us. We have THE ultimate power! We need to remember that and USE IT!