Melted Our Heart

Today was the big day.  The one we've waited for since January of 2010 when we took Oksana & Vitya Sushko to the airport to return them home after hosting them for a month.  Today we went to the orphanage..... // "going" to the orphanage was a 1.5 hour trip with 6 people in a toyota corola //.... and finally got to see Vitya.  I can't even describe the feeling when he walked into the room.  No one told us he was coming so we were shocked and awed when this handsome young man came in smiling! We were able to give him  huge hugs and love on him a bit.  We laughed and shared about all of the memories we had from hosting and hugged probably 20 times.  One of our prayers was that Vitya would smile when he saw us and that it wouldn't be an awkward moment.  God answered and Vitya smiled from ear to ear and just kept looking at us in what seemed to be disbelief.  It was surreal for all of us.  It was a day that none of us will ever forget.  The visit ended with Vitya signing the adoption agreement.  This form will be submitted to the court letting everyone know that Vitya wants to be a part of the Long family.  So thankful to God for where He has brought us.  Please continue to pray.  The next step will take place Monday.  We learned today that the paperwork has to be submitted to a "commission" in Vitya's birth-town and they must approve him being adopted separate from his siblings.  He has a little brother whom he's never met that has been adopted in country.  Please pray this doesn't hold up the process.  Once the seperation is approved, the paperwork will then be sent to the court and hopefully we will receive a court date.  Once we've been scheduled for court we will return home to Georgia until the court date.  We will keep you posted!  Keep praying.  We love you all and are so thankful for your support!
Love you!
Jono & Heather