Thirteenth Day With Sergey

(Friday 8/15) This is the day we decided to climb Harney Peak. I tried and tried to convince Sergey to come on the hike with us but he just didn't want to. So Mark and I did it ourselves. Sergey stayed in Rapid City with Nancy and helped the relatives with wedding preparations.

Here are a few pictures of our trek. The day was drizzly and overcast. Harney Peak is high enough that at the top we were up in the clouds. It wasn't ideal conditions but it had its own beauty.











I was initially disappointed that Sergey opted not to go on the hike, but afterward I realized that God knew that Mark needed that one-on-one time with me. Nancy and I could both tell that he had changed after our time together.

At the wedding, Sergey was on overload with meeting our relatives. He was initially cranky, but afterwards he was back to his usual self.



There was something touching that happened with Sergey during the reception. The wedding was done and we had just finished eating supper at the reception. Sergey pulled Nancy aside to a quiet corner and I could see that they were talking about something but I didn't know what. Later, in the car, on the way to the dance, Sergey asked me what he had asked Nancy earlier. He had asked Nancy, and now was asking me, to promise or vow to adopt him. He had seen the vows between the bride and groom and thought that would be a good thing to do. This wasn't him being silly, which he often is, but he was quite sincere. I try to put myself into his shoes. He has no money, no earthly possessions that he could offer us to earn it. It is simply a hope on his part, that we would love him and come for him. Asking us to promise is the only thing he is able to do.

Kinda like when we come to Jesus.