Susan Downs - Ekaterina

“Oh yes,” Vadeem said in a whisper that sent a ripple down her spine. “His blessings are just getting started.”

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD , have never forsaken those who seek you. The words of David’s psalm filled Kat’s mind like a whisper. “Praise the Lord,” Kat said softly. She glanced at Pyotr, who had braced his arm against the sofa, his face a few shades lighter than it had been. “So that makes you… my uncle?”

He might have nodded, but the answer came in the tilted smile and the light twinkling in his eyes. “I knew I liked you. I should have recognized that Klassen spunk.”

Kat looked away, feeling a blush crawl up her face, but Vadeem hooked his finger under her chin. “She’s got spunk all right. She’s my Katoosha . My explosion of delight… Maya Doragaya .”

Then he kissed her, right in front of her grandfather, the kind of kiss that hinted of so many of those blessings he’d mentioned.

But when he released her, Kat noticed that her grandfather wasn’t paying any attention. He had his face buried in Magda’s hair, his shoulder’s shaking, sobbing as he peeled back time and pain to embrace the joy they’d all come to Russia to find.

Dedication:

To my forever-faithful Heavenly Father—who always keeps his word. Thank you for fulfilling in my life the promises you made in Psalm 109… to forgive, heal, redeem, crown, satisfy, and renew.

Acknowledgements:

The thrill of seeing a new family born through the miracle of international adoption proved reward enough for those long hours of travel flying across the Atlantic… bouncing along unpaved roads… jerking over trans-Siberian rails. Still, I never would have guessed back then I’d see those exhausting Russia journeys as blessings in disguise.

Sincere thanks go to:

Lori Stahl, a special adoptive mother who, during her home-study interview, showed me a mysterious old graveside photo of her ancestors that started me thinking—What if…?

Karen Jordan, Igor Korolev, Tatyana Terekhova, Marina Sokolova and the rest of the team on the Russia side of our adoption work. Though we no longer work together, you’ll always be like family to me.

My Spit-n-Polish partner, Susan May Warren , who shares my love of both Russian and heavenly things. I thank God for converging our paths.

Travis, Curtis, Kevin, Kimberly, and Courtney —whether through birth or adoption, when I became your mother, I knew I’d been blessed!

David, my beloved husband and partner in adventure, I can’t wait to see where life’s road takes us next.

Dedication:

To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose arms are always open. I am so grateful.

Acknowledgements:

Every book has a cast of “human angels” behind the scenes.

Luda and Gene Khakhaleva, Artyom and Vova who befriended us and helped our family negotiate the world of Far East Russia. We love you!

Cindy and Alexi Kalinin , my real life Kat and Vadeem (only better, of course).

Costia Utuzh , our dear friend who spent his last days in Q & A sessions about the FSB and COBRAs. We miss you.

Yvonne Howard , missionary and critiquer extraordinaire. Again, what would I do without you?

Susan Downs , sister in Christ and writing buddy. Who knew a birthday greeting would turn into our wildest dreams?

David, Sarah, Peter and Noah —my team at home who keep me smiling. I’m so thankful for your hugs when I push away from the computer.

And a special thank you to Andrew , my strongest supporter, my hero, and my favorite person in the world. I love you.

© 2003 by Susan K. Downs and Susan May Warren

ISBN 978-0-9910114-1-4

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Niv®.. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

For more information about Susan K Downs and Susan May Warren, please access the authors’ Web sites at the following Internet addresses:

www.susankdowns.com

www.susanmaywarren.com