“Hurry, Lisa, we’re going to be late!” Billy yelled up the stairs. “You don’t need to brush your hair anymore.”
“I want to look good today,” Lisa said. “There are going to be a lot of people at church.”
“That’s right,” Mom said. “Why don’t each of you take a casserole dish out to the car?”
The two children took the food, piled into the car, and they all drove to the local church. Tables were set up under the trees outside, and everyone was laughing and talking.
“Brother Ivan is going to preach today,” Mother said. “He’s a missionary from the same country that you are, kids. After the sermon, you might want to meet him.”
After church was over, everyone gathered outside to eat.
Dad took them to meet the visiting preacher. “Brother Ivan, these are our children, Lisa and Billy.”
The big man put out his hand. Billy and Lisa were shy as they shook it.
“Ah, the two little Russians that you told me about! Zdrastvoueetyey,” he said in a booming voice. “That is Russian for hello!”
They each tried to say the long word. Brother Ivan laughed.
“You’re a long way from Russia,” he said.
“We were adopted,” Billy said, ashamed to say the word.
“So am I,” said Brother Ivan proudly.
“You are?” Lisa asked.
“Yes, in God’s family we are all adopted,” the minister said. “And we’re all brothers and sisters to each other. Love holds us all together.” He patted the bench beside him. “Sit here and we will talk.”
“I never knew that Moses was adopted by the Princess,” Billy said on the way home that afternoon, “Or at least, I never really thought about it before.”
“And Esther, too,” Lisa said. “Her cousin took care of her.”
“I guess being adopted is not so unusual after all,” Billy replied. “Lots of families adopt children.”
“You’re part of our family now,” Dad said from the front seat. “God put you into our family. We’ll always be your parents, and you’ll always be our children.”
“And our grandchildren!” Grandma said. “Now let’s go home and check on little Stormy.”
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