Some more funny stories...

So yesterday we had to eat the fastest lunch in the world because we had to be back at the Inspector's office. S took us to this place that had a cafe in it. Dave got us some vereniki (sp) and some chicken kabobs and potatoes. I didn't eat all my chicken or potatoes and Dave was trying to eat them, but we only had about 5 minutes. So Dave heads to the bathroom, comes back, wraps his kabobs in a napkin and takes them with us. S cannot believe what is happening, and the whole way back is complaining about how bad the smell is from the chicken. Once we get to the inspector, he still hasn't finished it and throws it outside for the stray dogs. Needless to say it wasn't there when we went by today. I guess Ukrainians don't do doggie bags.

Today we went to the orphanage for a couple hours to visit. AS (that's what I'll call the boy on here), colored for a minute, ate some (really ALL) snacks, and once we showed him the video on the tablet, went at the games like any red-blooded 8 year old boy would. He was so pleased with himself, and even knew a lot of English words like, "start". I am sure after today, he knows the word "play". In any case, we were talking with S about games, and Dave said something about Zombies, and AS looks up suddenly and says "Zombies?!", and then rattled on in Russian about wanting to play a game about Zombies. Apparently they transcend culture.

We should know a little more tomorrow. I think what the plan will be for us is to try and have an hour of time we talk and learn some English, and an hour of time we play. Just pray that tomorrow we can get the necessary papers filed. And hopefully find another place to stay that is either nicer around the same price or cheaper. While we're only paying about $50/day, this place has no laundry facilities, no kitchen, and no internet other than the wifi that doesn't always work. It's also VERY noisy. The doors and walls are paper thin and you can hear everything. Not great for an insomniac.

What we're going to do... And a funny story

So we are staying in a hotel that roughly translates to "Fiesta", and has a restaurant underneath with very inconsistent Wi-Fi. But so far we've been able to Skype with the kids, which was like a balm to my heart. In any case, when we went to the restaurant last night for dinner, I was expecting Mexican fare, but instead it was all Ukrainian food. So yesterday marked the first time we had Ukrainian fare since being in Ukraine either time. There's a place called "Noise" across the street, which I am sure will prove to be the quietest restaurant in town.

After we talk with the kids in a few minutes, we're going to head to the store to get a few things for our visit this afternoon. Tomorrow we will go see the inspector and notary which are like lawyers. I hope to be able to give everyone some information after tomorrow, since right now we're not 100% sure what's going to happen. The child we have been referred for was being pursued by another family in the U.S. It breaks my heart that another family will have to go through the same thing we did. In any case we will know more tomorrow and we'll see what happens.

Prayer requests for today:

1) For our visit this afternoon, for bonding, and a sense from God of what He wants us to do.

2) For QUICKNESS in completing each step. We are praying that we can be home before Easter.

3) That we can find a more permanent place to stay with internet and laundry. This is apparently hard to come by here.

4) That we can get everything done with the money we have. There's more expense for us being down here.

5) That I can bear this separation from the children. I feel it most acutely when I am tired or overwhelmed.

6) that we will not have a spirit of fear, but one of faith. There's a reason we're here!

Thanks again in sharing this journey with us. We thank God that we have people who are praying for us and behind us.

Today

So today we went from Kiev down to a town 1 hour west of Odesa on the Black Sea called Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky. It's kind of a weird place... there are probably more loose dogs than people. The dogs sleep on the side walk, and I can't help but be worried about them now because it's so cold and it started snowing... Anyway, we went to see the Assistant Adoption Inspector when we got here, and she interviewed us about why we chose to adopt from Ukraine, and how we would love another child. We then went to the orphanage and met with the director and met the child we were referred for. He was so sweet, but seemed very shy. I'm sure being "in the principal's office" had something to do with it. I am telling you though, that this is a world away from Kiev down here. I am not sure what to expect, and our facilitator is going to try and find some things out. Prayer requests at this time:

1) Pray for quickness and smoothness. There are a lot of underlying issues down here apparently...

2) that we can bond with him over the next couple days.

3) that we will have our court date within the next couple weeks. This is important for us to complete this on time.

4) for the separation from the children... I am really having a difficult time. Especially today. I miss my girls so much, and I really feel like I can't stand this... I don't know how to handle being so far from my girls.

Thanks so much for your prayers and support! Love you all!

Well, we're here!

We made it back to Kiev, and the appointment at the SDA didn't go as we had wanted. Today we received our referral for an 8 year old boy who lives an hour west of Odessa, or about 6 hours from here. So tomorrow we travel down there and see what happens! Will keep everyone updated!

Prayer requests at this time:

1) That the trip and first meeting with the orphanage director and child go well and smoothly.

2) That whatever happens it goes quickly-- we've been told that this area may be more difficult or expensive.

3) Bonding, safety, travel mercies, and finding a place we can stay with internet.

Thanks for all your support!

Is there anything more precious?

The past few days have been really hard, and I wish I could share more with everyone. Once we get back to Kiev, we should be able to know more and be able to tell you more specifically what to pray for. But in the meantime, just pray that the Lord will do something BIG! This morning as I was reading my devotional, I read the verse in Matthew 19:26 "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible". So I am holding on to that right now.

On the other hand, we've had some of the sweetest family moments over the past few days. There is much less anxiety on my part and Addie's part in terms of the separation and travel. She's always been a very affectionate child with me, but she just hugs me all the time, and wants to be near me more. Like she's stocking up, although I know she'll be hugged and kissed to her heart's content with my mom and sister as well. She's also taken to reading aloud at night the stories from her Jesus Storybook Bible. I think that she's understanding some that even things that happened long before Jesus was born point to him. And she's understanding that she, and everyone else, are lovely because God loves them. That's something for a child who is constantly comparing herself to everyone else ("I'm too short, I'm too chubby, I can't draw")... It's just precious to be able to share that with her. I just hope she can hold onto it.

So for now I will ask that you pray for us in:

1) Safe and timely travel to Kiev. We go straight from the airport to our SDA appointment.

2) For wisdom, discernment, peace, and guidance.

3) that the time away from our children will be peaceful, no sicknesses, problems, etc.

4) That God will miraculously provide for us in this situation. We know that all things are possible with God.

5) That no matter what, we can bring glory to God. It's hard to ask for prayers for that, because I just want everything to work out the way I want it to.

6) That our marriage can be strengthened during this process. I have heard so many people talk about adoption tearing families apart. So far this has been a hard time, but I think that in some respects we're being tested to see what we're made of. Are we strong enough to pass the test? I sure hope so!!

Thank you so much for all of your support for us! Please let us know if there is anything we can do for any of you who read this blog. We both feel that having the support of family and friends really makes all the difference in the world. Without you this would have been a much harder journey.

This is one of the hardest things I have ever done

I will leave it at that for now. I don't even know where to begin, what to feel, or how to feel it.

I guess I just miss my boy

So yesterday I just started crying, heartily and jaggedly, on the way to Wal-Mart. I cried as I prayed for Asher, as I prayed for Zoë and Addie, and as I prayed that our luggage would make it again (I know I know). My heart just feels torn into a million pieces. As I have been reading about some friends' adoption from Ukraine (this is the couple we met our first week in Kiev), my heart longs even more to be there with our son. I have moments of anxiety that somehow we won't be able to adopt him when we return, or that something will happen. But I have to keep remembering the feeling I had when we were with him. Like he was already ours. Like the hand of God was on us and on him. Dave says it best when he just says "we need to go get our boy".

I just have that war within myself... all the "what ifs". But no matter what, God is still God, and He is still good. I have been talking with Zoë and Addie about how God protects us, and how we don't have to be afraid. It's a good lesson for me. While I was reading my devotional the other day, it said something to the effect that yes, we will have troubles in this world. But Jesus overcame the world. So why should we be afraid? Why should we be anxious? In preparing for our last week home before returning, I am trying to prepare my heart for whatever may come. We're in this together, and thank each of you for supporting and praying for us. It means a lot to have people who care about us to lift us up.