"Pray for Janet"

Standing at my kitchen counter, surrounded by little Ukrainians, laughing as we made Ukrainian Coleslaw, I thought, It can't get any better than this. Rob had graciously stepped aside this time so James could chop the cabbage and Peter could stir the dressing.

For a while today it hadn't been this good, and as Keith Green says, I'd almost "listened to one one of the devil's wicked lies... If you believe them your faith just dies." For some reason, when I told the three boys we were going down to say hello to some elderly neighbors, James balked. Peter loved Ms. Kay's musical Santa collection and Mr. Billy's animated fishing stories, but a cloud came over my heart, as I became aware that beside me James was not smiling.

I pretended not to notice, till we got home and he said to me, "I no hungry," climbed up onto his top bunk, and put his head under the pillow. That's when I wanted to know what was going on.

I recalled how someone had said that once a child has run away from the orphanage, they can be trouble if you adopt them. Yet, God was the one to select James as our son. It was so undeniably Him that, risky or not, he was ours to rear, and I must not let some little funk of his control me.

When James got out of bed and went outside without coming to lunch, I went and stood beside him by the pond and prayed. I said, "James, you did not come to lunch. Our family eats, drinks, talks and laughs at lunch, but no James. Not good. We are family. You come too. Understand?"
He looked at me with a big smile and said he understood, so I left it at that.

A friend emailed to say that when some kids from the orphanage stayed at their place for two weeks, now and then they would shut down. Then she prayed for our home, for God's protection and grace upon us. It was after that that Maggie put on Keith Green's CD, and his words reminded me what else we were dealing with.

So I willed to trust in the Lord, and I willed to trust in James. He has been through much more than any twelve year old should have to bear, and he has a lot to think about. He chose to come with our family, and he will be true to his word. He is a good boy.

It is good to have our Maggie home from college. It was she who found a lively version of the Ukrainian "Carol of the Bells" on the Internet and put the earphones on James so he could listen. And to his delight, it was she who taught him to play the four repeated notes to the song on the piano.

It was also tender-hearted, dog loving Maggie who bought a squeaky dog toy for Skipper. Peter ran to get it, and Maggie and Rob and I sat on rockers on the front porch and howled as he and James threw it back and forth. Skip went crazy. He dove in between them and darted away with the thing. He ran circles around them, through their legs, entertaining them for almost an hour. That wonderful black dog never left them.

I finally had to go make supper. After a while they and Rob came laughing into the kitchen. Peter put his face up close to mine and asked in perfect English, "Mom, is my face red?" "Yes, Peter it is, and so is James'. You look so healthy and happy! ...And does my kitchen ever smell like sweaty boys!"

After they'd all washed they faces and hands, they wanted to know what was for supper. James took me to the freezer and pointed to the icecream. "Mom, ees this day for this food?" "No, James, that is for Sunday." "Oh, Ah-kay." Both of them delight in whatever food I prepare and Peter pretends to swoon in ecstacy over the smell of what I am cooking. They also absolutely adore raw carrots and cabbage and grapes and oranges, and put their noses close to the hamburg meat and say, "Ahh!"

Bob has measured them, and we are watching to see how fast they grow. We have made a rule that once the meal is over you stop eating. I noticed at bathtime that James' tummy has already filled out, and soon Peter won't laugh and say, "My pants are falling down!" Sometimes into my mind will flash the age progression of each that God gave me last January. They will be tall, handsome young men in sweaters, one blond and one with brown hair.

After bathtime Bob read to them from a picture book about cowboys in the old West. With all his wonderful firmness with them, they love him. This morning, Bob's first day back at work since we left for Ukraine, each of them came to me and asked, "Where Dad is?" They snap to attention when he says, "Enough, boys!" but put their heads on his chest when he hugs them at bedtime.

After story, they had another treat - their dear friend, who had introduced me to the boys' orphanage, was on the phone. She was at her parents' place, and some folks were over for an informational gathering about adoption. Among those present were two little girls adopted a couple months back, one from James' and Peter's grade 6 class. When I told our friend that Zhenya was right beside me, he spoke up. "It ees James." That did my heart good.

As I tucked him into bed he leaned toward me in the dark. "Mom," he said, "I email computer Lienna?"
"Certainly you may," I answered. "Victoria will help you make an English letter tomorrow."
"Ah-kay," then, "Now you pray for Janet?"

Janet? Janet who? Who is Janet? There was something on the dear boy's mind other than all the excitement, but who could this Janet be? He reminded me. "She no hear and no speak. " His first day here, a deaf mute, young woman had packed our groceries and taken them out to the parking lot at Winn Dixie. She had smiled and made the sign for prayer. James knew what she meant, and here he was a week later wanting to pray for her.

Before bathtime this evening I had pulled the kids out the front door to see the trees in the west silhouetted against a flaming red sunset. I said, "Look what God made, you guys!" And Peter said, "Slava Boga", Praise God. I agree, Peter. Slava Boga for all the neat things He did today.

December 26

Good thing we woke early because it was suddenly Sunday. The days had gotten away from us, and I'd forgotten that Christmas was on a Saturday. We had spent last Sunday night in a Dallas hotel to aclimatize us to this time zone, but I guess we still aren't quite over jetlag.

After hard boiled eggs and toast, we drove to church. It was great, so full of love for our Savior, Light of the world. "We'll never know how much it cost to see our sins upon that cross!" I know the Lord will touch the hearts of our new boys with His great love for them. He already has. After worship, they preferred sitting with their noses in their Russian and English picture Bibles to listening to the sermon. Afterwards, as James followed Rob out of our row, Rob had to take the book out of his hands, so he wouldn't bump into people!

Back home, we all helped set the table with leftovers, and after lunch went ice skating. The boys told us, "Odessa, two, Babushka Lela." Our dear missionary friend had taken them twice, so they were quite confident on their skates and, as with everything new, quite determined to improve. They enjoyed every minute of it. James tried to keep up with his big brother and Dad, and cocking his hat to the left like a rapper, he jived to the music with a big grin. Because I was wearing my own white skates, other children would come up and ask me for help. When that happened, Peter would stick like glue to Mom, and wear a puzzled expression. He wanted to know who these kids were. He is learning that, although he is one of my three favorite boys, like the Lord Jesus, Mama loves all the boys and girls in the world.

Last evening as a follow-up to church we all watched The Miracle Maker, a wonderful and touching movie of the life of Jesus, dramatized by cleverly constructed Russian puppets. At bedtime the boys prayed in Russian and quoted, "The Lord is my Shepherd." Their new five-word Bible thought is, "Be kind to each other," one word for each finger.

Next time we will spell J-E-S-U-S. If these children came from Ukraine merely to have a natural family and never meet their true older Brother and Heavenly Father, everything in life will remain empty and absurd.

The "Honeymoon" Period Ends

"When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing... Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy...bringing his sheaves with him." Psalm 126.

Our little sheaves are sound asleep and dreaming, after their first Christmas Day filled with laughter and singing in their new home. Here are Maggie and I looking at each other as we empty the dishwasher. I say, "Maggie, are we dreaming, or do we really have a couple of little Ukraininas sleeping in the other room?" For some reason tonight we are pinching ourselves and asking how we got into this happy, crazy adventure.

I had a jolt during dinner today when our new English teacher, Victoria, raised her eyebrows across the table from me and translated, "The boys have a question. They are wondering if when they are finished with English lessons they can run off."

Gulp! I wondered what kinds of things they talk about, when I can't understand them! "No," I said, I hoped they won't think about "running off" at all. Their mother would be very sad.

It turned out they hadn't meant running away. Just scooting down the block to catch a movie or something. Well, no, they can't do that either... So... what else are they talking about under my nose? "Well," she said, "Sylvia, you should know that much of the conversation in godless countries is interspersed with swearing. Children brought up in that culture think it is normal, until someone tells the it isn't polite. I don't mean to shock you, but they do that too."

The day had gone beautifully thus far with the kids waking and coming out of their room this morning when the clock chimed 7:00 am. They'd gone, with Maggie and Rob leading the way in the family tradition, to the fireplace to get their stockings, and then we'd all shared gifts. The boys had spent the morning shooting baskets in the freezing cold, taking turns riding the bike, and building a ferris wheel with their new erector set.

They'd sweetly thanked us for our gifts and excitedly wrapped one for Victoria and another for Stephen, complete with complimentary notes and cards. There had been so many new things for them this morning: scotch tape, twist ties, not walking on the couch. Now, over yet another new thing, ice cream, here we sat discussing something that was new for me - 11 and 12 year old sons who swear!

I had wondered about the joking back annd forth, when it starts to get silly. Now I discover they are making fun at the other's expense, as well as doing some dirty talk. These are the same darling, helpful boys, who come for the sweetest hugs and say the most tender Russian prayers, sprinkled with "spaceebas," thankyous, while kneeling by their beds.

Victoria says she encounters this regularly when tutoring Eastern European children, and will deal with it during English lessons. In the meantime she tells them that we do not speak like that in our home, that Jesus does not like it, and neither do mama and papa. The boys understand.

It will be the more talkative of the two, however, the more loving and passionately devoted of the two, the greater animal lover and people lover, who will have the harder time remembering. And I will have to make myself be tough and firm and not smile.

Flight to Dallas

The flight to Dallas was the most exciting yet, because it meant we were actually going to America, the place every child in the orphanage of 450 kids dreams of. James wanted to know if Texas was in Mississippi and Peter asked as we landed, "Is this America?" Throughout the long flight the boys amused themselves by going to the restroom at least two dozen times, which necessitated learning the phrase, "Excuse me, please," and as they began to grasp the concept of boundaries and other people's property, "May I please..."

Arriving in Dallas we were treated kindly by the U.S. Immigration folks, and from there went to Best Western where we were assigned rooms next to, but not adjoining each other. At first it seemed like a nuisance knocking on each other's doors and running back and forth, but it turned out to be a lot of laughs and the first time we truly felt like a family, joking as we microwaved supper bought in the hotel lobby.

The boys experienced their first walk in America down the road from the hotel to a pond where we saw 5 muskrats and a "creature with teeth" under a bush. Peter the Brave ran for a big stick and began beating the bushes where it ran to hide, until I told him we did not require protecting, that the beast was not fierce, but rather it was afraid of us. And that it was called a chipmunk.

Heading Back to Mississippi

After we'd returned to the apartment, Rob and I ventured forth into the busy streets to do a quick shop. We found a small grocery store on the next street and got into line with all the others waiting for bottled water, yogurt, sausage, and more wonderful dark bread.

My Russian got me through and next morning we had a lovely feast, during which the boys were allowed to finish off the Nutella. They cut bread to fit inside the jar and took turns wiping it clean of every bit of choc-o-lat. Then afterwards Dad read Psalm 24, "The Lord is my shepherd," and asked them each to memorize verse 1. We tried not to smile when Sasha Peter said, "Da Lord ees my Shec-o-lat. More laughs later as we took turns storytelling in English. When it was Peter's turn, he got up in front of us and told about a girl named Red Cap who walked to her babushka's housewith a basket of food, and a wolf ate her.

He is such a helpful boy. So is James, who particularly enjoys patiently stirring and stirring whatever I have on the stove until it is a pulpy mass. It is Peter, though, who loves helping with meal clean-up. So while he did the dishes like a little expert, James and Rob scooted out to the livingroom to compete against each other, bouncing pingpong balls on paddles. Although it is clear the boys love each other, I am seeing the wisdom of separating them at times, so they don't get into each other's space and have a little "orphanage scuffle."

Soon it was time to leave for the Borospil Airport. To Rob's delight there was no speed limit on the freeway and he took great interest in noting our speed in kilometers, which no doubt he will relay to his friends at school. Once we arrived, God sped us through security check, and then, despite the crowds of people pushing all around us at the Airlines Check-in, a pleasant woman gave us a row of seats all together. She only smiled at the two inquisitive boys breathing down her neck, until their papa snatched them back to his side.

Next stop was the biggie, the Ukrainian passport check, where we submitted all our passports and adoption decree. The guard then asked us to step aside and wait, which we did for about 15 minutes. During this time Bob reminded me of God's word's to him as he woke the morning of our first day into the trip, "Do not be concerned about anything. I am with you."

God had already said that He would open double doors, go before us and make crooked places straight. But it was the part in Isaiah 45 where He says, I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron that made me smile. There is even a verse in there about asking Him things concerning His sons. So we asked Him to tell those security gaurds that the boys whose passports they were scrutinizing were Gods' sons even before they are sons of Ukraine.

Soon the man returned and freed us to go on board the plane. I did not realized Peter had been aware of what was happening, but once we were released, he looked at me and said, "Whew!" I know now he understands more English than he speaks.

Once in the plane, he grabbed my hand excitedly, while Rob and James took empty seats on another row, so they could see better. If James was afraid he did not show it, just sat staring with wide eyes during take off. In fact both James and Peter have shown themselves to be very confident and very adaptable. It seems orphanage life has forced them to take things in stride. And, of course, James has been through so much hardship in his short life, that most things are no big deal for him. It was his peaceful little face that first drew me to him a year ago.

The flight to England went fast, and then it was time to get into yet anotherline in the hotel to ask for the 2 adjoining rooms promissed us at the airport. Again our good and generous heavenly Father gladly provided these for us, and the boys stepped into their first western style spacious be sitting room and said, "Wow!"

Last Day in Kiev

It was still dark, and there was snow in spots, when our train rumbled into the station at Kiev. I had wakened before the purser tap-tapped on our door, and made quick work of brushing my teeth and all, before the boys awoke. The sun was just rising as we gathered around a taxi which was to take us and our stuff back to our same apartment just off Tolstoy Street.

Knowing Dima's tight schedule, we should have made a quick stop somewhere for a loaf of bread, but didn't. So we laughed over our fast breakfast of the remaining cookies and hunk of cheese, some of which we were glad for during the long wait at the American Medical Clinic. While there, the kids waited sweetly and patiently for their appointments and then again for their X rays. They passed the time laughing and chatting away in Russian with the receptionist. It seems whenever Sasha is in the conversations, there is laughter.

We did have an interview with the doctor who told us that Zhenya was far sighted, which we knew, and that Sasha had a strabismus, which we knew, and that they recommended treatment for a positive TB test with 6 months on a drug called INZ. That their X-rays showed absolutely clear, good-looking hearts and lungs and chests. Tidings of comfort and joy. Also that Sasha really would require an improvement on the plastic surgery to his ear. Again obvious. Later in the plane he complained of that ear during decompression in the plane, which is encouraging in that it could mean there is an ear drum in there. This is something a little guy could use, who sings constantly and has already had his first piano lesson from Mom after one day home.

All this took until about noon, and we left for our Embassy appointment, feeling the bond growing between us and our new sons. During this time Zhenya began calling us Mom and Dad and we began calling him by his new name James, which he was "bery, bery, bery happy" about. Sasha we called Peter, leaving both his and James' Ukrainian formal names Eugene and Alexander intact, but anglicised. Peter prefers to call us, "My Mama" and "My Fader". I love how he will say, "Oh, Mama!" when I do something unexpected, like ride the bike. And why shouldn't he snuggle up and say with a happy, little laugh, "My mama"? I respond with, "My son," and we laugh with the joy of it all. This the first time in 11 years that he has known either parent.

Our medical appointment took until about noon, and we left for our Embassy appointment. With us we carried large, sealed envelopes with X-rays for U.S. Immigration, which we were to bring carefully with us to London, England, and then later through the long lines in Dallas to the give to the Immigration officer, who when he saw them, merely smiled and waved them aside, saying they were souvenirs for us, that he didn't need them.

Back in Alex's car we headed straight for the U.S. Embassy, went through the security check and on to a second building, where we were asked into the Private Room to be interviewed by a pleasant woman from our neighboring state of Arkansas. After going over our 1-600 Petitions to bring orphans into U.S., and applications for American visas for them, it was decided that our two boys would accompany us to their new home.

Marked in my Bible next to a promise in the Psalms about"favor from the Lord" is the date January 5, 2004. All year long we have been holding God to this promise, and here was yet another evidence of its fulfillment. He has been so good to us. He is the kindest Person I have ever met.

Back Home Again!

I know it is terribly late and I should be sleeping while the gang here sleeps, but Steph, you said such nice things about me being peppy that I have to write something! Actually so much happened so fast that I avoided writing all day today, because, I knew it would take me forever to do justice to the miraclulous flow of events in our lives since I last wrote.

We did go to court on Thursday, the day we were given a one percent chance of having our hearing. The wait in the long hall outside the court room was exciting. Our boys who were not yet 'our' boys arrived with their social worker. When we went in, and it was their turn to testify, they stood so straight and sweet and said, "Da," that they wanted to go with this family and be their sons. We were so proud and so very grateful to the Lord. It was short and sweet and we then kissed them good-bye and sent them back to the orphanage, while we three again squeezed into the back seat of Yuri's car.

From there, we watched Dima do his thing. With cell phone in one hand and pack of papers in the other, he amazingly opened door after closed door all across Odessa. We merely hopped out of the car on cue to sign forms for one of the boy's birth certificates, then again to get it notarized. Then back in the car and off we'd speed to another part of town where the other boy's birth had been regisitered. Then dash off to the notary public, and on again to our next location. We'd dart in and out of traffic, as Yuri would simply wave a hand and the traffic would move aside so we could command the road.

We did get to have a five minute Mc Donald's break, but before we could wipe the ketchup from our cheeks, it was time to crush into the back seat again. Laughing and roaring down the road, Dima would be on that cell phone again calling for train tickets, and then calling Nastya in Kiev to make an appointment with the US Embassy for Monday. Then he was calling Nastya again to see if we could make it earlier Monday so we could keep our flight. Then he was calling her to see if it could maybe be for Friday, tomorrow!

Before we knew what hit us, it was growing dark and we were rolling to a fast stop at the about-to-close passport office, to pick up the boys' passports. At that moment we received a call from Alyona who said she and Viktor had our video of the grand tour Tuesday ready to deliver to us and could they meet us somewhere. Dima told them they had 5 minutes to meet us at this spot, or Sorry!

Within two minutes there they were! We exchanged fond good-byes, and pulled away out into the evening traffic, scooted back across town to our orphanage and scooped up our boys and whatever treasures they had packed. We hugged every kid in sight amid a chorus of, "Say Prevyat to Lela, Write us! and Pa-kaw! Only once did Dima have to remind me, "Sylvia, NO MORE KISSES! COME!" and away we sailed with our boys just in time to board the 22:10 train for Kiev.

Once on board Car # 9 we began making up our bunks, the three boys and I in one compartment (what fun!) and Bob and Dima sharing the next compartment with two guys whose vodka breath continued to waft up to their top bunks as the night wore on. As we were getting settled into our cubbyhole, our beloved Ira appeared in the hallway outside our door and handed us a packet of letters from kids and a video she had made of them greeting their friend, Michelle, and a special card and gift for me. Talk about icing on the cake! She hugged us all round, and the kids bounced and laughed at the window waving to her until the train took us away into the night, leaving me with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

No time for that! There were three boys who had to be sorted out and stuffed into beds! But first things first. The new boys needed to go down the hall to the tu-a-let... to do their laundry. Bless their hearts, they wanted clean socks and undies in the morning, and this is the way they'd been taught to get them. So off they went in their pajamas, happily chattering in Russian, and in a few moments, feet bang, bang, banging down the hall, they bumped open the door, puffing and laughing into the compartment to hang their things on the heater.

Finally all the shifting and rearranging complete, and all lights off, I squirmed under my covers, removed my slacks, and smiled to myself in the dark. I figured I had this Night Train thing mastered.

However, just as all was quiet on the eastern front, and I was drifting off to sleep, THUD! "O...OOHH!" It was Sasha in a crumpled heap, sprawling across the table and kicking his legs to be free of the tangle of pillow, blanket, sheets and mattress that had tumbled along with him, softening his fall from the top bunk. Not completely clothed and in my right mind, I hopped out of bed to comfort and assist him in getting settled back up on the top bunk. Then thought better of it and told him, "Mama will sleep there; you sleep in Mama's bed." "Ah-kay," he answered somewhat shakily.

Soon we were all fast asleep again. And soon it was morning again and time to start untangling the bodies and luggage, towels, and drying underwear that was our cabin. We somehow managed, and all disembarked to start another exciting day with Dima. Only this time we would be racing around Kiev instead of Odessa, and this time we'd have two extra boys in tow.

Safe and Sound!

Hello Everyone!
Sylvia's daughter Steph, here, with an update on behalf of my mom...

This evening, Sylvia, Bob, and three excited boys arrived in Dallas, TX!?! They were expecting to fly out of Kiev on Tuesday at the VERY earliest, so this is some kind of miracle. I don't know the details, just that they'll be home in MS tomorrow morning, and starting to settle into their new lives.

You can expect a mighty LONG update from my mother as soon as she's recovered from the jetlag (which, come to think of it, has never stopped her in the past, so it may be sooner than we think).

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts for our new, bigger family!

The Lord Arises for the Needy

Psalm 12:5, today's Word says, "For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, NOW I will arise,"says the Lord; I will set in the safety for which he yearns."

This is the day our family stands before a judge who has the power to place two small boys 11, and 12 years old in "the safety for which they yearn." Thankfully for us all, the Judge of all the earth in in control of all things, and it is really His decision.

Yesterday morning I left the kvarteera, apartment alone and made my way through the maze of concrete building we have strangely come to love and call home for the past week. There was ice on the mud and the frozen dead leaves the babushkas had missed in their sweeping up were crunchy underfoot.

I was laden, like most women leaving in the morning, with two big plastic bags, only mine contained party favors fof 16 children who were about to say goodbye to two of their classmates. And Bob and Rob and I would have to try not to notice the longing in the eyes of those who would be left behind. But the party would be fun and lively, the candies would be aplenty, the cake beautifully decorated in Ukrainian fruit-topped style and Julia suggested we all play Twister.

It would be Ms Sylvia against Inna and Alina the bubbly twins and tiny, giggling Galia. The spinner would be Anya, whose Mama died last year. (Her big brother, Alousha, who feels very responsible for his younger sister and brother, was the last to come shyly to greet me and get a word of encouragement as I was leaving last evening.)

We played our turns and fell on each other in a laughing heap of girls, Rob and boys doing the same in their game, with Sasha and Zhenya, looking a little serious, acting as the perfect hosts.

But all that was yet to come. First I had to meet Ira and she and I would take the boys shopping for jackets and shoes. The clothes they were wearing belonged to the orphanage and there were opther kids who needed them. They could keep their undies but the supervisor commanded me to buy new ones for their medical appointment.

So, while Bob and Rob went for the plastic forks and the plates, pop and cake, off we went. Ira had Sasha on her arm and my arm was slipped through Zhenyas to get a taxi at the corner. Snuggled inside the back seat next to me, Zhenya yawned and said, "I was awake last night dreaming about my life in America."

He and Sasha very patiently and pleasantly trailed along as Ira and I fished through a hundred little booths in the indoor/outdoor market, squeezing past other shoppers in the tight aisles between the stalls, each with a shopkeepers thickly bundled against the below freezing temperatures, most with his or her hands around a steaming cup.

Most places did not have children's sizes, but God was gracious to us, and we eventually found what we needed. So, before the boys' feet froze in their thin socks, we hustled into the warmth of the Mc Donald's for chicken sandwiches, followed by hot tea. They donned their new hats and gloves, and Zhenya, being older, decided it was he who should carry the huge bundles of jackets and shoes. Sasha agreed, but it was he who, as usual, got our coats, cleared the table and helped open doors for the ladies.

We went upstairs to their playroom, for the party and after clean-up,left the boys for what might have been their last night sleeping in an orphanage. If all goes well today we might be able to catch the last night train and do busines in Kiev tomorrow. Tehhn Monday finish up and not have to change the Tuesday date of our flight. Amazing grace of God that would be!

The party finished, we went down to the hallway to waited for Amelia's husband to pick us up. The friendly, inquisitive teacher had promised us borsht and dumpling for supper as the perfect ending to our stay in Odessa.

You never just wait, however, for someone in the hallway of the internot. If you stand there smiling, you become surrounded by friendly Ukrainians. Some come up to you and ask questions and some God draws to the hallway, and they just stand there, their wistful eyes waiting for you to ask them a question.

My question for little Viktor, a very small 15 year old was, "Shto your naga? Bol? " What happened to your leg? Does it hurt? Blankly he told me he had injured it playiing soccer. I bet! Likely he got run over by a bigger boy. I had noticed Victor's serious face this past week as he ran by in the hall with the other kids, but he had never stopped to speak to me. Now something was drawing him here.

I said, "Did you pray?" and a larger handsome boy answered for him,, "Viktor doesn't pray." So I asked, "May I pray for your leg, then?" All the kids watched as Viktor Pinkin thought about it, and a very tiny light struggled to come into his sad eyes. He finally replied, "Da." So I put my hands on his ankle and asked Jesus to love Viktor and heal it.

The older boy who had spoken began asking questions. He said he was a Believer. So, Tolik and the others listened, especially Marina the door guard, we shared about the kindness of God. I asked Viktor if he'd like a pen pal in America. He said yes and so did a tall, smiling boy they teasingly called Yarislov the Wise. Yarislov Kramarenko is 16, and he gets such good grades in school. Ask me if you would like to write to any of these boys, each with such different needs, but all longing for love and Jesus' touch.

Pointing to the cross on Yarislov's neck chain I said that Jesus loves us so greatly that He died on a cross for our sins. The kids listened respectfully and in silence. Then it was time to go. I hugged as many as wanted it and kissed Tasia, who had followed me from upstairs bouncing along with the other 13 or 14 year old girls, trying their hardest to make the "th" sound so they could say, "Thank you" correctly. Tasia wants to write to Shelby, a girl I know would really love her smiling eyes.

Around the table at Amelia's home Bob and Rob and Dima, our translator, enjoyed the tastiest borsht ever. When I asked Amelia about the recipe she laughed and said it was Real Borsht, that it takes three days to make because you must soak the beans first. I asked if it was a secret recipe, and she laughed. Sorry Maggie! You and I will just have to keep trying till we get it perfect.

After dinner Amelia's 18 year old son Miraslov sang for us in a deep booming voice one song in Ukrainian and one in Russian. It was wonderful. Miraslov is studying music, of course. Miraslov also is wondering about a church where he could sing. His parents attend Baptist Church at Easter only, but listened attentively as Dima translated phrase by phrase my answer to their questions about our faith.

I am so grateful for a real faith, a living relationship with a Living God, Who loves us and wants to involve Himself is every minute of every day of our lives. That at Easter time His Son died as payment for our sins, to give us a new heart and a reason to live beyond today.

Beyond today lies in His hands, for us here in Ukraine. Soon Dima will pick us up and we will spend a looong day in and out of taxis and in and out of offices and court rooms, with little time for eating or bathroom, or so says Dima. I might not write again till we returmn to Mississippi. I don't know. I don't know where we will be staying in Kiev or if we will fly Dec 20 anrriving Dec 21. I hope so. I do know that our new life with our new boys could begin tonight on a bumpy train to Kiev Ukraine. Praise be to the Lord.

Touring Odessa

"The Lord is righteous and he loves righteousness: his countenance beholds the upright." Ps 11:7

Good Morning Everyone. Our day yesterday ended with Ira and me sipping tea in our kitchen and weeping with joy over the way God has intersected our lives over the past year. No matter what is happening this moment, God is there because He loves the righteous.

To answer questions first, yes, Joy, I cannot send mail to the Adoption forum for some reason, so thank you for contacting me. If you can say hello I would like that. Everone is so sweet. And yes there are several sibling groups here, but the kids start at first grade. I think I have mentioned some, but I will ask about little ones. It must be hard to choose a child from a picture alone, especially when that picture is years old.

And, Rebecca, how could I have missed telling about Yana! She is so precious. I see her every day with the 6A class. She looks so cute wearing her glasses, busily knitting on the playroom couch with several girls in a row. She loved the pink jacket and yesterday she and Galia had it pulled over them on the couch napping. They giggled when I grabbed their toes. I have the picture of them in my mind, and, next to them, sitting on a stool, smiling Artyom, the artist, knitting "baybe shoos".

Maggie I loved your call last night. Yes tell someone at the school. I don't know if they are getting the blog. Please tell Robin E. and she can tell the others. Her number is in my phone book. And please tell the Nightingales and Grandpa.

Yesterday when we asked permission to take the boys on a tour, the social worker smiled and said what a lovely Christmas gift we were taking back to our fameeleeya. The boys tried on Rob's outgrown size 10 pants and they looked so cute in cords and plaid shirts. I thought they looked perfect, but their supervisor ordered them to iron them before court day Thursday morning. I nudged Rob to watch as they neatly folded them and put them in their cupboards.

Then we and Ira all bundled into Viktor's new van, and with laughing Alyona as interpreter, off we drove to see the wonderful sights of downtown Odessa. The three boys sat together joking and playing hand games in the back seat, and teaching each other English and Russian phrases.

We stopped at the statue of the poet Pushkin outside the magestic mayor's office, ran up and down the over one hundred steps, and then walked in the cold and blustery winter sunshine by the ships at the docks. The boys climbed on the huge sculture of a muscular baby, symbol of Odessa emerging from her difficult and sad past.

Throughout our tour, our wonderful driver, Viktor, filmed us, making a movie for us to carry back to America. What a dear friend he is!

We stopped to chat with a young man at a booth who arranged a long orange scarf around my neck and placed an orange flag of 'the revolution' in Rob's hand. With the boys holding up a lovely family photograph of Yushchenko, we smiled, and Alyona took a picture. When I told the guy we were praying for Mr Yushenko his face turned very serious and replied, "Spaceeba".

We then took pictures of all three boys posing in front of the beautiful opera house, (Zhenya, or Sasha, in his husky, laughing voice would always call Rob to be in the pictures.) Zhenya told us, "we used to go in here, when I lived around here." I looked at him puzzled, imagining him at the opera, and he pointed to the top of the old ornate building next to it. He had lived up there in an attic room, and did we notice how "they have been renovating the opera house, as you can see." My guess is that the reason he had been inside "his" opera house was to keep warm, not to see the opera.

This was his turf, and last year, not knowing how his life would soon be changed, he had left the orphanage and come here. Yesterday, as he grabbed my hand tightly and smiled up at me, it was hard to imagine him the same boy. God has done a wonderful thing in and for this 12 year old, who has a strong sense of justice and loves righteousness.

We next stopped at the huge new Hotel Odessa overlooking the Black Sea. I took a mental picture of Bob walking ahead of me, Sasha holding tightly to his arm and looking up at him. We had a scare when Zhenya told Alyona he had to use the washroom and dashed inside a building next to it. We meandered in after him chatting, and then could not find him. I had visions of him having a change of mind, and going back to the streets.

I prayed fervently, knowing God did not bring us this far to lose him, and soon we spotted him outside running around calling our names. He and I ran to each other, me scolding, and him chattering in Russian, explaining that he had tried not to disturb everyone's tour and gone in and out so fast we had not seen him.

Before climbing back in to the van, we had a talk about family, in which the words "droog droogga" (each other) came up frequently. We all understand about droog droogga, and as a family, we will always look out for each other.

Drifting off to sleep last night I heard Rob's groggy voice asking from his living room couch bed, "Mom, can you tell me how to say that rhyme Zhenya is trying to teach me?

Oolitsa Pushina,
Dom kalatooshkina,
Kvarteera Padnomay..." How does it go?

We will ask the boys this morning when we go shopping for jackets and shoes. After that Our Family will host a farewell party for their class.

Seeing Life as It Is

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits...who redeemeth thy life from destruction and crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies."

Yesterday we went early to the internot. As usual the kids were ready for us, flashing dimples and eyes twinkling. I still haven't figured out how they magically appear like that, but it is so adorable. Ahhh, sigh..I am so glad they are to be our sons! My arms have waited many months for this. God is indeed good.

Our three boys set up the wastebasket to shoot the ball into it across the empty playroom. The competition was fun, but the rough housing became too much, because Sasha bumped his forehead on the radiator, and started to develop a small goose egg. We put cold water on it from the white kettle, and when their supervisor arrived, she scolded him and sent him to the 'medical cabinet' to get ice and iodine.

Meanwhile, the other children were returning from school and, in front of us, the girls being discrete, the kids casually peeled off uniforms and donned play clothes. I loved the way the boys laid their slacks on the carpet and, making sure the creases were absolutely matched, slid a coat hanger up the legs and hung them in the closet. I had seen a boy ealier in another room carefully ironing his pants. We were treated to Artyom's long johns which was really cute, but Bob, uncomfortable with it all, got up and went into the hall. It would be nice if they had separate dressing areas for boys and girls at this age.

The kids then headed for lunch and while Bob and Rob returned to our apartment, Ira and I went down to the hallway where the big kids hang out. Ira's movie camera was like a magnet, and several smiled confidently into the camera, and greeted pen pals in Anerica. Masha did hers quickly, and then hid behind the other girls, giggling. Funny, she has been chosen among ten kids who are being sponsored by Russian to visit Moscow this Christmas in gratitude for Ukraine's having taken in a number of children to one of their spas in the Crimea, following the terroritst attack on the school earlier this year.

No only is Masha a bubbly, beautiful girl and good student, but she also knits! Since the day before , when I had given her a huge ball of yarn, she had perfectly knitted and pearled her way down a yard of scarf. I somewhat uncomfortably showed her my crochetting attempt. The girls all said it was beautiful and that she could do that too. When asked why they didn't sell their knitting, they replied, "Ohhh", looking at each other seriously, "We don't have yarn."

Ira and I will take the offering money given me by four home schoolers who earned it cleaning an office, and go shop for yarn and cross stitch materials for them and the boys who do that also. When I asked Andrei about cross stitching, his only embarassment was that he had no supplies. I am glad for him to have something to do with his hands.

Sometimes the older kids get so bored that they dream up stuff about their lives. Like, that they have a big brother or mama. Some of them really do have people, like one of ours who actually knows where his babushka and his mama live, but they have not come to see him in 4 years, and he knows they don't want him. When they had ordered him to steal, he would not do it, and sold papers on the street, eating yogurt and sausage, until social workers picked him up.

Some of the teens followed Ira and me upstairs to the office where we had the fun of delivering pen pal letters and a couple gifts. When shy Andrei saw his sparkly wrapped, polar fleece shirt, he smiled broadly, and laughed as the kids forced him to try it on. Of course, being Andrei, he took it right off again and, folding it neatly, ran off to put it in his room.

Lela's, big handsome driver Viktor and her interpreter surprised us by showing up. So we made plans to tour Odessa today. When Zhenya and Sasha discovered I had not left the orphanage yet, I told them we would have a tour tomorrow, and that Zhenya would be our guide because he rescued Papa on Sunday and knew his way around. He shook his head in adult digust at the memory of their drunk taxi man and said in Russian, "That stupid driver!" He and Sasha followed me to the door, where we could see Bob and Rob coming through the dusk to meet me. We hugged yet again, and said we would be back in the morning.

Our Father Who Art in Heaven

Lying in bed this morning, I prayed that, and thought of the little girl crying in the back of the bus yesterday, and the other standing solemnly begging at our table at McDonald's. Ira told both girls to go to the Internot (orphanage) where at least there is food, that if she gave them money, they might just use it for drugs or glue.

Bob and Rob and I have been very blessed by our Father in Heaven. Not only do we have friends in America who pray without ceasing for us, but we have smoked salmon and keefer and wonderful daily bread from the Klyeb kiosk down the street. We have bottled water and strength to carry it home. He have a warm 'dom' to stay in.

We have this computer, even though it is four versions behind the one in America and desperately needs a flat, new mouse pad for Christmas. We have this tiny, bright kitchen with its a manual gas stove with two settings, Off and Blowtorch. Three doors down the hall from it is a refrigerator, and next to that is a water closet, and next to it is our pink bathroom. We are in luxury here.

Our Father in Heaven even heard our prayers at the corner of a downtown street, yesterday, when Bob and the little boys did not show up in the other taxi for church. When we were leaving the orphanage and their cab had skidded up at the curb in a puff of dust, I had had my suspicions. But into it they piled, and Ira gave the driver directions. Rob and I and she got into the cab behind them. Their taxi took off at high speed ahead of us and disappeared.

Now there we were waiting and wondering if he had dropped them off at some other church on some other corner. Bob has managed somehow to avoid learning Russian, insisting that the boys were to learn English instead. Since that had not occured as yet, I was worried. But Jesus said, 'I am with you always', so we prayed and waited.

Meanwhile, some of our favorite teenagers, Artour, Alyona, Nina, and Masha from the internot arrived by bus, chattering in Russian, their faces full of questions. Where is Ira? Where is Mr Bob? Where are the boys? Well, Ira had gone searching, and we were waiting. I told them, 'Go on to church. You will be late', but they would not hear of it. "Nyet, nyet! We are your friends. We stay with you!"

Within a few minutes, three smiling guys emerged from the crowded market square on the other side of the street! They had indeed been let off at a church, but when Bob saw the papal symbol on the spire, he knew he was not in Kansas, and that that was not a Presbyterian Church. Thanks to our Father in Heaven for Zhenya, who stood looking around in his thougfhtful way, eventually got his bearing, and led them to where he thought we might be! Some good can come of selling newspapers on the street at the age of eight years... I guess.

We weren't very late for church and the kids all squeezed happily together with their thick jackets onto their bench and we on ours, fiddled to adjust our earphoenes for English. No sooner had we settled, when Tolik appeared, and climbed over Sasha to worm his way next to Bob. Whew!

The singing was lovely and the sermon inspiring, I think, and just as we Americans thought surely the service must be over, the kids all got up, and grabbing their coats took off and out the door to Sunday School class. We adults chatted and soon the kids returned bouyant and animated. Beebla schola had been especially beauuu-tee-ful today.

While they were gone, Our Father in Heaven led Bob and I to a gentleman the kids call Dr Paul, who had in tow a couple of cute third graders from the orphanage. Handsome and shy, dark-eyed Pasha is one of four siblings, and Maxim with the killer dimples is little Andrei's brother, seven months apart (figure that one out!).

Dr Paul was astounded that we were here to adopt Sasha and Zhenya. They were two of his favorite kids, had prayed long for Sasha, who he had seen through 4 surgeries to his ear and 2 to his eyes! He had watched the transformation in Sasha's character as a hurting boy, full of anger at being made fun of had been transformed by love in action, his anger melting away, to reveal the giggling, fun-loving, bouncy Sasha, whose picture we had found in the Natioanl Adoption Center. Oh, the goodness of our God!

Collecting all our crowd, we headed down the busy market day street to Mc Donald's, and the boys found us a group of tables together, where we laughed and ate and took pictures of each other. Said good-bye to Artour, who wanted to visit his sister who works in a bar nearby, we caught the bus back to the internot. On the way I explained to Tolik that he was not to run as usual, when we got off. That Mr Bob had money to pay. Not paying the driver is like breaking one of our heavenly Father's rules about stealing.

Back at the internot we trooped up to the boys' classroom, where down on the floor, we spread out Atyom, the little artist's, picture collection and smiling, wide-eyed Alyosha's schola notebooks. Julia left off knitting her two colored sweater vest, came and lovingly turned the pages of her photo albumn of some people in America who are very dear to her. She presented me with an appliqued potholder she had carefully stitched by hand and by machine 'choo, choo, choo', and showed me her English workbook with the words filled in.

Little Anya made hand signs that her Mama had died, and how she and her 2 brothers, Alyosha and Maxim had come to the orphanage to live. I told her that their dear friend, Babushka Lela, had told me and that I had cried.

It was four o'clock and Bob and Robbie were finished looking at Artyom's medical drawing of the inside of the human head, and signalled to me that it was growing dark and we needed to go. So we hugged as many kids as we could, especially Zhenya and Sasha who led us to the door and watched as we made our way down the dim hallway.

On our way out, we were about to pass two animated teachers, who had a little boy with them. I said hello to the child, having heard that he wrote beautiful letters to his mama in prison. I remembered him ans the boy was so friendly and gave away all his Christmas candy last year, boldly running into the Director's office for more.

One lady, speaking 'little bit English", asked where in America we were from, whether the farmers brought their produce to town in Mississippi, or did we go to the villages to get things. Do the people in the villages wear traditional costumes? How old was I, how many children did I have, who were we adopting, and could we come to meet her husband son and have borsht and dumplings for dinner on Wednesday evening at 6:00?

Yes, of couse we will come. How could we refuse.

Fun at the Internot

These Ukrainian kids love to laugh, tease and joke with each other. After yesterday, Bob asked, "When will we be able to come back for a couple more?" It was my kind of fun day too; I think I laughed more in one day than in all this past year.

When we got there, the boys led us upstairs to their playroom which was vacated by the others who were in class. We played with their parakeet, Rob and Sasha sprawled on the floor playing chess, while Zhenya showed me his box full of treasures: stickers, some notebooks, cards and letters and a small book of Russian Bible verses I'd sent, and even the empty package from the modeling clay I'd mailed for his 'Happy Birthday', as he calls it.

When Rob got up from the chess game on the floor, Sasha laughing, grabbed him by the legs. So ensued the battle of the boys, with Rob using headholds, and the two younger boys wrestling and tackling each other and him. Watching, Dima commented on their relative sizes, "You can tell the home-fed boy from the orphanage boys...You will give them good food, right?"

Eventually I told the boys, "Vsyo, havatit!" "That's all, Enough!" as Victoria their new English teacher-to-be back home had taught me, and they all staggered to the couch puffing. When I asked Sasha if he wanted "stonyaboot zwepeet", he thought it was I who was thirsty, and went and filled a china teacup from the white kettle on the counter. Carrying it carefully across the room, he brought it to me. When we left, he quickly picked up scraps and smoothed the cover on the couch. They train these kids well.

For lunch, Bob and Rob took the boys, each holding hands with one of them, to a pizza place, Bob looking the perfect papa in his long black coat and Russian hat. Dima stayed with me at the school, and so the guys had to fend for themselves with short sentences, like, "The car is red." and "The dog is white." Their only mix-up was at the restaurant when Bob each ordered a huge pizza each for himself and Rob, a mistake they didn't really much mind!

Meanwhile I hung out with the kids who were on hall duty, waiting for our friend Ira to join me. Some of the older ones leaned against the radiators by the window staring blankly at me, but others joked with each other, the girls knitting, and the boys poucing on any kid who did not close the door properly or show them due respect.

We chatted, I took pictures and names of those who wanted American pen pals, and watched as they drew with a marker on an erasable pad I'd produced from my bag of tricks. Em and Chad, your pen pal Tolik has a cute way of talking and laughing at the same time, and even though I didn't know most of what he was saying to me, we had a good time. Some other kids showed up at lunchtime and surrounded me, all talking at once. Robin, your little Dima's eager face stands out among them. For a little guy who spent some time fending for himself on the streets, he certainly is a sweet one. He keeps coming back to see me, his big eyes searching mine. I will take time to chat with him.

What really got all the kids attention was when our four guys returned dragging the Big Suitcase filled with letters and gifts. Surrounded by a throng of helpers, Tolik carried it upstairs to the office to be sorted, then had to be shooed out until we got to his gift. He left with it, but soon returned smiling ear to ear to hand out gum and candy and show off his new yoyo. Of course I took pictures. Artour was already hanging around so we didn't need to send for him. He ran for Alyona. He just atred and stared at the gloves and cool watch. Then posed for a piucture grinning ear to ear. Alyona went from one to next showing off the lovely necklace. I got a cute picture of her too.

We spent the next couple hours sorting gifts and assigning little handwritten notes from kids back home. Thank so much everybody. Mc Mahons, Nightingales, Tappans and others. The children would stand staring at the pictures you drew and amazed at the new ball or hairclip. There are specific adorable third graders, whom I have picked out for you to come and claim, OK? ...Let me know when you are ready, because the kids are waiting. : )

Our guys had returned to the apartment, so all this time Sasha and Zhenya stayed with me and helped give out gifts, returning each time to squeeze next to me on the couch and occasionally look at me, smiling for a kiss. Sasha ran off to find Atyom, the little artist, and I gave him your gift, Mr. Mark and Ms. Jacki. His eyes went wide, and the kids all watched as he tried on the gloves and hat for a thumbs-up photograph. He is such a smart sunny kid.

When we finally called it a day, Zhenya and Sasha took turns wheeling each other around inside the big suitcase and then followed Dima and me out into the dark for one last hug. As we went on down the street, we met Tolik and Artour returning from the store with bottled water. We stopped to joke and chat. They told me that Andrei had discovered a 21 year old brother in town, and that he had gone to spend the night there, but that they were going to church tomorrow. Praise God. We will meet Ira and our boys at 10:00 to go as well. The Presbyterian church is an international church, with head sets and interpreters.

Back at our place Dima said in his smiling but very definite way, "I will go to church, but NOT THAT ONE: I was baptized Orthodox and that is where I will go." I teased him that the Presbyterian church was just too lively for him, and we said goodnight.

Notarizing Petition to the Court

That is a boring title to our day yesterday, but that is basically what we did of beauocratic import. After Thursday's wonderful day with our sweet, dear, new sons-to-be, Friday we were whisked away by the lovely social worker, who truly loves those children, and Dima our interpreter, to notarize some very beautiful looking Ukrainian documents petitioning to adopt the boys. Travelling across town is done by standing at the curb and hitch hiking. Anyone who wishes to make a gherivna can stop and pick you up.

Arriving, we took a seat far down a long hallway from the office where the documents were to be prepared, and waited..and waited. While sitting there we enjoyed a mini education in beaurocracy, language, culture and European fashion all rolled into one. Just down from me a girl bundled in a long and very thick fur coat snuggled in the corner of the bench and dozed. Next to her two babushkas chatted as they ate pieces of chicken, and a dog wandered by.

I guess our biggest smiles were the cute secretaries, clop, clop, clopping down that long, gray-tiled hallway floor in their steel spiked high-heeled shoes, with dangerously sharp pointed toes. I have never seen so many variations on the black and white theme of miniskirts, high boots and metalic trims, belts, chains, sequins, buckles and straps. And more hair colors than I knew existed! The young men who dashed in and out of the elevators to our left carried huge stacks of folders and papers and disappeared into one of the many doors down the corridor. In and out of the mysterious doorways they went. Dad and Rob sat stoically in the bench beside me, watchinmg and made a game of timing the door openings and shuttings. I passed the hours by relieving a young mother, playing peek-a-boo with her tiny blond haired two-year-old, who was wimpering, weary of his wait.

Finally big Dima appeared, grinning his usual big smile and signalling us to "Come!" We hopped in another "taxi' and back at the orphanage had a short time to enjoy the dimples, bright smiles, and happy laughter of our precious new sons and brothers-to-be before they had to run off to lunch and we to do a shop and go back to our apartment.

Zhenya loves to be hugged. I told him , "Only one more week and "Nye,'Sylvia'. You will call me, 'Mama'. He solemnly smiled and snuggled closer, nodding. At times Sasha looks a bit thoughtful, and is a bit harder to catch, but his eyes still twinkle and his hugs are just a tight.

Before we could leave some of the older boys came by. It was so wonderful to chat with Tolik, Andrei and Artour. Artour did beautifully as our interpreter. What a shame these boys will soon age out of adoption. They would make some family such a fine addition. The other alternative is that some sort of sponsorship be worked out so they are not left on their own after they graduate. I want to talk to them again today about their lives and how God can use them as a shining light in a dark place, just as he has called each of us to shine for him wherever we live...I would also love to take my hair scissors with me, but Bob says, NO. : )

After supper we enjoyed an unexpected treat, watching the York Rangers beat Russia in an old game played in the USA. Of course the announcer spoke only Russian so we picked up a few more words. I crocheted half way through another dishcloth, and when I see the ninth grade girls, I will ask if they'd like the rest of this huge ball of cotton in Ukrainine flag colors of yellow, blue and white. I have seen the lovely scarves the sixth graders knit. They also may want it. I also hope today to go with my friend Ira to deliver pen pal gifts and letters, while Bob and Rob spend time with our little boys. Ira has a special rapport with street children and the kids there.

Last thing I recall last night before drifting off was a tiny scratching sound. I opened my eyes to see a little mouse making its way down the curtain. I rolled over and went to sleep assured that I had covered the garbage tightly. Sorry little guy.

FIXED!

A quickie before we go to say we are ok and running out the door. Our 14 year old computer whiz somehow knows enough Russian to correct the problem and I will try again tomorrow.I can only get on between 5 ans 11 am! Love you all.

A Day with the Boys

A quick note to say, welcome to Ukraine! I just spent the last hour writing news of our wonderful day yesterday with the boys, only to lose it. We had a great time playing games, meeting kids I knew from a year ago and givng hugs up and down those long dim hsallways. The biys are definitely ours, no doubt about it. It is qs nqtuqrlq qs if they hqvq qlzqys been ours: They qre zonderful loving lively /// zoops sorry gottq go ///

Meeting the Boys

Here we are at our destination, Odessa! The train ride was long and bumpy with little sleep for me, but the 3 guys snored away peacefully enough around and above me in the cramped little cabin. Way too much liuggage! I will leave behind the big one filled with penpal gifts and letters plus some of our clothes.

When we arrived at our very sunny and roomy apartment, we discovered we'd left our water on the train. No choice but to embark on a bit of an adventure through the muddy "neighborhood" and tenament buildings, leftover from bygone days, and out to the main street and "supermarket". Culture shock . We came home with vada and a few surprises, but learned some more Russian in the process! Keefer is actually very good, but not in your coffee! Like homemade yogurt when it doesn't gel right. Remember those days, girls?

Now the good part...Dima called to say he had the papers necessary to vist the boys, and he came by to lead us there. Not far, but we bundled up. Waiting outside the Director's office, we watched as kids ran up and down the halls, not really noticing us. No doubt the word was out just who was getting adopted, so they pretty well ignored us. Except for one little boy who peeked around a corner.

Rob smiled a big smile and whispered, "That was Sasha! I recognize him." In a few minutes we were asked in to the office and gathering chairs around the director's desk,we went through a friendly interrogation. Rob was asked what he expected of brothers, and how he felt about it.

After a few minutes Sasha was brought in. He smiled a shy smile and blushed from ear to ear when asked if he knew why he was here. The translator asked him if he would like to be adopted by this family and he smiled some more and replied, "I don't know." Imagine a child given up at birth because of an imperfection, having always lived in an institution, trying to imagine what it means to be adopted by a family. Of course he didn't know. He sweetly responded to all questions and sat patiently while we talked about him. Bless his little heart.

Then Zhenya was sent for. He came in obediently got a chair and sat seriously waiting, looked from one to the other of us. He had just arrived, poor kid, from being away at the sanatorium for two full months,had been told what was happening en route. Now here it was, his turn to be adopted. When asked if he would like to be part of our family, he nodded and without smiling and replied, "Da". True to character I believe, he had already thought about it and made his decision.

Using what Russian I could, I told them that we wanted very much to have them as our sons and hoped they would like to come with us to America. We also said they could think about it, but after being dismissed to go to the social worker's office, they loosened up and as we all got talking, they began asking us questions, the first being, "Can you see the Statue of Liberty from your house?" Then, "Where did come from and how it was put together?" In typical Ukrainian humor (the best in the world, I hear, and I believe it) the translator joked that super glue was used. We talked about every sport in the book and told them about the nice young lady from Estonia who could help them with English when we got home.

Soon Dima became too busy with paperwork to translate, but, to our delight, some friends I had met last January walked in. One was a big, beloved driver, who, we hear, had befriended the boys and loved them, occasionally talking to them giving them advice about their lives and futures as a father would to his sons. The expression on his face showed how he felt about the proceedings. Also with him were two women I had known and come to love on my visit. They too are very fond of the boys and acted as loving translators for us, laughing and putting us all at ease.

We sat chatting for quite some time, the boys patiently and politely waiting their turn. A one point as we disccussed the Russian alphabet, Zhenya ran up to his classroom to get some school work to show us. We explained to him how his name would appear in English.

When it came time for us to leave, I whispered in their ears, "Ya lublu tibia", I love you. They said in English, "I love you", hugged us both and kissed me on the lips. Then, laughing with their new 'brat', brother, Rob, the boys shook hands, and ran upstairs to their room.

Everyone of us is very happy and can't wait to see them again today. It was very clear that God was and is with us, smoothing the entire meeting time, and as we "simply trust Him" as the hymn says, He will expedite the paperwork and get us on our way as He sees fit. We do pray it will be miraculously quick. We all miss and appreciate home very much.

We Found Both!!

I am sorry I neglected to say we found the other face we were searching for! We hope to see both today PTL!!

In Odessa!

Hello Everyone! Our appointment at the NAC was yesterday. At first we were told we could not get the boys we had in mind,because they went were not in the database. There are 24,ooo orphans in this country, and it could be difficult to find them if that was incorrect.

Bob had had the distinct sense that the Lord was with us all along, so we were confident He would not drop us now. Also I recalled the words of Jesus that were are to speak to the mountain to move. So we quietly did so and began plowing through the mountains of huge binders with page after page after page of children's faces. No Z and no S.

We kept praying as our translator went out to call his supervisor. He came back in, and the lady and he continued searching by name in cyrillic and we by face. Eventually they each came up with one, S. The picture was of when he was 3 or so , as cute as a button in overalls, his adorable little smile, and distinctive features we had missed the first time through because the photo was so outdated. Big Smiles of relief all round, and we were on our way!!

We took the night train, bumpity bump : ) to Odessa and a taxi brought us here to our apartment. In the midst of the culture shock of our surroundings, here I sit in this apt with the internet writing to you!! Praise the Lord for HE IS GOOD!

Our man is hard at work getting permission to visit the orphanage which is withion walking distance, and we are unpacking for a week plus stay. He is in a hurry to get back so we are happy with that. If possible we will go see the boys and they will know today. Will let you know. Thank you all so much for your prayers for stamina and health. More good news tomorrow. I love you all sooooo far away. God bless you all.
Off to buy drinking water.

London England

Hello Everyone, First off, Family I do not have all your addresses! duh. I thought I could send a group mailing but it won't work, but I can answer you if you write, ok? Anyway we are safe and sound in London and heading on our way tomorrow. I can hardly wait to see the boys, and getting more excited as we go. The extra bag we are dragging is only worthwhile in that we will be able to make many kids happy with their letters and gifts from penpals! BUT IT IS HEAVY ! : ) The guys are snoring upstairs and I 'll let them for a while then we will get up and about so we can sleep tonight. The trip was great. We have been floating on your prayers. Thanks soo soo much and PLEASE don't stop! Meeting such interesting people from all over the world. God is very big and so full of love. I'll write as I can.. I love you all.

Time to Fly

While this blog was not running for several days, much else in our lives has been operating at a rapid clip. Our visas and tickets arrived, our crisp dollar bills counted and stashed, the house cleaned, suitcases packed, and dog taken to the kennel. The really fun stuff, however has been the letters and packages that have come in a steady stream from families, homeschoolers, and individuals reaching out in love to some lonely homeless children in a faraway country.

They have sent letters, toys, drawing pads and pencils, beanie babies and more. My suitcase soon was bursting over the top, til I had to fetch another, and finally send Rob dragging and bumping down the stairs the biggest one he could find in the attic.

Letters by email have come too, several a day, asking me to please hug Tolik or Alyona, pray a prayer over Nina and Dima. "Don't tell them we'd love to adopt them, but if they guess, tell them God is loving and faithful and to pray to Him."

In the middle of it all has been our wonderful, tangible miracle from Estonia. She and her husband dream with us about the kids coming. She came to know the Lord in Estonia, worked as a translator since she was 14 years grew up in Communist Estonia and felt God call her here to America when she was 18.

Our sweet college students came by tonight for well wishes and a slice of lemon chess pie and tea. Up and at 'em in the morning and hustle off to the airport. God bless us everyone!!