Quiet Day

Ty and I have had a quiet day here in our apartment.  We did go out grocery shopping with Grandfather, Sasha and Natasha (housemom for Sasha) this morning for the New Year's eve celebration.

Here is a Costco or Sam's type store that we shopped in.

 

Here are some fish waiting to be eaten.

New Year's Eve is a bigger celebration than even Christmas here.  Here is an explanation that I found online: 


Christmas in Ukraine is celebrated January 7 according to the Gregorian calendar as in most of other Orthodox Christian countries.

During the Soviet time it was not officially celebrated in Ukraine. Instead communist government tried to substitute Christmas with the holiday of New Year. But people did not forget their traditions. After gaining it’s independence in 1991 Ukraine started to celebrate Christmas officially as well.

We will be cooking and preparing food tomorrow together with Katya and Mariana's "Father's House Family."

Mariana went off to visit with her Mom in Kyiv and Katya and Sasha went off to do some Christmas shopping.

So Ty and I have just done some reading, blogging, emails, eating, push-ups, and probably a movie is in our near future. Tonight we hope to play another fun game of volleyball with some of the staff and kids here at Father's House.

Paperwork was hopefully submitted today so that we will get a court date in the not so distant future.

Fun in Kyiv!

A DAY CAUGHT IN PICTURES!

Sasha, Katya, Mariana and Michelle ready to spend the day in Kyiv.

Boarding the Marshruka where even when it is full at least another 17 people can get on... then one more.

After a longish bus ride we head to the Metro where personal space is never an option.

This is not a typical picture as usually it is much more crowded.

At a mall called Dream Town, complete with roller and ice skating rinks, arcade, movie theater, water park, bowling alley, great stores and restaurants.

Oh yes, and a shooting gallery.

Standing among giants.

In front of the city.

Being silly in the park...

... and sillier.

At a water museum.

Bubbles...

... and more bubbles.

A great and memorable day!

SDA Appointment Take 2!

Today was our SDA (State Department of Adoptions) appointment Take 2!  It took all of 10 minutes and was a success!!!  We were shown the files of Katya and Mariana but of course being that they are in Russian we cannot read them so the social worker gave us about a 2 minute synopsis for each girl and then we signed a paper saying that these were the two girls that we wanted to adopt.  And that was it!
Yup we waited a whole week for this :)

Here Ty and I are having a celebratory cup of coffee and almond danish.

                            

Then we did some sightseeing as we waited for some new friends to meet us.

St. Sophia's Cathedral, downtown Kyiv.

St. Sophia's Square

We have been very blessed on this trip to meet many other Americans.  Until you have been in another country you can't appreciate how great it is to be able to "hang out" with families who speak your language!  One such family that we have met are here on their third Ukraine adoption!  They are soon to be a family of 8 just like us...  AND they will have 2 boys and 4 girls, just like us!  

We met up in Kyiv and had much to share with each other over a very nice Ukrainian meal.  

For all my friends who always post pictures of their meals on Face Book, I thought of you when I took these pictures.

Here was Ty's bacon wrapped stuffed chicken with grilled vegetables. (I snagged a few veggies before the pic)

I enjoyed zucchini pancakes... for those who know me, this definitely was not enough.  (The picture on the menu looked much bigger).

After dinner we walked around the city a bit and visited some more.  It was a wonderful afternoon!  

Then we made the trip back home.  We are staying in Pertrivske, so that we can be close to the girls.  After we got back we called them and we were able to hang out in their home and spend time speaking with their wonderful grandmother (she is actually their housemom... but they call her grandmother).

We have not been able to post everything in detail for reasons that I cannot explain here but we have had many great visits and some fun times with the girls.  

I believe it is fitting to end this post with a picture of our beautiful Mariana and Katya.

Kyiv and Pertrivske

Well one week and one day has passed for us here in Ukraine.  Although we have not been at liberty to post all that has happened we are happy to report that everything is progressing forward, be it at the ever-so-slow Ukrainian way.  We hope soon to be able to share all of the progress here on our blog but for the meantime we wanted to show you some of the sights and sounds of the beautiful but complex city of Kyiv.  

I guess as most modern cities go there are many great contrasts all blended together.  Ty and I have found this to be true of Kyiv.  The center is as busy as any large city in the US, with people from all walks of life in a hurry to get somewhere.  It is a place that boasts some great wealth as evidenced by luxury cars such as Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and an occasional Bentley.  The people are beautiful by anyone's standards and many dress with runway style and it's accompanying expense.

However, alongside the financially fortunate are many who struggle to make ends meet in a country that has been hit harshly by the failing world economy.  You may wonder how that is any different than what we are facing in America, and especially the big cities.  For sure there are people suffering all around the globe.  I guess the difference with Ukraine as compared to America is that they already suffered under a severely poor and inadequate infrastructure, resulting in a downward spiral that may be considered much worse than what we face in the US.

Here Ty and I stand in front of the city on a typically cloudy and grey day.

A larger than life display at a mall called "Dream Town".  Just as nice as any mall you would find in the US.

Apartment complexes that are located right outside the mall.  The pictures make them look nicer.

Pertrivske

Pertrivske is the small village just outside of Kyiv where in early 1996 Father's House was opened.  It's aim was to help the government to assist in saving a generation of homeless children.  It continues today to accomplish much for many children, who, through no fault of their own, find themselves on the street.  The staff at Father's House daily face intimidating circumstances and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, but by Faith and Self-less love continue on in the hope of always helping one more child.

The inviting Center at Father's House

The streets of Pertivske

On the Homefront!

Being across the world at this time of year is certainly challenging and this morning I woke up a little sad that we will not be home to celebrate Christmas with our family.  Back when we were thinking about this trip the ONLY time that I did not want to travel was Christmas.  But as we all know things do not always go the way we want.  All that being said, things are made about a ZILLION times easier by knowing that my kids are in GREAT hands and having a blast.

Family has rearranged their entire lives to help make, not only Christmas special and new, (we will be celebrating our "normal" Christmas traditions when we get home) but also to just manage the day to day household of 4 kids, (plus one more), 2 dogs, (plus one more), a turtle, and several fish and all the laundry and meals that go with all of them.

I have been blessed with amazing family all around me!  I am not sure if being away from them magnifies that more or if being around children that don't have that magnifies it more.  In any case we are acutely aware of the immeasurable blessing of OUR FAMILY!

SUCCESS!

Our missing document was signed!!!  Yay!  Now our appointment next week should go more smoothly. Thanks for all the prayers.

Our apartment at the moment is located in a very pretty part of downtown Kyiv.  Ty and I took a very brisk walk late in the afternoon... lot's of Christmas celebrations going on.  Lots of people out and about despite the ZERO degree temps.

  Here's Ty in front of one of the humongous TV screens located on a building.

The guy on the screen is the famous European World boxing champion, Klitschko.  Incidentally, he is running for mayor of Kyiv.

Here's Ty in front of a PRETTY flower... awwww!

Here's me in front of a 100 ft. Christmas tree.

The white lights are 3ft. LCD screens.

Here's me holding a 100 ft. Christmas tree in my hands... pretty strong huh!

So we got a lot of time on our hands :)

SDA Appointment

St. Katherine's Cathedral... near where our appt. would take place.

My day started at the early morning hour of  5am. Although not really wanting to get up that early, my mind -which apparently is still in the US eastern time zone - was racing.  So I quietly picked up the laptop and headed to our little kitchenette so as not to wake up my sleeping-like-a-baby husband.  I had several emails waiting for me.  One of these was from my daughter, Makenzie, sharing all the details of the day and sharing a verse that she had been meditating on.  It comes from Ephesians 4:1-2


I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ²with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.


Immediately I felt that perhaps I needed to spend some time praying about it and thinking of how it applies to me right now.  The part that jumps out to me each time I read it is... "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called."  Little did I know that in several hours the verse was going to be put into practice.

Ty and I in front of SDA building.

Today at 9am was the appointment that we had to fly across the world for.  It was the appointment that we were to go to the SDA (govt. office that handles all adoptions) and receive our referral of the girls that would begin the legal process of adoption.  Unfortunately, through no fault of our own, a piece of the necessary paperwork has yet to be signed.  So we were NOT able to have our appointment but was reassigned a new one.  Our hope was that it would be a day or two later, however it is not until next Wednesday, Dec. 28th.  And we have been told that "hopefully" all the paperwork will be in at that point.


What?  
Hopefully?  
You mean that we cannot get ANYTHING accomplished between now and then?  
And I actually could have been home at Christmas with my family?  
Will we have to be here even longer than we anticipated?  
Why does this process have to ALWAYS be so complicated?  
Doesn't the person who needs to sign this document realize that we don't have unlimited funds?  


These were all the thoughts jumping around in my head as I processed through this new information.

We got back to our apartment and Ty asked, "what are you thinking Babe?  Not really the news we wanted was it?"

To be honest I was not really sure how I felt.  Certainly my natural tendency is to be frustrated and maybe even angry with the system, which in most cases would mean a good cry would be in order.  But the verse has come back to my mind several times "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called".


Ok so what is that going to look like?  
Well I guess it means that despite the circumstances I am going to have peace... 
Peace that God is Sovereign and once again a remembrance that He is in control of this (not government authorities).  
Peace that there is a reason that we are here that perhaps goes beyond anything we can wrap our brains around.  
And peace that He will work out all things according to our good.  
Basically a peace that surpasses ALL understanding, including my own.


Will it be easy... of course not.  In fact it will more than likely require a day-by-day, moment-by-moment surrendering of my own will.  And for me that requires the power of the Holy Spirit...
cause on my own I fail miserably.

So for our prayer warriors out there here are some things to pray for:
That the missing document would be signed ASAP and at the latest next Mon. evening.
That Ty and I might be able to arrange some cheaper living accommodations, closer to the girls.
That God would continue to help Ty and I to see people and circumstances through His eyes.

NOW...
I need to end on a more positive note.  So I will share a picture of my beautiful niece.
Her story reminds me that although these journeys are never easy they are SO MUCH MORE than worth it in the end!

Hearing from you all brightens our day... leave us a comment!

   

Privet iz Kieva!

For all of my non-Russian speaking friends and family that means Hello from Kyiv!
We arrived safely and fairly easily yesterday afternoon around 1:30pm Kyiv time (we are seven hours ahead of US eastern time).  Our three flights were not too difficult.  The longest leg was from Pennsylvania to Frankfurt and lasted 6 and half hours but total flying time was about 11 1/2 hours.

By the way, for those of you who know me well, 30 minutes in the car is about all I can stand but amazingly enough I made it through and didn't even get grumpy with Ty one time :)

Here is a picture as we were coming into Ukraine.  It is of a river called, Dnieper and is the largest river in all of Ukraine.  It flows out to the Black Sea.

We are in an apartment in downtown, Kyiv.  Kyiv is a city with great character.  Some of the buildings and churches were built in the 10th century and then some were built during the Soviet era and then of course some were built in more modern times.  There are about 4 million people here and the traffic definitely reflects that.  Here is the view from our window early this morning before things got busy.

Our apartment is clean and neat and we have wireless internet.  WooHoo!  The last time we were in Ukraine for our first adoption we had to go to an internet cafe to be able to get emails, blog etc.  So the wireless is very much appreciated.
For all you technical junkies out there, here is a pic right outside our apartment door of what I can only assume makes it possible for us to have wireless :)

Here is our room.  Incidentally, I have a similar picture from our first adoption over 5 years ago... me standing in our apartment with a white shirt and jeans on... never imagined back then that I would be taking another shot like that again!

This visit to Ukraine already feels very different from our first time.  When we adopted Nicholas, Ty and I felt very isolated and much like aliens in a foreign land.
This time God has sent us some angels... who speak English!
I was first introduced to Leigh and Greg many months ago from some good friends Michelle and David Kirk.  In fact it was Leigh who sent the Kirk family the first pictures of the girls that caused us to start praying about God's will for us and them.
I could tell early on that Leigh and Greg have huge hearts for orphans and for the families adopting them.  They were so helpful in getting us ready to come here via email correspondence and FB.  But since we have been here their thoughtfulness and kindness has been immeasurable... when we arrived they had a box of food and pots and pans etc. waiting for us to take to our apartment.  They then took off time from work to take us to a grocery store first thing this morning.  In addition, Greg walked to our apartment in the snowy, rainy weather to take us around the city blocks so we could know where some good restaurants and small stores are in case we need anything.  Finally he helped us to set up our Ukraine phone.
When you are in a foreign land these gestures are priceless.
Leigh and Greg are true examples of "living on mission" right where God has put you!  When I asked Leigh what her favorite part of Ukraine is she said that it was "Father's House".  Their passion for these kids shows in their daily actions.  Ty and I thank the Lord for them!

Hey did any of you Floridians catch the part about the snowy, rainy weather?  Yup!  We are getting to experience some snow in December... it's been a long time since that has happened.  Here is Ty, without a hat, in the wet snow.

One final note, please pray that our SDA appt. would not be cancelled tomorrow.  There is some paperwork that did not get where it needed to be, so there is a chance that our appt. for our referral will get postponed.  In a process that is already too long we are hoping for no delays.

Blessings,
Michelle and Ty

On Their Way!!!!

My parents are on their way to Ukraine to get my sisters and we're all very excited!! This was them when they left this morning :) We're staying with family while Mom and Dad are gone. Please keep us all in your prayers during this process. We will keep you posted on the progress of the adoption. Thanks. Kenzie