The Last Few Days

First for Jen. I saw Masha yesterday I told her I would bring her letters today but when I went back she was not there. They told me she and Nastia are in the Sanitarium (her word). Nastia has been there since I got here. The translator didn't seem to think it was a big deal. She said it is to help their health and get a rest. Whatever that means. I will try to give it to them when I see them next. My girls know we have a letter for them so they will help us find them. Masha has been really sweet and always gives me a big Hello as she walks by with her friends.

For Ann, we saw Katya today. We gave her the package and told her that you loved her and missed her. We asked her if she wanted to tell you something and she said she did. She said, "Tell them I love them and miss them very much."



Leslie - Julia was so cute today after you talked to her on the phone. She followed us around and kept talking to me and giving me hugs and high fives. She was so happy. She asked what time in America and she laughed with her friends when we told her. She is very excited you are coming for her. It is funny she wants skirts. Sounds like you'll have to do some shopping. It was good to talk to you on the phone. She shared her treats and toys from the circus with all the other kids. She is a sweetheart.

Yesterday we visited Sveta's brother in the orpanage. He told us he does not want to come to America and be adopted. He doesn't remember Sveta because they haven't seen each other since Sveta was three. We told him we loved Sveta and wanted her to be in our family. He said he was o.k. with her being adopted. We asked him if he wanted to see Sveta and he said he did, so when the whole process is over we are going to take her to his orphanage so they can meet. He is her half brother. This is a good thing for us as far as adopting Sveta. We were really happy that he was willing to write a letter saying he is o.k. with us adoptintg her. It increases our chances quite a bit. We will have to wait and see what the SDA and the court decide. We got his address and told him we would keep in touch and that he can come visit her in the U.S. if he ever decides.

Today we spent the day with the girls. We walked around the city and then we went to the circus. Yes the circus. It was very interesting and it was actually in a tent in the park, just as I imagine from some old movie. For those of you who follow Wendy's blog I told her she was in charge of blogging about the circus. I told her I would have to cut and paste hers in to mine for my friends and family. She has the best sense of humor. Amy G you could make a million good jokes out of the circus. Too bad you weren't there. I would have loved to have seen your reaction. Our translator Masha in the red scarf and our friend Wendy talking to her. Also a few kids from the orphanage.

Wendy has been great to us. She is so cute with her son and she has been a life saver. I told her today she was beautiful. It is funny how her bright countenance stands out here in the Ukraine. We are the lucky ones to be here with her, sorry to the rest of you who are coming later.


The girls are so affectionate, they love to give us hugs non stop and cuddle with us.
Can I just say I am so happy. My heart is full. I am filled with gratitude. How blessed I feel to have these girls in my life.

My Girls!

We sat in a room waiting and Jeff kept asking me if I was nervous.  I was, I wasn't sure how the girls were going to react.  The director told us the girls were waiting outside the door shaking with aniticipation.   We were all waiting for the social workers to be present for us to see each other.  Finally, the social worker arrived, they opened the door and Lena came in first.   Her face lit up and she smiled a smile of pure joy.  She ran and threw her arms around me.   In that moment all doubt was erased from my heart and I knew she wanted this as much as we did.   She then ran to Jeff and gave him a huge hug too.   Sveta also gave us both hugs, she was a little shy as she doesn't know us very well but you could see on her face that she was excited and happy.   We were in a room with their teachers, the social worker, the attorney and the orphanage director.  The girls were intimidated to say the least but they kept looking at us and smiling.  It was so cute.  They had to write a letter saying they wanted to be adopted by us.  The teachers took a minute and told us about the girls and let us ask any questions.   Lena's teacher said that after returning from the U.S. she told every one about us and has been waiting anxiously to return to our home.   Sveta's teachers cried and said she is going to miss her.  It was nice to know that she is loved here.  

After our meeting we were able to spend time with the girls.  They would not let us out of their sight.  They took us and showed us to all their friends and they held our hands and hugged us non stop.  We walked to the store the four of us hand in hand.  Lena kept looking up at me and smiling.  She told me several times in Russian that she loved me.   Sveta loved Jeff and grabbed his hand and mine every time we walked anywhere.  They kept saying their name with our last name and laughing they were so happy.  Lena Rast and Sveta Rast and then they would look at me to make sure they were saying it right.  They feel like mine, it is a feeling I have never felt before.  We are still not sure what will happen with Sveta, bit I can't bare the thought of leaving her behind.  Keep us in your prayers.   

The girls were sweet and full of love.  The time went by so fast.  We had to leave too soon and I miss them all ready.  

Tomorrow we have to go to the orphanage that Sveta's brother is in which is two hours away, so we may not be able to see the girls.  They will be disappointed, they kept asking us what time we would be coming back tomorrow.  Something happened to my heart today and I am sure it will never be the same.  Is this how it feels to be a mother? 

Going to See the Girls

We found out we are going to see the girls. I am so excited. I will finally get to see them tomorrow.

We had a great day to day. We had a fun translator with us. She and I got along really well. We had our two appointments, finished all the paperwork and then went sightseeing the rest of the day. I am getting more used to this strange place so today I just enjoyed. I tried all sorts of weird food, talked to our translator all about the Ukraine and learned so much. It is crazy how blessed we are at home. Our translator would love to come to the U.S. as would many others, but they can't get a visa. I take so much for granted.

Our translator is 27 and she said her parents are giving her a hard time about waiting so long to get married. She said she thinks the women are treated badly here and she doesn't want to get married so her husband can sit on the couch and drink beer while she does all the work. Jeff and I got a kick out of that.

We visited some old Cathedrals. The people here are very religious. I had to keep Jeff in line because he kept threatening to cross himself at every entrance and kiss the pictures like they were doing.
Here is our awesome translator. We just loved her. We tried to persuade her to come visit us in America. Well I'm off to catch the night train. Ill let you know how it goes.

Leaving Kiev

We thought we were going to be in Kiev for a few days. Guess not, we got a call from our translator today and we have two appointments at the SDA this afternoon and then we are catching a night train at 11:00. We asked her where we were going and she said she didn't know. Isn't that funny? We assume we are either going to see the girls or Sveta's brother. Hopefully we will find out today. The girls are in a town about 6 hours from Kiev, but we don't know where Sveta's brother's orphanage is. I am hoping we are going to see the girls. I can't wait to see them.

I probably won't be able to blog again until we arrive wherever we are going. I'll have to let you know when we get there.

Thanks for all the comments! I love you all! Thanks for being there for me.

Our SDA appointment

We have been anxiously waiting our SDA appointment all these months and it took a total of 5 minutes. The lady asked us why we wanted to adopt Lena and we told her we loved her and wanted her to be part of our family. She then asked us about Sveta and then we left. A total of 5 or 6 minutes.

Since we have decided to try to adopt both girls we are going to be in Kiev for another two or three days. I guess we have to have a separate appointment to talk about Sveta, so we have to wait a few days for that appointment. It is crazy, wait another two days for another 5 minute appointment. They will then give us a referral to go and see the girls in the orphanage. We may not be able to see them until the end of the week. Torture I say.

We found out Sveta's 15 year old brother is in another orphanage and that we will have to go visit him. The director told us he does not want to be adopted so we just have to get to know him and have him sign a document that says he is o.k. being separated from his sister. They are in different orphanages and don't really even know each other. If he happens to say no then the adoption of Sveta will be a no go. I was nervous about the idea of two at first but now am really hoping that it goes through.

Our translator here in Kiev told me he was the one who talked to Sveta about being adopted by us. He said she was so happy and ran around the whole orphanage telling all of the kids that her family was coming to get her.

After our appointment I got Jeff to go jogging with me in the park. I am hoping to be able to stay in shape enough to do my triathlon when I get home. I can see it is going to be a challenge.

The people here walk everywhere and the park was full of people and little stands to buy stuff. Jeff is in awe of how the people dress. They are always dressed up and these women walk everywhere in these huge heals. We must fit in o.k., despite our casual dress, because everyone talks to us in Russian then when we don't respond they say oh Americanas. Jeff says he is going to stop people tomorrow and get pictures. That should be entertaining. I'll be sure and post them. I thought the girls had funny hair because they were in the orphanage but not so, a lot of girls here have hair like that.

We had a lot of fun in the grocery store today. We looked at all the boxes and cans and tried to guess what was inside. As part of my goal to take on the cultural I have decided to try as many things as possible. We bought a few interesting things I'll let you know how it goes.

We don't have an appointment until Wednesday so tomorrow will be just another day hanging out in Kiev.

Here are a few pictures of our apartment, Also a picture of our elevator. After one ride in the small elevator Jeff and I decided we would prefer the stairs even though we live on the 5th floor. If that gives you any idea.


You can thank Jeff for all the great photos. Many of you know how much I hate taking pictures. Jeff has gone above and beyond and we even have pictures of the plugs if anyone is interested? LOL! I sure love him!

Thanks for all the comments. I feel so alone here in this foreign world with only one person who understands me. It is the highlight of my day to hear from all of you. You might get bored after 5 weeks of this but I sure appreciate it!

Oh Amy S. I got blisters on my toe and had to use the Dora band aids you gave me. They are the bomb!

Until tomorrow..

Kiev

We are here! We made it to Kiev. I had forgotten how it is to go to a foreign country where everything is strange - the food, the smells, the sounds, and everything around me. Our translator picked us up at the airport and after giving us a crazy ride across town dropped us off at our apartment. We dropped our stuff off and then went to exchange some money buy a cell phone and get some dinner. All of this sounds rather normal, but wow! Can I just say wow! I can’t even begin to describe everything that assaulted my senses today.

When we finally decided to get something to eat , I was starving. Our translator took us to a place which was like a big buffet, normally this would have been great - lots of options. There were many things to eat but none of it was familiar. The little signs next to the options didn’t help either as they were in Russian. I tried my best to choose things and guess at their taste. I was wrong and surprised on all accounts.

Our translator gave us a brief tour of the necessities ; a few restaurants and a small grocery store. Grocery store is really stretching it (A very small room with a cash register with items packaged in a way to make them unidentifiable to an American.)

After getting back to our apartment, brushing my teeth with bottled water and showering in brown water (hey at least it was hot) I thought to myself. What am I doing? I wondered to myself how I was going to survive the next 5 weeks.

I remembered feeling this way when I went on my mission to the Philippines. I remembered my first night there thinking, why did I do this? A year and a half seemed a million years away, tonight, five weeks seemed an eternity in this strange place. I remembered deciding on my mission to put aside my fears and despairing thoughts and to love the people and the country and become one of them. I did. I ate everything and did everything they said Americans would never do. As a result, I gained a great love for that land and people.

Tonight , I made that same decision here in the Ukraine. Someday, my Lena may not remember very well where she was from, she may wonder about the country and the people of which she is a part. When that day comes , I want to be able to tell her that I loved the Ukraine and its people and I want to be able to tell her about all the beautiful and good. I want to be able to tell her and her children someday everything I loved about this place. I can’t do this unless, I forget for the next 5 weeks that I am a spoiled American and emerge myself in their culture.

It will be a challenge, but I am going to take it on. So everyone hold me to it. Don’t let me complain and help me remember why I am here.

Tomorrow we meet with the SDA. We will find out then when we will be able to see Lena. I can’t wait to give her a huge hug and see that beautiful smile again.

So Far so good

Sunday April 5, 2009

We made it to Germany! It is 8:00 a.m. here in Germany but midnight in Utah. Our 8 hour flight was great for me. I took the sleeping pill Mary gave me so I fell asleep in Chicago and woke up in Germany.

We met a Russian lady on our flight in Chicago. She needed help but no one could understand her. Jeff being the helpful man that he is pulled out our fun Russian dictionary and between that and charades we made friends. Jeff and I laughed and remembered how it was to have two Russian speaking girls in our home. We were reminded how much fun we are going to have for the next few months with charades and our dictionary.




Our Russian friend is here in the German airport with us. She speaks to us like we can understand. We just nod and try our best to get any part of her meaning. Oh Boy this is going to be fun!

We will arrive in Kiev at 2:00 p.m. today. The closer I get to the Ukraine the more anxious I get to see Lena. It is the bright spot in all of this.

I am going to miss everyone at home. You have all been wonderful. I am blessed beyond words to have such fabulous and caring friends. I have been touched and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and service that have come my way.

Amy Spears, my Russian friend saw my picture of London and thought she was so cute. She thought she was mine and of course I didn't know how to explain otherwise. I would claim her anyday. Thanks again for the care package. I have been using all the stuff you gave me and enjoying it very much.

Jeff and I were going to miss Dona's daughter Eli so much that we tried to bring her with us, but her feet wouldn't fit.