Thursday morning we completed the last of the necessary signatures and approvals. We had to get some final documents notarized and then we met with the Vice Mayor and she briefly interviewed us about the children and us and gave us the final approval. We then had to go by the inspector's office again where Sasha had to meet with another official (who had been away to Kiev) who had to grant final approval for the adoption. For now, our part is complete, while Sasha will have to go to Ismail to gather the children's official birth certificates and handle other official paperwork between now and the court hearing (likely sometime around the 23rd or 25th - not sure of the date yet.)
One thing that has amazed me about this process is that although many of the processes are computerized, we have had to sign at least 3 times our official signatures, passport information into a handwritten journal!
Natasha's mom hospitality
Since we were free for awhile, rather than spend $60 a day for a small apartment in Bilgorod, we decided to take a train to Donetsk region and then travel to visit Diana's sister's family and her parents who live in a separate house on their property. We left about 2:30 pm on Thursday on a 16 hour train ride from Odessa to the Donetsk region. That is, after a 2 hour van ride over bumpy and potholed roads and then another hour after the train ride to Druzhkovka. I didn't think I was that particularly tall, but try riding/sleeping in a berth meant for people about 3-4 inches shorter than myself! I may have gotten 6-7 hours a sleep, but unfortunately, none of the hours were consecutive!
Finally sitting in my sister-in-law's house, I have a chance to write a few thoughts. Being in a foreign land where I am now the foreigner reinforces an idea of how little ultimate control we have. In our own little corner of the world, we feel we have control over everything in our little realm, but put us into a different corner, we can be totally helpless. Sometimes I feel that way with God. If I don't read his Word or pray to him earnestly (which I often fail at), then we might as well be talking different languages. He may be speaking, but we may not be attuned to it. It is an uncomfortable position to be in. On a more human level, it is frustrating not to really be able to talk to my kids and really try to understand them. I need to go home, get out my Rosetta Stone and learn Russian so I can speak to them. The same goes for my spiritual Rosetta Stone, the Bible so I can get on the same wavelength again as God. Nothing like cold reality to slap you in the face!
On a more positive side, I am also reminded of the grace extended to us while we have been here. While in Bilhorod, we had a chance to meet up with Diana's sister-in-law's mother. We took a bus out to meet her and she graciously opened her home and provided a nice meal for us. She and her new husband were a nice Christian family, and even though we couldn't communicate directly, I felt more than welcomed.
Finally, an unexpected blessing came from the opportunity to stay in my sister-in-law's home. They have 6 children. I was welcomed by all, but was surprised about how quickly the two youngest daughters (7 and 9, I believe) warmed to me. They seemed to genuinely enjoy having me there, including me in their games, even though I had not seen them in probably three years and having to deal with a language barrier. Only if we all could come to God with the innocence of children.
One thing that has amazed me about this process is that although many of the processes are computerized, we have had to sign at least 3 times our official signatures, passport information into a handwritten journal!
Natasha's mom hospitality
Since we were free for awhile, rather than spend $60 a day for a small apartment in Bilgorod, we decided to take a train to Donetsk region and then travel to visit Diana's sister's family and her parents who live in a separate house on their property. We left about 2:30 pm on Thursday on a 16 hour train ride from Odessa to the Donetsk region. That is, after a 2 hour van ride over bumpy and potholed roads and then another hour after the train ride to Druzhkovka. I didn't think I was that particularly tall, but try riding/sleeping in a berth meant for people about 3-4 inches shorter than myself! I may have gotten 6-7 hours a sleep, but unfortunately, none of the hours were consecutive!
Finally sitting in my sister-in-law's house, I have a chance to write a few thoughts. Being in a foreign land where I am now the foreigner reinforces an idea of how little ultimate control we have. In our own little corner of the world, we feel we have control over everything in our little realm, but put us into a different corner, we can be totally helpless. Sometimes I feel that way with God. If I don't read his Word or pray to him earnestly (which I often fail at), then we might as well be talking different languages. He may be speaking, but we may not be attuned to it. It is an uncomfortable position to be in. On a more human level, it is frustrating not to really be able to talk to my kids and really try to understand them. I need to go home, get out my Rosetta Stone and learn Russian so I can speak to them. The same goes for my spiritual Rosetta Stone, the Bible so I can get on the same wavelength again as God. Nothing like cold reality to slap you in the face!
On a more positive side, I am also reminded of the grace extended to us while we have been here. While in Bilhorod, we had a chance to meet up with Diana's sister-in-law's mother. We took a bus out to meet her and she graciously opened her home and provided a nice meal for us. She and her new husband were a nice Christian family, and even though we couldn't communicate directly, I felt more than welcomed.
Finally, an unexpected blessing came from the opportunity to stay in my sister-in-law's home. They have 6 children. I was welcomed by all, but was surprised about how quickly the two youngest daughters (7 and 9, I believe) warmed to me. They seemed to genuinely enjoy having me there, including me in their games, even though I had not seen them in probably three years and having to deal with a language barrier. Only if we all could come to God with the innocence of children.
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