There are many things that happened today that we cannot write about on a public blog, and they are all hilarious. If you want the details, please email us or facebook Ande. We'll sum it up by saying that if we did not have Nina, we would not have a court date. She is very well-connected, and she really cares about these kids. So....we are going to court next Tuesday, December 9th. This is perfect timing for us. We will work on new birth certificate next Wednesday, then take the train back to Kiev Thursday night. On Friday, Paula has to sign papers at Embassy so she doesn't have to return in January. And then we fly out on December 15th.
Ande typing here- I was particularly impressed with the courthouse here. I have never seen so much crammed into a Soviet-era building. We have a lot to learn from them in America. I mean, there is no room for boredom. They thought of everything to make it a one stop shop for getting a kid. If you didn't bring enough money to...uh, well, you know, there is a bank on the 1st floor. If the judge doesn't like my haircut, well I can go down to the barber shop and get that handled. If the proceedings go too long, do not worry, there is a cafe with a plethora of snacks. When the proceedings are over, run down to the flower shop and buy some flowers. There is even a shop to buy school supplies.
Tomorrow we will be going with our translator Yana to her English class. She asked us to come and help teach. This is so weird for us. Let me explain- it's as if life has now come full circle. We met teaching English classes in the former USSR (Kazakhstan) to Russian-speaking teenagers. Now, 15 years later, we are back in the former USSR teaching English classes again. God has such a sense of humor. And we are amazed how he gave us a heart for Soviet-region children back then, and now we are here adopting our second child in a year. God's heart definitely is with these precious children that we call orphans. Praise Him that He has not left us as orphans but has adopted us into His family by His grace.
By the way, please be praying for our friends the Williams who are here trying to adopt a 15 year old boy that also came to America with Dasha in 2005. Their judge is awful, and she refused to have court yesterday. They have already been here 2 months. She told them to come back for court on Dec. 16th. They are heartbroken! Pray for peace and God's perfect will to be done.
Thanks for al the prayers!
Ande & Paula
4 comments:
Hey Paula and Ande,
We know you guys from church although I don't know that we have met formally (you sat in front of us in church a few weeks ago). We are following your adoption journey and wanted you to know that you are in our prayers. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you here.
JT and Sheryl Turner
Hey :) also wanted you to know that if you are looking for nice gifts that are not going to kill your wallet there is a store run by I think some Catholic ladies. Sweet ladies. :) If you are standing in front of Intourist, to your left you see the Pizza place that by now you have likely found to be another fun place to eat if you are down that way... if you have not tried it they have way good pizza :) and it is on the way down the hill to the Billa so it is "on the way" to someplace ;) Anyway, to the left of said pizza place is a mini mall... if you go into the mini mall in the beauty supply side, you walk to your left go a little ways past phone place and you will see steps, down the steps on the left is the stall for the fun things to bring home. MUCH CHEAPER THAN KIEV and JUST AS LOVELY for memories for your kids. We got them Christmas ornaments and they are a huge hit when they put them on their tree this year. :)
ALSO... if you stand in front of Intourist look across the street from the park. There is a place you can go in and it is the post office if you want to mail anything "old fashion" :) back home. Go inside, up the steps, through double doors, and go to one of the first 3 windows on your right. :) Again... D can help you and it will be a cool feeling for her to know that she can mail things and things can be mailed back. It helped set Anna's mind at ease when she went in and saw how it really works :)
Just more random stuff :) hope it helps!
Hey Paula and Ande, We miss all of you. We are happy to be able to keep up with the blog and see the pics. D. looks wonderful. I am glad it is going well. We are praying for you and the Williams family. They have had such a hard time. We have been sick since you left! But we really identified more with the Pilgrims because of it. And we are thankful to be nearly well now! Hugs to you all. Love, Karen
Yay for a court date! :). What a relief to have that one nailed down (hopefully).
We can't wait to meet your new addition!
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