Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Routine in a Foreign Place



Hi, all-
We are settling into a routine of sorts here. Our body clocks still haven't totally adjusted to the time change, so we end up staying up quite late and rising later in the morning. Staying up late allows us to Skype our family back home and that is worth it. Rising late, we often skip breakfast and take an early lunch before heading to the internot. We've become quite comfortable with the bus system here (thanks Michelle, Sean and Tracey). Using the bus system gives us a bit more wiggle room in coming and going and it feels good to be able to navigate through the city on our own.

We arrive at the internot midday and play games with the children, walk the premises, pose for silly photos with the camera, and do crafts when Michelle comes. After several hours, we make our way back "home" and try to decide on what we will do for supper. Jeri has been great to loan us movies to watch. Oddly, its comforting to be able to hear extended English conversation. After a week and a half, we feel at ease here. Our hearts are knit to these kids and this place. So much so, we are considering what lies ahead for us. Our first thought is always, "How can we possibly afford to adopt one or two more?" The response is always, "How did we afford the first one?" We are trusting God for great clarity. It looks like we will have court at the beginning of next week. Comparitively, our time here has flown by and things have fallen in place in a remarkable way. Robert and I will come home immediately following court. When the waiting period is up (roughly 2 weeks), I will come back to Ukraine alone and navigate the final leg of the adoption by myself. It will be more cost effective for our family to break the trip up like this.

We are so thrilled to hear from a number of other families by comments and emails. You're words have encouraged us. We're glad to be on this journey together! Pray for us as we complete the next portion of the adoption. Pray that the issue with Kristina's father will be resolved tomorrow. Pray for us as we seek to know God's will concerning other children for our family.

12 comments:

Nataliya said...

I was wondering whether the paperwork for SDA was done on Monday, so I guess it was done if you are hoping for the court early next week! I keep my fingers and toes crossed for the court and for the issue with Kristina's bio father.

It's nice to hear that you feel at ease in Odessa! It makes your stay in a foreign country much easier!

Jim H. said...

Nastia and I just looked at all your great pictures together. She wants you to say hi to her friend Masha Tsupina (11th grade)if possible. I'm so glad that you're in the groove. I see that ya'll found my favorite hotdog stand.

Is that girl with Kristina your daughter? She's adorable too.

Ashley said...

I will pray for what God has in store for you. I know many children just capture your heart and I will pray that God will reveal to you what He wants you to do regarding this. It looks like Grisha has been making his appearance pretty scarce since you've been there. Usually he is hanging around Marat, but I have not seen him a lot recently so I hope everything is alright with him. Have a great day!

Debora Hoffmann said...

Leslie, Robert, and Kristina (and all the other kids), privyet! My husband and I will be praying for court and the issue with Kristina's father. I'm so glad we can be holding you up in prayer.

We have fallen in love with the kids you've captured in your photos and posts. I do think God is leading us to be advocates for these children as well as adoptive parents. We hope to be able to take a mission trip to #4 someday, possibly host a child or two, adopt some of the very ones you've pictured, and pray for and love on them as much as we can. Lyena and Seroge have especially endeared themselves to us.

I understand about your wanting to possibly adopt more of them--they are all so precious! We'll have to chat when you get home; I'm glad you've gone before us and that we can learn from you. Thanks for showing us your heart for the children and the people of Ukraine.

Big hugs from way out here in Colorado!
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Hey orange slice. I am missing u terribly and praying for u daily. We'll have to have a huge party when you all come home. I miss u darlin'!! Love always Pineapple

Pam DeFrees said...

For those who have mentioned coming to the Ukraine on a mission trip, I just wanted to give you a web page to the organization that our school (San Antonio Christian School) goes to. We minister to Internot 4 and 5 kids who are actually at a camp while we are there. www.harvestinternational.org is the web page and this is who Lela ministers with. Our web page from our last trip is www.PassionForUkraine.com and it gives a little idea of what it's like being there with the kids and getting to show Jesus' love to them.
Once you are there-you're hooked!
You're messed up (but in a good way).
(Hi Kristina!!!!)

Zack, Jenn and William said...

Glad all is going well and that you're settling in! I continue to pray for you and your journey.

The O'Haras said...

Leslie and Robert we continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers, knowing almost intimately what you are going through as it is so fresh and vivid for us. Of course the Lord will clear up the issues with the bio father and court will be smooth. Natasha was able to work wonders for us and she has a special place in our heart and family. The girls and us both miss her. Treat her well, pray for and with her. Our hopes and prayers is that through christian families working with her that she will turn the agnostic heart into a God loving and believing one. Blessings and mercy upon you as you are away from your kids...great pictures, I feel like I know exactly where you are ;)

Kathy and Matt said...

Thank you for your continued updates. We will pray that your court date takes place as you plan and you have a safe trip home while you wait.
We're trying to decide now if we should do the same (come home after court during the witing period). I guess we'll see when we're there in January.

Kelly said...

Leslie, praying for you that things will go smoothly with Kristina's bio-father. God has brought all of you this far, and He won't leave you now!!!!!!!!!!!! I look forward to reading your entries every day, even on vacation in Hawaii!!!! - Kelly

Kimbell and Mark said...

i can relate to so much you are saying. We were so excited to get Anastasia home but cried and cried over the kids we had to leave behind. We also enjoyed listening to English spoken - and watched a whole season of Friends (my husband said he knew he was desparate to hear English since he actually enjoyed watching it) and 2 seasons of Arrested Development!!! Enjoy your time with the kids. We made the mistake of taking our computer to orphanage to show videos of home - then they always wanted to use it to play video games or watch movies, but we also did play a lot of uno, connect 4, thumb wars, rock/paper/scissors . . .
Have fun!

Zack, Jenn and William said...

Hey Leslie - just curious... does the time change in Ukraine this weekend like it does here in the states?