Next Steps

Yesterday around lunch time we had resigned ourselves to the possibility that we may not get the birth certificate on Tuesday, so we headed out the door to find a place for Josiah's birthday lunch.  Before we even got down the stairs, we received a call from Alex…"I'm coming to get you in 10 minutes.  The birth certificate is ready!"  You should have heard the celebrating that went on in the apartment hallway!!

Finally!  We have the illusive birth certificate.  

After picking up the BC, we headed back to the apartment to pack up for a train ride to Odessa later that afternoon.  

In the meantime, we had a birthday boy to celebrate…

Josiah wanted hamburgers and french fries for his birthday lunch and chose McDonalds.

A choice that both our stomachs did not thank us for later.  

At 4:30 we boarded an express train for Odessa.

We arrived in Odessa at 11:45pm.

Now we can begin the steps that we thought we would begin the day after we arrived in Ukraine.  Although we finally have the BC, there are several other hurdles that must be crossed before we can fly home.  Today we are meeting Svetlana to apply for Isaac's passport.  It should take 4-5 business days to get this (although, as we've learned, you never know what unexpected delays lurk around the corner).  Monday, June 29th is a holiday, so all offices will be closed.  We are hoping the passport will be completed by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.  We plan to take a bus back to Kiev on Monday.  Tuesday Isaac is supposed to get a physical, which includes a TB test which must be read 48 hours later.  Hopefully, we can do his 2 day embassy appointment on Wed. and Thursday.  If that all works out we could fly home next Friday or Saturday.

However, there is a very big problem that needs to be resolved before we'll be able to get Isaac's visa from the US embassy.  About 2 weeks ago the US embassies experience a world wide glitch in their computer system.  They have not been able to fix this as of today.  So no one has been able to obtain visas.  Alex told us yesterday that even if we had been able to get the birth certificate sooner, we would still be stuck here because of this problem.  The US embassy is continuing to accept petitioners, so a very large back log of people waiting has been created.  I don't know when they will fix their computer system or when we might be able to get an embassy appointment.  Please pray that this problem can be resolved soon for the sake of so many families.  This even effects the children who are being hosted by orphan hosting organizations this summer.  They are scheduled to fly out next week, but will be unable to do so if they can't obtain their visas.

So the battle is not over yet.  Please keep praying!!

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning - Ps. 30:5

Even though it's past 11pm here in Ukraine, I couldn't go to sleep tonight without taking a few minutes to update you all.  First and foremost my heart is overwhelmed at the encouragement from friends and family today.  Thank you, dear ones for taking time to share a word or encouragement and for carrying us to the Father in prayer.  The enemy worked doubly hard yesterday to steal my joy and plant seeds of doubt and discouragement.  I know that it is a direct result of so many praying that tonight, although circumstance have not changed much, my heart is at rest.  Once again I am trusting my Savior, joy has been restored.

Jim spoke with David Wiggins this morning, on the Costa Rica team and found out that Ashley was switched to a stronger antibiotic at the hospital last night.  She could not keep the first dose down, but since then has tolerated two more doses.  When they spoke, she was back at their lodging place and sleeping.  David's wife, Lisa, was staying with Ashley today as the rest of the team headed out to do VBS.  I hope to hear an update soon on how she is feeling.  Apparently, there is a good American hospital there that they took her to, so I was relieved to hear that.  Please pray that as she heals, she will be able to trust God's timing for this illness on her trip and offer "a sacrifice of praise."

Today, I met 3 other adopting moms and their children to go to church.  Church was all in Ukrainian, but one of the moms had a missionary friend there who sat with us and interpreted.  We attended the youth service of this large church (it actually wasn't a Calvary Chapel) and Josiah and Isaac enjoyed it.
After church we went to Dominoe's for lunch.  Yes!  Dominoe's Pizza!  Right here in Ukraine!

Each of these moms are adopting two children each.  It was a great encouragement to me to spend time with other adopting parents and realize we share a lot of the same struggles in dealing with Ukraine.  I also realized, that while Isaac has his challenges…I have A LOT to be thankful for.

Later, my new friend, Monique, and I went to a large mall that has roller skating, ice skating, bumper cars, bowling, and an arcade.  The boys loved it!

Today I was made deeply aware of the work God is doing in the heart of my boys.  Josiah said to me at one point, "Mom, we really have a lot to be thankful for about being here."  I asked him to tell me what those things were.  He said, "We are making new friends, we are meeting other adopting families, we are learning more about Ukraine, and we are learning to trust God more."  The faith and wisdom of a child!  This morning, when I was crying about Ashley's illness, Isaac was very sensitive to my sorrow and sympathized with me.  He was very ready to pray for her when I suggested to them that we pray before we left for church.  Later, when we had an update from Jim he was the first to say, "Oh, thank you, Jesus (pronounced, Hasuuz), thank you Jesus!  Yes?  Mama?  Thank you, Jesus?"  "Yes, Issac,  thank you Jesus!"

After one friend's reminder on FB that I had entitled our blog, "Glorious Unfolding," I began to think about the word, "unfolding."  Unfolding means to develop or expand in a careful, systematic exposition.  It's a picture of slowly telling and expanding a story.  God has been slowly expanding and developing His story in our lives and as He does so, He has been refining us and increasing our faith.  It's too bad I didn't name the blog, "Glorious Explosion."

"…do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10

I woke up this morning with a heavy, burdened heart.  Far from feeling joy.  Far from wanting to praise God.   Yesterday was a difficult day.  We arrived in Kiev around noon and were picked up and taken to an apartment.  We were informed that we would know something about the birth certificate around 5pm.  One of our facilitators spent the day at the birth certificate office, trying to get the woman there to draw up Isaac's BC.  She finally did the paperwork for it and all that was needed was her bosses signature.  She put it on his desk to sign, but he left at the end of the day without signing.  Now the office is closed on Sunday and Monday.  We aren't sure what will happen on Tuesday.  Maybe it will be signed…maybe not.  One of the bosses is out of town this week, so we aren't sure if he is the only one who can sign off on this.  Endless days of being stuck in Kiev now stretched before me.  We are now removed from our friends and support in Odessa and in a city that we aren't as familiar with.  This apartment is not nearly as nice as Laura's.  It's quite hot, in a loud part of the city, when the air conditioner runs it sounds like mice in the wall, I can't get the stove or the hot pot to work to boil water,  there are no bowls (which makes eating the cereal we bought challenging, and here is my bed:

My mother's heart is also greatly burdened because Ashley is in Costa Rica on the mission trip with our church and seriously ill.  Worry and concern, coupled with sadness for her that she can't participate with the team have mixed with my frustration and discouragement of being here for two weeks with no progress in obtaining the birth certificate.  

With a heavy, burdened heart I opened my Bible this morning, seeking redirection and refreshment for my anxious thoughts.  Writing out God's words today are more for my benefit than anyone else's as this activity forces my thoughts and mind to focus back on truth and not circumstances.

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name. 

 Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget none of His benefits.  

Who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindess and compassion.

Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Philippians 4:4-13

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice!  Let your forbearing spirit be

known to all men.  The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which  surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am…I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  

Hebrews 5:8

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.

(if Jesus learned obedience through suffering, can I expect to learn it any other way?)

Hebrews 13:15

Through Him let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to his name.

As I was trying to find the reference to this last verse, I came across a sermon by John Piper on this passage.  It is worth reading, if you have the time, but it was the Spirit's working, even in my google searching, to redirect my heart.

John Piper "The Sacrifice of Praise"

Because I want to post this before we head to church this morning, I will just share two of his points:

1.  "the fruit" of lips that praise him must begin in the heart.  It is an overflow of the heart.

2.  "lips"  I need to be speaking and singing God's praise with my mouth…an audible sound…not just thinking the thoughts in my head.

3. we need to praise God corporately as  church body.

As Psalm 103 instructs, I will talk to myself this morning and remind myself of God's benefits:

1.  My best friend is with Ashley on this mission trip, caring for her and being her mama in my place.  Daniel is also there with her.

2.  God connected me with another American here in Kiev last night, and today we are going to a Calvary Chapel with her, her son, and some other American families.

3.  All of our needs are being met.

I want to post this now to recruit prayer warriors especially for Ashley.  It is very concerning that she is so sick and not getting better.  The team is trying to take her to the hospital as I type, and the thought of medical care in Costa Rica poses a whole new set of worries.

Continue to pray that we can get the birth certificate and finally be able to begin applying for the passport and complete our embassy appointments.

A curve ball

Today we received some potentially good news, which was an answer to prayer in a direction we hadn't considered.  (curve ball - when God answers a prayer in an unexpected way)  Our facilitator told us that there is a chance we can bypass having to get a new court decree or addendum to obtain Isaac's birth certificate.  They are working with an office in Kiev to see if the birth certificate can be printed there instead.  This would be a huge answer to prayer.  Please pray that God would move the heart of the worker in Kiev to be willing to do this for us.  She is hesitant and keeps putting off our facilitators.  The earliest she could do it is Saturday, but it may not happen until Tuesday or Wednesday.  We are hoping and praying for Saturday.

We have had some fun adventures the past couple days.  On Wednesday we went to the Dolphinarium and saw a wonderful show with dolphins, seals and sea lions.

Today we were blessed to be able to go and observe and participate in the boys camp for a few hours.  Such a transformation has occurred on this property since Jim and I first saw it in May!  So many fun, engaging activities for the boys to participate in.  Isaac and Josiah absolutely loved being there and it was a blessing to me to see the work that God is doing through the Nasledie ministry.  There are about 60-70 boys from different orphanages and troubled homes at the camp this week.  Each day they hear the gospel preached to them, have 3 nutritious meals, play and build and shoot and swim and drive old cars…and get loved on by godly male counselors.

 Obstacle course

 This is really cool!  The boys are building these cars in teams and will race them tomorrow.

 There are about 10-15 bikes available for the campers to ride.  

 More of the obstacle course

 Shooting guns!

 Isaac loved riding bikes!

 This is a station where the boys can build whatever their imagination can dream up.

A bonfire!  It may be over 100 degrees at home, but in Odessa today it was 60 and chilly!

 A view of the sleeping tents and bathrooms now that the fence is added.

 They are building bleachers in the meeting tent so now it will hold all the campers!

 Play area, including a swimming pool

 Carpet ball and ping pong

 Archery!

 The dining hall and wash station.  (notice how well the cloths have been stapled to the tables)

 While the boys played, Laura and I sorted through donations someone gave to the camp today.

This car was donated by one of the builders.  Each day he sits in the passenger seat and allows the boys to take turns driving it around a course on the camp.  Josiah, Isaac, Laura, and I got to drive it too!

Let me just say, that although Isaac may be 14, there is no possible way he will be getting his license in 2 years!  Oi!

For the rest of the summer, different orphanages will be sending their children for a week at Camp Lela.  

It truly has become haven for love and adventure!

Staples, seaside, sight seeing, and surrender

We don't have much news to report on the birth certificate.  We found out that the court did accept the letter from the minister of justice. Today Svetlana petitioned the court for a new judge and we have not heard anything from her.

We spent Friday at the camp stapling more cloths to the tables…

And watching more of the camp come together.

(recruiting even the littlest helpers in raising the tent!)

On Saturday we took a 10 minute bus ride to the beach on the Black Sea.  This was our first European beach experience, and I'll just say it was….ummm…an eye opening experience.  The boys however seemed oblivious to everything and had a grand time.

 Making new friends!

In the afternoon we took a taxi downtown with hopes to see a show at the opera house.  They were sold out :(  So we took a tour bus around the city and enjoyed some melted chocolate instead.  Yum!

 The Opera House in the background that we didn't get to go to.

 A 250 year old shopping mall.

 Catherine

 Flat Stanley's House

 Port of Odessa

On Sunday we went to church with Laura.  Such a soul nourishing experience.  The service is in English and Russian.  When they sing praise songs the sing a verse in English and then the rest in Russian.  The preaching is both in Russian and English.  Such a blessing to fellowship with believers who live half way around the world and see their love for Christ.


After church we had lunch with Laura and her friends Michelle and Andrey.  Later in the afternoon we visited with Alyona and her adorable children at their lovely home.

Today we did some cleaning and helping at the Nasledie office and then went back to the beach for a couple hours.  The power was out for about 7 hours this afternoon and evening, but thankfully it stays light until almost 10 here and Laura has a gas stove.  We sent the boys out after dinner to the little convenience store by the apartment to buy ice-cream and milk (the essentials of course) and enjoyed a little treat in the dark.

(it was dark…but you can't tell with the flash)

Each day I am desperately aware of my need for the Spirit to grow the fruit of patience, contentment, peace, kindness, and compassion in me.  I'm a planner and a scheduler.  I don't deal well with indefinite waiting periods.  So every day, actually, nearly every moment of every day I find myself asking the Spirit to give me the patience, thankfulness, and contentment to trust my Father's plan.  To wait peacefully for Him to work out this paperwork problem in His time and in His way.  To surrender to His will and look for ways to be thankful during this indefinite separation from the rest of my family.  My sweet Aunt Lois pointed out some blessings to me the other day.  Even though I am not able to go on the Costa Rica mission trip with our church, God, in His goodness, gave us a mission trip here in Ukraine.  Isaac has all this wonderful time to be around Russian speaking people and be able to communicate (and boy is he a talker!)  The boys have this time to bond and build a relationship.  I have this time with Isaac, without the responsibilities that come with being a wife, mom, bookkeeper, housekeeper, etc. to bond and shower love on him.  He is very, very desperate for constant affection.  (and unfortunately, this is not my love language…another opportunity for the Spirit to work in me).  Laura pointed out to me that Isaac is my sanctification.  I have to agree.

So, as I head to bed, I will once again surrender my will to the Father's plan and wait to see what tomorrow will bring.  Asking Him to fill me with the fruit of the Spirit so I can joyfully accept it.