On Track

Chug, chug, chug went the train as we continued to roll down the track. Morning was a lazy time as we slowly woke up, dressed, and ate fruit, juice, and chips for breakfast.  About 9:00, our train pulled into the larger of the 2 Kiev stations, where our advocate and driver met us.  We loaded ourselves into the van and our coordinator who had travel with us, left us to go home to her family.

We drove directly to the hospital for the children's medical exams.  This is the only hospital in the area that is authorized for international adoptions.  At one point in Misha life, he had supposedly tested positive for TB, so he had chest x-rays done.  Vaccinations were not available at the hospital.  The doctor told me that for several years dosages were inaccurate and just now are they being moderated more carefully, so they say they have no vaccinations so that problems don't arise later.  We will vaccinate at home.  Anna has had Hep B. vaccinations already.  I think this is all correct.  The doctor spoke some English, but I'm not totally sure I understood every detail.

We next made a quick stop at the SDA where our advocate went in to do something (not sure what).  We waited in the car and ate more snacks leftover from the train (it was lunch time and we hadn't had much of a breakfast).  Then it was off to the American Embassy.  So far our whole journey has stayed right on track - express train.

William was the only one to go into the Embassy.  Since 9-11, they have been ultra strict about metal, phones, cameras, etc.  Everything except his passport and paperwork stayed in the car.  After waiting some time, he came back only to tell us that since our homestudy authorized us for children aged 3-11, they would not allow Misha to come with us (he is almost 13).  Anna is allowed to come, but not Misha, even though he is a sibling.  (Wouldn't it be mean if I ended my blog here?)

OK, so we have finally hit our first road block.  My initial reactions was that of a Mama Bear - "I am NOT leaving here without my son."  I have to confess, that I forgot how God has directed everything throughout this whole adoption.  He has shown himself in so many ways and I didn't think to trust Him again in this situation.  I simply reacted.  I know that He is in control and wants this adoption for us.  All I need to do is breathe and thank Him that He IS in control. 

Actually, it's not an insurmountable problem.  It requires us to quickly get an amendment to our homestudy and have it cabled to the CIS then the Embassy.  I wanted to call David right away, but decided calling at 2:00 am wouldn't serve any purpose and I could at least let him sleep a bit longer.

Our second roadblock cropped up at the same time.  Anna's passport had not been stamped in Donyetsk.  Again, a minor invonvenience.  Our advocate would fly it back to Donyetsk to be stamped and have it returned to us.  This would take about 1 day.  It was important for me to remember that inconvenience does not mean end of the world.

It was decided that the kids and I would be dropped off at the apartment and William and our advocate would head to the airport to take care of Anna's passport and to see if our luggage had returned from Rome.  The children and I, after relaxing for a bit, walked to the nearby market for food.  Anna reminded me of every other child "Buy this, and this, and this..."  Misha insisted on carrying all the groceries in his backpack and would not allow me to carry them. For the rest of the day, we watched TV.

William finally returned with our luggage.  Yea!  The kid's were very excited to see all things I had brought.  I spent some time sorting and wrapping the gifts I had brought.  Which needed to go back to the orphanage, which were for children who had visited this summer, and which items belonged to people here in Kiev.

Showers, dinner, and more TV followed.  Just after settling Anna down for the night, our advocate came over to discuss the next day.  Then I had to settle Anna down all over.  I was ready to pull my hair out.  I was so tired and wanted to get her to sleep so I could sleep.  Misha was a huge help.  He is such a great big brother!  At 9:15, I called it quits and sent everyone to bed.  Anna was happy because Misha was with her.  I was happy because I could finally go to bed William was happy because he fell asleep an hour earlier.  Misha was happy because it was 45 minutes later than I had originally told him bedtime was.  I didn't fall asleep until 2:00 am.  My sinus's were killing me and all my cold medicine had been left at home.  Finally, though, I slept....

And so ends the day.  Many memories were made, bonds deepened with the children, luggage rescued.  As I sit and reflect, I am so thankful for all that God had done in our lives.