Home: Mission Accomplished!!!!

On Thursday night Cari, Inna and Rada arrived exhausted from their very long trip.  A big group was there to meet them.  For Inna friends Vika, Katia and Zhayne were cheering her triumphant arrival joining them as an ex-orphan, joining a loving family in Virginia Beach, Uglegorsk FOREVER in the rear view mirror.  The shrieks of joy from Vika and Katia were heartfelt passionate expressions of liberty and shared history.  For Rada the outpouring of love was yet more overdue attention filling her cup.  Seeing the Uglegorsk alumni was great for her also.

Avie our  friend who serves as a missionary in Sevastopal, Ukraine was able to come to as her flight was put off until monday.  God Bless Avie, her ministry and above all her heart for orphans!

The girls are doing GREAT!!  Rada has been having a blast jumping on the trampoline, playing with our dogs Hobbs and Tucker (she is a big time animal lover), and going on errands with her Dad.  We also took her shopping for clothes (which she desperately needed) and on the way home went to the beach and of course had ice cream.  More cup filling for her... big time!  Inna has been very happily printing out many hundred photos and making up gift boxes for friend in Ukraine.  She has been less excited to go out as Rada, but still having fun on her own terms.  We went to church today for the first time all together.  Wonderful, and ironic (it was orphan sunday at our church), and we sat with Avie on her final sunday before returning to Sevestopal. Please pray her Visa will be approved to continue serving there long term.

Please pray for our bonding and integration with both Inna and Arianne.  Inna is missing her friends left behind.  Understandably hard for her.  Next step is to engage them in their school work and English education!

Friends and family welcoming home the Lance girls

Inna greeted by long time friend Zhenya

And Katya and Vika

Zhenya, Vika, Arianne, Inna and Katya all lived in Uglegorsk 

Orphanage for a time and now live in Virginia Beach

Arianne and Avie

Homecoming meal catered by Carolyn and Wiley

At home together at last!

Visas in hand Virginia Beach here we come!

Praise the Lord! After a day's delay due to unpredictable computer technology, we received the girls' Visas today. Thankfully we had tickets to fly home tomorrow and not today. God knows...I am so thankful for his faithfulness. He has given me total peace during this time that whatever happened he knew ahead of time and was working through each instance  for us.  

The girls have throughly enjoyed their time walking Kiev's century old streets, exploring monuments, beautiful parks, monasteries and cathedrals and trying out their tastebuds on new cuisine. At the US Consulate we ran in to Lisa and Paul Peeples again from Oklahoma. I met them applying for our children's passports in Donetsk. They are adopting 2 brothers so the kids visited a little while we waited for our Visa packets. They return to the US friday. We also met Tanya and Scott Hall from Ohio adopting a son Eli from a remote part of Ukraine 11 miles from the Russian border.

We are packed and ready to go.  The girls were very excited today as we toured town knowing they are finally flying to America tomorrow.  Every time Arianne saw a plane flying overhead she pointed and said "To America!"

We have cherished your partnership of prayer with us and thank you once again. Please continue to lift us up as we do you. Looking forward to the reunion of family and friends. Blessings in Him,
Cari

Independence Square in Kiev

Independence Square distance marker of cities from Kiev 

Arianne and Inna

Arianne, Anya our interpreter and guide, Inna

At Last-Outprocessing in in Kiev!

Hike to Overlook of  Balaklava Bay, Genoese Ruins, 

Gold and Silver Beaches and Sleeping Beauty Peak

Before we left Sevastopel we saw ruins of the ancient Greek city of Hersones about 2500 years old, took a hike to see Balaklava Bay which is mentioned by Homer and the Panorama painting depicting battle scenes of the defense of Sevastopel in 1854-1855. It was hard to say goodbye to Ira who has been such a help and encouragement to me and to our family during this time. I think the girls see and trust her as a big sister. As Ray has said before, words are inadequate.

After attending church yesterday with Ira, Anya, Ariana, Inna and I flew to Kiev in a little over an hour instead of taking the 19 hour train ride. It was much better getting a good nights' sleep instead of waking every hour at the station stops. We are settled in an apartment near beautiful St. Sofia Square for the duration of our time.  

Viktor picked us up at 8:30 am  this morning for our appointment at the US Embassy. We processed paperwork for the girls' Visas and they took Inna's fingerprints since she is 15. That took about an hour, then on to their medical appointments required by the Embassy before we can leave.  

Viktor says this part usually takes about 30 min.  Unfortunately, it took us 5 hours.  There are x-rays, a very brief physical and a few questions of the children. The doctor read the girls' medical records from the orphanage, wrote her own comments about her findings and told me her opinion. Note to self and anyone else preparing for this process: always bring snacks, drinks and quiet diversions, even if your facilitator thinks it will be quick. Your appointment may be the exception to the rule. Many people munched on snacks while they waited. I'm not sure if this clinic was understaffed, overbooked or just plain inefficient, perhaps a combination of all of the above, but I never heard one complaint from the girls. They were very patient.  Way to go girls! Tomorrow, we pick up their completed Visas at the Embassy!

Viktor, Inna, Ariana and yours truly eating after check ups

I felt the sting of tears several times today thinking about finishing the labor of paperwork, meeting the girls, quickly finding clothes for Rada and finally about to bring them home.  Soon we will move on to adjusting to the dynamics of living all under the same roof in their new country, city, family. Please continue to pray for adjustment as they leave behind everything and everyone they have known and for our boys as they open their home and hearts to their new sisters.  They have been enthusiastic and encouraging and I have been proud of them. Next step is where the rubber meets the road, as they say. Ray and I need God's wisdom and perspective parenting. The Connected Child by Karen Purvis, has been an outstanding book to read for adopting older children. However, I crave His direction, insight, perspective, presence more than anything.

It is late and I'll sign off for now.  Perhaps you'll next hear from me on the other side of the water. Lifting up you and yours. Blessings,

Cari 

Sevastopel

Lavidia Palace where Yalta Conference was held in 1945

Duke's Quay-the main entrance to Sevastopel from the sea

Monument to Sunken ships in the bay of Sevastopel during the Crimean War in 1853-1856

Our dear friend Avie is letting us stay in her flat while we are touring Sevastopel on the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine. It was so nice to see Ira, and her friends from church, Galya and Nikolai yesterday out the window of the train as we were coming into the station. What a blessing to have a strong man there to help us get our bags off the train and up into the flat once we got there. It was so nice to wake up under the same roof with our daughters for the first time.

We wandered down to the city center even though it was windy and chilly enough to take your breath away. Waves were splashing up over the steps of the walk along the sea. The girls didn't want to stop they were so enjoying seeing this beautiful city. We left the flat at 11 and didn't get back until about 6 returning by trolley.

Today we spent on tour seeing the Alupka Palace, Lavidia Palace, the Sparrows Nest, Foros Church and the Yalta boardwalk. I asked the girls when we got back to Sevastopel what they enjoyed about the day. They couldn't pick favorites. They said it all was so spectacular. "Klas!" they kept repeating all day. What a grand finish at a Tatar restaurant. Cusna (delicious)as they say here! And although it was cloudy when we got up this morning, the Lord blessed us with beautiful sunshine just as we drove in to our first stop at the Foros Church and for the rest of the day. Blessings,

In Him,

Cari

Freedom Train to Sevastopal

Cari and the girls are at this hour on the train from Donetsk to Sevastopol.  Today was liberation day for Inna and Arianne.  Early this morning after overcoming car troubles with Sasha, the girls walked out of Uglegorsk as Lance girls, legally free to go home with their Mom and on to their new home in America.

They all went back to the apartment and the girls decided to stayed at the apartment with Anya while Cari and Viktor went to the vital statistics offices in Enakieve for Inna's birth certificate to be reissued and Novogrodivka for Arianne's.  Then they traveled to Donetsk with the girls for passports and then finally spent one hour and half shopping and resting before catching their train bound for Sevastopol to see our dearest friend Ira (my Ukrainian sister).   Cari said that the girls were all smiles so very happy to be free and at last embarking on the next leg of their great adventure.

They are set to arrive in Sevastopal at 6:00 AM.  Ira has a full day of fun planned for them tomorrow.  When I talked to them this afternoon everyone's voice reflected great joy.  Cari is so happy to have our girls with her and  on for the next great fun.  Will post pictures when able.  The girls will stay in Sevastopal until sunday night when they fly to Kiev for out-processing via US Embassy, touring and on November 17 home through Moscow and Washington, D.C.  You all can be sure that Garrett, Jake and I are overjoyed at knowing that our family with be reunited that day.  Thanks for all of  your kind notes and prayers.

Ray

Goodbye Uglegorsk!

Today it was -7 C when we drove up to the orphanage.  Icicles were glistening in the sun from the items of laundry the children had hung out to dry on the line in the yard. Inna and Arianne made made their rounds of the halls giving gifts to friends and teachers as they said goodbye.  It was a little chaotic, but Viktor says it always is.

I feel a sense of sadness saying goodbye myself to these children I have come to know in a limited way having been here for these weeks.  I wonder what will become of them, who will be adopted? I know the girls will be making phone calls by penny talk from time to time to keep in touch with friends.  The orphanage children are not allowed access to computer internet so e mail is out of the question.

At the same time, I am elated to be leaving with our daughters. Finally. On our way to see more of this country of their birth  then to Kyiv to out process.

Tomorrow we go to vital statistics in Enakieva to get Inna's new birth certificate.  Arianne was born in Novogrodovka about 45 minutes away so we drive there for hers, then on to Donetsk to apply for passports. Once that is complete we will board the 8 pm night train out of town: Destination- Sevastopel to arrive at 7 am. Sure would be nice to enjoy the scenic view by daylight, but this is how they travel long distances in Ukraine more often than by plane.

I can truly say that the words of Romans 15:13 in the Bible, God's word have been my experience these days here. It says "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Although there have been times I wished things would move a little faster or the process would be more efficient, God has filled me with his hope and peace, convinced of his complete orchestration of every step. When we can't see the map we just have to take the next step he makes visible and wait until he makes the next one clear.  Takes so much pressure off not having control just following him. He's the one who makes the promise to work it all out and complete his plan. I know he will.
Blessings,
Cari

Preeviet (Hi)! Ending day nine!

Ray and the girls with their necklaces at lunch after court

Saying goodby at Yuglegorsk before Ray catches his train to Kiev

Friend Cristina, left, Inna, Anya, back, and Rada practicing English

It's the girls' last Saturday in Yuglegorsk Orphanage. Inna has been here since she was 7 and Rada for the past 3 years.  Before that she was in another with her brother since she was a toddler. It is hard to believe I've been here 5 weeks and yet again...

After practicing vocabulary and reading today, we asked the girls what they have to bring with them so I can take it to the apartment with me tomorrow after our visit and pack. Inna said she has some summer clothes, the photo album and suitcase she brought back from Virginia in July when she visited us. Rada has just the outfit we gave her for court day and a small album of photos of her and friends at camp this summer. Period. 

Inna and Rada get more excited each day closer to departure day Tuesday.  And yet I know it will be difficult for them to leave some of the friends and teachers that have been with them for years. Some of Inna's friends  who started trade school in August have been coming weekends to see her before she leaves. Inna would have gone with them and been given a trade to train in had we not met her in July.  She would have been designated a construction worker, cook or painter and expected to find her own food when not in class. When we asked her then what her interests or dreams might be to study or become, she told us she never thought about it before because she knew she never had a choice. Now she is embracing the possibilities. She is so excited to learn! She practiced reading 2 hours of our visiting time today. Rada has made great progress on her alphabet, colors, counting and days of the week, a very willing spirit.

For now, spakoynay nochee (good night)!
In Him,
Cari

Practicing!

We've had a little trouble with our modem service, People Net, but thankfully it is working again tonight.  We are finishing day four here this evening. We have been practicing; myself on Russian and the girls on English every day. Rada has finished up the alphabet and colors. We have been playing numbers games and of course every day we get to practice  greetings, and survival phrases. They are pretty motivated realizing we will be leaving the orphanage Monday or Tuesday. Inna is even reading with Anya from a Russian language intro to English book called Step by Step by  Bonk.

The Yuglegorsk children have been working out in the yard the past few days sweeping up leaves when we drive in the orphanage gate. Most of the leaves have abandoned their branches now. They are swept up with brooms gathered up in cardboard boxes in piles to burn.

Ray called this morning before he and the boys left the house for school and work.  It is so good to hear the voices of  those you love. In my quiet time this morning I was singing the song "It's Amazing." The chorus  says, "It's amazing how you love me. It's amazing how you care. It's amazing how you're always thinking of me all the time and everywhere." I don't think I'll ever get over how God can love me like that, how he consistently loves each one of us.  It sure challenges me to let his love flow through me, to be a channel through whom he can give others a taste of himself. Acts 17: 28, one of my favorites says, "In him we live and move and have our being." So be it Lord.

You are a blessing to us through your prayers and your notes. Thanks for your encouragement on this amazing journey.
 Blessings to you,
Cari

Countdown to Liberation: The day after court being day 10

It was hard to hug Ray and watch him walk out the door of Yuglegorsk Orphanage Thursday without me and the girls,  headed to Kiev for his exit interview at the U.S. Embassy and then his flight home to the boys, to Virginia and the good ol' USA. It is quite strange having half your family on one side of the water wishing to be on the other side with the rest of the family. It also feels strange to to love two children so much and not even be able to speak the same language yet. It will come with time. We have to be patient, keep a sense of humor, be encouraging. Taking a long walk down the main street of Enakieva I remembered the verses in Hebrews 10:35-36 which talk about needing to persevere, a great reminder for this time, when one wants to be done with the process and just enjoy being home together. I need to finish well here first.

Left to right: Interpreter Anya, Rada and Inna

Left to right: Anya, Cari, Rada, Alona, Nastya and Anya, friends of Inna

Friday and Saturday were a very quiet couple of days without Ray and without interpreters. I spent time taking walks and photos, people watching, going to the grocery store.... It was a good chance to practice some Russian on my own. People were patient and helpful. Anya returned from Kiev Sunday around noon via chilly, noisy and crowded 12 hour bus ride. She helped me order some medication I am running low on, which should be in tomorrow.

Today we took a walk with Inna and Rada around the orphanage neighborhood. They enjoyed getting outside in the sunshine, although it is chilly around 45 or 50 F. The children are still hanging their laundry out to dry after washing by hand, although in the smokey conditions it is hard to decide if clothes are cleaner or dirtier after drying out there. It has been terribly smokey the past few days, especially in the evenings.We are helping the girls practice some English for part of our time together each day.

By the way, do you enjoy knowing the meaning of a person's name?  A name makes such a unique statement about a person. Inna's name in Ukrainian means deep waters and Rada's name means joy, gladness, both true reflections of their character evident to me thus far. And evidence of the One who made them, who knows their names and has had his hand on them since the beginning, as he does each of us.

Today I am thankful for God's blessings of sunshine, wool sweaters and socks, family and friends, Anya's fresh made blueberry crepes, a clear night enhanced by dark streetlights by which to see the amazing Hunter Orion and Bob Grizenko's leftover 3G modem enabling me to post tonight from the comfort of my apartment. So ends day 7! Blessings to you and yours!

In Him,

Cari

Home and waiting

I made it home by way of Amsterdam and Detroit.  I was lucky to get in to Detroit earlier than expected and therefore was able to catch an earlier flight home to Norfolk, but just barely.  Running to catch the flight after clearing customs did not give me time to call home, so I just grabbed a cab in Norfolk and surprised everyone by walking in 4 + hours early.

It is very bittersweet though, leaving the girls behind.  Before I left Kiev, I booked their flights home for November 17th.  They will be flying on Aeroflot (Russian Airlines) by way of Moscow to Dulles and then home at 6:15pm.  Liberation day from the orphanage will be monday night November 7th.  I am very sad not to be there to enjoy Inna and Rada's reaction to experiencing their freedom.  I am sure that it will be bittersweet in leaving their friends and teachers behind.   I was able to witness the joy of liberation day travelling with Emily and Jack back to Kiev.  Emily could not stop smiling and laughing, freedom and going home were so exciting she never slept a wink the whole night.

Cari told me that her time with the girls yesterday was wonderful again.  Inna brought by more of her friends that Cari had not yet met and they did some crafts together.    Cari said that Rada informed her that she prefers to be called by her middle name Arrianne (she pronounces it Arianna).  Her friends were calling her "Arianna"  right away after she chose her middle name.  She has not stopped beaming about having a family and belonging forever to us.  She has so many wonderful first experiences ahead of her.   She has never flown before, never been to Sevestopal, or spent thanksgiving with a big family.   Eventhough Inna has been to our home and traveled to Kiev at that time, she also will have so many great firsts to come.  Anya will be coming in from Kiev today (Sunday) and so that gives me comfort knowing that Cari will not be alone for the rest of the trip.  Anya is such a dynamo and really loves the kids.

Arriving home, I could not help but reflect on the many kids who remain behind who so deserve homes.  As you all know from our posts we had to make a gut wrenching choice between Ola and Rada.  I take comfort knowing that there is a family in New York who is hosting her for Christmas and I understand is thinking very strongly to adopt her.  If our paperwork had allowed it we would have adopted Ola and Rada both as well as Inna but alas, it was not to be.  Ola is such a wonderful little gal.  Of course had we chosen Ola right now I would be sad for Rada also, but God is in control.  Rada is my girl.  She loves having a "poppa," not that Inna  doesn't also, but Rada has instantly become a Daddy's girl.  Man do I miss them, and I can't wait for all of you to meet them when they come home.

Today I feel very grateful to have two new and wonderful daughters in my family, grateful for wonderful boys in Garrett and Jake who both really "manned up," while we were gone taking added responsibilities and behaving extraordinarily well.  Carolyn and Wiley were very pleased with them both.   We are so grateful to Wiley and Carolyn Smith for being at home and watching over Garrett and Jake, house and home.  We never worried a minute with the comfort of knowing they were manning the homefront.   I also feel enormous gratitude for my coworkers who made it possible for me to spend the unexpected extra time needed to bring our daughters home, and for all of you who have prayed for us through this fantastic journey of faith.  Truly a life-changing experience.

Blessing,

Ray

Court and hard goodbye

Sorry for the delay in posting. On Thursday court went amazingly smooth. No name issues for Inna, no questions about Rada, just the usual stock questions of why do you want to adopt more children, why do you want to adopt older children(anyone older than 8 or 9 years old) and why Ukrainian not American orphans. In about 20 minutes the whole affair was concluded with the judge awarding the adoption decrees for both Inna grace and Rada Arianne Lance... Legally and forever no longer orphans. It was cathartic, the culmination of months of effort, and tears, but pure and simple joy. Afterward, we went to Chilantona's for lunch. There we gave our daughters each necklaces we bought in Virginia Beach. Actually we had bought them for Inna, since we were going to Ukraine just for her, funny thing we were torn between two necklaces and couldn't decide, so we bought both planning to give one on adoption day and the other for a birthday present in the future... Interesting.

Afterward, we had to return to our apt and I had to pack for the long drive to Donetsk to catch the train with Viktor, Jack, and Emily bound for Kiev, and on to home for me on Saturday morning. I only had a few minutes at the orphanage to say goodbye to all my girls. Cari is staying behind for the mandatory ten day waiting period and then take our daughters home by way of Sevestopal to see Ira, and Avie, and a bit of sightseeing for the girls. I cannot put into words how hard it was to leave my girls all behind. There was a lot of swallowing hard to not shed tears on my part. Big guys aren't supposed to cry right? Wrong. Leaving Cari all alone in Enakievo was the hardest thing I had to do. I know she will be fine, but still, very very hard. Sasha seeing my angst, put his hand on my shoulder and said he would look out for her. Thanks Sasha, what a great guy. Anya will be returning by train to Enakievo on Sunday morning to stay with Cari for the duration, what a comfort. Please keep Cari's health in your prayers, her asthma has been bad with all the particulate matter in the air from open air trash and leaf pile burning, not to forget the massive pollution from the iron works plant right in town.

Today after the all night train ride to Kiev, Jack, Emily and I went to the US Embassy for citizenship and visa document applications etc. Now, for me the journey of a lifetime concludes with a flight home through Amsterdam. To say that leaving Ukraine without Cari, Inna Grace, and Rada Arianne is bittersweet is a mammoth understatement. Cari, i love you so much, your courage and your heart for all your children bears witness to your huge godly character in a petite ochen kraseveya shinia(very beautiful wife). Thank God for Viktor Sadovnikov. He has been superb.

Tomorrow home,

Ray

In the moment

Today we enjoyed a special time with our girls. Inna was so open today and playful. Rada and Emily were so much fun. Emily's dad Jack is on a train as I write this coming home with her new birth certificate. We were very happy that Emily felt comfortable hanging out with us for the past few days while Jack was on his "great train adventure."

Mostly the past few days I have just enjoyed being as fully present in the moment as possible. When you distill our lives down the basic elements all we really have are moments. Most are spent working, sleeping, being with our loved ones, but too often, for me I fail to really be fully present in my most important moments due to worrying about my patients, my practice, or any of thousands of moment killers. When I was deployed to Iraq caring for sick and wounded soldiers earlier this year I had a life changing moment. I was in the OR helping the neurosurgeon and other docs care for a spec ops soldier who had been shot in the head. As a urologist I don't get a lot of brain exposure. During the surgery, I had this moment of deep empathy, vividly imagining that the guy on the table was me. I wondered in the clearest most vivid images about what my life stood for, what would I most regret, what do I want my remaining days of life to stand for. Later that night, I awakened with an urgent thought pounding through me... Burn your idols... You will only find me when you seek me with your whole heart. What idols? Materialism, the approval of men, vanity, on and on it goes. It occurred to me in my Spartan CHU (containerized housing unit), that idols were ripping off my limited life of beautiful satisfying moments. At that moment I decided that my remaining time would be refocused upon reclaiming these moments and investing my energy in service to others, leaning hard into: "religion that God our Father finds pure and faultless is this: care for orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27). That my friends brings me and Cari to Enakievo, Ukraine at this moment. I must say that I am enjoying this moment and tomorrow before God and an unknown Ukrainian judge we are going to really savor a penultimate moment for two beautiful and wonderful girls who will legally and forever be orphans no more.

Thanks to everyone who hAs had a hand in helping us all get to savor this moment.

God bless,

Ray

A Change of Scenery

Today was a little hectic. We moved out of the hotel and into the apartment vacated by Holly and Bob Grizenko. They and Sieman's piled into Volva's van on rounds to get new birth certificates and passports for their children on their way to Kiev. We walked to the store for groceries, washed clothes and hung sheets on the line, thankful for a breeze to quickly dry them for use tonight.

We were without translators at the orphanage today as Onya and Viktor were doing paperwork with the other families. It was strangely quiet in the play room minus all the other children interacting with their parents. The time flew by as we played games and shared snacks.  Suddenly Inna said "Taxi," and pointed out the window. It was time to leave, again.

It was strangely comforting making dinner and washing up afterward for the first time since leaving home. I was thankful to be in the kitchen, thankful for more room, thankful for sunny weather and seeing stars again. Thanks all of you for your many prayers on our behalf! Until next time,
Cari

Court Date is Set!!!

Great news!!! Today we learned that our court date for adopting Inna and Rada will be this thursday 10/27/2011 at 1 pm.  The girls were very happy to hear this since today all but one of their friends being adopted to the USA left from Yuglegorsk no longer orphans.  Emily, Rada and Inna remained behind.  Emily gets to leave in just a few days but Inna and Rada must wait 10 additional days after the court adoption decree is made official (in Ukraine there is a 10 day appeal following the courts initial ruling on adoption).  Both Emily and her Dad were bummed out not getting to leave today, but in just 2 days she is out forever!!!

We enjoyed out time together today first getting to take the girls to eat at a pizza joint named "Chilantona's."  This was the first time Cari and I were able to take our girls to eat since arriving.  The other families were able to do so following their court hearings.  For us, we hope to get one more outing after our court hearing on thursday.  Later we went to the orphanage and played Ukrainian monopoly with Inna and several others.  Rada and I initially played piho minho together then she decided to play on the ipad.  She really likes the casting crowns music videos.

Tomorrow we move to an apartment being vacated by Bob and Holly Grizenko.  All of the other families will be scrambling to get birth certificates, passports and travel to Kiev in order to go home.  Jack will have to travel north of Kiev to get Emilies birth certificate then come back the same night.  What a brutal trip that will be.  Jack is a great guy who will sacrifice whatever he has to for his new daughter.

I get to fly home on saturday, but will be very disappointed to miss "liberation day"  with the girls.  Also the girls will go to Sevestopal for one week while they wait for Inna's background check to be completed as soon as the 10 days is up.  Everyone is very excited.

Ray

He Is

Today the sun was out and Ray and I enjoyed a nice walk up the street from our hotel to the Amctop store about 20 minutes away. There is always something interesting to photograph. There is a lot of remodeling activity here and in nearby Donetsk as the European Soccer Cup is going to be held here in 2012. Piles of bricks, dirt and sand and scaffolding are here, there and everywhere. Makes it interesting if you are walking after dark as we do to the computer lab, as there are few working street lights. Also, you never know if a man hole cover will actually be in place or missing. One of the first things Viktor said to us is "Never step on a cover as it  may just collapse with you into the hole." It seems the majority of people in this community walk or ride the bus to get from point A to point B. We see families taking a stroll together usually walking arm in arm.

We missed Inna today during visiting time as she was taking care of a child for one of her teachers. Tomorrow we will take the children to get their passport photos taken and possibly out to eat afterward. Should be a fun adventure. We should also find out if our court date is this thursday the 27th or November 3rd and have made plans A and B to conclude our time here.

We are sorry to be missing Garrett and friends performance at a fall festival in Virginia Beach today.  Hope all goes well, G. Jake should be trying out for the 7th grade basketball team soon.  My sister Kristen's two month old daughter Analiese needs prayer for restored health recovering from RSV just out of the hospital. Having seen a few stars tonight I am reminded of the vastness of space and the immenseness and power of our God and his grasp of all that is. I'll leave you with 2 Thessalonians 3:16 "Now the LORD himself give you peace at all times and in every way." He is trustworthy and faithful and brings his plans to pass.  Lifting you up in prayer.  Thanks again for yours.
In him,
Cari

Waiting takes patience

As I recall, the fruit of the spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness and self-control.  Patience is a virtue, a fruit of the spirit and right now might hard to come by.  Waiting is such a big part of adopting here in Ukraine.  Waiting for fingerprint appointments and apostille work, waiting for I-600A approval, waiting for appointment at the SDA, waiting for a referral, waiting for 3 pm everyday to spend our 3 hours with the girls, waiting for a court date, 10 day post court waiting period, and waiting to come home.  So you can see patience is needed.  It is sooo very hard to be this close and yet still have to wait for so many steps to get these girls out of Yuglegorsk and in our home where they belong.  If you recall the Bill Murray movie, "Ground Hog Day," Cari and I feel like each day that same alarm clock goes off and the same day gets played out again and again, only no paunxetawny Phil.

The visitation time was great today as usual.  Inna was a bit more subdued than normal, getting bored and ready to get on with the final steps.  Inna and Rada are watching as the families who came before us are making final preperations for their kids to leave the orphanage and go to Kiev next tuesday.  Meanwhile we all wait.  So patience is running short for the girls, more so with Inna.

Rada continues to soak in the time together, she is so excited to have a Mom and Dad that waiting for her is no problem.  Tomorrow we go to church.

More photos!

Inna- left, Onya-center our interpreter, Ira-friend and interpreter from Sevastopel

Inna Grace

Rada Arianne

Just missing Garett and Jake!

Sacrifice

As the clock exacts its unstoppable toll, the notion of sacrifice is everywhere evident in this process.  What kind of sacrifice do I mean?   I am not referring only to money (cost of adopting and lost wages), time away from family, work impact, the difficulties integrating institutionalized orphans into family life, parenting children who don't speak english, all of which are significant.  What I am coming to realize in technicolor is that adopting orphans is risky business.  No doubt, Sacrifices both obvious and unknown are required.

Lately, I am often caught up by worries about my practice with rescheduling patient appointments and surgery, and missing out on Jake and Garrett back home.  Ok, feeling sorry for myself a bit. It has been refreshing for me to step back and look at the families with us here in Ukraine.  We have been priviledged to observe the very real sacrifices of these families who are weeks ahead of us in the adoption process.  For example, one of the families has five biological children and is now adding one more.  They described how the substantial financial barrier was overcome, and how their whole family has sacrificed to adopt one more child.  I could go on and on in discussing the other families sacrifices, but the bottom-line is that taking care of orphans in this way is a multidimensional sacrifice.  We have found new heroes here in these families.

The truth is that adopting any child whether domestic or foreign is a sacrifice.  Time, money, and tears are all spent in the process.   When viewed through the prism of this world it seems foolish, but in the clarity of eternal light such sacrifice is shown to be a fabulous investment.  God loves orphans.  I believe He rewards the sacrifices for them, but not necessarily in the way or in the timing we would expect.  When we see the faces of our kids the sacrifices are all worth it.

Driving through the gates of Yuglegorsk, you see a broken down black and white documentary of neglect and rejection, hopelessness and despair,  but when you see the faces of the children the vivid beauty of technicolor reveals real kids with heart and hope who love and sacrifice for each other.  For most of these children their peers are their family.  They depend on each other to make it.  I was amazed watching two boys of maybe 10-12 working together ringing out their laundry and hanging it out to dry.  All over the orphanage we see many examples of kids taking care of each other.  Like soldiers in combat, their joined misery creates deep bonds.  Seeing our girls interact with their friends has been very heart warming.

Today our time together with Inna and Rada was very enjoyable, playing games, slogging bad russian and broken english back and forth, laughing and just enjoying being together.  Inna and her friend Cristina played rummikub with Cari and Anya and then worked on some very nice art projects together, while Rada and I played "Blink."  She crushed me 7 games to 2, and then we played an English as a second language learning game.  Wow, she is doing very well.  I think these girls are going to learn English very quickly.

Today we went to the notary and signed documents for the girls passports and visas to get back to the USA along with the other families.  Eventhough, the time horizon is further out for us, it still felt good... moving forward.  We also learned that we will not have any tranlator help for several days, so will have a great opportunity for deeper immersion in russian.  I am getting very good at saying  "I only speak a little russian, I speak english, do you speak english?"  Most of the time all I get is "Niyet."  Please pray for us to get our court date next thursday.  As always, pray for our girls to bond with us and feel at home and safe in our presence.


By the way, we just learned that the upcoming Christmas hosting is now in danger of being cancelled since there are only two families signed on and there must be at least three to go forward.  If any of you are interested, it costs $2,800 per child and paperwork must be done this week.  Check  out Grizfamily@blogspot.com  for pictures of kids who are hoping to get hosted and/or adopted and details at www.ukrainianresourcecenter.com (Laura Passanita).

Ray

Again Awaiting His Timing

We are discovering the community around our hotel as we wait for our 3:00pm meetings with the children everyday. Two of the families have rented apartments, one family is staying in a Sunday school classroom at a local church and we are staying at one of two hotels in town. The other hotel, which is closer to the orphanage is full. We have enjoyed trying many tasty new dishes. Boys, I hope you are up to my experiments with new recipes. I promise not to get too outlandish. They love salads here, and like Idahoans can make potatoes 100 different ways. There is a wonderful farmers market with beautiful and tasty produce about a block from where we are staying.

I am so glad Ray is here sharing this time with me, although his work colleagues are making a real sacrifice to enable him to be here. The days wear on, three weeks now, and we heard today our court date will most likely be next Thursday. Praying thet if it will bring God glory, it would be sooner. They are having to reschedule 100 patients a week now. Once we have our court date he cant return to Kiev, have his exit interview at the U.S. Embassy and fly home. I will stay with the girls the remaining 10 day waiting period.

Hang in there boys. We miss you and love you. See you as soon as we can. Keep on praying!
In him,
Cari(mom)

It wouldn't take FAITH if we had this all figured out...

The road less travelled can be a great adventure but also lonely and full of danger.  There are moments in this process when the risks and possible problems seem overwhelming, and one needs to be reminded that we are not in control desperately in need of faith to face one day at a time.  We know this is the right place to be, just need faith every day.

Today began with a long taxi ride with Sasha and Viktor beyond Donetsk to Rada's birthtown (which escapes me just now) in order to secure her release for adoption.  It turns out Rada's biological mother had 6 children (all with different last names) but only one is still adoptabable since he is 15 years old (the others are older).  It seems she has never met him.  In Ukraine, you must adopt all siblings under 16 to keep families together, but there are exceptions.  The trip today was to secure an exception.  A special guardian trustee committee met and agreed that it is in Rada's best interests to release her for adoption.  We could not adopt her brother even if we wanted to because we are only approved for two children by the SDA.  This was a very important answer to prayer.

Our time today with the girls was tooooo short as usual.  Rada as usual sprinted to give us hugs.  She is always  just so joyful.  Even before we offered her adoption she just always radiates a calm a joyful presence.  We played games together and interacted the entire time.  Her friends kept trying to lure her away to do one thing or the next and she would have none of it.  She is just eating up every Mom and Dad minute she can get.  She told us through Ira yesterday that she never thought she could ever have a family.  When Ira asked her is she wanted one she shook her head vigorously yes.  Each day she has given us pretty pictures first of her new family (including pink eye shadow for sister Inna and Momma Cari), then of Mom and next for me.  She is all in on being part of a family.

Inna came today looking pretty as usual.  She is less willing to try to use english words than the younger kids, but we are continuing to press her to use this time together to learn some english words.  Most of the kids we interact with from Yuglegorsck seem 2-3 years younger or less mature than their chronological ages, but not Inna.  She seems more mature and introspective.  Typical teenage girl.  Lord help us.

We continue to wait (less and less patiently I might add) for our court date to finalize the adoptions.  Today we continue to wait, but hopefully tomorrow we will know the date,  finally.   My staff back at home is anxiously waiting for the date so that they can deal with my patients and surgery schedule.  The kicker is that my excellent secretary Courtney is due to deliver her baby any day... Sorry for adding to your troubles Courtney!

Thanks for all the prayers and emails of encouragement

Keep Praying,

Ray

Day 18

We awoke to a cold, drizzly, smoggy morning, the pungent scent of which squeezed past the windowpanes into our room. While we were eating breakfast, one of the ladies in our hotel who has been especially grumpy asked today asked why we are here. Ira explained we are here to adopt. She asked if Americans get money from the government or some kind of advantage for adopting, to come all the way from America. Ira told her it is because God tells us in the Bible he has a special place in his heart for taking care of orphans and widows. We love God and want to follow him. We love these children. This woman got an excited look in her eye and said her son and his wife can not have children. She talked to them about adopting, but instead they got a pet and treat it like a child. Thankful for the opportunity to share.

We roasted the sunflower seeds over Holly and Bob's gas stove. They sure were a delicious treat, a hit with everyone. Volva who drives us to the orphanage in his van most days brought the assistant director, Nadia several crates of grapes from his vines to share with the children. Rada drew Ray a picture. We enjoyed the afternoon talking with the girls before Ira caught a taxi to Donetsk for her return train ride to Sevastopel. We'll miss her.

Viktor, our facilitator returns to Enakieva from Kiev tomorrow. We hope to get a progress report after he files more paperwork. We are so thankful for his faithful, persistent, knowledgeable work on our behalf. He really knows what he is doing, trusts the Lord and loves these children. Such a blessing. God is faithful and good, all the time.

In Him,
Cari

"For I know the plans I have for you..."

In Jeremiah 29:11-14 we read, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. Over the past several days we have spent some quality time (thanks to Ira's help) talking about our attitude toward adoption and in particular what that means to Inna and Rada joining our family. We made it clear that by adoption into our family it is as if they were born to us flesh of our flesh. They will be fully our kids no less or more than brothers Garrett and Jake. We emphasized that being in a family is not always easy and problems will arise. But as we spoke it struck me that God's plans for these girls is unfolding because He is in the business of healing broken hearts and hearing the crys of the fatherless, and creating beauty from ashes.

Tonight we went to the orphanage and were able to meet privately with Nadia the assistant director of the Yuglegorsck orphanage and she gave us her take on our girls and was very helpful. She gave us some precious photos of both Inna and Rada when they were very young. one excellent photo has Inna, Vika, and Katia together. Inna was so moved that we were able to get these photos. The previous night we went through our photo album introducing them to our large extended families. The girls are so ready to get out and move on with their lives. Ira has been so outstanding. She is not a translator, she is family. Aunt Ira is more in order. She loves these girls and has been used by God at a critical time for both Inna and Rada.

On Sunday Ira translated at church for Cari, David, and Ingrid (I stayed back in bed sick with the flu). I am getting better. Tomorrow night Ira must return to Sevestopol and we will miss her immensely.

Viktor informed us today that we are able to adopt both girls with one court date, he thinks he will know our court date on Wednesday. Please pray for favor with the court authorities
for these girls.

Ray

At last some photos with the help of Jack's laptop!

Inna, Ray and Rada

Rada center and friends Emily left, and Masha right

In Jeremiah 33:3 God says "Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know."  We have had the opportunity to see the truth of this verse so many times this journey. It is so exciting to see God work on your own behalf, on the behalf of others when you are praying for or with them for a very concrete need. Provision of his timing of travel tickets, restoring someone's health, for the clerk to find the right file, the lost file, the missing document or facts, to overlook another fact....He is amazing.  May he give us eyes to see more of what he does, a constant awareness of what he is doing this moment and to enter fully in with thankful hearts.

We looked for shoes for Rada at the market today because she has been wearing slippers since we met, indoors or out. No success yet, but we did buy raw sunflower seeds from a farmer to try to roast them on the stove and share with the kids tomorrow. It is getting cold again. Supposed to be about 40 tomorrow.

Rada met us at the door to the play room today with a drawing of our whole family including her and Inna complete with sparkly hearts. So sweet. She informed us she would like to learn to play guitar and I told her that her brother Garrett plays. Inna soon joined us and we played games.

We learned that Ola will be hosted over the Christmas break by a family. Such good news. Now there is just one girl left in that class, a sweet 14 year old named Tanya who has played games with us and loves to toss the football.

Ray, our interpreter Onya and one of the girls, Emily seem to have a bug of some sort so please pray they recover without any further aches or pains after a good night's sleep. The other families had their court date thursday and now are in their 10 day waiting period, after which they get the new birth certificate, passport, medical exam of the child and exit interview of the parent(s)and then home to USA. It will be quiet after they leave, but that won't be till next Sunday or so.

We are going to turn in earlier tonight as church is at 9 am and Ira will be interpreting the service for us this time.  So excited. We have a whole list of things we want to talk about with the girls tomorrow and to learn from them. With Ira's help we expect our visiting time to be especially productive.

Until next time,
Love, Cari

Adopting Rada

I am writing this is a bit of a  fog.  The past several days have been a challenge.  The trip back to Kiev (12 hours on tuesday night and  then last night another 12 hours... whew brutal.  I need not explain that riding the night train in Ukraine is a wild experience (it is NOT possible to sleep on these trains, Snoring mixed with the swaying and rattling and there you have it).  This AM we stumbled off the train at 0700 hrs and were met by fantastic Sasha and driven 120km from Donetsck to Enakievo to file our paper work, notaries and Adoption ministry inspector interview and record review.  Finally we were taken to the orphange to do yet more paperwork all in order to adopt Rada.  She is worth every bit of this.  We cannot wait for you all to meet her.  She is a great little gal.  Today, getting to see her face when she was offered adoption into our family was beyond words.  She just lit up.  She then had to write in her own handwriting a statement officially accepting adoption and stating that she wants to go to America.   The whole experience has been surreal.  Ira, was fantastic today helping us with translation to really communicated deepley with both Rada and Inna.  I cannot put into words how reassuring her very presence is and the ease of communication with her help.  Even though we only had 3 hours together today, the time with Ira's help was priceless.  Throughout today's orphanage visit (Rada's first official one) Rada was just beaming.  So were we.  But now we need to get rest... big time.

Getting Inna and Rada has been quite the process, but we could not do this without the help of our families, friends, and my coworkers.   Wiley and Carolyn Smith who are my second Mom and Dad have been watching over Garrett and Jake and  you could not ask for better people to hold down the homefront.  A huge thanks to my coworkers at Urology of Virgina who have been outstanding.  The timing of this adoption was not good for our practice as this is literally the first month out of Sentara and back into independence.  Mike Fabrizio, Dana Adams, and Lynn Walls have been fantastic.  Nikki Reyes, who is one of the best physician assistants in the world called me on my cell phone as the team was getting nervous about my return.  Little did she know that when she called we were walking into the orphanage.  Kim Bradley-Redman and Courtney Cain have been AWESOME.  Kim is my nurse and one of the brightest and most organized people.  Courtney is my secretary and soon to deliver her baby.  Thanks to everyone.  Many people tell us repeatedly that we are heroes to adopt these girls, but it is not just us doing this. It has been many people making this happen.  God Bless all of you in helping these soon to be Ex-Orphans.

Hopefully, we will get a court date and get back on track next week.  I need to get home to my practice and the boys, but not until our girls are secured.

God Bless,

Ray and Cari

The Night Train Back to Kiev

We have been spending our time in the mornings doing personal Bible study time, reading, studying Russian and checking out the market a couple of blocks from our hotel. It has been fun discovering the neighborhood near us. Onya, one of our interpreters has been a great help when we get stuck with a language problem.

Yesterday we packed up our bags and checked out of our hotel before going over to the orphanage to visit the girls. It was a nice day outside so we played games outside in the yard: catching football, kicking soccer ball till it exploded, identifying the states on the i pad and showing photos of our family and friends back home. We miss you so much.

Afterward we picked up our backpacks leaving the rest of our luggage(and clothes still drying on their line) at )at Holly and Bill's one of the other couples to catch the night train back to Kiev. We are getting a new referral so we can visit with Rodda and adopt her. Irina, a friend of Viktor's met us at the train to take us to the appointment. When we got to the SDA to see the files of the girls, they could not find Ola's file only Rodda's to show us. We said we preferred her anyway. We will pick up our dossier tomorrow, Thursday and catch the night train again back to to be there Friday am.


While we were on the train north to Kiev, our friend Ira from Sevastopel in southern Ukraine was on the train North to visit us and Inna. We all met in Virginia Beach in July by God's design and wanted her to be with us during this time of wrapping up the process as she has become such a good friend and been so helpful to us all. Although we will have to wait until Friday to see her, we heard she was a great help translating for the other families at the orphanage today during their visit. One family said it was the best conversation they have had with their child so far. What a blessing!

We may not get a chance to post again until Friday. Until next time please pray For Ray's staff who will need to adjust the schedule as we do not yet have a court date and he can't schedule his flight back until after that. We are just taking the next step the Lord makes evident. Sure a good reminder who is in control, eh? Strangely freeing. Please continue praying for the boys and Carolyn and Wiley to know God's peace and provision.
In his love,
Cari

Decision Time

Today we decided to adopt Rodda.  We have prayed hard and tried to listen as intently to God's leading as possible, but as much as we want to adopt both Ola and Rodda, we can only get one girl and today we have chosen Rodda.  Please pray for Ola.  Every time I see both Rodda and Ola I just want to grab them up and pour love and affection into their lives.  Ola is more openly desperate for a family.  Where Rodda is like so many long time orpans, quietly despearate for the love of her own family, Ola is passionate and insistent.  We like the other families are now on a mission to get Ola a family.  For any of you contemplating adoption, this beautiful little 12 year old girl would be fantastic.  If you want more information please email to either Cari or me and we'll fill you in.  Sadly, Ola and Rodda's story is just a snapshot of what is happening for all the Ukraine orphans.  A precious few get adopted and the rest are left behing feeling new rejection, and the gnawing grinding pain of not belonging.  Families who come to adopt see the many who they cannot bring home like Ola and some decide to take action.  Karol Saner did that for Inna.  Because Karol decided NOT forget about Inna even after a few years she is now about to get erased from the orphan roster.  We plan to go Karol Saner on the Ola situation.  You can bet will get Babushka Karol on the Ola bandwagon.

I could go on and on about the wonderful deserving children who are not getting adopted here at Yuglegorsck, but you all get the picture.  As Laura Passanita likes to say not everyone is called to adopt but everyone is called to help orphans.  In John we are reminded that, "true religion is this... help widows and orphans in their time of distress."  In this past week we have peered into the faces of such distress and feel the heart of God who calls us to do something.  Enough of the sermon... sorry.

Today we were hopeful to go back to Kiev for our second appointment in order to adopt Rodda, but now it seems that it will be wednesday.  Our very dear and wonderful Ukrainian sister Ira from Sevastopal is going to arrive wednesday morning.  Inna, Cari and I are all excited to see her.  Ira has been CRUCIAL to bringing Inna home from the very beginning of our July  hosting visit with Inna.  The first sunday that Ira was in the US she and her friend Avie (a missionary who works and lives in Sevastopal) just happened to accidentally come to the second of three services at our home church Grace Bible Church where we with Inna just accidentally happened to be attending.  It was a very low point for Inna where she had decided not to be adopted in fear of coming to the US and becoming very closed to us spending most of the time in her room.  Suddenly God depolyed Ira (who had prayed to be used on her trip) to help in translating and more that that speaking wisdom into the life of this wonderful young lady Inna Denya.  I cannot stress how crucially important Ira's role in Inna's final decision to become Inna Grace Lance and come to the United States was and still is.  Ira took time from her vacation to minister to Inna and us, and now in just a few days she will come to the place where it all began for Inna.  I wonder if God has a bigger role for Ira in orphan ministry?  Pray for Ira's travel safety and pray that she will be used by God not only in working with us but most likely the other families and the many orphans we all interact with at Yuglegorsck.

Today we spent a very wonderful time together at the orphanage.  Once we arrived for our usual 3pm vistation time all the other kids arrived but not Inna.  We waited and waited and then finally came Inna with... Rodda.  Unknow to us, Inna had circumvented the usual orphanage procedure to get Rodda from her mandatory nap so she could be with us.  Until the official referral from the SDA, prospective adoptive parents are not allowed to see the children like this.  Big sister came through!!  It was great.  We played games together and practiced learning english words.  Wow, Rodda was catching on very quickly.  She has such a beautiful happy spirit.  We can't wait for all of you to meet her.  Meanwhile, Inna, Cari and Anya our translator were hatching plans for how we can help Luda.  Inna is such a generous and gracious young lady... I am so proud of her.

Tommrow we travel to Kiev.... we hope.  Cari is breathing much better today (it rained all day today).


Blessings,

Ray

The House of Good News!

We enjoyed attending church with one of the New York couples David and Ingrid. We made a joyful noise singing Blessed Assurance in a different tongue with all those Ukrainian voices. That was the only song we knew. They do love to sing. About ten different groups of people took a turn singing a song with a different person playing piano each time. We shared tea and cookies afterward visiting a little with some of the folks.

We went to the orphanage earlier today as the kids have a free day  on Sunday.  They have classes and chores six days a week.  They get to shower on Tuesday.  They wash their own extra set of clothing by hand in a wash tub and wring them outside with a friend and hang them out to dry.  Hmmmm. Gives new meaning to hand wash, eh?

We played outside today with the kids. They say it will be the last warm day so everyone was eager to soak up the lingering rays of sun.  We got to meet Inna's best friend Luda who was here to visit from her trade school where she is learning to be a painter. That would have been Inna's trade, too.  She is thin as a rail, even more so than most of the kids here as she has been finding her own food now that she is on her own at 17 with essentially no skills. I'm glad we were able to spend time with her and feed her some extra snacks we brought.  All too soon we had to pack up in the van and head back for dinner and to the hotel.  It is hard to fill your own stomach thinking about the meager meals they get.  10 chickens for the month to feed 120 kids...

Tomorrow Viktor is expecting us to give him a name of the girl we want to pursue for our second daughter.  We don't feel we can adequately make that decision.  Praying God will make it for us in his unmistakable way. Cherishing your prayers.

Didn't understand a lot of what was said in the church meeting today, just a few words here and there, but one word I heard over and over in various forms was blagadarna, which means some form of thankfulness.  I truly am considering how thankful is my heart? How am I demonstrating it? I am counting the ways he blesses.
Until next time,
Love in him,
Cari

reality and the call

Tonight Cari and I were again reminded that working with orphans is both beautiful and exhausting at the same time, as so many others can testify.  The damage done to children who are abandoned and do not get the care only a family can provide is extensive and requires massive energy and patience to overcome.  We were given the "briefing" from the social worker, psychologist and the orphanage director on the girls we are looking at to become Inna's and the boys sister.  I will not use the specific names to protect the girls privacy.  To say the least these briefings tell a story of deep heartache, rejection, neglect and above all the message, "you don't matter to anyone."  One of the girls was adopted by a Ukrainian family when she was 4 along with her brother only to be "returned" to the orphanage because she was too much trouble at age 8.  The briefers told us that this girl was difficult at first but has made great progress here at Yuglegorsck and has steadfastly asked again and again asked for a family in order to be adopted.  The second girl has been continuously in the orphanage system since one year of age and due to "learning failure," she was sent from one orphanage here to Yuglegorsck (for the mentally delayed).  Her teacher progress reports state that she cannot read well or comprehend and struggles with penmanship despite otherwise seeming to be bright.  As parents of two kids with dyslexia we immediately recognized that this girl has dyslexia that has not and will likely never get the therapy to adapt and succeed here in Ukraine.  She is very sweet and beams with happiness.  Who do we choose and how can we make such a choice?  We continue to pray literally on our knees about this decision.  We thought that today was the day we would need to provide the answer but we have one more day.  Not that one more day will make this decision anymore easy.  One of the girls has a 15 year old brother and we are not allowed to adopt him also, thus will require extra time to release her for adoption.


Ola or Rodda?  In God's hands.  We so look forward to our 3 hours to be with our kids each day.  Today at the orphanage we had some fun looking at Inna's pictures and playing a game of charades.  I was able to spend some time with Rodda and really connected.   She is such a pretty little lady with very long hair and a great smile.  Meanwhile Cari spent a little time with Ola and gave her a fresh pair of new socks.  My first interaction with her was helping her to weave a friendship bracelet and looking down I noticed her little toes sticking out through huge holes in her socks.  Socks went on the shopping list for Ola.

After returning to our hotel, we both felt overwhelmed with the job ahead of taking two girls back to the USA with little to no English language skills and educated them, parent them and above all love them while at the same time tending to our wonderful sons Garrett and Jake.  We feel inadequate but take comfort knowing that whatever trouble or difficulties and challenges will arise, these kids are worth it every bit of it.  When Cari and I come to the final moments of our lives we will never regret the price paid to parent orphans.  We choose to take the pain with the joy.  We choose to take the road less travelled and will be all the happier for it.

Tommorrow we will go to church in Enakievo and hopefully back to Kiev on monday for our second referral.  Continue to pray for us in this decision and for God's guidance.  Above all pray for both Ola and Rodda, who are 12 year old girls who deserve a loving family.  If our paperwork allowed it we would be adopting both Rodda and Ola along with big sister Inna, but alas this is not the case so the choice must be made.

Cari is struggling tonight with asthma from wind and smog and extensive open air trash burning going on all around Enakievo.  Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Ray

Wrestling

Today was marked by a back and forth struggle to decide between two wonderful little girls to become Inna, Garrett and Jake's sister each of whom equally worthy and in need of a family.  I cannot put into words how hard it is to decide who not to choose.  All the families here with us say the same thing:  how can we adopt more of these kids.  Each day when we go to the orphanage and we look into the eyes and the earnest faces of hope.  There are many moments spent swallowing hard on that big lump in your throat so the tears are not obvious.  Big guys aren't supposed cry after all.  This big guy is using up a lot of kleenex let me assure you.  You CANNOT come to Yglegorsck and not return changed and convicted of the need to do whatever you can to aid the plight of orphans.

I pulled out an "American Football," pumped it up and started showing a few of the boys how to throw a spiral.  Before long everyone was have a go at it.  One young man has taken a special liking to me.  He is a tall 15 year old boy with a big heart.  He just wants a dad like everyone else, but unfortunately very few 15 year olds of either sex EVER get adopted.  In fact according to the adoption stats from the SDA only 0.2% of 15 year olds get adopted.

Our Inna is one of the 0.2% group thanks to God using many people along the way for that.  She chose Grace for her middle name and it is fitting.  God called Inna by name out of the orphan world and graciously placed her in our home.  Grace fits her in so many ways.  She is a beautiful young woman who is funny and intelligent and even in the midst of orphan trappings carries herself with distinct grace.  And by God's Grace Inna Grace Lance will be an orphan no more.

Despite Inna's story,  spending time with Sasha and a wonderful beautiful new born again believer named Oksana who have little hope for adoption personify the plight of the "old ones" in Ukraine orphanages.  Please pray for them.  As Sasha and I played together I saw the little boy grin come out that I see when playing with my own boys Garrett and Jake.  He just wants a Dad.

I along with the other Dads in the adoption contingent get mobbed by lots of little boys and your heart aches for their need.  Boys need dads and dads need their heavenly father for guidance.  Pray for all of the orphans of Yglegorsck but tonight say an extra prayers for the forgotton boys also.

Tomorrow is decision day for us.  Pray for us.

Trains and Taxis to Yuglegorsk

We boarded the train in Kiev 7 pm tues. evening and arrived wed morning in Donetsk about 7 am. A driver picked us up at the train station and drove us straight to Enakieva where we met with Galena who is responsible for the orphans in this region and her inspector. They viewed our photo album and asked us questions regarding why we want to adopt from the Ukraine, etc. Next, they sent us down the road to the notary who said they were not working today, but come back tomorrow and our papers would be ready to sign.  So we jumped back in the car and drove down up the street. The next place we hopped out of the car Viktor said|" Here we are, the orphanage". What? No shower, no breakfast. Well Karol, you did warn us.... So we met with the social worker Larissa who showed us Inna's file and talked about her history.  Then we were introduced to the Director who asked us more questions about why we want to adopt Inna, which we answered and then the door opened and in came Inna, smiling, laughing, looking great. After a brief visit, the director asked Inna if she wanted us to adopt her, to which she said, "Da, horosho," which means yes, very good. Inna took us on a tour of her side of the orphanage, introducing us to friends, taking photos, and getting photographed. Wow! A surreal experience only accentuated by a mind hazy from the brief few winks of sleep between Kiev and Donetsk.

After about half an hour with Inna, we left, got lunch, checked into our hotel, showered and were ready to join the three other couples who are here for three to six o clock visits of the children we are all adopting. It has been great to hear their experiences and share games and fun with the kids together. Holly and Bob are from New York along with her brother David and his wife Ingrid. Jack and Laura are from Indiana and I think the last couple is also from New York and friends of the first two couples.

Today, thursday, we signed official petition papers at the notary to adopt Inna. Then Viktor called us back to the orphanage to learn about two other girls, age twelve to observe and consider for a second daughter. It is surely overwhelming so much information to process and so many children with no family. We are praying for God's clear direction, ears to hear, ability to follow and to slam the door shut where he does not want us to go. We met Olga, Ruda and Oksana today during play time with the other children after asking Inna what she thought about having a sister. We had already talked to the boys about this possibility earlier. The next few days we will continue with the other couples to visit with our children being joined by one more couple before our time here is finished. If we adopt one more girl we will have to submit the request in Kiev in person tuesday or wednesday and wait a few more days to hear when our day in court will be.

Thanks for continuing to lift us up in prayer.  We appreciate you so much.  As Ray and I talked about the pain and plight of so many children last night, we identified with something I read in Ann Voskamp's book 1000 Gifts. If we had written their story maybe we'd have written it differently, but we have to trust that God is writing their story. He is  good and he loves these children.  He is listening to them. He is answering their prayers one(or two...)at a time. We are trying to listen to what he is saying to us and to follow.
Love in Him,
Cari