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
This is my first time being here so I read many of your posts to learn of your experience. You are a great writer Ray and your entries really allow us to understand all the interesting nuances of daily living while trying to bring an orphan home. God bless you, Cari, Ina & Rada (and your sons too!) Praying for healthy, safe return. In HIM, Valerie
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