We had to meet everyone at the Metro station, and from there we took a bus to heaven-knows-where. It's funny, because really, we are at the mercy of everyone else. We had no idea where we were, and no idea how to get back. Oh, and no bathrooms, so I tried to go easy on the beverages so I didn't have to squat behind a tree :)
But really, we had an awesome time. I met the wives of some of the staff members for the church, and they were so warm and inviting. They all speak very good English, and made an effort to let me in on the conversations. It was fun watching the kids play, while the women chatted and the men made grunting sounds around the fire pits.
Nate made really amazing shashlik (Ukrainian shish-kabobs...veggies and marinated chicken and pork-- drool.) If you haven't noticed, I'm not so vegetarian on this trip...it's too hard to find good veg choices with the language barrier, and not being able to find the "normal" foods/seasonings that I am used to cooking with. So, we're enjoying it while we're here...and will detox when we get home!!
We ate, and played games...we stood around the American bonfire. It was about 60 degrees out today, so it felt so good to get toasty near the flames. Then we ate some more. Oh, and we ate some more after that. And then Diana tried to kill me with a cup of hot coffee.
There was a tiny rainstorm, and we packed everything up and headed home...which was convenient because Tatyana called and said that she had papers ready for us to sign!!
She asked if they could pick us up- which was impossible because we had no idea where we were- lol. They had to wait for us to make our way to the apartment.
But onto the important stuff: our apeal is in the system as of Friday. Tatyana will be submitting documents from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice along with our petition to expedite our appeal date on Monday. On Monday, she also hopes to hear about our date. We found out today that not only is our case holding up adoptions for children under five in our region, but also for all of Ukraine. I'm secretly hoping that after our appeal and our successful adoption, that there will be a Maddex case law somewhere that other families can site in their processes :)
She tells us that everything for our case looks good...that everyone is in our favor...so the only piece that we are waiting to fall into place is the TIME piece. Will we be able to get a date in a timely fashion, allowing us to stay in country until we can leave with Danila? We hope so. I think we can probably stretch this trip out another 2 weeks if need be...so that is our biggest prayer right now. Please, God, make this part happen!
Well, it's almost 10pm. That means it is time for me to make some spaghetti for dinner. Our schedules are SO messed up. Thanks for all your prayers and comments...we love reading them!
God is still in the Mountain Moving business, and I can see this one coming down quickly! Praying!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
crossing all crossables.
ReplyDeleteI remember the geneticist explaining the types of DS to us, and saying, "Down syndrome is Down syndrome, it doesn't really matter which type." (At which point I asked why we were even discussing it, and she said, "Well, for your next baby." Which, not an issue for you here, right?)
Anyway. I've been thinking about that, and Danil. DS is DS. Get him home already!