Sunday, April 7, 2013

Preparing for Take-Off

We're sitting in a Starbucks in Amsterdam, waiting over 3 hours for our connection to Kiev.  It's 6 a.m. on Monday morning here, but our bodies are telling us that it is midnight.  We're exhausted, but we still have hours and hours to go before we're settled in Kiev. 

A week ago we were busy celebrating our risen Christ with our family in Pennsylvania, and waiting patiently to hear from the SDA about our upcoming appointment.  Based on others’ experiences and counseling from our adoption agency we knew the time would soon be coming, and then we would have a couple weeks to prepare to be on our way.  Well… instead it has been an exhilarating rush to get ready since Monday.  We were given one week to be in Ukraine.  We will have our SDA appointment on 04/10/2013 at 9:00am.

We got our official invite Monday (04/01/2013) via e-mail.  Well, Michelle got the e-mail.  I got the news by way of shrieks, and frantic shaking of hand held technology.  She didn’t let me down with her reaction.  I am so blessed to have been there for it.  God’s timing is perfect because on a usual Monday I would have long been at work when Olga’s e-mail came in.  The joy, excitement, and panic that was seen on Michelle’s face within seconds was priceless as she cycled through the same response over and over for about 10 minutes before it caught up with her that we would have to start traveling in less than a week.

The van was converted into Michelle’s mobile office and off we went Monday morning.  In the first three hours after receiving the e-mail she booked our travel, made countless other phone calls and contacts, and created the master list of to dos.  I got off easy and just kept the wheels between the ditches. 

Throughout the week Michelle prepared the house, girls, and made countless arrangements.  I made arrangements at work and prepared everything I could to be gone for a few weeks.  Friday and Saturday we spent time with Sophie and Claire, packed, repacked, and packed again, lamenting over what to take for us, the orphanage, director, others who help us along the way, and most importantly for Tatiana and Rita. 

We wished Sophie and Claire good bye about 13 hours ago, and they seem a world away right now.  We can't wait to be able to call them soon with some news! 

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