Sunday afternoon

It has been quite a six hours since I posted at 10am. As I’m heading out the door at 11am I ran into Kostya and Anna heading out too. I greet them good-morning and their response wasn’t very cheerful. Kostya even said some like “no not really”. I asked if he wasn’t feeling well and didn’t get anything out of him. We walked on to the car, got in, and began to drive away. Just a few feet away from the door, we stop and Anna get’s out. While she was out of the car, Kostya told me that Anna’s grandmother had died. Anna returned to the car and I expressed my sorrow and we began to drive.

Just as I am beginning to think about what the impact of this news will have on the process, Kostya tells me that that they were thinking that they could take me to get the kids, we could gather up there last few things, say their good-byes and stay with me at Tatiana’s until we leave for Kiev, hopefully Tuesday if the passports come. Needless to say, I’m a little lost for words. I wasn’t ready to keep the kids with me until Tuesday (hopefully) and what about the passports on Monday?

I tried to formulate my thoughts, and while I was doing so, Kostya continues saying that they are going to be heading to Knickalive (sp) (their hometown) as soon as they bring us back to Tatiana’s and will be back late Monday night. I’m trying really hard to process all that information and I must admit it’s hard. I’m trying to be respectful of the pain and grief Anna and Kostya are going through and remind myself just an hour ago I was writing about letting God be in control of the plans.

On the way to get the kids, I ask if there is anyone else here that could facilitate the completion of the passports should they come on Monday and they told me that they won’t be coming because the passport offices all across Ukraine are not open on Mondays. They are only open Tuesdays thru Saturdays. That was new news. Now I’m thinking again about the expediting fee…let it go I tell myself. I can come back to address that issue at a more appropriate time.

We continue to drive and I’m continuing to try to come up with a better plan and don’t. It is what it is and I need to focus on the kids and the news they are about to get that they need to gather up their last few things and say good-bye. Not exactly what I had envisioned or even described to them how we would be leaving.

When we arrive, Kostya shared the news with them and they are excited and ran inside to get their things. I followed along and on the way the kids were stopping and telling everyone. Before long I think everyone had heard the news. We quickly gather the rest of their things and headed back downstairs and towards the doors where adults and children had gather to say good-bye. So far so good I thought. Everyone is holding it together pretty well. Then, one of the teachers got down on her knees and started talking to the children and they started to cry. Then other teachers said their good-byes and more crying. Then other children said their good-byes and more crying. It was very difficult for everyone. I can’t imagine what was going on in Maks, Alona, and Natasha’s hearts and minds; much less the caregivers and the children, that moments later would be going back to what they were doing minutes before. As we got in the car and pulled away, I hit me that 45 minutes earlier I was mourning the death of Anna’s grandmother and now celebrating this new life for Maks, Alona and Natasha.

We arrived at Tatiana’s around noon, put away their things, and were offered to use the “Arabian” room where Anna and Kostya had been staying. Tatiana took us upstairs and helped the kids get settled in to their room. There is a queen bed and a sleeper sofa that will work out great for them. After we unpacked some clothes, we went to Winnie the Pooh to eat and from there we went to the grocery store to buy some food for the next couple of days. I don’t think we could all survive on oatmeal, bars, and Coke Light. At the store, everyone did great taking turns pushing the buggy and showing me everything they wanted. Maks was particularly helpful in telling me what they liked and didn’t like. We bought from bananas, apples, oranges, cucumbers, some salami and cheese slices, some fresh sardines, some crackers, some chips, some soup, some bread, juices, and water.

From the grocery, we came back to Tatiana’s and have been watching TV, coloring, and have had a snack of apples, bananas and crackers. Alona and Natasha found a broom on the porch and have cleaned everything up!

We are getting ready to head to the park, then dinner, then baths and to bed! Don’t know if I’ll have a chance to post again tonight or not! Please pray that the passports arrive on Tuesday so we can move to the next step.

Blessings <><,
David


Leaving!