Let's get packing!

We're heading to Ukraine!  Not for the adoption; but just to connect with Katya.  Thank you, Lord!  We've believed that we would see the perfection of God's timing as we watched, worked, and waited.  Now we are convinced that we are beginning to see the glimmers.

So, next Thursday this crew ...



... will begin traveling eastward to reconnect with this precious one. 



Most likely, the adoption won't happen until October, but we sense a pressing conviction that we need to relationally connect with Katya NOW.  She has been away from us for over a year now and this is a LONG time for an 8-year old.   We need to spend time with Katya and Tamara and see Odessa through their eyes.  We need to pray and watch their relationship and ask the Lord how He would have us care for Tamara as she prepares to send her granddaughter across the world.  We need to be with Katya and as we play ask God to get her heart ready for what is to come.  We need to bond with Katya and provide opportunities for all the children to simply enjoy one another without the pressure of a pending court date, passports to track down, or pensions to pursue.  We simply need to be with Katya.

When we go back, hopefully in October, just Bill and I will go.  The children will stay behind with dear friends.  This will keep us from exasperating our children by having them wait outside of offices, visit court rooms, and do the hard work of adoption.  Oh, how we will miss them!  But, that's ahead of today. 

Here's our travel schedule:

August 13th - travel to Washington D.C. and spend the night

August 14th - 6:30 AM fly from Dulles to JFK

                         ~ 5:00 PM fly from Dulles to Kiev

August 15th - Arrive in Kiev

August 16th - Travel from Kiev to Odessa with a stop at  LifeSong Hope House on the way

August 16th - 23rd - In Odessa

August 23rd - Travel back to Kiev

August 24th - Fly from Kiev to Frankfurt and back to Dulles

Needless to say, the next week will be CRAZY as we prepare.  Oh, and did I mention that many of our documents are expiring?  So, not only are we preparing to travel, we're also updating our dossier so that we take these documents with us.  We'd LOVE your prayers!

So, let's get packing!