Psalm 127 (The Message)

Psalm 127 (The Message) 1 If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. 2 It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? 3 Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? 4 Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. 5 Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Day 23 - Bad News - Monday Oct. 10

So after tough good-byes the day before, we spent the morning being lazy. We knew we had to move rooms the next day, but since we hoped to be either in court, or visiting Sergei, we wanted to try to move this morning. We started getting organized and I went to the desk to see if we could move a day early. Unfortunately, she said there were no other rooms available, so we would have to wait. We needed to exchange more cash to be able to pay for the room the next day, so we went to find a bank that would change our money. We had no real plans for the day, so we thought we would explore some new areas. We went the opposite way of our normal bank and found some other banks that did not have as good of an exchange rate. Finally we found one that was not too bad. I went in and they said they did not have Grivna to exchange. So we walked some more, the next bank we went to wanted my passport to make a copy, then she could not figure out my address and did not speak enough English to ask me. She found someone else in the bank to ask. I pointed to the Pennsylvania on my passport and that was good enough. She started filling out a bunch of paperwork and finally after filling out 2 forms and having me sign them, she gave me the money. Then I signed another receipt and got my copy. I don't think we will go back to that one again.
Darren wanted to exchange his share, so we went back towards our regular bank. In the meantime, Ksenia called and said that she was at Yarik's school and had to talk to us. She said she would meet us downtown. Of course, while Darren was in the bank exchanging the money, she called to let us know she was there. When he came out we called again and found out exactly where she was to meet her. We walked around the block to where she was and she gave us the bad news.
The judge had scheduled us for Thursday, but before Ksenia could let us know about that, the judge called her back to say that her daughter needed surgery and she was canceling everything for that week and would not hold our court until the following Tuesday. So our date was set for Oct. 18th at 2pm. We were so disappointed. Darren had already changed his flight once to the 17th, and now he would have to change it again. It would also mean that I could not take the boys out of their schools until a week later, and postpone our return home another week as well. It was very tough news to take. We asked if we could get another judge, but that would take even more time. There was just nothing we could do. We both just wanted to cry. We really did not know what else to do but go back to the hotel and feel sorry for ourselves.
We did not get much time to have our pity party, because Yarik called a few minutes later and was on his way with his friends. We gave him the news. He was a bit sad, but really pretty much unphased. We on the other hand were struggling to keep our spirits up for these kids who so badly needed love. We were also struggling, because today was Ellie's senior soccer game and we would miss the ceremony that honored the seniors on the teams. But God had other plans for us that day, so we played Uno and made plans to take the kids out for pizza. We realized, that these kids had never had parents to support them at some special ceremony. Even Yarik had missed having us at his very important 9th grade graduation. They needed us here at this time, so we did our best to care for them. Darren had some questions for Anika, so he had called earlier to talk to her. She was in a planning meeting with the team and promised to call back. Yarik called her and found out that they were all at McDonald's and we decided to go meet them there so the kids could see Melissa and Annie who had just arrived back in country that weekend.
Katya, Vitally, and Yarik at McDonald's
Darren and Katya at McD's
They had a sweet reunion, and the girls were so happy to see Yarik happy with his new mom and dad. We were happy to finally meet the rest of the girls who had helped connect us with our new sons. Everyone chatted and caught up on stuff. One of the girls saw a kid out the window and tried to flag him down to invite him to a retreat they were planning. They missed him, but were able to reach him on the cell phone. He was waiting at the bus stop outside, so the team all ran out, leaving their laptop and purses behind and rushed to find him. We waited for them and made plans to go for pizza with Yarik and his friends.
Vitally and Yarik at McD's
they finally came back and were so excited that they had made contact and that the boy thought he would be able to attend the retreat. They had to get back to do some work at their apartment and we said good byes and took our crew to the pizza place.
We figured out our orders and Yarik and Vitaly ordered for us all. When the food arrived, Yarik ended up with a seafood pizza." Mister, I don't like fish", had ordered the fish pizza. He really has no idea how to order at restaurants. He has ordered several dishes that he has not liked. This was the worst. Fortunately, Darren was willing to trade with him. I wanted to try a piece and traded a piece with Darren. I did not like it as much as I hoped, and I do like seafood.
After pizza we took the kids to the grocery store to choose some ice cream. We also got a few supplies for breakfast. Katya had to be back earlier than Yarik, so she parted ways at the grocery store. The two guys came back to the hotel with us. At the hotel we looked at photos on Facebook and Vitally added me as his friend. He told me about his sister dating an American with plans for the two of them to get married in the winter.


Once again it was time for the guys to get back to school. We said our good-byes and they left while we tried to get our stuff ready to move in the morning. Another tough day had come to an end and we were both completely shot! We wanted to watch a comedy, but I couldn't really stay awake. Darren watched What about Bob and I saw a few scenes and fell asleep.

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