Pictures from the Park :) :O :)

Tuesday night

Another good day! Up around 7:30 and played around the flat until 10:30. Dan and Kolya went out to fix our cell phone, find out about the dolphin show and pick up Tide to wash more clothes. Christina and I did our nails. I know I said that she was not girly however she is full of contradictions. I asked if she wanted her nails painted, she said no. So I started taking off old nail polish on my toes, doing my own pedicure and then my fingernails. When I was filing my nails she began coming closer. She wanted her nails filed. She has very short nails but we filed both finger nails and toe nails. Then I painted my nails and she wanted her nails painted too. All the rest of the day we would compare our nails:) Yes, she is girly!!

Dad was trying to fix our cell phone and went to over 8 places. That does not seem strange except all the shops would give the directions to the next shop in Russian. BUT Kolya speaks Russian. So he lead Dan over the area and they actually got the cell phone fixed. It turned out that the charger needed replacing.

We get a lot of strange looks from people here when they realize that we speak only English and the kids speak only Russian. Yet we still communicate. Dan and I were buying new coats for Christina and Kolya. The girl just watched us talking with the kids, mainly by our short list of Russian words, motions and facial expressions. One girl helped us with Christina's coat and another girl helped us with Kolya's coat. Both knew that we were buying for America since we commented about it not really needing to be as heavy as here, etc. No one has directly asked us what is going on but a lot of smiles are on their faces!

After rest time, we kept that from the orphanage, we walked to the park and then had coffee and tea and some pastries. It is hilarious to watch the kids in new situations. They both had tea. It came in their own teapots. They had to examine the tea pot with the big tea bag hanging out it. They poured their tea and it ended up being 3 cups each. They usually put 5 sugar lumps or spoonfuls in each cup. They loved it! It was a very nice man who waited on us, smiled a lot, understood more English that he spoke and answered all their many questions about everything!

We went on to the Burnham's flat to hear the first ever concert or performance of Abigail and Emily Burnham and Shirley and Ruth Ann Martin's piano debut! They each did quite well and we had a fun time of fellowship for snacks afterwards.

Walking everywhere really is quite fun! We talk and laugh and hold hands and step in puddles and try not to trip on uneven pavement- that was me!. It really is nice to be close enough to everything from all the MTW missionaries' flats, mall, grocery store, church and so many restaurants that we could never eat at all of them!

I recommend highly going on several mission trips, getting to know the team in place, then adopting and being involved in the team fellowship with the believers! Not just the missionaries but the pastor and his wife, Anya Dudkina - friend and translator, Vica and Oleg, Jenya - Mary Saxon's seamtress friend, Sasha - girl who is now a young lady who became a Christian at the VBS 5+ years ago, Sasha - teenager who is now a man who loves Lex and Mary Williamson who brings neighbors to church, meeting new missionaries- many not MTW, and on and on and on. God has truely blessed us during this time of adopting not only with Christina and Kolya, and Jake and Erin being here, but in so many other ways. On short term mission trips you get a slim glance of how missionaries live, we are getting a broader look at how it works to live in a different land, culture and language!

Keep praying for us! Even as we went to bed tonight Kolya was upset about the bed. He wanted to sleep in the other bedroom where Christina was sleeping. I think I told you we have a girls' room with Christina, Erin and I, and a boys' room with Kolya and Papa with Jake on the couch. Tonight Kolya was upset and we really do not understand why unless he just wanted his own way. It could have been that or something that we did not get. Paul Martin was here so finally after a lot of work and calming Kolya down, we had Paul ask Kolya. Kolya would not talk to Paul so it is still unsolved. He did go to sleep in the bed he was suppose to sleep in the room with Papa. Please pray for peace for him and for our understanding!


In Him Alone,

Leslie

Tuesday

It is hard to figure out what day it is and how long we have been here!

Sunday was a full day. We went to the Russian speaking church. Although very good, it went over 2 hours and we had to leave with restless kids. Then we went to the English speaking worship time of the MTW and other missionaries. Great worship and singing! It was a time to say goodbye as the Freelands, who had been in Odessa 5 years, were returning to the States, Dallas, Tx. We had pot luck dinner and a general time of fellowship. It ended with our kids a little antsy and we were dragging Kolya away as he was trying to tell us that he had dropped his hat. We thought he did not want to leave. I heard Bob comment that the Edwards will probably have many of those times, and he is right.

Although we do have miscommunication I am amazed at the amount that we can communicate: I love you, no, yes, tomorrow, hungry, thirsty, toilet, shower, bath, rest time, game, new game, park, church, etc. Most of all we want them to know they are love so all of us, Dad, Jake, Erin and I shower them with hugs and sometimes kisses.

We are doing well. We figured that instead of 1 month of bonding and exclusion in B'ham, we are having that time right here in Odessa.

We started school yesterday. We decided to divide and conquer. Dan took Kolya and I took Christina. Kolya does not like the unknown and will set his feet in and once you work through that he does well. We have picture cards with English words. We are teaching the kids the English word associated with each picture. Then we swap kids. Then we all show of to Erin and Jake and Christina and Kolya are praised greatly.

Erin and Jake have been great. They are the playmates for the kids when we need to do something else. They are also the "MOM, could get......they are not behaving". Dan taught Christina and Kolya wrestling yesterday. It was just a mass of legs, arms and heads. Erin was taking pictures and I was watching. Dan was at the bottom of the pile with Jake, Kolya and Christina on top! What fun! Poor Dad!

Dan has set limits for the kids. I cannot believe with as little English and Russian as we share that he communicates so well with them. We have a time out chair that if they break the rules, mainly the getting mad if they do not get their way or hitting, they have to sit for 5 mins until ready to obey. If not ready another 5 minutes. The time out chair is not off to the side so they are not sent away from us. It is in the living room and they cannot participate in what we are doing until they obey.

We do often have times of miscommunication. We try to give them the benefit of the doubt and unless we know for sure it is not miscommunication but a bad attitude or a rebellious spirit then there is only explanation and no time out. They thought at first that they were going to be spanked or worse, I guess. But when my patient husband worked through our plan it worked out!!

We pray at meals with them and at night time. It is so sweet for all of us to join hands and pray. Then time for bed. Again we divide and conquer. Dan takes Kolya and I take Christina. Christina goes to sleep within 5 mins. I usually am reading aloud Persuasion by Jane Austen.Can you imagine speaking Russian and having that book read to you in English. It would put you to sleep--Aaahh, there is a method to my madness!

Can't wait to be back in the States. Love our time here but it is only a preparation for our life in B'ham. Miss all of our friends and our dog, too!!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Christina...a different girl!

Good morning or Doobra ootra in Ukrainian. We realized that we are getting a mixture of Ukrainian words and Russian words. Doobra ootra is much easier than Zdasvoitsha?!? Which is hello in Russian. However Doobra ootra is only good in the morning. I can never remember Doobra evening!! So endth my language lesson☺

Christina: From our past experience she was very reserved. Did not like sports or games. She was interested in crafts. So we thought that she would be harder to get to know. She would be more girley, liking dolls, etc. She would have to be drawn into family playtime. WE WERE WRONG.

From the first minute we saw Christina in the director’s office she has been affectionate! She loves being in a lap especially Papa’s lap. By the way, Dan has become Papa! Our kids have always called him Dad or Daddy. So at first Kolya and Christina called him Papa and we thought when Jake and Erin arrived calling Dan Dad then Christina and Kolya would change. WRONG! Jake and Erin love calling Dan, Papa! So for now Dan is Papa!!

Back to Christina, she loves the attention, being held, having us be with her. She loves games, card games and loves playing the games with the family.

Both of the kids love Hide and Seek. They love that it is a whole family time and trying to hide is hilarious. It turns out that the fun was the discovery not the length of time to find you. So you could hide behind a curtain…the curtains here are sheer…and it did not matter. You are hiding and that is the point! Then Hide and Seek ends and chase begins with Christina and Kolya on the shoulders of either Dan, Erin or Jake. Notice that Mom very wisely knows when to watch and when to enter into the game!

Christina received a nice doll and clothes for Christmas. She wrinkled up her nose…and went on to the next gift. She has a very expressive nose which shows her dislike. Eventually she has played with everything she received except the doll and clothes. Dan and Erin have played with it and changes it’s clothes and brushed it’s hair and even played ride-a-little-horsey with it. But to no avail, Christina is not a doll person. She is a people person.

She loved the photo album and disposable camera that Marie Garner sent her. She has taken all her photos and we developed them. She spent a lot of time arranging them. She and Kolya both had taken pictures of the director, whom they love, the doctor and assistants at the orphanage. We developed 2 of those so Kolya might have them also. Kolya has not finished his camera. They have had so much fun with the digital camera that we had to explain several times that these were not digital and that there were only so many pictures available. They understood. We kept reading the number of pictures left and then when Christina had finished she still pretended to take pictures because the camera would still flash. She was excited that she had taken the pics and then had the photos in her own album…thank you, Marie, for your thoughtfulness!

She loves a bath. Christina will spend an hour in the tub if I let her. I think she loves the ability to be completely covered with water, almost swimming. She also loves that Mama is checking on her, helping her dry, change clothes, then drying her hair. Then she prances off to show Papa who quickly oohs and aahs and takes her into his lap.

Christina’s body is one whole muscle! She can do a bridge, a gymnastic term for a back bend from a stand up position. She lifts 2 large jugs of water in each hand with no problem at all! Gymnastics here we come!!

She also loves jewelry. She will wear my ring and then bring it back to me. She looks at Erin’s jewelry. I think her New Year’s gift will be a ring. She received a cross necklace in her stocking and wears it all the time.

We pray that as she grows in language skills, she might come to know her Saviour who guided us to adopt her. She will then be adopted twice! The first time just a picture of the true and right adoption into the family of God.

In Him Alone,

Leslie

About Kolya...a little beginning!

Now that Dan and I are more rested after not really sleeping Christmas eve, pressure of court, now dealing with some kid issues that needed to be addressed, starting the serious business of meds at the right time and right quantity to the right person, eating out with the Burnham’s for Christmas dinner at the Steakhouse- it has a tiger striped life sized cow in front of the restaurant. I think Auburn fans have been here! The Burnham’s and the eating were fine but all Christina and Kolya really wanted was pizza and we were at a nice place. We skipped the party afterwards…so sorry to miss being with all the MTW missionaries celebrating the birth of Christ and the fellowship of believers. Dan and I were exhausted. We put the kids to bed at 8. They quickly told us it was only 8 and bedtime was 9. Too bad!! Then they went straight to sleep. Jake, Erin and I stayed up playing the game, Alibi, kind of like Clue but much more involved.

I thought I might write a little about Kolya and tomorrow about Christina.

Kolya loves tools!! There is a small circular stairway that leads to an unfinished attic. There is also a small storage space in the wall above the bathroom but below the attic – you may have to be here to know what I mean. It is just perfect for an inquisitive high energy boy with lots of time. He found out that it is a storage room with tools and lots of extra little stuff. He has examined all the tools – opened every box and organized them. He found a scrap of wood and nailed nails into it. We have knocked several things down or broken things that have now been fixed. The door knob was loose…call Kolya. He looks to see which kind of screw driver he needs and runs to get it. MA! He hands me a screw driver to see if it is right. I do not need to watch, he knows what he is doing. However when he found a broken stool, Papa needed to step in. They pulled out nails, took the supports out, cleaned it up, then nailed it back together. There were tools everywhere! Papa and Kolya had a great time.

Christina wanted in so I took her into the kitchen and she helped me filter water with Dan’s hiking filtration system. This is the 3rd mission trip I have taken with it. It beats hauling big jugs of water!

Back to Kolya. He loves helping but on his own terms, he sounds like all of us! I love him! He mentions wanting a watch everyday. Dan and he looked at watches on the internet and I tried to explain through our hand held translator that in 6 days.. he needed to wait 6 days...which would be New Year's Day. As this culture gives gifts on this day, Dan and I had decided to give 1 gift on this day..yes, to Jake and Erin too. He seemed more content but still is not sure.


Jake downloaded a free racing game and Kolya loves this! In fact almost to the exclusion of everything else. It is difficult to sometimes for him to realize that being in a family does NOT mean always getting things his way. I think in the orphanage it was the suvival of the fittest, not necessarily the most aggressive. He knows how to tilt his head and purr.."please". Most of you know me and that really does not work with me. He has realized that and we are seeing less and less of it. I have seen him be aggressive to get his way and we, especially my patient husband, is slowly working with this. Child rearing is a process and will not be completed by us but through us for a time and by the Lord completely!

That's all the time I have right now. We are learning that we must get our sleep to keep up with these kids... that includes all 4 of them:)

In Him Alone,

Leslie

12/24/2009

This was written before the court and the pics from the last post were related to this blog...SORRY!

Many, many people have sent messages that you are praying. Thanks so much! We are seeing an improvement in relations. Christina and Kolya are calling us Mama and Papa or Dad, asking us to help, responding as Jake and Erin respond to us. Jake and Erin have been a great help to play with the kids, help as we walk through snow and ice, Erin blow dries Christina’s hair, plays hide and seek with the whole family. In a 2 bedroom flat the hiding places run out but it does not really matter.J

Yesterday we walked down to the Black Sea, saw Catherine the Great’s statue, took pics at the Ptotemkin Steps, rode the incline down and up as Jake ran up the Steps! Then we walked the park that parallels the sea to the statue of Puskin.

We then walked back toward the flat but stopped first to eat lunch at Top Sandwich. The menu is Russian BUT has great pictures. 4 of us had sandwiches, Christina had a plate of meat and finished off the end of 2 sandwiches, and Mama had a plate of grilled vegetables. Vegetables are harder to order so when there is a picture of a whole plate full vegetables I get it!

We then went back to the flat where everyone had an hour rest with 1 toy. I went to the Martins’ flat and met the women of the MTW team for a time of sharing and praying.

Then we all met at the Burnham’s flat to make gingerbread houses, one house for the Burnham’s and one house for the Edwards’! We licked our fingers and tasted many of the different kind of Ukrainian candy. Some were good, some looked good but were notJ The house is now drying at the Burnhams’. We hope to get Sergey to drive over today and pick it up for us. I do not think the house will make walking the many blocks in the slush to our flat.

One of the areas of domestic life that is different is cooking. Or maybe it is everything up to the cooking. In the States, I grocery shop for several weeks at Cosco and then just pick up little things as I need them. Here you buy for a day or 2 maybe because it is what you can carry. Then you have to think when to cook it and by the time you have it all planned out, it changes!! So everyday is different. We do have a lady, Vica from the church, who is cooking for us one day a week. This allows me to do all the other stuff needed as we love on the kids. I will try not to get use to thisJ

Today is Christmas Eve. We are shopping for Christmas gifts for the kids today, jackets, little things. Then on New Years’ Day they will each get one gift for this is the Ukrainian culture. Jake and Erin want in on this too!!



Remembering our dear Savior’s birth,

Leslie

Praise the One True God!

Let me start this from last night.

The kids were fired up as the stockings were hung, and we would go out by 2's to do secret shopping. We had explained that Erin and I were coming home to wrap presents and that part of the fun was to be surprised. We quickly found out the surprise in Russian is suprisy so it was easy to explain. Erin and I wrapped and put presents under the tree. Dan read the nativity story with Sergei translating for us and then we all prayed. The kids are telling us now at bedtime to get in a circle, hold hands and pray. Of course while Dan prays in English they open their eyes and giggle - yes, I opened my eyes too to peek at them!

In the middle of all this Christmas activity, the Tauntons sent a video from Sasha to Christina and Kolya to encourage them about being adopted. Even though it was less thaqn 30 seconds the kids loved seeing Sasha and hearing her! Sergei translated for us and they watched it several times last night and several times today.

Dan, Kolya and Christina went to bed. Christina is always out within minutes. Kolya is falling to sleep faster but not as fast as Christina. Jake, Erin and I stuffed stocking and then watched Mama Mia! Well, most of us watched it, some fell asleep. We finished it around 12 and I went immediately to sleep...BUT woke at 2 and could not got to sleep again. I prayed a lot, still did not fall asleep, so around 4:30 I got up and took my shower - you know, to be ahead of the crowd. Dan woke about 5:30 but when I said we needed to let Christina and Kolya sleep until at least 7, he went back to sleep. However Jake and Erin were now awake and they watched a movie until Christina woke. She came in slowly, saw the filled stockings and ran back to wake Kolya and Dad. She pointed to Jake, Erin and I and motioned that WE had stuffed the stockings not St. Nick. They went through the stocking examining their stuff and trying to figure out what things were. Then we moved to the presents. They had already counted how many present they each had. So we gave them out one at a time. Erin and Jake had already received big gifts so we had gotten Christina and Kolya some toys- they need jackets so tomorrow we will buy their jackets. They were both a little disappointed. Kolya liked everyting and spent time setting up things before moving to the next gift but after all the gifts were opened he brought Sergei to me. He explained that he had asked for a watch and why didn't he get it. So I explained that he had received a lot of nice things and that he needed to enjoy the gifts that he did get. The custom here is to give gifts on New Year's Day not 12/25 so Dan and I were going to get the watch for that day. However we are not telling him but just telling him not now, be content with what you have. We really did not know he was so earnest about the watch. Christina reverted to the quiet thinking girl as she opened her presents. She really did not like the doll or bear but liked the Leapster new game and hair accessories. I do not know what she wanted but I think she was disappointed. We are planning on getting her a ring for New Year's Day.

In Odessa the celebration of Christ's birth is on 1/7 so 1/6 is Christmas eve with a pagent at the church which we plan to attend. There is a St. Nick Day where candy is found under your pillow when you wake.

We played and ate all morning until it was time to dress for court. We got there 2 hours early. Sergei had to bring Christina and Kolya, Dan and I to the court house and then pick up the inspector #2. Marina the director met us at the court house. The thing was the court and inspector could not know that we have had Christina and Kolya at the flat since Tues even at night. That is the main reason why it went so smoothly. God prompted the director to see the predicament at the orphanage for Christina...of being tormented by this other girl and even being persuaded or tricked into hiding from us. So because we had them our relationship had really blossomed!

The court hearing was held in a cramped office with 12 people seated. The kids were asked something like who are these people that want to adopt you and Christina said, Mama and Papa! Then the judge and everyone laughed and it all went smoothly without any tension after that. It only took 35 minutes. It was just a great relief! We went back to the orphanage where the kids had gone on a walk???!! so Christina and Kolya did not even see the kids which we were very thankful. We do have a 12 not 10 day waiting period but it really does not matter as the holidays will make it even longer.

I have to admit that Dan and I are exhausted tonight. Neither of us slept well last night...with Christmas and the court date. Dan has gone on to bed with the kids in one bedroom, Sergei is trying to get a good night's sleep as he leaves tomorrow and Erin, Jake and I will sleep in the living room again. Tomorrow we take over Sergei's room!! Yeah!

Thanks so much. I felt so much peace throughout the last days even with this hanging over us. Please keep praying. We can tell that the kids, especially christina is a little nervous about Sergei leaving. We will see.

We hope that you have had a very merry Christmas. We are very thankful to our Lord Jesus for adopting us into His family. We are also thankful and tired tonight for the 2 little new Edwards kids!!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

THE KIDS ARE OURS!

Mom and Dad are still out but wanted to let you know that the court approved and the kids are OFFICIALLY OURS!

Thank you for your prayers! and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Look for more soon.....

Erin

IMPORTANT REQUEST!

We are waiting to blog again until after the court date tomorrow. Please be praying and we will update you on some of our activities tomorrow after the court date. We will put more pics too!

Please be praying that both kids will want to be adopted when asked by the judge tomorrow.

In Him Alone,

Leslie and Dan

Questions and Fears

12/21 was Stuart's 27th birthday! We wish that we could have serenaded in person but instead we performed this masterpiece video. If you are brave, with earplugs, look at the video. You will see us all in action! It is at the bottom of this blog.

The kids, Christina in particular, are having questions about what will happen after the adoption. Who will translate for us, why do russian speaking have to go to America, why do English speaking adopt Russian speaking, is Sergey, the translator, coming to America-he can be our brother. When Dan picked the kids up from the orphanage yesterday Christina came out then ran back in. One of the older girls told Sergey that Christina was scared. This girl may not be exactly a help to Christina as she too wants to be adopted. However when Dan went to get Christina she came. Dan said she was quiet on the trip to the flat.

Dan whispered what had happened. I immediately asked Christina would she like a bath. Her eyes lit up! She loves a bath. She stayed in their for at least 1/2 hour! When she returned from the bath she was a new girl. However she did show me where she had recently received a shot...there was a big bruise...she must have been very tense. Dan said if he had to have a shot to go to America he wouldn't go either!!

All of the above is to explain why I am asking everyone to pray for God to give these 2 kids courage to go into the unknown, to cross the world with a family they have just met, to feel the love that we have for them and to trust us to take care of them. Our God can do all of that and more! Please pray for all of us as 12/25 approaches. Dan pointed out that when those of you in the States are up opening presents (the Edwards' clan will be earlier than the rest of you) we will probably in the court proceedings. Please pray for us and God to be honored and for 2 kids to have courage!

In Him ALONE,

Leslie

GREAT NEWS!!

Just got the great news that the court date is ....Christmas Day 12/25 at 2:20 PM. We are excited! However this is the last court date until Jan after the 10th I think. Please pray for no delays that the court date will take place on 12/25. Sergey, the facilitator, has already confirmed it with the orphanage director, Marina, and she is ok. Sooo......we pray and wait!

We went to the English worship at the Martins, MTW missionaries, home last night. The Burnham family, Michelle Malay and her roommate Laura were all there also. Great singing, sang a tune that was described as a gregorian chant-like "From the Father's love begotten" which we have just sung at Covenant! A time of preaching was by Tim Keller!! Yes, really... it was a recording but an excellent preaching on "Emmanuel" GOD with us, God WITH us and God with US - those were the 3 points! Tim said that who do we think we are when we judge God, that the uncreated creator who spoke and all things were created, but this same God cannot take care of us, cannot help us to turn from our sinful habits or bring my children, Jake and Erin, to Odessa without a big delay in Warsaw - ok that was MY unfaithfulness I am confessing! Then more singing, a time of prayer, and a benediction!

All this time Christina, Kolya, Emily B. and Iris B. were quietly drawing on a small table in the corner. Our kids would look up at times to see what we were doing, like the singing! And then the coocoo clock told us what time it was, Kolya's head poked up and looked all around until he focused on the clock. It is a good thing he had 6 coocoos to find the clock:)

We spent most of the afternoon in the apartment, more low keyed playing of cards and games. Then Dad declared a 30 minute rest. Everyone took a sofa - "divon" or divan like the British, chair or bed for Dad. Christina and Kolya curled up with their fleeces and 1 play item. Everyone did well. The kids were are use to resting in the afternoon and we have decided to keep it up:)

They are also use to doing choirs. So Jake, Kolya and Dad cleaned the dishes after lunch. The girls will clean today. Christina and Kolya always take their plates over to the sink and wipe off the tables.

I must tell you the truth that the honeymoon is over! We are dealing with tempers when they do not get what they want, also taking things and then not telling the truth, learning to be kind and not laugh when someone else is in trouble - all the normal things with our own kids, oh, that is right - they are our kids! We do make sure they know we love them before we deal with it and after we deal with it. I tell you this just so that you know we are in the real world here.

Erin said this morning that she thought she and Jake would be bored at night after the kids went back. Now she says she is too exhausted after they leave to do anything!! Maybe she is an adult after all!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Short note!

0 degrees here last night and that was at 8:30 PM! It is now 19 degrees and going up into the 20s. No snow and roads have been scraped for at least one lane of traffic on major roads. Electricity went out about 9 this morning but not the heat. Electricity just flickered but went back out! Oh well, at least we have heat!

We set up the tree and it looks so nice. Lights (when there is electricity) flickering, ornaments (many supplied by the Drew Wilson family who made origami ornaments that we brought with us!), and lots of excitement!

We are trying to intersperse learning English games with other games. Their English is better than expected but still not where we can communicate. Dan's sister, Sara, has sent us a translator. However we have to figure it out first. Remember the phrase, "garbage in, garbage out" that is still appropriate!

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful Sunday worshipping our Lord, some may be at home because church is called off because of snow (NC or VA), some are going to church as usual, or some like us will be in a foreign land worshipping in a different way. All are worshipping the one true God! May He be honored and raised up!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

The gang is here!

The flat was quiet for a few days...well, that has changed! Erin, Jake, Christina, Kolya make a full house. We have played games, gone shopping for ornaments and Christmas tree, set up Christmas tree, watched 101 Dalmatians, eaten spahgetti - both kids love it!, played hide and seek and had baths and dried hair! Wow, how full was our day.

Christina and Kolya quickly accepted Jake and Erin into the ranks, or is it the other way around. We were playing around and suddenly Kolya says to Erin in English, "stand up" so she stand, then "sit down" so she sits. He tried it on all of us! I do not know where he learned it but it sounds like from a game or song!

Christina can be caught just staring at Erin in a quiet moment. You have to wonder what is going through her head. Of course when Erin walked in with a small piece of chocolate, Christina quickly let Erin know what was in her mind. "Please, chocolate?"

Shopping was unusual. Kolya and Christina went around looking at everything. Sometimes asking for something, sometimes sulking as the answer is no. We went shopping for Christmas ornaments and tree. It must have seen like a lot that we did NOT get. However once we were home they were super excited about setting up the tree.

We found out that today was St. Nick day. They received candy yesterday and were to receive some today at the orphanage. We told them that we were celebrating on the 25th. But that we would getting a tree. Kolya let us know that he would like a watch:) Everytime he went by watches he slowed down and looked at them.

Baths were given because it is Saturday. Christina is feeling better. She had a slight headache and needed to slow down. She may slow down in the car. Our last thing today was playing hide and seek. Each one of us took a turn and it ended with Christina being tickled by Dad!

We found out that since our 10 day waiting period is over the holidays and the kids from the orphanage go to the sanitorium, we were asked if we would take Christina and Kolya for the 10 days. We said, yes, we would!! We were very excited as we did not know what the procedure was but we will have them for those days:)

Please continue to pray for us! God has opened the door wide for the adoption of these two precious kids. I will admit I am tired today but God will renew my strength in the morning!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

They made it!!!!

Jake and Erin made it to Odessa!! God allowed them to come in a miraulous way through late planes, planes just about to leave, snow and they made it!! Yeah!!! Kolya got to meet them but Christina was sick and not able to come today!

8 inches of snow expected tonight! We will awake to more snow! I still like it but it is troublesome. Layers of clothing to put on, layers to take off, slush, where do you put your feet without falling, do you wear the scarf inside the jacket or outside, hood up and mess my hair or hood down and the snow fizzes my hair. So many decisions:)

Seriously we are so thankful that Jake and Erin are here safely after several days of knowing, positively knowing that they would have to stay over in Warsaw for at least one night maybe the whole weekend. What is man that we are mindful of him....O Lord you are so awesome. You answer my prayers even when my faith in your answering is so weak!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Got to see the kids!

This is our flat, our "dom" while in Odessa. From the corner of the building going in the front and to the side are the windows of the flat - on the 2nd floor. Here of course it is in the snow. This is the same flat where the Saxons lived .

Back from the trek to the orphanage! Sergey had called from the car. Dan and I quickly put on our layers and boots and stood in the street until Sergey pulled up in the car.

It took 1 1/2 hours to get to 88. Some parts of the road had been scraped so that 2 lanes could get by with plenty of room. Some parts were 1 lane because of discarded trucks or cars that had gotten stuck, broken down or run out of gas. So needless to say we just saw the kids, hugged them, gave them bananas and m&ms. There had been no school so all the kids were down at the school area awaiting dinner. We gave out snow boots to Maxim, little blond Sasha, Vitalik, Artom was fine with his other boots so we have an extra pair. Lyuda, her brothers' Sasha and Dima are at the health spa - read sanatorium here and will return after jan 1st. So I am keeping their boots until then. Also Kostya was not there so will bring his boots and letter when school starts up again.

We also picked up the needed document, said goodbye, or paKA "see you later", and drove to the bus station, parked in slush. When Sergey went in to send off the documents, I asked Dan, Did he park in the deep slush? Dan and I laughed because he had. We thought ok, we will have to get out and push but we were wrong! Sergey, the magnificent, got in, rived up the engine and backed out of the slush! We then headed for the flat. Parked on the street, which means we found a cleared spot and Sergey shot up onto the sidewalk to be out of the way of the snow plow!

We are now awaiting the arrival of Jake and Erin. We got an email saying that they left from Atlanta and arrived in Chicago. They then were late, over 1 1/2 hours late, leaving Chicago. So according to our tracking of their flight, they will now miss their flight to Odessa from Warsaw. The AIRPORT IS OPEN as of this morning. So if they can get the next flight they might just make it here! We had told them to expect to stay over in Warsaw. We had a report that there might be more snow Friday night! Erin has changed her cell to international as well as a blackberry so we will get email room her or phone calls, which ever work!

We continue to pray for the safe arrival of Jake and Erin, of the opportunities to see Christina and Kolya, of all the docs being in the right place at the right time in the right manner, and most of all that we will honor the Lord throughout this process.

In Him Alone,

Leslie

MAY SEE KIDS FOR A LITTLE BIT!! Better than not at all!

Snow is not falling but with 19 degree weather it is not melting either. Schools are off, no planes coming in, many cars stuck in slush but Sergey the magnificent was out all yesterday and today fighting for our cause!! He will be coming to pick us up, meaning he will stay on the main street and call us to hurry to the car. He needed 3 more docs today. One required the signature of the director, Marina, of the orphanage so we are tagging along just to see the kids for a little while. Then off to the bus station again to send another packet of docs off to Kiev.

He just called so I must run!

Snow flurries, now snow BLIZZARD!!

The official word from Bob Burnham, MTW missionary in Odessa, "This is not ordinary!" when told that we thought snow was in Kiev not in Odessa.

Pictures are of the Odessa Opera house, "on the street where we live", the pit where the bldg use to be next to the McDonalds on the walking street, and miscellaneous pics of our short 45 minute struggle through the snow from our flat to the Opera House and back. Many who have lived in snow may say this is nothing but for a Florida girl and Virginia guy - WOW!!

We will not be able to get to the orphanage today!! Please pray for Erin and Jake as they leave Thursday afternoon at 3 PM flying to Chicago, then Warsaw and then into Odessa, at least that is our plan. Pray for their safety and peace of mind flying into this weather. THANKS!!