Christina and Kolya Adoption

Our one year anniversary!!

2011-01-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

Last year, Jan 22,2010, we arrived in the USA with our new children , Christina and Kolya. I have learned several things that I will share with anyone that may actually look at this. I have been urged by many friends to update this blog but to be honest I am just too busy. I also feel that sharing more intimate details of our lives this past year would be a violation of trust to Christina and Kolya. So even though we were very honest and truthful about many of the trials we went through in Odessa, Ukraine, once we set foot in the US we felt we should be careful of what we shared. So I did not share on the blog.

Here are some of the things that God has taught me over this year.

The biggest revelation is that love is a choice. Just as God chose to love me, when I was turned against Him, with no inclination toward a relationship with Him, God still chose to love me before I had any desire for Him. In fact He brought me to himself and through His great love changed my heart and my entire life.

The first 6 months were the hardest times I have ever faced. 2 kids that had been given no love and therefore no discipline, no guidelines for life and family, no idea of what was involved in being part of a family, well, it was tremendously hard. Especially as I homeschooled them, so it was 24/7. My loving husband came home for lunch to break up the days for us and when things got really tough he was only a phone call away. There were many times that he came running home to work through some of the difficult times. BUT never, never did I more deeply realize how it must have felt to Christ when He chose to die for the same people who spit, hit, ridiculed and ultimately put Him to death. Jesus chose to do this. Dan and I choose to love Kolya and Christina...no matter what. I think that it took a long time for the kids to realize that no matter what they did....they are Edwards and they were not going back to Ukraine!!

So I can now testify that we have 2 of the sweetest and caring children around. Are they perfect? Am I? We are still parenting through things but just in a normal way. No extreme behavioral problems. We know that never will the effects of being an orphan be totally erased but through God's loving Spirit, He is melting their harden hearts and teaching them to love and care for others.

Through all of the above, the kids have learned to read and write to the extent that their Russian is almost all gone. In fact they both read and write better in English than they ever did in Russian. That does not mean they are up to their age level in academics but we just keep plodding along. One of these days they will probably ease into public school but we want to make sure they are ready.

Below are pictures that show the past year. The highlight was on December 25, 2011 - all 6 of my children were under the same roof for the first time in history, ever! It is amazing that a year ago on Dec 25, 2010 the kids legally became ours in Odessa, Ukraine. Christmas is indeed a celebration of what God has done for us.

Remember the good times when the bad times happen!! - advice from our adoption councelor

2010-02-24T19:10:00.000-08:00

Some of the new things that we have seen with the kids.

They have never played by themselves. We have about an hour after lunch for rest time. They play quietly in their rooms. Mostly they listen to music. Kolya has discovered how to play without anyone. He has learned to play and make things with legos and built a garage for all the match box cars that he has inherited from Jake who inherited from Jim and Stuart. It has taken awhile. At first he would just rearrange his room. Then he started playing with all the cars. Now the legos came out and he is playing. Even though he always complains about the rest time, he is the one that truly plays by himself.

Christina started to play with a lego play house. This was one that was in the attic from Erin. She said that she did not have anything to play with during the rest time so one afternoon I got it down and showed her how to play and set it up. I would ask her where to put the sofa or the sink. She could name the room it belonged in but she did not know how to pick which room to make into the kitchen. It took us the full hour to clean and set it up. Then she and Kolya played with it for another hour. Kolya loved it and got out the other legos. He then built the garage. Christina then lost interest. She has gone back to listening to music and eating sunflower seeds during rest time.

She has wanted to skate since we were in Odessa and the kids ice skated. I looked deep in the garage and found Jake's old inline skates. Perfect fit and she is off! She did not do well on the scooter that Kolya is zooming up and down our street on. But now she is zooming up and down the street on skates. She does the best on the walking trail around the baseball fields. The walking track is level and we went around and around for about 1 hour today. I walk with Haley, our dog, Christina is on skates and Kolya is on the scooter. They have to stay within eye viewing of me. They like to get ahead and hide but I had to explain that it is dangerous for them if Mama can't see them. Today they were great and stayed within sight all the time.

School is slow but sure. We try to do at least some school every day - Mon-Fri. There are so many doctor visits right now that some days we only do one or two things.

Stuart saw the kids when they first arrived over 1 month ago. He came to visit again yesterday and could tell the difference with the language. Their command and understanding of the converstations is great. They just cannot always communicate to us.

Just tonight after I had prayed with Kolya, was trying to tell me something about blue sky, sun, clouds, face, Jesus. Around and around we went. He even drew a picture of the sun, blue sky with a cloud and a face in the cloud. The word sounded like neighbor, or neighbook. Finally I figured out that he was saying that Jesus was up in heaven. The word was the Russian word for heaven. He knew that Jesus had ascended into heaven and that Jesus is in heaven!!!

If it is really serious and important to them and after several frustrating attempts to understand we call our friend, Anya. But normally we can draw, act it out and use the Russian dictionary to figure out what is going on. On medical details we get together with Anya.

We went to the dentist, which could have been a great time of fear. Most dental care in Ukraine for orphans is pulling teeth without anesthesia. So I followed Lauri Taunton's suggestion. Jake went in first and the kids watched everything that happened to Jake. Then they got their teeth cleaned, xrayed and examined. The results are that all 3 went to the orthodontist. Kolya needs 2 baby teeth pulled - the teeth are half the correct size because of decay -and 2 adult molar filled. Then will need spacers to hold the teeth in place until his adult teeth come in. He is having them out next week and then the spacer the next week. Christina has 1 tooth to be pulled as it is a baby tooth that is in front of an adult tooth that has already come out. She also has 2 baby teeth that have small cavities that will need to be filled not pulled. Jake has crowded teeth and needs braces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!

After the dentist appointment without Anya, we went to her house so that I could tell Christina and Kolya what was coming up. Both seem fine and loved the orthodonist, who is from our church and had already met the kids. We will see how the teeth being pulled next week goes :) !

Many, many people have brought us food. Thank you, thank you! After a particularly hard day of dealing with school and behavioral problems, I am so thankful NOT to have to think about what to cook for dinner. I thank you all so much as I know many of you are also praying for us daily!!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

After many requests I will try to blog again!

2010-02-14T18:46:00.000-08:00

Many friends and family have asked how we are doing and the answer is that we are fine. Does that mean everything is smooth - NO!!

Yesterday, after a couple of hard days, Dan gave me the whole afternoon off. I did not know what to do. I went to Target, ran some errands and then went to a movie - Percy Jackson, etc. I was very tired, depressed and deeply depressed. I was wondering what we had gotten ourselves into, was I going to be able to make this, my love for the kids was there but the desire to be with them was not there. Then I lost my keys to the car. After much searching and calling Dan, the customer service desk at the theater had them. Driving home after a half day off, I was almost in tears of depression. I had been praying all day off and on but I was praying with great despair. God brought to mind the verse that I have the power of God, the power that raised Christ from the dead, within me. Not me, not my positive mind, not all the pep talk, but the Holy Spirit. I realized that Satan had been lying to me all day and I had been listening. I greatly rejoiced to hear and realize anew that God was the power, He is the only way I can make it and He has been the One doing it all this time. I had taken my eyes off the cross. Immediately I felt a lightening of my chest and my depression was gone. I returned home still tired but with a joy in my heart.

After all that you may ask what has been happening, well, here is the truth. Adopting 2 is harder than adopting 1. We knew this going in but still it is hard. But as I sit here, which one - Christina or Kolya - would I return?!??? The answer is neither. They are my children - good or tough times.

The first week was a breeze. The honeymoon time. Having fun exploring their new lives, family and environment. Even school was new and fun.

Second week- the limits were tested, rejected and tested again. Phones were put up, keys to cars are now put up, passwords on computer, etc. It was like 2 toddlers trying out all the limits at once. What can we do, touch, explore and what are you going to do about it! School was no longer new and the old orphanage school was forgotten. No school was declared many times this 2nd week!

3rd week - was the week of rebellion - nothing held back. Spitting, biting, opening doors on moving cars, no seatbelts, etc. This was a very tough week. Many positive going forwards after the testing but each battle was so draining.

Dan finally verbalized what he was seeing. Christina's default is to say "no!" and say it loudly. That is like a red flag in my face. But if I do not react and just move forward then generally she will do what I ask. This is not how I work with kids. This IS now how I work! It is working and today was much smoother. In fact there was not one major behavorial issue. There were several no's but we just went on. This is not giving into her but working around her. She needs to be gently lead to obey. I was trying to shove her to obey.

Kolya was even beginning to act the same way as he saw that Christina was getting all attention. So we started showing more attention to him in good ways. Making sure he had all our attention at times. He has certainly responded positively to this.

As you can tell, today, Sunday, has been a good day. Tomorrow may not be good but we will move forward. I know that Dan and I can do this, love Christina and Kolya, bring them into a family relationship and share the gospel of Christ with them. We can do this because God is so big, so good, and this is His plan. How delighted we are that He has allowed us to be part of their lives.

So far we have had a 4-5 hour visit at the International Adoption Clinic - lots of lab work done, good results, pediatrician visit with H1N1 shot, Tb test - negative, and then meeting with the specialist at UAB for their first visit and flu shot. The test shows that their immune systems are doing so well that no change of medication will be made at this time. This week we have dental visits. Jake is having his check up first and then Christina and Kolya will have their dental visits. We also have a eye doctor apt. and an hearing test apt. Then on the 22nd of Feb we will be doing developmental and speech testing for over 5 hours. With 2 it is takes longer. So we are keeping the medical community busy.

Our friend, Anya, has gone to all the appointments so far as our interpretor and friend. She has really made it less frightening for the kids and all the visits have gone well.

Thanks for continuing to pray for us. We need it every day! There is so much that is going well: sleeping through the night - no nightmares, no bedwetting! Bonding - they love to be held and cuddled, rocked and loved! Both kids love Jake and seem to be adjusting well to family life. Eating: they both like a lot of foods - no spicy foods yet but they are trying. Anya has given me some hints on favorite foods so that has helped also. They love our dog, Haley! That really was a concern that they would be scared of her, or mean to her. However they love her, play with her, feed her and argue over whose room she will sleep in at night.

In Him Alone,

Leslie

A beginning!

2010-01-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

Life is always changing...it is just a bigger change at the Edwards' home right now.

Culture shock has hit not just the kids but me! I was warned but really did not believe it. When I pulled out the silverware drawer in the kitchen...the second silverware drawer were I keep the extra serving spoons, knives, measuring spoons, etc. I thought "What do I use all of this for?" When I first walked into Western and there was so many choices of fruit and vegetables, leaf lettuce... I counted 5 kinds. All clean and pretty. I had a list and after I went through the cashier line I realized I could carry all of the groceries in my 2 cloth bags like in Odessa.

The first place out of the house I went to was the dry cleaners. I was cleaning Dan's suit and our many jackets. I got out to talk to the man and he smiled and spoke English. All the signs were English. I could read and understand. It has given me a feel for how Kolya and Christina must feel completely surrounded by English. Their comprehension is much much better than ours was in Russian.

Funny things the kids have done:

Brushing teeth with a sonar care toothbrush. Learning when to turn it on and off. The first couple of times the toothpaste spun off. Then they learned to not turn it on until it was in their mouth. Then they would go to spit and splatter when they take the toothbrush out without turning it off. The bathroom is messy!!

They were both excited about all their clothes. It did not matter if they were used or new. They were thrilled that the clothes were theirs. They had been excited for the small amount that we brought in the suitcases for them. Christina kept saying, " Christina's, Mama?" Kolya loved his clothes. They both amazed me by what they like. Their styles and tastes are pointing to personality. For Christina, glitter and sparkle and she will wear it. Kolya loves soft clothes.

They both love Haley, our dog. I have had to explain that Haley is a Babushka - revered older lady in other words a grandmother. Kolya wanted Haley to get up and run but she was ready for a nap!

Both the kids want Haley to sleep in their room. So one night Haley's bed is dragged into Christina's room and the next night is Kolya's. They also like to walk her on the leash. However we have been walking with the Megginsons and they have a new puppy so the kids take turns over the puppy.

Behavior problems are less frequent than in Ukraine. However we had a major blow up today. So please keep praying for us. We need strength, love and God's awesome power.

In Him alone,

Leslie

WE ARE HOME!!

2010-01-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

We arrived Friday night to a great welcome at the airport!! Family and friends greeted us, cheering and clapping as we walked toward the entrance. Several other passengers were asking each other, "who is the celebrity?". I turned around and said, "see these 2 kids, they are the celebrites!". I went on to say we were returning from adopting them and that all these crazy people were our friends!! So sweet!! Signs of welcome, balloons, stuffed animals, flowers - WOW!! But especially faces of love and lots of love!!

We have seen a change in both kids as we are now home. Both are so happy!! Christina was still hesitant even Thursday before we left Kiev on Friday. Mainly the unknown was scarry! But she watched the map on the plane and when the plane had finally passed into America, she was excited. "America now, Mama?!" Both kids were very excited. They are now dual citizens of USA and Ukraine.

Thanks to all who have read this blog and prayed with and for us. I doubt that I will post many more but feel free to contact me at dedwards3420@charter.net if you would like to contact me.

Again we give God all the glory and honor for the adoption of these 2 kids, Christina and Kolya. We continue to ask Him for the next adoption of both Kolya and Christina into His family for eternity.

In Him Alone,

Leslie

We are going home!

2010-01-21T11:00:00.001-08:00

Got the visas to US without any trouble. Changed tickets to leave 5:30 AM Friday arriving in B'ham 8:35 PM Friday!! YEAH!! We are going home!! Kolya excited, Christina scared! Pray for us! Thanks.

Need to get some sleep. We wake at 2 AM to get to the airport:( But we are going home :)

In Him alone,

Leslie and Dan
Christina and Kolya

Arrived safely in Kiev!

2010-01-20T03:04:00.000-08:00

We got in last night about 10 PM. The kids were either in Odessa or in Kiev. They could not understand the in between even though we explained even with our interpreter that it would be 5-6 hours, until 10 PM that we would get to Kiev. They had never ridden in a car for a long trip. They had taken trains to camps and the short car trip from train to the camp. They were very good. Quite excited.

We got to sleep after 11:30 to wake up around 7:30 AM. We had an appointment with the US Embassy to start the paperwork for the visas at 9:30. Then to doctor for medical appointment. We have lots of forms to fill out. Tomorrow we have an interview at 2PM to turn in the papers. And everyone thinks we will have the visas back on Friday.

We leave early, early on Saturday morning. We have to be at the airport at 3 for our 5 AM flight. That means we leave the rooms at about 2 PM. Oh, well, no doubt but we will sleep on the planes.

We are in rooms in the same hotel that the Taunton family stayed in Kiev. It has a little grocery in the basement on the end of the building. We came with very little food so this morning we had hot tea and oranges only.

How the kids were doing? They are doing well. Some hesitation over the doctor but we had Sasha , our facilitator, explain how little of an exam it would be. And it was very short and sweet. Behavior, apprehension at each step then once we are through the step, joy! When Dan came home with the passports we all cheered and danced through the flat. Our landlord was sitting, waiting for us to leave. He just smiled but on the inside I am sure he was laughing!

Keep praying. We are almost home!! I pray thru out the day that the Lord will allow us to leave on Saturday. I don't even pray for the details, just that we can leave on Saturday. I do pray for us to be content with whatever His will will be.

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Leaving Odessa at 3 PM!!!

2010-01-19T04:35:00.001-08:00

Got the passports at about 3 PM. Getting in a car to drive to Kiev now. Pray for safety as it is snowing and we are heading north into more snow!! Next message should be from Kiev!! Then the USA on Saturday!!

Please pray for us to get the visas from the US embassy by Friday for our flight on Saturday.

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Quick Message

2010-01-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

I write with a much lighter heart in one sense.

We got a call this afternoon that another facilitator was at the
"closed" passport office and someone had found some old passports that
would work. Dan ran down and gave them the passport pictures. We
may have the passports in the morning! We are scheduling to drive to
Kiev as soon as we get the passports tomorrow.

As I am typing this, Kolya is yelling "Snow, Snow" in English:). I
look outside and it is not just light dusting of snow but big flakes.
All of the other snow is gone. We will see what this means for driving
tomorrow.

We have also talked with our travel agent and are trying to get
tickets on Saturday for all of us.

That is it. Do not know if this will all work this way but I am
packing ALL the suitcases!!

Thanks for praying...keep it up!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Changes we have seen :)

2010-01-16T06:26:00.000-08:00

Food: When we first had the kids they ate a lot and all day long. Even after eating they might take what was left over with them back to the orphanage plus a banana. I took juice and food with us wherever we went and usually they ate it all. There was no real hording but there was definitely over eating. We had been told to let them eat even to the point that they got sick. They never got sick!!

Now they wake and eat a light breakfast of fruit or cereal before they take their medications. Usually they drink tea in the morning - we have become a family who likes tea!! They do not usually eat until lunch which used to be their biggest meal. We will eat Borchst or some soup, sandwiches - open face, fruit and maybe some nuts or sunflower seeds. They will take a rest for about an hour - this was the usual routine in the orphanage and we see the profit of it! They will eat a mid afternoon snack of sunflower seeds or fruit or sausage- "cal-ba-soo". Then a regular dinner with maybe or maybe not a snack before bed. No hiding of food but if they want to save a sandwich know that they intend to eat it later.

We find that the major serious fights between them occur about sunflower seeds and money!! They hid their money from each other. This is so like siblings. I remember this with our kids. They even find secret places to put their money so that the other one will not know where it is.

Tempers: We found that there must not be much discipline in the orphanage. I really cannot understand how the kids survive..again the survival mode. We have seen that they got their way even about school if they threw a tantrum. The bigger the tantrum the more they are NOT made to obey. However we do know that some of the caregivers have used belts to discipline so I think that the extremes are found there.

So when we first would tell them "no" we knew there would be a full blown tantrum that lasted 1-2 hours. We took them into separate rooms and prayed, sang hymns and worked through the tempers until they cooled down. Then they obeyed. We have found that the longer we have had them the shorter the tantrums. Only 1 or 2 were hours long. As they have determined that we mean business and we are not going to back down even if it means hours, they in return are obeying quicker. Even today I had a disagreement with Christina. I told her to get dressed, she said "no". So we went into the room. There was no throwing things, no yelling and we quickily worked through it. Now we do have communicate conflicts. So if it gets major I called a friend - sounds like Wanna be a Millionaire?! I do not want conflicts that are not understood. So we take it on step at a time.

Even as I am writing this we have had a 45 minute conflict which has ended with "Mama, I am sorry". However I cannot discern real repentance. She just got tired of arguing in the bedroom. She had to stay in the bed 10 minutes, then look at me and say, "Mama, I am sorry."

We have been able to allow the kids to return to the skating rink after almost 2 weeks when we had a major blow out upon being told "no". We have explained and they know for they ask every couple days if they can skate. Their behavior has improved to the point that we told them we would go today. We told them we would do 3 things: ice skate for 45 minutes, bumper cars and shoot guns. When we were finished we walked to the magazine with only one question and when we counted the 3 things that we did, all was well. The pictures are of today's skating and fun!

I truely would have wanted in "Leslie's plan" to have returned asap. However God's plan has allowed us to attend to behavioral issues on a 24-7 basis that would not have been possible at home in the States with Dan leaving for work. Again as always His plan is for our best.

"Ok, Lord, what do you want us to learn by allowing us to stay longer without passports?" Maybe we will know and maybe it will be awhile before we figure that one out!

Sergei, our facilitator, left yesterday. He is a dear friend and helped us work through the adoption process. He successfully got the process completed. He cannot control the passport office. He will still be letting us know about when our passports come in or checking on it. He will not be here but at his home. Pictures are of our going away lunch with him. We took him to an Irish pub. He had never had fish and chips, I am not sure these were original but he had them!

At this point we have no new information about when we will get the passports. Please continue to pray for us to be patiently waiting for the Lord!

In Him alone,

Leslie

3 of us are stuck in Ukraine!!!!!!

2010-01-14T10:40:00.000-08:00

Hello to All,
.............news about the Passport problem is not good.
Our faciliators here and the US Embassy in Kiev have
confirmed that the blank passport problem may be a
long-lasting problem. According to the Embassy, the
Company who prints the blanks has not been paid by the
Ukrainian government, so they refuse to print additional
blanks. Apparently, nothing can be done.  The Embassy
claims that those at the top know all about this issue
and have contacted the State Department in America.  The
Adoption Representative at the Embassy told me that some
old blank passports were found in a few offices and a
couple of families got out this week.  But we are pretty
certain that no blanks remain here in Odessa.

I have emailed the offices of Spencer Backus (House) and
Jeff Sessions (Senate) to make sure they know how stranded
we feel.  In addition, I have emailed the US Embassy in
Kiev. I have played the kid's "health issue card"
everywhere I can. Maybe that will help. If anyone has
other ideas, please let me know.

Currently this is our plan.  Our tickets are for next
Wednesday (20th).  I plan to fly home then unless something
breaks before. Leslie will stay here in Odessa until we get
the Passports.  When that happens, I will return to assist
with the kids on the return flight. Our apartment in Odessa
is available until mid-February, we believe; so Leslie will
stay here due to the familiarity of the area and support
she has with the missionaries. She is confident that she can
handle the kids here by herself until I return.

Thanks for your prayers,
Dan

I am not necessarily "confident" but I know that God has
been in this process from the beginning. Why should I doubt
that He will be here with us now!!

IN HIM ALONE,

Leslie

They are all ours!!

2010-01-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

Today was the final paperwork that when accomplished made Kolya and Christina ours. The court has given us a 12 day waiting period which was extended until after the holidays when we could get an inspector to come and sign documents and officially give us the kids. Nothing can take them away from us now!! Christina Joy and Nikolay Joseph are Edwards!!!

While at the orphanage we were finally able to give the snow boots to the kids who were not at the orphanage before the holidays. Luda, Dima, and Sasha - all brothers and sister came in September. The team that came in October met them then. Also Kostya, a special friend of Fred Hendon, received his boots and a letter from Fred. He sends his thanks to Fred!!

We also took pictures of kids wearing scarves, gloves and hats that were donated and brought in October. Also there is a picture of the TV and DVD player that were donated in October for the kids who stayed at the orphanage all the time...the true orphans. There are about 22 true orphans who do not have a home or the home is not suitable for kids. Of the 22, there are/sorry, were 7 adoptable kids, now 5 adoptable!! Vica is 16 and graduating this May, Maxim is 14, Vitalik is 6, Vova is 6, and little red hair Sasha who is 6 - he has recently been moved to Orphanage 34 in Odessa. I will include their pictures in another blog. Please pray for the kids left behind as we leave with Christina and Kolya!!

Now that we have the kids we want to come home. However both of the kids need Ukraine passports. We just heard a report that the passport company had not been paid and therefore were on strike and so there are no blank passports. There is a rumor that we are trying to track down, that we might be able to expedite the passports. We are working and praying for this to happen. We now have tickets for Jan 20th and we would like to use them.

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Events of the Day!!

2010-01-12T10:54:00.001-08:00

Hello All,
............just a brief message about some breaking news. We had a
great day. Got the court decree, the new birth certificates, the
kids' new tax id numbers. Thanks to Darlene Quarterman who took great care of the kids while we waited for several hours at each of these offices.

But then we all went to the passport office. Apparently, all over
Ukraine, there are no more blank passport forms/folders. This means
that once the passport information is processed and approved, there
will be no way to display it and take it with you. So in effect, one
cannot get a passport. The passport office took all the information
and took the kids' pictures, etc. but could not begin processing the
data. They asked that we call back tomorrow once they have more
information. So please pray that this will not be as difficult a fix
as one might imagine. There were three other American families at the
Passport Office, so we all are in the same boat. I suppose there are
many more.

The kids are Ukrainian citizens and require Ukrainian passports. Since they are Ukrainian citizens with Ukraine passports they also require a visa from the US to enter the USA. We cannot apply for the visas until we have passports.

The US Embassy in Kiev might be receiving a bunch of phone calls
tomorrow.

Just wanted to let you know how to pray,

Dan

What lies ahead...

2010-01-11T11:41:00.001-08:00

Today, the court offices and offices of vital records re-open from the holidays. Our wait-period was over on Thursday so things pick up today. We hope to be out of Odessa by Wed/Thurs, then up to Kiev. It will probably be Wednesday at the earliest of next week before getting home. We are ready to be back. As you know, the kids have
been with us for three weeks. Their time with us has been extremely
valuable, but has been exhausting. They need constant attention and we have
been giving it to them. We can't wait to get home to establish a slower
routine. Again, we can't wait to get back. At the missionary worship last
night, we told the missionaries how much we loved them and loved being with
them for a while, but we hoped not to see them again until our next missions
trip. It has been great to be with them.

We have just found out that the judge is ill today.....so we have to wait
another day to get the court papers. We can proceed toward
getting passports, though.

We got our petition for the kids' passports completed and signed at the notary's office. A notary in Ukraine is almost a lawyer with several years of extra college type study.

Tomorrow we leave the flat at 8 AM to start all the paper work. To be quiet honest I am not sure what we have to do but I will do whatever our facilitator, Sergei, says! Sergei has returned from the holidays with his family to finish up the week with us. We have to get old birth certificates, present them for new ones with our names as the parents of Christina and Kolya. Although both were born in Odessa, they were born in 2 different regions so we have 2 office of vital statistics to go and apply for the birth certificates. Also need their tax number, kind of like a social security number. We need to apply and get the passports. We also need to be officially presented by the inspector - at this point I am not sure which inspector it is - the kids at the orphanage and the kids will pick up their belongings.

Darlene Quaterman has offered to take the kids tomorrow for us as it will be very tedious for them. THANK YOU, DARLENE!!!

Kolya has already packed his bag and his back pack. They both are going around the apartment asking what is going to America and what is staying. I finally was able to have Sergei explain to them today that only what fits in 4 suitcases, 4 carry ons will go to America. When we took down the Christmas tree today, they were a little sad that it was not going to make it to America. But when we explained the difference with the electricity, this was done by showing the 2 types of plugs not with a lot of words, then they were happy to pack it up for Sergei to take home for his family.

It was rainy today. It was Christina's turn to go to the magazine - grocery store - with me. We find it easier to separate on shopping. We have a list that she carries. She gets to push the cart, which by the way goes in sideways as well as forward and backward. When shopping you have to decide how much you can carry and prioritize in that way. If all 4 of us go, we buy more. If just 2 of us go, I have to carry it all so we buy less. I really will miss walking to shop. I really do like it!! Strange!!

We also separated when we went shopping for shoes. Kolya and I went first. The shoes are very nice shoes but in the stores you do not pick a style you find your size and see what style is available. Fortunately the shoes Kolya picked out were in his size! Then we went over to the back packs and had a fun time picking out his back pack. As I have stated at another time, the kids like to watch Cars in Russian and that is the back pack he chose. We returned home and then Dan took Christina to get her shoes and back pack. They were very excited to get shoes to wear on the airplane to America. The shoes have velcro, not many laces here. Both Christina and Kolya have snow boots but that is all. So this was really big in preparing for coming to America!!

Thanks for everyone who has been praying for us. Many have emailed or facebooked us to encourage us. It is working. We had a good day today. Starting to see them working at their anger and resisting a tantrum. Also the word "skate" came up again and was met with "no" again. They did not even try to fuss. Dan and I have agreed to no ice skating here however we know there is a rink in Kiev and if it works out we will try it again with out the rest of the carnival to distract. The kids had really improved from holding onto the side all the way around to going around without any help at all!! So we will probably try again in Kiev. More pics to come!!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Pictures of the infamous carnival and more!

2010-01-11T01:33:00.000-08:00

The carnival was fun. My mother will love the pictures of the kids trying to decide which eye to use to fire the gun. The bumper cars were crazy with each of us ramming each other...the kids were driving!!!

There are very sweet moments like when they wake up! Even though they sleep in separate rooms they always get up and go to find the other person. Laura Gorham told me she was so glad we were adopting 2 not just 1. There are great advantages of having 2 kids at one time. There are also disadvantages. But their friendship is a great thing.

Then there are the not so good hair days! I decided to look like cousin IT from the Adams family!

The last picture was of Christina. She wanted her hair put into pigtails for church. She looks so nice.

Church yesterday was a sweet time of worship in the morning with the Russian church and in the evening with the MTW team listening to John Piper preach. In the morning we read Isaiah 52 and I was reminded that God has gone before us AND that He is our rear guard. In the evening from Romans 6:12-14 I was reminded of my great sin, my salvation from the penalty of my sin in Christ alone, but my response is to "Let not sin reign in your mortal bodies". I was again reminded of my own sin and that sinning is a choice that I continue to choose...I need to let not sin reign in my mortal body.

In Him who deserves all glory and honor,

Leslie

After the Hugs and Kisses....

2010-01-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

Very tired from several days of parenting our kids. Don't get me wrong, we love them and are so glad they are our kids but Mama and Papa are tired! We want to go home and be in our own bed!!

Ok, pity party is over!!

We have taken the kids several times to ice skating and to the other misc rides of the small carnival. However no more carnival.... since they both got very upset when we said no after ice skating, shooting guns, bumper cars, etc. They are normal kids that will keep on going as long as you keep on paying out the money, grevna. So yesterday was the last day of the carnival for us. We can still look out the balcony window and see it, still hear the music, even walk pass it on the way to the mall, grocery store is in the mall, but no more carnival. And you know what, both of the kids understand why! Russian or English there are consequences to bad behavior. They asked if they could go skating and we said no. They looked at us and said nothing at all. That tells it all.

Really, the last 2 days have been tough. We are tired and ready to be in the States in our home. Please pray that we will finish the race well here. We know we have about 1 week left so that makes it feel worse instead of better:)

However these last 2 days have made us fully lean on God alone. Sometimes we say that and we mean it when we say it but when you get in situations that there is nothing you can do but pray and be still, and wait for the Lord. Then He works right in front of your eyes!!! You are seeing the Holy Spirit changing a heart, tears are coming from eyes that a moment ago were full of anger....and you have done nothing....it is God alone. Why do I not keep that mind set!! I have to be hit over the head before I really get it!

All this to say it has been a tough day but we are glad we are here and that God is here with us.

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Hugs and Kisses

2010-01-07T12:49:00.001-08:00

Just spent last 1 1/2 hours watching Cars in Russian with English subtitles. I was snuggled up to 2 wonderful kids who have been kissing and hugging all night. What is the Visa commercial...PRICELESS!! Where was Dan? Oh, he was sleeping so that he can get up at 3 AM to watch the football game...ROLL TIDE!!

Here are some miscellaneous notes:

Vica is the wonderful lady in the apron. She is a sister in Christ who has been praying for us and our kids. She and her husband, Oleg, are members of the church here in Odessa. Vica has been our cook for one day a week. She shops and then cooks several meals and is a real blessing to me. She has shown Christina and Kolya great love and friendship and they look forward to seeing her here at our home and at the church.

When we asked the kids what their favorite food was, it came out...McDonalds!! We know never to say the "M" word unless we mean it. I had wanted to make the whole trip not ever stepping inside a McDonalds but now I cannot even count the number of times we have been to one. We all have our standard orders. The kids immediately inform the person behind the counter that we speak English which means we may be shuffled off to someone who can speak alittle English. I have now started ordering a 2 patty gyro type something! I like it, no cheese, no fries unless I cannot resist and then I steal Dan's! We have lots of toys from McDonalds, many duplicates, and balloons with the backward R, the heart and then McDonalds. I Love McDonalds!

The close up picture is of Sasha Taunton, pardon me, Alex Taunton. She is Christina and Kolya's friend in Alabama. We were talking with her via Skype and Christina took her picture, well, the picture of the computer with the image of Alex:) they had a good time talking, part Russian, part English and a lot of singing and laughing. We hope to do it again soon.

The middle picture is one that I thought I would never see. Christina with a doll. Dan was all excited about getting a doll for Christina for Christmas. Well, she never even took it out of the box. To spur her on to playing with the doll, Dan and Erin changed her clothes and played with her. Christina never took any interest at all. Last night as she wanted to hug on me while she went to sleep, in desperation I said she needed a baby doll. She looked at me and said "Yes". Not really thinking that she would want it, I thought she might not understand the words, "baby doll", I went and got Hannah. She took it and said that Hannah was sleepy. She took off her dress clothes and got Hannah ready for bed. I quickly got Dan out of bed to see this. He took Hannah and sang to her while Christina just laughed at her funny Papa. Then she went to sleep with Hannah tucked under her arm. This morning she dressed Hannah and tonight Hannah is in bed with her again. I showed her the above pictures and for some reason she loved that I had taken it of her. It shows the only quiet side that we know of Christina! :)

The last picture is what I look like each time I sit here at the black round table in the living room of our flat. It may be late at night like now or early in the morning or some rare times it may even be while the kids are up. I enjoy sharing our experiences with you all. Thanks for the many who have been praying for us. KEEP PRAYING!! Today we had several episodes with both kids but they were quickly worked through. I think they are seeing that we will not allow unkind words and actions and we will hold them to this. Please do not stop praying. I feel like the apostle Paul except he was usually saying that he was praying for so and so. We do pray for many of you as we hear the needs. Being a part of the body of Christ is a great privilege!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

12 day waiting period ends today!

2010-01-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

Court day was USA Christmas day. Twelve day waiting period is over on Ukraine Christmas. Yeah! Praise the Lord who has worked in every aspect of this adoption process!

Monday we start the new birth certificates and passports. We will find out an approximate time of leaving!!

Today we went to a worship time at the EPChurch. After the worship was over then the children put on a program with memorized speeches, a girl who played the flute and singing.

The youth group then presented a very interesting play. It was about a Christian man who fell asleep and dreamed that Christ had not come. His friends visited and he said Merry Christmas but they did not know what he meant. He explained and as he explained, the rest of the youth group acted out the nativity story. Then a philosopher came and the young man tried to explain through the Bible but the Bible was only the Old Testament and without any prophecies of a coming savior. He was greatly distressed knowing that his only hope was in Christ's paying the penalty for his sin. Therefore he was doomed. It was really quite good in presentation and thought provoking. He then awoke from his dream and rejoiced that Jesus did indeed come as a child and was crucified to pay the penalty for our sin.

This was all in Russian so Christina and Kolya took these pictures and heard it all. We had a translator telling us the story!

We went back to the flat for Borscht and then went ice skating, bumper cars and other rides. As we stood waiting for the ice skating, a couple with a 13 year old boy said are you the couple from America adoptiong Christina and Kolya? They had been watching our blog as they too were adopting from Ishmail- forgive me for the spelling. As our kids were ice skating we enjoyed a time of sharing our stories. The mother had actually met Kevin - he chose this name from the movie Home Alone, in an airport, then hosted him and have now adopted him. They too are waiting for offices to open to get passports, etc. I did not realize others were following this blog but we are following others also:) May God bless each of you who are in the process of taking care of God's children!!

Have had trouble with blog...Sorry!

2010-01-06T04:49:00.001-08:00

I have tried and Erin tried to enter a blog and it would not work. The last blog was a fun day of ice skating on Saturday.

We then had horrible Sunday. We were hit in the face with the realization that we are indeed in a spiritual battle.

Woke Sunday morning, leisurely got up, showered, dressed. When we told Christina and Kolya that it was time to go to church, their faces got ugly and their talk became harsh and then they ran up the spiral staircase saying "no!" when we asked them to come down. I immediately asked Erin and Jake to start praying. Dan picked up Kolya and Christina came down. We got coats, boots, gloves, etc. and off to church with 2 very mad children. We held their wrist so that they would come with us, they kicked things. We entered the church and for 2 1/2 hours (worship was long because of communion) the kids sat calmly and quietly. There was still an undercurrent of anger but it did not surface during church.

However as soon as we stepped out of the building Kolya immediately became defiant again. They had both wanted to go to the carnival near our flat. We were planning to go after lunch but Kolya was so angry he would not walk with Dan. We got back home and Dan immediately went into the room with Kolya. I took in lunch and they were in their for over 2 hours working out things. We are not spanking as they are not yet ours so Dan was doing a lot of waiting, praying and loving. The rest of us were praying also. Christina understood that a consequence of Kolya's anger was that no one got to go to the Carnival. The rest of the day went well but we stayed home.

Erin and Jake spent the evening playing "Settlers of Cataan" at the Quatermans. Jake came in the victor! We had spent a quiet evening with the kids.

We do realize that there is a spiritual battle but seldom it is so evident. Satan can have no victory over Dan and I but he can attack us through the kids. We must pray for their salvation. We are truly in a battle for their souls right now.

Monday we walked over 45 minutes to the Dolphinarium. It was a long cold walk but we had a lot of fun! The dolphin show was very good. Then we ate pizza and walked back. I am sure there were buses but since we did not know where we would end up and none of the buses looked like the right number, we chose to walk back in the low 20 degree weather with light snow flurries!

There is still an under current of anger with Kolya. He is fine until we say no about something he thinks he should get. We are praying for him and working through this with him.

Tuesday we took Jake and Erin to the airport to return to the States! We got news that they have arrived safely in Chicago. They spend the night there and return to Atlanta today, Wednesday, at noon. We miss them . I thought Christina was going to cry! Even Kolya was very quiet on the ride home.

Today is Christmas Eve. Yes, it is here again:) The Ukraine Christmas celebration of Christ's birth is on Jan 7th so tonight is the Christmas Eve service and tomorrow a Christmas pagent. We have already told the kids today that we are going tonight so we will see how it goes.

We are ready to be home but do not think we will be able to leave for 10-14 days. We ask for your prayers!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Guess what we did today?

2010-01-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Burnham's who arranged this outing of ice skating with another missionary family. None of them had been ice skating. This was Jake's first time and he did great. If you are wondering where the picture is of Leslie, Well, long time ago when I was roller skating for 1 minute, fell and then could no longer skate because of my bruised knee, all my family declared that I could no longer skate and I have taken it to ice skating too! However I enjoyed watching and the fellowship.

We have been experiencing Christina and Kolya, separately,pushing the limits. First to see what the limits are and second to see what would happen. Would we reject them or still love them?
You can guess that the answer is still, we love you. We say that to them even as they are pushing the limits! However how many time do we hear God whispering, "I still love you," when for nth time we have disappointed him, some time defiantly! May we have His love, His patience, His endurance for without Him we are not capable!

In Him ALONE,

Leslie and Dan

Busy New Year's Eve

2010-01-01T04:22:00.000-08:00

We were able to get tickets to the matinee of the Nutcracker performed at the Odessa Opera House. It has recently, in the pass few years, been renovated and is gorgeous! Last time I was there was to see Madame Butterfly in 2001 and everything was old and faded! Now....WOW!

We had box seats however when we presented our ticket to the usher she showed us the box and motioned that we were to set at the six stools on a 3 tiered platform. We eventually split up and had good views of the performance. Christina and Kolya were very still watching the whole performance. There was an intermission and the usher, we called her the crazy lady because she acted like she understand and then took us all over the place, whe brought some snacks for the kids! It was a beautiful performance and we enjoyed it very much.

We walked back to our flat and changed clothes, grabbed some food and walked over the Quaterman's flat for a time of food and games. We had a great time of fellowship around the table and then played UNO ATTACK! Everyone loved especially the kids. Christina was always disappointed if she pass the UNO button and she did not get cards. When the game was over she would press it until all the cards were out!

We went back to our flat and we to bed. At 12 everyone except Kolya and Christina were awakened by all the fireworks, sounding like a war just down the street! But we knew the new year was here so we turned over and went back to sleep.

However in Ukraine New Years' Day is when the presents are exchanged. We had one present under the tree for Christina and Kolya, the watch for Kolya and a ring and necklace for Christina! By ten o'clock we were out walking on deserted streets! It is colder today and windy. Most of the shops were closed. We walked for about an hour in new areas we had not been before. We turned back and walked to the park across from the Hotel Centrally. We had been promising horse rides and this was the right time. We had cameras and the horses, ponies, arrived and Christina and Kolya rode the horses. Kolya is all smiles but Christina did not smile until she got off!

God has blessed us greatly this past year. We never thought last year this time that God would be leading us to Ukraine for Christina and Kolya. We have been blessed with Jim -28 in Charleston, SC, Stuart - 27 in Oxford, MS, Erin- 23 in Atlanta, GA, Jake - 13 in B'ham and now Christina and Kolya both 10 and soon to be in B'ham.

Praise the Lord for His many blessing beginning with His one and only Son that brought us into His family!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Pictures from the Park :) :O :)

2009-12-29T23:40:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night

2009-12-29T12:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-29T03:46:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-28T00:38:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-26T23:48:00.001-08:00

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

2009-12-26T23:16:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-25T12:31:00.001-08:00

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!

2009-12-25T06:10:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-24T01:27:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-21T23:17:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-12-21T01:11:00.001-08:00

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!

2009-12-19T23:58:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

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!!!!

2009-12-18T11:30:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-17T21:57:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-17T05:35:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-12-16T03:47:00.000-08:00

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!!

Other crazy pics!

2009-12-15T13:06:00.001-08:00

Here are some fun pics that have happened sometime this weekend! No reason just fun!

SNOW, SNOW, SNOW

2009-12-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

Well, we did get to see the kids today. HOWEVER...

School is over for them and they eat lunch around 2. We have been told that we can pick them up around 3. Our priority is to see the kids however we must MUST get the documents completed and off to Kiev. Sergey has spent from 8 this morning til 3 PM going from office to office and getting everything lined up. He comes in ringing the doorbell, because the kids always do this, and tells us that we might be able to have the docs completed tonight and off to Kiev on the bus by 11PM but we are waiting for a phone call around 6. We wait long enough for Sergey to get his hot tea and then we are off to the orphanage.

Well, it has been snowing all day and traffic is backed up. You know how in Alabama everything closes down with snow, well, in Ukraine they just keep going! Traffic accidents, no lines on the street - well, they really don't use them anyway, and bumper to bumper. Sergey says that you find the slowest driver and follow him. It took us over 2 hours to get to the orphanage. We picked up the kids thinking that the ingoing traffic would be better. NO WAY!! Over 1 hour later about half way to the flat Sergey gets the call that the docs are ready to be picked up. U-turn made in front of a busy policeman and we are going back in the direction of the orphanage to the Inspector #2's office(she is back in town and has come to the office purposefully to get our documents completed.) When Sergey comes out with the docs - YEAH!! Christina and Kolya have been in the car for over 2 hours with no supper (we did have a snow ball fight while waiting for Sergey). SO off to McDonalds!! I had foolishly announced to Dan in Kiev my goal of not eating at any McDonalds - this was now our 4th!!!

Then rushing the kids to eat and back in the car to the orhanage. Never having gotten to the flat or really spent a fun evening at all. Last night we made it to see them only to tell them we could not take them, tonight we spend the entire time in the car. Tomorrow we are afraid that we may not be able to get out there if the snow keeps going!!

After dropping the kids off around 8:45 - bedtime is 9PM we rush to the bus station and arrive at 9:30 to send the docs to Kiev. Only to find out that the office that closes at 11 PM is on break from 9:30 to 10. Finally Sergey is able to send the docs off and we head for home!! Yeah we are home!

The picture above shows the beginning of the snow. We did not take any pictures today with the kids as the inside of a car is NOT fun!!

Monday, a day of bureaucracy!

2009-12-14T23:32:00.000-08:00

After the time of 9:30-8 on Saturday and Sunday, we were left high and dry on Monday of any time with Kolya and Christina! Documents were picked up from Inspector "1 (PTL!!) that were not going to be ready until Tues, taken to the orphanage for the director's signatures and stamps, then to Inspector #2 who has to look over all the docs so far and write up an approval referral that will be sent to the SDA (State Department of Adoption) in Kiev. Inspector #2 had to meet with us and then took us to her boss for an interview (would that be inspector #3 or #2A?!). Her boss asked us many questions like why did we want to adopt,, what was our annual income, what type of jobs do we have, what type of housing, what will the schooling be like, are we aware of the health issues, and on and on!! WE PASSED! I was nervous at first but really all of these questions have been asked and are somewhere in the dossier that was before her.

Back to inspector #2 office where she promised (and did) stay late to write up the approval referral, and a call to the lawyer to look over it on Tues so that a tentative court date will be set (usually this is not set until this dossier is returned from Kiev but we are trying to get the court date next week before all of the holidays that begain 12/31 here). Tues I will let you know if we have a court date.

The court date is when we go before the judge for the ruling of the adoption of Christina and Kolya. Then the 10 day waiting period will take place and we are hoping that will take place over the Ukraine holidays.

Sooooo all of the above took place from 2PM onward. By the time it was all accomplished and we got to the orphanage at was 6:30Pm. We did not have time to take the kids. We saw Christina and told her we would be back daZAFtra -tomorrow but she was disappointed and cried a little anyway. We had to just leave the message for Kolya as he was down at the territory and not the school at 88. It was sad but sweet that she was so upset! I have been praying for both but Christina especially that they will want to be adopted. By all indications so far the answer is YES!!

COLD here! Our warmest thanks to Ron and Stephanie Mills for the coats we are wearing!!!! Long underwear may be next!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

Another great day, but tiring...we are older parents, you know!!

2009-12-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

Sunday, a day of worshiping the living God! It was indeed a worshipful day, but different. We picked the kids up and told them through Sergey our translator that we were going to church and what that would mean…1 hour or more, singing, preaching, praying but all in Russian with Mom and Dad having earphones with English translation. So off to church we went. They were good, Kolya has been to church with a Ukrainian woman who has taken several of the children on Sundays. Christina has not. She needed attention, liking paper to write on, going to the bathroom, etc. and church went over 1 ½ hours.

We went back to the flat and had Borsche and sandwiches. Kolya said is this all we are having? He wanted the wonderful Spaghetti that Veeca had cooked for us and we had Saturday night. The funny thing is that at first he would not even try it. When Christina tried it, he tried it and loved it!!!

We went for a walk. When we got back Dan’s watch said it was 36 degrees in his pocket. The wind was fierce! We found a park and the kids played. Then we paid $1 for the kids to jump on a trampoline. The lady was trying to figure out our situation. We were speaking English with a little Russian, the kids were speaking Russian with a little English. She asked in broken English mixed with Russian, You English, They Russian, together? Yes, we are mama and daddy and they are our kids…adopting. She understood! Through a long paragraph in Russian we finally understood that she was saying Russian or English, we are all the same…and that this was a good, a very good thing for us to be together!! We agree!!

The kids are really picking up English faster than we are picking up Russian. We knew that they were taking English at school and we can really tell. NO, don’t think this means we can communicate. It means we have a better base to start☺. They are understanding to say, May I Please? to get permission to do something. They say hello in English as we say hello in Russian. They say thank you in English as we say thank you in Russian. Signing is becoming a way of life. We should be much better at charades after this…look out Game Night Ladies!!!!!

The pictures are from our Christmas celebration yesterday. One of the MTW missionaries, Bob Burnham, is also a professional photographer. He takes great pictures and shares his amazing talent. Go to Burnhamsnapshots.com to see his wonderful collection!

We are finding out that the kids are completely different than what we saw of them on visits. Christina was always very reserved, loving crafts, but not really wanting to get close to anyone. Now we see that see is so much like Sasha Taunton with lots of energy, very smart, and loves to be loved. She is the affectionate one of the two. Kolya was running everywhere and into everything, loudly expressing himself with all the boys at the orphanage. Here we see that he loves the computer, camera and figuring out things. You show him how to do something one time and he has it down and goes beyond to figure out more than we knew was possible. He does not like school much and Christina does but we will work on that☺

Thanks for all your prayers. I can feel, see and discern that God has definitely been working in their hearts and our hearts. PLEASE, PLEASE keep praying for us. We need strength, wisdom and lots of love and patience. You know what happens when you pray for patience…God gives it to you in situations that causes you to exercise patience. We are there☺ KEEP PRAYING!!!

In Him alone,

Leslie

2009-12-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

Today was a great day, but boy are we tired!! It’s my birthday and it was wonderful. One of the best parts of the day was when Sergey and Dan went to get the kids and left me home – no, that is not the best part . I hear the doorbell ring and open the door and two kids run in and gave me big hugs – that’s the best part!

It was not long before we got our coats back on and got on a bus with the Burnhams and the Martins on our way to a Christmas celebration complete with nativity play and Saint Nick giving out presents! It was a fun time spent in the time of people who have given up much to be in Ukraine and love what they are doing to share of gospel of Christ. Dan and I watched Christina and Kolya. They were getting a little taste of what it will be like in the states – everyone speaking English, all at once and loudly☺. Andrea translated so they could understand the nativity play. Saint Nick gave them presents – Christina was shy and insisted that I go up with her. She was delighted with the hair care set and candy that she received! Kolya was called up a little later. As all these Americans who spoke Russian were around me I asked them to tell Kolya that one of his gifts was a puzzle. Several minutes and serious study went on and they came up with the right Russian word, said it to Kolya. He turned to me and said in English “puzzle”. He had already known what it was and what it was called!!

They were very polite, bored yet polite (we are still on our best behavior) when the kids were taken to another room and a long story read in English. I was proud that they did not get fidgety! Then they had a craft they liked very much. Afterwards they joined the adults doing a Santa switch gift, and were bored but were good. Dan left early the gift switching and let them play outside on the playset. They loved that until Dan got cold!! At this point one of us is with them at all times. We want them to know to come to us and not to hand off the care to others at this point.

Good things! They are coming to us to ask for things, i.e. more juice, more food. As we drove up to the orphanage tonight, Christina said that she wanted to go back with us. We said we will be back daZAFtra – tomorrow! They keep asking through the day if tomorrow they will see us. Good stuff!

Yes, it is intense because of language. Right now we have people around that can tell the kids something if needed. However at home that will stop. But all of us are trying hard so it is good.

Alone at last!!

2009-12-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

Today, Friday, December 11, 2009, we got our first chance to have the kids by ourselves. It took until about 1 to try to get some papers finished. However a new doc was asked for by inspector #1 ( there are 2 inspectors, so we named them…). She declared we needed to go back to the orphanage (oh, goodie) and get this doc before her docs could be completed. Even then it may not be til Tues before she could get to it.

We traveled to 88 and while Sergey is getting the doc, we are talking to the kids. Ok, we are signing and counting (the kids are learning English and we are learning Russian – I can count to 10!). Then we started colors. The director was in the other room and while the cat’s away the mice will play, hence this pic of the kids in the director’s seat. She did not get upset but I could sense that they would not normally do this. They are feeling some power☺

The director had promised Christina and Kolya that we were taking them to McDonalds. So after receiving permission from Marina to have them until later, we went to the flat. Sergey took the doc to Inspector #1. WE WERE ALONE WITH OUR KIDS.

They explored every inch of the flat. Hence, this pic of Dan and the kids at the top of the stairs that leads to unfinished attic. All lights were turned on and off. Beds were tested, toasters tested, etc. Dan quickly showed them computer, cell phones, camera. Anything that had buttons they explored. Ding, Dong! Michelle, missionary who knows the kids, arrived. Hugs all around. After starting a game with Dad, Michelle and I were talking. All of a sudden the camera went off, Kolya was taking a picture. Now that we could speak to set boundaries, Michelle and I explained that before touching phones, cameras, computer, they must ask, may I? I know this word in Russian so from that point on I could say no, may I? Normally we said yes but the computer and phones became no very soon.

Michelle left and the four of us played memory. They knew how to play and Kolya won, no I did not let him win, he really did!! We had a great time laughing and teasing and we could see what life will be like. A lot of communication hassles and a lot of fun just being together.

Then it was time to go where…….McDonalds! Kolya’s eyes watched everything, especially the bulldozer that was working at night, that we saw on the way to McDs. Did you that bulldozer in Russian is …bulldozer!?!?!

Christina is a hoot! She ordered a salad and cheeseburger happy meal. She ate all the salad even licking the package of dressing. Then started on the fries. After a couple of fries she was full and packed everything, extra napkins, ketchup, everything into the happy meal box. Later on in the car she ate all the fries and then finished her cheeseburger. She also had a banana for later in case she got hungry.

Kolya has a little bit of a cold. At one point during the afternoon he even laid his head down on the couch but soon was up and going. He slowly at his fries one at a time out of the box. His eyes were constantly moving to take in all the people and what they were doing. Then he ate his cheesburger. Again slowly watching everyone.

It was so much fun just watching them, taking in who they are!

It takes about 45 min to an hour to get to the orphanage. About 20-30 minutes on the return trip when traffic was less. At some point on the trip back to the orphanage
Christina asked "Is it true that it takes 3 days to get to America?" She is really thinking about this. She also asked, "Where Sasha (Taunton) is now, is it night or day?"We said day, and that will you will be living there soon. Another quiet moment!

Tomorrow we get the kids around 9:30 and are going to a get together with all the missionaries. We will see how we do. Fortunately most of these people speak Russian and there will be lots of kids. Check in tomorrow for the results!

YEAH!!!

2009-12-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

Today was a pushing paper day. Two errors on documents received yesterday had Sergey mainly but Dan and I also backtracking and crisscrossing through the offices in Odessa. However by 5:45 PM after a mad dash to the orphanage we got to see Christina and Kolya. Part of the documents that we needed for today was a hand written agreement from each child that they want to be adopted. And they both agreed to sign!! Yeah, my prayer is being answered!
The picture is of Christina writing while Dan is explaining the photo album to Kolya. Dan and Jake had taken pics of the rooms in our house, of our family, of the grandparents. Dan then put them in an album for each of the kids. They loved them as well as Marina, the director, and the 2 secretaries and teacher.
Yes, the language will be a barrier at first but it looks as if all of us are willing to work hard!!

1000+ words from Dan

2009-12-10T00:12:00.000-08:00

Kolya came to the window and Marina waved for him to come on in. I’ll never forget it! He came directly to us, and with a huge smile, hugged us both individually, then gave us a group hug. Then he stood back to listen to what we had to say to him. Although it was a bit awkward at first, things warmed up and he was all-smiles. He was clothed heavily since it is so cold here. His heavy outside coat had a NASCAR emblem on it and a number “3” for Dale Earnhart. I couldn’t bear to tell Kolya that ole Dale is dead. Leslie has just reminded me that Kolya doesn’t really know anything about NASCAR, so it didn’t matter. We tried to talk with Kolya for a few minutes, there was a group picture on Marina’s shelf with he and Christina in it, so I pointed to him. Marina said that Christina and Kolya are the most beautiful children in the orphanage. They are! After that Kolya asked to go find Christina. So off he went. It seemed like an hour before he returned (it was only 10 minutes probably); then they both returned and there was Christina. She was heavily clothed as well, and had on a stocking hat. We all hugged and it was the sweetest thing I could every dream. Again, I will never forget it!

We had them try to say ALABAMA, and they did well. We asked if they could help us learn their Language as we will help them learn English. They counted to five in English, Leslie and I can only count to three in Russian, they laughed.

The kids were dismissed with a picture (posted on the blog) and hugs. They ran out into the courtyard and disappeared. As we exited we both made an effort to tell Marina how much she had done for us and how much we appreciated her. It was a sweet time. As we left and stepped over to the car, both kids ran up to us out of the dark courtyard to say “goodbye” in English. They had conferred with a few friends who reminded them how to say it. Kolya ran off, Christina stayed and hugged until we were forced to leave (not really forced, but it was obvious…both Sergey and the inspector were in the car waiting for us), so reluctantly we stepped into the car and departed.
Leslie and I cannot describe, with words, the impact of the afternoon. We rode back to the inspector’s office in the cramped back seat of that little car; we held hands, and whispered to each other that it couldn’t have gone any better.

From Dan

We Saw Christina and Kolya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

A PICTURE IS WORTH 10000 WORDS!!!!

We Saw Our Kids!!!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

GOT THE REFERRAL!!!!!

2009-12-08T09:51:00.002-08:00

This afternoon around 5 we received our referral to adopt Christina and Kolya! This means we leave early Wed morning and drive to Odessa! Lord willing, we will see the kids in the afternoon. We have to drop all our stuff off at the flat in Odessa, pick up the inspector that is suppose to introduce us to the director of 88 and to our kids, then go to 88! If the inspector is not available, normally we would have to wait until the inspector is ready. However since we know the director and have her cell number, we will try calling and getting permission from the director to see the kids. Only if the inspector is not available, otherwise we will go with her.

We walked for almost 2 hours down the descent of St Andrews to the Dneiper River. That was great!! Then up (when there is a down, there is usually an up) to the arch overlooking the river and then back to Independence Square. Here is a picture of me at the arch and then looking at the river. It was not the AT(Appalachian Trail) but it was exciting! Every where you turn there are statues and domed cathedrals! Of course we bought an English guide book because we cannot read the plaques!!

Please be praying for our first meeting tomorrow with the kids! I am not sure how to pray or what I want to happen, except that they will want to be adopted by us. I
already love them and gradually they will love us also.

In Him alone,

Leslie

2009-12-08T09:51:00.001-08:00

The Rest of the Day

2009-12-08T00:25:00.000-08:00

After the appointment, which went well, we had nothing to do until receiving the referral documents on Tuesday afternoon. So we walked. Just up from our flat is St Michael’s cathedral just recently restored. It is on the top of a ridge. Walking along the ridge, on a street I can’t spell or pronounce, is St Sophia’s Cathedral. Walking further along the ridge is the Golden Gate. From the back it looks like wooden logs stacked to make a fort. We did not see the front because we did not know what it was until we bought a guidebook! Then we went to a mall, a 5 story tall department store, where I paid to use the toilet on the top floor. I mention this only because there was no toilet just a hole in the floor, I became a native!! However toilet paper, sink and soap were provided – Is this too much info?!!

You may not know but I am about to tell you that there are 7 major hills around Kiev and each have a cathedral. It is amazing to walk through areas that are over 1500, yes, 1500 years old!

Today, Tuesday, we are walking Andriivsky Uzviz, a street that descends from St Andrew's cathedral to the Dneiper River and around to Independence Square. The SDA building is next to St Andrew's cathedral. These 2 pictures are this cathedral and the small side door that you enter to visit the SDA, a very important office, at least for us!

1st appointment in Kiev

2009-12-07T02:36:00.000-08:00

YEAH!! 1st appointment went well. Saw baby pics of both Christina and Kolya. Will be receiving the referral on Tues and driving (not us but Sergey our facilitator) to Odessa on Wed AM. GET TO SEE KIDS WED!!!!!!!!!!!

IN HIM ALONE,

Leslie

2009-12-06T23:35:00.000-08:00

Dan and I worshipped at Holy Trinity in Kiev on Sunday. Great sermon on our response to suffering and bad times. The passage of scripture was Habakkuk 3:17-19, one of my favorite! Marianne Peipon met us and took us below ground to the metro rail. We went deep deep into the ground on a steep escalator - my dislike of escalators and heights was in my face - I truely think the escalator was going 30 mph!!!! But we arrived safely and climbed out of the depths onto the street to walk just a little ways to a building. Within on the 4th floor was a huge meeting room, there were at least 150 of us with plenty of room with stage and instruments. Those who needed an interpreter sat in the back and a man simply translated in a quiet voice what was being said in Russian. We also had communion. What a feeling of the universal church of God all partaking of communion!! WOW!

Above is the picture of Sasha, our facilitator who is Orthodox but came to the last of the service, Marianne and Leslie. We met after church to talk and eat lunch in a small restaurant called the Drum. We walked back through Independence Square to our flat after first stopping at the grocery store for fruit.

The clouds are so low on that indeed they are touching the rooftops. A building that we could see 2 days ago is now blurred by the clouds, it is just 3 buildings away.

Jet lag? Funny you should ask! Yes, we are still waking at 4 AM but now just turn over and slowly drift to sleep. Saturday night poor Dan did not sleep at all, Leslie slept! So Sunday night Dan pushed himself to 8 PM and then slept to 9AM! Leslie slept fine! I get very warm at night because the heating works very well. During the day we leave the windows open but at night we close them almost all the way. Dan loves it and I swelter! But life is good!

This morning we meet Sasha, in the picture above, at the flat at 11. We will walk to the SDA and have our meeting to receive the official referral that gives us permission to go to Odessa to see the kids and start the process in Odessa.

Thanks for your prayers...keep praying for safety for Christina and Kolya and that the process might go smoothly.

All I can say now is ROLL TIDE- Got up at 4 AM Sat night to check the score and was excited to see the outcome!

New Friend on Plane

2009-12-05T07:22:00.000-08:00

I made a new friend on the airplane from Chicago to Frankfurt. Marrie is from Iowa and is on her way back to Afghanistan. She has been there for 10 months, had a personal emergency in Iowa and now has about 3 more months in Afghanistan. She was in Iraq for 4 years. She is an enlisted mechanic and has almost 25 years in the service. I loved talking with her. Immediately she catches your eye as she is 6 ‘4” tall carrying a teddy bear. Taylor, the teddy bear, is from Scottsdale Christian School in Scottsdale, AZ. This is a 6 grade social studies project. The student bought the bear, with a nice dress and a backpack complete is toy cellphone. In the back pack is a note explaining the purpose is to send the bear world wide. The student even explains that she is a Christian and very clearly states the gospel of Jesus Christ. Taylor traveled to Afghanistan with another military person who gave it to Marrie. She has been traveling with Taylor and almost past her off to us but had promised friends in Poland that Taylor was coming to visit. Marrie and I talked a lot and exchanged emails. I love having new friends!!

We made it to Kiev!

2009-12-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

WE ARE HERE!!

And all of our luggages made it too. We are dead tired but we are trying to stay up to at least 8 before falling into bed.

Flights went well, met at the airport with a man holding a sign for EDWARDS, quickly moved us through Customs as we got our bags. Then Sasha our facilitator met us at the concourse and escourted us into a car with all of our 5 bags plus carryons.

Our flat is right down from St. Michael's cathedral and Independance Square. I have included the pictures looking both ways from our small rickety balcony.

We ate at a Ukraine place - OBrian's Irish pub - well it was in Ukraine! It was within walking distance and they spoke English.

More tomorrow about a new friend we made on the plane..... Must come back to read it!!

Thanks for all your prayers... KEEP IT UP!!

Leslie and Dan

Sitting in Chicago O'Hare Airport

2009-12-03T07:36:00.001-08:00

Well, "Hurry Up and Wait" is our motto along with "Be Flexible"!

All 4 suitcases were 50 lbs or below. The big fellow #5 was a whopping 78 lbs! A small fee - much smaller than the internet had told us to expect - was paid and all the bags were off. We pray that we will see them again SOON. However due to the last trip to Ukraine where my bag went missing for several days, we now pack a change of clothes and essentials, just in case.

We start this trip as if we are on our way to Kiev for our second honeymoon!! Don't tell anyone...everyone thinks we are suffering for the Lord, but we are delighting in the Lord!! We have a weekend together to see the sights of Kiev! We both love the country and love cold weather and love each other....what could be finer!!!

OK enough of that. Keep on praying for us, God is not finished with us yet!!

Thanks,

Leslie and Dan

It's Wed and the suitcases are packed!!

2009-12-02T17:45:00.001-08:00

We are excited! The suitcases are all packed. All of our 5 suitcases are under 50 lbs except 1. As hard as we tried, even sucking the air out of the clothes - evidently air does not weigh much, we still have one suitcase that weighs 70 lbs. Oh well, bite the bullet and pay the fee!! Most of the weight is in the 10 pairs of snow boots and lots of extras that we are bringing. However on the trip back we should be fine with several suitcases consolidated and 2 more kids!! We will take the kids anytime.

We leave at 6 AM flying to Chicago, then a 6 hour layover, and on to Frankfurt, and then Kiev!! We arrive in Kiev on Friday afternoon, Kiev time, 5 AM Friday Alabama time. Fortunately we have the weekend to see Kiev and rest up before our appointment on Monday 12/7 at noon.

Many of you received an erroneous email with wrong times and dates. This blog is correct. I just do not know who mail that other email - me:( !!!

Thanks to everyone who have helped us with support, encouragement and prayers. Keep it up! We will need it all!

In Him Alone,

Leslie

2 days and counting!!

2009-11-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

We have assembled all the suitcases. Dan and I are taking 4 plus 1 more that has Christmas packets for kids at 2 orphanages in Ukraine. Erin and Jake are taking 1 each plus 2 more with items for the kids at orphanage 88 and missionaries in Odessa. It is great that we can bring some Christmas items and hard to find items like peanut butter:) How wonderful to be a bearer of gifts!!

Dan's mom stands in the doorway of Christina's room as we assemble the suitcases. She shakes her head wondering to herself and out loud, "how will it all fit".

I am packing for Dan, Christina, Kolya and myself for 6 weeks plus some kitchen items such as spices and some linens. Then I am packing the 2 extra suitcase that Erin and Jake will be bringing when they come. We have decided to not do presents but just Christmas stockings, so those must be packed. I, too, step back shaking my head.

By Wed we shall see if everything fits:)

Leslie

Letter to Christina and Kolya

2009-11-28T11:26:00.000-08:00

The kids now know that we are coming to adopt them! We sent a letter, translated into Russian, and some pictures of Dan, Jake and me. Below is part of that letter:

Dear Christina and Kolya,

We are a family from America who has prayed for you for a long time. We have visited with you in the orphanage several times over the past couple of years. You might not remember us, so we include our picture. Our names are Leslie, Dan and Jake. We are the Edwards family. We are writing to you to tell you that we want you to be a part of our family. We love you and want to adopt you so that you can live with us in America.

In December we will be coming back to the orphanage to see both of you again and to do everything to adopt you and bring you to your new home. When we get to you we will show you a lot of pictures and tell you all about our family and where you will live. We can not wait until you are in our family, we love you.

We hope you are excited, we are so happy that you will be in our family. You will have a momma and daddy, three brothers and one sister and a dog. You will have grandparents too. All of us love you and want you to come to live with us.

We will see you very soon. Until we come, we will continue to pray for you.

Thanksgiving!!

2009-11-27T10:08:00.000-08:00

My mother and Dan's parents are spending Thanksgiving with us! What a blessing God has given us! Grandparents that first: love the Lord, second: love us, and third: are so excited to meet their new grandchildren, Kolya and Christina.

Sasha Taunton and her mom, Lauri, visited us on the day before Thanksgiving. Pop said "it was like the sun rising" when Sasha entered our house. Her love for her mama, her confidence and security in her family shines from her as she greets us with hugs. She immediately pointed to the grandparents naming them, Grandma, Grandma and Grandpa! She had already asked me if Christina and Kolya had grandparents! She was anxious to meet them! This picture is of Sasha, Erin and Jake.

We are THANKFUL for the testimony that Sasha is, her love for her family, her love for the Lord, and her love for friends, new and old!!

In Him Alone,

Leslie and Dan

God is providing our every need!

2009-11-20T16:25:00.000-08:00

A shower was given for us to celebrate the adoption of Christina and Kolya! I never thought I would have another shower and I have to say it was one of the best. I looked around the room and saw the many faces of dear friends who were there to celebrate with us and support us through gifts for Christina and Kolya.

So many clothes, fun activities, pj's, bean bag chairs, fleece throws, fleeces, etc. One of my favorites is the Storybook Bible. Inside the 2 Bibles were the kid's names and the families who gave it to them. One day soon I will be reading the stories to Christina and Kolya. Next they will be reading themselves!

We will be in Ukraine in 2 WEEKS - Dec 3rd!! Yikes! and YEAH!! Yikes, because there are so many things to do and organize before we leave. YEAH, because the last leg of the beginning will start in Ukraine. We fly into Kiev, our appointment is 12/7 to start the ball rolling in Ukraine. Then we fly ,or if feeling adventurous, take the 10 hour train trip to Odessa. Then mid week we will see the kids. The beginning will be the actual new lives of Christina Joy and Nikolay Joseph Edwards!!

YES, we finally decided on their names. Joy for the joy Christina brings us and the joy that Jesus will give her, Joseph for Dan's middle name is Joseph and God brought Joseph in Genesis through many trials to be a man strong in God's love!

Please continue to pray that God will move Christina's and Kolya's hearts to want to be adopted so that when the judge asks them if they want to be adopted, they will say, "Yes!"

We will continue to keep you posted on this blog as we move to Ukraine for 6 weeks. Erin and Jake will be flying over 12/17-1/6 for the Christmas holidays. Please pray for good flights, smooth connections and lots of rest!

Thanks for caring and supporting us in prayer.

In Him Alone, Dan and Leslie

God's Timing for us and our family!

2009-11-10T19:15:00.000-08:00

"Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched hand! Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17

Our church has been studying Jeremiah this fall. As we discovered that our travel date was postponed for at least 2 weeks, it helped me to read Jeremiah. Jeremiah was in the middle of an enemy invasion and was in prison when God tells him to buy a field. Jeremiah obeys. In the midst of unbelievable upheaval Jeremiah trusts that God is telling him to buy a field for when the people will return from exile. Jeremiah holds tightly to God promise and acts upon it.

"No plan of God's can be thwarted" has always encouraged me when "bad things" happen. How can I call them bad when the God of the universe has decreed them for my life. His plan cannot be thwarted therefore the "bad things" are not bad for me but His plan for me.

Soooo Dan and I regrouped trusted God and His plan and started telling people that we had no idea when we would leave for Ukraine. Today we received a message that our TRAVEL DATE IS DECEMBER 7th, that is the appointment date in Kiev. We will leave the States on December 4, 2009.

That's all I know right now but we are rejoicing!! We are rejoicing that God IS in control. We are right where we should be and WHAT AN ADVENTURE THIS IS!!

Continue to pray for us:
Papers need to be amended for processing.
Many meetings in Ukraine before the court date.
MOST OF ALL please pray for Christina and Kolya, that they will be safe and that they will want to be adopted.

Thanks so much for being our partners as we travel this road together, Leslie and Dan

No Plan of God's Can Be Thwarted!!

2009-11-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

Swine flu quaratine in Ukraine delays Edwards' travel plans!

That would be the headline if there was an Edwards' Gazette! There has been a panic in Ukraine over the swine flu, much like we had here when high school sporting events were canceled. In Ukraine the swine flu has reached into politics with the country voting in January for the presidential election, the prime minister versus the current president, one canidate is showing its muscle by shutting down all public events, i.e. schools. This has reached into the government office of SDA postponing any invitations to travel for at least 2 weeks.

The invitation with the travel date was to be given by yesterday to us with the possibility of leaving within 2 weeks, before Thanksgiving. Now the invitation will not come for another 2 weeks at least pushing back our travel into December and not leaving Ukraine til January, BRRRRRRR! That is the middle of winter!! We had been praying to have the kids out before winter but GOD'S PLAN CAN NOT BE THWARTED! Don't you just love the word, THWARTED! We believe that this is not catching God by surprise as it caught us. His perfect plan is being acted out so after regrouping our expectations we are back on line awaiting His perfect plan to unfold!

Please continue to pray for us, for our family, for Christina and Kolya in particular their safety from the evil one and from sickness. God has supplied our need...we are over the $40,000 goal and now just waiting.

Thanks,

Leslie and Dan

So much good news!

2009-10-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in blogging. I have been rebuked by many so here it is. (By the way, thank you for caring enough that you will get on my case for not blogging !!)

I have just returned from a week in Odessa. The mission team of 5 from CPC went to Orphanage 88 to update the prayer journal, take winter clothes for the orphans and, YES!, part of the plan was for me to see our kids. As we have not received acceptance from Ukraine yet, we still could not tell Christina and Kolya.

Since this adventure began with a passion for kids and especially orphans, it was easy to go to 88 and talk with the kids. We took 22 kids, the true orphans, to McDonalds. Some had never been. We ordered chicken nugget Happy Meals for each of the kids. We put each Happy Meal box in front of each of the kids, prayed and thanked the Lord, then I said ok, let's eat. The kids sat very still not knowing what to do. I had to open one of the boxes to show them that the toy and food were inside the box. They soon were smiling, eating and having a great time. They all received balloons on sticks and most took their box back with them. It was a fun time for all!

The team spent most of our time with all the kids. We took their picture, gave them a copy of their picture as we asked questions of each person individually. It was a lot of fun. Then we just hung out with them outside. Fred Hendon, the only man on the team, played games with what ever kids were on break from classes. Usually he had at least one kid hanging on him. It was great for the kids to see the love that Fred, a man, showed them. They were used to a lot of women but a man really made a big impression!

Since our church has been coming to this orphanage at least once sometimes twice a year, we have a good relationship with the director and the kids of the orphanage. The first couple of times teams went to 88, there was acceptance from the director but with great reservation. Now that she has seen that we really will keep our word, that we love the kids, that we keep our word in regards to returning and helping with some projects, we really have seen a blossoming of the relationship with the director. Please pray for her, that the Lord will call her to Himself, that there might be openings to share with her the Good News of the Gospel when we return to get our kids.

On the last day that our team was in Odessa, I was able to separate Christina and Kolya with Michelle, our friend and interpreter. It was time for me to share with them about their friend, Sasha, who had been adopted by a family in our church. They waved to the camera and sent a message of friendship back to Sasha. I gave them a small gift and tried to establish a small memory to build upon for the future.

The Future is looming closer and closer!! Our dossier was submitted Tuesday, 10/27, in Kiev, Ukraine. We were given a file number and told that by the end of next week we should have our travel date. Even as I write this, my pulse beats faster!!!!! It really looks like we might be leaving BEFORE THANKSGIVING!!

The kids' rooms are almost ready. The beds are made, curtains up, bookcases filled with books and plenty of room to add their own items. A shower is being given for us...such kind friends who are almost, almost as excited as we are! Can't wait to get Christina and Kolya!

God has blessed us greatly through this process. From the time He revealed this call of love, for us to adopt, to adopt 2 kids, to adopt Christina and Kolya, God has confirmed over and over that this is what we are to do. As I have stated before, our major obstacle was the finances, God has shown us again that with Him nothing is impossible. If He wants something done, He will provide the means. We have received donations of over $43,000. Our goal was $40,000. As we contemplated what was before us, Dan thought we would need more but we did not change the number. However nothing is hidden from God or a surprise to Him. He has provided exactly what we need and we thank Him and the many people God used to generously provide this money to get our kids home!!

In Him alone, Leslie

My cup is full, smushed down and overflowing!!!!!!!!

2009-10-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

God seems to be throwing wide the door for us to get our kids.

At the beginning of this journey, one of the major obstacles was the $40,000 needed for all the expenses to adopt Kolya and Christina. It was also one of the major ways we are confirmed that we are doing what God would have us do.

We have now received $37,000 of the $40,000. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name!!!!!

Our family and church family have come beside us with encouragement, prayers and with the needed funds. We have hearts that are full of gratitude and delight ... to see the body of Christ surround us and uphold us is WONDERFUL!!

Please continue to pray for Kolya and Christina, their health, their safety and that the evil one will not gain one foothold in this adoption process. That the one true God will be glorified through each and every step of the way to get our kids. And remember, getting them is the true beginning of this adventure!!

In Him alone, Leslie and Dan

YEAH!!! GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS!!

2009-10-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

Just got notified that CIS in Atlanta has approved our adoption of Kolya and Christina - PRAISE THE LORD!!

Also received notification that our submission date for our petition to adopt and all the docs that go with that will be October 27, 2009. Usually you are given your travel date within a week of that date. The travel date is usually within 3 weeks.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING IN UKRAINE BY THE END OF NOVEMBER - not December - BUT NOVEMBER!!!

Okay, I will calm down..... NO, I WON"T ... I AM EXCITED!! God is answering the prayer we first had on the very first blog page. That, Lord willing, we could get the kids before winter, before Christmas. WELL, IT IS HAPPENING:)

Totally cool!!

IN HIM TOTALLY,

Leslie and Dan Edwards

Kolya's Poem

2009-10-01T18:51:00.001-07:00

Kolya…Getting You Home

You couldn’t have remembered…..the first time we met,
everyone stuffed in the door; I’m sitting on the floor.
It was Monday, a holiday…..looking back…..easy to forget,
one face in a crowd, the languages confusing and loud.
My plan…..‘let’s play’; but God’s purpose…..eternally set.

And His purpose was never to leave you alone,
So all I can think about now, is getting you home.

It seems…..in a flash of your dark eye…..it was time to go,
a week with the fatherless; abruptly…only memories to caress.
The news was huge I was sure…..from out West…..Colorado,
you without family no longer, lots of love, no more hunger!
But you couldn’t yet know…..how your purpose was to grow.

And His purpose was never to leave you alone,
So all I can think about now, is getting you home.

It was over the ocean…..I think…..came the confirmation,
one little girl remained, so now the trio all……claimed.
The first days home were filled with hope…..in my imagination,
then joy turned upside down, where was your crown?
You didn’t even know…..your purpose…..had ended in frustration.

But that purpose was never to leave you alone,
So all I can think about now, is getting you home.

There is no other explanation…..each firm and of one mind,
not one but two, God was choosing…..and it can be only you.
I can imagine who you are…..and can’t wait to see what I find,
I see the smile glowing from inside, is there anything to hide?
No matter…..that’s past…..there’s always purpose in God’s design!

And that purpose was never to leave you alone,
So all I can think about now, is getting you home.

And that purpose was never to leave you alone,
It won’t be long now…..I’m coming to bring you home!

JUST ONE ANSWER TO PRAYER!

2009-09-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

We have prayed for God to push through the paperwork. One example of His answer is this:

when the home study and documents are sent to Montgomery it usually it takes 2-4 weeks before it gets approval and sent on Atlanta.............................

*****4 DAYS*****is how long the home study was in Montgomery!!

The home study is now in Ukraine and in Atlanta!!

Keep up the prayers :)

Leslie

HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS....YOU ARE A BOUT TO GET BLOWN AWAY!!!!

2009-09-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

We have just been fast tracked!! The 4 points below is how it usually happens:

1. Usually the home study is sent in for approval from the state, in Montgomery, and then travels to Atlanta. It meets up in a file marked Edwards that already has our application, fingerprints, FBI dossier, etc. We wait for approval.
2. Upon approval from CIS, Citizenship and Immigration Services, we start compiling the documents for the dossier to be submitted to Ukraine. After gathering all of documents, making sure nothing is dated later than 6 months old, the dossier is sent to Ukraine to our case worker in Kiev, Sasha.
3. Sasha has the dossier translated and the asks for a date to submit our request. The date arrives, Sasha submits our dossier, we wait.
4. Then we receive a date to come to Ukraine and begin our month long legal submissions and interview and finally court date for adoption. If approved we wait 10 days and then kids are ours.
5. We fly to Kiev, apply for visa and temporary passport for both kids, have medical exams required by US, get turned down because of HIV positive, submit a waiver, docs sent to CIS in US and equivalent office in Moscow for approval. When accepted, we leave for home.

***OK, things have now been fast tracked!!!!!! Upon completion of the home study it was sent to Montgomery and ALSO to Ukraine along with documents giving the exact names and birthdates of our kids. We are already to the point of Sasha requesting a submission date. This will put pressure on the CIS knowing that we will know next week what the submission date will be. All docs have to be in Sasha’s hands by that appointment. So items 1 and 2 are being done at the same time.

The last couple of people going over to adopt in Ukraine received the date to travel the week after the submission date. And the travel date was 1 month after the submission date. SOooooooo this means that we could be in Ukraine as early as the end of November or the first of December!!!!!

WOW!! Even though this is what we were praying for all along, logically looking at past cases the Spring would have been the earliest we could have hoped. God is answering our prayer even as we had such little faith as we prayed it….Before Winter, Before Christmas….it might come true!!

Please continue to pray:
1. That the kids will want to be adopted
2. That God will push the paperwork from desk to desk in His timing
3. That He will bring in the last monies needed: we have $24,000 of the $40,000 needed! - WOW! How Great Is That!!!

Thanks, Dan and Leslie

2009-09-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

Everything goes very quickly and then stops and is sssssoooooo sloooooow! Then it speeds up again.

The 12 page essay that is our home study is now completed by our case worker. We were sent a copy for our approval along with some requests for more documents. So now our home study is complete as of this week. We finished all of our requirements at the first of August. Did not realize that it would be over a month before it was sent off. This week it is to be sent to Montgomery and then to the CIS in Atlanta. The good news is that the home study is also being sent to Lifeline’s representative in Kiev to get a date for the submitting of the dossier and getting a date to come. USUALLY the home study is sent along with the dossier after acceptance from CIS in Atlanta. We hope that this will speed up the process. We have been praying for “Before Winter” and now it might be a reality to be in Ukraine in Dec or Jan. We will have to wait and see what God brings about for us.

We have been praying that God would push the documents through quickly and truthfully have been disappointed that the home study was still in the case worker's hand. However God's plan is best for now it can be sent to Ukraine as well as CIS.

Please continue to pray for the kids, their safety, that they would desire to be adopted and that God will continue to provide the funds to complete this task.

Thanks, Leslie

Over Half Way!

2009-09-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

We are so thankful to the many for have responded to our need of funds in order to adopt Christina and Kolya. Several people have mentioned that we do not have an address to send the donations on our blog so here it is: We are using Pathway Orphan Ministries, a 501c3 corporation, so you will receive a tax deduction for this donation. The check should be made out to Pathway Orphan Ministries, write in memo Edwards adoption, and send to:

Pathway Orphan Ministries
3509 Branch Mill Road
Birmingham, AL 35223

We are just over halfway to our need of $40,000. Please continue to join us as we ask God to fulfill this need. Again we are so thankful for the many for have supported us in this adoption process through encouragements, donations and prayers.

2009-09-01T07:47:00.000-07:00

WAITING, WAITING, WAITING!!

There is an old saying in the military "Hurry up and wait". This is also true of the adoption process. I did not realize that the home study once we were finished with all our paperwork still had a lot to be added to it before it was sent off.

SOoooooooo as of today September 1st it is still in the hands of our case worker as she finishes all her paperwork (a friend said it was as if the caseworker had to write a biography of our family after all our work was turned in).

ALL OF THIS IS IN GOD'S HANDS... say it again, Leslie, this time like you mean it....ALL OF THIS IS IN GOD'S HANDS!!!!! Our prayer is that God would move the paperwork along quickly so that we might get the kids before winter. Our prayer is also that whatever God plans, it is the best for us and for the kids!

SOoooooooooo we wait and pray patiently:)

Leslie

2009-08-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

**********PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!**********

We are at the half way mark in raising the support needed to bring the kids home. Our beloved church family and friends have donated just at $20,0000 - the half way point of the $40,0000 needed for this adoption. God is meeting our need, step by step. Our home study is completed and this week is to be sent first to Montgomery for the state government's approval and then to Atlanta to the Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) for the full approval. When we receive notification of the acceptance (which could be up to 90 days waiting time) it will be time to update our medical forms and get the next batch of paperwork together to send off to Ukraine for their acceptance and invitation to come for the kids.

We now wait...as anyone knows waiting is the hardest time...patience, Lord give us patience to endure this race!!

Monies are still needed. Our toes are poised at the edge of the ocean, now we need the money to get to Ukraine, stay the required month or so, receive the court approval, wait the 10 day waiting period, and return to the states with 2 new Edwards!! Please continue to pray for us as we try to raise this money! THANKS!!! Leslie

2009-08-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

Dan wrote this poem after we spoke to a Sunday School class about the process of adopting Christina and Kolya. At one point Dan said, " if I had only known, I would have done this sooner." A dear friend in the class said "known what?" Dan's response was if he had only gone to the orphanage sooner and seen the kids, the adoption would have happened sooner. However as we thought about that, it, of course, is God's right timing so that Christina and Kolya are there for us to adopt. Dan wrote this poem as he thought about how God has brought this about and especially Christina, as he describes her.

See Christina's toe........:) Yes, we are proud parents!!

CHRISTINA…NOW I KNOW

Had I known…..the heart and the flame…
…..pleading for heaven to spell out your name.
And had I known…..the meaning, and religion that is true,
…..the weight, the worth of revelation, that clue.
Coming would not have taken so long…
…..but now I know, providence is writing your song.

Had I known…..the passage, that crossing and the space…
..…the global fixtures far below, tiny in their place.
And had I known…..the beauty, that scent, the years…
…..a city confused, embracing blindly all its fears.
Coming would not have taken so long…
…..but now I know, providence is writing your song.

Had I known…..the smirks, that smile and the grins…
……the dark, dismal secret occurs before a life begins.
And had I known…..the despair and that loss of hope,
…..the empty eyes, no more fantasies to cope.
Coming would not have taken so long…
…..but now I know, providence is writing your song.

Had I known…..the place, that bare bench and the who…
…..the hush of the hallway when I knew it was you.
And had I known…..the tails, and hazel, that stocking toe…
…..the resemblance of your mother tomorrow to know.
Coming would not have taken so long…
…..but now I know, providence is writing your song.

Now I know…..the why, the when, the where…
…..and now I know, it’s you, innocent, waiting over there.
And now I know, I’m coming in winter, not long…
…..may Heaven keep you warm while singing your song.

7/29/09

2009-07-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

As of this date we are about 40% of our goal of $40,000 needed for our adoption fund. God has supplied our need each step of the way.

Please continue to pray for us, the safety of all our kids and that God will work through each person that touches our file to push the file forward to be accepted in Montgomery first and then at CIS in Atlanta. Please pray for our patience as the time of waiting is upon us.

THANKS, Leslie

7/25/09 Seminar

2009-07-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Dan, Jake, Erin and I attended a seminar on international adoption. Jake's thoughts as we walked back to our car: "Ok, so we are adopting Kolya and Christina, who are not siblings, who have lived in an institution (orphange) all their lives, they have no idea what a family is or what parents do. Yet we are going to go tell them (through an interpretor) that we want to take them out of the only world they know, fly across the world to our home where they know no one, can speak to no one AND we want them to be happy about this!"

This is basically what we learned at the seminar - to look at the adoption from their side. Their world is very small and what we know of it is harsh but them it is their lives! Dan and I had already begun to see that international adoption is not just adding 2 kids, another Jake and Erin clone but for at least the first 6 months it will be extremely challenging. These kids will have to learn a new language, to trust exclusively strangers, to live in a foreign culture and to try to put behind them (actually it will be working through) the life they have now.

The seminar also taught us about so many possible health issues but mainly emotional issues that will come with the kids. The whole dynamics of our family will changed - Dan and I knew this but Jake and Erin are now aware of it also. I think the rose colored glasses are not only off but stomped on and thrown out.

This may all sound negative. The motto we are hearing is expect the worse, hope for the best. However God has shown us the path that He has for us and has promised never to leave us! What other path would we choose?!? Our eyes are opened wide, and we continue forward, knowing that we are in the palm of an all powerful God who only works good for His people. With great anticipation we look forward to Christina and Kolya joining our family!

Home Study is complete - 7/29/09

2009-07-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Dan is turning in the last of our documents today so that our home study is complete!! YEAH!!

Home Study includes:
· 8 hour online course completed by each parent individually
· Parents’ individually written autobiography
· Parents’ individually answer questionnaire about adoption
· Parents’ individually answer questionnaire about international adoption
· Read 1.5 hours online information about Ukraine
· Read 1.5 hours online about possible health issues from adoption
· Medical checkups for each family member
· Financial data evaluated
· Interviews: parents together, home with family, individually, parents together, family again.

Week 7/12 - 7/17

2009-07-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

We had our last interview of the Home Study!! I can see the end of the tunnel for the Home Study - medical checkups today and tomorrow, all day seminar next Saturday, our background checkups to come in and we are finished!

Then comes the hardest times for me - waiting patiently while the paperwork gets pushed from desk to desk, city to city (Montgomery to Atlanta)!

It has been a busy week for Dan as he has been leading Bonus Days - rising 5th/6th graders week of Bible Study in the mornings and activities in the afternoon. Today he, all the helpers (including high school helpers and adults) and all 40+ kids load up on a bus and travel to Ocoee in Tennessee. They will travel, do a ropes course, sleep there, and tomorrow raft down the Nantahala River, board the bus for the 4+ hour drive back to Birmingham! Doesn't it sound like this man needs more kids at home!! :)

Thanks to all of you who have sent us encouraging comments about this adoption. We are excited and each step closer increases the anticipation! We appreciate the love and support we have received from our family and friends...THANKS! Leslie

Week of 7/4-7/11

2009-07-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

Dan and I have spent most of our spare time this week completing requirements: 8 hour online course, required readings, filling our forms, coping certificates (i.e. marriage, birth), individually writing answers to pages of questionnaires, 4 sets of finger prints each taken at the police station, medical checkups (even our dog needed a copy of her rabies certificate), interviews with our case worker - this week were the individual interviews ( we already have been interviewed together at the agency's office, then at our home meeting the family). Next week we are interviewed again together.

We have learned a lot! We have been made aware of lots of possible issues that may appear when raising Kolya and Christina because of having lived in an orpanage. We have come through this tunnel of information even more resolved in our desire to adopt these kids and having them become part of our family!

We are using an adoption agency, Lifeline, to guide us through the labyrinth of forms and deadlines as well as conducting the required home study. We are very grateful for the encouragement, understanding and expertise of our case worker. We are thankful for the agency's experience in past adoptions from Ukraine and feel confident in their hands!

By the end of July we hope to have the home study completed. It will be sent to the CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Service) to be joined with our application - including the certificates and forms. The application was sent this week. Then we wait for it to be accepted. I'll let you know what happens next!! Leslie

2009-07-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

7/5/09 LESLIE’S THOUGHTS ABOUT ADOPTING:
After having a hysterectomy in Jan I thought I would not have any more children. It was funny that even though we really were not planning for any more children, I was very sad that that part of my life was over. God must have really been smiling then as he touched Dan’s heart when Dan went to Ukraine in May. I have always been open to adopt but Dan, while not negative, did not express any desire to adopt...UNTIL he saw the kids in the orphanage. He knew that we could make a difference in 2 kids’ lives. We chose Kolya and Christina mainly because we knew that we could handle the health issues part and many people would not even consider them because of it. Jake and I had been to the same orphanage a year ago and met Kolya but Christina had been in the hospital at the time. We discussed it and have prayed and have stepped out in faith that this is what God wants us to do. He has given us the desire to adopt, the desire to adopt Christina and Kolya, and he will provide the way to work out the expenses.
Reservations – Boy, this will rock my world but in a good way. We plan to home school, which I have done with my other children, so the responsibility will be upon my shoulders more than if they went to school. Life will change but we have gone through a similar change when after having 3 children and 10years went by along came Jake. He rocked our world also. The 3 older children were becoming more independent and giving us more time outside of parenting and along comes a great blessing in our life, Jake. I do realize that having 2 instant children will be difficult: health issues, language issues, communication, getting to know who they are, their individual styles of learning and thinking, what they like to do, what their dreams are and most all teaching them about the one true God. Getting to know our other kids as they grew is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. Hard, frustrating, stretching, wonderful!

Please continue to pray for God to supply our needs:

Paper work completed in a timely manner
Complete the reading required
Health and safety for Kolya and Christina
$40,000 – finances needed to adopt both kids from Ukraine.

PRAISE: As of 6/28/090 we have received 25% of the needed funds to adopt Kolya and Christina!!!!!!! We are very thankful!!!

2009-06-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend,

Greetings to you from the Edwards’ family! Leslie and I are excited to announce that we have begun the process for the adoption of at least one child from the Ukraine. With this letter we desire to tell you some of our story.

On Friday, our last day in Odessa, Ukraine, I (Dan) was sitting in a hallway of the dormitory at Orphanage 88 among a group of special-needs orphans. It was time for our team (including Amy Johnson and Anya Hall) from Covenant Church to say goodbye after a week of ministry with them. There were tears and a profound sense of quietness and sadness. Orphanage 88 is the orphanage from which Larry and Lauri Taunton (members of Covenant Church) adopted their daughter Sasha. So Sasha had been one of the topics as the children wanted to, through us, tell her hello. The house mother was excited to inform us that Kolya (a boy of 9 who was sitting on the bench next to her) was to be adopted. Kolya was one of two who came to the orphanage with Sasha from the same shelter; so two of the three, she now informed us, had been adopted. The house mother looked further to her right and pointed to little Christina. She made it clear that Christina was the last one left.

I cannot fully describe the weight and impact of that moment; I will never forget it. Time seemed to stop. At that moment I felt God was whispering in my ear to adopt that last child; and I cannot ignore it. While being profoundly moved by this experience, my eyes were opened even further when I arrived back home. I was reminded by Leslie, who has made two trips to the same orphanage, of her heart for the kids in this same orphanage. So, we are of one mind and are completely committed to this calling.

Christina is the cutest little girl one has ever seen. She compares only to our other daughter Erin. Christina is ten years old, knows no parents and has very little hope without a family. She has lived in Orphanage 88 since 2006; I cannot bear for her to spend one more winter there. Since returning home, more information on Kolya has surfaced. It appears that the previously interested family has ceased his adoption. We will be adopting Kolya as well.

I trust that you will join us in the overwhelming joy that we are feeling in the initial stages of this process. We are truly fighting thru (and have to be reminded often of) the idealistic stage of this process. Today we are full of optimism, but we know hard days are ahead. We need our church family and friends to surround us with support.

One part of the process that quickly returned us to reality is the significant cost of the process. According to the Lifeline Adoption Agency the cost is estimated at $32,000. If a second non-sibling child is included another $6,000 is expected. So we are anticipating a need of close to $40,000. Will you consider assisting in this effort? We are using Pathway Orphan Ministries, a 501c3 corporation established by Dr. Langston Haygood and the Covenant Counseling Center for purposes like this. Please send any checks to:

Pathway Orphan Ministries3509 Branch Mill RoadBirmingham, AL 35223

Tricia Mandt Prather will be the administrator of the fund. Other means for raising money are being explored; however, we know that the primary source will come from those individuals and families who partner with us.

Please know that we are well aware that not everyone will be able to assist financially. But more than money we desire to foster a culture that passionately cares for the needs of the orphan. As we covet your unyielding support in the nurture of Christina and Kolya, we most of all desire that you know the heart of God with respect to the orphan. It is our prayer that this culture, as it reflects the gospel, will deliver a profound effect on God’s people. So please partner with us, in any way that you are able, to promote the care of the orphan.

Leslie and I do not know what the days ahead might bring; but we do know that God and his people are with us. So join us in this calling and pray and hope with us, that we might be able to adopt our children before winter.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,

I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me,

I was sick and you visited me…”