Day 2-SDA appointment

Today at 9:30 we had our appointment with the SDA, State Department of Adoption. We both were nervous a bit but it was easy breezy!! Zhenia, our facilitator, takes us upstairs to an office. We meet a beautiful Ukraine woman who was very kind. We are seated on a sofa in her office. She pulls our file out and we see our names written in Ukraine. She pulls out two folders, one each for Anya and Tanya. Their pictures were on them. I don't know....but for some reason I got a bit "vaclemped". These will soon be our daughters! (Just for those out there who know me well....I DID NOT SHED A TEAR...thank you very much!) We went over the file for each girl telling us of their family, why they are in the orphanage and any health issues. They asked how we knew the girls. That was it; over in about 10 minutes. The SDA woman complemented us saying we are a beautiful couple and she was happy for us.

Afterward we went outside and waited for our friends of ours to have their appointment. When all was done we spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Kiev. While having lunch, Zhenia called. Said we have an appt scheduled on July 2nd, Thursday, with the Inspector in Poltava. We leave tomorrow for Poltava! Zhenia said we might get to see the girls!!!! We cannot wait!

We talked to Anya today! It was difficult without a translator but I think she understood that we will be in Poltava soon. Please continue prayers for Anya and Tanya.

We are HERE!!!

Yippee! We are here! We are settled into our flat. It is an absolutely gorgeous day. It's so nice to see the city in sunshine. When I was here in October the sun did not shine. Unfortunately we will be catching up on sleep in just a bit after a nice "douche"! Don't freak out...that is the Russian word for shower! LOL! Mark is so fun to watch. This is his first international travel. He is loving the city and architecture. Zhenia, our facilitator is awesome! He is so nice and accomodating! As we traveled from the airport to the flat he was an excellent tour guide. He also attempted to teach me some Russian and Ukranian but I am not a quick study! Mark, however, is doing great. I have to keep nudging Mark though, to quit using a Russian accent as he speaks English! AAHHH!! (actually funny! but afraid it might offend!)

About our flat....it is on the third floor of a 105 year old building. No elevator and the walk up is like something from WWII. Concrete steps and on each landing there are clothes lines. The landlord is a very sweet lady and seemed very excited we are here. It is cozy and comfortable but a bit different than home. For instance the bathtub and washing machine are off of the small kitchen. The toliet is just located off of the foyer. Hey, as long as it works we are happy! Check out pics later on facebook!

In the morning we will join two other families that I met in October. We will all be going to the SDA (State Dept of Adoption, I think) Our appt is first at 9am. This appt is to get a referral so we can go to the orphanage in Poltava to begin the process there. It's about 4 hours southeast from Kiev. Zhenia has gone over with us what to expect in the morning. I asked him questions about when we go to court and he said not to worry about anything he will tell us when needed. Mark and I feel very comfortable with him and know that he is a God send.

We are going to take a nap now and hope to meet up with friends here later. Thanks to all who support us and are praying for us!

On our way

We should have been arriving in Ukraine this morning but instead we are just leaving today. Thank you to all of our precious friends and family for their love, support, and prayers. I will blog more when we arrive and get settled in Ukraine. Please keep praying for Anya and Tanya.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all those proud new daddy's that have adopted their precious angels!!

In one week we will be leaving for Ukraine to adopt our beautiful girls! The past year has gone by so fast! Not only do I celebrate Father's Day for Mark but I celebrate it in remembrance of my father!

If it wasn't for my father coming to know Christ I may not be on this journey today! My father was a very militant man. He could have easily been compared to Archie Bunker and Hitler!! I never had a close relationship with him growing up. I actually feared him. But, Today I recall the sweet moments of my daddy. I remember going to the lake, either Benbrook or Lake Worth, a lot as a child. I would climb up on my dad's shoulders and jump off. There was a huge slide (at least 20 ft high) at Lake Worth that I just had to go down; I was only 8. At the end of the slide even my 6'1 father could not reach the bottom. My mom was freaked out that my dad was letting me go down it. My older brother had to follow me up the ladder. Down I went and plunged well below my father. He reached down deep and caught my hair and pulled me up. He than put me on his back and swam to shore. He seemed so proud of me that day. Because of these memories of the lake, I still have the swim trunks he wore.

Other precious moments with my dad were when both of my children were born. He cried the day my second, Christen, was born. One, because he wanted a beautiful red haired baby grand daughter and two, he knew his time with her and our son, Anthony, would be short. His favorite place to be was sitting on the front porch swing with his large glass of iced tea and his two sweet grand children beside him. I often wonder what kind of infuence he would have been on my children and how much he would have adored Anya and Tanya.

All these sweet memories, but, the sweetest one is when my father accepted Christ as his Saviour. All the years of fearing him were stripped away. Such beautiful peace came from my daddy. I had no knowledge of who Jesus was let alone what He did for me on the cross. But watching my father change into a wonderful Christian man painted the picture of Christ beautifully. Because of my father's testimony, I too, accepted Christ at age 21. I was baptised 3 days before my first child was born! Because of my father surrendering to our Lord, I was a life that was changed. I am so very thankful to God for healing me and showing me how to love like He loves. I am truly humbled that God has chosen Mark and I to parent these beautiful girls. I am thankful for my life and I am thankful to my daddy for showing me Jesus! I love you daddy and I miss you.
~Phyllis

"Last Bell" Ceremony in Ukraine!

In Ukraine, the last day of school is the same for the entire country and is celebrated! The media was there for the celebration at the girls school.

ANYA!!!!

Yeah! Anya called yesterday and today! Oh my goodness it was good to hear from her! We did not have a translator and we had awesome conversations!! She told me school is over and they are packing up for summer camp! Sounds like fun huh! Not so much! From what I hear it is quite the opposite of what we think of summer camp. Anya said she is in hospital for blisters on her face but she assured me she was ok! She says she cannot wait to see us and she is counting down the days!! I ask her what present can I bring her and she is shy as if she doesn't want to be a burden to us! I tell her I would like to bring her something from the states. She says she will think about it and let me know next time we talk! She says she misses me and she loves me! Melts my heart!!! Oh so cannot wait to hug and squeeze my girls!!!

Today I made a great connection with a wonderful Christian man, Scott Werntz. He is with SpokenFor.org. It's an organization that ministers to Russian orphans. He has adopted two Russian boys. He shared that there are multitudes of people in the metroplex that have adopted from Russia and he will help me with some connections. As we talked we realized we have some people that we both know! It is such a small world! He also told me of two Russian stores in Plano that he said the girls would love.
You know.... I am amazed every day how God continues to weave this beautiful tapestry of love. The picture becomes more evident everyday! Thank you Father for revelations and for your never ending love!

Sweet Tanya

Today my sweet Tanya called. I said aaaaaaahhh my beautiful Tanya (in Russian) and she said NO not beautiful! Of course, I enthusiastically disagreed with her!! It was obvious she is fearful. She has been told that we may hurt her. I told her that Jesus loves us no matter what, He loves us whether we are 'good' or 'bad' and loves us forever. I told her this is how I love her; I love her no matter what and I will love her forever and I would never ever hurt her. She expressed a lot of her fears.... like she did not want me to take her organs! :( What a horrible thing to fear! I told her I have enough organs of my own and I really don't need hers. She giggled. The conversation was good because she was able to communicate her feelings. As the conversation progressed it was obvious she felt more assured. She asked when she comes to America to live could she learn how to play the drums. I said most definitely DA! Then she asked if we would bring her a soccer jersey and chocolate candy with nuts. I said most certainly. Trying to calm her fears I told her to call with any questions she may have. This was probably the best conversation I have ever had with her.

I am missing Anya. I have not spoken to her in several weeks. There is something wrong with her phone. We did receive some beautiful pictures courtesy of Randy and Valerie Hall!! Thanks guys. Check out my facebook for a glimpse at more.