Breaking Ties

December 26, 2007

We were able to accomplish a lot in the past two days. We were able to obtain the birth certificate, ID number and passport photos within 24 hours. Now we wait.... again. We are planning to travel back to Kiev this weekend and make our final preparations to return home. We don't expect to receive Dasha's passport before this weekend so it appears that she and Gina will be forced to return after the rest of us. Please pray that we can find an affordable flight when it is time and that we can get her visa without any problems next week. (and if you want to pray for a miracle on Monday or Tuesday morning, please do)

Today we will be making a visit to the relatives of the daughter's of our friends who were here almost two years ago. I'm not sure I can mention the name, but it should be a joyous time for us to share how well their girls have done in the US and what a wonderful family they have and how beautiful they are.

Either today or tomorrow we will be officially checking Dasha out of the orphanage. This will be a very emotional time for us all. Most of her friends have left for holiday trips and will not be there to see her off. After this we are planning to make a trip to her Grandmother's village to allow her to say goodbye (or maybe see you later?). This will also be tough, but we feel that it is very necessary and she has asked us to do this for her. We look forward to meeting her and sharing a little about ourselves with her. My observation is that she is ready for the next thing. I think it is a little beneficial (at least for the older children) that this process takes as long as it does. At this point, this flat is her home. In the next few days we will transition to another home and then another. I'm sure it is tough for a child to adjust to all of these changes. Please pray that this will be a peaceful transition and that she will feel secure with her new position in our family. In reality, she has been a part of our family for quite some time.

BTW, Christmas was different.

I know that there is less than a week left in the year but I would like to officially submit this statement for consideration as the "Understatement of the Year." Just not the same.... especially outside the door of our apartment. December 25 is just another day here - business, as usual. I'm curious to see what impact that will have on our two bio kids. We finished off the day with a fabulous meal at the Irish Pub. Hope yours was wonderful! You were all missed here. I think now we are certifiably homesick. Oh, what I would do or pay for a plate of home-cooked holiday foods!

Please pray for our endurance to finish this leg of the race. (I suppose this could be considered only qualifying for the real race.) Also, please pray that our visit with her Grandmother will be without conflict and that God will protect us.

We love you all and can't wait to get home.

The Grace's