We're HERE!!

***This was written and saved on our computer Sunday. We just now have internet service and many, many things have happened. Truthfully, we've had a very rough time. I'll post more tomorrow (I hope) and fill you in a little. We are leaving for Ruslana's region around lunchtime tomorrow (Wednesday).

WE’RE HERE!! It’s Sunday here in Ukraine. We arrived yesterday to a very overcast, grey, cold day. I was searched a total of 3 times at 2 different airports. Hubby- not searched once! Let me tell you, it’s very nerve wracking being searched in a German airport. Twice. At 2 different security points. We’re thinking it may have been something in my boots. Just plain ‘ole black cowgirl-type boots. I ended up having to send them through the scanner alone and it seems they have some sort of metal piece in each of the soles. Who knew?! The 3rd search happened in Washington, DC. They were just pulling people aside randomly to search and guess who was chosen?!

When we arrived in Ukraine, a driver picked us up at the airport and drove 190km/hr down the highway. I was warned by several other adoptive moms about how fast and crazy people drive. They were right. I was sitting in the back seat sqeezing hubby’s hand for dear life. We finally made it to our apartment and crashed. We had been awake for around 24 hours and traveling for about 22. After a few hours of much needed rest, our facilitator stopped by to give us our cell phone and some food for the night.

We don’t have internet in our apartment yet so for now I will have to update somewhere that has WiFi. Hopefully, it will be up and running in the apartment soon.

I’m missing our kids terribly. I haven’t been able to talk to them yet, but will boot up Skype in just a few minutes. Leaving them Friday morning was hard. SO hard. I seem to cry at the drop of a hat anyway, but telling them good-bye for 2-3 weeks was crushing. I know they’ll be fine. They are being cared for by my mom and sister and will get much love while we’re gone. But it’s hard. We’re missing our middle’s 13th birthday. It’s Christmas time- our family’s favorite season. Our baby is only 3 ½ months old- I don’t want him to grow while I’m gone.

But, as sad as I am to be away from my children, I can’t believe we’re here. Prayerfully, just days away from meeting our angel, Ruslana. Oh, how we’ve waited for that day! And yet as eager as we are, she has no idea we even exist. We have prayed and prayed for her without her even knowing about us. No reason to be excited to see us. No reason to accept us and reach for us.

Today, I’m asking for prayers for our children at home, for our process here in Ukraine and especially for Ruslana.
In Him,
E