Lasts

The last. The last Saturday rain storm. The last Sunday to worship with believers in Russian tongue. The last Monday with a going away party. The last night in the "white" apartment. We have lots of "lasts" that we are dealing with right now. As I start to write this blog, we are at the orphanage getting ready to have our last evening with the children and staff.


There is much excitement for everyone involved. Vala is dealing with a lot of different emotions. She was happy to see us and greeted both of us with great big hugs. But within a few minutes, she was sullen and sad. We understand this is all normal and expected. We comfort her with hugs, kisses, jabs in the side, laughing and trying to not get caught up in any one particular emotion.


We have purchased tangerines and apples for the party, and cake and soda pop by the liters. And of course, there is lots of candy. They love candy as all children do! But they have a great love for fruit as well! Another American couple that was here began teaching some of the children to juggle. I noticed several tangerines were unaccounted for - I know of their bruised demise.


Vala chose two gifts for her extra special "teachers" or "Mamas" at the orphanage - the traditional bouquet of flowers and bottles of champagne. The teachers were overwhelmed and brought to tears. Vala, stringently talking herself out of crying today, held fast, unwilling to give many hugs during times like those. She didn't even want to give her gifts to these special women - I think she knew she would break down and cry. They hugged and kissed her despite her resolve. These women truly love and adore Vala. They know her faults but they know the wonderful qualities she has. They are so happy for her, but America is a long way away.

We enjoyed a wonderful day with all the children. We know today includes "lasts" with them as well. There is one family in particular we are especially torn up about leaving. Then their is our little interpreter. We have become very close to him. Many of these children are bright, healthy, happy, well mannered, studious children. The boys are often boys, but they are no different than ours were at that age. They are not here because of one thing they have done. They are here because of what other people did not do or can't do. Our heart breaks for all of them.

Vala and I are slowly getting over our colds. John has remained healthy and we pray he continues this way. We ask for continued health, Lord, as we run through these last days.

Our plans are all before the Lord. We boast not once that we can do any of this without Him. When I say we will do this, or do that, please know we understand that all things are under His control but we will do everything humanly possible from our stand point.

Today ends the last 10 day waiting period. Tomorrow morning, Sergiy gets off the overnight train at 7am. He will be driven here where he will get the opportunity to freshen up before we start our most harried day of the week. We will grab a quick breakfast on our way to the court (there is a McDonald's here with a drive-thru - the first of it's kind - there are no "fast foods" in Ukraine other than bread and cheese purchased at an outside market). We plan on being at the court steps by 8:30am. From there we wait upon the courts to give us the court documents in their many successions (something like 16 copies). We will have to see a notary to request getting her birth certificate legally changed to Valentina Grace Brown and have us listed as the birth parents. From there, we go back to Donetsk to get her birth certificate changed, back to the orphanage for some more paperwork and pick up Vala. Then we will run, run, run the rest of the day until we make it on the train by 7pm that night. It will be interesting. We welcome every ounce of prayer that can be summoned on our behalf tomorrow. If we do not succeed, we will not make it on our Friday flight home - this we know for sure.

I planned on keeping this short - not because I do not have much to share, but because I have a busy day ahead and need to get to bed early. I didn't sleep well last night (man! my bed is going to feel so good! and my sheets are going to smell so nice!). Every extra bit of rest we can get will be important.

So until I can get on next (probably Wednesday night) - Dasvedanya!!
God bless you and yours!
We are almost home!
Jenn & John