Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Back in the planning phase, 2 weeks sounded like a long time! Two weeks between trips to Ukraine seemed like 'long enough' to get some things in place like: packing clothes and toiletries for Jason (Sasha) since his only belongings are in a tiny little box;  home and business preparation, and tasks including preparing Lucas and Dave; help my ever patient co-chair for the school arts night (bless you, Stacey) and pack myself. Whoops, there's that stressed feeling......

While the clock ticks loudly and fast over here, evidently on the other side of the pond it's crawling.

We were told this morning that the time seems to be dragging.....

When we talked to Jason (Sasha)......he seemed down.  And when we asked him about how he sounded, he said the wait feels long. We talked about how we all became used to being together every day. How we miss having lunch and tea time with him as well as playing games and playing outside. We know the orphanage has a few families visiting each day and that seems to be a reminder of what he had just a few days ago and what he is missing now.

There's probably some boredom without the routine of school.  Jason thinks not going to his Ukraine school is cool.  However, the very structure of it, daily activities and friends are probably the anitode for the boredom.  Before we left, we asked the orphanage to put him back in school. They expressed reluctance since they signed documents officially removing him from school - we pressed but it's their choice. 

We have gone from him asking us every day "When is sort (court)?" to "When you come back? Nine day? Eight day?" That's one part of the orphanage life that has a prison-like feel.

Even earlier this morning Dave and I were reminded that we need to continue our diligence and sense of urgency in praying for covering and protection for the rest of process. Background: When we brought Lucas home from the hospital (almost 8 years ago), there was a collective sigh of relief as well as joy while we waited for the adoption to be final.  The birthmother was beginning her new life and we were beginning ours. However, while waiting for the court decree, we let our guard down because we had him and thought it was over.  However, there was a lot of turmoil and disruption along the way.  It wasn't over.
Yesterday, in doing some research for Jason's passport, we read on the U.S. Embassy website that the 10-day waiting period for receiving the document known as the court decree is actually a period of time opening the adoption for an appeal. The Embassy indicates that appeals in adoptions are rare! We believe it and more than that we trust the Lord.  We believe it is His will to adopt Jason as it was to adopt Lucas. And that is why we are watchful and prayerful - the enemy is the enemy. To quote Yogi Berra:  "It ain't over 'til it's over."

Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word." Jermiah 1:12