As I type this, we are cheering Ukraine on in desperate hopes that they can pull off a win against France. They are down 2-0 with not much time left, so it’s not looking good. Nevertheless, we will forever fondly associate EuroCup, hosted in Poland and Ukraine this year, with our trip to Ukraine to get our children. Viktor is an avid soccer fan, but he’s not as patriotic as he could be -- he is cheering for France tonight, but Germany is his team.
Today was a day of some melancholy for me (Rachel), knowing I am leaving tomorrow night, and feeling like my heart is ripped into two places and I cannot be in both places at once. I am missing my 3 babies so much by now, longing to kiss their necks and scoop them up in my arms and try to remember exactly how they look. And yet, it will be so hard to leave Scott and Tanya and Viktor behind, and wait on them to finish the process and come home. Deep down I am scared the bonding and progress we have made will somehow go away and I will have to start over again. And sometimes worry creeps in and I wonder how in the world I will parent 6 children who all will need so much of me.
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Earlier today we enjoyed the Weapons Museum together here in Zaporozhye. It was only one room big, but it was absolutely packed with all sorts of weapons from the Bronze Age all the way to present day. We poked around and enjoyed seeing the various knives, guns, canons, and other artifacts from all over the world. Mostly we just enjoyed being together doing something different.
We had the thrill of experiencing a little more of the public transportation here. The electric cable trolley looks like you have gone in a time warp back 50 years. After grabbing our favorite pizza, it was more waiting in the notary’s office as I had to sign power of attorney over to Scott so he can complete the adoption process without me. The usual drill, more waiting, waiting, waiting.
Tonight we shared around the table from Matthew 6, where Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about what they will eat, what they will wear, and what the future holds -- that he is in charge of all that. We talked about our worries, and then gave them to the Lord in prayer. (It was awesome to see Viktor scoot next to “Papa” Scott as he read from the Word, and for Tanya to curl up next to “Papa” afterwards.) That happened to be the very passage that God used to change my heart in the decision to adopt both of them. And it happens to coincide with the verse I am memorizing this week from I Peter 5:6-8. I love how our God uses his Word to speak directly to where we are. No worries.
Peter 5:6-8
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Today was a day of some melancholy for me (Rachel), knowing I am leaving tomorrow night, and feeling like my heart is ripped into two places and I cannot be in both places at once. I am missing my 3 babies so much by now, longing to kiss their necks and scoop them up in my arms and try to remember exactly how they look. And yet, it will be so hard to leave Scott and Tanya and Viktor behind, and wait on them to finish the process and come home. Deep down I am scared the bonding and progress we have made will somehow go away and I will have to start over again. And sometimes worry creeps in and I wonder how in the world I will parent 6 children who all will need so much of me.
.........................................................................................................................................
Earlier today we enjoyed the Weapons Museum together here in Zaporozhye. It was only one room big, but it was absolutely packed with all sorts of weapons from the Bronze Age all the way to present day. We poked around and enjoyed seeing the various knives, guns, canons, and other artifacts from all over the world. Mostly we just enjoyed being together doing something different.
We had the thrill of experiencing a little more of the public transportation here. The electric cable trolley looks like you have gone in a time warp back 50 years. After grabbing our favorite pizza, it was more waiting in the notary’s office as I had to sign power of attorney over to Scott so he can complete the adoption process without me. The usual drill, more waiting, waiting, waiting.
Tonight we shared around the table from Matthew 6, where Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about what they will eat, what they will wear, and what the future holds -- that he is in charge of all that. We talked about our worries, and then gave them to the Lord in prayer. (It was awesome to see Viktor scoot next to “Papa” Scott as he read from the Word, and for Tanya to curl up next to “Papa” afterwards.) That happened to be the very passage that God used to change my heart in the decision to adopt both of them. And it happens to coincide with the verse I am memorizing this week from I Peter 5:6-8. I love how our God uses his Word to speak directly to where we are. No worries.
Peter 5:6-8
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”