Disconnected again

Disconnected again, the internet went down on Tuesday the 11^th no telling how long it may take them to fix it.  I knew this would be a long week but not having an internet connection just makes it longer.  I have been and all the more so I am praying for everyone back home.  Knowing there are things that need attention and I can’t take care of is one thing, but not knowing what is going on is a whole other mind set.  It really brings relying on faith that God will take care of things to a new level.  As Oksana slowly grasps more words I can see that she is listening.  I need to perfuse this with a little back ground.  You see Oksana is not one of the “pretty girls” and they have always let her know.  She is not athletic and has always been the looser.  I know there is more but I think you get the idea.  So she is very self conscious and on the verge of being paranoid about what others say, thinking everyone is talking about her and laughing at her.  This has started to manifest more with Kaylee and me now that she is paying more attention to our talking.  It is good that she is concentrating and trying to understand what we are saying, but with her mind set she thinks we are talking negative about her when we are not even talking about her.  These moments will manifest with her countenance changing on dime and many times a fit throwing back turning or stomping away.  Sometimes Kaylee will talk with her to find out what’s up sometimes we just ignore it.  They always seem to resolve in a short time with her coming back with a smile saying “I’m sorry, I’m sorry”.  It is difficult when added to the out of the norm situation we find ourselves in, but day by day we get through it.  Looking for that landing in Syracuse Airport soon.  Friday the 14^th just three more days and then we can get the ball rolling.  I so want to be home for David’s birthday on the 26^th, but it's a long shot.  I know everyone is praying we are all getting weary and I know the family at home is too, it makes it so hard when you can’t communicate.  I’ll walk and try to find a WI-FI connection tomorrow.  Progress has slowed to survival.

Today was nice I need to write it down before I forget.  I was blessed to be the barer of a gift from my sister’s church to the church here for families in Ukraine who wish to adopt.  They gave some to one of the families today.  This family has 6 children 3 of them are adopted.  I was told last night that this family if you met them on the street and offered them a gift of money would not accept it.  I understand that it is difficult to humbly accept a financial gift also.  They came to me to thank me and I explained that I was just the barer.  We had tea, which is an after service norm, and were able to communicate fairly well.  I still did not get there name, but they know the Fryburbergs.  Anyway the husband works in Moscow for three months and then comes home for one week.  This is only for a year as I understand it.  They invited us over on Tuesday evening for borsch which is a soup.  She asked if I wanted green or red borsch, I quickly asked Oksana across the room and she said “red”, so we will get to experience home cook Ukraine borsch.  They seem to be a really nice family. Tuesday will be good, lots to do.  Start off getting our papers from court then off to get the birth certificate, and hopefully the passport.  Pray they process it really fast so we can get to Kiev this week.

It’s now the 18^th, yesterday went well but not as I expected.   There are a few more steps them I realized, one we got our papers from the court and Oksana is legally our responsibility.  Two we went to the government of vital statistics but to get more papers on her so we can get her new birth certificate, but they would not have them until 2:00.  There were more papers which needed to be notarized so we went to do that but after waiting over a half hour found that they were not working that day.  Grabbed a quick bite to eat and then headed to the orphanage.  Gave the “donation” and picked up things Oksana had as well as all her records and more papers then signed her out.  We then found another notary, but had to wait about an hour.  Finally back to the first place and still had to wait.  By the time we were done it was too late to get the birth certificate.  Today we head out for that, then back for papers on social security, and then apply for new passports.  Yes Passports, in Ukraine everyone receives an in-country passport and to travel out of country you need an international passport.  Another day and more running around, almost done pray her passport gets back by next Tuesday.  Oh, the borsch was good I was stuffed the evening went well we had an enjoyable time and stayed till midnight.  Got to get to sleep more running tomorrow, makes the days go by faster.

Love to all,

Mark, Kaylee, and Oksana