Wednesday was Alena's 9th birthday. To celebrate we traveled out to the orphanage for the day. We planned on getting ice cream instead of cake to share with the children. It has been in the 80's & 90"s for weeks. However, when we stopped at the market by the orphanage the 3 freezer chests that are always fillled with ice cream were full of fish. Alena asked a worker where the ice cream was and she said they were all out. Alena was disappointment and on the way out of the store kept insisting that maybe the ice cream was just hiding under the fish. When we arrived at the orphanage Natasha took us to two other stores so we could get ice cream to share.
The children had strawberries for snack & then were served the ice cream.
The Alzen's have just arrived in Kiev & joined us at the orphanage for the day.
They brought balloons for the kids.
Thank you Alzen's, we enjoyed spending the day together.
Caleb blowing up his balloon - blue of course, his favorite color.
Next thing we know all the children & staff get ready for a little show. Alena is placed on a chair with shiny gold material over it. They sing & dance & some of the children speak about Alena. Nina, Alena's friend, sings to her. Everyone joins in for some dancing with the music. It is so wonderful & fun!
They gave Alena the game Twister & a horse with a Hello Kitty braclet. Then tossed her up & down 9 times. We can see that this is something they must do for all the children on their birthdays. It was so heartwarming to see how special they make the children feel. It was a wonderful & joyful day.
We are so thankful to all the staff at Cradle of Children's Hope & their genuine love & care for all these precious children. Thank you!
Oh happy Thursday! Victor calls in the afternoon and tells us the children's passports are ready - it usually takes a week. Jeff takes a taxi to quickly meet Victor and we now have passports in hand. We then hurry to email the US Embassy to see if they can squeeze us in on Friday. They call back and yes they will accommodate us.
So today we had our first appointment at the Embassy and on Tuesday the children will have their physicals and we will receive their visas. ADOPTION EXITING PROCESS WILL BE COMPLETE!
We then email our agent to see if there has been any cancelations or something we can do to leave sooner.
Long story short - Oh happy day. We will be leaving the Ukraine Wednesday, June 15th at 12:30pm. We have a 2 hour layover in Paris, then fly to Atlanta, Georgia were we will need to collect our baggage, go thru customs and re-check our baggage with just an hour and a half layover. If all goes well we will arrive in Minnesota at 11:45pm.
This song just keeps running through our heads today.
Oh Happy Day!
The greatest day in history
Death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out
Jesus is alive
Empty cross
And empty grave
Life eternal
You have won the day
Shout it out
Jesus is alive
He's alive
Oh happy day
Happy day
You wash my sin away
Oh happy day
Happy day
I'll never be the same
Oh no
Forever I am changed
When I stand in that place
Free at last
Meeting face to face
I am Yours
Jesus you are mine
Endless joy and perfect peace
Illicit pain will finally cease
Celebrate, Jesus is alive
Yeah, He's alive
Oh happy day
Happy day
You wash my sin away
Oh happy day
Happy day
I'll never be the same
Oh no
Forever I am changed
What a glorious, glorious day
I'll never be the same
To listen to this song go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io4PI1g_hqc
That is fantastic news! Congratulations. I am so happy to hear you can come home next week. Paul mentioned on Skype last night that you were going to the Embassy today. I said that must mean you are pretty far in the process but he wasn't sure what it meant. I told him he needed to talk to you guys to get tips on what to do and not do as he completes these last steps for you. He isn't really sure what he has signed himself up for.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the story about the birthday party. That is really neat to see and know that each children is recognized on their special day.
Believe it or not, I am wishing I was in Kyiv right now! Take care, Karla
We are rejoicing with you in all of your good news! Soon you will be home!!
ReplyDeleteYou will be back with your family and friends! We are so happy for all of you. It will be an exciting day as you board the plane to come home. We will be praying for your safe return. We are thanking the Lord for all He has done for you!
Awesome! God is good! Congratulations Dilners! Enjoy your final days in the birthplace of your children Alena and Caleb! Great memories as you know! God's blessings to you and your travel home!
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