Our SDA appointment

Today was a big day. Ted and I walked with Viktor to our adoption appointment. In the rain. On the walk there I was thinking of all the ways I am being stretched. None of us have adjusted to the time zone yet. Sleepless nights are leaving us tired. We all woke up this morning talking about how hungry we were in the middle of the night. We miss drinking water from the tap.

And as we walked to our appointment I thought about Valera and orphans throughout the world. They put things in perspective for me. Seriously Lisa? Get a grip. I should have taken that literally because at that moment I slipped and landed on my knee cap. My umbrella blew inside out and Ted and Viktor had to help me up. Ted asked me if I was ok and I said with a serious face "look straight ahead and don't ask me again". No time for tears. My game face was on.

I had a few minutes to recover....as I hope you have recovered from laughing at me...

It was finally our turn. Viktor served as our translator. We learned about Valera's birthplace, medical history, siblings, etc. His file described him as "friendly and active". We got to see two pictures of him...one of him at a younger age and one that appears more recent. Both adorable.

We will return to the same place tomorrow to pick up our referral which allows us to go see Valera. We will catch an overnight train ride down to the Donetsk region of Ukraine....which gets us closer to his orphanage and summer camp. For you soccer fans, some of the Euro 2012 games were played in Donetsk.

We have enjoyed our time in Kiev. our apartment has been great.....right in the middle of town. Have walked everywhere. We visited a 1200 year old church today. We ate McDonalds ice cream. Life is good.

Please pray that we would sleep well. That Mary Kate's cold and ears would continue to improve. That we would all stay healthy. That God would prepare us all for the next phase of the journey. Thank you.