Interesting Day

Today started out kind of rough. I wasn't feeling well. I had stomach problems and a headache. I couldn't go to the program at the orphanage this morning, but Mark went and videotaped most of it. He was able to spend time with the girls and enjoyed that.

After about two more hours of sleep and some medicine, I was feeling well enough to get up and get going, although still feeling pretty washed out. Mark came back to the TLC at about noon, and Tanya drove us back to the orphanage after 1:00 in order to meet Valya, her mom, Luda, and Vika.

What a sweet treat to be with all of them. We love these ladies. We knew Valya and Vika because they were translators for us at camp Yestrebok last year. We had never met Valya's mom before, but she is a beautiful woman, and so kind, just like her daughter. Valya and Vika have been helping us for a year to proceed with this adoption. They were the initial encouragers and communicators. Since last summer, they have made several trips to the orphanage in Mariupol (6 hours by train from Valya's home in Dnipropetrovsk). They have been a bridge between us and the girls and have also loved and encouraged the other orphans. They have brought gifts and held parties. They are simply angels. We will always consider them family.

After we had exchanged gifts and visited for awhile we were informed that Zhanna and Ella and Julia and another boy named Nicolai were going to be traveling to a large park in town to perform in a concert. News to us, but we were happy to get to go along. One of the administrators of the orphanage led the way, and Mark and I and Vika, Valya, Luda, Zhanna, Ella, Julia, Nicolai, and two other girls, Kristina and Yana went along. We took a lengthy bus ride (always an interesting experience in Ukraine), and then walked a ways to the park. When we arrived we were told the concert would begin within a half an hour, but it didn't begin until about an hour later (Ukrainian time!).

But once the concert began we thoroughly enjoyed it. We are getting used to Ukrainian music. It is really fun to listen to. Our girls and Julia sang two songs, Nicolai sang one, and then there was one large group of performers, dressed in Ukrainian style clothing, who sang several songs. There were also several indiviual singers, as well as one young lady who did a "butterfly" belly dance with the coolest silver cape that she spread out like wings. The concert was held on an open air stage with benches for the audience. It was pleasant weather and there were many families with children strolling around.

After the concert we had to take the long bus ride and walk back to the orphange, and then Mark and I walked back to the TLC. I hadn't had anything to eat all day because I was afraid to put anything on my stomach, but was feeing well enough to eat the rice and chicken that was served for supper. It tasted very good.

Ella seemed tired today, (and understandably so). They performed this morning, and again this afternoon. They really haven't had any down time at all. But she did seem very affectionate to us and held Mark's hand as we were walking. Zhanna is just overflowing with affection. She puts her arm around me and kisses me on the lips. She told me today that Julia said that I am a "cool" mom. (Okay, Nathan and Annie! There you go! I've been trying to tell you for years that I am a cool mom!)

Tomorrow Tanya is going to pick up Valya and her mom and Vika and Zhanna and Ella and Julia for church. We told Zhanna and Ella and Julia that we would take them out to eat for lunch and then go shopping and get some ice cream. I hope that will help them to relax and feel good about going to America and about the court hearing on Monday.

Thanks so much to all who have sent encouraging emails or messages on the blog. It means so much. Your words are from God and give us comfort and peace. Please pray for Valya and Luda and Vika as they travel back home tomorrow. Please pray for our court hearing on Monday, and please pray for the vote by the Ukrainian parliament about the moratorium on adoptions on Tuesday. May God be in it all.

Much love and blessings,
Dawn and Mark