Whirlwind

For those who were wondering, yesterday was Orthodox Christmas here in Ukriane; really quite secular for the most part. There is a great deal of ritual and tradition involved in the Mass, which we saw part of as we ate the meal. Actually that was the night before last. The actual Christmas day here involves visiting with family and friends and little children singing for treats. Overall, Christmas celebration is not nearly as elaborate here as New Years Day. The Soviet system was very effective in replacing religious observances with secular replacements.

Today, I delivered the "paper boots" to the Embassy as hoped. Our hostess went with me by metro and by bus and we were able to make it to the Embassy before they closed for the day at noon. Thank You Heavenly Father. Last night I was lying awake thinking and praying about how I had a certain plan for today, but even if it all went smoothly and helped things along in any way, I cannot take one shred of credit. Everything that works out for the successful completion of this adoption can only be attributed to the power and love of the Almighty. I want only to get home with our new son and a measure of both humility and sense of humor.

Anyway, at the Embassy they were encouraging about the things I was able to turn in and I have my official appointment there tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. If the passport arrives in Kherson today, Igor will put it on the night train which leaves at 8 p.m. and it will arrive in Kiev at 9:20 a.m. tomorrow. Plenty of time to present it wherever we need to and be done with everything in the afternoon. I am trying hard to be optimistic (although I have not heard from Igor yet, who was going to let me know when he picked up the passport in Kherson for us) without being completely crazy inside about this. Actually, Anya just told me that she called Igor for me to ask about the status of the passport and he told her he couldn't speak at the moment because he is at the passport office right now! He assured her he will call us here at the flat as soon as he has news. Oh, it is soooooo hard to wait.

While Valentina escorted me heroically through every stop I needed to make this morning, Maxim stayed with her daughter Anya. He helped with all kinds of chores and by the time we returned to the flat, Anya had helped him overcome his fear of vacuum cleaners. I think he now wishes the flat were larger so he could vacuum some more.
He also enjoys helping in small ways like wiping the table after meals and folding his sheets and blankets when it's time to close up his chair/bed each morning.

Today, he slept very soundly in the afternoon, having worked off lots of energy with chores and playing and consuming a terrific lunch served by Valentina. Cole slaw, tuna fish on rye toast, carp filets and juice.

We will have some interesting adjustments as we leave the Belokha family soon. Maxim likes them very much (as do I) and he has expressed that he would be very happy if I would agree to live in the apartment above with Daniel and the other kids while Maxim continues to live with these friends. He really believes that if he keeps asking, he can successfully negotiate such an arrangement with all of us. I am pretty sure there will be tears on the day we actually leave. From all of us. This place and this family have truly been a blessing in countless ways. God truly walked ahead of us to put us here with exactly the assistance and encouragement we needed. Yet a time will come to go home, and that is a very good thing; something to look forward even with the attached adjustments.