Next week will be our 2nd week of waiting on passports.

We are hoping & praying to get them by next Friday. 

 

We are very fortunate to be waiting for them at home with our children.

Given the recent changes in Ukraine regarding passports, we feel that we have made the best decision by coming back home.

It has given us time to further prepare for the new children's arrival.

 

If we get them by Friday, we will then go get them.

The US embassy is taking 3 days now so, hopefully it will only be a 1 week process.

 

Thanks to all our friends & family for their prayers.

 

 

 

 

We finally arrived home yesterday after staying in Detroit Saturday night.

 

 

More Photos have been posted and wil be posted over the next few days.

 

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY regarding our 10-day waiting period. We pray that the aunt & uncle who loom the picture will no try to contest this adoption. August 20 is "D Day" for this waiting period. If we receive the court decree on August 20 that no contest has been made then, the children are officially ours.

 

PLEASE pray that passports will happen more quickly without the need of "expediting fees".

 

Thanks again to all for your comments, emails, prayers, and concern for us in the process.

 

PRAISE BE TO HIM FOR STIRRING OUR SOULS IN SUCH MATTERS!!

 

P.S./ Yesterday was our 18th wedding anniversary! Praise Be to Him for His Presence which has enabled us not to merely endure, but to grow & to strengthen over the years. A marital bond of the flesh will fail either through divorce or through lack of growth & simple separation of the unity of marriage. Many stay married for the name's sake, but the union is far from "oneness". IT IS THE GRACE OF GOD THAT GIVES THAT ONENESS! It is not of our doing! If I relied on my flesh for such, I too would fail, but His grace has been Sufficient for us and we praise Him for it!

 

It's Friday and we have left Vinnitsa via train and arrived in Kyiv. We have checked into our studio apartment which is nice and close to center of Kreshatick Blvd. We are near JLo's boutique.

 

We were quite nervous this morning because we had to check out of our apartment in Vinnitsa at 7:00. Our taxi was to pick us up at 7:20 to take us to the train station in Vinnitsa for 8:00 train to Kyiv. Kostya had to leave us on Wednesday for some important party at the beaches in Mariupol. Ha Ha. Happy Birthday, Katie A.  So, we have been flying solo for 2 days now. With all the things that had to fall in place, we were a little fearful of the language barrier problem, but Kostya put us in the good hands of some reliable taxis and all was well.

 

When we arrived in Kyiv, we had to go to the US Embassy so that we could fill out some paperwork.

 

Then, we went to check into our apartment. After checking in, I was about to starve. I told Leslie that I was fasting and didn't even realize it until it was too late. LOL. We had a small quick lunch and we have just been "checking out the scenery" one last time at Independence Square and Kreshatick Blvd. 

 

We plan to close out the night at TGIFriday's. We had planned from Day 1 to wait and eat there on our last night and here we are.

This has been kinda a family tradition of ours since we got married to celebrate our last night in a city at restuarant of choice. Paris, Bahamas, Niagara, Kyiv, and others. Now, TGIFriday's may not be "one of choice" from the stateside view, but after being away from American cooking for so long, it is looking really good right now.

 

As for Ukrainian food, we have enjoyed it. We have numerous new things that we want to cook back home. We had the best cantelope ever while in Ukraine, but in the end, there ain't nuthin like MS style home cooking for us. I am ready for May's, Grannie Nells, Nylas, Mr. Whiskers, and the Dinner Bell. I am sure that I will eat out a lot over the next few weeks. I gotta lot of catching up to do. Too bad I couldn't squeeze in a Papadeaux and Mike Anderson's visit too. Ha Ha.

 

We'll keep everyone posted as to our progress over the next few weeks. I'll try also to add more photos now that we will back in the hi speed internet access zone.

 

We'll also try to reflect back to give some insights into Ukrainian Adoptions for those of you nearing appointments. Feel free to post comments on things that you would like to know (at least from our perspective).

 

Kostya picked up our letter from the SDA this morning in Kyiv at 9:00 and made a mad rush to catch the 9:30 train to Vinnitsa. HE MADE IT!

He called me and said "I got the paper! I'll call you back when I can get every scheduled for court."

 

I got the call later that we would be having court at 5:00pm today. Kostya had to coordinate getting "Caleb", his orphanage care-giver, his social worker, "Madelynne's" orphanage director, her social worker, Leslie, me, himself, and the judge together for a time today to "git-r-dun". ("Madelynne" is still in camp in the Crimea region so, she was not present.) After 2 near scares of cancelling our court hearing, we were finally able to have our court hearing today. 

 

"Caleb" got a haircut and was looking good. He is a fine looking young boy and a sweet boy who is controlled in his emotions which is understood being what he has gone through. I hope that one day that our love will cause him to come out of his shell. We know it is still so early in the process. He has such great potential.

 

Spencer was called to stand to be questioned and he had his hands in his pockets which is considered offensive to the court and got reprimanded. LOL Don't tell anyone. 

 

After all the formal reading of the case, the judge asked "Caleb" to stand and questioned him if he desired to be a part of our family and go to America, he loudly affirmed "DA" or yes in English. Next, the judge went to his chambers reviewed all the paperwork and later returned stating that the government of Ukraine supports this adoption as being in the best interest of these 2 children. HIP, HIP, HOORAY!!!!!

 

 

I thought that we would never get here.

 

We have to wait the 10 day contestation period which means that if no contest is made, the children are officially ours on August 20, 2007. After that, we will have to get new birth certificates with our names on it as parents and then we have to face the passport issue.

 

Since Leslie and I both have been sick and are missing our children, we have decided to come back home during this waiting period. It will obviously cost us more, but our happiness and sanity is priceless right now. We plan to be in the USA hopefully in the next few days.

 

Tomorrow is a day of relaxation. Friday, we go to Kyiv to sign documents at US Embassy and hang out on Kreshatick Blvd one last time (for me). We plan a celebration dinner at TGIFridays. Then, on Sat morning, it is time to fly home.

 

KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS for travelling grace.

 

KEEP "Caleb" & "Madelynne" in your prayers that they will be comforted that new homes are coming soon for them.

 

Thanks to all for your prayers, help, blog comments, emails, etc. There are so many to thank.

 

GRACE BE UNTO YOU!

 

Spencer & Leslie

We did not receive our letter from the SDA approving our adoption (at least as far as I know right now). Regardless of the fact, we did not have court today. If Kostya did receive our letter from the SDA today, it was too late and hopefully we can have court tomorrow. If he did not get the SDA letter today, he would have to get it early in the morning to get back to Vinnitsa to have our court hearing;otherwise, the earliest that we could have court would be Thursday.

 

AS LONG AS WE HAVE COURT BY THURSDAY, WE ARE OK! PLEASE PRAY THAT WE HAVE OUR COURT HEARING BY THURSDAY! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the bulletin from the US Embassy in Kyiv.

 http://kyiv.usembassy.gov/amcit_adoptions_notice_0803_eng.html

 

From that, you can see that passports are taking at least 2 weeks and up to 2 months for issuance.

 

So, after the 10 day waiting period, the children will be ours, but we will not be able to get them out of Ukraine without a passport so, they will be stuck in limbo for 2 weeks and up to 2 months.

 

The major problem is that the kids will be ours and the orphanage no longer is responsible for their care.

 

What do we do?????????????????

 

Passports used to take 1-2 days. Yet, recently they implemented a new system in that all passports are done in a central office in Kyiv.

They are still working out the bugs. This sounds like Oracle.

 

We'll keep ya posted.

 

Keep praying for us!!!

 

Kostya headed to Kyiv this morning and picked up the SDA letter for the Armstrong family from CA. They are in Donyetsk region city of Mariupol which is right on the Sea of Azov.

 

Our papers were not ready so, Kostya will probably go back to Kyiv in the morning. We are hoping that he will get them tomorrow so that we can have our day in court on Tuesday or Wednesday. Taking into account the 10 day waiting period, I will definitely be heading home ASAP after the court date. Right now, I have flight arrangement for the weekend, but if possible, we will try to move them up if we can.

 

Since passports are taking 10 days to 2 months, we still haven't decided what Leslie will do. She may fly back with me now or at the end of the 10 day waiting period. Several factors will determine her plans.

 

PLEASE PRAY for comfort for the kids as they will wonder where we are. Due to the paperwork log jam, they arrival into our hands seems to be destined for some delays. We want to be assured that we are coming and that the delays are simply governmental nott any indecision on our part. We would have them on the spot if we could have.

 

WE WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROCESS WHETHER IT HAS BEEN PRAYERS TO HOUSE SITTING OR TO PHONE CALLS TO OUR HOME TO SAY I AM HERE IF YOU NEED SOMETHING.

 

KEEP PRAYING FOR US. THIS PROCESS IS NOT NEARLY OVER. I WON'T FEEL COMPLETE COMFORT UNTIL THE KIDS ARE IN LESLIE'S CARE.

 

IN CHRIST.  SPENCER & LESLIE

 

 

 

Today is the Lord's Day and is a day of rest. We plan to do just that.

 

Leslie is sick with sinus congestion and/or allergies. Neither of us got much sleep last night due to all her coughing.

I just returned from the 'apteka' or drug store with some goodies for her.

 

For my devotion today, I continue to look at the Sermon on the Mount. Today is the "Strait Gate" passage.

 

Kostya has to run to the train station to pick up tickets for Kyiv tomorrow. He needs to pick up the Armstrong's SDA letter. They are having court on Tuesday. They are adopting a 6-yr old boy and he looks like a perfect fit for their family.

 

GOD REALLY KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING! IF WE WOULD QUIT TRYING TO DO OUR WILL AND SEEK TO FOLLOW HIS, WE WILL BE AMAZED AT WHAT HE REVEALS TO US WHETHER IT IS IN LIFE OR IN THE WORD!

 

May His Grace & Mercy Be with you,

 

Leslie & Spencer 

Yesterday, Kostya submitted our adoption paperwork to the SDA. When we receive our approval letter from the SDA, we can then have our court date. We are hoping that the SDA will issue it early Wednesday so that can have court Wednesday afternoon in Vinnitsa. This will be a tight schedule since our approval letter will be in Kyiv.  More train rides. Luckily, we are fairly close to Kyiv.

 

Yesterday, we went grocery shopping which was quite entertaining.

We also bought a few gifts for "Caleb".

 

Today, we had breakfast at "Leslie's Omelette House" and this time she added onions and peppers.

 

Today, we plan on visiting "Caleb" again and give their camp the soccer ball that we purchased. 

 

We haven't decided yet waht to do for church tomorrow since it does not appear that an English speaking church is in Vinnitsa. We may just have a quiet time of devotions in our apartment.

 

Thanks again for all your prayers, emails, & comments.

 

PLEASE pray that we can find a way around the long passport delays and return home with the kids soon. We may be returning home soon without the kids if the passport issue is unavoidable and Leslie will return to Ukraine to pickup the children once we have passports. UGH!

 

PLEASE pray that God will open a door with the US Embassy to assist with this issue.

 

1. Light poles are concrete.

2. Railroad ties are also concrete.

3. Shoes are immediately removed once you enter a home. Wear good socks!

4. Nobody has clothes dryers! They dry their clothes on lines inside or outside.

5. You can get yogurt, milk, & ice cream in plastic bags.

6. Wedding rings are worn on the right hand, not left hand.

7. Cars are a luxury. Most people use taxis, buses, trains, or legs.

8. Lawn mowers are not here. Keeping lawns mowed is of no concern.

9. Many in the cities live in apartment buildings.

10. No homes use central air, just small single units.

 

 

 

Today is a break for us, but not Kostya. He took a train to Kyiv this morning around 6AM to submit our final adoption paperwork to the SDA.

Next, we must receive approval from the SDA to proceed to our court hearing. We are hoping that the SDA will approve us ASAP so that we can have court on Monday(which is pretty unlikely) or Wednesday. I have changed my flight plans for next Saturday (arriving in Jackson on Sun) so, we are really praying for court on MON or WED. If court is on Friday, I will likely have to modify my flight plans. 

 

We plan to have a peaceful lunch at good ole McDonald's or as Christian used to say when he was a toddler "McDonDons".

 

We are also going grocery shopping on our own since Kostya is in Kyiv. This is always an exciting adventure. The people in Vinnitsa have been very friendly to us and are intrigued by the "Americans". Americans stick out here.

 

PLEASE pray for all the families here adopting.

 

PLEASE pray for Christian & Mary-Ashlynne.

 

PLEASE pray for my co-workers at Williams as several have had health issues arise.

 

PLEASE continue to pray for His grace & His mercy on us as parents and on our new children. Their world is about to be turned upside down and while much of it is for the better, many difficulties lie ahead. They are about to loose all their friends & caregivers and will be thrusted into the care of us who don't speak their language so, they will become frustrated regarding the lack of ease in communicating.

 

Thanks again for all your prayers & emails. We couldn't have made it without them.

 

IN CHRIST - SPENCER & LESLIE

Thursday

This morning was a relief to us as things are starting to slow down a bit. Leslie cooked us sausage & cheese omelettes for breakfast with toast & coffee. We did not have to leave until 9AM to get more paperwork notarized. The official Ukraine paperwork here is very neat with embossing and blue & yellow designs symbolizing Ukraine government official forms. We also have to meet with both social workers today. We were hoping to get to visit “Caleb” again today, but time did not permit. We bought a soccer ball for their camp so that they won’t have to keep playing soccer with a flat, worn-out ball. We chose not to give the ball to “Caleb” in order to minimize any animosity among his peers.

We did have a scare today and we think that it has been answered.  There was some additional paperwork that the SDA requested specific to our case and we (Kostya) encountered numerous difficulties trying to obtain the required paperwork. By the end of the day, we think that we have the proper paperwork.

PRAISE:  Our agency in MS which did our home study did super quick and efficient work in getting our home study revised to up to a 12 year old to accommodate our adoption of “Caleb”. They are New Beginnings in Tupelo, MS. The program director there for international adoption is Laurie K. She has been outstanding to work with. Email us for more specific information. 

We are now able to get back on the internet to blog & check email although the dialup connection here is real slow (28kps). UGH! I remember these days 5-10 years ago.

One thing of note: We set aside a $1,000 for donation to the orphanage as a show of appreciation for their care of the children and to better assist them in giving better care in the future. It has been well received. I would recommend all families to do something for the orphanage. Some people actually purchase items for the orphanage like TVs, couches, computers, etc. “Caleb’s” orphanage director has said that they are going to purchase a big bookcase & couches and place a plaque recognizing it as a gift from “Caleb” and his new adoptive parents. We do not plan to have our names on it, but like that “Caleb” will feel good about giving back to his orphanage and that other kids we see that adoptive families are here to help them, not just take children and run away forever.

Since we have to deal with 2 orphanages, we have explained to them that we are donating $500 each and they were understanding and appreciative.

Wednesday

Today, we met with “Caleb’s” social worker again. To show our appreciation for the social worker’s kindness, we bought her, her boss, and her assistant a bouquet of roses which was only $30 USD or 150 grivnas. Each arrangement had 15 red roses in them plus a lot of other stuff. In Ukraine, you must remember that you only purchase even numbered roses for funerals and odd number flowers for all other events. The women loved them. They later served us hot tea with a chocolate dessert that was really good. This is how we all envision adoption processes. I would recommend to any family that adoption from Nemirov in the Vinnitsa region will be very enjoyable regarding the social worker.

We also met with “Caleb’s” orphanage director. He chastised us Americans for many of the problems related to recent American families who have adopted from his orphanage. For example, many families try to cut off the children from their Ukrainian roots and their orphanages whereas, most children get comfort talking with their old friends back home in their native tongue Many families have promised to maintain contact with the orphanages through pictures, cards, or occasional phone calls, but never do. He said that they all have made promises, but have not fulfilled them. What does the Bible say here? Let our yea be yea and our nay be nay. (James 5:12) If we Americans want others to like us, we need to be more trustworthy, friendlier, & less selfish. The impression that we leave directly influences the reception or rejection of all future adoption seeking American families. Let’s do the right thing! I hope that in the end that we have!

The orphanage director was nice to us even though our interview was like a FBI probe. It really showed his deep concern for the kids under his care. We were not offended at all. He said that he has had 15 of his children adopted with most of them going to European countries such as Italy, Spain, France, etc. He gave us a tour of the orphanage and gave us a lot of insight into “Caleb” and his character. He said that “Caleb” is well-liked by all his caregivers and the director. They described him as controlled in his emotions & behavior and very inquisitive about all things. He loves to read and learn about things especially animals. He loves to play soccer or futbol which is the most popular sport in Eastern Europe.

Next, we went to meet with the “Madelynne’s” social worker and the judge to try and get a court date. We are hoping and really needing court next week. After court, there is a 10 day waiting period before the children are legally ours. This waiting period allows for disputes and we have some concerns that the aunt and uncle may try to dispute the adoption even though the children have been in the orphanage for 6 years and they have never tried to adopt them. They have visited them on occasion and allowed them to visit on an occasional weekend, but of course, that is not full-time parenting. PLEASE PRAY that they do not contest our adoption process.

Tomorrow, we have to get a few papers notarized, to receive some paperwork from both social workers and then, get or receive some papaerwork from the judge.  Hopefully, Kostya heads to Kyiv on Friday to submit our final adoption papers to the SDA. Hip! Hip! Hoorah!

Once we have our court hearing (hopefully next week), I will be returning home alone to get back to work and be Mom & Dad for Christian & Mary-Ashlynne until Leslie returns with our new children.

PLEASE PRAY for our children at home. I know that they are missing Mom & Dad a lot even though they may not admit it (i.e., Christian). LOL

PLEASE PRAY for “Caleb” and “Madelynne” to be comforted in that they will have a family soon and that God will protect them from their peers who may be backlashing at them because of their good fortune. Orphanages for older boys can be a nasty place behind the scenes for the boys with hazing, etc.

PLEASE PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PROVIDENCE IN OUR LIVES. WE KNEW HE WOULD NOT FORSAKE US AND RIGHT WHEN OUR FLESH WANTED TO QUIT AND GO HOME, HE OPENED THE DOORS. IN MY MIND, IT WAS HIM SAYING “SPENCER, I AM IN CONTROL HERE. HAVE FAITH IN ME! ASK of me, SEEK me, AND KNOCK at the door of the throne of grace and I will be with you!”

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can a man feel any higher while on earth without being in heaven, I can’t imagine it right now. I am in awe of HIS MAJESTY! And just think of how little I even know of HIS MAJESTY with my little “pea brain”. PRAISE GOD FOR HAVING MERCY ON ME AND BESTOWING HIS GRACE UPON ME A LOWLY WRETCHED SINNER!!!!!!!

Tuesday

Today, we went to visit “Madelynne’s” orphanage director. He has been the orphanage director at this orphanage for 25 years. The meeting went well and he was very helpful. He said that she was one of his favorites and he will miss her greatly, but he is really glad that she is going to a good home. The camp director had called him on Monday and told him that a very nice family came to visit “Madelynne” over the weekend. The orphanage director went on to describe her as the type person that if you invest in her soul, you will reap great rewards. (Those were his words.) He said that she is smart and a well liked kid and is a “good dancer”. Ha Ha She is 6. I can already see her and Mary-Ashlynne having a lot of wonderful times together. He has been a director for 25 years.

We had to also get documents notarized, visit “Madelynne’s” social worker, check out of our hotel, check into our apartment, and also visit “Caleb’s” social worker.

We ended the day visiting “Caleb” at his camp which is about 1 hour from Vinnitsa. He was glad to see us. He smiled at us when he walked into the camp director’s office. The camp director said that he had been asking about us every day to see if we were coming back. He was playing soccer when we arrived, but was too embarrassed to play while we were there. I got out there and played with all his friends and all the kids were talking about the American who played soccer with us. We gave him a few minor gifts (Nike cap and silly toy with lights).  We have chosen not to give too many gifts because of the wrong impression that it may send him regarding life with us and also to minimize any potential jealousy from his peers.