It is awesome to be home, and onto our next phase......adjustment here at home for everyone.

Caleb and Madelynne are doing well, and Christian and Mary-Ashlynne seem to be doing good also.  There are changes for everyone, but so far the process is going well, with only a few hiccups here and there.

 

Here are some photos of our last few days in Kyiv and our wonderful welcome at the airport. 

 

Click on the photos to enlarge....... 

 

Leslie and the kids landed on American soil today (Sat) as their flight arrived in Detroit.

They fly into Mississippi tomorrow (Sunday).

We have a welcoming party of family & friends set to greet them when they arrive.

 

She said that all went fairly well with Ukraine & US customs.

The kids have been doing well given the circumstances & adjustments required of them & their new environment. As with most older orphans, it seems that hygeine customs will be a fairly big adjustment for them.

 

PLEASE PRAY for safe travelling tomorrow back home to Mississippi.

 

Mr. Mom has been doing dishes, washing & folding clothes, vacuuming, & cooking in addition to working & doing the manly chores.

Needless to say, we miss her in many ways. It is the presence of my dearly beloved that I miss most, but when she's gone, the home just doesn't function as smoothly either. I think that I have done well, but............ It isn't the same. 

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL 4 CHILDREN AS TOMORROW MARKS THE GENESIS OF A NEW AGE IN THE GORDON HOME.

 

Yesterday, Leslie & the kids had their appointment with the embassy and all went well. Afterwards, they went to the zoo!

That was probably their 1st time ever for something like that.

 

Today, they went back to the embassy for final clearance & again all went well. Today, they went roller-skating and hope to go to the circus tonight.

 

We are very grateful to the local church there that has supplied us with a translator. Her name is Katiya and she has been very helpful and gracious in helping Leslie & the kids transition. She is from the PCA mission church on Shevchenko Blvd. The pastor there is Ivan Bespalov and the church there is named  the Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church which is in downtown Kiev. They have an English translator available and I would highly recommend them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So far, the progress at the US Embassy in Kyiv appears to be progressing well. Today, the children had to go through medical evaluations and one needed a shot. Other paperwork & fees needed to also be done.

 

We are excited about their arrival. MA is constantly talking about them and what all they are going to do when they arrive.

Christian has been pretty much emotionless. I think that he doesn't know what to expect.

 

We have placed their pictures in frames throughout the house & in their rooms. I couldn't resist buying them a few gifts although I am very cautious about sending the wrong message regarding material possessions.

 

Lord willing, we are hoping that they arrive home safely this weekend. 

 

HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR US!

 

IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? ROMANS 8:31

 

Today, Leslie picked up the kids at their orphanage in Vinnitsa & Nemyriv. Both orphanages gave her a small photo album with pictures of the kids.

 

Caleb Sergei cried when he left his orphanage and so did his caretaker. It shows his love for those that are special to him and also it showed that he was well cared for in his orphanage.

 

Madelynne Juliya's caretaker also cried when she left. Leslie said that she was excited at first, but is starting to become sad missing her friends & caretakers at the orphanage.

 

All these feelings are understandable and shows the emotional bond that these children have developed with those in their life.

 

WE PRAY THAT THEY WILL BE WILLING TO DEVELOP THE SAME BONDS WITH US, THEIR NEW PARENTS.

 

ALSO, PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD'S HAND WILL DIRECT & CORRECT A PAPERWORK ISSUE THAT WE HAVE REGARDING THEIR NAME SPELLING. IT APPEARS THAT THE NAMES WERE MIS-SPELLED ON ONE DOCUMENT.

 

PLEASE PRAY THAT THIS WON'T BE A MAJOR PROBLEM & CAN BE FIXED QUICKLY.

 

PRAY THAT GOD'S COMFORT WITH BE GIVEN THESE CHILDREN AS THEY EMBARK ON A NEW LIFE & TRY TO ADAPT TO A NEW & DIFFERENT CULTURE.

 

 

 

Yesterday, we sent Leslie off to get the rest of our family, Sergei & Juliya.

That was so hard! She was crying! MA was crying! As a husband & father, I was torn between where my heart wanted to be and pragmatically where I needed to be for my family.

 

On the way back home from the airport, MA asked me who was going to take care of us three. I said that I was. She replied, "But you're not a mom. We need a Mom to take care of us until our mommy comes back."

 

Leslie arrived safely in Kyiv today. I don't think that they will get much accomplished today in regards to getting the kids.

Hopefully, she will get them both tomorrow without any complications and return to Kyiv for Embassy clearance.

 

PRAY FOR GOD'S COMFORT ON THEM & HIS TRAVELING GRACE & MERCY!

PRAY THAT HE WILL GIVE ME THE PATIENCE THAT I NEED PLAYING THE ROLE OF THE SINGLE PARENT.