Final answer!

We took two days away from the orphanage to give the kids some space and time to think. We returned to the orphanage last night. Immediately as we walked through the gate we seen Artiom and he and I started whistling back and forth. It is just something we started out of the blue. He is such a funny and great kid!

We had the blessing of an interpreter there that evening so we asked the kids to come in for a chat. We told them that we wanted to talk about their final decision about being adopted. We also told them that no matter what their decision is, nothing changes between us. They are still in our hearts and we will still care about them as we did before. For those that don't know, we go back almost two years with these kids. We hung out with them, played with them and advocated and raised funds to keep them in this orphanage.

Masha made it clear to us that she wanted to go. But in order for us to adopt her, because she will turn 18 in July, her siblings have to agree to be adopted as well. When we posed the question to the other children, the remaining four said they were very happy here and would like to stay in Ukraine. They said they were hesitant to tell us before because they didn't want to hurt our feelings. We told them that from the beginning we only wanted what is best for them. The original problem hasn't been solved though. The orphanage is in dire need of financial support. So, as soon as we return to the US we will get back to trying to raise funds to keep these children in the home that they love.

Because Masha wants to come with us, we told her that if she wanted we would try to bring her to the US to attend School. We told her that this would mean that some day, when she has finished her education, she would have to return to Ukraine. But that she would still be ours forever and we would be her family that she would depend on forever. That put a big smile on her face! Also, this morning i am heading to the School to practice a dance. Masha asked me if i would dance with her at her graduation celebration Saturday during the Father/Daughter dance.

We also wanted to say that after our meeting with the kids we had a great time just hanging with them and playing around. It was really like it was before they became stressed out about being adopted. They are absolutely amazing kids! It was so nice to have them at ease and to just be able to enjoy the time with them.

So, Saturday evening we will attend Masha's ceremony, afterwards we will take her for a celebration dinner. After that, we will spend the night with our friends apartment in Kharkiv and board a train after Church on Sunday heading for Donetsk.

Stay Tuned! :)

It's anybody's guess

There is not much to update. Everything is still kind of the same as last reported. The children are kind of going on with business as usual. They play around with us when we are all in the same place. But they don't really seek us out. I know that is kind of confusing because they knew we were coming for them. It is a long story that i can't free speak about right now. But a big part of this is that it is all becoming real for them now. And, as i wrote about previously, they are not a typical orphan. These children have been loved most all of their lives. They are exceptional kids! They are so far from the norm when it comes to comparing them to most orphans.

We have a translator coming tonight and we are going to have a Q&A with them. I hope afterward we will know better where everything stands.

We are having a new experience that we had only previously heard our other friends talk about. When we adopted the girls Alexi was already 15 and mostly independent. We missed him. But this time is different because this time we left Alexi and our four Princesses behind, and we miss them all terribly!. So, now we know what it is like and what our other friends had told us about. When i'm at home my lap is rarely not occupied. There is always at least one or two of the girls sitting on me. When i watch TV in my room there is usually one or three sitting or laying on my back. I'm really missing that right now. But God's will is first. He brought us here for a purpose and we'll see it through.

I can't say thank you enough to all those that have gathered around us to help! Traci Heim is caring for the girls while we are gone. We have never worried even for a second! She is an awesome Mama and a seasoned adopter. She understands orphans and is a God send! Our Church family has been behind and around us from the beginning. We can't thank you all enough for all you have done and continue to do!

Love!
Shane & Diana

We are in the region

Okay, so the mystery is solved, camping in Ukraine is just like Camping in the US. We arrived in the region late the Sunday. Then we woke up early Monday morning and headed out. We first walked about a 1/2 mile down the road and caught a train to the city, then another train for about an hour. Then we had to walk about two miles to the camp site. I suggested that we walk half way and camp, and then do the other half the next day. I only received laughter in response. I wonder if they thought i was kidding?

Juliana's (The Orphanage director) Husband Vova is amazing at cooking on an open fire. I think he spent the entire day cooking. there were about 20 of us on the first day and i think 8 departed the next morning. About 5 of the older children had other obligations and didn't go with us. When we weren't sure what camping in Ukraine was we asked our friend Alex, and said "If there are boys with you it surely involves a soccer ball". He was so right. I played more soccer in two days than i had in the past ten years. It was a great time and i'm glad for the experience.

Masha is graduating High School. This past Thursday was a small celebration at the school. All the girls were dressed in traditional clothing with bows in their hair like Masha is in this picture. Although we didn't understand all that was going on, it appeared to be a ceremony where the teachers and others gave rememberences of the past year and advice for the future. There were times that everyone was tearing up. Next Saturday is the big party where Masha dresses up in a nice dress. She wanted to have her hair done with flowers, so we are going this morning to set the appointment to have this done for next Saturday morning.

Now an update on the progress. We originally thought we would have our first appointment at the SDA on the 1st or 2nd of May. But it seems there have been some changes in the process and so we are still waiting to hear of our appointment. Not how we would have planned it, but maybe for the best. We are finding the children a little distant so bonding time is probably for the best. I know, it is different for an orphan to be distant to an adoptive parent. But as i seen from the very first day we met them, these children are different. They were raised in an orphanage that is much more like a family than anything else. They get love, hugs and kisses on a regular basis. This is Christ in his Holy Dwelling! So, if i had to put myself in their mindset i would imagine they are conflicted because they have it pretty good here. Truth be told, if there were better financial support and the threat of the orphanage having to close not always looming overhead, I believe they would rather just stay here. It is kind of sad when you think about it. These children have what so many others do not, yet lack of funding puts them in a position to have to choose between two families.

Please keep praying for Gods hand and direction in all of this!

Love, Shane & Diana

We made it to Kiev!

Our plane touched down about 4:30pm local time yesterday in Kiev. Normally we would catch the overnight train to the region, but due to the holiday there were no tickets available. So, we stayed the night and are catching a bus at 7:30am.

Shane & Diana

Going Camping!

We fly out tomorrow evening! We will arrive in Ukraine about 5pm (local time) Saturday. Then Sunday morning we board a bus for an 8 hour ride to the region where our kids are.

Next Monday and Tuesday is a National Holiday in Ukraine. It is their Labor Day. So, yesterday we received word that Monday morning our kids are heading out to the country on an overnight camping trip. We were invited to go and we are quite excited about it. We have no idea what "camping" in Ukraine means so it could be an adventure! We'll update you all ASAP.

P.S. The high today in the region where the kids are was 80 (°F)!

Shane & Diana

We are almost outta here!

We are leaving for Ukraine next Friday. We haven't been given our appointment date yet, but we are told it will be around the 1st. So, we are heading out to spend a day or so with the kids before the process begins.

Shane & Diana

Dossier submitted!

Our Dossier was sent to Ukraine about two weeks ago and has been submitted to the government. It is now for us to just wait to hear of our appointment date. There have been some developments of which i will blog about next.

Prayer is needed for God's guidance and provision!

Shane & Diana