Pressing on

The day started out about an hour later than I expected. I was anxious. Butterflies filled my tummy at the thought of taking Micah out of the orphanage forever. I knew it was a big day ahead. Lots had to be done in order for us to be able to go home Saturday, but the team was 100% confident all would go well. I knew there was a chance any one thing could hold us up, and although I worried, I was also very hopeful.

Sherry and I got to the orphanage and changed the kids into their new personal clothes. We signed documents to release them, said goodbye to the staff and the Goldens, and we were on our way! It was almost noon and the medicals had to be done by then, so we went there first. Technically that's a no-no, but it can be done. The clinic staff was amazing and quick. Micah was healthy, no heart murmur, and ready to go! We played in the toy room while we waited for the Whites to be done.

The we went to the passport office to pick up the printed and finished passports. They were done the day before and supposed to be there in the morning. The passport lady promised Niko we could pick them up at 1:00. We waited and waited and waited. If she had kept her promise, we'd be on a plane in 8 hours. I guess the Lord had other plans. It was 3:30 before we left the passport office. We were supposed to be at the embassy at 2:00 and we still had to go back to the clinic to get the medical envelopes. Since it's Friday, the clinic closed at 3:00.

But we pressed on! We went back to the clinic anyway, and the White's doctor was still there at 3:45! Niko begged her to help us so we could go home to our families in America and celebrate our big National holiday there. It worked. She put her doctor coat back on, called Micah's doctor back in, and away they went printing, signing, sealing, and copying. It took 45 minutes. I hugged Micah's doctor. It was 4:30 and I knew we wouldn't make it to the embassy before 5:00 and even if we had, there wouldn't be time to process the visa even if they rushed it.

Still, we pressed on. And got stuck in the most awful gridlock I've ever seen, and I used to commute from Turlock to Pleasanton! When it was 5:00, I surrendered. Embassy closed, computers off, no more hope. At 5:20, Niko told me to call. I knew it wouldn't help but I did. Amy answered. She said there was no way to get the visas done today, but still to drop off the paperwork with the guard.

So we kept moving forward. At 6:30, we dropped off the stack of papers with a note and said we'll be back Tuesday! Even though we're not in America, the U.S. Embassy closes on our holidays along with Ukrainian holidays, so unfortunately Monday is not an option.

And we returned to our apartments. WITH our beautiful children. And we are still moving forward. We will go back on Tuesday for the final piece, and we both fly out Wednesday. Micah and I land in Las Vegas at 6:45 pm. And we will finally be reunited with our family! I'm so glad we didn't tell the girls I was coming home tomorrow, but I know my sweet and wonderful husband is very disappointed and misses me so much. I miss him too. And I appreciate him more than he will ever know.

Micah is sleeping soundly and peacefully, and I'm going to go join my little boy for the first time! Thank you Heavenly Father for the miracle of this adoption, along with all the struggles, tears, and stress. It is all worth it for your glory. Please be with us the next few days as we find some fun things to do in rainy Kiev, and as we get to really know each other and bond in our own little element. And be with the Whites too. Let us all get home safely on Wednesday. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


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