The second Annual Ukrainian Christmas Party was held January 9th.  Stay tuned for photos.

Lienna, Aly, Lienna, Natasha, Tanya, Lena, Yuri, Vitalik, Julia, Alla, Nina, Anastacia, Cole 

 

this is the group of Ukrianian kids at the Ukrainian Christmas Party January 2008 

The Ukrainian Christmas Party was a couple weeks ago

This is our family photo used for the party blog

Here is the address.  Check it out to see a bio and photo of the other adoptive families

http://someofmichelleskids.blogspot.com

 

From left to right Erin, Kristen, Lena, Alla, in back Sarah 

  

Van Puttens January 2007

Erin, Sarah, Lena, Amy, Jeff, Kristen and Alla 

 

Just a note...if you want to read our entire adoption story on this blog you need to use the calendar to go back to JULY 2005.  It's a lot of work, but it's all there.   

I wrote a really long entry updating (generally) from the last year.  I don't have it in me to rewrite that.  I was using the wrong server I suppose...I love macs, but sometimes they are just a pain.

I will post a family photo as a pic will show you we are all fine and willing to sit next to eachother. 

OK, I'll see now if this will publish or not.

(All in an effort to save my blog...it's been inactive for longer than blog city wants...that's why all the photos are gone...I neglected this blog, they dumped it, I begged for them to retrieve it, they did, and now I'm neglecting it again)

greetings from the Van Puttens 

 

The airport greeters:
Miranda, Ty, Tahner, Carolyn, Bill, Malys, Bowlbys, Will and Emmett and the Van Putten girls.

Photo Album

Photo Album

Photo Album

Photo Album

Photo Album

Sarah arrived home tonight. She is full of story after story of her experience in Mississippi. She would like to quit school and go work for the Red Cross. We told her to just finish school and then go right ahead. Maybe she will post photos when she has a minute. Catching up with school will need to be a priority for a bit. (I'm hoping Sarah feels that as strongly as I do)

It was so fun to watch Lena get more and more excited as the evening wore on, waiting for Sarah to come home. She went along to pick Sarah up and chatted endlessly about the events of the 6 days Sarah has missed. She had so much to tell her and tried so hard to do a good job. Both Lena and Alla's language is coming along nicely.

The girls called Babushka Lela tonight as she is still in Florida (just for a day or two more I think) and we wanted to check on her to hear how her eye is doing. It was very fun to listen to each of them talk with Lela. They had many more English words and much more understanding listening to her than a month ago. They really seemed to follow everything she said to them.

Well, that's it. I just wanted to let you know that Sarah is back.

Just wanted to update you all who are still checking back now and then.

Things are going quite well by my estimation. Maybe my expectations were out of line, but the girls seem to be blending in with family life at a faster than expected pace. I am still ignoring a few things that I don't have language to extinguish in behavior. I believe they are significant but can wait for the right time.

I remember when our Social Worker came to our home and asked us what our house rules were. I could only think of one. How pathetic that made me feel. I thought, wow, we must have no structure or discipline around here. I had a feeling though that I would be faced with more house rules when the girls got here. I would remember, oh yea, that's right, I don't like that. I imagined it would be things like messes, property distruction, stealing or some such. What I've found is 3 kinda trivial things I never allowed when my bio children were small and because I disliked the things so much, the behaviors have not been around here for a very long time.

If you know me, you know I hate when someone mocks someone's sincere laughter. Do Alla and Lena do that? Yes. Try to explain with 3 words not to mock. I have found myself mocking laughter right back to them and saying "no". I'll let you know when that starts to work. I was thinking today that in some way it's one of the few things they can imitate easily and so maybe they are imitating more than mocking. Their attitude looks like mocking, but I'll have to believe the other for a while. The next thing is making fun of people (kind of in the same family of 'sins') I'll let you know when my sour faces and ignoring the comments/laughter works. Last, but not least, whining. Boy can these two whine. Makes me wonder if it ever got them anywhere in the internot. How could it have? Anyone know? Just yesterday I started working on whining. I let it go all these weeks, with no comment really, not giving in to it, but not disciplining it. Yesterday I decided to go for it. Hasn't extinguished yet, but I have begun the "discussion".

Now that I've told you the truth about some discipline issues, I need to say that there are also times when their energy gets the best of them and they have trouble coming back to calm. But if I were to generalize I would still say things are going very well.
They are obedient and helpful. They manage their hygiene, bed time, and eating. Hair maintenance is still a bit lacking but until we have that 100% with a bio kid, who shall remain nameless, I can't really tackle it big time with the younger two.

Week 2 of school begins tomorrow. Neither of them expresses much joy about that. They began at Westside Middle School (nearly 1000 7th & 8th grade students!) on Tuesday of last week. They seem to be getting the general idea of expectations, but I imagine the teachers have their own list of things they are trying to figure out how to shape. Alla and Lena are in English for 4 periods in the a.m. together and then they split to 7th and 8th grade classes of Math, Science, Business, P.E. and some fancy named class that has a variety of things going on. (curriculum night is coming) I believe both girls will eventually like school. It may be next year or in 11th grade, but I think they have it in them to do well in school. I have already noticed improvement in English in one week. The school personel have been so encouraging and willing to help. I'm impressed so far with WMS. That being said, I can't even begin to imagine what these girls must be feeling as they walk in that huge building every day. Or how they feel walking into the lunch room! yipes. Pray for them.

Michelle Maly has been so nice to help with interpretiing at the Dr. , school and home. There are just things for which one needs language. Lela Steele called last night (the missionary from Odessa -Alla's class) She is in Florida with some health issues. Pray for her. It was very fun to hear from her and to find out she has Alla's photo albums and watch from the internot. I don't remember if I told you we couldn't get those because the keys to Alla's room were not available (Lena's keys were, but Alla's weren't) So that is one piece of unfinished business almost done.

It appears that there may be others moving toward this adoption idea. I just would like to say to anyone reading this if you are a person that senses God calling you to adoption, go for it. Email me and ask anything you want. If you've been reading this blog, you know I'm not a terribly private person. I really welcome any question (I hope that's true). I have the faces of children we met who are still in the orphanage system in my mind. The face of one boy who sat on the curb with the longest face as we took Alla away. Another of Lena's friend who was crying as Lena left. I know from a missionary that those kids wonder why not me? I wonder that too. I'm blown away by the number of people I know who are walking in the direction of adoption. God bless you. Email me javanputten@yahoo.com

Photo Album

These photos are from Monday before court and Tuesday-court day.

Lienna H's birthday party should really be posted as their first Birthday party...but I didn't take a picture! And of course there's the first trip to Walmart...but is that TMI?

We arrived in Omaha an hour late. (1:20) The Minneapolis to Omaha leg was the only one with any time delays. Pretty amazing really. As soon as I heard the landing gear coming out near Omaha it became pretty difficult to contain all the emotion (who am I kidding, when has it been easy to contain?) BUT, it had been kind of a long stretch of just trying to get through it in order to get home...so the emotion had been put on hold for a while. It felt like we were all on survival mode just to make it through the travel. I don't recommend really long air plane travel, it is tough. But it does the job. We'd still be on a boat.

The airport welcome was sweet. I don't think I'll ever leave my kids for a month again. We may leave for a month, but they will go with. : ) (Just for the record, I don't regret going without them...there were so many times I was greatful we didn't have anyone to consider)

Everyone Lena and Alla were asking about was at the airport to greet them. I posted a photo of the adopted kids they know in the Omaha area....so fun.

Bringing the girls into our physical home was wonderful. To have them in our hearts and to have committed to them is one thing, a huge thing, but to bring them to the place we can offer them what we set out to offer them, that is satisfying. The house was a bit of a buzz with Bahbuskas and sisters. Lena and Alla retreated to unpack and set things up in their room. I was so happy they felt comfortable enough to settle in. The bedroom quickly became theirs. I am happy they have a spot to call their own. A place they can go to escape, to get peace, to listen to music. I am imagining they have not experienced a space quite so secure. They may miss the number of friends surrounding them 24/7, that is one thing the internot offers, but here they will always have enough blankets, enough clothes and enough food. They will have a whole family who cares about how they are and they will have medical care.

Speaking of medical care. We already had our first dr. visit as Lena's ear really was acting up. I got my wish...Lena has started on antibiotics. They have also begun the lab work to check for "international" issues. Michelle M. was so helpful translating for the Dr. and the needle holders (poor Alla, she is not brave about needles!)

Last night, after arriving home and settling in a bit, was just so fun. Watching the girls play and run around and practice English and Russian together. It all feels so easy and natural. Lienna Hanson helped the oldest VP girls make labels for everything in the house. The girls wrote the English and Lienna wrote the Russian. It's been helpful to me actually. In the kitchen when I'd forgotten where the cups were I just read the label...When I look at the ceiling and don't know what it is, I just read the sign and the walls, lamps, fireplace, doors....there is one right here, it says this is a computer...go figure.

Our journey in Ukraine was really something. In the last day I have looked at Lena and Alla sitting on our furniture, in our house living the life I'd hoped for them and I just marvel at God. He is just so amazing. To plant ideas like this and to get the job done.

When we walked in the house for the first time we came in through the garage. That path takes you right to the side of the refrigerator where all the Ukrainian hopes photos are posted. Alla walked in and just stopped and gasped. I have no real idea what was going through her mind, but part of her thoughts had to contain a wonder at these people who have been looking at pictures of her for so long. Long before she even knew we existed. We had our sights set on her while she still just hoped for a family. Makes you think of God doesn't it? God knows us before we know him, as Terry Meeuwsen states in her book "The God Adventure", "He is thinking about me" she goes on to list other insights we get of God while looking at adoption, "He paid the price, He accepts us, then cleans us, and He gives me a new name"

When we met Lena and Alla in person for the first time I was absolutely amazed at the love that we had for these two girls. Amazed. Where did that come from? It gave me just a fraction of a sense of what God feels for us. It still dumbfounds me how God loves us, but it is a bit clearer to me now. I understand how God can see us in our big messes, see us with the dirtiest feet ever, smelling so much of the world we live in and not care one bit about the dirt and the smell. All he wants is for us to say yes to his offer of letting him pay the price for us, not asking us to do ANYTHING, just say yes when we are asked, "do you want to be adopted?" Then He gives us a new name, his child, and cleans us up in His time.

This journey in Ukraine was thrilling. I can't remember a time where God had my attention for such an extended period. Basically we were a captive audience! A week here, a weekend there, those times are amazing to see God act. But a whole month. Wow. This is the first time I've gotten into water this deep. Deep enough that I really couldn't touch, had to just swim. I highly recommend it. "The God Adventure" introduced me to the deep water concept. The book quotes Ezekiel 47:1-5 where the image of a stream flowing beneath the Temple is described. "There I could see the stream flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. Measuring as he went, he led me along the stream for 1,750 feet and told me to go across. At that point the water was up to my ankles. He measured off another 1,750 feet and told me to go across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he measured another 1,750 feelt, and the river was too deep to cross without swimming." Meeuwsen applies this passage by challenging us to "let go of what is known and familiar to grab hold of the unknown purposes of God. God is calling us out into the deep water, where the current of His Holy Spirit guides us, prods us, and moves us along. It's a place where we can't touch bottom and can't be sure what lies around the curve ahead." Her book contains a story of adopting 3 girls from Ukaraine, but her challenge to go out into deep water can apply to anything God is calling you to do.

I in no way think our journey is over. I know the dependence on God we learned while in Ukraine is what he expects of us now that we have arrived in Omaha, seeming dry land.

I want to thank you for joining us on this journey. When you go on yours I hope it will be the kind of journey for which you will be able to set up a blog for support. Journeys are the most fun when others go along. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Any one with pictures from the airport, feel free to email them to me. I know you got more than me...I got almost none!

Just a quick note to say we made it through our last hoop. The girls are now citizens of this fair country. (and citizens of theirs as well) All the very important sealed papers were studied and stamped. whew!

As we travelled today Jeff changed their watches so they could get the effect of the time situation. I think they really thought we were leaving Kiev at 4:20 p.m. and getting to NY City at 9:20. p.m. We did, but ... well, it's not exactly normal time. I sat with Lena and Jeff with Alla on a VERY FULL plane. TVs helped us survive.

I know I could stay up all night and write since there is hotel internet, but I'm just not gonna do it. It's about 6:30 Ukraine time, so I'm gonna get some sleep. Our flight is at 8:something tomorrow.

I don't think it will even be hard to get Alla and Lena back on a plane, they are soo excited to get to Omaha. (whatever that is!!!)

See you very soon.

Sorry it took such a long time to update today, I've been busy :o) Mom and dad called about 5 hours ago, I know, I know. I didn't get to talk to them, Erin and I were busy shopping. My grandma and grandpa talked to them though. My mom said that they moved to their new apartment today and ate pizza for dinner, their last dinner in Ukraine. They are going to leave for the airport tomorrow morning and spend the night in New York Sunday. Their flight goes from Kiev to Amsterdam to New York, overnight, to Minneapolis to Omaha. They will probably get home Monday afternoon. (let's hope so) There's not much more to report. Everyone is doing fine, so says my mother. I'll believe her though. The only prayer requests I can think of is a safe flight and stay in New York Sunday night. I'm sure you can think of more. Have a great Saturday night/Sunday. My mom will post the remaining pictures when she gets home, but until then, I don't think there will be another update. Today Erin gave Lienna Hanson some flashcards with English on it so she could write each word in Russian. Words like bathroon, lamp, table, etc. to put up around the house so they can learn them. Hopefully Lienna had an easy time doing that. Thanks from all of us for praying and watching my parents journey.

Here I am sitting at an old samsung computer in Independence Square, Kiev. I am crying off and on as I read your comments and I of course cried when I read Kristen's entry. Do you see why we wanted more teenage girls?? I didn't utter a prayer request to her, but she hit them right on the mark. Thank you Kristen!

I would like to say WE ARE INDEPENDENT of any more requirements for papers!!! Our visit to the US Embassy this a.m. was awesome...if something like that can be awesome. We got the first appt of the day at 8:00. (I might add that the Embassy is closed the last Friday of the month, but they, if one requests it, will make appts for stuff like this-Praise God!)

Our last day in Odessa was good. We did some more waiting, but all of it was quick and productive. Sergei came up to the car on our last stop for the passports and did his normal..." they said we need to..." and then he produced the passports. Very funny, Sergei. One last time. Good he still had a sense of humor by the end of the Van Putten adventure. He was nice enough to run us to a Best Buy of sorts so we could buy the girls a couple CD players for the plane trip. I wanted to be sure they had some Russian/Ukrainian music to comfort themselves with while in OMaha. And something for the "waiting on adoption" board game. Gotta have the music.

We stopped at Beckers to drop off keys, cell phone, and thanks. Paul prayed for us and thanked God for all his care of Lena and Alla. What a witness of God that people who could certainly be satisfied with the family they have so excited to take these two girls, knowing it is not going to be easy. Who is like the Lord? I tried to get Tania to come with us, but I guess she has a life, so off we went.

It was fun to watch the girls on their first flight. They were so excited to fly from Odessa to Kiev. They seemed to be at least partially realizing that they were leaving their home. As we flew out of Odessa range, they said something to eachother across the aisle and motioned the tear running down the face sign. I was glad they were noticing the moment. I was sad too to be leaving Odessa, but not anywhere close to the same sadness.

For any of you who are thinking we've had too easy a time of this (people from the adoption community) know that we had a very difficult night Wednesday after arriving in Kiev. Kristen said we found a store, we didn't. We found conflict. I worried all night that one of the girls (nameless) would try to find a way back to Odessa in the morning. It was a night when I recalled Psalm 23 which gave me so much comfort in the weeks right before we left. I thought I was going to live with that Psalm on this journey, but I haven't. It sure was a great thought Wed night though. Psalm 23 doesn't directly talk about this conflict or anything, it just generally gives me peace.

I'm finding the Lord isn't so interested in success, but in dependence on him. While we are working to help Alla and Lena know they need to depend on us and not be so independent (a new concept for them!). The Lord is reminding me to see myself in them. Don't venture off independently, rely. Will you all help me remember this when I'm complaining in a day? thanks.

The visit to the American Medical Clinic (or whatever it's called) yesterday was an interesting experience. Their mission statement on the wall says they are "committed to evidence based medical care" or some such statement. I have heard little evidence based medical talk while in Ukraine so I was looking forward to some. Alla was unable to pass the eye chart reading in the hallway. The doctor? told me to limit her TV to 1/2 hour 2 times a day because she clearly has eye muscle spasms. I told Alla later, you need glasses. She's just so very happy about that. OK, she isn't at all happy about that. She's very not happy about that. I was going to try to use Sarah as an example of a family member who has glasses and likes them, but Alla pointed to the photo and said, Sarah no glasses. Doma no, but at school yes. And then we remembered, Sarah never wears her glasses, and we quit talking about Sarah. Jeff made a comment the other day (before this) that so few Ukrainians seem to wear glasses. I wonder if this is why. Or maybe they do,and they just wear contacts. ?? While at the clinic Lena was once again arguing that she isn't 15 years old. Have I told you this? She believes with all of her heart that she is 14. I'm willing to go with that. But, the doctor? told her since she was 15 she needed a chest x-ray and a STD test. Another reason she doesn't want to be 15. Not sure if she believes her age yet. But she got the 2 extra tests. I've noticed Lena seems to have a hearing problem. I wasn't sure if it was genetic from the Beckers (funny joke for the Beckers) or it was something else. I didn't mention it to the doctor at the AMC just waiting to see if she would mention it. She said it looked like Lena has a chronic ear infection. Someone told me Lena has a speech impediment. What if it's from hearing loss? possible no? I can't wait to get her on antibiotics and see if it will clear up.

I have great photos, but I'm not anywhere I can post them. I guess I'll take next week and post them all, you can keep checking back for the whole pictoral story...it will let you down gently from this adventure. I spent a day upset that we have to wait until Sunday when we are all done today, but this a.m. I woke up with a new perspective. I'm sooo grateful God does that for us. New every morning are his mercies. I love that. It occurred to me that our time, although I would have planned it differently, has yet to be shown to be a waste at any stage. I am convinced (or I guess I just believe it, haven't reached convinced yet-hindsight will be convinced) that the Lord is using our time now for some purposes. English lessons are probably not a bad reason. We haven't had a lot of time together when we could work on English until Kiev. The girls have been told every time they have contact with anyone that they need to work hard, learn English, take advantage of their opportunity. I can see it in Lena's face, her determination. For two kids who stood up in court and said basically that they are lazy students, they are taking a different route this time. At least for these days. I'll let you know how this holds up!! Maybe I won't. :)

Jeff, Lena and Alla have returned from running around looking for PJs. It's been our 3 day quest. What will we do when we find them? Maybe we'll take our time.

The plan now is to go to Aqua Park tomorrow to make the girls happy and kill some time before Sunday. I'm thankful right now for the Sunday flight. Our new friends adopting another girl from #4 got tickets for Aug 6th and they are done today too. Yipes. I was suddenly very greatful! funny how that works isn't it.

I don't know if we'll be back here or not. I wish the dial tone was one that would work on this internet card, but so far, we can't get it to work. Maybe it's best. My time is at one minute...bye bye LOVE YOU!!!!

My parents called today at 2 our time (10pm their time) and gave us a short update before being cutoff. They flew to Kiev yesterday and arrived via taxi to their apartment. The people there thought they'd know exactly what they were doing, even though they didn't. They arrived around 8pm and still had not eaten so they walked to find a grocery store. (by the sounds of it, I'm pretty sure they found one.) They plan right now is to finish up tomorrow and wait until their flight on Sunday. They will probably arrive in Omaha Monday afternoon. Whoohoo! They said if anyone wants to, you can call them at their apartment and recieve a nice phone bill: 38044-272-2346 Unless they find an internet cafe (tomorrow if at all)or call again there probably will not be anymore updates. My mom told me to give my own little update though, not just summing up what she said on the phone. So...Sarah and i talked to Lena and Alla again today on the phone (my second time, Sarah's talked to them more though) It was a little awkward and I lot of, I don't know what to say looking at Sarah to say something. They recited their address and phone number, birthday and full new name. It was weird to hear them say our address and phone number, in english, claiming it as their own. (very fun also) My mom said that was their lesson today. That's fun, that they have english lessons. What a good thing to learn right away :o) Sarah attempted the Russian learned at VBS this week but only got "hello" I dont remember how to spell it in Russian. (pronounced previet?) Lena enjoyed that and repeated it. I think it would be good for us to at least know a little Russian before they come. Erin said Lienna Hanson would be willing to make flashcards with her to put around the house. That'll be our goal this weekend. haha. From the sounds of it, all four of them are having fun in the apartment but are all a little crabby and ready to get home. Sarah has been put in charge of being on the lookout for an earlier flight even though there probably won't be one. I can see how my mom writes such long entries. I have nothing to write about and it's still gotten long. I would write a top ten list, but I think I'd need help from my dad. Maybe later. If we get another call from them we will update you so you know what is going on also. Thanks from the whole Van Putten family for all your thoughts and prayers this past month. My prayer request for today/this weekend is for my parents to be able to communicate effectivly to Lena and Alla, and visa versa. Also that they would not be so homesick, but to enjoy the last few days they have in Kiev with the girls. Also pray for their flight home, for it to be quick, if that means no long layovers or perhaps a different (earlier) flight. Thanks again.

We are proud to announce the addition Lena Catherine and Alla Michelle to the Van Putten family.

AND we are happy to report that there are two teenage girls laying on our bed watching TV and IT IS AFTER 9:00. I never thought I’d be happy about such a thing.

As one of the birth certificate women said to us today...congratulations on the births of your two teenage girls. She smiled. I would say that I have seen more Ukrainians smile today than in all the days we have been here combined. The judge winked and smiled at Jeff right at the start. Now one can ask questions about that, but we just plain took it as a good sign.

I thought of Larry Hanson’s “5 minute” comment all day today and I’m glad to see that (as always) Cathy set him straight.

For the detail mongers, here’s the chronicle of our day...

It rained early this a.m. so we walked out of the apartment to wet pavement and cool air. What a treat!

Our day began at 7:00 a.m. with a ring from Sergei. We left to pick up the girls. (Don’t miss how early we are leaving...this is Ukraine, and we are ahead of the 9:00 court time significantly!)
Arrived at camp to the father of the deputy director of the city council (just kidding) but he was not going to let us in, or anyone out. No way. Of course!
Sergei talked his way in and Jeff headed across camp to get the girls. We have never come at the time we have told them so one can’t blame them for not being by the gate at 7:30. They were saying good bye to friends. Lena was cabin hopping, Alla was bringing people to the front to photograph. We got everyone gathered and the guard stopped us from leaving, even though the paper had been turned in. So a nice young man hopped on a bicycle and headed for the far end of the camp to get the asst director. She did not hop on the bike so it was a wait for her to make it to the gate. Have any of you been around Jeff when things aren’t going according to plan? If you have, you can picture him.

We made it to the court house at 8:40...not bad! Court started at 9:07...INCREDIBLE. No hallway waiting.

Here’s how court went: (dedicated to Amy Carrizales who will ask)
Enter court room...not like on TV. There is a judge (a non vacationing judge) and a court reporter (I assume). The judge sits behind a desk. The 4 of us sat in chairs across from the judge against the wall. Sergei was next to me and the two internot reps next to Sergei. The judge read us our rights. (I don’t remember, nor do I care) and then asked who of us was going to speak to why we wanted to adopt. Jeff and I didn’t anticipate having to choose who would speak so we just looked at each other. I was sitting closest to Sergei so I said I would answer. Stood up...answered-”we wanted two more teenage girls, our friends adopted from Ukraine and are very happy” (I was coached) asked: how have your visits gone with the girls, it must be difficult, two teenage girls? answer: “very good” “no they have not been difficult” “What is your annual income?” answer: “&*(%$# “ “What state do you live in, Nebraska?” answer“yes” “Nebraska is not an expensive state to live in, no?” answer: “no” (oh brother) sit down. Question addressed to Jeff : “You are a teacher. Where and what do you teach?” “How will the girls receive English instruction?”

Questions to the girls: “These people want to adopt you, do you want to be adopted by them?” “Yes very much” And then I quit listening really. I was just happy that question was over.
I vaguely remember him asking them if they enjoyed school and found it interesting, if they tried hard and were good students. Then he spent the rest of the time lecturing them. Which was fine with me. Things like "you need to take care of your parents, this is a serious matter"...(I wanted to ask...who’s adopting who?)

Anyway, after the judge heard from all of us (15 minutes) he said congratulations. That was it.

We walked out and met the other couple we have run into now and then in this process who asked...”Did he wave the 30 days?” I said, oh, I guess so, I forgot about that. Then they produced their script of why they want the waiting period waved. Hmmm. Hadn’t thought to worry about that one.

The rest of the day was spent "driving" (see earlier reference to driving-first or second day in Odessa) and "waiting". Since you have probably gathered from the fact that I’m writing, we are not on the train to Kiev. Nor were we on the last plane out of Odessa. In honor of the nearly completed Odessa leg of this journey, let’ me explain "waiting" in our adoption process.

You can play along. You’ll need some props.
First, you’ll need an Escort, or other undersized car, preferably of the late 80’s era.
Then you need to find a slab of concrete. Find one with no shade. Hot pavement near an area where mostly trucks drive by. Now open all the windows (driving stance) and open a couple doors. Find some friends to play with you so you can sit 3 in the back seat. Give someone in the back a remote to control the radio. Or better yet put in a Russian techno disco pop C.D. Pick just 5 songs to play over and over again. Turn the volume just loud enough so you can’t hear the trucks driving by and so you can’t possibly think or talk. O.K., now sit there for an hour and 1/2. Only leave the car after a little more than an hour after you decide the 5 minutes promised was an understatement. Walk around, look hopefully down the street for shops. There are none. Go back to sitting in the car. There, you’ve got it.

Now to play “Van Puttens final full day in Odessa” you just have to start by driving a half hour, and waiting 1-2 hours. Alternate driving and waiting until 8:00 p.m. Stop at 1:30 for lunch - in the car- then freak out and go inside McDonalds. Whenever you wait somewhere have someone come to the car and tell you your papers need something else. That is always the impetus for driving and ending the waiting. The boxed edition is coming out at Christmas time.

Tomorrow a.m. we have to make a third birth certificate lady location, hope for the best there, another notary and get 2 passports, Now for those of you who know, that sounds like we got nothing accomplished today. You’d be close to right. But, you know, I just have to say, I have never been at such peace as I was today driving and waiting. Court was over, the pronouncement had been made, I didn’t (for some reason) care that everything went wrong today. At the end of the day we had two birth certificates with two new names, a notary approval of the court decree, and passport photos. Why nearly 12 hours? Because, that’s why.

There was a stretch of time this afternoon I couldn’t quit smiling. I think the girls thought I was looney. I was sitting between them in the back seat. One thigh was hot with Lenas body, one thigh was hot with Alla’s. They were taking their ”ride to camp” stance of hanging on my arm...even though it was plenty warm as the afternoon came. Lena’s hair was whipping my face like crazy and I couldn’t help but just laugh. How was it that I wasn’t just jumping out of my skin? And why can’t I transfer this to Omaha?

I was reminising today (first time I think I felt free to do this) at how desperately I wanted to adopt a child a while ago. How I was so scared to ask Amy C and Dorine N. at an Alpha weekend in 2003 ? to pray for me about it. How happy (of course) they were to pray for me. I was just remembering the path... and smiling so long about this crazy journey to adoption, and nearly through adoption and looking around at this place called Odessa. What on earth are we doing here??? Now the praying really needs to begin. We have adopted two teenage girls!! We didn’t have enough trouble?

It’s late here and I’ve got these kids to get to bed, so I better close! Our first overnight. Our “plan” is to finish here tomorrow. Fly to Kiev, finish there in record time. (whatever) and try to get an earlier flight than the Sunday flight we have. I guess I should be happy we may even be flying home on Sunday...overnight in NY and return on Monday. ?????

Keep praying. We soooo appreciated your prayers today. I hope God is smiling as big as Jeff and I.

(I just can’t take the time to post photos tonight! There are some sweet ones of kids at the camp, but I’ll just have to wait.)

We love you

(to the Owatonna girl: The “word” around here is that adoptions are just going to get easier. It does not look like the promised 2 month hault to taking dossiers is coming true yet. I may happen at the beginning of 2006, but the President gives the impression that he doesn’t want to disrupt adoptions and he may try to make gradual changes without stopping everything. But, who knows!?)

Well, it happened. The Red Sea didn't part, but we got word that our papers were approved. AND the papers are already in Odessa...they came by plane, not the usual train, so we can begin to rest easy. Except for the day we are supposed to have tomorrow. Sarah told me tonight that Larry Hanson said after court it takes 5 minutes to finish. Now, I don't know what has changed in a year, but Sergei assured us it would be a very long day tomorrow. (whatever, as long as the judge says yes, we are ok with a long day)

But before I complain about that, I want to say thank you for praying. I worked on my attitude all morning. I kept repeating to myself that God got us here (and that felt like a miracle-getting to adopt) He will get us home when He deems best. I repeated it A LOT this morning and I believed it. I just couldn't quit crying about it. I hope God isn't displeased with my cracking, but I just couldn't make it to happy obedience. The Lord is so gracious though. We found out quite early in the day that court would be tomorrow. I never dreamed we would hear so early in the day.

We were sitting at a car repair place. The Sergei mobile had hit a snag. Long story. But Sergei got the call while we waited. It took me most of the day to really believe this was going to happen. We really haven't had a day like this, except the brothers 3 day. I praise God (and I KNOW Jeff echos) for taking pity on us. I just don't know how I could have made it another 3 days without some real serious crying going on. Now, don't get mad at me for saying this...but I started to feel bad later this evening that we were leaving so soon. Wait, we don't know yet when we are leaving!!! What am I saying? We don't have train or plane reservations yet. Would you mind one more plea? Reservations, don't care what, just need something. Do I sound like I've made a serious break? (don't answer that.)

By FAR the best part of our day came at 5:00. By the hair on our chinny chin chins, we made it to Beckers' tonight for Lena's party with her supervisors and school psychologist. Just meeting them outside Beckers' apartment let me in on how fabulous these women are!! I still don't speak Russian, but one doesn't have to to feel the love, care, and concern these women have shown Lena.

At the end of the dinner (fabulous meal I might add!!-prepared by Paul, Tania and Linda-Paul's sister) the supervisors each made a speech about Lena. What a tear jerker moment that was. I wanted to bawl. Lena did. God has provided and protected these two girls so sufficiently. If these people could commit to these girls for the rest of their years, they'd be set. There is nothing lacking. I wish every child in an internot could have such support.

If you are looking for a way to get rid of some excess money...send it to the Beckers. I'm not sure how, haven't asked them if it's OK that I'm writing this, but we all know, it's just a few of us reading this, so it should be OK to mention this. They are missionaryies after all...how could they not need support? Just write them and ask to be put on their mailing list beck@real.ua They send out updates now and again. They showed the supervisors the playground plans they have been working on recently. Now who else will make sure an internot has a play ground? And that children like Lena have such great support? I know I've said it before, but I'm impressed.

I'm so grateful as well. I would have no way to invite and host a party like the one Paul and Tania hosted. Or the one Lela did. It's just been such a good feeling to get to meet all of these important people and to try to say thank you, even if it is inadequately.

Well, court is tomorrow at 9:00.. that means 7:00 ride to camp (last one!)...it's way too late for me to be up writing...so I'm going to quit. I need to post more photos. I hope to finish later, I just gave you a taste.

If you wouldn't mind...pray for court,(calm nerves for all of us-especially the girls who have to answer questions too), birth certificates, passports, a visit to the internot, travel arrangements, and a day filled with the peace of God. If this moves fast, like it could, we are going to feel incredibly rushed to get packed and out of here.

Hey, do you realize, the girls will be our children after court tomorrow? Wacky wild stuff. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

The Beckers threw Lena a wonderful party at their home for her supervisors and internot psychologist. What a wonderful group of people. We were so thankful for the Beckers (all 3 of them) preparing and serving a fabulous meal for Lena's important people.

Photo Album

I would like to comment on a couple comments. First, my clothes really aren't smelling...I asked Jeff..yea, ok, maybe he isn't the one to ask. I have been looking at it as an example of the miracle of the Israelites wandering in the dessert for 40 years and their clothes didn't wear out. How can my clothes not smell? I'm sweaty ALL the time! I'm just thanking God and putting them on over and over again. : ) ( I do have to wash them because I spill, so don't worry too much)

As for Carolyn's comment about us building a tolerance as a sign of our potential future as missionaries....aaaauuugggghhhh. Stop it. We are loving it. We are happy we are loving it. Now, let's go home. We've loved it quite enough.

Tonight Sergei reminded us that we would know if our court date really is Tuesday by 6:00 Monday-tomorrow. That is 6:00 p.m. here, 10:00 a.m your time. I would really appreciate all of our spending a moment focusing our attention on the Lord and asking him to give us a signature at the NAC on Monday. (he understands the time zones,etc.) Even if you never pray, just ask this one thing...as a favor to me. (even if you don't know me.) I will cry hard if we don't have court on Tuesday...if there is no signature, that pushes court to Friday. Hard. I don't want Sergei to see me cry. I really don't. I was mentally preparing for this blow on the drive home from the camp tonight. My preparation just turned to a discussion with God. What possible reason could He have to keep us here longer? He wants me to loose my job? He wants us to eat at a few more of Odessa's resturants? There are good reasons I'm sure, I was just having a hard time saying ok to any of them. I said OK to one. I guess I don’t have to do my argueing with God in public.

In all fairness to the NAC, they say they need 4-5 days to sign the papers to say OK to court. We have given them 4. I know many people have prayed for faster approvals and been turned down, but they didn’t have this guy that we had delaying us 5 days at the start, and about 5 with the other signature deal. So, shouldn’t they take pity on us? No, probably not, it’s not their problem we have a difficult region all of a sudden. OK, I’ll just ask God to take pity on us. It’s in his hands. This isn’t even as big as parting the Red Sea.

Speaking of the Rea Sea...we got to the Black Sea today!! I was beginning to feel like some Jewish people who say...”next year, the Holy Land” - “tomorrow the beach” So, I’m happy to say, we have done it. It really was fun. Alla and Lena got to swim with some of their friends because we went to the beach area the camp uses. Lena is quite a daring young woman. She was jumping off a tower thingy that was really quite high. There is NO WAY a beach area like this would exist anywhere in the US. It was one supposed safety hazaard after another. Funny, without any lifeguards, or monitors the teenagers were able to take turns on this diving area. No one jumped on eachother, no one drowned, no one got hurt. Amazing. We tell Sergei of our culture that pumps out fear through the media.

We went to the beach after the best part of the day...this morning’s party at the camp. What a sweet time to watch Alla and Lena host a party for their friends. They did such a nice job. Because of a little “issue” the day before, I told them no to shopping for the party- a little punishment...So they gave us a shopping list and Jeff and I did it this a.m. But the girls did everything else...got the clearance for it, invited the guests, set the table, helped cut and set out the food, poured the drinks, etc. And then served their friends. I told Sergei we were adopting them to help out at home. I like to tell him reasons now and then. We wonder often if he thinks we are crazy. Jeff actually asked him that question today. He said “I think you are experienced.” Notice he didn’t say “no”. When we were having our “issue” yesterday I think he wanted to run and hide. Well, he kinda did hide. I didn’t see any remnants today. I’m sure we will never have another problem. That’s realistic, right?

There were so many wonderful kids sitting at the tables today. I took everyone’s picture, one by one, because who doesn’t like to see yourself on a digital screen? I’m only posting 1/5 of the pictures we took. We might have gone a little overboard, and Alla agreed tonight as she went through all the photos with me trying to help me learn names. One only needs to know 4-5 names. Nastya, Natasha, Dima, Denise. It’s just that there are so many faces with those names. Alla can’t understand why I’m so dense. She’ll get used to it.

We hope to see the rest of the kids we “need” to see tomorrow. We have just a few more gifts to deliver. The third grade class was at the beach during this party.

A little girl came up near the end of the party and said “you are eating out here? I’m not eating.” So Sergei gave her an orange. We were on the left edge of the camp. I had never been there before...kind of a picnic area.

I was noticing today that there are some advantages to adopting older children. They know how to swim, they know how to serve a party, they know to shower after they swim in the sea, they know how to braid hair. They have quite a few life skills well underway. They are really determined to have a family too. (If they are, that is) Maybe not every child wants a new family, but the ones that do...do they ever. I feel like these two would put up with A LOT in order to get into a family. It’s almost like because they are older they understand more how much they want it. It continues to be a complete joy to offer them a spot in ours. I’m just sooo excited to get them home and meeting all of you. Their sistras, their Babushkas, their Dadushka, and all of their old and new friends. (they know the English word for friend) So much would we like to be on our way home from this place we love. We will, of course, trust the Lord. Just lettin’ Him know in case it doesn’t matter one way or the other to Him.

Thanks for praying. Look at the photos, and then pray OK? If it’s way before 10:00 a.m. Monday. If it’s close, look at the photos later. For some reason God enjoys all of us asking for what we need. He wants us to pour out our hearts to Him. I love that verse. Let me write it...
“Trust in him at all times....pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Ps 62: 8
I think he enjoys being the hero. I have to say, I enjoy him being the hero too. It has been so incredibly fun to watch God work while we have been here.

I don’t know where verses are in the Bible that I love, so I just spent a nice time reading some Psalms. They are so wonderfully comforting.

I read the Psalm I’ve thought about over and over again in this whole adoption process...but I haven’t thought about it since we’ve been in Ukraine. It has new meaning to me now that I know the girls call Camp Victoria “prison”.

“Sing to God, sing praise to his name...his name is the Lord and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing...” Ps 68: 4-6 That verse has been in my heart a very long time. And here we are...closer than we’ve ever been.

Well, I better stop writing or I won’t get all the photos posted. Look at those dear chldren. Consider adoption will you? Don’t look at the time it is taking us, God has a different plan for you!
Good night.

I was paralyzed all day. We sat and stared at the walls because I knew Vacation Bible School was getting into full swing preparation without me. I wish I could write about our day, but we had no day.

OK, not really...but there just aint nothin' to say. We had another normal day of the Beckers being overly nice to us and helping us, and us hangin' out, and getting to know the girls. OOOHHH, I almost forgot...Sergei took us to a place for supper for us to have real borsch. So, I've had it. Jeff just tasted mine. The girls had no interest in it. It was so good. So good. I've decided if I could just communicate I could stay. I've developed a tolerance for almost everything else.

Just for fun...

Top Ten things I will miss about Ukraine (how's that for hope?)

10. Finger combing my hair at every red light so I can see again. (windows-open driving like a convertable, ya know?)
9. Watching drivers treat the white lines as completely optional, (and every other traffic suggestion as optional as well)
8. The morning drive listening to Jeff and Sergei discuss Communism.
7. Smelling my clothes every night to see if something absolutely has to be washed. (seldom require a wash!)
6. My developed tolerance for really bad smells. (I'm hoping -kinda- my sense of smell returns)
5. The European toilets...now there's a play on words.
4. The rides to the camp in the evening with the girls squeezing, leaning, or sleeping on us.
3. Counting the squares on our blog calendar (I actually haven't done that yet, but I have watched them grow!)
2. Watching movies dubbed in Russian and trying so hard to hear the English (Jeff is watching Jaws right now)
1. Sergei, Sergei, Sergei

There are so many more than 10. We'll have to take another crack at this later.

Tomorrow is the camp party for Lena and Alla's classes. Lena has 21 and Alla has 12. Do you think we can trust them on these numbers? Do you think we should plan for more? Anyone with any info on this can comment...It's camp, so it's different than the internot. They said they asked permission and it will be in the dining hall. The girls suggested fruit, something sweet and drinks. Lena's supervisor party is Monday evening. I really hope we don't have all these parties and then end up for another week in Odessa...I think I've used all the vacation I'm going to get. Did you know Julie gave me a week of her vacation? Isn't that crazy? I've never heard of such a thing. Just try to stop Julie from doing something when you are in Omaha, let alone a foreign country.

Anyone want to send me a photo of VBS decorations? Sarah? Kristen?

Blessings on all of you. Going to church tomorrow?