Sunday in the Park with George (our computer)

January 25- Sunday
We woke up, bathed, and got into our Sunday clothes. We could only visit the girls for an hour in the morning to allow for the bus ride and a little bit of give time (in case we got lost, or to find the place), to find the church. It was a pretty good visit. Even A2 joined in without too much rowdiness.
We then walked up to the main road and got on the bus which was pretty crowded. We could take bus # 50 (the one we took), #20 or #23. Once Keith sees a map he can get us pretty much anywhere. The ride cost us 1.5 grivna a piece. Three grivna is about 40 cents, much cheaper than the 12 grivna it would cost to take a taxi. When we got to our bus stop the driver didn’t see us stand up. So, we rode to the next one. Then we walked to the stadium. It was a little bit of a walk and I was carrying Elijah, who had fallen asleep on the bus. I was so hot by the time we got there. The whole time we have been here I haven’t had any problem with the cold. In fact, many times the opposite is the problem.
The branch was VERY small. There were 21 people there and 8 of them were missionaries and branch president and 3 of them were us. The branch president is an elder missionary couple. They have been here for 3 months and are learning the language. One of the younger missionaries translated for him and conducted. One missionary played the piano, another led the music, two missionaries passed the sacrament, and three of the missionaries gave talks. When missionaries weren’t doing something they would move around to either Keith and I, the branch president or his wife and translate. The one who translated for us did a great job!! He translated both Russian and Ukrainian. What a great opportunity to develop leadership skills for those missionaries!! They are the up-and-coming leaders.
It was really nice to go to church, feel the spirit and take the sacrament. The church is true wherever you go, and you always have an instant support group.
After church we stayed and talked the missionaries and branch president. The branch president’s wife invited us to dinner. We had to politely refuse because we had already promised to go with the Cox’s. The church was really close to the café that has wireless that the Cox’s told us about so we had taken our computer. We feel really bad because no family but the kids know about the girls. So even though we were running late to see the girls we felt it was important to try to connect up. We sat in the park for about ½ trying to hook up but were getting all kinds of errors. So we left and went back to see the girls.
This visit to see the girls was a little strange. We only had about an hour, as we were late. All the kids were getting ready to go outside so we sat and watched them. Our girls didn’t go. R wasn’t happy about something and stood next to the wall pouting. She is a little character! But she was cute! After about 10 minutes of standing there pouting she inched her way over to Keith leaned on him and then gradually gave him a hug. A1 did my hair again, in quite a few different ways. Keith told me I’m not allowed to cut my hair, until after the girls are attached. A2 brought toys out for Elijah. She loves Elijah and watches him closely to see if he needs help with something. Problem is, she is not very gentle with him and is quite forceful when she wants him to do something. He pushes her away whenever she comes near. As we were leaving Elijah did give R a hug, then A1, and then K (A2 wasn’t around) and that seemed to please them. Then R and A1 walked us out to the door. I get the impression that is quite an honor for them, to be able to do that.
Since we were escorted out the door we went back to the apartment, we were going to go see the Cox’s. Just as we walked into the apartment and were taking off our shoes and coats Luba said that Julia- the Cox’s translator- called. So we start putting all our stuff back on. Luba offered to let us leave Elijah here with her. We figured it would be good for her (and Elijah too, for that matter), so we left him. We went to Naomi café with the Cox’s and their translator. I felt guilty for going there on Sunday, but felt bad enough not getting information out to people at home. The Cox’s translator had translated the menu into English and matched up the page numbers for them, so all they had to do was point at the Ukrainian menu. What a great service for when she isn’t there. She apparently goes with them everywhere, how nice! While we have gotten along pretty well without anyone there are times it would be really nice to understand or be able to speak through someone.
Anyway, I ordered a breakfast sandwich (which was VERY delicious) and Keith ordered some noodles with veal and spinach. He said it was good but had a lot of grease. I excused myself and brought out the laptop. It was so nice to be able to get stuff sent and not find any bad news from family, to know that everything was ok at home. We did get some bad news, though. A good friend of mine had her husband kill himself a couple days ago. Apparently he has been having problems for some time. She is pregnant with their 9th baby. That just makes me sick for her!
Anyway, I sent emails out and answered what I needed to while still trying to be a part of the conversation with the Cox’s. They are from California. This is their 2nd adoption- their daughter was adopted in California and is 11 years old. They have their dossier in to China where the wait is up to 5 years. They heard about this hosting program and signed up. Their son, Sergei, was the last one so they were paired with him. After hosting him for 6 weeks they decided to pursue adopting him. I think I told some of their story before. They are really nice people!! They even offered to pay for dinner, which was extremely nice for them! They find out tomorrow if this appeal that was filed is valid and how the judge will take it. We are praying for them.
Our facilitator, comes back tomorrow and will try to be there when the social worker talks to the girls (I don’t know, but I doubt we will be allowed to be there). I’m nervous for that. I’m sure A1 won’t say no. I’m pretty sure that K and R won’t. But I don’t really know about A2. The older two get to say if they want to or not. The other two probably get a say but ultimately it is the social worker who decides that. So what happens if 3 say yes and 1 doesn’t? Ahhhhh, I gotta stop thinking about this or I’m going to go crazy.