January 7-10, 2016
Ever since we got back I have been thinking that I should really update the blog since we are home. Needless to say there have been many things that demanded my attention and it didn't happen. Just trying to get back to Central Standard Time is a challenge in itself.
We arrived in Winnipeg on Jan. 8 @ 2:00 am. It's interesting to note that this was exactly 11 months after we had a presentation in our church about orphans in Ukraine. 11 months to get your children is a very short or really long time period, depending on your perspective.
We left our apartment at noon on the 7th to head to the airport in Kiev. Our first stop was in Warsaw, then on to Toronto, and finally Winnipeg. We flew with Polish Airlines and were extremely impressed - wonderful service and very clean. We had to claim our luggage and go through customs/immigration in Toronto. Everything went smoothly until we boarded our Air Canada plane to travel to Winnipeg. That's when they announced that due to mechanical difficulties we would have to wait until repairs were completed. Our flight was delayed for an hour.
We were overjoyed to be reunited with Kevin and Krista after having been in Ukraine for 10 weeks!
Yesterday we took our new kids to get winter coats as the temperature has plummeted. Later I made pizza for supper - it was wonderful to cook supper in my own kitchen again. It seems that 6 of 6 family members like pizza so it will continue to be a Saturday staple.
It was fabulous to see so many of our friends at church this morning. The support that we have experienced and continue to experience from our church community has been and continues to be amazing. God has blessed us tremendously.
I am looking forward to returning to work tomorrow. Life will return to a more regular routine and my posts will become less frequent. Thanks to all of you for your interest in this incredible journey. The challenges be different but they will continue as our new children adjust to life in a family, living in a new country, learning a new language, etc.
Until next time...
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Thursday, 7 January 2016
Homeward Bound
January 5-7, 2016
We picked up the kids' passports and visas. We're thankful there were no delays and no extra documents required.
We're all packed. The kids are still in bed catching a few more z z z. No one slept much last night.
Taxi should arrive at 11:45 and then we'll be on our way😊
Thanks to everyone for your thought and prayers. We're looking forward to seeing many of you soon!
Monday, 4 January 2016
Happy New Year!
December 31, 2015 - January 4, 2016
Happy New Year to one and all. May God bless you and keep you in his care during 2016. Life is full of joys and challenges and we trust him because we know that he will guide and protect us.
It is cold here in Kiev! I know, I know...we are supposed to be hardy Winnipeggers and able to handle temperatures in the minus 20s and 30s but none of us was prepared for that so we don't have parkas, Sorels, etc. There are days when it is colder in Kiev than Winnipeg which is not supposed to be. Needless to say we are staying indoors as much as possible. We are very thankful for WiFi:)
We had to move on Jan. 2nd as our first place had already been rented for the month of January. Unfortunately the next place was a downgrade. During the New Years/Christmas week it is very difficult to find places because so many Ukrainians have the week off. We are on the 5th floor but the elevator wasn't working:( Dragging suitcases up 128 steps was hard work! Our house will seem like the Taj Mahal!
I have been cooking suppers for most of our time in Ukraine but it won't be happening in this last place. It's a nice break but I will be thrilled to be home in my own kitchen with familiar ingredients, etc. I haven't given much thought to Friday's, the 8th, supper but it'll be nice to get back into making pizza on Saturdays again.
Yesterday we went to Hillsong Church because we'd heard that they had English translation. This was quite a different experience for all us. It will be nice to be back and see our own church family again. Something else we take for granted but miss when you're gone for a significant length of time.
Happy New Year to one and all. May God bless you and keep you in his care during 2016. Life is full of joys and challenges and we trust him because we know that he will guide and protect us.
It is cold here in Kiev! I know, I know...we are supposed to be hardy Winnipeggers and able to handle temperatures in the minus 20s and 30s but none of us was prepared for that so we don't have parkas, Sorels, etc. There are days when it is colder in Kiev than Winnipeg which is not supposed to be. Needless to say we are staying indoors as much as possible. We are very thankful for WiFi:)
We had to move on Jan. 2nd as our first place had already been rented for the month of January. Unfortunately the next place was a downgrade. During the New Years/Christmas week it is very difficult to find places because so many Ukrainians have the week off. We are on the 5th floor but the elevator wasn't working:( Dragging suitcases up 128 steps was hard work! Our house will seem like the Taj Mahal!
I have been cooking suppers for most of our time in Ukraine but it won't be happening in this last place. It's a nice break but I will be thrilled to be home in my own kitchen with familiar ingredients, etc. I haven't given much thought to Friday's, the 8th, supper but it'll be nice to get back into making pizza on Saturdays again.
Yesterday we went to Hillsong Church because we'd heard that they had English translation. This was quite a different experience for all us. It will be nice to be back and see our own church family again. Something else we take for granted but miss when you're gone for a significant length of time.
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