Our Adoption Adventure

“May He grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.  May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory, flying banners to honor our God.  May the Lord answer all your prayers.”             Psalm 20:4-5

Our last appointment was today at two at the American Embassy.  When I had signed all the papers, the officer gathered them together and said that it would take one hour or one day to process the much needed visa.  So many emotions ran through me.  Fear of it taking another day (tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday are Ukrainian holidays which is more than one day) and guilt of not trusting our God that in one hour this process would be complete.  As I sat there, three other American families came in.  What a joy it was to share stories with them and see their kids.  The conversation turned to the impossibility of flying out of Europe this weekend due to the holidays and the royal wedding.  It seemed as though I was the only one that had a flight scheduled.  As I sat in there giving thanks for airline tickets tomorrow morning, I was wondering if I would have the chance to use them.  One family was called forward and given their visa and immigrations documents.  Their adoption was complete. Excitement filled the room as we celebrated with them.  My emotions continued to build.

Only a few minutes passed, and the Cabiness family was called.  Immediately, I was congratulated and given Ivan’s visa and immigration documents.  What did this girl do?  She broke down…..lost it right there in front of everyone!  Ivan and I hugged while I sobbed and thanked God…..yes out loud for all to hear and see.  Poor Ivan, he seemed a wee bit embarrassed.  The sweet lady tried to explain what I do with these documents, but I was not really hearing her or seeing her through all the tears.

We said our goodbyes to the others and danced our way to the car.  We have been singing and dancing since.  We even celebrated by getting ice cream.  Our bags are backed, clothes lying out, had our showers, and we are counting down to our trip home.  We are so excited that we may not get to sleep.  Our taxi picks us up at 4:00 AM, and we began our trek.  Please pray for safe travels and for no complications. 

Thank you for traveling this path with us.  You have been amazing!

Feeling like the Jefferson’s, we have moved up!  Ivan and I safely reached Kyiv last night after a five-hour bus ride.  We were met at the bust stop by Nastya’s husband, Alexey, and safely delivered to our apartment.  Wow!  It is huge compared to our small hotel room in Sumy.  We each have our own rooms and a full size beds (Ivan being a pull out).   No more waking up at 6:00 AM with sweet Ivan staring me in the face.  Yes, he has farming in his blood…to bed with the sun and up with the sun. Oh, wait a minute.  He is in bed before sundown and up with the sun.  The kids at his school are put to bed and 7:00, so I am trying to be patient.

Please don’t tell Gracen, but this place is awesome.  We are in the ritzy downtown area.  Our apartment entrance is right by Rolex.  Our unit includes a foyer, full size living room, balcony, bedroom, bathroom, television with DVD player, full kitchen, and best of all…..an iron and ironing board!!  I am so thankful for lovely accommodations as we conclude this journey.

Once again, I feel as we had a productive day.  We visited the American Embassy and submitted several documents with lots of paperwork.  These should be processed overnight and be ready for tomorrow.  We then went over to the health center.  What do I say about that?  It is nothing like anything I have ever seen in America.  Again, I felt as though I took several steps back in time.  Ivan did have his blood drawn and received two immunizations.  I must say, he took it just like his Dad……not very well.  As my family will testify, I have no sympathy for such.  I just laughed as he walked around stiff armed.  Poor little guy!

We enjoyed the afternoon by eating at an Ukrainian cafeteria and walking around this affluent part of  town.  Ivan soon requested to return to the apartment because he was sleepy.  Sleepy in the middle of the afternoon!   I allowed him to rest, but no nap.

The city is exciting.  Ivan has always heard of his capital, but has never visited. Thankfully, he was awarded the opportunity before leaving his country.

Please continue to pray that all goes well tomorrow.  As much as I have seen God work, I still have that little fear that something may go wrong.  I yearn to be home with my sweet family.  If all goes well, we will land in Charlotte on Friday afternoon. Our hopes are to then rush home in time for Brooks’ baseball game.

The promise that I am clinging to: “My people will live in safety, quietly at HOME.  They will be at rest.”  Isaiah 31:18

Yay!  Ivan’s passport is in hand.  It feels so good to finally make some progress after waiting four days.  We will soon load the min bus bound for Kyiv.  We have an appointment tomorrow morning at the health center and then onto the American Embassy.  We will return to the embassy for finalization on Thursday.  The best news of all…….we have flights scheduled to return home on Friday.  The Cabiness Family is beyond ready to all be together!!

Once again, I say thank you for all the love, support, and kindness you have showered upon us on this journey.  Each day we are amazed at the outpouring of  generosity from our friends and family.  We hope to one day return the love to you all!

He is Alive!

What a beautiful day to celebrate an empty tomb and an empty bed in an orphanage!

Ivan and I have had a blessed Easter day.  Together we watched an Easter program at an Orthodox Church on t.v. this morning.  We then joined Ksenia and her parents at their garden plot for a cookout.  Too bad Ksenia’s sister, Nastya, and her family could not join us.  The weather was perfect, the company welcoming, and the food delicious.  It was a true Ukrainian experience.  Hopefully, Ivan can help our family incorporate some of his traditions into our Easter celebrations.  Many thanks to Ksenia and her parents for hosting us today.  It was good medicine after sitting in a hotel room for several days.

Easter Decor for Our Hotel Room. The towel says, "He is Risen."

Sergey, Ksenia and Nastya's Dad, at the Grill

Ksenia's & Nastya's Mom, Tatiana

Setting the Table

Egg Cracking Competition

More Egg Cracking

Happy Easter to all, especially to my sweet family!

The women were terrified and bowed low before them.  Then the men asked, “Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive?  He isn’t here!  He has risen from the dead!   Luke 24:5-6

Sadly to report, Ivan’s passport did not make it back to the Sumy office today.  Sounds as though the delivery service worked a half day due to Easter.  All government offices are closed Monday.  That means Ivan and I just WAIT until Tuesday.  That word, wait, has developed a new meaning.  Waiting is time to listen to God, time to slow down, time to reflect on all my blessings.  Did I just type that?  Please remind me of that revelation in the future when I am once again impatient and fretful.

Sumy is not so bad.  In walking distance, one can find McDonald’s, New York Pizza, a shopping mall and a grocery store.  The weather is so much better than our initial trip, so walks outside are enjoyable.

Barry has a much more difficult job back home juggling work, school, extracurricular activities, etc.  I must admit that I am feeling a little guilty just hanging out bonding with Ivan.  In the months to come, I will realize that this time together is a very special gift.

Much appreciation to all those back home helping Barry, Gracen and Brooks.  It sounds as though the kids are having great fun.  Poor Barry…..probably all work and no play for him.  Thanks, honey!!!

A Nearby Church....So Beautiful.

New York Pizza....Three Consecutive Days!

What is up with the internet service in this city?  Don’t they know that I desperately need to stay in touch with all of my loved ones back home?  I should not complain. We have been so blessed on this journey.  I just love hearing from all of you,  and I get a little frustrated when I cannot communicate with those I love.  Ivan and I are sitting in a McDonald’s with free wifi.  I am not sure how much longer he can sit here watching me type.  I may not have as many updates on my blog as I would like.

Yesterday was a very busy day.  We drove out to the city where court took place to visit the passport office there.  Ksenia filled out pages and pages of paperwork.  We sat in an unheated waiting room for what seemed like hours.

From there, we went by Ivan’s school.  We visited his class to say his last goodbyes. What a sweet class…..now nine boys and one girl.  I had taken gifts for some of the older kids that we had become attached to so I had asked God to allow me to run into one of them.  Coming out of Ivan’s class, we saw Oksana down the hall.  She immediately ran to me with hugs and kisses.  It was the perfect opportunity to pass the gifts onto her.  We said our goodbyes, and I was holding it together until she said, ” I love you.”  The tears began to flow.  My heart broke knowing that I would never see these precious kids again.

Ivan was pleading with me to come on.  He did not like all the crying.  He ran to another school building.  He was going to find his cousin, Ruslan, to say goodbye.  Ivan located Ruslan’s class, and the teacher allowed him to come out into the hall.  He immediately wrapped his arms around me.  What big hearts these kids have!  Again, my heart just broke.  There I was sobbing, and Ivan was all smiles.  I was so happy that his goodbyes were not difficult.  Ivan was ready to go to America!  As we walked to the car, Ivan happily waved goodbye to his friends.

From there, we drove back to Sumy.  We went to another passport office…..more paperwork and more waiting.   By four o’clock, we had completed everything needed for Ivan’s new passport.  Now we wait for the processing.  Please join me in praying that it will be ready by Friday.

It sounds as though Barry and the kids are being very well taken care of.  Thank you all for helping him with the children and for providing yummy meals.

I know I must sound like a broken record but, GOD IS SO GOOD!   Your prayers covered me as I traveled here alone.  Thank you!  Our prayers were answered as our facilitator decided to meet me at the airport, and she ushered me to the minibus for the four plus hour drive to Sumy.  This was an inconvenience to her, so a big thanks to Nastya!  The bus made a ten minute pit stop midway. How was I going to find a toilet (squatty potty)?  And if I found one, could I face it like a big girl?  Another sweet gift….a guy on the bus spoke English.  He escorted me across four lanes of traffic to a clean restroom with a real toilet!!  He knew what this American needed! He paid the restroom attendant and bought me a Coke.   I safely arrived in Sumy exhausted after a very crazy ride.

Today I was reunited with Ivan!  We were both so happy to see  one another.  He is with me in our hotel.  No more orphanage for this little guy!!  Wow!  That just hit me. He will never have to go to bed again without a family loving on him.  Our lives are forever changed.

This afternoon we received Ivan’s new birth certificate and social security card.  We now wait on his passport to process which takes three days.  Once we have that in hand, we travel to Kyiv to visit the US Embassy.

Many thanks to all of you who continue to love on our family and lift us up in prayer.

The new birth certificate! A new name, a new life!

Saying goodbye to my family this afternoon was very difficult……lots of tears.  We just try to remember that the outcome will be so worth in.  This process will soon be over and we will all be together….one happy family.

I am now sitting in Charlotte waiting to board my flight.  My request is that you pray tomorrow morning that I successfully find my minibus at the airport in Kiyv.  It should be a very interesting experience.

This has been a very sweet time at home this week.  We have been reminded of how we have been blessed beyond measure.  Every good and perfect gift is from above!

Giving thanks today for our family, dear friends, church (our SS class rocks!), my bible study girls, Palmetto Pediatrics, and our neighbors.  Much love to all of you!

So happy to see my boy!

We received a very warm welcome home.  The McDougald family drove up from Columbia to the airport in Charlotte and brought Brooks along.  The Bradleys so graciously kept our car and picked us up curbside.  So thankful for sweet friends!  So good to be home!

Andrea, Gennie and Ashley