Day 27

This is one of the overpasses we cross when we are out walking. 

The water quality in Zap is one of the worst in Ukraine.  This isn't a bad picture, that is really the color of the water and what is worse is we have seen many people fishing in that water. 

This is one of the train/trolleys that are very old.  During rush hour these trains are packed so tight people are shoved up against the glass.  I am so not kidding about that.  I told Andy the first time I saw that that if it were me I would never be in such a hurry that I would take it that full.  Then I laughed my head off when the next one drove by just as full.  I will walk, thank you very much!

Sasha took this picture and Lucy and I.  Did I tell you how great it is to have Lucy with me!

I love this kid!!!!!!

This is one of the dances.  They did such a great job and the boys didn't seem embarrassed at all.

I really enjoyed their performance.

The girl on the left is the younger of the two that is being adopted by the Florida couple.

These kids are from Sasha's class.

This is the older sister that is going to Florida.  Boy, can she sing!

More dancing.

I had seen the girls practicing for this one upstairs.

These are Russian playing cards.  From left to right is the Ace, King, Queen and Jack.  The first time I played with these cards I was playing Speed and it was hard to tell what was what.  The rest of the cards are the same.

I love this picture.  This boy in the white hoodie is one of those kids that melts your heart with his smile.  He is such a great kid!

This is Lucy in front of the Church entry.

One of the Elders is taking his turn at bowling.  He is a new Elder and it was interesting to watch him struggle a bit with the language when he gave the Spiritual message.  He did great though.  It is a hard language to learn.

This is a picture of while we played the Scripture Chase. The missionary with his hand up is from Kaysville, next to him is a member, the one next to him, the one that looks taller with blonde hair is from Idaho and the one on the far right with his hand up just a bit is from Draper.  I was sitting next to a sister from Logan.  There is also a sister from Moscow and Washington.

We woke up to another rainy day…rain in Ukraine, weird huh!?!  It didn’t stop us though.  We headed out for another day of walking.  By the time we came home we were fairly soaked.  I had to redo my hair.  I tried to skype home to talk with Andy but I couldn’t get Skype to work.  It is hard to keep in contact with him because he isn’t at home or near a computer very often. 

The pictures I have posted didn't turn out too good.  My camera has been through the ringer while we have been here and the lens is pretty much ruined so sorry the pics are fuzzy.

We headed to the orphanage just after 2:30.  Vitaliy’s brother and sister did not come today.  Probably because they travel by foot and bus and the weather was so bad.  We did have a great time visiting the boys though.  The kids at the orphanage are gearing up for a 50 year celebration of their orphanage so we were able to watch them practice.  They danced and sang.  There were dances with boys and girls, dances with just girls and another girl performed two solos.  She sang beautifully.  She and her sister are the two being adopted by the couple from Florida.  Her sister danced in several of the dances.  These kids are so talented.  You can tell they love to perform. 

We pulled out the Monopoly game first and started a game.  That game is such a hit.  Apparently the kids played all evening last night.  We were surrounded by kids when we played and I also played cards with one of Vitaliy’s friends. 

Again, it brought tears to my eyes today as I looked around the room at all those kids.  It was easy to pick out the ones I have watched all these weeks and I just wanted so badly for them to have homes and families.  If anyone even considers adoption just know that picking out a child to adopt is the easiest part of the entire process.  The paperwork and red tape are the hard things.  The kids are so easy to love and it doesn’t take long to get connected with any of them.  Because of the practicing, the cantina was filled with kids of all ages.  It was a great time to be there to enjoy their company. 

It was hard to leave the kids today.  It is getting harder and harder.  Sasha walks me out every time and he wants so badly for me to take him.  He just stood there and watched us drive away.  It broke my heart.  I cannot WAIT to be able to take them out and home.  Can’t wait!

We had the driver drop us off at the Church afterward.  Tonight was the Branch’s Family Home Evening.  We had a lesson given by one of the missionaries and then they asked us all to say our name and a little bit about ourselves.  When they got to me I told them that I was there to adopt two children and I had eight biological children at home….I got applause!  After that we played scripture chase.  They split us into two teams and called out a scripture.  The first team to find the scripture read it and then they got to bowl with a tennis ball and empty milk bottles. I didn’t understand much but it didn’t matter.  The Spirit there was great.  They had asked me earlier what I have liked about Ukraine since I have been here and I told them that I liked the fact that the Church is here. 

I had so many wonderful experiences today.  They all center around our Savior’s love.  Everything good that happens to me, every great feeling or moment I have each day comes because I know that he lives and loves me.  Life doesn’t get much better than that.

I love you all and I cannot WAIT to come home.  I just can’t wait!  I miss you all so much and look forward to seeing everyone – hopefully soon!!!