Day 6

Well, here we are making our way through Donetsk. We are so thankful for all of the posts on the blog. We woke up this morning later than we had planned, so after a quick shower and a cup of coffee we were out the door to the orphanage. When we arrived, Svetlana had to meet with a lawyer to complete some paperwork and we took Chas (Charles) outside to play. We had brought a book and a couple small toys for him to play with and we played and watched him for almost an hour. By then I think Kelley and I were both chilly enough to go inside and play in the Music Room. Once inside we had about another half-hour before he had to leave. We sat on the sofas and on the floor and watched him play. He seems much more familiar playing inside than outside, because there is little to do outside. We'll change all of that when we get him back to North Carolina.
After our meeting we were given a quick tour by our driver in the 'twinkie' around the center of Donetsk. He pointed out a place to get on the internet (not here), and how to get back to our apartment from there.
Once we arrived back in the apartment we made some coffee and had a couple snacks to take the edge off. Svetlana had to go to the Social Services to try to get us a court date which she thinks will take 5 working days to get. We are praying that will not be the case and we can get a date by Monday or Tuesday. Every day longer it takes to get that date delays our return home. We went up to the appartment and had some coffee and caught up on some much needed devotions and reading. We were feeling a little down and overwhelmed! You would think that we would be on 'cloud nine' but the opposite is true. It is so emotionally draining- wondering is Chas going to fit in? Will he adjust to his new life and life style? He has NEVER been out of an institutional setting. Think how overwhelming our house and yard will be. All his new friends. Will he like the girls? Litton? (of course he will) Will he listen, play, love? At times we wonder 'what are we doing' and then after some well needed reading Thank you Oswald Chambers! We realize that these SMALL things are not in our control and that we must listen, even if the answer comes in silence and is not the answer WE are looking for. (Oswald Chambers, October 11)
We are getting ready to head back to the apartment (that is another story in itself) and then catch the twinkie to the orphanage.
Thank you all so much for your comments. We live for the time we get to come and read. It is really our only connection to everyone, the phone is so spotty and hard to hear on. We feel so uplifted after we finish reading.
Now, I know you are all saying 'where is the picture'. We were run out of our apt. by the lady coming in to clean and forgot to download to our thumb drive. We will take some more pictures today of everything and then download. If you are having trouble looking at them you need to join/create an account at Snapfish. Which actually is a great deal, you can order any pictures you want. We will try to come back here tonight if at all possible and send some pictures.
Love to you all and thank you so much for the comments and for taking care of our family while we are away.