Last night, in all of the excitement, Jerry and I walked around Kiev. It is really beautiful at night! The weather has been very mild for this time of year. The sun is finally out for the first time today. There are several things that we have noticed since we have now become locals in the area-1) Everyone wears a lot of fur. The weather and style certainly fit! 2) Everyone is very skinny. There is a lot of walking here. 3) They sell alcohol out of vending machines. We kept seeing people walking up and down the street drinking beer, and realized that you can buy it out of vending machines. 4) Everyone is very friendly! We feel very safe in Kiev and people go out of their way to try to speak English so that you can understand. A lot of people speak English here. 5) Fashion is a VERY big deal here. There are a lot of high heels and very fashionable clothes!I am sure that Jerry and I are standing out like the tourists that we are!!
We have been spending a lot of time in the internet cafe. I know these people are getting tired of us and we are completely wired on coffee! Neither of us slept a wink last night. We are working on getting the pictures loaded. We are having some problems with the website right now but they will be up soon (we hope!).
We were planning to travel to the boys' town by train tonight. Our plans have changed and we will be leaving by car tomorrow. We should arrive around lunch. We do not know when we will get to meet them but we are hoping very soon!
Thank you again for all of the support and comments. I can not tell you how excited we get when we read them. It feels like we are children and are getting a letter in the mail! Do you remember how that felt?
Amanda
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36 comments:
Good luck with your travels and meeting the boys, I hope they are your sons. I think it's fairly unusual for adoptions in Western Ukraine compared to other regions. Yes, I remember how exciting it was to get a letter as a child, but I get excited by emails even now. Comments on your blog are a great connection to home, even when you don't know the posters!!!
Jane
I'm glad you are getting to enjoy the city and the sights before you get busy doing what you are over there for!
Spain Park anxiously awaits your posts each day. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
My prayer is that you will listen to your heart when you meet the boys because I believe that is one of the ways God speaks to us. You will know if it's right or not.
We miss you and love you!
Peace, Kay
I JUST WANTED TO SEND YOU LOVE AND POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND UPLIFTING PRAYERS. KEEPING YOU IN MY HEART.
LOVE YOU BOTH,
SHARON
i do know that feeling of waiting on a letter...it's the same way we feel waiting for your posts! we're thinking about yall all day.. looking forward to seeing pictures. hope yall have a wonderful day! ~em
Congratulations on your beautiful boys! We have adopted three amazing children from Ukraine ourselves and love to read about forever families. I can relate to the internet cafe experiences. We went everyday and were known by the locals. Enjoy Kyiv. You have an amazing adventure unfolding.
Blessings
Hope you have absorbed everything that has happened so far. I am getting swamped with questions concerning the boys. Here are a few: What are their names? How along have they been in the orphanage? What happened to their parents? etc. Stay away from the beer vending machines: bad for the diet. When you feel ready let me know what I need to do from this end. Let me know what they are interested in, favorite color etc.
We are all praying that the Lord will guide you and Jerry in making such a wonderful decision. Take care and shoot pictures when possible.
Love you both,
Honey and Big Lee
We are so excited for you, and along with everyone else we can't wait to see how it all turns out. We are still praying for you and wishing you a very easy adoption so you can hurry home and start living all the joys of being a parent. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. God Bless Ken, Michelle, Candas and Jonathan
I'm with Em! I check your blog all the time. I love to read your updates! We're still praying over here (and will continue to) for your wisdom, discernment and God's hand in each day for you both.
Much love!
Hill
Jerry and Amanda,
Have a great trip tomorrow and enjoy the drive. Let me know what you need. I am working hard on this end.
Thanks,
Jana
I can't imagine all the emotions that you both must be filling right now! We are praying for the parents, the three healthy Hood boys, and a safe trip home--all five in tow!
May God bless you all!
Kristi and Steve
I'm so excited for you guys, when you said that it was such a fashionable city I was really sad because I love fashion and I would love to be there with you guys. Its going to be so much fun to get to meet your potential sons. We miss you so much, its very sunny here. Today is Battle of the Sexes...GO BOYS!!!! I'll keep you posted on the SP happenings. LOL Im in yearbook Staff right now and everyday I tell everybody what your blog said for the day. Have fun. For me II understand what you mean about the letter in the mail because it's like when I was waiting on my acceptance letters from colleges and AUBURN! I would check the mail everyday LOL! Im sure yall are getting ready for bed or at the Internet Cafe now. Its about 1:15 here. Have a safe trip tomorrow.--Jeremy "SP08"
From the Christenberrys...we are so thrilled and will keep the blog up on our computer all the time...I hope you have access to an internet connection the your town/village. Selah is very excited and disappointed; glad you are there bringing children home and but bummed that it is all boys!!!Really, we are so excited and understand the financial shock of adding numbers to your origonal thoughts...let us know how to get a fund going or whatever we need to do!!! We are all in it for you...kids are forever...money is just a means to get there...we love yall and are praying fpr good health for you all and a good first meeting experience...the emotions are indescribeable!!!
-Bill,Kim,Wilson,Boyd,Steele,Elise,selah and soon to be Johnny Christenberry
I am so enjoying the blog - being able to keep abreast of everything.
I'm glad you're getting to enjoy a little of the scenery. I wish the best of blessing when you go to the country and hope you get to meet the boys very soon. I pray the transition of the adoption will be speedy and smooth. Love and prayers from here.
Shirley
I'm really enjoying the blog. You can honestly feel your excitement. I pray that your meeting with the boys goes well. Remember to earnestly seek Him and He will show you the way.
Kaye
You are so on my heart. I'm glad to hear you'll be in a car. Can't wait to hear about the driving experience! I had a list for Chris to tell you today because I had too much to say, write, etc. for your blog, but I couldn't wait any longer! I spent a lot of time staring at a map of Western Ukraine last night instead of working on my test (time well spent I might add) only to decide I have no idea where you're going. Drop us a city so we can go with you. I love reading and keeping up with you! I'm so jealous that Chris got to chat with you. Luke's prayers are so sweet and I have a very funny story to share with you. Lots of love from the Loves!
Congratulations! Three children makes for a great family. I have been trying the # that S. gave me to reach you but it just rings. I will check with him again to make sure so we can call you.
Take care,
The Garver's
It's 5:30 so GET UP. I don't know if you will read this before or after you meet the boys; but isn't it AWESOME when you get to see a little bit of what God is doing. Remember your words to me brother; if we knew what he was doing, we would try to help and mess it up. Relax, pray, and let Him guide and carry you.
Love you both,
Steven
We still think about you two (five???) and pray for you constantly.
We hope you have a great day today.
Ain't God cool? (For those of you who don't know me - that is not irreverant. It's just true!)
Ron, Jan and Savannah
I'm at work now thinking of ya'll and hoping all went well at the orphanage. I dreamed last night that the boys ran to you and one grab a ball and bat, the other a soccer ball and finally the last one picked up a football. Jerry ws holding his breath the whole time in my dream. Aren't dreams funny? Hope the meeting went well and you were able to meet the children. Just have FAITH, as your granddaddy used to say and everything will work out for the best.
Your in my heart,
Honey
Hey guys! It is 5:30 your time, hope you had a good day today. Can't wait to hear all about it. Jerry--I was all prepared to give you a Rock of Love update, but it didn't come on this week. haha. My Sunday night was not the same!!! haha. In other news, we are having an open house this weekend, hopefully something will come of that. Also...I think Lee and I will win the favorite aunt/uncle award b/c of a surprise we are working on! Sorry Jeffrey! hehe. Hope to hear from you soon! We love and miss you. Oh and Kylie says hello!
Love ya'll - Kea
We are thinking of you guys and praying that God's peace surrounds you throughout this decision.Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." Many times God speaks to us in a small voice, but we need only to be still to hear Him.
Amanda, we miss you at Spain Park, but we are so excited to witness God building your family in His time.
Best,
Mandy Beason
I can't believe your mom is going to be a "HONEY"...I LOVE IT!!! Know we are praying for y'all...Love & miss
Your mom is going to be a "HONEY"...I love it!!! Praying for y'all...xoxoxoxoxoxoxo B
Curosity is about to kill the cat here!! We all really want to hear their story, their name and see their picture! I have to check this site every morning before I can leave for work! I can only imagine how "honey" must feel! Hope all is going well, Thinking of you and lifting you up in prayer! Love ya, D
I hope you have been able to meet the boys and it went well. Please know that you are in our thoughts and our prayers, God bless you.
Scottie Wilson
Hello from Decatur!! We are crossing our fingers that things went good today! I cannot wait for y'all to post again! I giggled when you said getting comments was like "getting mail" because we get that same feeling when you guys post!! Good Luck and we are still praying for you!
Love, Matt, Amy and Lauren
Jerry and Amanda,
We are hoping and praying for you as you visit. May God be with you each step of the way during your process.
Love and Blessings,
Donna Houston
Greetings from 5609!!! We are so excited for you two and have been thinking of you often (especially since we have so many pictures of you around :)). It has been great to read your updates and know how you are doing. We hope that the car ride went well! Maybe we will be decorating a 3rd bedroom??? :) Updates from the hizzy - Sunny, you weren't kidding... it took him a few days to warm up to us, but he has come a long way fast: slept with us last night and is now jumping in our laps! No more hissing! Yay. All is well and we are still thankful for a relief from the parental "roomies." :)
Coach Hood, I just have to say that I love being you. Your students have all been rather well behaved.
Finally, a quick question. Is there any reason that someone may have taken the trash can from the side of the house, for us to return home to an empty can at the side of the road? Initially, we were a tad frightened but are nonetheless grateful for the assistance!
Love,
Car and Holl :)
Thinking of you guys this morning and praying that "the peace of Christ will rule in your hearts" (Col. 2:15) and that His Word would be a "lamp unto your feet and a light into your path" (Psalm 119:105) as you make decisions and start a family. How great is it to understand this verse in a whole new light: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." (Ephesians 1:4-6). Spain Park is excited that you have this opportunity to meet your children! Miss you,
Much Love!! Katie
Amanda,
Hello from Headland, Alabama.I am praying for you each day. I can't wait to hear all about your precious boys. Love, Joy
Amanda and Jerry,
I cannot wait to hear all your stories about Russia. I am enjoying reading your blogs. I congratulate you, Jerry and your children. I know your hearts are filled with excitment and love. May God guide your steps. Your lives will be changed forever but believe me it is only for the better!!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brenda
Well, send me some pics on this beautiful place. I really do need to have some of the two of you in the Ukraine soon. Otherwise, space is tight and we can't do it justice.
Please?
Good luck on the journey.
Paul
I was so excited to hear that you might be getting 3 boys. That is so exciting!! Please send pictures as soon as you can. I know that there will be a lot of football played in the backyard with the guys and Dad. Won't that be fun? We sure do miss you at SPHS. Can't wait to hear what comes next on the blog. Kelly
Looking at your blog sure brings back memories. I have to say I did not have the pleasure of wearing such cool cloths as Jerry. I can't wait to see that those cloths on the sidelines next year.
We are all praying for a safe and blessed trip. We know God has the child/children set aside for you know.
Remeber - take it one day at a time and go with the flow.
Ron, Lynn, Anna, Christina, and Jesse.
Hey you two
I have set up account with work. I
hope I can get it when I get to work Monday
Happy Easter
God Bless both of you I am so proud
of you
Love
grandmother
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