So much has happened in the last couple of days that I am not sure where to begin. So let me give a brief background. Our original plan was to adopt the child we hosted in 2007. We'll call her "A". Those plans feel apart when she went to Italy this past summer and spent 2 months with an Italian Family. At the end of the summer this family said they wanted to adopt her. "A" decided she wanted to be adopted by them. We decided to stop pursuing "A" because of the bond she had formed with them and the desire she had to be with them. It was a very difficult decision for us.
When that happened we started trying to identify another available girl in the same age range. We found out about a beautiful little girl, "M". We had the chance to talk to several families who had met her over hosting trips. Everyone had wonderful things to say about her. We became quite excited about this new opportunity. We shifted our focus from "A" to "M" and were very exicted to meet her and make her a part of our family.
However, to our horror, just before we were going to bed the night before our flight out, we got a phone call that "M" , had just agreed to be adopted by an Italian family. That blow really hit us hard, Mark in particular. He (we) had really had our hopes pinned on this chid and we were filled with excitement to meet her. We were so upset that we actually thought about not to going at all. We swore that we would never go on this trip without having a particular child in mind to go adopt. Now, just a few hours before our flight, our plans were dashed. In the end we decided we had come this far that we could not turn back. We still hope we could be lead to the child that was meant to be part of our family. This was a huge leap of faith.
The trip to Ukraine was not as bad as I thought it would be. We left 6:30 am on Friday and arrived about 9:30 am on Saturday. With the 10 hour time change it was roughly a 14 hour trip.
We hardly slept the night before our flight because of the last minute hoopla, and neither of us slept much on the plane. That madeus DEAD TIRED when we arrived. Fortunately customs was a breeze. We were met by our facilitator "S" and were taken to exchange money, do a little grocery shopping and then to our apartment to freshen up. The apartment in Kiev is the same one that our friends stayed at when they where here to adopt their son just a couple months ago.It is cozy and comfortable.
Sunday was a down day so "S" took us sightseeing. We saw a couple of gorgeous Cathedrals from the12th century. The frescos and mosaics on the walls were breathtaking. One Cathedral is now a museum, but the other was conducting services when we arrived. It was a humbling experience to be present at this very traditional orthodox (i think!) service.
We have found our facilitator to be very helpful and knowledgeable. He really takes care of everything and we feel that we are in good hands.
Monday was the big day, our SDA appointment. We were very nervous going into it blind, without going in and asking for a specific known child. However, we went in with high hopes that a child's photo and profile would reach out and grab us and we would be led to the child that we knew was always meant to be with our family. We saw about 5 single girls between the ages if 9-11, but we didn't get that "feeling" that we had with "A" or "M". We agonized for over an hour and then finally made a decision because we had to. We left the appointment feeling very discouraged and depressed. Again we had the feeling to just go home. We are trying to fight off those feelings. Hopefully when we go to the orphanage and actually meet the girl, everything will be different.
Sorry this had not been a very upbeat post, but we are not feeling so upbeat at the moment.
When that happened we started trying to identify another available girl in the same age range. We found out about a beautiful little girl, "M". We had the chance to talk to several families who had met her over hosting trips. Everyone had wonderful things to say about her. We became quite excited about this new opportunity. We shifted our focus from "A" to "M" and were very exicted to meet her and make her a part of our family.
However, to our horror, just before we were going to bed the night before our flight out, we got a phone call that "M" , had just agreed to be adopted by an Italian family. That blow really hit us hard, Mark in particular. He (we) had really had our hopes pinned on this chid and we were filled with excitement to meet her. We were so upset that we actually thought about not to going at all. We swore that we would never go on this trip without having a particular child in mind to go adopt. Now, just a few hours before our flight, our plans were dashed. In the end we decided we had come this far that we could not turn back. We still hope we could be lead to the child that was meant to be part of our family. This was a huge leap of faith.
The trip to Ukraine was not as bad as I thought it would be. We left 6:30 am on Friday and arrived about 9:30 am on Saturday. With the 10 hour time change it was roughly a 14 hour trip.
We hardly slept the night before our flight because of the last minute hoopla, and neither of us slept much on the plane. That madeus DEAD TIRED when we arrived. Fortunately customs was a breeze. We were met by our facilitator "S" and were taken to exchange money, do a little grocery shopping and then to our apartment to freshen up. The apartment in Kiev is the same one that our friends stayed at when they where here to adopt their son just a couple months ago.It is cozy and comfortable.
Sunday was a down day so "S" took us sightseeing. We saw a couple of gorgeous Cathedrals from the12th century. The frescos and mosaics on the walls were breathtaking. One Cathedral is now a museum, but the other was conducting services when we arrived. It was a humbling experience to be present at this very traditional orthodox (i think!) service.
We have found our facilitator to be very helpful and knowledgeable. He really takes care of everything and we feel that we are in good hands.
Monday was the big day, our SDA appointment. We were very nervous going into it blind, without going in and asking for a specific known child. However, we went in with high hopes that a child's photo and profile would reach out and grab us and we would be led to the child that we knew was always meant to be with our family. We saw about 5 single girls between the ages if 9-11, but we didn't get that "feeling" that we had with "A" or "M". We agonized for over an hour and then finally made a decision because we had to. We left the appointment feeling very discouraged and depressed. Again we had the feeling to just go home. We are trying to fight off those feelings. Hopefully when we go to the orphanage and actually meet the girl, everything will be different.
Sorry this had not been a very upbeat post, but we are not feeling so upbeat at the moment.
5 comments:
May God lead you to the perfect fit for your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. I think it takes a special kinda of family to beable to go through this. Don't be down I feel positive you will find the perfect child to add to your family.
God Bless
Rena
I'm not sure if I know how to post this...but I do hope that you receive it so you'll know that I'm with you in spirit. I'm thinking of and praying for you constantly and hope with all my heart that you and a wonderful child will soon meet. But...whatever the outcome..you are fabulous people and I'm proud of you.
Mary S.
In the spirit of encouragement, I can tell you that 18 months ago our friends took a blind referral and now have a wonderful daughter. She is happy and loving. They took a leap of faith and it worked out. I hope it does for you too.
Fran
Hi Laurel, I am so sorry for you that it didn't work out with M, but as you know from our family story, sometimes it works out for the best. In our case, we made out better when we went blind. Good luck to you. I know you must be feeling discouraged, but hang in there. If this little girl is meant to be your daughter, in six months from now, this will be just a story you tell and you won't be able to remember not having her. Can you say what region the girl is in? I'll be thinking of you here in New York. Good luck and peace, Diana
мир і світло (Peace and light)
Анастасія та Дейл (Stacy and Dale)
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