Leaving Kiev

We just returned from the SDA office in Kiev. We have our paperwork in hand that gives permission for us to travel to the region where the orphanage is located. The SDA appointment was very simple. We didn't even need a translator. Our driver took us to the SDA. We showed our passports signed a paper and were handed a stack of documents. We will be leaving in a few hours for the train station. It is a 7 to 8 hour trip to the orphanage region. We will be traveling during the night. We met with Sasha earlier today and the financial advisor who collects the money for our adoption costs here in Ukraine. Again a simple process, thanks to all the people who have put so much effort into everything ahead of time; thanks Daivd & Sasha. Sasha said we will be able to meet Anastasiya tomorrow afternoon. Russ and I are both very excited to finally meet her in person. Sasha said she was smiling and happy when they told her that we were interested in adopting her. They also showed her pictures of us. She knows we are coming but does not know when. All of you who are praying for us please pray that she will connect with us and bond easily. We have been told that she is very shy. We thank all of you who are praying for us!!!! We know that your prayers are going before us and helping each step of the way. When we are not busy with documents or adoption proceedings Russ and I have been doing our devotions, listening to Praise & Worship Music on the laptop, watching movies on the laptop, playing cards, reading some great books and spending quality time together. We are really enjoying each other's company. We are not sure when we will have internet access again once we leave Kiev so I am not sure when I will be able to update our blog again. We want to send our love you to our children at home: Russ, Ryan, Heath, Heather, Isaac, Heather, Cheri, Ashley & Jess also our grandbabies: Grace, Bubba, Haiden, Riley, Laynie, Madie, Uriah. Hope the grandkids are crossing the stickers off the sticker charts we gave them so they can count down the days until we see them again. We will have a big sleepover at grammie's house when we get home. Love you guys!!!!!