But here goes... we finally did meet Vika - before she came into the room, I was apprehensive and worried... what would she thing... and truthfully... then I wasn't thinking it, but I should have... her opinion truly didn't matter... however, she came in the room - and no words were needed... first we grasped hands and smiled at each other and then we hugged each other... it was done... I knew from the bottom of my heart that this woman was now family and we were blessed to know her and have her in our lives... and we would - we wouldn't let her go.. that wasn't an option.
We visited through our translator and Vika encouraged us to get the children out of Kharkov asap. She would do all she could to help us and she did... She got our court date set... and while we had to "pay" to have it set so quickly, to us it was a very small price to pay to move forward. We had been running into road blocks along the way... and when Vika came into the picture, she knew all the right people within the city government to move things along smoothly. Our date was set. We would go to court on April 13, 2001 ------ Friday April 13 2001. Now while this may spook others... it didn't spook us. This adoption trip turned out to be a Lenten and Easter Journey... Generally the Christian and Orthodox Calendars don't meet dates when it comes to Easter, with the Orthodox Church celebrating it later than the Christian Church. Not in 2001. April 13 was Good Friday on both Church Calendars. We would be given our adoption decree on Good Friday. AMAZING.
I have to mention that prior to leaving for Ukraine, I can honestly say that I had never truly felt what I had considered the power of prayer and being in the hands of Jesus. Even when my Mom passed away - I knew there was a comforting force, but I didn't identify that with with totally be held up in the hands of Christ and being carried through on prayer. But I can say that the moment we arrived in Ukraine I had the wonderfully calming sense of peace come over me. I knew that all would be well. While our translator worried every step of the way... both Paul and I were very calm throughout the process. All would be taken care of. We knew this. God was with us, holding us close and the power of prayer was lifting us up. I was euphoric in this knowledge. I still am.
Today, April 11, is also Pauls Birthday - we knew we would be adopting our children 2 days after his birthday... what a present for him....
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