Counting Down!!!!

Dear Family & Friends,

It is hard to believe that in just over 24 hours Jim, Roman and Matt will be home!!! We can hardly contain our excitement!

Yesterday was a very full day for them as they had to get Roma's US Visa photo taken, finish the paperwork necessary to process the visa and see one of the doctors at the Embassy for his official medical exam. Jim said that through it all Roma was a trooper and that he didn't even shed one tear...he just went with the flow! Apparently, he was especially good for the doctor at the Embassy--did everything that he was asked to do.

Svetlana arrived in Kiev yesterday afternoon with the passport in her hands and they were all relieved to know that it was complete. They did have to take it over to the Embassy later in the day so it could be processed...Jim told me that he was especially thankful to have that passport as he talked w/some families at the Embassy who have been in Ukraine since the beginning of Novemeber!!! (Much of their wait was for their child's passport!) We are so humbled and thankful that God opened all the doors to allow us to get the passport so quickly--He is good!

After all the Embassy hoo-ha yesterday they went out to dinner at a Ukrainian restaurant not too far from their flat--it is kind of like "Home Town Buffet--Ukrainian Style". Roma loved it as the restaurant had all of his favorite foods and then some...he sat so still while eating his food and enjoyed every bite! When they got back to the flat Jim and Matt decided to give Roma a bath...well, let's just say that it was a difficult experience for Roma! He is not used to taking a bath, especially a warm bath...he cried for a bit but Jim said that he and Matt were able to get him clean--really clean! :) I don't think that they will be attempting another bath until they are home...ha...ha...ha...! (Crying during the first few baths seems to be the "norm" for kids who have lived in oprhanages b/c they are only used to being "hosed off"/rinsed with not-so-warm water...we found this to be true w/Nicholas last year--he screamed so loud we thought that he was going to hurt himself but eventually he got used to baths and now he doesn't want to get out. :) ) After the bath, they turned on some "Brady Bunch" (Matt brought some DVD's from one of the seasons) and Roma was all about it--snuggled right up to Papa and Uncle Matt and watched 2 full episodes before being whisked off to bed. He did great last night at bedtime (again) and was happy to snuggle w/Papa for a bit...

Today they finished all paperwork necessary for the visa and by 3:00 pm (Ukraine time--which was 8:00 am US time) everything was done--they had ALL paperwork in their hands! This freed them up to spend some time just walking around and enjoying their last full day in Kiev. I was able to send Jim a voice-text message to Roma this morning and Jim said that he loved it...and started to look around for me when he heard my voice! I can hardly wait to wrap my arms around my boy tomorrow night!! A little bit later Jim sent me a voice-text message w/Roma saying my "mama"...it was precious.

This afternoon Jim and Matt took him to McDonald's for lunch--he LOVED it! Jim said that he gobbled up the nuggets and fries w/delight--he's been bitten by the Golden Arches! :) They walked around Kiev for a bit today and even went to see Taras at the Bethany office--it was a great visit and everyone was so happy to see Roma heading for home! Roma did great at bedtime tonight and only got about of bed about 4 times :) . He was smiling so big each time that Jim went back in to re-lay him back in his bed...eventually he settled in for the night and has been snoozing ever since. When I last talked to Jim, he and Matt were relaxing and just sitting down to eat some take out from a local pub...it has been a long couple of days!

In the morning they will pack up everything and head to the airport (about a 45 min. drive)--they have to be there b/w 10:00-10:30 am...Their flight takes off from Kiev at 12:30pm (Ukraine time--which is 5:30 am US time) and they are scheduled to arrive in NY at JFK Airport at approximately 4:15 pm (US time). (If you would like to follow the flight path you can go to Delta Airlines website and type in flight # 089--it will show you where they are in the air!) Please pray for Roma as the flight is very LONG--a little over 10 hours...Pray for safety and rest for all of them and that all will go smoothly.

Once they arrive at JFK they will have to go through Customs, etc. and then head to the next terminal where they will have about a 3 hour layover before boarding their connecting flight to Philadelphia--which is scheduled to arrive in Philly at approximately 9:24 pm. Pray for Roma as JFK is a very busy airport and he will most likely be a little overwhelmed by all the sounds and sights--not to mention how he will feel when he sees all of us waiting for him in Philly!!!

The kids are busting with excitement and are so giddy--can't wait for tomorrow to get here! Please continue to pray for the adjustments that will come...pray for peace and for strength. We are so thankful for all your prayers and can't wait to update after we are all home together!!! We love you!

Love and Blessings,
Karen (for Jim, Matt and Roman!!)