We found Yarik

I know Jody posted the details of the day but I don't think he quite captured all of the emotions of the day.  He did quite accurately capture the toilet experience so if you haven't read it, scroll down!  We got to the orphanage this morning early.  We had to ask about 6 people and they all seemed like they were telling Alex that he was not there.  Finally Alex said that they would go and get him.  We were waiting outsitde the directors office and Alex walked by followed by Yarik and went into the office.  Yarik looked at me with a very dirty look.  It was so sad because I could tell that it wasn't coming from inside, he was just trying to look tough.  He looks so young.  I can't believe he will be on his own in a month.  Maybe later we will get a picture of him.  After a few minutes, Alex came out and told us that Yarik would like to ask us some questions.  We went in and they were telling him to ask us some questions.  I don't think he really knew what to ask.  Alex showed him our family photo album and he looked through it.  Then he closed it and said he would sign.  He had to write that he was in favor of his brother and sister being adopted.  Tanya had already talked to him about this and he told her he would sign.  He wrote the letter and then just got up and walked out.  Whenever we were looking off, I could see him staring at us, but he didn't make eye contact.  Jody and I were both trying hard not to cry.  We could just feel how significant this was for him, even though he acted like it wasn't a big deal.  It is just so sad to see this boy that is trying to be so grown up and tough but inside he is a little kid  who has never been loved.  After we ran around all over town doing paperwork, we had to go back to the orphanage because we actually needed his letter to say that he doesn't want to be adopted by us.  Wow.  That really broke our hearts.  The orphanage lawyer told him to tell the reason why and he asked if he could put "because they don't want to adopt me."  We weren't there when this happened but Alex told us.  He was saying this kidding but I imagine he feels like there is a little bit of truth in it.  They told us from the beginning that he didn't want to be adopted, that he was comfortable in Ukraine and didn't want to go to America.  But I wonder if somewhere deep down, he wished he was being adopted too.  Alex could see that this was hard for us and he kept assuring us that we didn't want to adopt him.  We were never considering it, just hurting for him.  Please be praying that Alex can get the village council meeting moved to this week so we can have court next week.   It was funny today because Alex told us the date of the next meeting - June 29th and neither of us even blinked.  I guess we are really learning to trust God to take care of these details.  If they couldn't move it, we would have to fly home and come back.  I know God is going to work all of this out.  We were so sad that we could not see the kids today.  Alex had to head back to Kiev for another appointment.  We should be able to go tomorrow.   Here are some more pictures:

This is our apartment building.  We are on the 6th floor.

This is the view from the door above.  This is the playground.  There have been kids playing there every evening.

This is the stairwell.

This is the tiny elevator.  We were using this every time until the power went out the other night for a few hours.  Now we are scared to use it because we don't want to get stuck.  It's very crowded and stuffy.  Alex thinks we are crazy to walk up the stairs every time.  We told him we didn't want to get stuck.  He said he was stuck for 5 hours one time with 5 people in the elevator.  He said "and I did not die".  Alex is really a great guy.  We have a lot of fun with him.  Last night he taught us a couple of Russian card games.

This is our bathroom.  The water and electricity both shut off randomly throughout the day.  There are huge jugs filled with water throughout the apartment so you will still have water when it's shut off.

This is the living room with the fold out bed.  I had to wash all of our clothes in the sink and it has taken about 3 days for them to dry.  I'm hoping they will be completely dry when we get back today.

I took these from the window in our apartment.

 

The weather has been really nice here.  We've been wearing jeans the last couple of days.  I'm sort of hoping for rain again tomorrow so we can go inside the camp again.

I guess Jody liked posting because he told me he already has an idea for his next one.  Oh no!

A friend of mine emailed me some verses today and this was exactly what I needed!

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (my underline:  we are so blessed to be able to experience this peace!)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.