The good news is that our document from Ichnya finally printed out and was sent by bus to Kiev on Saturday. It should arrive by train in Simferopol on Tuesday morning at 10:45 ----- and Tuesday is the only day passport applications are accepted.
Because the age law was still in place when we prepared our dossier last fall, Dick was too old, so I am adopting Malvina by myself in Ukraine. Although the adoption decree states this clearly, it doesn't mention it on the final page where the court decision is found along with all the official stamps. That was a big problem in the mind of the Ichnya City Inspector.
Now we're worried it might be a problem at the passport agency as well. They could require us to petition the SDA to request a new court decree which could become a lengthy process. Vera and I were discussing how important prayer will be in making this go smoothly. She's a believer with a great testimony of the power of prayer.
In the middle of this, Malvina called to say she's worried about her hair. I asked what happened to it. She said she's worried that after the 2 hour bus ride it won't look nice for the passport photo. Well, I guess I haven't been around a teenage girl for a long time, but I couldn't stop laughing. If that's our biggest problem, this will be a piece of cake. Her hair always looks fabulous.
I made a new friend last week. The lady who works in the Samsa and Hot Dog booth on the corner near my apartment is one of the warmest, most friendly people I've ever met. Giyana and her 14 year old son are from Armenia, and they're spending the summer here working together. I don't have a clue what she's saying to me, but she's always so friendly I decided to take Vera to meet her and translate. She told us from the first moment we met she felt like we were sisters and wants me to come visit her in Armenia---and be friends forever on the internet. Sometimes I just poke my head in her booth to say Hi, knowing I'll get a big friendly smile and a nice hand squeeze in return. Some days I need that.
Alex returned from Dzhankoi today. It's so good to have him back with us. Amazing how the family chemistry changes when one of its members is missing.
Malvina was great tonight. She sat by me at the orphanage for nearly 2 hours and then walked me to the bus stop. Vera translated for us for over an hour. Malvina was anxious to show me a hand painted Nativity scarf that one of her Ping Pong friends had special-ordered and given to her.
My new friend Giyana.
Wow, as I read these latest posts it's hard to follow all of the cities you have to be to, schedules to keep, documents to get\notarize\translate\redo, pictures to take, more trips to take, more timelines barely made...it makes me tired just reading all of this. When you get home, you'll be ready for a marathon! :) I can't imagine how tiring this can all be for you all, but you are hanging in there, and will soon be home sweet home! It's also fun to read how your daughter is starting to bond. Can't wait to meet her and see you all again at the airport.
ReplyDeleteAll the best in the coming days!
Aren't those connections with some people amazing? I totally had one with Masha (our translater) as well as with Jan and Eva (our Polish friends living there in Dnepro.) I had to have known them pre-Earth-life to have connected so quickly. I love those tender mercies I've had all throughout my life. :) Good luck on the homestretch! Prayers are going up, as usual! :)
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