Still Waiting

Today is Monday (Sept. 3) and we still don't have a court date.  Please pray with us that it will be Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.  We are anxious to get home, see our boys and dogs and sleep in our own comfy bed!

Zhenya's last movie filming was canceled last week due to the camera breaking, so he was able to spend Tuesday - Friday with us in Kyiv!  We were excited to get the news!

We did a little sight-seeing, but the highlight for Zhenya was spending Thursday at an indoor water park.  This is like nothing we've ever seen before - it is huge, taking up the entire top floor of a mall.  And not having to fool with sunscreen....priceless!

Zhenya after a 35 foot drop.  I did this once and decided I was done :)

The first day of school in Ukraine is September 1, which is also known as "First Bell".  It is a huge deal here, nothing like I've ever heard of in the States.  The boys and girls dress up and bring fresh flowers for their teachers.  The kids and parents circle around the courtyard of the school, listening to speakers, singing and then the ringing of the first bell.  The kids are then dismissed to go inside to meet their teacher.  Galina, the orphanage director, asked us to come to be with Zhenya.  Of course, we were excited to be there!  We were able to meet his teacher and talk to her about Zhenya (via Nadia, our wonderful volunteer translator!)  It was a wonderful time and another opportunity to bond with Zhenya.  As a mom, I have to tell this little tidbit...Zhenya was already at the school, helping set up tables, etc.  He was looking out for us when we arrived and when he saw us, he started waving and running towards us.  We were greeted with big hugs and a big smile :)  Should I remind you that he is 14?!?  My heart melted.

Families walking to First Bell

First Bell

Mike and I were able to enjoy another Sunday worship service in Kyiv yesterday.  We attended The Church of the Holy Trinity, which is an evangelical Presbyterian church, much like the PCA.  It was another wonderful experience, with the entire service translated in English.

We are headed back to the orphanage this afternoon to take Z and a few of his friends out to dinner.  Let's hope they don't all eat as much as he does :)

Mandy, for M&M