Sunday, January 14th

We have been here 30 days and we are so ready to get home! We miss America so much, and of course our family and friends, our dog Maggie, and our food selection. We would really love some chips and salsa right now. This truly does make us appreciate all the comforts we have in America.

We are ready to have Alex with us, too. The little visits with him each day are starting to get a little boring for him, we think. We have had the same 2 toys this whole time so they were interesting for a little while. Now he enjoys the food we bring and some playing and hugging, but honestly what else can he do stuck in a room with two grownups that don't even speak his language. Also, a big part of the attachment process will begin when we are the ones that care for his needs, and that isn't so yet. It wil be so fun to have him with us experiencing everything - the train ride back to Kiev, etc.. His whole world has consisted of four rooms in the orphanage so we can't wait to show and share more with him.

Humorous thought of the day: The water situation is interesting. The city apparently just decides to turn the water off for hours at various points during the day and every night at midnight. We are fortunate to at least have hot water, though, as many apartments apparently do not. At times, the water pipes groan and make so much noise it sounds like they are going to explode. The noise has even woke us up at night. Also, Ukraine has for the most part coarse, brown toilet paper everywhere. We have found some that is softer and nicer, but it is also scented. Very, very strongly scented of flowers, etc.. It is kindof strange.

Journal entry (Kim) 12/29/06

"Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything". James 1:24

This verse seems so true. Although we face trials and tests to our faith- we are developing our character. We are becoming more mature in our faith and into who God wants us to be. Also, I believe we will be blessed for it- if not in this life, certainly in the next. I already feel greatly blessed, though, as we have a good life and now we have Alex!

I have been thinking more about the hardships in this adoption and in general as everyone goes through them. Some people think (and I've heard it taught) that the Christian life is a wonderful, happy life. It truly is wonderful in the sense that we are God's, we have a purpose in life, etc.. but not necessarily wonderful in the earthly sense or without troubles. It really seems like God works best through troubles and hardships. Most obvious to me is how He chose to redeem mankind. He required a sacrifice of great price- His own son. That certainly wouldn't be the easy way to do it! There are a lot of trials and suffering in the Bible for Israel and for the early church. I know God has a lot of purpose in them. The hardships in Ukraine have certainly made me appreciate all we have been given in America, and the hardships in getting Alex certainly make me appreciate becoming a parent.