Actually it's from Ohio to Ukraine, back to Ohio, then to China

Friday, July 18, 2008

we're still here!

Hello, All! We finally have reliable internet access without going to the internet cafes. I first want to thank everyone for their prayers - believe me, we can feel them!! Thank you also for the emails and posts to our blog - we're reading and enjoying them!
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We had our appointment at the SDA on Tuesday morning (the picture above is us after the appt). We were shown quite a few files (I would estimate around 8 or so). We chose to go and visit a 19 month old boy in a region FAR from Kiev. We visited with the little boy for at least four hours yesterday, and after MUCH prayer and talking, we realized that the medical condition he has might be more than we are prepared to handle. He is a sweet boy that I am confident with find a loving forever home - I've already been praying for him.
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I definitely underestimated how heart-wrenching a decision not to adopt a particular child is!! I can still picture all the sweet faces of the children from our SDA appointment and also those we met while at the orphanage.
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What happens next? We have written a letter to the SDA asking for a second appointment, so we hope to get that by late next week. For now though we are back in Kiev in an apartment that is as much like home as we've seen :) It's also great to have internet access, so expect more posts and pictures to be forthcoming.
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And my girls in Ohio know how much I need this...I must confess though, it's not as good as "real" Diet Coke!!

The architecture here in Kiev is quite beautiful - especially the churches!


Anyone interesting in getting in contact with us, email me at stacianddamon@gmail.com and I'll give you our cell phone number. It will not cost us much at all, but it could be expensive for you to call! Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for our second appointment and as we explore the city. Please also pray for our friends Vicki and Rodney as they go for their second appointment on Tuesday as they look for a little girl to complete their family.
Love - Staci and Damon

15 comments:

Kevin and Tammy said...

Wow!!!!! It is so great to finally see you blog. Hopefully the new appointment will be fruitful. Tell us about the other files that you were shown. Were most of the files sick children? We are watching to see the kind of referrals that they are giving now.
Tammy

The Flying Eagle said...

Staci, I am so sorry things did not go as well as we were all hoping. It seems to be a constant theme for the last 2 weeks. We desperately hope that this trend ceases before your next appointment. You are in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry the Coca-Cola Light will grow on you. After 6 weeks in Ukraine, OUR Diet Coke tasted different when we came home:-) Hang in there, after 3 appointments back in 2005 we found our son and couldn't be happier. Vickie

Amy said...

Glad that you two made it safe and sound!
I'm sorry that the first child was not yours - but that happens sometimes! I am hoping that you will get a speedy 2nd appt!

Hugs!
Amy

Zack, Jenn and William said...

SOrry the first referral didn't work, but praying for a quick second appointment so that you can find YOUR child! IN the mean time, enjoy Kyiv and Coke Light (I hated it at first, but by the end of the trip we were buying it every day - Diet Coke on our flight back to ATL tasted funny!).

ArtworkByRuth said...

Love the pic! So sorry the first referral didn't go as planned. We will pray that God reveals his perfect plan for you! Also, if we hadn't told you before, friends and family can text message you for free from their computer if you have a ukrainian cell phone from: http://www.kyivstar.net/en/sms/
Remind them to type in their name as well! Looking forward to your next post!

... said...

Hi!! Thank you for the post - we were checking EVERY day...ok, every few hours every day! LOL.
Sorry the first referral didn't work out for you; hang in there and we are praying your second appoinment comes quickly.

Mirroring the comment of Kevin & Tammy...can you tell us some about the other files you were shown?

Wish you a speedy second appt,
Lisa

junglemama said...

How hard that must have been for all of you. I'm sorry. I do hope that your next appt is where you find your child.

Chris Haven said...

I have been following your blog for awhile now and have been checking every day since you have been in the Ukraine. So good to hear your news. We will pray for you.

Kathy and Matt said...

Thought I left a note yesterday, but it didn't appear to show up.

Anyway, sorry to hear that the first appointment didn't end up with you meeting your child, but we'll be praying that your second appointment is the one!

Do a little sight-seeing if you can while in Kiev. It's hard to do much on your way back out of Ukraine as you are preparing to head home.

Kristen said...

I have been praying, and certainly am continuing to pray, for God's will to be revealed quickly--in this next appointment--for your family. I am praying also for peace for you regarding the decision you had to make after the first visit.

I've been following your blog since last summer, when my husband and I were expecting to move quickly into adoption from Ukraine. I'm still keeping up with the situation there through your blog and a few others as we pray for God's will for our family to be revealed. Thank you for sharing your story so we can pray with you!

Deb S said...

This is Staci's mom and it is so good to see you blogging again! Those churches are beautiful and perhaps a little sight-seeing will help pass the time until your next appointment. I tried to use the website that Mamaporuski gave to text you, but the numbers given there were not in your cell number. Any suggestions?
Dad and I are praying that you will find your son soon and our first grandchild!! =)
Love, MOM

adoptedthree said...

Hi Staci and Damon
I know how difficult it must have been for you to say no to the little boy. Godspeed that your next appointment will be the one!

Leanna and the gang

Debora Hoffmann said...

Staci and Damon, I do hope your second appointment goes well and God leads you to the child He wants for your family!

Anonymous said...

It is so good to see pictures and to share in your adventure to your family. I love you both and continue to pray for you. I am positive this will be a successful trip!
Love Ya,
Jenn

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