Monday, November 10, 2008

It's almost legal

Tomorrow will mark the officiality of our being parents to Keith & Kristina. Can you believe it? We began this process back in April of this year and look how far we've come! God has truly watched over us and blessed with many miracles throughout our adoption process. I am grateful to Him for his love and care for His children.

On Sunday we went to church. It was the first time I've taken the Sacrament in 6 weeks! Oh, how I've missed Sacrament meeting! I sang a special musical number, "Love One Another" and that went well. After I sang someone said "Bravo". That was a first for me during church. After church, Mama Bigoon scheduled a concert for me to sing for the members of the branch. Only about 50 members were in Sacrament meeting, so I prepared myself for 5-10 people at the concert. I was surprised to see 40 people there! I sang "Song to the Moon" from Rusalka, "Standchen" by Schubert, "Heavenly Father loves me" from the Primary Songbook, "I am a child of God" from the Primary Songbook, "Angels we have heard on high", "Silent Night", "I know that my Redeemer lives", and "What child is this?". I was pleased that everyone enjoyed the music. I've never given a concert before - so it was a real first for me!

After the concert, a woman approached me from the branch and said she is a professor at a University in Mariupol. She asked if I would come and give a concert at the college. I was blown away and said "YES!" So now I'm trying to prepare for the concert (it will be on wednesday), and my wonderful husband scanned my music and emailed it to me so I could have it to sing. It's amazing how God has blessed me to be able to strengthen my musical talent while I am here to adopt our wonderful children. It is definitely true that when you put your will in God's hands - He can bless you in ways that you never could imagine!

After the concert, I made a meal for the Bigoon family and the missionaries. I made Chicken Alfredo Pasta, garlic bread, peas, and homemade apple pie. Everyone loved it and it was nice to taste something from home. I love to cook and it's hard to not be able to cook here in Ukraine!

This morning I went to see Kristina. She doesn't have the chicken pox - thank you for your prayers! God is truly blessing Kristina with good health - many of her fellow friends in her groupa have the chicken pox and Kristina, herself, is malnourished and so it has been a HUGE worry of mine that her little immune system wouldn't be able to be strong with such a contagious disease, but, once again, God is blessing us and I am so grateful to Him!

After the orphanage we went and bought clothes for Keith - it was my first time to buy boy's clothes and it was so fun! I am excited about having a son! Afterwards we went back to Mama Bigoon's house to load up my stuff. As I starting packing up the last few items, I noticed that Mama Bigoon (Anna is her given name) was crying. She hugged me and said that she wished I could stay here forever. In one week I have developed a bond with this woman that is so strong. She has told me that she loves me over and over. She has loved me as she loves her daughters and has cared for me as she does her daughters. I am so blessed to know her and it was hard to drive away from her humble home. The gospel of Jesus Christ can bring together two women who didn't know each other beforehand to form a solid friendship in one week. Amazing.

My translator, Oksana, & I arrived in Artemovsk this afternoon. I dropped off my luggage and went straight to see Keith in the orphanage. Oh, how I've missed my boy! He recognized me instantly and smiled - so wonderful to see! We snuggled and spent an hour together. I can't wait to take him with me either tomorrow or wednesday. Stay tuned for more details!

12 comments:

Valerie said...

YAY! I am so excited that you are nearing the end of this journey and that, soon, you will be home with your little ones! I am also so thrilled that you have been able to really experience Ukraine and it's wonderful people and culture the way that you have. What an incredible opportunity! I can't wait to hear more about it once you are home!

Melisa said...

you are so close!! I am in awe of your singing talent!

Diana said...

What a wonderful post! Best wishes as you finish up your time in Ukraine. I hope things move speedily so you can bring those babies home!

Julie said...

SO CLOSE!!! I'm so glad this week has been good for you!!!

schoolmother said...

You are almost there!
Joy,RR

Carina said...

Oh, how exciting that you're just about there! I'm anxious to hear about how things go when you're back home =) You're still in our prayers!

Dirk and Trish said...

So exciting! Made me tear up in almost every paragraph. :) Looking forward to lots of family pics back home.

Lou said...

Yay, you are almost HOME with your babies!!! Sounds like you have had one amazing journey! And especially special that you could bring such a wonderful testimony to the people of Ukraine!

Kathey said...

Dear Jill,

I've been reading your posts right along, and my prayers have been with you. It's so wonderful how Heavenly Father works to brings people together for the benefit of all. It gives me chills to think about it. I'm so glad you've had such wonderful experiences, but I'm also glad you are coming home SOON.

The end of a journey, but the start of an era…
Love, Kathey

Dolores said...

I'm so happy for you and that you've been able to make such wonderful friends there and share your talents! It's great how things are working out for you and the children.

Lively Luckinbills said...

I love your sweet posts, always giving gratitude back to Heavenly Father. It is so hard to have that faith sometimes and your experience is certainly a testimony of how much Heavenly Father knows and loves us individually. Good luck on the last or the first leg of your journey!

Sarah C said...

I am so happy for you. I can't wait to see your cute family all together. I know you have worked long and hard to have these two sweet children join your family. Congratulations.