Day 4 And we wait....

Greetings all!

Saturday was a great day. Lamar and I got up and had what we have every morning for breakfast...Muselix, a fresh orange, and plain yogurt. It's a good start to our day! Then we went for a walk. They shut the main streets down every weekend for festivals. This weekend's theme was sports. They had "displays" set up one after the other. For example they would have a boxing circle where you could watch school aged children box (and they were VERY good) next to a mat where children would be doing tumbling. We saw caged soccer, horse riding, martial arts, track and field, and crazy obstacle course relays just to name a few. It's a very colorful, fun, lively event that we enjoyed walking along and spectating.

We returned before lunch to our room because we had a date with Yuri and his girlfriend, Victoria. He took us to the underground caves that tomb 5oo year old bodies. The crazy thing is, the bodies are all wrapped up but you can see on some of them a single hand. They still have skin on them (although it's shriveled up and darkly discolored) after 500 years!! Many that come and visit and see this believe this can only be the works of a miracle and they bow down and pray to the tombs. They touch the glass while kneeling and weeping. They believe they can receive healing health if they do this. It really was an amazing site. Honestly I felt quite uncomfortable with it. It's hard for me to get beyond kneeling and bowing before anything other than our Lord. However, I respect the differences and thank God that we have Him to turn to wherever we are. We don't have to seek out underground caves to find healing strength. We can turn to Him anytime, anywhere and ask for healing. Wow! God is truly good!

We also had a chance to visit a National War Museum. That, too, was quite sobering. I think it is incredible to see just how much war affects so many people all over the world. Not just the soldiers fighting, but the families that were put into concentration camps, the mothers who never saw any of their children again once they left for war and the scarring it did on such a beautiful city. Complete and utter devastation...

After such an exhaustive and emotionally draining experience, we went to TGIF Fridays for a late lunch. We needed something relaxing and enjoyable. The food was great and we had a nice time getting to know Victoria (did I mention she was gorgeous!!!). During dinner, Yuri kept pointing out different tables with two men at them. He explained how common it is to see headhunters with their clients at an American restaurant. Apparently, it's still common for men to come from America to buy an Ukrainian bride. We also saw an American older man coming in with his new, VERY young bride-to-be. Yuri actually worked for an agency that helped set up the American men with Ukrainian brides before he became a Christian and went into the adoption business. He can spot these kinds of setups very easily. I had no idea that would still be prevalent today. Sometimes I feel like I live under a rock. (But I'm not complaining. I'm awfully cozy and comfortable under this rock of mine!)

Afterwards we went our own ways. Lamar and I came back for our traditional nap and then went for a walk in the evening to check out more of the street festivities. We had meat stuffed noodles for a snack and came home and tried to go to bed. Before you know it, it was 3:30 a.m and we still weren't asleep. We are still trying to work out the jet lag. We are skipping naps today so we can get to sleep early for TOMORROW!!!!

Speaking of which...it's a big day tomorrow. A lot of questions will be answered for us all. Please pray we get there safely and God's will be done. Also pray they have Internet connections there so we can keep you posted.

We love you all and thank you so much for your prayers. Lamar and I LOVE waking up in the morning and signing on to our blog to see our comments. It's our favorite part of the day. Some make us laugh...some bring tears to our eyes...they all fill our hearts knowing we have such tremendous support from dear friends and family. We will be saving and treasuring all of your thoughtful words.

A quick shout out: Thank you, dearest families back in VA for looking after my parents. They are honored by the meals, visits, phone calls and invitations. It has been so incredibly helpful. Lamar and I are so touched by your outpouring of generosity, time, and grace. We love you all!

Joshua and Jacob....thank you for behaving for Nana C and Papa J. We love getting good reports from them. Remember to give them extra snuggles since we can't be there to sneak them from you. We love you boys so much. You two are one of the biggest reasons we can even be here today doing this. You have made parenting so much fun and joyous for us both that we want to do it some more! We love you, babies.

Have a blessed Sunday, everyone.

Love,

Kris

PS There are pictures downloaded from Snapfish on the side bar. Enjoy!