I'm sitting at a desk in our 'gustinitza' in Kemerovo. I am so completely overjoyed at being here that I can't stop crying. I'm trying so hard to muffle the sound of my relentless sobbing, because everyone is asleep. I am counting the seconds till Anya arrives here, and my stomach is doing cartwheels just thinking about it. I feel so at home here, so very at home. I know that Siberia is not everyone's cup of tea, but I cannot help but adore this place more than any other on earth. God planted a passion for this place in me and it only grows more intense every time I come back. It is an all-consuming love. I just never want to leave.
The past few days have been difficult, but I don't regret one obstacle, one slammed door, one 'nyet'. I don't feel overcome by any of it, because it is part of the rocky road that brings me back here time and time again. Let me tell you, fate has dealt us some harsh blows on this trip thus far, but God continues to walk me through each one with the greatest gentleness and love -- love I do not deserve.
Our passage through Sheremetevo was not so great. Even with our planned arrival three and a half hours before our flight, we literally walked on the plane with the door closing behind us and angry looks from the other passengers. Despite being told by Aeroflot that I would likely have our excess baggage fees waived if I came early and spoke to one of the higher-ups, it did not happen. We were told to wait, and we waited forever only to be told 'no' and had to pay over $600 in extra baggage 'penalty' fees. But I surprised myself with my ability to let that go. I had prayed the entire time we had to wait, and it paid off. I just let it go, knowing that God will make up the difference somehow.
There is so much I want to write, but it is all mixed up in my head right now. I need time to process everything that's been happening. I will say it is SUCH a joy to watch Bridget take this journey. She is one special little girl. I can't get over her resiliency, calm and quiet joy at being here. She makes every bit of the hard stuff worth enduring ten times over!
And I didn't even post about meeting Tesney yet! What a joy! I wish I had our conversation on tape for you:) Meeting her made my day. I have prayed so hard for Kirill these past few months, so getting to meet his mom and dad was a total gift! I'll leave you with some photos of our meeting. I have hundreds of photos already. Some are on FB if you want to see them. I'll post all I can in the next few days. By the way....48 hours till the orphanage!!! As Bridget would say, ' WOO HOO!'
The past few days have been difficult, but I don't regret one obstacle, one slammed door, one 'nyet'. I don't feel overcome by any of it, because it is part of the rocky road that brings me back here time and time again. Let me tell you, fate has dealt us some harsh blows on this trip thus far, but God continues to walk me through each one with the greatest gentleness and love -- love I do not deserve.
Our passage through Sheremetevo was not so great. Even with our planned arrival three and a half hours before our flight, we literally walked on the plane with the door closing behind us and angry looks from the other passengers. Despite being told by Aeroflot that I would likely have our excess baggage fees waived if I came early and spoke to one of the higher-ups, it did not happen. We were told to wait, and we waited forever only to be told 'no' and had to pay over $600 in extra baggage 'penalty' fees. But I surprised myself with my ability to let that go. I had prayed the entire time we had to wait, and it paid off. I just let it go, knowing that God will make up the difference somehow.
There is so much I want to write, but it is all mixed up in my head right now. I need time to process everything that's been happening. I will say it is SUCH a joy to watch Bridget take this journey. She is one special little girl. I can't get over her resiliency, calm and quiet joy at being here. She makes every bit of the hard stuff worth enduring ten times over!
And I didn't even post about meeting Tesney yet! What a joy! I wish I had our conversation on tape for you:) Meeting her made my day. I have prayed so hard for Kirill these past few months, so getting to meet his mom and dad was a total gift! I'll leave you with some photos of our meeting. I have hundreds of photos already. Some are on FB if you want to see them. I'll post all I can in the next few days. By the way....48 hours till the orphanage!!! As Bridget would say, ' WOO HOO!'
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| Kim, Bridget and me meeting Tesney Davis! |
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| Greg and Tesney ( Kirill's PARENTS!) and me. |
What an event! I do wonder if it is best to bring cash and then buy supplies there. The costs of extra bags are so much now!
ReplyDeleteSoooo excited for you! I know the feeling you have being back to a place you truly love. I felt that way when we were back in Ukraine. It is odd, really. There is nothing there that is material to even care about, and it doesn't matter. Doing without is easy. Walking instead of driving.... cooking every night from scratch.... all wonderful.
I want to go with you one of these days!
ReplyDeleteAlicia