We Made It Home!!

We were picked up at 3:00 a.m. on Sat. and made it from Kiev to Frankfurt without any problems.  There were a total of six adoptive families flying back to the states on that flight, which made it fun.  We then arrived in Chicago from Frankfurt and were told in Customs that we would never make our flight.  It was boarding in a half an hour.  As soon as the man said that, it made me that much more determined to try to make it.  Once John was cleared through Immigration, we literally ran through the Chicago airport.  Unfortunately, a United employee had given us the wrong terminal number so we had to sprint through another two terminals to make it just as they were closing the doors to the jet way.  Praise God!  The next flight to Raleigh was diverted to Charlotte and didn't get in until 1:00 a.m.  Our luggage was delivered to us the next day.  John was so good on the flights.  He must have played with the head set he had been given for about an hour and the plastic fork and knife also intrigued him for a good 45 minutes.  I couldn't believe how he sat in his seat for hours on end without complaining!

We arrived to friends and family at the airport holding signs and welcome home banners.  I couldn't have been happier to see everyone.  My kids and our friends' kids had grown so much!  John was a little shy at first, but then warmed up to all of the children playing with balloons and eating lollipops.  It was fun to get to catch up with everyone a little bit.    

When we got home, there were balloons and a welcome home banner across the garage.  Paul and the kids had thought of everything.  They had gotten us flowers, presents, and even a welcome home cake with American and Ukrainian flags on it for dessert.  John was speaking non-stop in Russian.  We had no idea what he was saying, so we would laugh and laugh, which made him speak even more.  John was so excited to see and play with all the toys in the play room.  He also liked his bunk bed that he is sharing with Scott.  The biggest hit of all though was our yellow lab.  Sophie has a new friend!  He is enamored with her.

When we started this process we felt that God has been so gracious to us and we wanted to extend that to a child.  We have learned so much through this process and know that it has just started.  We have learned a lot about each other, our family, what family means, and more importantly the way God sees us through adoption into His family.  The Bible says in Ephesians 1 "In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ".  We have entered into the family of God through His love.  God has called us His children.  We are able to call out to God as our Father, just as John calls out to me (Paul) as "Papa".  We aren't adopted because we are cute or likable, but simply because of God's grace.  I'm so glad He doesn't go through a checklist to evaluate us, but simply takes us into His family for who we are.  We know for sure that God has watched over us through this process and that He will continue to guide and protect us.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10