On Tuesday we had a lazy morning. After running a few errands we visited St. Sophia's Cathedralnot far from our apartment. It was built in the 10th and 11th centuries and amazingly has survived where many other cathedrals in Kiev were either torn down by Stalin or were destroyed during the Patriotic War in 1940s. It contains dozens of frescoes of religious and national figures, some painted and some in mosaics of tiles as small as 2 millimeters on each side. It was so magnificent that we spent a great deal of time there and we suspect the outside world has probably overlooked this wonder due to the closed nature of this country over the last 90 years. At 5 pm we walked to the SDA for our appointment. We met with a psychologist and an unknown interpreter. We were invited to sit on a low, comfortable leather sofa opposite the two well-dressed women in wooden chairs. We had to look up at them, so it could have been intimidating. However, they were very cordial and polite. They asked us how we came to know the children. Then they asked why we wished to adopt the three children. We answered that we did not wish to split up the siblings. They liked that answer and wished us well. It was very brief.

The next family (the Dodges) were arriving at the airport that afternoon; so we would have to move out of the apartment and travel to Sumy that night. We arrived at our apartment here at about 2 am. This apartment is located in a delapidated Soviet era structure used to house factory workers. From the outside it appears as bad as any slum area we've seen. But it is done up very nicely inside.

After a short night's sleep we were taken to a grocery store by a young Ukrainian returned sister missionary. We rested for a little after that. At 2:15 the Garretts, who have one more week before they leave for the USA, picked us up and we all caught the bus to the orphanage about 25 minutes away. When we arrived someone went to let Stan know we were here. We have been a little nervous anticipating this reunion. But Stan ran out and into Susan's arms. Then he and I hugged. Now it was time to find Dasha. We were more nervous about meeting her and how she would relate to us. Would her shyness overcome her? When she saw us she walked out quickly with a smile and into Susan's arms. Then we all hugged. She is everything we imagined her to be through her letters to us. She is beautiful, considerate, respectful, sweet. She seems to be very gentle, expect when she's yelling at Stan to get his attention. Even then it's sweet. Through the rest of the afternoon you could see here hand-in-hand or arm-in-arm with Susan. And doubts about her affection melted away in moments. We all went with the Garretts and the McGintys and their children to McDonalds for dinner. On returning to the school Susan and I sat with Dasha and Stan and chatted, took pictures and just enjoyed each others' company. It was hard to leave them at the end of the day. I thought, OK, we've met them -- now can't we just take them home? However, we must go through this meeting and parting for several more weeks until the court date.

Today, Susan and I went for a walk around this part of town. We have been without an interpreter and trying to get along on our own. Susan did some grocery shopping successfully with her Ukrainian language skills (two words!). But it worked. She doesn't mind an adventure.

This afternoon we traveled alone to the orphanage and visited with Dasha and Stan. We found out that Toli will be brought to this orphanage tomorrow and we will all be together. It's great to be with the children. We manage to communicate adequately. Dasha is not shy in her efforts to speak English. She is all smiles. It is heartwarming to see her clutching on to her new Mama. She is a genuine, sincere person. Goodness exudes from her. Stan is the Stan we all remember.

Till tomorrow, adieu! (now that we've found the internet place)