Return to Kras

We finished our Medicals and were off to the airport. Traffic was terrible!!


It was almost bumper to bumper like this for what seemed like an eternity. It took a good 2 hours to get from our Medicals to the airport. We have never been so thankful to have a driver!!

There were some familiar landmarks... Recognize this one??



We finally arrived. After checking in, dropping off checked bags, saying goodbye to Vladamir and going through the final screening, we relaxed and found ways to spend the remaining 3 or 4 hours we had before boarding.

We had WiFi, which made it nice to catch up with family;) We ate at an Irish Pub, enjoying the atmosphere while making contact with the outside world.

We were so excited that Eli was able to email us back from Mom and Dad's;) We decided to call on Skype;) We were quite pleased that Eli was too busy to talk... He was really enjoying himself;) he kept running back and forth to give us details of all that is going on for him with Grandma;)

I'm sure we made a funny sight... Sharing a set of earplug earphones, huddled over the computer, trying to talk into the microphone on the computer that is about as big as a capital O. But we were able to catch up.. If only for a second, with our parents and child;)

We finally boarded! Talk about a holding tank!! Beautiful, large, well laid out airport, and the first 3 exits are downstairs, cramming people way closer than they should have been:/

After a long delay on the Tarmac... 45 min or so just sitting after the door was closed... We were off!! Another smooth and uneventful flight;)

Just a brief note about Aeroflot... The airline personelle are dressed superbly!! The ladies all have a uniform with hat, neck scarf and deep orange suit... Looks like stepping back into the 40's... Soo cool!

And their food is much better than what we have eaten on other airlines. Dinner was pretty good;) we had salmon with hollandaise sauce.


The sun began to set as we were waiting for take off... At around 10:30 pm!!... But it never made it... We flew East all night and it never got dark!! So weird!!



Sunset over Moscow... Sunrise for our journey....


When we touched down, it was raining lightly. We entered the airport and soon found Serge and Yelena. So nice to see our friends again!!

After gathering our luggage (Kras airport is the only one I have been to where you have to show and give up you luggage ticket after they confirm you have the right bag) we headed out to the apartment.

We are delighting in the cooler temperatures outside. It has been in the 90's for the last few weeks and no rain for a month. They got a real gullywasher last night... There were a couple spots on the road that had deep water flowing across. Several smaller cars were stopped on the other side... Flooded from passing. Glad for our minivan!!

The street in front of our apartment has been torn up... About 10 feet down to work on the main water lines. Makes for a lot less traffic;)

Our disappointment was great when we found we were not to go see our baby girl today. Today is for resting, they said. I know it is good, we are wrung out!! But sad to not see her.... There's always tomorrow...

The apartment is quite warm. There is a little air conditioning unit that is keeping the living room/bedroom area in the upper 70's... But the kitchen and bathroom are so warm... How spoiled we are with our super efficient air conditioning and heating units at home!!

So thankful for the cool yet humid air outside that can cool off the room a little;)

Please pray with us!! Our court date is Tuesday at 9:30am local time... Monday evening at 9:30pm EST...Yelena was giving us our itinerary while on the way from the airport. We have only until Tuesday. The 2 judges that were here previously have retired and been replaced with 2 new judges.

Nothing is certain, she explained to us. No guarantees for court. We will see what happens on Tues and then plan from there.

SOOO glad for our pastors's recent series on not worrying- giving into worry shows a lack of faith that God is in control;) oh how God is growing our faith;)

Please, please, please pray with us!! We KNOW God is in control and has been directing our steps from the very beginning. I can't help but think of some of Paul's words... That this obstacle can only be overcome with prayer. Thank you for storming the gates of heaven with us... I know of one who is not happy with our taking a child and placing her in a Christ-centered home, as well as the incredible blessings that our family will receive as this bright light enters our lives!!

Thank you, God, for the peace you have placed in our hearts. We know you are in control, straightening out the rough places, carrying us when we stumble. Thank you for continuing to make us FROGs- Fully Reliant On God. You are our refuge and Father to us as well as Lael. Thank you for bringing us to her and joining her to our family. We are learning so much more the depth of your love... You sent your son to pay the adoption price for us, never knowing if we would allow that adoption to take place either. What love you have for us!!!! Oh to begin to grasp just an edge of how deep, how wide, how long and how amazingly strong that love is. It truly is overwhelming!! Thank you!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone