Picking Up Our Referral from the SDA

We were able to meet with Karla Jesse (from Idaho), and Victor and Alina for dessert last night. They were able to squeeze in a visit between dinner and jumping on the night train to Dnipropetrovs’k . For everyone who has ever met Karla (and even for those who have not) I just want you to know, jet-lagged notwithstanding - that lady is looking absolutely fabulous!

Last night was much more restful: no 3 AM awakenings! In face we both slept until 9:30 AM. I did my 20-minute video workout for the first time in a week, and we had a relaxed morning. We ate lunch at “Papa Johns” in the food court at the underground mall (Metrograd) and walked the length of it a couple of times. The first time was for laundry detergent and shampoo at the far end. The second time, well, we got a bit turned around, but also got more exercise.

Today is Oleksandr's birthday! He picked us up shortly after we returned around 2 to go pick up our referral. That is another change from the last time when Oleksandr was able to pick it up without us. Actually it was a nice activity for a very quiet day. It has been snowing all day - a condition they just are not used to for the past 15 years, so snow removal is slow and incomplete, and the busy traffic of a big city was slower and more jammed up than ever. At the SDA we met another couple in the process of their first adoption. They are from New Jersey and will be meeting a 6 year-old boy soon.

Then it was off to buy train tickets. Originally Oleksandr had considered driving us there on his way to Lugansk, but with the change in weather we all agree it will be much safer to take the train. He will deliver us to our compartment and Sergiy will meet us in Kharkov. We purchased the tickets on the way back to our hotel. We leave Saturday night at 10:30 PM. Wish we had a passel of mission-trippers to stay awake with on the way! Guess we’ll have to find some two-handed games. Didn’t pack the cribbage board . . .