What a difference a day makes....24 little hours (or so the song goes)

Well we hoped and prayed that leaving at sunrise on Easter morning would be symbolic of New Life for two special children. Some 26 hours later we blew into the region on Monday night and went to court the next day, on Tuesday. We only had a 30 minute session in the judge's chambers; The judge and two jurors asked some general questions about our approach to parenting, any history of substance abuse, our biological childrens' feelings about the adoption, how we came to be interested in adopting these two particular children, and if this was indeed our "final answer." Before we knew it he was reading his positive decision into the record. Hooray! We even had T there and she said she wanted to be adopted! Wow. PRAISE GOD!!

Afterwards we went to the notary to do more paperwork and then we all went to see our little guy to tell him the good news. His response, "OK let's go." Unfortunately the Ukraine and U.S. governments are not ready for us to take them home yet. We still have to wait out this 10 day mandatory waiting period. This is the time when anyone can object. If all goes well, we will return to finalize the final paperwork later this month. This is a long process in case you haven't noticed.

We celebrated our positive verdict with our new friends at dinner, and then we took an overnight train back to Lviv. This morning, we flew out of Ukraine and boarded a new, hip, airline named, Wizz, and landed in London. (Note the photo of a somewhat fatigued and familiar passenger deplaning.) The only thing we are not getting accomplished on this trip is getting any sleep. We decided we needed a little R & R so we are staying the night in a hotel near Heathrow airport. Hopefully we will have a nice dinner & see a famous London show! We don't really know what time it is anymore. We have crisscrossed so many time zones in the past 4 days. We just sleep whenever & wherever we are when we are tired. (I hope we can stay awake tonight.) London feels like a wonderful dream. We can read all the signs & we can understand the people.

Tomorrow we will board a few more planes and if all goes as planned, return home in the afternoon.

James 5: 10-12 'Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

We know that God's hand has been in everything we do. We hope you continue to pray for us and these new Weeks children. We will need help in overcoming their apprehensions and fears in the coming days, months and years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!