It's Easter Sunday!

It seems really odd that today is Easter Sunday. Besides not having any PeePs (depressing, isn't it?!), there's really no obvious indication here; or at least, not that I can tell, that it's Easter. And it makes me wonder if I were in America and didn't speak the language, would I know it was Easter? And even more importantly, would I know this is the day of the resurrection of Christ? Even if I didn't speak the language, would the mood of elation transend the division? I don't know....

We had hoped to connect with someone locally to be able to attend church but instead we were able to visit Henry at the orphanage (usually Sunday is an off day). We feel that every minute we spend with him is crucial in building his trust in us especially considering we are leaving tomorrow morning for a few days.

We sure did enjoy our visit with our son! We took him a soccer ball & enjoyed some outdoor time with him. It was beautifully sunny & warm. His attire is not indicative of the temp! It's common in Ukraine, especially for children, to dress very warmly! Niether of us had on a coat or hat!

Today's big lesson? Children are not permitted to wipe Momma's kisses from their cheeks!! I'm betting he did anyway when I wasn't looking...

We had to say goodbye to Henry for now. We encouraged him to remember us through his picture book that we brought him & he smiled big. My sense is that he is a bit tentative about us leaving. The last time we left (to go to reunite with Nastya), he must not have really understood what was going on. And at some point after we left, he thought we were not coming back. It breaks my heart to know that he was crying for us. This is the last time, little buddy. We promise!! The next time we leave Mariupol, you get to come with us!!

OK, we usually resist fast food and, indeed, opted for Mexican (it's not *real* Mexican but it is delicious!) over McDonald's but when the Mexican restaraunt was closed, caved into the McDonald's suggestion. It was the ABSOLUTE BEST quarter pounder with cheese, fries, Coke, and McFlurry I have ever had!! I did not realize how much I missed familiar food. We talk all the time about "familiar food" (& easy grocery shopping) but until you actually taste it again...

We have very much enjoyed staying in this relatively luxurious apartment we've had the good fortune to stay in for the last several days. The king sized bed is very comfortable but most importantly, the place is clean and there are no funky smells (although the smell of cigarette smoke is common). I hope I am not ruined for what may come next!

Tomorrow we head back for our court hearing for Nastya on Tuesday @ 11:00am. It will be a long car ride (I think 8 or 9 hours) and we will not get to see Nastya tomorrow :( because we are not staying in Bilgorod. We will be staying in Odessa (about an hour from Bilgorod) which is considered a resort area on the Black Sea. I've heard it is lovely, so I am looking forward to a mini "vacation"! Ha Ha! We will be staying there until Thursday afternoon when we will board another overnight train back to Mariupol.

So...Happy Easter from the other side of the world! He is RISEN...