So This Is It...

With kids' visas in hand we are making our final escape plans! We will depart this crazy apartment (where we have made some WONDERFUL memories!) in just about 12 hours at 4:00 o'clock in the morning (that is 9:00pm tonight for you Eastern timers!) and arrive in NC at 6:30 on Wednesday night. Everyone is READY!!

We've been here for 47 days and have changed locations 16 times (including 4 overnight trains)! Without a doubt the biggest challenge of this trip has been the numerous changes in location.

A short while ago we parted ways with out facilitator for the final time. Both of our children know him pretty well & seem to be very fond of him. It was interesting to me that along with the realization that they were seeing him for the last time, it seems as though reality is setting in for them. They are leaving all that is familiar to them and all they have ever known. And Landyn has an older, adult brother with whom she says she has a relationship and she has expressed sadness that she is leaving him (I've known about him for a while & we've talked before about if she will be sad leaving him). She is definitely melancholy this afternoon & I have made sure she knows it is okay to be sad.

Nothing about leaving Ukraine makes me sad. I have gone about my time here much the same way I go about my everyday life - imperfectly. There are things (many of them) I wish I had done differently but I lay my head down every night grateful that even though I have failed God's grace is enough... I am happy to continue my imperfect existance in my own home with perfect bathrooms!

As we head for home, I can't help but wonder what my children think their lives will be like (or maybe kids don't get that far ahead of themselves). Henry has already decided "No school. No rabota (job). Games!"! He may be a tad bit disappointed. I'd be willing to bet his plan includes only junk food too!

Here's what I pray for my family...that someday (soon) we are just a family. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just your average family...