Michele's Mom

Hi All,

I just received a call from Michele that her Mom passed away shortly after 5:30 PM Pacific time. Please continue to pray for Michele, her sister Lisa, brother-in-law Jim and step-dad Berl and extended family and friends. I know they are hurting and could use great comfort and strength from God right now.

Thanks,

Bruce

Update & Prayer Request

Hi All,

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has offered support and prayers over the last couple of weeks. It has been a tough couple of weeks, but we seem to be settling in and turning a corner on understanding how to integrate Natasha and Pasha into our home and care for and love them. Please continue to pray that N and P feel welcomed and loved.

On a side note, we received a call this morning from Michele's sister. Michele's Mom had a choking accident last night while attending a dinner. They were not able to revive her fully and she was admitted to the hospital and is on life support. Needless to say Michele is quite devistated at this unexpected event, especially on top of the adoption/integration process we're working through.

I was able to get her a flight today and she is in Santa Barbara right now and will be meeting with her sister and step-dad to determine next steps. Please pray that she has strength and comfort during this difficult time. Pray that her faith would be strong and that she would be a mighty witness for Christ. To our knowledge, her Mom is not a believer, nor are her sister or step-dad. So, while this is devistating to us, it must be utterly hopeless to them. Please pray that they would be comforted and strengthened as well.

Thanks again,

Bruce

Final Public Update

Hi All,

Many have asked about further blog entries from the DeYoung clan. We have decided that we will continue to blog, but the blog will become private. So, this is the final public post. We welcome everyone to follow the happenings in the DeYoung household now that our extended family is all together. I'm not sure how turning the blog to "private" works, but if you'd like to participate, please let us know.

Thanks,

Bruce

Home

Bruce, Natasha and Pasha were greeted by a loving group of sweet friends and Leah (she is also sweet and loving but family :-) ). Wow it was exhausting waiting for them I can only imagine how they felt.



Natasha and Pasha were overwhelmed but did just fine with the big group of people all staring at them. Bruce just started walking to the car. I'm kind of serious. He was ready to get on out of there.



They are all tucked in and I can hear someone snoring upstairs...glad they aren't in my room.



People say we should have some honeymoon time before we face the hard stuff. I'm all for that honeymoon stuff to last as long as possible.



Abigail, Bradley and Benjamin are glad they are finally here.



Wow we need a bigger house.



Thank all of you for your prayers for these sweet kids. You can't know how much of a difference you lifting us up to the Lord has meant. Keep it up we will need it.



I'm sure Bruce will give you more info once the jet lag wears off.



Blessings,



Michele

In Frankfurt....waiting

Our trip through KBP (Kiev Airport) was fairly uneventful. Our driver showed up promptly at 2:45 and we were at the airport by 3:30 (yes, AM). We waited until the ticket counter opened and then checked in without problems. Security went fine.

The customs lady asked to see our court documents, which thankfully Nadia had told me to keep handy. She left for a few minutes to go to a back office with our passports and boarding passes, which made me a little nervous. But, by this time Mrs. Campbell (family from Indiana who adopted a 6-7 year old boy) was in line right behind us. She said her facilitator told her to expect some of these types of shenanigans from customs just as a ploy to freak you out. I don't know what she did behind closed doors, but she came back and allowed us through, and that's what was most important.

Now we're sitting in the Frankfurt airport at our gate waiting for our flight. We have about 5 hours to wait, so I'm sure we'll get up and walk around a bit eventually.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Denver.

Thanks,

Bruce

Here are a few pics from the last few days.

First, one of N, P and our facilitator in Kherson, Tanya:

Here we are having lunch with the Houghton's, Julia and Karen Springs:

Here's the group after taking the fernicular up the hill and walking across the church square (can't remember which church):

And Richard insisted that he take a picture with me actually in it.

And, finally, here's a pic of the kids with our translator in Kiev, Nadia.:

Home Tomorrow!

Wow..I think I left too many thing until the end. Right now that doesn't matter because they are coming ready or not.

The flight into Denver is schedueled to arrive at 3:45pm. They do have to go through customs so who know when they will emerge from the glass doors. The flight is Luftansa 446 if you are wanting to help with the grand welcome at the airport and want to check on the flight status.



Can't wait to see Natasha Grace and Pasha Timothy...and of course Bruce Alvin :-).