Almost Home

I can hardly believe that almost 4 weeks have passed since Doug and I left our home and started on our journey. Sorry for not posting earlier, but the last few days were a little busy. We were on the train overnight Monday, 15 hrs. Tuesday we did the medical and a few other things we needed to finish up. We stayed at our 5th and final place in Ukraine on Tuesday night. We were able to book tickets yesterday for our return trip. We needed to leave Kiev for the airport at 12 noon for our 3 pm flight. Doug walked out of the Embassy in Kiev at 11:50 with Daniels visa! They were having computer problems. I think I was numb at this point, I thought we were not going to be able to leave, but God was listening to my prayers in the taxi! Helen was with us until we checked our bags. She is an extra special lady who has become very special to us. She was our only voice for close to 4 weeks and she worked diligently until the end to make sure that we had everything in place. She kept her cool under a lot of stress and kept us cool as well! We arrived in Paris around 6 pm and have a layover( there were no connecting fights) until tomorrow at 1 pm and arriving in Philadelphia late afternoon. There is a 6 hour time difference and our fight is 8 hours. We are both so excited to be coming home. We miss you guys so much!

It definitely has been a “Step of Faith”. We had read a lot about Ukraine and the culture, but in some situations you live and learn. We had heard about the adoption process there, but did not truly understand how difficult and exhausting the process was. We went over thinking we might meet two little people, but God’s sweet grace led us to a beautiful 9 year old boy. He is a perfect fit for our family. I never would have imagined that we would were able to spend so much time at the orphanage as we did. We have a lot of great memories of the children there and a better sense of where Daniel spent close to 4 years of his life.

We have learned a few unexpected things as well. We learned that a hot shower that you don’t have to “hold up” is a luxury. You can where the same 4 pants for 4 weeks and nobody knows but you. A lady can use a hole in the ground for a bathroom and still be a lady. It is normal to walk for 5 or 6 blocks just to see when a place of business has “reception” hours for the public. We learned that pushing and shoving are normal, and you shouldn’t take it personally.

On a serious note, we have gained so much from this experience. We have relied on each other and God in a far away land. We have met some wonderful Christians half a world away yet seemed so close. We have met some kind people and some people I would rather just forget (but we have that in our own country!). We have really admired the way the men and the women talk to the children like they are there own; reminding them to “be good” and have good manners. They are hard working and have so many valuable skills and a lot of knowledge. It is not that long since they have been a democratic society and it will take time for the old Russian ways to fade out. I also realized what we have in our country and how we should value it. It breaks my heart that it is now okay to teach about God in Ukrainian schools, but people everywhere our trying to remove God from so much in the U.S. I was actually moved to tears when we were at the airport when I saw a plane with the U S flag; United States of America. How blessed we are to be Americans with all the rights and privileges we have. We should all thank God for his grace to our nation- “One nation under God… with liberty and justice for all.”

I just want to thank you again for all your support, words of encouragement, and prayers. We have had so many prayers answered. We wanted some things right away, but God had better ideas in mind and every experience we had was for a reason. It will certainly take some time for Daniel to get adjusted. I feel bad that we cannot communicate with him, so many things I would like to say, but we are confident that he will learn the English language and love what being in a family means. I am sure that he will be homesick for his friends and his caretakers, so I ask you to continue to pray for his emotional well being. I pray that he will learn to love the Lord and his life will be full. He has made us laugh so many times already, and I know that you will all love him. It is hard to believe in this great big world that we were able to meet. I will never forget his sweet face when he walked into the room with his school uniform on.

How can we begin to thank Mom-Mom, Amy, Eric, Matthew, Craig, Dawn, Jeff, Faye, Dan, Kristi, Aaron, Jack, EJ, Ron, Rhonda, Mattea, and Melea for taking such wonderful care of Nathan and Rachel while we were away. Thank you so much for making dinners, packing lunches, reading books, cleaning up the house and all the other countless things. Thank you so much for taking care of Molly and Andre. Thanks Larry for the ride to the airport the day we left. Thanks to Kim for being “on call” for Rachel. We didn’t worry at all and every time I called I was homesick, but relieved that everyone was doing fine. You all have made this adventure possible for us and for Daniel.

Love Always, Doug, Glenda, and Daniel Valera

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13