We arrived back in Kiev, got our refusal  paperwork notarized again, submitted it again to the SDA to request our third appointment and settled into a  small apartment for another wait of several days. We've spent so much time in Kiev that I've started recognizing the stray dogs who happily roam the streets. At least we know where to get groceries ( there are little deli type stores on most streets along with the fruit stands and a bigger grocery store that we can walk to), we have a choice of churches, familiar restaurants, and lovely parks. It's good that those things are not problems.

We've been attending services at St. Michael's which has a seminary and a monastery. The services are beautiful and it's inspiring to see many young people among the congregation and the clergy. We arrived at 11:00, before the Paschal Matins, and stayed until the end of liturgy when the priests were about to bless the Pascha(Easter) baskets. The service was beautiful and we recognized at least two hymns that are also sung by our choir at St. John's. One of the loveliest parts was tHe enthusiastic bells ringing. The bells rang for at least twenty minutes at different times. As we walked home at 4 am, we could hear the bells and we passed people on the street carrying their baskets.

Most Orthodox people fast from meat and dairy during Lent so the Pasha Baskets here have meat, cheese, boiled eggs, a candle and a sweet, iced bread/cake called Pascha Cake which are sold everywhere in the days leading up to Pascha. The baskets are covered with a pretty towel and brought to church to be blessed. It's a lovely tradition. We didn't buy a basket, but we did get a Pascha cake from a bakery and once we got home from church  we enjoyed our cheese, salami, bread and Pascha Cake.

We are waiting for news on Tuesday or Wednesday. We want to have kids picked out before the next appointment and would rather wait longer and have the right kids than go in blind again. We are optimistic that this can work and our translator and facilitator are determined that it will. In 12 years they've never had a family go home without kids because the family didn't find a match. I think they've only had 1-2 families who've needed 3rd appointments, but those 3rd appointments worked.  If there are no children coming available on Wednesday that we want to take our last appointment to see, we have to wait until May 10th (!) before the next group of children become available.  If that is the case, we may just come home for a break, rather than sitting on our hands in Kiev for two more weeks after the last three weeks spent seemingly spinning wheels.  REALLY hoping not to be in that situation, but it is now critically important that we know, as much as possible, that we have the right kids picked out before we go in, however long that takes.  

Today we walked to the Botanical Gardens, which is a nice park across the street from St. Vlad's. The church bells were ringing vigorously several times in the afternoon. Each time it lasted about 20 minutes. The bells create a feeling that the whole city is rejoicing in Christ's resurrection. Pascha  reminds us that Christ has destroyed death by death, so ultimately the heartaches and separations of this world are not what lasts  they are  the veil of tears that we each pass through.  

We know that after reading Mary Evelyn's blog for so long it is probably hard to journey with us again. It's been hard to live it and to stay hopeful. I (Edna) have had a hard time here dealing with the grief, disappointments, stress, cold, uncertainty, scary small really old elevators and so on. Mark has had to pick me up from various emotional puddles. Hopefully we'll be posting a happy ending soon and then the delays, false starts, heartaches, and  investment will be small compared to the joy we'll have for the rest of our lives. 
Waiting to get baskets blessed at 4 am:

The bells of St. Vlad's: