I have been remiss. Our dossier was approved a few weeks ago. Whew. Then, a few days ago, we got our SDA appointment date: November 19. Whew again. Things are happening, wheels are turning! Slowly, but we'll take it. We are glad that we can now PLAN.
We're hoping to do things differently this time. No one-way ticket with no return date in focus. Curt and I are flying to Kiev Nov 16, which should get us to the SDA appointment with a little time to spare. We'll do our business in Kiev, travel to Donetsk and Amvrosiivka to see Sasha and sign a few hundred papers, then we are GOING HOME. I can't miss Thanksgiving at home two years in a row. We will fly back to Donetsk in time for our court date, which *should* be more predictable this time around. I might even fly home with Curt after the court date and return to Ukraine when the waiting period is over. Sasha and I can wrap things up and fly home, hopefully before Christmas. One Ukrainian winter is enough for me.
Of course, having said all this, James 4 comes to mind:
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15 NIV)
I need frequent reminders that I am not in charge here. I am trying to trust that God is in control and He will deliver. It's hard when it seems so obvious that Sasha needs to come home asap!
