Arrival in Mariupol-Oct. 3

6:10 am-knock at the train door opening to a man yelling at me in Russian. How dare he wake us up in this manner ...only to find out he was asking us if we wanted coffee! What a blessing after a train ride from H.E.?.?. Yes, give me the Pot! Knowing we had exactly 1 hour before arrival in Donetsk, just a few more zzzzzsssssss, please.

Taking Valentin's advise, we did not open the door until our new driver announced our names. 7:10 and there was Vladimir (not speaking a word of English) knocking at our door. Tami looks at me, I look at her, and off we go hoping this is the driver that Valentin sent for us and not a member of the former KGB. Into the car and off we go-driving into the twilight zone, or so it seemed. One hour after leaving Donetsk, the driver mumbles "one moment" and pulls off the road to make a phone call. Tami questions this man's motives as we just saw him express his capabilities in driving while talking on the phone at the same time. Why all of a sudden does he feel the need to pull over on the side of this never ending highway in the middle of the former Soviet Union. Of course, even if he was arranging a hit on us, do we really look like we understand Russian? I whisper to Tami to call Valentin to make sure this was man who identified himself to us as Vladimir was actually the Vladimir that was to drive us to Mariupol, or Vladimir aka soviet crusader. Keeping the faith we decide it's in HIS hands as so we continue onward.

A few hours later we arrive in Mariupol-FINALLY! But first, off to the State Inspector's office. Nadya, our interpretor walks out and greets us at the car and takes us inside. Not knowing exactly what was going on, we felt relieved to have a friendly face assisting us. After a lot of Russian exchanges, Nadya informs our driver to take us to get some coffee -it's going to be awhile. Ok, maybe it was going to take awhile but I'm sure Nadya just looked at us and immediately recognized our need for coffee, STAT. (the day long train ride with no shower, etc. definitely played no part in her reaction to us).

Up the hill to the closest coffee shop. Our driver Vladimir pulls the vehicle onto the sidewalk (yes, this is where Ukrainian's park) and opens our door. Assuming the closest door is the entrance into the coffee shop, Tami and I gratiously nod to Vladimir, motioning him to stay near the car (hoping he's not leaving) and enter into the coffee shop. First thing we hear is, "there's a familar face"! Aimee and Matt greet us with a big smile and hug and for the first time a feeling of we're going to make it. After a lot of catching up, we sit down and have our much needed coffee. We phone Nadiya to check the status back at the inspector's office. Not yet. So, off we go to a cafeteria that we can point to what we want to eat! Not bad for something we have no idea what we just ingested!

Phone rings and Nadiya informs us all is completed at the inspector's office and she's coming to pick us up to go to the Orphanage. S. N. We were extremely lucky to by-pass the Inspector's Office as we were fearful of what we would encounter after previous stories from families. No interviews, and NO green dollar "donations". Thanks Nadya!

This is Tami now. We have just spent two days out of three on either a plane, or a train, or an automobile. We have not showered since the previous morning and after a day of running and a night on the train, we really needed one. We did manage to brush our teeth on the train before arriving, so that is better than nothing. It is now time for our first meeting with Ludmilla, the director, and to FINALLY see Nastia!!

Nadya, who is absolutely wonderful, has worked her magic and we bypass the Inspectors office and are now on the way the Orphanage. We arrive and it looks somewhat familiar, but is still very different in person. Ludmilla is actually standing outside talking to some workmen and she is the first person we see. Nadya walks us into the orphange and we go into Ludmilla's office for a meeting with the doctor and the psychologist as well as Ludmilla. Ludmilla was very nice to us and our meeting was pretty brief. We learned that according to Nastia's medical records she has a heart murmur that she will outgrow. We are curious to see what an American doctor will say, as Anya has one also.

Ludmilla asks us if we are 100 percent sure that we are willing to go forward, as David had told her we had changed our mind at one time during the process. Brian and I say that we did not at anytime change our minds (Brian will deal with that issue back in the US). As we are talking with the Dr's, the door opens and in walks Nastia!! I can't even begin to describe how we felt. I wasn't expecting her at this time, and she looked so beautiful and tall!! She gave us both a hug, and Brian and I were both very teary. She sat down on the chair that Brian had been in and he sat sharing the chair with her. She was shaking.

We were asked if we would like her to stay in school until our court date, and we decided that she should. During the week, we will get to see her once each afternoon. However, Ludmilla gave Nadya permission for us to take her with us this weekend for three hours each day. Matt and Aimee are planning to go to Extreme Park tomorrow, so we are now able to take her and go as well. We then spent about an hour outside with each other. Nastia discovered our camera, and she has taken pictures of every flower, cat, and statue in the Orphanage. Brian and I are looking for a cheap camera to give to her so that my camera stays intact.

After we left the Orphanage, we went to look at flats with Nadya and decided on a small brand new flat in the downtown area. It is about a 20 minute walk to the Orphanage and the weather has been perfect. It is not too hot, but not cold either. We will also be close to everthing downtown and should be able to walk to pretty much anything we need. It is really a beautiful flat that has never been stayed in, so it is very clean. We are extremely lucky!

We finally got our showers, and we went to dinner with Matt, Aimee, Nadya, and Anya at the Pizza place. We had a nice dinner and walked back to the flat to hang out and get some sleep. Just as we are dozing off, we were abruptly disturbed from our sleep by all of the falling gunshells, firing artillary, loud explosions, and angry Russian's. "The Russian's have invaded" we thought, only to realize an amazing fireworks display starting up right over our flat. We open our windows, and we can watch the fireworks while laying in be (after breathing a sigh of relief that we weren't being invaded). Then a half an hour after the show is over, it starts all over again. It was the ultimate ending to our incredible day!!

Nastiya has no idea how much we love her!

Tate, Reaghan, and Kenzie, We showed Nastia your pictures and she was very excited to see them. We miss you very much and wish you were here with us. Next time we come back to Ukraine, we will take all four of you girls to see Nastia's birthplace. We love you so much and can't wait until we are all home together!!

THANKS AND PRAISE TO GOD FOR OUR SAFE JOURNEY