Leaving... on a jet plane

I'm long overdue for an update... and I've got some not so great news and some AMAZING news.
First, the bad news.

After many phone calls, emails, and too much time searching the internet looking for another way, it does not look like Mareks will be able to come to school here in the fall.  I knew when I started out that the chances were pretty slim- so I can't say that I'm all that surprised; but it's nonetheless disappointing.

There are a couple more phone calls I can make... a desperate attempt to forestall the inevitable, I'm afraid; but for my own piece of mind, I need to be able to say I looked into EVERY option available.
I'm not going to nauseate you with the details.
The short version is, no one wants to get involved.
No one wants to be bothered.
No one wants to invest the necessary time or money.

I don't mean to sound bitter, I really don't.
I understand- to a point, that getting this certification does cost a fair amount money, and it does/would require some extra work- probably for more than one person. I also understand that because of Mareks' school record, he's not really the best candidate for participation in an exchange student program. I realize that the fact that he's in an orphanage (even though he's not a "true" orphan), might raise a few red flags or be cause for concern. Or that because we don't know if Mareks would even be interested in attending school in the states would make someone think we're not really serious about bringing him over.

I understand ALL of this... in my head.
My heart hasn't quite caught up.

Again, I have a couple more phone calls to make.... my "hail marys" so to speak. But I'm not optimistic.

So. Now that I'm all depressed and ready to cry again... on to the AMAZING news.

I took Mareks to the airport on Sunday and he arrived home on Monday.

On Tuesday, I was still weepy- though a little less so; but the Lord must have thought I needed a distraction... something else to focus on.
Because on Tuesday, the folks at New Horizons called me.
They said there was 1 more spot on the interview team going to Ukraine, and they wanted to know if *I* wanted to go.
(The interview team is a group that visits the orphanages and foster homes in Latvia and Ukraine- some return visits, some new visits- to interview the kids who want to come to the US for summer hosting. To my knowledge, the director or other workers usually recommend the children that they think would do the best so far away from home. We also deliver care packages to the kids who were here for winter hosting, from their host families.) 

"Uhhhhh, yeah.... but I should probably check with Rick."

Rick, bless his heart, had to make a pretty quick decision. New Horizons needed to know ASAP if I was a "yes" or a "no."   You see, I needed to be in Ukraine on the 31st.... of January.
Yeah... like in 3 weeks.

Rick said "yes"!  Actually, I think what he said was "I guess.... I don't care."  (So I took that as a yes.)
Regardless, Rick said he'd hold down the fort while I was gone; so, 2 weeks from tomorrow- it's off to Ukraine I go.

But the SUPER AWESOME AMAZING thing.... is that I get to go to Latvia too!
After we're done in Ukraine, the plan is for me and another interview team member to fly to Latvia for a couple of days.
If everything works out the way I hope, there'll be a surprise visit for Mareks in there somewhere.
HAHA  I can see his face now. Stunned-- and confused!

I bought my plane ticket a couple of days ago and my passport is currently expediting.  I have a lot of loose ends to tie up over the next couple of weeks: book work to finish up, bills to pay, meals to put in the freezer, supper swap meals to deliver, phone calls to make, birthday presents to buy (Joe will turn 8 while I'm in Ukraine)... plus the regular everyday stuff that ALL moms have to do.

For my "praying" readers, I have the following prayer requests:
1. For all of us heading to Latvia and Ukraine- that we have uneventful flights, that we make all of our connections, that none of our luggage gets lost, and that we all meet up safely in Kiev on the 31st.
2. That the families we're leaving behind "carry on."  That things don't fall apart while the moms are all gone. (Though, I'm probably not as indispensable as I think!)
3. That the Lord puts in our path the right people who can help us when we need help, guide us when we need directions, and ones who speak English when I need to find the bathrooms at the airport in Helsinki and Kiev!
4. For the children and orphanage directors and caretakers and others we meet; that we can be shining lights to them. That we may "preach" the gospel in the way we treat each other and in the way we interact with those around us.
5. That the kids we choose to make available for summer hosting are the ones THE LORD wants. That we be open and receptive to his leading in all things.

I don't know how often I'll have access to wi-fi, but I'm going to try and blog while I'm there.
Otherwise, I'll take copious notes and then blog when I get back.