Days 33 and 34

Yesterday, Tuesday, we celebrated Babushka Luba's birthday, she turned 70 years old. At 4pm we met her out in front of the grocery store and then she escorted us the rest of the way to her daughter Lena's home. I had to really work hard to even keep up with her, she is an amazing woman. We had a WONDERFUL dinner of borsch and a potato-type ravioli, needless to say it was fantastic. Wendy and Christy this is why I don't want to leave... just yet. Don't get me wrong I am as homesick as they come, but Lena asked me to come over tomorrow and she was going to teach me how to make a few traditional Ukrainian meals. The boys simply devour what she prepares and I haven't had that much luck with what I have made them. However, she did teach me how to make her rose fruit juice and then she carefully wrapped up for me a bottle of canned rose pedals with sugar for me to take home. Anyway, we had a wonderful evening, Lena had a Russian to English dictionary by her side and I had a English to Russian dictionary by my side and it worked out wonderfully. After dinner and conversation we needed to head home, it was late and so dark outside. There are very little street lights, if any, and the sidewalks, if you can even call them that, are treacherous even in the day time. Side note...the sidewalks are unbelievable, you are not able to look up and walk at the same time, you really need to stay focused on what and where you are walking. They have manholes everywhere, but the problem is there are no covers for them. Oksana mentioned that people steal the covers and sell them, so where the cover should be there is either nothing or a giant log sticking out. Seriously, you look down the road or sidewalk and see logs and sticks sticking up about every 100' or so. Anyway, back to Babushka Luba ( I love to say her name)...as we were walking home I tripped a couple of times so she had to take MY hand and help me the rest of the way. I am sure it was a sight to see this little, little woman trying to support my 6'1" frame through the streets of Dniprodzerzhynsk. She walked us all they way to our front door and then continued on her way through the dark streets to her home. I felt terrible having her go on alone, but she insisted that we stay home, "Niet, niet, niet," she would continue to say to me. For being such a small woman, you sure feel as if you need to listen and obey her every command.
Today, we met Lena in front of the grocery store and we walked with her to her school where she has taught sewing for the last 24 years. She wanted to teach me some Ukrainian stitching and show us around her school. Ruslan was not too happy about this, but as soon I mentioned that he could take the laptop he was more than willing to go. We spent the afternoon sewing and then she took me on a tour of her school and introduced to me many of her students and coworkers. When you really get to know these people they are simply beautiful. So warm and friendly and willing to share whatever they have. Again, it is because of these friends I have made over the last week or so, that is making my going go home more and more difficult and I still am having a hard time with knowing I will never see the children at the sanatorium again. SIGH.
Well, Facilitator Oksana called last night to tell us we will be leaving for Kyiv Thursday. We have an appointment scheduled for 10am Friday morning at the American Embassy. Then she told us to make our flight plans for Tuesday, the 9th. AHHHH!! She just called and mentioned that she hasn't heard back from the passport office yet, hopefully she will tomorrow, because we won't be able to leave until we have the new passports in hand. The not "knowing" wears on you after awhile, I'm tired of not being able to make long term plans and actually have them come to fruition. We will be taking the train out of Dnipropetrovsk so please keep us in your prayers that all will go well with the passports and if not, at least I will be able to have few more days with Lena and her family...you know, we were so fortunate to meet them. With the thousands, upon thousands, upon thousands of people in this city, we came in contact with the ONLY 3 people that Bogdan considers family...tender mercies.

Sorry if this blog is a jumble of words. It's 1:15 in the morning here, and I FINALLY just got the boys to bed. They are abosolutely crazy. They are so anxious and excited to leave, they are simply giddy, they laugh at everything. They have the giggles non stop!!

Loves and Kisses!!

Babushka Luba's birthday sign made by her granddaughter Lena. For her birthday she received one white towel and a bag and she was thrilled. They are a wonderful family.

Babushka Luba and Bogdan, she hugs on him and hugs on him all night. For her birthday she game ME a photo album of pictures of Bogdan from the orphanage. (Nanette she also gave me a few for you of Benson.)

Lena in her classroom. She mentioned that in the winter time they have no heat, it really gets quite cold inside the school.

The sewing machines the children use...amazing. Yes, they work great too.

More of Lena's classroom.

Our supplies for my sewing lesson.

This is a picture of a museum that is right inside the school. It goes the history of Ukraine. They have received many awards for the work the children have done in making this museum.

I am sewing. When you visit this room they have each guest stitch a cross before they leave. I am standing by the principal, next is Olga (she translated for me) and then beautiful Tanya. Yeah, don't ask...I have no idea what is up with my hair.

This museum show the many different sewing techniques that are common in the Ukraine.

Lena, Tany, Olga and the principal ( I can't begin to say or her name or even spell it).

The gymnasium.

Another picture of the gymnasium.