Finally We Have Internet!

YEAH! We have internet in our apt.! I think I said" Spa-see-ba" Thank You in Russian a hundred times to the installers and our landlord. We were all excited ready to call home,but after hours of trying we are unable to buy Skype credit from Ukraine. I want to call my children at my moms and can't. I am so sad I could cry. I miss my children!I can't wait for the day we are all together at home. This is so hard. For all those who have done this before,please tell me how you made it through this. You can't be with any of your kids during this long process. You leave children behind with family and each day you have so say good-bye to your new child who doesn't understand why you keep leaving without her everyday. Lord,please help me. No one could have prepared me for how heart wrenching this is.

Now, for details. The first day we met Irina was June17th. Irina has dreamed of having a family for so long, in order to protect her she was told guests were coming. After getting information about her history and her medcial condition,we were taken to her cottage to meet her. When they opened the door and she walked out, she was more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. She smiled and said Hello with her cute accent. I had tried to learn some Russian phrases beforehand,so I asked her in Russian what her name was,she said Irina Nikulina and then she asked me my name. We had brought a teddy bear to give her,so our facilitator said don't you have a gift for her? We pulled out "Mishka"from our bag and handed it to her. She smiled,but you could see the wondering in her eyes. The facilitator asked her what she dreams of having and she answered a "Mama and Papa" The ladys in the room had to turn their heads ,so Irina would not see them crying. It was very moving. They quickly took her back into the cottage. They took us outside and asked us if we were sure we still wanted to adopt Irina. With tears flowing, we said YES! The facilitator said "Are you sure"? Tim said, "Nothing could stop me." After much excitement and tears, we were off to take care of the paperwork to offically accept the referral to adopt Irina. We didn't see her again til the next day.

Still No Internet

We are still waiting for internet to be installed in our apt. here in Kharkov. Our facilitator is so upset because she wants us safe in our apt. not out at McDonald's WiFi. I so desparately want to give details, but again it is getting dark and we took all our time checking emails and trying to Skype my dad. We visit Irina everday around 10am until 12pm. A driver picks us up to take us to her orphanage. It is out of the city, so it takes 30 min to get there. She has taken to us very quickly. She wants to come with us everyday,and is tired of waiting. It is very hard to keep telling her we can't take her with us yet. She tries very hard to learn English words. She can count to ten and say the alphabet. She is very smart and very active just like all Allen children.

Here are a few more pictures of our Miss Personality.

Waiting for Internet

Hello, from Kharkov Ukraine!

Yes, Tim tried a turn at blogging and got interrupted before he could write anything LOL!

We have been promised internet in our apt. since we arrived on Thurs. We are still waiting, so we took a risk and walked down to McD's WiFi. It is getting dark and we must go soon, so this will be quick.

Irina is BEAUTIFUL and more than we could have ever imagined! All our prayers have been answered. She had no problem understanding adoption and consented to coming to America as our daughter without reservation. She has personality plus taking us all around the orphanage showing us off and saying Mama Papa.

Will give more details later. God is So GOOD! The process has moved very quickly for us.

Tim' s try at blogging

We Made It!!

We are finally here in Kiev Ukraine after a long trip!! The flight from Chicago to Germany was 8hrs long and tiring. It was weird leaving at 2:30pm our time and landing somewhere else at 5:45am. In Germany, our lay over was extended, but it wasn't bad. It gave us a chance to freshen up, eat breakfast together at McD's and relax while we waited for our flight. We left Germany at about 11am their time. This plane was smaller than the one before and was very bumpy. Tim and I didn't get to sit together either, so that made it harder. I've only flown Southwest planes for 1hr 15min from Chicago to Alabama- easy flights. After hrs. of sitting in the same spot and lots of turbulance, Tim and I offically DO NOT like to fly! However, the Lord is our example, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross." Hebrews 12:2
It was such a blessing to have the Heims with us the whole time. They will never know what a comfort they have been to us. It was hard to say good-bye to them at the Kiev airport when our driver and facilitator picked us up. I cried at the thought of not having Traci with me anymore. Her help and guidance have been a gift from God.
Our SDA appt. went perfectly!! They asked us a couple of questions, but I think our actions spoke louder than words. When they showed us Irina's picture at 12-18months old we both gasped and my tears flowed. The lady kept starring at my tears of joy.
Our facilitator showed us how to get around, get groceries and took us to a restaurant for dinner. During dinner, she told us that Irina was recently asked if she would ever want to be adopted and she responded, Yes, if they love me and I love them!! God answered all our prayers that He would prepare her for our coming. I think her answer confirms God is at work in her heart. We already love her, and we pray she already loves us. We then got settled into our appt. to get some much needed SLEEP!
We leave Kiev today @3:30pm for Kharkov where Irina is. We will travel by train at night in order to sleep on the way and arrive in the am ready to got to the orphanage. I absolutely can not wait to see her!!! Please keep praying! God is answering! I'm in awe at the work of His hands!
We miss home and we miss our kids something awful. It's quiet here. We don't really know how to act!
Will post once we are settled in Kharkov.

On Our Way!!!!!!!!!

We are having a sleepover at the Heims before our trip begins tomorrow. The car picks us up in the morning @ 11am to take us to O'Hare airport. We leave Chicago @ 2:33pm and get to Frankfort Germany @5:45am. WOW, that will be a long flight!! We will arrive in Kiev Ukraine @ 1:30 pm on the 15th. We will meet Irina soon after. Please pray for God to prepare her and us for that first encounter. Can't believe it's finally here!
Its amazing how God has orchestrated this whole thing. The fact that we are flying with the Heims is just so cool! We had hoped all along we would be able to travel together, and God gave us the desires of our heart. One year ago,God placed them in our path at just the right time to speak God's truth into our lives. We are so thankful for them and everyone God has brought our way to help us on this journey. Thank you Jesus and all who have been a part of this adoption!!!!
We will post info as soon as we are able. Good-Bye!

We are going to Ukraine!!!!!

The moment we have been waiting for finally came. We got the call from our Social Worker on Tuesday May 25th telling us we have a travel date!!! Our SDA appointment is June 16th!! The unknown is finally known!! Yesterday was a blur as a talked back and forth with the travel agent trying to figure out flights. It took til 8pm last night to finally settle on a booking. It's official, WE ARE GOING TO UKRAINE!!


We have been so blessed with finances. It has been amazing to watch! I'm glad I'm not missing out on one blessing after another as God works miracles to make this adoption happen."O we of little faith!" I'm speaking to myself especially. I have had such little faith during this process, and so much fear that I've been at the Lord's feet continuously repenting. However, by His Grace, He has brought so much PEACE and greater understanding of the whole process. Just like marriage, adoption is forever according to God's Word. We will be married 14yrs this July, and at times it was so hard I wondered if we would make it. Because we have looked to God as ""our help in times if trouble", we are here today. I wouldn't change anything. He is worth any amount of struggle in the end. So with adoption, I can rest on God's promises knowing He will be there when times get tough. Obeying God's Word is my part. The outcome is in Gods' hands. Good or bad He will carry us through until the end.
God truly does know what we need before we ask or think. I thank the Lord for is His faithfulness to us.