When Steve and I married in 1994 we had vague discussions of possibly adopting a child, but never really took it seriously. I had a soon-to-be-grown son and would be past that phase of life. Steve never had children, but was at peace that if God had wanted children for him it would’ve happened.

Both of us now had active lives and busy careers. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to “ground zero” and raise a child again with everything that entails. Besides, adoptions cost a lot of money that we didn’t have, and certainly we were too old anyway. As time went on our prayer was that God would use us in some way. We both didn’t want to spend the rest of our lives simply “entertaining” ourselves with new things, fun vacations, self-fulfillment and all the other things that we Americans take for granted. We asked Him to direct our lives.

For several years it seemed that He was planting the seeds in our hearts. Different things began to happen. Finally we took notice and said, ”Maybe God is guiding us to adopt?” We decided to pray that if that were His will for us He would provide the money. Within the next several months all of the money needed came in. We decided to take the first step and have a home study done. We still had no idea where we were being led and were excited but also a little terrified! Steve put it well when he said, "If God is truly directing us why should we be frightened? Whatever problems we may have, ultimately don’t we want to be in His will?"

When our home study was about complete the social worker asked us again what age child we were wanting, and whether we wanted a child from overseas or from the States. We didn’t know. Steve told her that unless God “put it directly in front of us” we would do nothing else. Two weeks later I was asked to go on a mission trip to Ukraine. On the last day of that trip we visited two orphanages. Our guide was an adoption facilitator, and I spent the rest of the day learning about the situation in Ukraine. With eighty orphanages throughout Ukraine, and an average of 300-400 children per orphanage, the need is great.

When I returned home, Steve and I prayed about it. We knew God was leading us there.

Ukraine is unique in that prospective parents, once approved, visit the orphanages, meet the available children and then pick out the child they would like to adopt. After our interview in Kiev we were given permission to visit Berdyansk, a seaside city of 100,000 which is about fifteen hours south of Kiev on the Sea of Azov. Interestingly enough, had we come when we were originally scheduled, we never would have gone there. Until that time, none of the paperwork on the available children from that orphanage had been forwarded to Kiev, which meant that the children there sat waiting year after year without a visit from prospective parents.

We prayed that God would make it absolutely clear to us which child that He had for us. I have a difficult time making minor decisions, let alone major ones!! I cannot describe to you the feeling I had as I got off the overnight train that morning, knowing that before the day was done I would meet the child that would be part of our family for the rest of our lives. What would she be like?

When we got to the orphanage, the biggest shock to Steve and I was the children themselves! They weren’t weak and sickly looking, or hardened from being institutionalized, but rather very sweet, affectionate and generally happy kids! The first child we met was Natalie, and I began to cry because I knew immediately that she was the one! It was like a voice inside me said, “That’s her!” We fell in love with her right away and she with us! Immediately she clung to our sides and called us Mama and Papa!

We’d no sooner gotten home with Natalie when Steve started talking about going back for another. At first I wasn’t interested. I was still adjusting to life with a new child! And certainly we couldn’t afford it! But I agreed to pray about it anyway. Within a few days Natalie began to talk to us about her friend Angelina. At first we were told she was not available, but then a few weeks later she “suddenly’” became available! Also, once again the money we needed came flooding in! I had to admit that it looked like God was directing us to go. So in August ’02 we found ourselves on that same overnight train from Kiev to Berdyansk.

When we met Angelina it was clear to us that God had led us to her, also! What we didn’t realize was that we would also meet another friend, Elisabeth and feel God leading us to adopt her also! We tried to take both of the girls on that trip and initially we thought we could. Then, a few days later we found out that we would have to come home and re-do paperwork and go back for Elisabeth. By this time she had already been told that she was being adopted and was walking on air! We were heartbroken and dreaded telling her that we couldn’t take her now. We promised to return as soon as possible. And miraculously, less than three months later we surprised her! We arrived in November to take her home. As we flew out of Kiev she looked out of the window and began to cry. I put my arm around her and asked her if she was sad at leaving, or scared, or both. She said, “No Mama, I am very , very happy!”

Let me tell you a little about each of our girls: Natalie (11) has been home with us for about 1.5 years now. She is exuberant, funny, extroverted, overly dramatic and generally full of life! She seems to captivate people with her fun personality, and everyone seems to know her! She is ever the princess, loves to be the center of attention and will do most anything for a laugh. Her name means “joyous celebration” and that about says it!

Angelina (10) has been part of our family for nine months. Her name means “little angel”, and that is also who she is! Initially she was very shy and would hardly speak up. Nowadays we’ve seen this comical little personality emerge! She loves animals especially dogs and horses! She is a cuddler and very sweet, and tells me often that I’m the best Mommy she’s ever had! She’s gentle, a hard worker, very precise, conciliatory and loves to help Steve or me with chores.

Elisabeth (14) has been with us for six months. She is affectionate, graceful, determined, intense, conscientious and very smart! Elisabeth has a natural grace and balance due to six years of ballet. She seems to have a gift for athletics. She has played on her school volleyball and softball teams and is quite good. She has amazed us all at how well she is doing in school!

Steve and I feel very blessed! Our lives are richer and a little crazier also! Everyone has adjusted far better than I ever would have imagined. We are closer than I would have thought possible. And the girls are so happy!! They love each other, their new life and their new family. As Natalie put it recently, “I don’t like when people say I’m adopted. I was adopted when I first got here. Now I’m your real daughter!”