Wednesday, November 7, 2007

COMING HOME!!!!

Everyone,

Sorry there have been no posts to the blog for over a week. Jeri was moving from place to place, the internet service where she was staying was not working, then she had passport issues and scheduling flights to Kiev, etc........ I just spoke to her this morning (Wednesday, 5 pm in Kiev). She arrived in Kiev Monday night after getting Vitaliy's passport late Monday afternoon. Apparently many of Vitaliy's friends from the orphanage all came to the airport to spend time with him before he flew to Kiev. Their flight was delayed so Jeri said they talked for almost two hours with them before they had to leave, I'm sure that was tough but Vitaliy must have felt very supported to know how much he means to his friends @ #4.

Yesterday she visited the embassy and then went to the doctor's to get the medical clearance. She went back to the embassy this afternoon and as of about 20 minutes ago got the visa she needs to return home tomorrow!!! She will be leaving Kiev first thing in the morning Thursday and flying back via Amsterdam to Minneapolis to Omaha on Northwest, I think she said her flight # is 6884 and arrive Omaha @ 7:52 PM. I know she is looking forward to being home with the kids, it will have been 7 weeks she has been away from them on Friday.

When we started this journey I had a lot of misconceptions about the adoption process in Ukraine. It is longer, more difficult, more expensive, more everything. It will test your faith beyond anything you can imagine. Be prepared!!! Having a good support system will mean more to you than you will ever know. Friends in Omaha made this possible for our family, without all of them (and the list is so long it says much about the people in this community) we could not have done this. A special thanks to Laura and Terry F. and their family, they blessed our kids with their guidance and support while we were gone. In Odessa we had help from many, including Michelle M. and Tanya and Paul B., to name a few. Everyone has been just teriffically supportive, and back here I know of many, many families and friends who kept us in their prayers - they really worked and were answered!

So, tomorrow we will end one journey and begin another as Vitaliy joins our family. I know Jeri will want to post when she gets back, so look for it in a couple of days. Also, I want to let other family's know that the support we got from our facilitator (Oleg's team) Natasha/Natalia was incredibly professional and supportive. We were truly blessed to have her as our advocate in Ukraine throughout all the challenges we faced. She is an amazing person.

Finally, Thanks God! You saw us through this like you said you would.

Charles

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jeri,
Your trip is almost over! It was long . . . but successful. We can't wait to see you back home safe and sound.
Chuck, Kelly & Katie

Steve and Gail said...

Can't wait to see you back in Omaha. We are glad that this part of your journey is ending. God bless and have a safe trip.

Charles and Jeri Roberson said...

Steve and Gail,

Thanks so much for the cell phone and everything else!!!! I can assure that without it life in Ukraine would have been very, very difficult. If you don't have a cell phone that you take with you that works in Europe, or you don't get one there you are going to waste a ton of time.

junglemama said...

I didn't want to hear about all the more things, but thanks for preparing me. :) I appreciate the honesty.