Sunday, March 13, 2011

A Year Ago Today We Landed in Ukraine!

It is unbelievable to think that it was an AN ENTIRE YEAR AGO TODAY that we landed in Ukraine for the first time! I remember that first night so well because I have never been so terrified in my life! I remember thinking "What the hell are we doing here? What have we done? This is all a huge mistake. How did we ever think this was a good idea? When does the next flight back to the US leave?" It was the first and only time during the entire adoption process that I thought maybe we had made a big mistake. I asked Shawn if he too wondered what the heck we were doing in Ukraine about to meet a child who was supposed to be our daughter whom we knew nothing about.  I don't know if it made me feel better or worse when he told me he was feeling the same way. We were in a foreign land, not knowing anyone, not knowing the language, 5,000 miles from family and friends, exhausted from a 23 hour journey, and facing a long road ahead of us. Satan was having a field day. So I remember emailing a few friends from home just asking them to pray for us and for our hearts and for God to bring us an overwhelming feeling of peace. I had never prayed so hard in my entire life.....and then....I had never had such a feeling of complete peace in my life! It was a terrifying hour followed by the most real visit from God.  It was the beginning of the biggest roller coaster ride we've ever taken. I wish I could have told my terrified self how exactly a year later I'd be spending the day with that child we knew nothing about...that child who has become my entire existance...I wish I could have shown myself a glimpse into this beautiful life, but because I was unable, God gave me a peace that surpassed all human understanding. We are blessed!

10 comments:

  1. In a couple of weeks, we hope to be traveling to the same country, adopting a little girl we have carried a torch for the last 7 months. Our family is forever blessed that you wrote your story online. You shared your process, and you answered my questions, honestly when I asked about the future. Because of your answers and others, we were at peace the minute we began praying on adoption.

    Look at you now. Zoya is life, love, and filled with laughter. She is amazing!

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  2. I will be traveling soon to meet my daughter for the first time and I am sure I will have all of the same terrifying feelings that you had, but thanks to you I will have tucked in my heart the words that you just shared with all of us. Thank you for this little gift...

    Love finds a way,
    Renee Tam
    chasing-moonlight.blogspot.com

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  3. Hello!

    It has not been a year already?! WOW! You are so blessed Zoya is just so very beautiful!

    Hey I'm Trying to get the word out on 2 sweeties that need adopted can you help? Please. Here is my blog link.
    http://ourjourneytoadoption.beckfamily143.com/2011/03/3-year-old-twins.html

    I met with Noah's SW this morning and she was telling me about them. Sounded perfect for us but Paul says NO NO NO! DARN it!


    BE blessed

    Ashlee

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  4. In some ways it must feel like she has been home forever and in other ways doesn't it feel like it has gone by in a blink of an eye?

    Congratulations on your one year anniversary!

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  5. Thanks for sharing, Sarah! We are booking flights right now, and my emotions have gone haywire. This helps :)

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  6. This post left me with goosebumps from head to toe and I am not just saying that! :) Beautiful and amazing!

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  7. I can only begin to imagine all the feelings and emotions you must have felt a year ago! Congrats - you made it! :) She is an adorable girl!

    Thanks for your comment on my blog; sometimes it is hard to think about those more serious issues for the future, but it helps to talk it out and know I'm not alone :)

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  8. What a great story! I have a friend who is right now working to adopt a little one from Russia.

    I'm so glad you were able to make Zoya yours.


    Tammy and Parker
    www.prayingforparker.com

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  9. Sarah, we are all so blessed to share this journey with you...thank you for sharing and continuing to share your sweet girl and your feelings with all of us. Love, Liz

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