Enjoying our time in Kiev

Sunday morning I(Darrin) tried to find Hillsong Church Kiev.  After walking around where I thought it was located, I realized it had relocated to another part of the city.  I ended up at St. Andrews church which is a beautiful orthodox church.  There was a service taking place so I slipped in the back to watch.  The church is so ornate and and has beautiful detail and paintings inside.  You immediately are given a sence of awe and reverance.  A small choir was singing and the priest was administering the sacraments. It was at this time that I had such a great time of prayer and thanksgiving for all the Lord as done.  The worship experience was not what I am use to but I was able to worship anyway.  The fact that we have been able to rescue one of the least of these is truly amazing to consider.  God has brought us thousands of miles from our home to rescue an amazing young lady and for her to be a part of our family.  I look forward to the day when she shares her story.

Again we missed the Hillsong service Sunday evening by finding it's location too late.  We hope to try again.  Fortunately we were able to watch our home church's service.  The weekend was the family Home Improvment Weekend that we had been working on for the past 8 months.  I was dissapointed to not be there and so glad to hear that it was a success.  While watching the Sunday morning service I could not keep my eyes off the banner that was hanging behind the guest speakers (Jeff and Debbie McElroy, Forever Families).  In the center was the word "Family" with the subtitle "...is where your story begins". Even being in Kiev we were ministered to through the service.  Nadia's story has begun on October 2, 2009 with being adopted into our family! What a huge thing to realize how important a family is and the influence it has on our children.  God has chosen our family to be the best family for Nadia.  We are blessed!