Ready to go

At this time tomorrow....I will be about half way through my long flight from JFK to Kiev.
Not too far from seeing Denis and the others in his orphanage. I can hardly wait.

The preparation and circumstances for this trip are quite different from my
trip in the spring. In the spring, it was my first time out of the country. My father
had been through surgery...and was struggling through the process, my son was
still in High School, I was terrified to go so far away and my company was smaller.

Since March, my son has started college, I have bought a new company, my father
is doing so well , I was able to host Denis here in my home and Ukraine passed a law that single parents cannot adopt. I am not anxious about the flight over, nor the condition of my father...
but I must say that I am very curious about what the future holds for Denis.

Please pray that the Lord would give a special blessing on our time together. He is so dear
to me. He has been through so much in a short 11 years of life. I would also ask that you pray
for my company which is adjusting to a lot of change and for my son Wes who will be holding down the fort while I am gone!!!! Thanks and I will post when I get back, unless I get to an internet cafe!!!! I was unable to access internet while in Ukraine on my last trip so I
am leaving the laptop at home. Love to you all. Cathy

A Happy Birthday

I turned 52 today. I remember when my mother was 52. I thought she was really old. HA!
So here I am. 52 and loving every minute of it. In fact I thank God for legnth of years.

It has been an incredible birthday. I wasn't expected to live to see 42. But God...spared my
life and has put a new song in my heart. Those of you who know me well, know what that
song is!!!!! Apart from Salvation, it is the joy of being a mother. My son Wes made my
day so special. He started the day off by playing Happy Birthday on his violin. It really did
make me want to cry. We then went to a soccer game, had lunch, watched the UK football
game, watched the Breeders Cup, then went to dinner with friends. It is a special thing to have
your 19 year old son give his time to you!!!!!

I am now looking ahead. It is going to be quite busy. I bought a new company and closed on
Friday. I will have 2 very hectic days trying to merge this business with mine. The timing is
not the best but...OH Well. I'll have to work double time when I get back from Ukraine.

I am close to being packed to leave to go to see Denis. I cannot wait. I spoke to him very briefly
today. I'll keep you posted.

Love,

Cathy

Answered prayer

We had 2 critical appointments this week. One was with the embassy to request an appointment
date for Christmas visa, that was granted. We go for visa on December 5 @ 12. Please continue
to pray that we get our visa and Denis can come for Christmas.

We had court on Wednesday concerning Denis's status. We continue trying to get him on the official
adoption registry. I have not heard a report on this and do not expect to for several weeks.

I leave in about a week and a half to go to Ukraine for a visit. I believe it is a critical visit
for Denis. He has had a tough month, trying to adjust to life in orphanage, 2 week hospital
stay, a good friend of his was sent to foster care, a visit from his mother with her new baby
(the first time he has seen her since spring)......a lot of tough things for a little guy.

I praise God for the contact we are able to maintain.

Wes is still home :).

Thanks for continuing to follow and pray!!!

Love,

Cathy

Big Week

Denis is out of the hospital and I never dreamed that I would be happy to say that he
is back at the orphanage. But he is....finally, and I am glad. We are counting the days until we get to
see each other again. Last week when we spoke, he told me that he would like for me to
bring paper. Imagine...paper. It made me want to cry!!! We take so much for granted.
He has a few more surprises coming. I just can't wait.

We are still trying to get him here for Christmas. Our people were at the Embassy in
Ukraine today. We are supposed to have an answer by tomorrow. Please be in prayer.

Thanks for your prayer!!! Cathy

Good Day

I have had the wonderful blessing of talking to Denis everyday since he was placed in
the hospital almost 2 weeks ago. It has been a roller coaster of a week for him. The room
he is in is barren. No television, nothing to read and he is having to stay there while he is
not even sick. The low point this week came when he was put in a room by himself for
a day. He called me and said BAD day. He cried and cried, It broke my heart. It is
a really helpless feeling being half way across the world and not being able to do a
thing. But there are some things I can do. First is pray. And that I continue to do.
I am thankful for our God who hears. I was able to pray with Denis as well. I was also
able to remind him of the many things we had to be thankful for like the telephone so we could
talk, a new PSP that I bought for him while he was here ( it has games, movies, pictures from
his trip here and video clips). It has filled in the gap. But not that big gaping hole the size of the
Grand Canyon that remains in his life. The reality is that his future is uncertain in every way.
If you care to read more about orphans in Ukraine, go to "you tube" and put Ukraine Orphans in
the search. If you have not yet read this, you will see why I so desperately want him out.
(Not to mention that I love him so!) At this point he is stuck. Right where he is today.
Were it not for the comfort of knowing that God is sovereign, I think I could go over the
edge worrying. I am so thankful to the Lord that He has brought us together. What joy it brings
to me to hear that sweet voice on the phone. To be a Mama to him, even if it's only over the phone. I told him this week that if I was there, I would get a chair, pull it right next to his
hospital bed and sit there day and night. I continue to assure him that I love him and will
help him all I can. I fly to Ukraine on October 29. I am counting the days. In the meantime
I ask you to continue to pray. First for salvation for Denis. Second, we have a hearing on October
15th to determine his status, third, that the Lord would allow ( be it in His plan) me to adopt Denis. It is a passionate desire of mine. And his. Things are not as dreary as they sound, God is
on the throne. I love the Word of God..."where there is life, there is hope."..I'm still here hoping.
In His Great Love, Cathy