Half Way Home.

After a 40 hour trip, Daron is home safe and sound. He had a wonderful reunion with our natural born kids. Even the standing water in the basement didn't dampen the joy of being home...much. Huge thanks to Steve, John and George for keeping their "fingers in the dike" and helping to clean the mess. This whole adoption process has helped us see what great friends we have. Whether mopping our basesment, or being great to our natural born kids while we were away, or helping in a thousand other tangible ways, you all are awesome.

Susan will be visiting Z again tomorrow. She is four hours away from our home base. So, pray for safe travel. The last time we drove there was on a bumpy, icy road... in the snow and fog...at about 80mph... in the dark... while the driver was watching TV (no lie). When we we pray for "straight paths" we are being very literal. Also pray for more good bonding between Susan and Z. We've had a very good start with her, but she is young and doesn't fully grasp she'll be leaving soon to head to a country with a woman she's just met and a brother she barely remembers. These kids have to be so brave in so many ways.

If all goes as planned, the court decision will be final and effective on Feb. 6th. and Susan can return to with the kids about a week later. We will be so thrilled to finally have the whole family together for the first time.

Our hotel 'home base' near P's boarding school is somewhat of a bed and breakfast atmosphere with community meals, and a common area where we can gather with the other guests. The staff has gone out of their way to offer their very best. An Italian family, also adopting, has been staying with us at the same hotel. Ironic, given our history with Oleg...but healthy. They are wonderful people who clearly love their prospective child...they also make some fine pasta..."best ever". Despite the language barriers, the shared adoption experiences and the natural hospitality of our Ukrainian hosts provides a context for some real camaraderie between everyone...although we're not quite sure if Daron's Karaoke performance helped or hindered international relations. In any case, we Americans can learn a lot about the value of conversation during long, lingering meals. A sincere toast between friends is beautiful...and Ukraine is gifted with a lot of this type of beauty.

We'll be able to post pictures of the kids after Feb.6th. We want to make sure we respect protocol.
Hang in there.... They're coming.

Welcome Paxton and Phoebe Benson!

Guest blogger: John Caves

It's official! Paxton Pasha and Phoebe Zoya joined the Benson family after a successful court appearance with Ukrainian officials. Paxton's first question was, "When do we go home to America?"

Daron is traveling to Kiev this week and will arrive home this Thursday. Please pray for safe and comfortable travel. Also pray for Susan and the children as they work through the necessary travel arrangements to get home as quickly as possible.

Daron will upload the pictures shortly after he arrives home, so check in this weekend for pictures!

Thank you for your prayers and support! They couldn't have done this without an amazing community of believers!

Time in Region

Well, it is Susan, finally finding time in our schedule to go to an internet cafe. Since we landed in Kiev, we have been non -stop. We were able to take in some beautiful sights on the way to our SDA appt. We received 2 referrals and have spent some time with the kids. They are 5 hours apart, so we have been in cars and trains A LOT. Luckily, our travel companions are wonderful. We love having the Cashion's with us to laugh with, pray with and share the experience. We were lucky o also have Molly with us for 2 days and that was a blessings as well. She was wrapping up her adoption and showed us the sights in Kiev, and showed us the most amazing restaurant for traditional Ukrainian food. Mc Donalds has also been a friend a few times because we can just point to order (some speak a little English).

Our team here has been wonderful. We LOVE our translator. She makes us laugh and works so hard for us and the kids. She calls us her children and tells us what to do and say like a sweet Mama.

Today we had the whole day with P. We played cards, hot wheels and monopoly (a free gift in one of our Happy Meals). Adorable. We will do the same tomorrow. Monday we travel for 2 days to spend with our other referral. I cannot give our many details until after court. Please pray. There is still much to do and some small road blocks. We are confident that all is being done on this end, and God's purposes for these children will prevail. We feel your prayers and miss you all so much. WE know that our children are in good hands back home and that gives us great peace as we work for our children here.

Our friends the Cashions, have received their court date and are excited that things are going smoothly. A.was happy to see them. We had a fun time with the boys in one office while changing names, They kept repeating their new last names giggling at one another.

Daron is feeling well. He has made a reputation for himself as the funny, intelligent, absent-minded American. We laugh a lot to help relieve the stress. Once we get a date, we will let you know. Please pray for smooth paths and peace. We KNOW that God is at work here protecting and loving these amazing children.

Love to all!
D and S

Travel Update

Guest blogger: John Caves

Susan and Daron asked me to update everyone that their travel journey began with weather delays in Chicago. This caused a 6 hour delay and lots of stress. They need your prayers that the remaining parts of the journey, Duesseldorf and Kiev, go smoothly. Pray specifically that their luggage stays with them and remains in good condition.

One bright note is that missing their reserved flight put them in business class on another flight. Susan sent us this text, "We are in business class and it ROCKS!!! We have a massage chair, nice blanket and pillow, glass of wine or juice and the chair can lay flat!! Long day, but in style :)"

Thanks for your continued support and pray!

On our way!

Today has been hectic in running errands and packing (shoving, squeezing, kicking). I think we have everything we need, but am confident that something will come to mind that I forgot while in the air : ) Thank you dear friends for your phone calls, texts and notes. We feel that we are not in this alone, and thank God for putting us in this place, at this time of our lives with you all by our sides. Our hearts are ready for tomorrow and beyond. This blog will be our way of communicating with you. We hope to find an internet cafe and keep everyone updated.

We love you and feel blessed to call you sisters and brothers!