It all started back in October 2008 when I had a question from my sister-in-law Carina: “do you have a passport? We need you to go to Russia with me because Terry can’t go!” I replied “yeah right”. I know I don’t have a passport and how could I possibly go with work and family and obligations etc. So I applied for the passport and they said it would take 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. That would be too late. That was the end of that, I thought!
We were studying the Beth Moore series The Songs of Ascent which covers Psalm 114 in our Bible study and had just talked about our next turn in stepping out, moving out of the comfort zone, etc. and I asked “Lord are you talking to me??”
The passport came in a record nine days! Carina ordered the tickets and sent for my Visa. Lynn, Mary, Dot and even Tammy Hillestad (DON) said you have to go! The next hurdle was the Visa; we were leaving November 3 and it was October 29 and Carina said “don’t worry until Friday October 31, it will surely be here by then!” It wasn’t here Saturday the 1st! But by Saturday evening she called and said “I have it here in my hand and we are set to go! “
We were working on quilts on Tuesday evenings with Joyce Schrepel ,Joy Reed, Elaine Kundy, Marian Wiese, Susan Slaughter, Nancy Holt and Betty Wilbur and I had decided not to go October 29. But they called and I got there at 5:45 PM. They said we need you! I sewed about 5 inches on the quilt I was assigned to work on and I my call phone rang! “Sorry guys, I have to go!” And they said “wait we have a prayer quilt for you to take to Russia!” What a beautiful gift, made with love and tied with the prayers of dear Christian friends! I had a traveling companion to keep me warm and cozy and remind me of dear friends at home in SD.
November 3, 2008
we boarded the plane in Watertown South Dakota at 3:30 PM to St Petersburg via Minneapolis and Amsterdam. We arrived on the fourth at 5:30 PM.
Andre picked us up and drove us to the hotel in downtown St. Petersburg, across from the river. I don’t know much of anything about Russia. There were many strange signs but some were familiar: Sony, Yamaha, KFC, McDonald’s.
We had missed the election of 2008 where Barrack Obama had been elected the first black president of the USA. According to Andre our driver, the Russians thought that it will be very good for Russia, and for the economy. We can only pray that he is correct.
November 5, 2008
Today we had a “continental breakfast” of boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, oranges, raisin roll, and juice in the hotel. It was a very fancy dining room.
Then we drove a long time to a small town where the children were born to get them new birth certificates. Then to the orphanage to play with the children. Nastia wanted Carina to hold her, carry her, and call her “my baby”. Marie liked having her picture taken. Grecia was full of energy and couldn’t sit still. The weather was cold and cloudy with some sun and some sprinkles. We had tea, crackers, and chocolate at the orphanage. Catia was our interpreter, my “sister in Christ”.
The children had been baptized on Monday and were given crosses. They were warned not to be baptized again and to not lose the cross. This would be a bad omen for them. I guess that they can make up their own minds.
Dinner was at a Chinese Thai restaurant within walking distance of our hotel. They accepted VISA. (we had not exchanged for rubles yet). We paid 2200 rubles for our supper. It was spicy and I wondered what some of it was that we were eating!
Downtown St. Petersburg is very modern. There are big apartment buildings with courtyards on the inside of the block. Country housing looked poor like government housing; it was run down and some in the process of upgrades. There were two story homes three windows down stairs and one on the top floor and they were wooden structures. It seemed like the weather was always dreary and gray. It also felt like most of the attitudes of the Russian folks we met was this way; dreary and gray. Not all of them, but I had a feeling that there were not many happy people in Russia.
The next day we had breakfast at the motel (about the same). We drove to the orphanage to play, get more papers, copies etc. Tea and chocolates for lunch. Then we drove back to the city to apply for the children’s passports, and buy airline tickets to get us to Moscow on Saturday.
Maria wants to be called Sophia which is her Saint's name and Gregory wants to be called Grecia. Nastia is Nastia or Anastasia. The children are fun loving, learn fast and are excited about going to the USA. We went to Dickens English pub. It was expensive and they wanted to check our coats but we were cold. You can’t get plain old water to drink here. You could get sparkling or mineral water. The stock market continues to go down down ....what does this mean? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will make your paths straight.”
St. Petersburg smells bad; is it the water? Air Pollution? Traffic is terrible. They park anywhere they want to, but leave one lane open to drive (usually). Andre is a good driver; he says the drivers in Moscow will be crazy!
November 7, 2008
I wonder if Cari is safe in Africa??
I wonder if Kiersten is feeling better??
Today we ate breakfast in the hotel as usual. We had planned to take an early morning walk but I didn’t wake up until 830. Andrea came at 10 o’clock and drove us downtown to retrieve passports. We got final instructions from Irena. Then we went to the Church of the Spilled Blood where Alexander the Great died saving one of his men. It is a beautiful Cathedral with typical Russian onion spires. We walked to the market and bought a few souvenirs. Another long drive to the orphanage via the supermarket to buy ice cream, and treats for the going away party at the orphanage. We did meet more of the children, the kid’s aunt Anna (?) from Saint Petersburg, Olevtina, Katina (interpreter) and the music director. We watched the children sing and do dance routines that they had prepared.
A long trip back. Andre stopped for gas it was diesel at 28 Ruples per liter. When we got back we went to eat. They always want us to check our coats but we kept them. I had veal with potatoes and vegetables which was very good. Carina had chicken Kiev. We found out that we should order “Still” water. The waiter asked us if we were from the USA, and told us how the economy will be so much better with President Obama. He recognized “Dakota” thinking that we had a great NCAA team there. (I doubt that!)
(Today I am missing home, food, fresh air, .....only six more days. Tomorrow we fly to Moscow where we will have Sunday off, pick up VISAs and leave on Wednesday.)
November 8
Another long day, but different because we were alone with the children. Andre and Catia picked us up at 8 AM to go to the orphanage and drive to the airport via the supermarket to buy tennis shoes (three pairs) because the sandals are too cold! Lunch at McDonald’s in St. Petersburg then 12:45 PM flight to Moscow. They left us off at the airport and we are on our own! Quiet flight. An old man tried to talk to Carina but they didn’t get much understood between them.
Max picked us up at the airport and drove us downtown Moscow to the Marriott, a very nice hotel. We went to an Italian restaurant; cheese pizza for Carina and I and I don’t know what the kids had but they loved it: ravioli with sausage, oil and sour cream. Ice cream for dessert to celebrate Nastia’s 10th birthday; one she will never forget. Then back to the hotel to watch Chicken Little in Russian, check email and write home, finally. I am wondering how Cari, Kiersten and Abby are doing. Tomorrow is a free day and even though it is cold we will do some walking, walking, walking. They are giggling in the adjoining room while Carina is checking email. I better go get them to quiet down so they can get some sleep. It is so difficult to communicate but they learn faster than I do. They know some Spanish from living in Spain and are able to communicate some with Carina because she also knows some Spanish. I know one Russian word Dasvidania (goodbye in Russian). And....Oh yes: NYEDT! I did buy the kids a Russian key board when we got back to USA but they were more interested in learning English, so the keyboard just gathered dust!
November 9 “ rise and shine and give God the glory glory!” Sleeping until 8:30 AM again! Out to breakfast at the coffee shop where they Buffaloed us (again) and ordered pancakes plus bagel sandwiches… I shared my fruit salad. There was no American drip coffee so a Latte had to do. Can’t order milk and all they want is Fanta or Pepsi (for breakfast!). We checked email from South Dakota. They had had a blizzard on Thursday. The Browns weren’t home from Colorado yet. Kyle and Michelle‘s wedding must’ve been good. Later we walked about a mile to McDonald’s for lunch… So many people… No place to sit. But very clean. There were lines to the restrooms. Cheeseburger and chocolate milk or was it a milkshake and French fries for the kids. Then we walked another mile to the Kremlin, Red Square, and the Cathedral. We had to walk all the way back stopping only at the bookstore for Russian/English children’s books. Nastia likes to bite, pinch, eat my hand…… Nyedt, nyedt, NYEDT!!
Then we went home to the “Casa” to play in the huge bathtubs and clean up. Nastia likes to run, jump, and take pictures. Marie likes to have her picture taken. I will try to send a picture to Terry tonight… Maybe… It didn’t work to send a picture. (I should have figured this out better before I went to Russia). Up early tomorrow to get the VISAs; two more days in Russia!
November 10, 2008
I forgot to include my trip to the supermarket alone while Carina waited for phone calls and the kids played cards. War, Slap Jack and Carina taught them Go Fish. Back to my trip to the supermarket. It was a very interesting place – I had no idea what or where to find stuff… Found mild cheese and salami (maybe) a small loaf of bread, tomato juice, grapes and three nectarines for 730 ruples. Carina said “well you got enough for the kids!” (As they snarfed it all down.) That evening at Kentucky Fried Chicken they again ordered French fries with ketchup and Marie ordered French fries and ice cream! But she had to eat two of our pieces of chicken before the ice cream and then we all had ice cream to celebrate the positive end to a very stressful day in Moscow Russia. That night the alarms went off on three different clocks in the middle of the night (I really only heard one but Carina insists there were 3). So some little fingers had played with the settings on the alarm clocks! The children love Russian music, loud Russian music and to dance to it sometimes cute but sometimes a little suggestive. Who knows what the words say! One can only imagine. Carina says that Maria at 11 years old would be out on the streets in 3 to 4 years if she was left in this orphanage. Alone. Catia says they get to 14-15 years old and they are given some money to get them started (but they have no training in budgeting) so usually blow all the money in a short time on expensive clothing or electronics and then they have nothing.
Trouble at the embassy. We couldn’t get in! (But Carina somehow did persuade them to admit us). We were wondering about help from the United States but it was the Veterans Day holiday weekend. That meant the offices were not open so there were many calls to Bethany orphanage. (The Bethel Christian adoption agency was assisting with this adoption. ) We finally contacted John Thune on his vacation day and he helped get the paperwork straight. There was an issue with the Russian embassy regarding the passports and it said only one child instead of three children! Carina said I should take one back to America by myself and I said Nyedt!! I was thinking we’d have to stay here until Saturday and wondering how we would ever survive four more days here.
(need to talk to Carina for more information on this little episode because I didn’t write it down).
November 12, 2008
this morning the kids slept until 9:30 AM. Phillip said he would be here by 10 or 1030 so we went down in the lobby to meet him. He mentioned something about taking the children to the zoo, or out for an outing today. Instead he came back up to the room to settle up with Carina and gave each of us a book which he had written a note in. (Carina probably paid dearly for those books!) White Fang, The Great Gatsby, Alice and Wonderland, and two more. Then he was gone and we were alone to plan another day in Moscow.
We walked to our favorite coffee shop for brunch, then walk some more. We went to TGIF for tea, spaghetti and juice. Then the children were hungry again! Then we walked back on a different street. So we said “no more walking today" and planned to spend some time in the hotel room with the TV on. Carina and Nastia went out on a walk to the local supermarket for bread, cheese, turkey, juice, chocolate and some goodies that look like ice cream bars but weren’t frozen.
Then " Mrs. Adventure Lady" said "we have a choice, just hang around the hotel or check out the metro". By then it was dark, but we took off planning to go to the Arbat (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbat_Street) for souvenirs. We first got directions from the lady at the desk that got us to the metro station. Then we were lost. So an Asian angel who spoke American showed us, then led us past the first stop to the next stop and said goodbye, gave us all candy to go. We went where she said to go; Then we were lost again. We walked farther after getting directions from a man or two who didn’t know English but tried. A British sounding chap said go 500 meters this way then 30 meters to your left. We said "OK" and his friend laughed and said "Americans don’t know metric!" We thought we did, but apparently not, we are lost again! We walked and walked to a strange sculpture with about 15 Horseheads coming up out of the pavement. What did that mean?
Then a man led us to the Arbat and we spent time in the souvenir shop and got a few things. Carina must’ve done her Christmas shopping! The girls picked out postcards; one collection each and one single each but begged for more. They will have a few pictures of Moscow and Nastia picked out the metro postcard. The girl in the shop wrote down directions and off we went. But we were lost again. A nice English-speaking blonde lady took us back to our street. "I’m just out for a walk, no problem". And we got off the metro. I think she thought we wanted to go to the Grand Marriott so we were probably a mile from the Marriott (https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mowtv-moscow-marriott-tverskaya-hotel/) where we were staying. Poor Grecia could hardly walk so Carina carried him. Nasty wanted me to carry her but I just couldn’t do it. But they were troopers and we got back. Maria was very helpful reading signs and telling us which way to go. Back to the room to shower and bathe, stories and pack up the luggage to prepare to head back to America. Vladimir will pick us up at 6:40 AM (hallelujah!)
There were so many people in cars, buses, walking but the Metro was the most crowded. Like maggots coming up out of the earth. Very clean and extensive Subway system. Russians all like to shop and buy black boots wear a hat and coat and carry a bag or something. Some of them found time to smooch going down the long escalator to the metro! But we didn’t see anyone we knew and thank God for the angels He sent to guide us back to the Hotel safely.
We talked about all the spit on the sidewalks in Russia. Carina said you could tell how they were feeling by the color of the spit! (Why didn’t I think of that, as I am the nurse!) Yes, they just spit everywhere! I didn’t even actually see anybody spit but the evidence was everywhere!
11-13-08
The last day of our fantastic journey started at 5:34 AM. “Up and at’em”. Carina and I got ready quickly but the children had other ideas. They didn’t want to wake up today! Sleepyheads! But we got ready in plenty of time.
Vladimir was waiting at 6:30 AM when we went down the elevator for the last time with four large suitcases. Did I mention we came with two of them full of underwear and gifts for the children, the officials, the caregivers, etc. On the way home we put the smaller carry-on luggage and all the clothes in the larger suitcases so we have only four to lug around. Better and easier to travel light! We got to the airport at 7 AM but couldn’t check in until two hours before our 1010 flight. We had coffee and juice and played cards. When we went to check in it took forever and we thought we might miss our flight. But God didn’t bring us this far to turn back now! We went through the passport control, another wait. Finally we boarded our flight and finally left Moscow, probably to never return again! Then to Amsterdam where we walked, rode the moving sidewalk many times and we’re sitting at gate 29 playing Spoon. The children picked up that one fast. And we looked at the tickets thinking we have plenty of time it was 2:15 PM and it said the flight boarded at 1350 so that was 1:50 P.m. so we took off to the gate and there were some more questions about the children again. Then we were able to board the Airbus. (there is a total of 4226 miles from Amsterdam to the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport.) When we get off the plane we will have three new American citizens thanks to all the hard work Terry&Carina put in!
And this is the only the beginning of this Little story!
We arrived in Minneapolis, got off the plane to go through customs. Again we are at the back of the line! When we got to the front of this line, they told Carina to go to the other side with the children and Nastia said "Pzst" (which means bathroom I think) and she ran to the restroom with Grecia and Maria right behind her. They laughed when she took the left turn into the men’s room where she promptly threw up. Carina ran over through the puddle on the floor and arrived to help her little girl!
After this experience we went to the back of the line again and waited. They only asked me why I had gone to Russia and said "God bless you" when told them. We went through the agriculture line since Carina bought me tulip bulbs in Amsterdam. We goofed around in the airport again walking on the moving sidewalks. The kids loved them. The flight to Watertown was on time and off we went to our destination. The pilot announced it was too foggy to land and our faces fell. He then circled the Watertown airport, put the landing gear down and said we are cleared to land in Watertown. We cheered and clapped. He did another circle, I could see the lights and the ground but the landing gear went back up. "Carina", I said, "what does it mean when they bring the wheels back down?" "We are going to Pierre!" was her reply. Our faces fell. Well, I have never been to the Pierre airport but I didn’t think I really wanted to go there tonight! When we landed they said the plane to Aberdeen was also rerouted to Pierre. So when they landed we all got on a casino bus to Watertown via Aberdeen (which is the long route!) Frantic phone calls to Terry got him headed west and then north to Aberdeen where he and Emily picked us up. We arrived at their home at 4 AM and the kids went wild in their new casa. By 5 AM I was exhausted and went up to the upper room for a three hour nap.
Jordan made us French toast, sausage and scrambled eggs with a glass of milk and real American coffee. It was great to eat again.
Maria, you should have your mom read this I’m sure she could add many many things that I didn’t write down or I can’t remember! I hope it helps you out with your project at SDSU! I’m so proud of you that you have come this far since you came to America, and that I had this wonderful opportunity to help you get back here to your new family.
Ask Carina about the ride with Vladamir in the taxi held together with duct tape...I think we were in a hurry to get to the Embassy before it closed; he drove up on sidewalks! But maybe this was a dream I had....
Sorry that I focused so much on food. Must have been hungry over there!
Please let me know when your book is published so I can read all about the adventures that followed our trip to Russia to pick up the children.
Found the emails I wrote!
11/08/2008
gnerak53@hotmail.com
11/09/2008
Glad to see you got my email! We have been trying to find internet before this, but we are pretty busy; gogogo here and there to sign papers, pay more money, try to understand the kids! They have the advantage here because they talk to the russian speaking waiters and order more than we know and then are too full to eat it all! So, Anthony did not get back from CO? Bet the Brown's are pulling their hair out with all the snow! Did you hear from Cari yet? It is Sunday AM and we slept until 8:30 again. It will be hard to get back to the regular schedule. I should write to my friends at Home Care See you Thursday Love you MUCHO! Karen
11/09/2008 to HHC
Hello my friends in SD! We are having a marvelous time here in Moscow. We have been on the go since we arrived; signing more and more papers, more pictures, passports, visas, birthcertificates; there is no end to the paperwork, until we get on the plane back home, I suppose. I think that Carina is paying out everytime she signs her name! The kids have a major advantage here; they speak to the Russian waiters after we order food, and when the food comes we are very suprised what they order! That will soon end when we get back to the USA and we can understand what people are saying again. This is a very strange country, very modern, yet when you get out of the city very dirty, 1950s like. I am so glad to get the children out of the orphanage, but they are going to have major adjustments to make! Hope all is going well despite the snow you had there. Sandy, keep on blogging for me so I can get updated! Miss you all From Russia with Love Karen
11/10/2008
Letter to the adoption agency (Bethel) in the USA; having trouble with the paperwork!:
Still having trouble with the I 171 Embassy is not calling back to contact us to tell us if they received the fax! Can you call the Embassy to see if they can speed it up? Can you email the embassy? Slow moving here in Russia but we REALLY need your assistance. Please call Carina rm 502 Marriott hotel in Moscow Thanks Karen (Carina's sister in law and travelling companion)
Well, what is up in SD? We are hoping to leave here Wed Am. Maybe that will happen, so PRAY that it does! There is a small glitch in the paper work that might be huge. (child vs children). Carina is not ready to tell Terry yet, so I will let you know asap when we find out what is what. The Embassy is slow,slow,slow, and Tues is American Holiday and we have to have an invitation back for an interview or something. We are waiting for them to call, also the adoption agency...... Love you can't wait to get back
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