Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Rita Rose Rahn


Where are you?” The most common asked question on our e-mails lately. I am sorry that I have not blogged more, I am standing in awe of our God who is doing a work that I am just standing back and watching. I am having a hard time blogging all that I see going on and how it is all coming about. We started this adoption to adopt two of Yana’s friends. God motivated us to go through the motions to adopt, but had a different plan for who our daughter would be. We were not sure that the girl we had petitioned for would want to be our daughter, now we are delighting in her acceptance of being our daughter. We have named our daughter, a fun process that took much longer then Yana or Koyla. We wanted her to pick her new name and middle name, so we typed a bunch of names on the computer to find the one she wanted. Her choice is “Rita Rose Rahn”. A beautiful rose she is.
Rita is shy, tender, sweet, gentle, tall, kind, pretty, and soft spoken, just to name a few of her beautiful attributes. There are many others that we discover as the days go on. I don’t think Rita was over excited to get adopted, but everyone who she trust is telling her it is the best thing for her. We have approached the situation very slowly with Rita. Our plan was to get her from going because it is the best thing for her, to going with us because she desires to. We are seeing the transformation day by day. Yesterday Rita has to write a petition to be adopted by the Rahn Family and sign it. Today she goes for a physical. She is taking all the steps that will lead to her adoption. Victor brought the judge some papers for another couple that are adopting here also. He mentioned to the judge that he would be bring papers by for the Rahn Family who is adopting. The judge asked if it was the same couple that adopted a boy last year. She was pleased to hear we were back. I really hope that gives us favor and a short time in court, for our sake and Rita.
Our days are speeding by. We have a lot of school work for Koyla to get done. Our apartment is really beautiful, but it does not have the internet. We will be moving on Wednesday into the church apartment, that will give us internet. Hotel Berdyansk is less than a block away from us, so right now the internet café is available to us. It still will be easier to do studies at the church. This apartment has a tv in every room, except the basement. Yep, a basement!! It is a huge place and is very convenient.
On Sunday we took the bus to Tokmak to visit Koyla’s grandpa. We showed up unannounced because his phone number wasn’t in our phone. It was pretty overwhelming for the old man and for Koyla. After Rick and I visited a little we left the two of them to themselves for the day. We went into town and bought minutes for the phone that we bought grandpa last year, we grabbed a bit to eat and then returned to Grandpa’s to get Koyla. Grandpa is poor. There was no desire to live until he opened that door and saw Koyla. We left him some money to buy some clothes for the winter and new shoes. What an incredible sight of poverty. Koyla wants to spend the night with Grandpa, we have decided to let him. Those two really love each other and have such a respect for each other. Interesting enough, on the way back to the bus, Koyla was full of joy. He talked and laughed while he walked arm in arm with his dad. Koyla feels really good that we care for his grandfather and it is genuine. On the way back to town we stopped and saw grandma’s grave. On the stone is her picture, the date of birth, and the day she died. She died when she was 2 years older than I am now, in 2003, the date that turn my children’s lives around and grandpa’s life too. Grandpa told me he hasn’t cared much about life since she left. It didn’t matter that he spoke Russian, I understood every word he said, with tears dripping down his face.
It is no wonder that I am having such a hard time blogging. I am so blessed. When I see a young beautiful girl like Rita, that have been in an orphanage for over 10 years and has no one in her life but one cousin ( only on paper, she has never met her), and a grandpa who lives in despair, I am humbled at my life that I am so blessed with.
Today is a down day. I have been sick for the last 2 days. Today, I am improving. It sure does fill good to start feeling better. I have to start preparing for a birthday party. Rick is about to celebrate his ____ birthday!!! We move to the church apartment on Wednesday and have a dinner party on Thursday night. Turning the afternoon I will bring a cake to the orphanage to celebrate with Rita and her friends. We are not allowed to take her off campus. Galina got into some trouble this summer for letting the children leave with their adopting families. She is very strict now and won’t break any of the rules. We have to wait until the 10 day waiting period is over after court to have Rita stay with us. I am sure glad our friends Heather and Dave, our friends from Virginia are the other couple here adopting. Hopefully when the boys go home Heather and I can wait it out together. Pray for the perfect timing!

12 comments:

Passanita Family said...

Sooo happy to hear from you and see that beautiful daughter of yours. She will fit right in. God sures knows what He is doing! Praying for cointinued health and speedy process through the system for all of you. Hugs to Koyla and to you guys. Can't wait to hear about Ricks birthday :)
Love adn miss you guys!

Heidi and Felix said...

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I understand the dilemna about blogging. Your hearts are torn in pieces, and you see so much need in the orphanages, that it is difficult to put into words sometimes.

Your compassion for Kolya's grandfather is inspiring. What a gift for Kolya to be able to spend the night with his grandpa.

Angie said...

Just soo excited for you all..just sent out an e-mail but I was stunned things are moving so quickly..it was meant to be..Yana must be so happy as Koyla must be..Ggod bless..happy birthday Rick and yeah....Angie

Anonymous said...

: )
~ The Henrys

Anonymous said...

We are so happy for you! Your blog is beautiful as is Rose. I hope things go smoothly for you during the remainder of your time in the Ukraine. It sounds like Kyola enjoyed his time with his Grandfather. Also.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY U. RICK! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! XOXO SHAWN & FAMILY

Q's News said...

Thank you for the excellent update. We miss you & pray for you every day.

Tim & Charlene

The Schweickerts said...

Rick & Fran,
I was just praying for you all and a little concerned because I had not heard anything from you. I'm so happy to hear about Rita. You are truly blessed! Yana was here last Friday. She has a great appreciation for you both and talked about how much she missed and loved you! We do too!

Kevin and Kim McCormack said...

How awesome, Fran! Rita is just perfect. How old is she? Does she have any English? I'm impressed at how comfortable you are kicking around Ukraine like natives. Please keep blogging. <3

Anonymous said...

Wow, you have been very busy. It sound like things are going pretty well. Congratulations. Rita Rose sounds like a lovely person. I'm glad Koyla got to spend time with his Grandpa. Tell everyone hi for us and Happy Birthday Rick! We are very happy for you.
Steve, Jody , Christopher

Anonymous said...

It is so good to hear from you Fran. I hope you will be home soon with Rita Rose Rahn and .....Kolya. Of course, Dima is without his friend and missing him desperately. Please keep up updated and tell Viktor I said hello and that I would really like to hear from him about Sasha. Next time you are in Takmok, maybe you can look Sasha up and tell him we are thinking of him. So good to hear of Kolya and Grandpa. I am so glad he is getting this time with him. I hope you are feeling better. Lisa D

Anonymous said...

From the other (feminine)half of Q's news: I just dropped Yana off at a babysitting job for the Ritners. what a great big sister she will make for Rita. You've done such an amazing job parenting her in such a short time. Thank you for the heartwarming story about Kolya's grandfather...we are so blessed here. Charlene

ArtworkByRuth said...

YEAH! Great update, beautiful name and photo! Praying for you to have continued strength and wisdom. Thank you again for being the hands and feet of Jesus to those we have all had to leave behind. God has a plan for ALL to help the orphans, praying others will step up and fulfill their roles as well!