Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Day 5

We just finished reading your comments from the last post and are overwhelmed by the number of people following our adventure as well as the support and best wishes from everyone. It is also great to get some updates on the Phillies and Birds. Thank you to everyone.

We had a meeting this afternoon, but nothing definitive yet. We are hopeful that we will know more by the end of the week. We remain optimistic. While we know we are in good hands with the in-country team that is working with us, we feel even better knowing who is pulling for us (and praying for us) in the states.

Maya - our apartment backs up to the blue church with gold domes next to a huge park that fronts the river. It is a beautiful area (that is where I run every morning).

Frank - Karen and I walk down our street ever morning and have coffee in the square right next to the statue of Michael - Arch Angel of Ukraine.

Karen and I had dinner in a traditional Ukraine restaurant on Monday night. I had my first bowel of borsch. It was great. Ice cream cones are only $.90. Karen is in heaven. Choices are chocolate, lemon or chocolate and lemon. When you order water, you have to specify with or without "gas." Karen has developed a serious addiction to my Blackberry. Never wanted anything to do with it until it became our life line to all of you. The weather has been beautiful. The city is very very nice and very clean.

When we get more info we will pass along. Keep the prayers coming!!! K & M

17 comments:

Sharon said...

Glad to hear from you guys! It sounds like you are enjoying your time there. Karen I am sooooo happy you have icecream! Make sure you chose the water without gas! Will look forward to hearing more details about the children later in the week! Going to the Boyz for lunch today! Talk to you soon!

Timmins Family said...

I think the "addiction" is on the "states" side, too! Never even knew what a BLOG was before, and now we check constantly! Loving and praying for you!
Maggie, Bob, Monica & Daniel

Linda Scott said...

Hi Mike:

Just testing my blog...

Linda

Linda Scott said...

Hi Mike and Karen:

We are so bummed out to hear that your appt did not work out as planned for today. I hope you both know that we are all on pins and needles and can't wait to share in your news. Hang in there and know that you are both in our prayers. Believe that God has a plan and it will be worth the wait!
Linda

andy szczepkowski said...

Oh my gosh you guys, I just emailed karen's mom yesterday that I am "addicted" to the blog. I guess all of us on "Team Karen and Michael" are addicted! Again, it does my heart so good to hear from you because then I know you are well and making the most of your stay there. I wrote you a long newsy email karen and sent it to your work email. I hope you can pick it up.

Love and hugs from Marlton,
Andy

sue said...

Hi Karen and Mike,
Wishing and praying for you both. Waiting to hear some good news. Keep up the faith and be safe over there. A bad day in the Ukraine is better than a good day at work.

Love Sue

Joanne said...

Glad to hear all is going well. Karen, keep eating the ice cream.(I'll have some for you at "cold stone") Can't wait to hear more ....I'll keep you guys in my prayers.

Emily's Dad said...

So they're d-r-a-g-g-g-i-n-g it out for you, huh?

It's great that you're staying positive... eating your chocolate/lemon ice cream cones, and your "bowl" of borscht (at least I HOPE you meant to say "bowl" and not really a "bowel" of borscht... yuk!).

Keep us posted... In the meantime: "Ryan Howard hits a two-run, walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 10th to take two straight from the Mets at Citizen's Park!" (The crowd, and Matthew, go wild!!!)

Love from us,

The Lancaster Sheerins

The LaMonica Family said...

Hi karen and mike,

Its Pipes!!!

Miss you soo much!! I am so glad to hear that you two are okay!! I checked in with your mom last night at home...

Thank goodness the icecream tastes good- a little comfort from home goes a looooong way!!!

...and Mike- she pretends to not like the latest technology (a blackberry) but she is bberry princess at heart!!!

we are always saying our prayers.. i am even teach avery to hold his little chubby hands in a prayer position!!!:):))
-pipes

Johanna said...

Hi. Michael I can't believe you ate borscht! You have become very adventursome. Ice cream overseas is always better, because it has more fat and air in it. It really is an adventure of a lifetime and thanks for letting us share it with you both. We missed you Monday in Ops and talked about where you were. Can't believe Michael the Archangel is their patron saint! We are having fun here doing MIPs and MMIPs.
Take care and enjoy the great adventure. Looking forward to pictures! Best wishes. Johanna

Brent Owens said...

My tip for the day: Always get beer with gas.

Also, Ned stole my thunder with the Phils update. Go PHILS! Katie, Sean, Kelly and I were at the game. The kids were still up and very excited at the walk off home run. OK, I was a little excited also.

Keep us posted, looking forward to more news. Katie was at the beach all day today and I was given orders to check the blog regularly and call with any news.

Were thinking of you guys all the time.

ileene said...

Hi there guys. I just love reading the blog. It makes my day. Now I want your day to be made! Hopefully you will get the news of a lifetime tomorrow. Can't wait to hear.

Karen: can you get your emails from work???

lots of luck and love.
ileene

Nancy DiNubile said...

Hi Aren-Kay and Ichael-May.
...love the blog. check it first thing in the morning and before bed..

Sounds like the sights in Ukraine are neat. (how's that for a word from the 70's??)

Karen did you eat the borscht? Anything like the salmon salad at PF Changs? Imagine me sending everthing back in Ukranian....

Today when I was walking Bo (just B-O)I ran into a neighbor (who I rarely see) and she proceeded to tell me about her new grandson who was just adopted from.. (you guessed it) Ukranine!!!!!!!!!!
She showed me his picture, blonde blue eyed and beautiful! Is that unbelievable?? Her daughter lives in Florida and went through an agency called "Ukranian Angels" maybe you heard of them. I was so blown away I spent about a half hour talking to her, much to Bo's dismay:)

Karen miss you..talk to you soon..

Nancy

Pat&Maya said...

Mike and Karen-
Maya is so happy to hear you are enjoying the borsch! She suggests that you try pelmeni (like meat ravioli)and Kiev's kotleta ( like a thick hamburger but without the bun might have mushrooms, onions inside)) She is not sure exactly where your apartment is from your description. Is there a beach on the river near you? How is your Russian/Ukranian coming? We check the blog each day so be sure to e-mail any questions for Maya.

Thinking of you both and hoping all is well.

Pat and Maya

wajeehah said...

Hi Karen and Michael,I was off last week, but was so excited when I found out that you had gotten called to go to the Ukraine. You know you have been in my prayers, and will continue to be. I pray that everything is well and that you are having fun while anxiously awaiting meeting your daughter(s). This is the first time I ever used a blog(didn't know what it was or how to use it). I will have to hang around you young folks more often. Stay well and I will continue to follow your adventure. As others have said, take plenty of pictures.Talk to you soon. Love

Grace said...

You mean theres no white chocolate mousse?? =) i cant wait until your back in marlton
love
grace

Hillary Andes said...

Karen and Michael

Glad to hear there is ice cream in Kiev. Enjoy! We can't wait until the team hears something about the little ones. Everyone is thinking of you and praying for you.
Love,

The Andes Family