words from all of us

A few things Cort got to type his first morning before he got sick.

3-22-07
Words from Cort:
Boy is it good to be back to the womb of my birth where I was raised and began my life and mission in this marvelous country. Yesterday I had a little time (about 9 hours) to think and ponder the last 2 years of my life as I drove through some of the cities I had lived in. Returning to Sumy I recalled many miracles and memories. The city and people have done a lot for me. One of the longest bus rides I’ve ever taken not because of the time and uncomfortable sitting arrangement (from which I am still healing), but because I was about to see my parents. One young man now friend with which I talked for about 4 hours of the trip helped me calm my emotions and feelings. But I made it! And I was greeted with love from my mother and father. During that ride and speaking with my parents late into the night and early this morning there is one thing we have found incredible, the tender mercies of the Lord. We recognize His hand and love and feel His guidance. I don’t know who out of us is living so right, but dad and I this morning realized it’s definitely not mom. haha They haven’t changed a bit, and I love it. It’s been fun to talk and joke around. It will be amazing to see Laina today, I’ve heard so much about her and look forward to finally getting to meet her. Ummm, I guess that’s all for today hopefully I can say a few more words a little later.

Steve's thoughts:
Today, Thursday the 22nd of March was a unique day because we took our time getting ready. We felt that Cort deserved our time to catch up on things. He shared a lot with us last night, telling stories, showing us pictures and trying to cram two years of life changing experiences into a couple of yawn filled hours. So this morning we leisurely talked and got ready to head to the Notary and the Internet Café. Cort started to feel sick and progressively grew worse as the day went on. We finally made it out to the Orphanage at 3:00pm. We were allowed to go up to Laina’s dorm. She has three roommates and six beds. Each girl has a one foot by two and a half foot cabinet by the side of their beds. Those cabinets house all of their personal and private belongings. They each have a spot in another room for their shoes and coat. Quite humbling seeing how happy these kids seem to be without having many worldly possessions. We met a kind older woman Maria Andresa who is the mother figure assigned to these girls and some more kids. I have been impressed with the Administrators of the Orphanage. They seem to be truly caring and I haven’t heard an angry word from any of the adults there. They don’t have a lot to work with but they do extremely well with who and what they have. The buildings are old and run down but they keep them clean and the kids do a lot of the work. They do a great job teaching the kids responsibilities and pride in their work. Laina and Cort talked for a short time and Laina thought it was neat having a brother she can communicate with in her own language. We headed home and Cort got extremely ill. We, Vern and I gave him a blessing and he’s sleeping soundly. I have been touched by the kids and everyone involved. The Facilitators and translators for the adoption are amazing. They do everything to make our experience the very best possible. We have been blessed!

a note from me:
3-23-07

I need to write about meeting Cort. It has been so eventful and I’m quite sleep deprived. We had been waiting in the bus station for an hour or so, and every time a bus came we went out to see if it was his. Finally we walked out and from the doorway I could see into the bus and saw a white shirt. I said there he is and ran to the bus, right when he was getting out. Oh it was so good to hug him! He looks great!! He was a sight for sore eyes. We grabbed his bags out of the back of the bus and took a quick picture. We met his new friend Anton, that got on the bus in Harkov, and they talk the entire way from there. They made a great friendship and of course Cort had already given him a Book of Mormon.
We loaded up scrunched in a taxi, bags on our laps and came back to the apartment. We barely fit in the lift with all the luggage – there wasn’t even room for tiny Natalie, so she took the seven floors up. Sat down and it was so great to see him in real life. It had been so long. We were so happy. We laughed and laughed and shared moments of the past two years. We still have a lot of catching up to do. He had a couple of gifts, ask us to show you ‘togever forever’. We looked a pictures he had, and watched a video they made for President Anderson’s 60th birthday, the office elder’s and A.P.’s produced and it was a royal crack-up, we laughed so hard and it was so great to just be in his presence! It was so enjoyable.
Natalie made us a delicious dinner and we appreciate her so much. It was nice to have a quiet night with him. Garrett’s and Carla had gone to Poltava and spent the night, so we had the apartment to ourselves. They returned last night safely.
Cort is still sick. Terrible stomach pain, diarrhea, weak. He has eaten some today which is good and we are pumping him with liquids. His headache and fever are gone, which is a good sign too. This afternoon Steve will stay with him at the apartment. I will go with Garrett’s, Carla and Natalie to the orphanage.
I apologize for those who sent gifts, we haven’t given them to the kids yet because of Cort being so sick. We were only there real short yesterday, and won’t be long today. Next week it is Spring Break at the Internat, and we will beable to find some of the other items, (Cort will be better) and we will take it then.
Yesterday when we were in the Internet Café in the morning when Cort was not as sick, a guy came in that he had met and visited with a year and a half ago. For those of you that read his emails you may remember the real tall (over 7 foot) guy he met in Sumy that played basketball. So it was cool to see Cort talk to him again. He remember Cort and invited him to one of his games, we will be traveling then though. Once he is feeling better we can get back out and go see his friends and contacts. I guess every one at church is real excited to see him again.
We are off to the Internat soon. The weather is great, if the wind wasn’t blowing it would be hot, but Ukrainians still are bundled up, and when in France.... The sun is shining and spring bulbs are beginning to peak through the dirt. A few early bloomers have even bloomed. Spring is coming.