Yulia

Back in October, when we first committed to Jacob, we were assigned a facilitator.  I wasn’t quite sure what she would do for us, but soon came to realize that she was our in-country connection.  We really didn’t have much contact with her until we were very close to sending our dossier.  I had many questions for her before were were at that point.  She wasn’t great at getting back to me via email.  Needless to say, I was a bit discouraged not knowing what to expect when we got to Ukraine. 

We arrived in Ukraine, went through customs and were greeted by a man named Nickolai.  He was wonderful.  Yulia did tell me that she would not be able to meet us at the airport because it was her son’s birthday and they would be celebrating with him.  Nickolai and his daughter gave us our cell phone, took us to a grocery store to get some groceries and dropped us at our apartment.  We were good.  The next day, Yulia called to ask if we would like to go to McDonalds with her, her husband, Yuri and another couple that had just flown in.  She met us outside our flat and we walked to Mc Donalds.  When she stepped out of the car, we hugged like we had known each other for a long time!  We were instant friends. 

It was only a matter of a couple of days before we realized just how hard this lady works and what a heart she has for adoption.  Yulia’s story has a long history.  Her parents were both orphans and married.  She has one brother.  She is married to Yuri and they have a little boy who is 5.  Stas is the cutest thing around. 

When she was 20, she was doing some translating and someone had some issues with a facilitator and asked her to step in and help and the rest is pretty much history.  She has been facilitating adoptions for 10 years.  She, in my opinion, is the Goddess of Adoption.  I don’t have experience with any other facilitators, however if we were to ever do this again, I would want Yulia in my corner no matter what!  I see now why she doesn’t have time to answer emails.  She is so busy, she is stretched beyond the normal work day and most times into the wee hours of the morning.  She told me on several occasions that we could call her any time and I could tell that she was completely sincere about that.  Anything we needed, she was at our disposal!

She was with me on “Gotcha Day” and was so happy for us and was overjoyed that we were taking Jacob home with us!  She stayed in our apartment when she was in Krivoy Rog so we shared some special memories and had some long talks about adoption/Down syndrome/family.  These are conversations that I will never forget.

When we were leaving Ukraine, we didn’t get to see Yulia right before we left.  We said our good-bye’s over the phone and I must say that it was one of the most joyous and most difficult phone calls that I have had in a long time.  I will miss her smiling face and her kind words.  For I know that if it hadn’t been for her, we might not have our son home with us!  She is truly a blessing to the adoption community!  I love her!!

For anyone that will work with her as a facilitator, let me just assure you that you are in the most competent hands.  She will do EVERYTHING in her power (and that may mean calling in a favor or two) to get things done for you as quickly as she is able.  Please know that she is someone that you want in your corner while in Ukraine!  We couldn’t have picked a better person to guide us through the process.  God is working through her for sure!!

 

Yulia, if you are reading this… we miss you!!!  We’ll chat soon!!!  Don’t forget to eat lunch and get lots of sleep!! 

Blessings!!