About Our Family

El Paso, Texas, United States
We are James, Lisa, Patrick, Christian, Carson, and Ella Payne a military family serving our country via service in the U.S. Army. Jim and I have been married for 18 years and have 3 wonderful home grown sons -Patrick, Christian and Carson. We recently adopted our beautiful daughter Ella Grace Ana from Donets'k, Ukraine in September. Jim and I began our Army life together at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas and every assignment thus far has extended unique opportunities and challenges for our family to grow and learn; to become a stronger, committed, and a prepared Army family. Having recently lived abroad for six amazing years, we cannot express how thankful we are for the opportunity to have represented our great country and to discover the cultures and customs of other countries; to become close to the people and learn from them; to open our hearts and minds to the unfamiliar languages and way of life in other countries. Having now moved back to the United States, we are looking forward to discovering what new adventures await our family. Rest assured, wherever the Army sends us we will continue to serve you and our country proudly. Army life, we wouldn’t trade it!

August 19, 2008

Chugga-Chugga Choo Choo...



We have left by train to Donetsk where we have asked to see the 4 year old little girl whose file we reviewed on Monday. We will be offline until Wednesday afternoon.
We'd love to hear from you at

7 comments:

Zack, Jenn and William said...

Ah, Donetsk! That's the same region we were in (we were in Mariupol, the southernmost part of the region).

Good luck, and safe travels :)

19/8/08 08:43
Conethia and Jim Bob said...

Best wishes!! I pray that your decision comes easily for you.

19/8/08 09:39
ArtworkByRuth said...

Anxiously awaiting your next post! Hope you got the good train with AC!

19/8/08 19:03
Anonymous said...

Lisa/Jim,

I've been following your blog and your incredible story. Although I haven't commented previously, I wish you the best of luck and hope this dream comes perfectly true for you.

Friends Always,

Dallas Holverson

19/8/08 19:04
junglemama said...

How exciting! Safe travels!

19/8/08 22:33
Anonymous said...

Jim and Lisa, I will pray that you find the child that God is leading you to choose. Some day she will realize just how long the journey was for you to find her. Looking foward to meeting the new addition to your family when you visit East Tennessee again. Good luck and you and Jim are in our hearts and prayers. Sue

20/8/08 04:21
Anonymous said...

I can't wait for your next posting! I wish you the best of luck on your journey and the decisions you will make.

20/8/08 12:40

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This is our "spot" we began at the beginning of our journey in May 2007, to adopt a child from Ukraine. In August 2008, we traveled to Ukraine to bring our daughter/sister Ella Grace Ana home; and on September 12, 2008 we did just that.

While our journey to bring her home is complete, our journey together is just beginning. We will continue to keep our spot here, posting as frequently as we can; and keeping you updated on our next journey in life...maybe a second adoption is in our future.

Please join us by following us by clicking on the "Follow" link to the left and posting your notes at the bottom of any post we have made.

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