God led me to a scripture this morning that I have been thinking about. It was in my devotion this morning. I picked it up thinking "What does God have for me today?"
I like the KJ version better: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." Isaiah 55:8
My way would be that every orphan brought here would have a family immediatly fall in love with them and seek after them. That these children would all have a forever home. But my ways are not God's ways. I know my Heavenly Father has a plan. I just do not know what His plan is. I am trying to be obedient in what He called us to do this summer. Parenting 9 kids is a challenge. I have little time to spend one on one with them. I don't feel God called us to adopt the 2 we are hosting. I never felt Him calling us to do this. There are some children my heart longs for in Ukraine. God puts them on my heart to pray for them. I know not their future but I know who holds the future. I know not to question God's plans. I do wonder why sometimes. When in the trenches I remind myself Jesus asked if it was possible to not have to go through the suffering for God to let is pass. Jesus suffered. So I accept that life as a Christian is hard work! If I'm not working hard then what am I doing for my Savior? Jesus did so much for me. Hosting 2 this year adopting 3....some think we are crazy. I think we are being obedient.
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strenght; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall wank, and not faint." Isaiah 4o:31 When I am weary....God gives me His word to strengthen me. When I admit my weakness He gives me His strength.
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10
I pulled out my King James version of the Bible. It was like seeing an old friend. I used it for around 15 years. My mom bought it for me as a gift as I left for a summer mission trip. There are many versions of the Bible out there. At Community Bible Study we use the New International Version. Now at church they use the New American Standard. Just read God's Word.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
We had a great day Sunday. After church and lunch there we drove to Chatt, TN to go to the aquarium. I paired up 1 English with 1 Ukraine and had them keep up with eachother. I only had one grumble about this. So out of 9 that's good. The were able to pet sting rays and fish. They all had a really good time.
I think Ricky had a harder time than they did with the rule I made. They drank huge cups of coffee at church. So I said no Coke today. He wanted to buy them one at dinner. When it was just the 4 kids we always ordered water. Why do these kids need Coke? They do not. They said they needed a toliet stop. We stopped. They all stood at the cash register at McDonalds. I guess they forgot we stopped for the toliet! I gave into Ricky and let him buy ice cream....but no Coke. It was already 10p.m. Please not so much sugar dear.
Yesterday's challenge was getting them to sweep. I had worked with Anna an hour or two on her room cleaning. Nobody obeyed and swept. Again they wanted ice cream. I said no sweep, no ice cream. It was time to go to the Pump it Up party. I informed them if they did not sweep they would not go to the party. They finally did it. It was Troy's day to wash dishes and he had done it so he did not have to help.
I think Ricky had a harder time than they did with the rule I made. They drank huge cups of coffee at church. So I said no Coke today. He wanted to buy them one at dinner. When it was just the 4 kids we always ordered water. Why do these kids need Coke? They do not. They said they needed a toliet stop. We stopped. They all stood at the cash register at McDonalds. I guess they forgot we stopped for the toliet! I gave into Ricky and let him buy ice cream....but no Coke. It was already 10p.m. Please not so much sugar dear.
Yesterday's challenge was getting them to sweep. I had worked with Anna an hour or two on her room cleaning. Nobody obeyed and swept. Again they wanted ice cream. I said no sweep, no ice cream. It was time to go to the Pump it Up party. I informed them if they did not sweep they would not go to the party. They finally did it. It was Troy's day to wash dishes and he had done it so he did not have to help.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Much needed laughter
We had a good day at a pool. I decided I was getting too depressed and needed some down time. We splashed and played for hours. It was cloudy and we did not use sunscreen so those of us with fair skin are .... red.
With 9 kids in the house the summer clean out is not getting done. In fact the things I moved from Amy's room to our room is still in a pile. Usually I spend a day or two getting the school room ready for next year. We have not had time to do it yet. I wanted to make bookshelves before school started. I pray that still happens. School is coming too soon.
The hosted girls are calling me mom all the time now. Their hugs are sweet and safe. By safe I mean before they hugged me but it was guarded. Now they trust us and the hugs are from the heart.
Haley, Heather, Amy and Anna all participated in the VBS classes. Rachel, Troy and Andrew helped where needed. It was a joy to see the 4 girls singing tonight. At the end they told the kids to sit with their parents so all 4 girls sat on me! Twice. Ira and Rita enjoyed the program. They both learned several verses this week! I was so proud of them.
We are praying about the schedule.
Rachel and Andrew were very disappointed the youth trip to Six Flags was canceled. We hope to arrange to take them. Disappointments are a part of life. Mom fixing them is a part of life too.
I needed the laughter today. The pool was almost empty. That was great. I would have canceled, because of cloudy skies, if Heather had not had a friend going with us. I am glad we all went.
I am thrilled to mention the 3 families we know in Ukraine adopting had their court date today and all went well. They begin their 10 day wait before doing more paperwork.
With 9 kids in the house the summer clean out is not getting done. In fact the things I moved from Amy's room to our room is still in a pile. Usually I spend a day or two getting the school room ready for next year. We have not had time to do it yet. I wanted to make bookshelves before school started. I pray that still happens. School is coming too soon.
The hosted girls are calling me mom all the time now. Their hugs are sweet and safe. By safe I mean before they hugged me but it was guarded. Now they trust us and the hugs are from the heart.
Haley, Heather, Amy and Anna all participated in the VBS classes. Rachel, Troy and Andrew helped where needed. It was a joy to see the 4 girls singing tonight. At the end they told the kids to sit with their parents so all 4 girls sat on me! Twice. Ira and Rita enjoyed the program. They both learned several verses this week! I was so proud of them.
We are praying about the schedule.
Rachel and Andrew were very disappointed the youth trip to Six Flags was canceled. We hope to arrange to take them. Disappointments are a part of life. Mom fixing them is a part of life too.
I needed the laughter today. The pool was almost empty. That was great. I would have canceled, because of cloudy skies, if Heather had not had a friend going with us. I am glad we all went.
I am thrilled to mention the 3 families we know in Ukraine adopting had their court date today and all went well. They begin their 10 day wait before doing more paperwork.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Blessings
Yeah, if I'm gonna blog...it's gonna be in the middle of the night. Sometimes I wonder how much time I should put into this.
But tonight was good.....
The day started with me wanting to clean. Just me. The kids did not want to stay home. I suggested the dollar movies. Haley wanted no part in going to the movie I suggested. I knew it was a girl movie and suggested Troy might want to be with mom. Haley said me too. She immediately talked the 2 girls we are hosting into not going. Then she talked Anna into not going. Ok, so rethinking. I'll take the 3 other daughters and not let them down.
My first priority was to take food and visit with friends, Dustin and Allison. Their baby died at 37 weeks. Our Rachel was born at 36 weeks. Pls pray for them. Burial tomorrow.
We ate lunch, gathered the food and get in the car, off to Nanny's house. We all go inside. We chat a little. The 2 hosted girls work up the courage to stand up for what they want. They want to go to the movie too. I'm proud of them. I know older orphans bully younger ones to get what they want. I think this is the first time they trusted me to do what they wanted and not follow her lead. So I leave my 3 newly adopted children with mom, their choice and take the other 5 girls to my friend's house. We have a good visit. The 5 are well behaved and enjoyed playing with their son. (A verse I shared with her is Phil 4:13.....a VBS verse this week....did not know it until later.)
We leave their house and I realize there is no time for the movies. VBS is at 6:00p.m. So I take them out for ice cream. We go in one of the Christian book stores and it's time to get to church.
Last night I sent Ricky with our 5 girls to church. Ira is still recovering from a virus and I did not want her going. Rita, a true friend, stayed with her.
Tonight we tried to get Ira, Rita and Troy to go to class. Our 5 girls went again tonight. The 3 did not want to. (It's hard to type in English. I hear their Ukrainian and want to type it in Ukrainian. I'd mispell it if I tried.) I took them to the craft room. The 2 hosted girls did a craft. Then I took them to McD's for a treat. We probably should not have drank Coke and coffee. But it did give us the opportunity to spend some quality talking time together. I loved it. No interuptions except to get them a napkin or sugar. I learned more about them.
I also learned more about a boy named Vlad that lives in their orphanage. He is working hard to learn English in hopes he will get to come to America. I had the pleasure of taking him to McD in Ukr. He has no mom or dad and so wants to come here. My heart goes and to him. My prayers go to God on his behalf. I wish we could bring him this summer. At 14 they know their time is getting close to leaving the orphanage. Less than 2 years and he will be out!
Ok, back to the girls. They are instructed not to tell where we went. Why? No fussing from my kids is my goal.
It's 10 and I tell everyone to go to bed. But the 3 of us have had coffee and Coke and we are not tired. Amy comes in the room and has earned a neclace from VBS for saying her verse. She offers to help the girls earn one. The pastor's wife said if they did they could get a prize too. They like the neclace. They begin to learn it in English. I point out to them that if they learn it in Russian they can get the prize for that. This brings excitement and confusion. So I get my Russian Bible. I marked only a few books in English and a few verses. God knew in advance I needed those books for VBS so I turn to the first book and have penciled in Phillipians and turn to 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Ok, I had tried my best to explain it in my mixed Ukrainian and English. But now I have the Word of God open and am able to let them read it to me and understand it in their language!!! God's hand was truly in this. What joy to see some fruit. The desire for them to learn Bible verses. So 2 hours later and it's midnight and again I'm feeding them yogurt and telling them to go to bed. 2 hours of finding verses and trying to discuss them. (I needed this mountain high. There are many valleys in what we are doing.)
Andrew is with a friend. He needs the time away from the house.
There are 9 kids living here. 5 speak very little English. Hearing Ukainian most the day can give us a headache. Andrew and Troy share a room. So when Andrew goes to bed, well the Ukrainian follows him. No rest for the weary. He used to have quiet before sleeping, not anymore.
Our new 3 have been home about 9 weeks....wow. The 2 hosted have been in our home 3 weeks....wow. They will be with us 7 more weeks. I'm already praying about school starting...soon.
I have had to seperate Haley from the girls, at times, so that they will speak English. With the 3 together they don't speak Eng. If they are seperated they all try to speak Eng. We are going to miss these girls when they leave.
I know God called us to host them this summer. I had hopes for them. I know God has plans for them. I believe the time spent here will help them no matter where they live. God told us to host them. We are obeying. I don't pretend to know His plans for any of us. Who ever thought I would be sitting in a small town at a McD's with 2 girls from Ukraine trying to speak their language? I never saw this in my future. Growing up here there were no Spanish speaking people in our school. Tonight some were speaking Spanish to train the employees. So 3 languages were going on in this small town resaurant. I'm sure Ricky never thought he would be providing food, clothing and shelter for 9 kids; 5 from Ukraine. I do not have to know God's plan. We are just to do what He tells us to do. It's not always easy. I keep telling myself "obedience brings blessing". I want to be blessed. I want to obey God. I want my children to be blessed and obey God. I want us all to seek God with our whole heart. I don't mind people thinking we are crazy for going across the world to get 3 more kids. I know my new kids future was not full of hope. I know had badly Troy wanted to come here. I know others want to come here too. My heart aches for them. I rejoice for our 3. They now have hope and opportunities. God's blessings come in the form of Troy's hugs. He is happy to be in a family. Other blessings are the hugs from the hosted girls. They now call me mom. It is their affectionate way of saying they feel at home here. No more mama Hollie. Just mom even though they know their return date to Ukraine.
I'm grateful Ricky has accepted the responsibilty to provide for 9 kids. I don't want to offend. But I want to laugh...we are a family of 11. (For 10 weeks there are 11 of us.) We have been to one meal where we did not take food or buy food. I birthed 4 children. Each time we had a neighbor that brought a meal. Usually church friends and neighbors would bring meals. We flew to another country, paid a facilitator $20,000, the adoption agency costs around $4,000, in Ukraine (food, a place to sleep, fees, train, buses and taxis) around $8,000 then our government wants another $1,200 then we buy 3 tickets to get them here about another $3,000 and then the government wants us to readopt them costing over $1,000. We buy a car to seat all of us. I stress over money and Ricky says it's ok. I'm glad he handles the money. Again I do want to say thank you to all that donated towards our adoption. And thank you to the Christian group that provided the hosting fee for the girls this summer. But yes it is expensive to feed 9 kids. We go through about a bag of apples a day, 40 or more bannans a week, 5 gallons of milk and juice a week and etc. That's why I still have dial up. It saves $50 a month. We have basic free tv. We don't take the family out to the movie theatre at $8 or more a person. The menu always comes from what is on sale this week and when it is on sale we stock up! The girls gave up dance class. I use every type of cupon God provides. WE TRUST IN GOD FOR HIS PROVISION AND ARE GREATFUL FOR WHAT HE DOES FOR US. We are amazed at what God does in us to grow us and through us when we are willing.
Most days... I don't think about the diamond earings, boat, vacation, and second honeymoon we would have had if we had not bought 3 children. (But I'm human and do have to cast out the sin of wanting.) 60% of orphan girls end us as prostitutes. So odds are some of you had a part in buying our girls out of prostitution. One day I found myself feeling sorry for all the people that had the boats, lake houses, dream vacations and etc but did not have children living in their homes that used to be orphans. I saw a statistic that if 10% of Christians would adopt there would be no foster families in the U.S. and no orphans in Europe. 10% that is amazing. No orphans....IF.....10% were willing. Is God challenging you? What is God calling you to do?
WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US. I JOHN 4:8
I'm glad God loves me, wretched as I may be, my God He loves me, my future He does see, in you God alone I trust my future to thee, thank you for loving me.
But tonight was good.....
The day started with me wanting to clean. Just me. The kids did not want to stay home. I suggested the dollar movies. Haley wanted no part in going to the movie I suggested. I knew it was a girl movie and suggested Troy might want to be with mom. Haley said me too. She immediately talked the 2 girls we are hosting into not going. Then she talked Anna into not going. Ok, so rethinking. I'll take the 3 other daughters and not let them down.
My first priority was to take food and visit with friends, Dustin and Allison. Their baby died at 37 weeks. Our Rachel was born at 36 weeks. Pls pray for them. Burial tomorrow.
We ate lunch, gathered the food and get in the car, off to Nanny's house. We all go inside. We chat a little. The 2 hosted girls work up the courage to stand up for what they want. They want to go to the movie too. I'm proud of them. I know older orphans bully younger ones to get what they want. I think this is the first time they trusted me to do what they wanted and not follow her lead. So I leave my 3 newly adopted children with mom, their choice and take the other 5 girls to my friend's house. We have a good visit. The 5 are well behaved and enjoyed playing with their son. (A verse I shared with her is Phil 4:13.....a VBS verse this week....did not know it until later.)
We leave their house and I realize there is no time for the movies. VBS is at 6:00p.m. So I take them out for ice cream. We go in one of the Christian book stores and it's time to get to church.
Last night I sent Ricky with our 5 girls to church. Ira is still recovering from a virus and I did not want her going. Rita, a true friend, stayed with her.
Tonight we tried to get Ira, Rita and Troy to go to class. Our 5 girls went again tonight. The 3 did not want to. (It's hard to type in English. I hear their Ukrainian and want to type it in Ukrainian. I'd mispell it if I tried.) I took them to the craft room. The 2 hosted girls did a craft. Then I took them to McD's for a treat. We probably should not have drank Coke and coffee. But it did give us the opportunity to spend some quality talking time together. I loved it. No interuptions except to get them a napkin or sugar. I learned more about them.
I also learned more about a boy named Vlad that lives in their orphanage. He is working hard to learn English in hopes he will get to come to America. I had the pleasure of taking him to McD in Ukr. He has no mom or dad and so wants to come here. My heart goes and to him. My prayers go to God on his behalf. I wish we could bring him this summer. At 14 they know their time is getting close to leaving the orphanage. Less than 2 years and he will be out!
Ok, back to the girls. They are instructed not to tell where we went. Why? No fussing from my kids is my goal.
It's 10 and I tell everyone to go to bed. But the 3 of us have had coffee and Coke and we are not tired. Amy comes in the room and has earned a neclace from VBS for saying her verse. She offers to help the girls earn one. The pastor's wife said if they did they could get a prize too. They like the neclace. They begin to learn it in English. I point out to them that if they learn it in Russian they can get the prize for that. This brings excitement and confusion. So I get my Russian Bible. I marked only a few books in English and a few verses. God knew in advance I needed those books for VBS so I turn to the first book and have penciled in Phillipians and turn to 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Ok, I had tried my best to explain it in my mixed Ukrainian and English. But now I have the Word of God open and am able to let them read it to me and understand it in their language!!! God's hand was truly in this. What joy to see some fruit. The desire for them to learn Bible verses. So 2 hours later and it's midnight and again I'm feeding them yogurt and telling them to go to bed. 2 hours of finding verses and trying to discuss them. (I needed this mountain high. There are many valleys in what we are doing.)
Andrew is with a friend. He needs the time away from the house.
There are 9 kids living here. 5 speak very little English. Hearing Ukainian most the day can give us a headache. Andrew and Troy share a room. So when Andrew goes to bed, well the Ukrainian follows him. No rest for the weary. He used to have quiet before sleeping, not anymore.
Our new 3 have been home about 9 weeks....wow. The 2 hosted have been in our home 3 weeks....wow. They will be with us 7 more weeks. I'm already praying about school starting...soon.
I have had to seperate Haley from the girls, at times, so that they will speak English. With the 3 together they don't speak Eng. If they are seperated they all try to speak Eng. We are going to miss these girls when they leave.
I know God called us to host them this summer. I had hopes for them. I know God has plans for them. I believe the time spent here will help them no matter where they live. God told us to host them. We are obeying. I don't pretend to know His plans for any of us. Who ever thought I would be sitting in a small town at a McD's with 2 girls from Ukraine trying to speak their language? I never saw this in my future. Growing up here there were no Spanish speaking people in our school. Tonight some were speaking Spanish to train the employees. So 3 languages were going on in this small town resaurant. I'm sure Ricky never thought he would be providing food, clothing and shelter for 9 kids; 5 from Ukraine. I do not have to know God's plan. We are just to do what He tells us to do. It's not always easy. I keep telling myself "obedience brings blessing". I want to be blessed. I want to obey God. I want my children to be blessed and obey God. I want us all to seek God with our whole heart. I don't mind people thinking we are crazy for going across the world to get 3 more kids. I know my new kids future was not full of hope. I know had badly Troy wanted to come here. I know others want to come here too. My heart aches for them. I rejoice for our 3. They now have hope and opportunities. God's blessings come in the form of Troy's hugs. He is happy to be in a family. Other blessings are the hugs from the hosted girls. They now call me mom. It is their affectionate way of saying they feel at home here. No more mama Hollie. Just mom even though they know their return date to Ukraine.
I'm grateful Ricky has accepted the responsibilty to provide for 9 kids. I don't want to offend. But I want to laugh...we are a family of 11. (For 10 weeks there are 11 of us.) We have been to one meal where we did not take food or buy food. I birthed 4 children. Each time we had a neighbor that brought a meal. Usually church friends and neighbors would bring meals. We flew to another country, paid a facilitator $20,000, the adoption agency costs around $4,000, in Ukraine (food, a place to sleep, fees, train, buses and taxis) around $8,000 then our government wants another $1,200 then we buy 3 tickets to get them here about another $3,000 and then the government wants us to readopt them costing over $1,000. We buy a car to seat all of us. I stress over money and Ricky says it's ok. I'm glad he handles the money. Again I do want to say thank you to all that donated towards our adoption. And thank you to the Christian group that provided the hosting fee for the girls this summer. But yes it is expensive to feed 9 kids. We go through about a bag of apples a day, 40 or more bannans a week, 5 gallons of milk and juice a week and etc. That's why I still have dial up. It saves $50 a month. We have basic free tv. We don't take the family out to the movie theatre at $8 or more a person. The menu always comes from what is on sale this week and when it is on sale we stock up! The girls gave up dance class. I use every type of cupon God provides. WE TRUST IN GOD FOR HIS PROVISION AND ARE GREATFUL FOR WHAT HE DOES FOR US. We are amazed at what God does in us to grow us and through us when we are willing.
Most days... I don't think about the diamond earings, boat, vacation, and second honeymoon we would have had if we had not bought 3 children. (But I'm human and do have to cast out the sin of wanting.) 60% of orphan girls end us as prostitutes. So odds are some of you had a part in buying our girls out of prostitution. One day I found myself feeling sorry for all the people that had the boats, lake houses, dream vacations and etc but did not have children living in their homes that used to be orphans. I saw a statistic that if 10% of Christians would adopt there would be no foster families in the U.S. and no orphans in Europe. 10% that is amazing. No orphans....IF.....10% were willing. Is God challenging you? What is God calling you to do?
WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US. I JOHN 4:8
I'm glad God loves me, wretched as I may be, my God He loves me, my future He does see, in you God alone I trust my future to thee, thank you for loving me.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A Busy Month
Ira and Rita have been living with us for a week now. It has brought about some problems. Haley not speaking English has been the biggest problem. So they are being seperated some. I know she loved being able to speak to them in their language. They were given over 3 days of grace. Then asked to speak some English. Now they all understand the week has been for them to speak their language but not going places. After another discussion English is improving.
We took Rita to get some much needed clothes. Of coarse shopping with 10 kids ....is expensive. Thank you to the kids that asked for nothing....oh...just Andrew.
Troy is really enjoying time with Ricky.
Reality is the 4 bio kids are getting left out of Ricky's time. They are gettinging closer to me.
I had hoped to send Andrew and Rachel to camp....looking at the money, I've told them that it will not be this summer. Rachel did get to go to a horse show in NC with friends. I was thrilled she had the opportunity.
Before Ira and Rita arrived we went to the beach ... 29 of my family members. We had a good time. In the ocean a wave would sneak up and hit us sometimes. If we knew it was coming we would have been prepared. We did not know the girls would be joining us early. If we had known we would have been prepared. God wants us to always be prepared. Not so easy to do. Sometimes we do not know what we are preparing for we are just to stay in the Word of God and be ready for whatever comes our way.
We are working out a schedule for summer. Bejoyfulinhope.blogspot.com
We took Rita to get some much needed clothes. Of coarse shopping with 10 kids ....is expensive. Thank you to the kids that asked for nothing....oh...just Andrew.
Troy is really enjoying time with Ricky.
Reality is the 4 bio kids are getting left out of Ricky's time. They are gettinging closer to me.
I had hoped to send Andrew and Rachel to camp....looking at the money, I've told them that it will not be this summer. Rachel did get to go to a horse show in NC with friends. I was thrilled she had the opportunity.
Before Ira and Rita arrived we went to the beach ... 29 of my family members. We had a good time. In the ocean a wave would sneak up and hit us sometimes. If we knew it was coming we would have been prepared. We did not know the girls would be joining us early. If we had known we would have been prepared. God wants us to always be prepared. Not so easy to do. Sometimes we do not know what we are preparing for we are just to stay in the Word of God and be ready for whatever comes our way.
We are working out a schedule for summer. Bejoyfulinhope.blogspot.com
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