It has been more work than expected, but they are here. 16 Ukrainians left on Dec 20 they had a 2 day adventure...some 3 days. It took hours of phone calls and paperwork to get them here. Yes, much more than expected. They had ice in Ukraine. Therefor they started with a delay. Then in NY weather trouble. One child went with the wrong group. The weather helped us there and he was able to get with the right group. We talked with the airlines for hours. They sat for hours there on the plane. Finally after deicing they arrived in Ohio after 2a.m. They went to a friends house and got some rest. They caught a plane the next morning, nearly did not make their connection by 3 minutes time difference in arrival. Pleading and explaining in Atl and B'ham, they did make the flight. Finally in Birmingham. God is good. Some were on their way to TX today.
You do know this is another thing I told God I did not want to do. I did not want to help others get children here. What a blessing I would have missed. God's timing was so amazing in all the steps. We are truly to die to self and serve. What awesome blessings it brings!
We bought 2 twin mattresses for our 3. They are all smiles and hugs. We are thrilled and blessed to have them here. This was something our family discussed and agreed to give up things to get them here. We were all more excited about them coming than Christmas.
This is our second night with them. They are exhausted and sleeping. Cold weather kept us in for the most part, although the boys did ride bikes a little. Yes, it was 19 degrees. They were excited!
Many did not think they would make it here. We are so blessed and thrilled that God did get them here. We are happy just to sit with them. To see them makes me want to cry in joy. They are our children. Not formally but in our hearts.
We did not do Christmas lights last year. We live where nobody sees them. But this year we did it for them. We pulled out all the trees and decorated most for them to see.
Today we wrapped presents, made ornaments, decorated a gingerbread house (new tradition), watched Christmas cartoons and played. For a first day that was alot. They were ready to do stuff and so we did.
To bed early. Well not for me. This is why I don't blog. I choose to sleep.
Thank you to all my praying friends. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Helping others host
We are in the process of helping around 20 children and 2 adults come from Ukraine for Christmas. We will be hosting the 3 children we hope to adopt. We are helping families that are in the process of adoption to host children in their homes. Please be praying for all of us. This is expensive for each one of the families. The children need prayers for safe travel, God's will in their lives and God's perfect plan.
To make it clear our expense should be only for the 3 children we hope to adopt. To host for Christmas it is the same $2,500 that we payed to host for summer per child. I had said no to helping for months. God kept opening doors. I prayed for them to shut if it was not His will. They did not shut.
Now, months later, I can see why God wanted me to do this. Many of the friend I have made while working with the orphans are hosting children to let the children see their homes and to meet their families and for the children to make the decision about their future. I love that the children are getting to try out families and not families try out children.
Pray for the Dec 5th appointment date. Hosting dates are planned to be Dec 20-Jan 11.
To make it clear our expense should be only for the 3 children we hope to adopt. To host for Christmas it is the same $2,500 that we payed to host for summer per child. I had said no to helping for months. God kept opening doors. I prayed for them to shut if it was not His will. They did not shut.
Now, months later, I can see why God wanted me to do this. Many of the friend I have made while working with the orphans are hosting children to let the children see their homes and to meet their families and for the children to make the decision about their future. I love that the children are getting to try out families and not families try out children.
Pray for the Dec 5th appointment date. Hosting dates are planned to be Dec 20-Jan 11.
From Ukraine 11-08
Do I say too often.... God is awesome! We are now back from Ukraine. God's timing and plans were amazing. We planned to visit all 8 of the children we hosted. We were only able to visit 7. One was in a different city. We did not know before we arrived and had no time to find him. One, the youngest, Leeza was in the hospital. Nothing wrong with her. Just keeping up the quota of used beds there. We encountered that with others we had met before and were blessed to be able to see the while we were in Ukraine.
We joined the Reach Orphans with Hope group for the first few days. They went to Poltava. We were able to see many of the children that had been hosted on summer programs and many I had met the year before visiting there. The kids were glad to see us and we were glad to see them. Lots of hugs! We were able to go with some of them to the park. We took bubbles and balloons. Great fun.
We took the orphanage 75 blankets. The director was pleased.
Natasha planned to take me to see the city on Saturday. Rachel said she just wanted to spend time with the children. I told her it was a privilege. We went and saw churches and an author's home. All this in 1 hour. Her husband drove us. (Later God multiplied the time we lost with the children.)
On a personal note on the night we arrived.... Our boy was asked by a friend if I was his mom and he said yes. I clearly understood this in Russian. I don't understand much. Occasionally I can understand sentences. We had not specifically told them of our plans. I was glad to know he already knew. He and his older sister would come up and hug me every few minutes throughout our time together. It is hard not to have them here with us. They are, in our hearts our children. We love them.
We had a great time with the group. It was an easy time, little responsibility, follow the leader. they were in Poltava 2 and a half days. They left for home on Sunday.
My dear friend Masha joined up Saturday morning. She helped many to talk with their future children. She was such a blessing. She rode the train all night to come, with drunks. (You will understand now why I took the day train later. I learned from her bad experience.)
Sunday we were given permission to take the 3 we planned on adopting to Sumi with us to visit Ira and Rita. Natasha and her son went with us also. Masha came to translate for me. It took about 3 hours. Natasha had the driver pick her up, they picked up the kids and then us. We had a bumpy, long van ride. It was good to have some time with the children alone. We played Connect Four and would have played checkers if it had not been too bumpy.
Ira was hysterically excited. She was jumping up and down calling Rita. She had seen us from a distance. She could not decide if she should get Rita or come to us. Finally she did go get Rita. I asked permission to go across the courtyard to meet them. Big hugs and a little shy. They showed us their rooms and introduced us to their friends. We sat in the sitting room awhile then outside to the playground. They introduced us to the puppies under their building. We gave out candy and rubber insects.
We asked permission to take them to lunch. We went to town and walked around. It seemed too short a visit. We hated taking them back. They began to tear up as we headed back. Their teacher said they asked if they could come to America again.
The time came to leave and they were crying. Then I was crying.
The van ride back....I asked Masha to translate and David to occupy Natasha and her son. I knew the oldest was sad and she finally told me why. We talked about it some. I had waited until that day to mention them becoming a part of our family. I only talked with the older 2. The boy was incredibly excited. The surprise was the older girls lack of excitement. In the van she explained her father had died 2 days ago. She was not allowed to go to the funeral. I expressed my sorrow for her loss. We had a fun time on the ride back. She felt better after telling me. It had not affected her siblings like it did her.
The day was done. The children went back to the orphanage.
We joined the Reach Orphans with Hope group for the first few days. They went to Poltava. We were able to see many of the children that had been hosted on summer programs and many I had met the year before visiting there. The kids were glad to see us and we were glad to see them. Lots of hugs! We were able to go with some of them to the park. We took bubbles and balloons. Great fun.
We took the orphanage 75 blankets. The director was pleased.
Natasha planned to take me to see the city on Saturday. Rachel said she just wanted to spend time with the children. I told her it was a privilege. We went and saw churches and an author's home. All this in 1 hour. Her husband drove us. (Later God multiplied the time we lost with the children.)
On a personal note on the night we arrived.... Our boy was asked by a friend if I was his mom and he said yes. I clearly understood this in Russian. I don't understand much. Occasionally I can understand sentences. We had not specifically told them of our plans. I was glad to know he already knew. He and his older sister would come up and hug me every few minutes throughout our time together. It is hard not to have them here with us. They are, in our hearts our children. We love them.
We had a great time with the group. It was an easy time, little responsibility, follow the leader. they were in Poltava 2 and a half days. They left for home on Sunday.
My dear friend Masha joined up Saturday morning. She helped many to talk with their future children. She was such a blessing. She rode the train all night to come, with drunks. (You will understand now why I took the day train later. I learned from her bad experience.)
Sunday we were given permission to take the 3 we planned on adopting to Sumi with us to visit Ira and Rita. Natasha and her son went with us also. Masha came to translate for me. It took about 3 hours. Natasha had the driver pick her up, they picked up the kids and then us. We had a bumpy, long van ride. It was good to have some time with the children alone. We played Connect Four and would have played checkers if it had not been too bumpy.
Ira was hysterically excited. She was jumping up and down calling Rita. She had seen us from a distance. She could not decide if she should get Rita or come to us. Finally she did go get Rita. I asked permission to go across the courtyard to meet them. Big hugs and a little shy. They showed us their rooms and introduced us to their friends. We sat in the sitting room awhile then outside to the playground. They introduced us to the puppies under their building. We gave out candy and rubber insects.
We asked permission to take them to lunch. We went to town and walked around. It seemed too short a visit. We hated taking them back. They began to tear up as we headed back. Their teacher said they asked if they could come to America again.
The time came to leave and they were crying. Then I was crying.
The van ride back....I asked Masha to translate and David to occupy Natasha and her son. I knew the oldest was sad and she finally told me why. We talked about it some. I had waited until that day to mention them becoming a part of our family. I only talked with the older 2. The boy was incredibly excited. The surprise was the older girls lack of excitement. In the van she explained her father had died 2 days ago. She was not allowed to go to the funeral. I expressed my sorrow for her loss. We had a fun time on the ride back. She felt better after telling me. It had not affected her siblings like it did her.
The day was done. The children went back to the orphanage.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A Busy Month
I thought things would slow down after the 8 orphans left. I have joked with some that if you are serving God your life never slows down. We are back in the full swing of school and Community Bible Study. We have signed up for no field trips this year. I think we missed all the deadlines with the orphans here. Rachel is taking art with William Hallmark. She is doing a beautiful job and learning a lot.
Rachel, oldest daughter, and I leave for the Ukraine October 29- Nov 10. We will be visiting the 8 orphans that visited with us in August. We will be going to a least 3 orphanages. We are praying about the schedule. There are many open doors. We are trying to discern where God wants us to visit there are other cities that are options. We are praying seeking God's perfect plan for this trip and His calling on our lives. We know we are to visit the 8 children. We will be meeting with missionaries while we are in Ukraine. We know we see only in part but God sees in full.
We are in the process of helping some to host for Christmas. We ask God to shut the doors if this was not His will. Three doors opened that day. We are praying about bringing the three we hope to adopt for Christmas. (Yes, money is an issue.)
On faith we are going on the mission trip. We had $20. donated. We spent much more than that on blankets. We are fully trusting God to provide for what He calls us to do. I am so excited to see the children and to encourage them. We know the ones in Zhytomer have a missionary and churches teaching them AWANA's. It is wonderful to hear that they have the Word of God in their lives.
The 3 we are trying to adopt, were going into foster care. They did not have a hope of adoption. They were told by the orphanage that an "American" family wanted to adopt them. They have figured out that it is us. They begged not to go into foster care. They were told they could stay at the orphanage. We have been able to talk with them some using an interpreter. They are very excited about our trip but disappointed we will be there only a few days.
We have heard it may be possible to adopt them in March instead of August. We have been trying to get our paperwork finished and over to Ukraine as soon as possible. That would be amazing and awesome! God's timing is perfect and we must trust in Him.
All the paperwork for Ukraine and school for my 4 leaves me little time to breathe. It is an incredibly busy time. We did not expect so much to do. Having a week of rest is out of the question. We took 1 day off after they left and then began school. In all that is going on there is such great JOY. What a privilege to help others and serve a God that loves us so much.
Have a blessed day!
Rachel, oldest daughter, and I leave for the Ukraine October 29- Nov 10. We will be visiting the 8 orphans that visited with us in August. We will be going to a least 3 orphanages. We are praying about the schedule. There are many open doors. We are trying to discern where God wants us to visit there are other cities that are options. We are praying seeking God's perfect plan for this trip and His calling on our lives. We know we are to visit the 8 children. We will be meeting with missionaries while we are in Ukraine. We know we see only in part but God sees in full.
We are in the process of helping some to host for Christmas. We ask God to shut the doors if this was not His will. Three doors opened that day. We are praying about bringing the three we hope to adopt for Christmas. (Yes, money is an issue.)
On faith we are going on the mission trip. We had $20. donated. We spent much more than that on blankets. We are fully trusting God to provide for what He calls us to do. I am so excited to see the children and to encourage them. We know the ones in Zhytomer have a missionary and churches teaching them AWANA's. It is wonderful to hear that they have the Word of God in their lives.
The 3 we are trying to adopt, were going into foster care. They did not have a hope of adoption. They were told by the orphanage that an "American" family wanted to adopt them. They have figured out that it is us. They begged not to go into foster care. They were told they could stay at the orphanage. We have been able to talk with them some using an interpreter. They are very excited about our trip but disappointed we will be there only a few days.
We have heard it may be possible to adopt them in March instead of August. We have been trying to get our paperwork finished and over to Ukraine as soon as possible. That would be amazing and awesome! God's timing is perfect and we must trust in Him.
All the paperwork for Ukraine and school for my 4 leaves me little time to breathe. It is an incredibly busy time. We did not expect so much to do. Having a week of rest is out of the question. We took 1 day off after they left and then began school. In all that is going on there is such great JOY. What a privilege to help others and serve a God that loves us so much.
Have a blessed day!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Going to Ukraine
We have been praying about this for weeks. Who, where, why and when, were all questions we were waiting on God's answer. A friend has offered to go with me to see what God is calling us to do. I am humbled by his offer. God is working out all the details. We don't know all the answers yet...but God knows the big picture. I think our minds are just to small to grasp the future.
My oldest daughter will be traveling with us. We will need at least one interpreter and a driver or plan to get around. We fully believe God knows already what the plans are for the trip. We are simply waiting on His revealing them to us.
We hope to carry things to the different orphanages. Some needed items are blankets (which we hope to buy in bulk), gloves, hats, jackets, embroidery thread, needles, candy, toothbrushes, toothpaste and lots of prayer. We are humbled by God's calling and excited by it too.
Please be praying for us as we prepare to go. This trip is going to be alot of traveling. We hope to take or send others later. We feel it is best for us to go ahead and see what each city is like before carrying a group.
We volunteered with a hosting group. We decided God was calling us to adopt from Ukraine. We started the adoption. We obeyed God and hosted 8 orphans in our home. Now God is giving us the next job assignment. So .... we are going to Ukraine.
Phil 4:13
My oldest daughter will be traveling with us. We will need at least one interpreter and a driver or plan to get around. We fully believe God knows already what the plans are for the trip. We are simply waiting on His revealing them to us.
We hope to carry things to the different orphanages. Some needed items are blankets (which we hope to buy in bulk), gloves, hats, jackets, embroidery thread, needles, candy, toothbrushes, toothpaste and lots of prayer. We are humbled by God's calling and excited by it too.
Please be praying for us as we prepare to go. This trip is going to be alot of traveling. We hope to take or send others later. We feel it is best for us to go ahead and see what each city is like before carrying a group.
We volunteered with a hosting group. We decided God was calling us to adopt from Ukraine. We started the adoption. We obeyed God and hosted 8 orphans in our home. Now God is giving us the next job assignment. So .... we are going to Ukraine.
Phil 4:13
Friday, September 12, 2008
Things not said, peace
I typed an email for a long time the other day. Then it disappeared. Too tired to retype it I decided there must have been something in it that did not need to be said. A shorter version was sent. God heard what I had to say in the email. He's the only one that really should have heard my heart on the matter. I liked it was not sent. Again trusting in His timing.
God's just a growing and stretching me and my family. I still laugh at us all sitting, at one of the kitchen tables and the children saying the house is empty. Empty? For years we have had people say, "you've got 4 kids". My reply, "yes we only have 4." To some 4 is alot. Somedays to me 4 is alot. But once you've met so many without loving parents 4 is not enough.
I wondered if I could love adopted children as well as my birthed children. Just being honest. But once you spent time with children hungry for love, God's love flows through you and there is enough love for hundreds of precious children. (Although I'll say there is not enough time in the day for hundreds).
Side story: Andrew said we could adopt 50 boys. Not to be outnumbered Heather said then we would have to adopt 100 girls. This way the girls would still out number the boys.
Hosting 8 we told them we were one big family. I watched over them as my own. Yes they were even punished, at times. You knew they weren't happy to do a chore even if you didn't know the language. We got the point. But before they arrived we discussed that if they were here for a month that they must obey some rules. Most of the time things went very good.
I'd say we had 3 hard days. I could not call them bad days. Most of the problems those days were due to planning problems. One home day was a rain day. Very few visitors came. So the next day we went to get rid of energy indoors and it worked. They ran jumped and played for 2 hours. They had a blast.
One night Amy cried herself to sleep. The next morning Andrew received a black eye. How Satan was attacking. I felt inadequate to do a quiet time. I was just going to remind the of the "Be kind" rule. I told the children of Amy crying herself to sleep and how sad it made me. I began to cry. And then the Holy Spirit reminded me of God's Holy Word. I shared verses from the Bible with them sitting on the ground by the lake. What turned out to be victory for Jesus. I don't know how many prayed to receive Christ for the first time that day...but I know what Satan meant for evil God used for good and what a peaceful day we had after that.
We all miss them terribly. We are praying for each of them.
We are praying about God's perfect provision and timing in trying to visit all the orphanages that we had in our home. We hope they will all allow us to visit the children. We are praying about hosting next year and God's provision and timing for that also.
The best thing I received out of the experience was a stronger confiedence in God. When it's God's will He will be there every step of the way to comfort, provide and lead. What an awsome peace comes from that knowledge. I knew that everyone would not help and support us. I did not know God would send "surprise" people to be the helpers. It became "ok God who's coming next and what are they going to do". I was so thrilled with my Heavenly Father's care for my family and the children. Again thanks to all that blessed the children and our family.
We cooked breakfast every morning. I realized after week 3 they had not tried our cereal or poptarts. Some never did try them. What a sweet time with the children in the mornings. At first I was sad nobody helped with breakfast. Then I rejoiced in the sweet time we had with the children in the morning. I felt selfish. It was so wonderful to have them here. Later I realized it was the "down time" we all needed with such a busy schedule.
Praying God's will and timing. Praying to be filled with His perfect love and peace. I LOVE God's perfect peace that comes from obeying and serving Him.
God's just a growing and stretching me and my family. I still laugh at us all sitting, at one of the kitchen tables and the children saying the house is empty. Empty? For years we have had people say, "you've got 4 kids". My reply, "yes we only have 4." To some 4 is alot. Somedays to me 4 is alot. But once you've met so many without loving parents 4 is not enough.
I wondered if I could love adopted children as well as my birthed children. Just being honest. But once you spent time with children hungry for love, God's love flows through you and there is enough love for hundreds of precious children. (Although I'll say there is not enough time in the day for hundreds).
Side story: Andrew said we could adopt 50 boys. Not to be outnumbered Heather said then we would have to adopt 100 girls. This way the girls would still out number the boys.
Hosting 8 we told them we were one big family. I watched over them as my own. Yes they were even punished, at times. You knew they weren't happy to do a chore even if you didn't know the language. We got the point. But before they arrived we discussed that if they were here for a month that they must obey some rules. Most of the time things went very good.
I'd say we had 3 hard days. I could not call them bad days. Most of the problems those days were due to planning problems. One home day was a rain day. Very few visitors came. So the next day we went to get rid of energy indoors and it worked. They ran jumped and played for 2 hours. They had a blast.
One night Amy cried herself to sleep. The next morning Andrew received a black eye. How Satan was attacking. I felt inadequate to do a quiet time. I was just going to remind the of the "Be kind" rule. I told the children of Amy crying herself to sleep and how sad it made me. I began to cry. And then the Holy Spirit reminded me of God's Holy Word. I shared verses from the Bible with them sitting on the ground by the lake. What turned out to be victory for Jesus. I don't know how many prayed to receive Christ for the first time that day...but I know what Satan meant for evil God used for good and what a peaceful day we had after that.
We all miss them terribly. We are praying for each of them.
We are praying about God's perfect provision and timing in trying to visit all the orphanages that we had in our home. We hope they will all allow us to visit the children. We are praying about hosting next year and God's provision and timing for that also.
The best thing I received out of the experience was a stronger confiedence in God. When it's God's will He will be there every step of the way to comfort, provide and lead. What an awsome peace comes from that knowledge. I knew that everyone would not help and support us. I did not know God would send "surprise" people to be the helpers. It became "ok God who's coming next and what are they going to do". I was so thrilled with my Heavenly Father's care for my family and the children. Again thanks to all that blessed the children and our family.
We cooked breakfast every morning. I realized after week 3 they had not tried our cereal or poptarts. Some never did try them. What a sweet time with the children in the mornings. At first I was sad nobody helped with breakfast. Then I rejoiced in the sweet time we had with the children in the morning. I felt selfish. It was so wonderful to have them here. Later I realized it was the "down time" we all needed with such a busy schedule.
Praying God's will and timing. Praying to be filled with His perfect love and peace. I LOVE God's perfect peace that comes from obeying and serving Him.
Monday, September 8, 2008
I've worked about an hour typing this. So let's try again. Computers do delete too much sometimes.
We are at the beach. God's perfect timing had Ricky working in Mobile on the weekend I wanted to spend alone with my children. Thanks be to God for this time.
A time of healing. Some physical healing if you look at the bruises on my children. But for me to take a breath. Regroup and start the school year. Yes, I did bring school work with us and they are getting the joy of doing their school.
God's got plans for all of us. I needed the alone time with God to see what the next step is for our family.
Rachel and I would like to go to Ukraine to visit the 8 orphans that were here. We believe it to be God's plan. But does that mean 1 or 2 trips to Ukraine for me? Rachel only 1 trip. But still there is the expense and the planning. Some have expressed and interest in going to visit the orphanages. Praying God's timing and perfect plan.
We are at the beach. God's perfect timing had Ricky working in Mobile on the weekend I wanted to spend alone with my children. Thanks be to God for this time.
A time of healing. Some physical healing if you look at the bruises on my children. But for me to take a breath. Regroup and start the school year. Yes, I did bring school work with us and they are getting the joy of doing their school.
God's got plans for all of us. I needed the alone time with God to see what the next step is for our family.
Rachel and I would like to go to Ukraine to visit the 8 orphans that were here. We believe it to be God's plan. But does that mean 1 or 2 trips to Ukraine for me? Rachel only 1 trip. But still there is the expense and the planning. Some have expressed and interest in going to visit the orphanages. Praying God's timing and perfect plan.
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