We called and spoke with Lena on Saturday the 16th, and then again on Sunday the 17th. We had an hour with Gaylna on Saturday to translate, but it wasn't quite enough time to accomplish all that Lena, Charlie, Lena's cousin Llona, one of Lena's teachers and I had to discuss. Yep, on Saturday we got to spend time chatting with Llona and one of Lena's teachers (wish I could remember her name, but it escapes me). Our conversations with both Llona and Lena's teacher were incredibly sweet. They are both very happy for Lena, and are excited to meet us. Sunday we called again, this time to get "the list". Charlie and I have known that we would be bringing some gifts from America to give the kids when we arrive, we hear things like glow bracelets, chalk, and American candy are a huge hit. We had also asked Lena a few phone calls back if there were any special gifts for her classmates we could bring. Lena was prepared, she had her list! Lena gave us the names of 13 girls in her class, along with a suggested gift for each. On that list there were several requests for stuff animals, a couple of requests for journals, two hair dryers (believe that's what I would have requested after having to take a cold shower during a Ukrainian winter), a book about animals, and a embroidery kit. Oh, and Lena also asked if we might bring a gift for her 3 teachers and Sultan the horse too. :]
Seems our gift giving will come at a perfect time. Christmas! Which brings me to our kids, Jennifer, Lisa and Kyle. Which at this moment I'd like to say how much we love them, and how incredibly proud we are of the people they have grown into. From the beginning of this journey they have been nothing but supportive and excited along with us. Several Christmases ago we began a new Christmas tradition, recognizing the many blessing in our lives, we desired to share, instead of buying gifts for each other, we have made donations to charities in each others names, this year we approached the kids with "Lena's List", without hesitation the charity of choice this year, a group of Ukrainian children and a Ukrainian horse. Need to say it again, we love you J, Lisa and Kyle! We will enjoy sharing with Lena that her new sisters and brother, and families wanted to be a part of our first ever Ukrainian Christmas...
We are also excited to see and hear about how God continues to show Himself to others, how He lights a fire of passion, and His people respond.
The Goodness Family have not only been a big part of Orphans Ransom (I shared their website link in my last post), but they have put together "Project Christmas JOY". They have collected the names and ages of all 160 children at the Internat (Lena's school, and where they adopted their daughter Kristina from in July), and have approached the members of their church to gift each of these children with a Christmas box. This will be the first time that these children have experienced anything like this.
Also Ukrainian Orphan Charities (through our facilitator) in partnership with U.S. non-profit Horizon Christian Fellowship (organized by other adoptive families) are prepared again to bring another group of Ukrainian orphans to the U.S. this Christmas. The children will travel December 19, 2010 – January 9, 2011. They will send a group of children anywhere in U.S. where there are several interested families. You can log in to their website using the user name and password below to see which children are still waiting to be matched with a host family:
Website: http://www.hostorphansfromukraine.blogspot.com/
Login: ukraineorphans@aol.com
Password: nostreetlife
Even though the blog will say "by invitation only" - just enter log in and password and the blog will let you in.
Charlie and I are amazed at the opportunities out there to help, we wonder what God might have in store for us in the future... because we believe we've only seen the tip of an ice berg.
Now on to another thing: As I said in a previous post, our hope was to complete our adoption by the end of this year, in doing so we would have been able to take advantage of a $13,000 tax credit. Unfortunately we don't believe that will be possible now. We don't anticipate the adoption will be final until mid January. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, but still believing we should not put a limit on how and by whom God may want to provide the remaining funds needed for Lena's adoption, we share this with you. The cost of Lena's adoption is right at $30,000, we are extremely grateful for support monies that have already been donated by our church, family, and friends, it has simply been amazing to watch as God has provided, which we have said from the beginning that He would have to do. "It's a God sized endeavor" is still our chant. So to date with the monies we have spent and the donations we have recieved we find ourselves still short by about $7600.00, which wouldn't look as big as it does if we didn't find ourselves needing to add to our solar system (we live off the grid), we think it is important to boost things to accomodate an additional body. So with that being said, if you should feel led to donate to our adoption fund, and would like to receive a receipt for tax purposes, checks can be made out and sent to:
Prescott Christian Church
501 S. Senator Highway, Prescott AZ 86303,
noting “Adoption Fund” in the memo section.
It's with sincere hearts Charlie and I thank you all for your encouragement and prayers, for following along with us... it won't be long now...
Oh, I didn't mention, Charlie and I found out this week that our dossier has already been submitted to the SDA, it was submitted prior to the last vote on Oct. 8th. Konstantin felt it was important to go ahead and submit it prior to the vote, which we agree with and appreciate. It may be just another week or two before we hear when our appointment date is, if we find out it is prior to Lena coming off the registry we'll have to request a new date, but better to be in process, then to take a chance that a vote on a adoption moratorium could take place.
Boy, that was a lot of this and that... Blessings!!
