More thoughts and ADVENTURES!!

Was just watching Charlie and Lena have a moment.  They are loving each other.  They speak the same sense of humor.  They tease, laugh, hug.  Lena is accepting our love so easily, it seems to fit her perfectly, and visa versa.

It’s been a productive 10 day waiting period.  At times these “Ground Hog Days” seem long, but at the same time we are thankful for them.  The time we are able to spend with Lena has given us a glimpse into her current world and how she and the other kids operate within it.  I wonder if most these kids dare to dream or even know how…

We can’t see how any of them become anything but walking wounded without being rescued.  We believe the hosting program that Lena was a part of summer of 2009 gave her that “something” to dream about.  We are grateful that she was able to be a part of it, so incredibly grateful for those that have a heart for these kids, those that put these programs together.

As we’ve spent time with Lena, her friends, and some of the kids at the internat we are definitely seeing behaviors developed in an environment of children surviving without parental love and emotional support.  At the same time we see so much potential too.  As we’ve said before, it’s amazing how quickly these kids attach themselves to someone who gives them time and love.  As we’ve interacted with Lena we are already adjusting our thinking on what life might look like when we return, for some time we believe it will be a day by day process.  There are some behaviors we’d like to see immediately come to an end, and in her new environment we’ll see if that happens naturally or will need additional attention.  We recognize that God needs to be present and trusted.

On the lighter side…

Another visit with Uncle Peti and Aunt Vala, Christmas Eve, January 6^th, this time with the addition of Aunt Vala’s sister and her husband.  We went early afternoon, having told Lena to tell them we’d be coming for just a short visit, not for dinner.  We headed over with a cake in hand.  Upon arrival, same feast!  But we did an excellent job of fighting off the relentless assault of “Christmas Cognac”.  We left having only to partake in a very small amount, and got to witness a very special goodbye between Uncle Peti, Aunt Vala and Lena.

Yesterday morning the power in our hotel went out, we know it is your prayers that keep us seeing the lighter side… we were told yesterday afternoon, “power will come back on tomorrow.  Maybe.”  Well there’s some good news…  so no lights, no hot water, and no heat, brrrrrr!  I have yet to share our hotel experience, think it would consume a post in itself, let's just say it would be a glowing endorsment for Model 6 (but unlike Tom Bodett they won't be keeping the lights on), Charlie's contribution.  LOL!

Last night Charlie and I tagged along with Lena, Dasha, Alyona and little Angela for Christmas Caroling, or so we thought…  We were told (by Lena and friends) on Christmas evening that the kids go to homes and sing a Christmas Carol for candy and hryvnia (Ukrainian currency); in my head I was playing a Christmas version of Halloween.  After traveling (walking) for many, many dark frozen blocks without seeing another living soul and Charlie finding himself on the hard slippery ground once which had all us girls giggling, we arrived at the home of the school nurse.  The girls sang, and then an invitation to come in the house for candy?  NOPE, dinner!!  More unrecognizable Ukrainian food and Charlie taking one more for the team when the chant eat, eat, eat began and in horror of all horrors, drink, drink, drink, when the homemade wine came out.  Ugh!   We were finally able to escape with our lives… actually Charlie has enjoyed many of the dishes; I continue to avoid the unknown due to the known response I may encounter.   It was I who on the return trip “home” to our cold dark hotel room, found herself on the ground not once but twice, it’s just a good thing I’m so young and resilient!  Apparently my shuffling and gripping is not the answer to staying upright on ice.  Charlie said if we were to stay much longer he’d be investing in a pair of cleats. 

Glad to report electricity back on as of about 2 this afternoon.  One more memory made… :]

My sister Leslie gave me a CD for Christmas prior to us leaving for Lena.  Matthew West’s, “Story of Your Life” has ministered to me throughout our days here, it’s my “adoption theme”, thank you Les, I love you!  The whole CD is great, but over the last couple days I’ve locked onto the song, “The Reason for the World”, and the lyrics, “maybe the reason for the world is to make us long for home”.  It's got me wondering whether I’m longing for my heavenly home as much as we’re longing for our earthly home at the moment.  Oh, how I want to.  Gonna keep chewing on it for awhile.

Just one more walk to the internat tomorrow morning.  On Monday, back to court to finalize Lena’s adoption!





i wonder what he's wondering...

 

a bunch of boys having a bunch of fun!  :]

my wee bit of "Christmas Cognac" and Uncle Peti.