I bring you good tidings of great joy (Part 2 Papa's perspective)

What are other areas that have changed for us?  We can’t see life the same in America, I have a burning passion to return to Ukraine and make a difference, I fell in love with the people and the culture.   I read a book by David Platt called “Radical” discussing if the American church dream and the true Biblical view are compatible- has God blessed us in America to just have more “stuff”? To have bigger church buildings, houses, more cars, just live isolated, secluded lives and not be concerned with those around the world?   Adoption opened my eyes that I can not be the same and turn a deaf ear and blind eye to those in need.  Something that I didn’t realize or read about much about orphans was their dental health.  I think that there so much focus on physical health with good reason that we don’t think about their dental health.  The reality is dental issues will probably be a serious ongoing issue with any children that have been in orphanages.  Leeza has had to endure having 3 teeth pulled, and will have to go back to the dentist at least 5 more appointments and she just turned 6.   Because of neglect, every tooth in her head has some form of decay.  The blessing is that they are all baby teeth and her adult teeth should be fine.   The reality of taking her to the dental appointment and see what she has to endured has put a fire in my heart and soul, that no orphan should have to endure the pain of not having adequate dental care.  I hate that Leeza has to endure each dentist visit, but it also reminds me of the reality of what we take for granted in America.  I don’t want slowly get insulated back to forget the orphans that we met and are still in Ukraine- Olla, Bogdan, Denis, Dionna, Karina, Yulia and others.

 I am in the beginning stages of planning a non-profit ministry that I hope can address the issue of providing dental help to orphans in Ukraine as well as other physical and spiritual needs along with advocating adoption of these children.   I plan to return to Ukraine in June 2011 to more fully explore what can be done.  James 1:27 is clear that true religion is looking after “orphans in their distress”.  To ship anything Ukraine seems to be very cost prohibitive, but through the local Russian Church we found that they ship to Ukraine for extremely reasonable cost per pound and once we have that in place, we will start gathering clothes and shoes to ship to the orphanages in Ochakiv.  The plan at this moment is to send our first shipment at the end of January.  Please let us know if you have any new or gently used children’s clothing size 2T to clothing for teenagers as well as gently used or new shoes.  In Leeza’s orphanage, there is a great need for boy’s clothing.  We saw many little boys wearing girl’s clothing, because they have nothing else. 

I bring you good tidings of great joy (Part 1 Papa's perspective)

I bring you good tidings of great joy…

Luke 2:10 The angel appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus with the statement of “ I bring you good tidings of great joy.”  I don’t blog much but I like to give a Papa’s perspective that could help others out there know what the adoption process looks like in our on going journey.  How do you go from starting the journey that seems so overwhelming to traveling to a country like Ukraine and by faith be led to the children in a small town called Ochakiv situated on the Black Sea to find children God has for you and then come home to live every day life- what does that look like? How will it unfold?

 In the Christmas story in the Bible, not sure it was “great joy” when Joseph first learned that Mary was pregnant and it wasn’t his… in a sense it was one of the most important adoption decisions ever made, that Joseph would still choose to become the father to a child he had no part in bringing into the world, yet he answered the call.

There are many reasons that people adopt, I can only speak to our situation that we were called to adoption.  It was made clear from confirmations and the faith journey we embarked a year ago in trusting God and exercising faith for financial needs.  It seemed impossible for so many reasons, but God’s heart is to care for orphans.  If you’re called to do something, then God will make a way.

Yesterday was Christmas and to say that my perspective has changed about this and other holidays is an understatement, the joy and amazement that Zhenya and Leeza have brought to things I took for granted has truly brought a “great joy”.  They both have enjoyed the innocence of Christmas in a way that is a miracle – yes they want stuff, what kid doesn’t want presents, but they also have developed a spiritual awareness that has exceeded our expectation.  We made it a point from day one to pray with them that started in Ukraine, I think they went along with it and were not quite sure what it was all about, but over time it has grown to where they see prayer, church, bible reading as a part of our life and family to where they participate and compete to pray at meals.  From that it has grown to being able to share the story of Jesus and true reason for Christmas.  To share with them that God’s love brought us to Ukraine to adopt them.  On Christmas,we took them to a Russian service at People’s Church in Franklin, where they got to hear about the Christmas story in Russian.

  It has now been over 3 months since we returned from the Ukraine and I am so thankful for the journey that God brought us on to adopt, how through them it has changed us in so many ways.  It was an adjustment when we got home for me, it felt that I went from 24 hours in a day to 23!  Some might read this and say for them it is 22, but organizing time was a harder adjustment than I realized.  But when two children greet you at the door, excited to see you no matter how tired you might be, it is worth it.    Zhenya has learned English so fast, it has been amazing to see him now understand concepts and read words.  Leeza went from having no schooling or education, to know spelling her  name, counting to 10 and saying her ABC’s.  Her progress physically has been amazing- in the orphanage she could do few normal kid things – catch a ball or run, which she does now very well.  

From day one we have prayed for both of them and thanked God for their healing – emotionally, physically and socially, I believe God has continued to answer prayers over their lives as we invite the Holy Spirit to work in their life.   The love they both shared towards us and how we have grown as a family has been beyond what I ever expected.  

A Few Christmas Photos

Christmas Eve- Leeza got a table for her room from GiGi. (my mom)

Zhenya got the Ninja Turtle book in English as requested!  This was the first thing he put on his list!  Mama, being a teacher, LOVED that books were first on the list!

Christmas Eve- Making cookies

Christmas Morning- Not quite awake, but excited

My mom  Geri, my sister Aera ( my other favorite Ukrainian) and me. 

Jeff is working on a Christmas post!!  Coming tomorrow...stay tuned!!!

Snow day pictures

This post should actually be before the last post.  Last week, we had snow and the kids got to experience their first American snow day.  No School!!  Here are some of the pictures of the kids playing in the snow on our deck.  They had so much fun!

Saint Nicholas Day

For those of you unfamiliar with Ukraine and Ukrainian traditions,December 19th is Saint Nicholas Day in Ukraine.  This is the main gift giving day rather than Christmas.  Ukraine's Christmas is not until January and from what I read they do not typically give gifts other than maybe receiving an article of clothing.  Today, we had presents for the kids to open that included candy we purchased at a Eastern Ukrainian store in Nashville.  I love that this store is nearby, because we can go there to get food items that our kids might be missing....such as borshch.  They actually make it there and sell it by the cup or bowl..anyway...back to our day.  The kids opened a couple presents before we went to church.  This evening we read "The Spider's Gift" which is a Ukrainian folktale about spider's spinning webs on a Christmas tree and the webs turn into silver.  After reading the book, the kids put tinsel on our Christmas tree.  Then together, we made our own Christmas spiders!  It was a lot of fun and the kids enjoyed it.  Zhenya said he didn't get presents in Ukraine, only candy.  So, getting a game and a toy along with the candy was exciting for them.  They have been quite hyped up lately with excitement.   It is so much fun to see how much they are enjoying their Christmas season.

Photo update

I have been terrible about blogging...only been a bit busy with catering, work, my Master's courses and raising two sassy Ukrainians!!   Since pictures speak a thousand words, I will let the pictures talk for me!!

Looking for the perfect tree

Here is it!

Decorating the tree with Gigi (my mother)

Our friend Juris brought his African Grey(Toby) for a visit and the kids loved him.

Today we took the kids to Crazy Clyde's Slides.  Fun was had by all!

Silly kid #1

Silly kid #2

 Can you believe my girl climbed this thing?  A couple months ago, she couldn't walk without tripping!

She was at the top prior to this yelling " Who Ya"  No idea where she heard that!!

My camera ham!!  He knows he is cute!

Leeza's Birthday!

Leeza had her first American birthday yesterday!  She had loads and loads of fun as did Zhenya.  He now can't wait for his first American birthday next year.  We took them to Chuck E Cheese.  Upon entering the building, I thought they were going to hyperventilate with excitement.  They were yanking on my arm like crazy while yelling "mama, mama"  Here is the photographic proof of a fun time had by all! 

Is this not the cutest picture? 

Enjoying their pizza!

Excited about cake!

Yes, my daughter got a remote control hummer!  Now she can stop playing with Zhenya's cars!!

Dress up shoes...she LOVES dress up shoes.

More dress up stuff! 

Her babushka got her a stroll for her kukla (doll)!

Here's the birthday princess all dressed up!

She also got money from her dadushka (granddad), Aunt Aera and Aunt Barb. Money from Aunt Susie is on the way.  Overall, she had a great birthday!!  She is doing well in school and seems happy over all.  She has been sick lately, so bedtime is a challenge.  She goes to bed and stays there,but she is crying a lot which I find heartbreaking...but she has to go to bed.  Thankfully, she stays in bed and falls asleep quickly, but getting her there can be a bit of a challenge some nights....probably typical for age and situation.  Please pray for peace in her heart and mind as well as quick healing in her body. 

Ochen Candy!

"Ochen candy, mama?"  That was the question I got from Zhenya and Leeza about Halloween.  We use "ochen" a lot in reference to anything that is big, many, very..etc....  So it obviously didn't make it past my kiddos that there was candy to be had and they were getting it!  They got to wear their costumes to school on Friday and then again on Sunday to our church Hoedown which is honestly more like going to the fair with all the activities they have for the kids.  They had a blast.  On Friday night, our town square had trick or treating for two hours at the local businesses, so we took the kids there.  Then after the Hoedown at church, we came home and I let them hand out candy to the kids who came to our door.  I considered taking them out door to door.   After seeing the extremely large bowl of candy in my living room, I decided that it was out of the question.  It is going to take forever to eat what they have considering I don't let them have more than 2 or 3 pieces in a day.  They had a blast handing out candy.  (No, it was not their candy...I went out and bought more.) 

  ( I know some people have issues with Halloween as Christians.  I spent a number of year avoiding it...however, I went trick or treating for years after getting born again and I am turned out pretty good.)  So no theological discussion about the whys and why nots.  We trick or treated and got loads of candy and my kiddos are happy!  Besides...wait until you see how cute they were!!!
Here are a couple photos.

Zhenya was the blue Ninja turtle and Leeza was a Love Bug.

See how happy candy makes her?

I have pictures from the Hoedown too, but they are on my phone which is in the car and I am too tired to go get them.  I will download them soon!