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Home again Home again

Sunday, September 25, 2011

They are home

William and Lydia are home also Derrick and Momma. they arrived Friday night and there was a warm welcome among our friends and family. It became crazy after we got home I had thought they would be exhausted from the travel but the kids finally gave up with my force of will about midnight.  It was wonderful to see their smiles and surprise at our new home which raised the money for the adoption as we worked on the house instead of hiring contractors to raise the money.
As I have contemplated the events in our bringing Will and Lydia home it is amaizing to me who knows and has faith in the Lord that we have had so many touches of His hand it seems that there are countless times so many that I can't count them all. We have been blessed!!
I was thinking about the changes in my life sense I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it is baffling and this was brought to my attention by my Mother who asked why I wanted to adopt these kids at an age when most men look to retire. Because of my faith that God has lead me to this chance to serve these children and be in my poor way to do as commanded by Jesus Christ "that you feed my sheep"  "that as you serve the least of these you are but in the service of your God"   My heart, mind and actions are so changed, from a "wild eyed heathen" to a servant of Christ.
Will just came in and attacked me in play.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Home again

Debbie will be home tonight and I and the kids are so excited to see all of them. She is bringing our Ilia and Lydia our new children home from the Ukraine today. It is not a common to adopt kids when one already has 7 children however we know that the Lord wants us to do this and even though it is a sacrifice that has affected all of our family it has made us better and stronger as a family. We prayed and fasted many Sundays for months as a family and individually  that hearts would be softened and minds would be opened to help us as we were in Ukraine and the people we needed would be found. The Lord has lead us and answered our prayers He has blessed us in this adoption at many of the turns after we had done all we could He did the rest. We had Yana and Uri appear and take care of our family Debbie Derrick and I. The Inspector of Orphans was one of the special people touched by His hand to bless the children that they might be grafted into the fruitful olive tree  as in the Parable of the Olive Tree.
Our family have lived by faith especially this last year in the effort to make the money and prepare our home to receive these kids.  I feel like an observer of a movie about a great miracle for it truly has been that. How do we come up with $35,000 to adopt.
This is the story last June 30 our home which would not have passed the home study to adopt burned we lost every thing but our family and my tools. As I drew the new plans for the house my wife made arrangements to host two children from Ukraine. After they left we held a family counsel to decide how we could find the money to bring these children home and it was decided that we would give up replacing things and working ourselves on the reconstruction we could do it. As I was working on the house plans I had drawn in the rooms we would need to make enough room for them without even knowing that they were coming, The formal parlor was converted to a bed room and a storage area was changed over also, a closet made from a hallway a closet added all for less than $200 and we had the space. the children and I worked hard for a year on the house while my wife worked more hours at the hospital to make up for my income as I built the house a friend spent days helping saving us thousands in labor . Who would have believed that your house burning down would bring so many blessings.I know that if you look in to the tragic events in your life you will find blessings if you look for them.  As my wife and I sat across the street watching the fire fighters as the house burned my wonderful wife said a very profound thing "well I guess the Lord just scraped the dross off". There has never been a truer statement as a door closes He opens a window and in our case He did as promised and "Opened the windows of heaven and poured out

Gift of Tongues

Wow! Lydia prayed tonight  and I understood almost half of it! I recognized the Russian words and was so touch as she thanked God for the day, for me taking them to school, the market, and to Ilia's football practice. We were more successful in getting Ilia into a soccer league, than them into school . We will be driving  20 miles to Payson, but it was so worth it. I was so rough on the morning routine this morning. But the kids told me they like American oatmeal better then Ukraine ( I do too, we use a little brown sugar they use a lot of salt.) I could not get them to eat it in the Orphanage. we worked on English while waiting for our school appointment. Our school is a small district  with no ESL funding DANG! We hopefully figured out a morning schedule with David and I homeschooling the rest of the day.
    We went shopping for much needed clothes for the kids. It was fun.We went to a second hand store After Ilia got a pair of pants he thought we were done when I keep picking out pant his eyes got big he says his       " OO HOO "expression and we had fun. Of course not a lot of luck there for my dear Lydia's taste but that OK. We then went to buy NEW "football" shoes, and a church dress and shoes for Lydia.
     We then drove quickly to Genola and Payson to see which team we should put Ilia on. David and Derrick were to meet us at Genola with the shinguards, water, and socks The first team was the 13 year old and Ilia would not get out of the car until David got there. David is  late without Derrick, shinguard and socks. I did not behave well and we left. We got to Payson before the team of 15 year old started and meet the coach. Ilia started warming up and the team was a nature fit. We meet a boy who's father speaks Russian and the family is planing to adopt from Ukraine. ( A lesson to show me yet again do not get upset when things do not go my way because  the Lord's plan is so much better)
    Thank you Andreas for warning me Sunday about the price our Bio children face, because my plan we to leave Ilia in Derrick and David hands and come home,  Ilia beg me to stay and after the disaster at the first field I said Yes. My 9 year old was not happy when I called back to explain why I was staying.  I had hurt Derrick when I rudely asked him why  he was not with David.  Boy, I pray to find the right balance in this new dance I am engage in. I have at least have been a parent long enough to know children are forgiving if you are sincere in your apologies.  I really try to live the 5 to 1 rule. (Each negative behavior in your relationship need 5 positive to balance it out!) We ended the day with that sweet prayer and scripture study. Lydia even being  willing to read in Ukrainian  We did not make it to get Russian scriptures as they told me they know Russian better. Another great day!

Home Sweet Home!

A wonderful weekend! The only hard things about my weekend are my dreams. I woke up sweating Sat morning because in my dream I was being made to walk around Ukraine in my UNDERWEAR. After I realized I am in my wonderful bed with my husband at my side I was even able to laugh the symbolic nature  of the dream. Some-days it was the most awkward hard experience of my life, made easier by my children and some amazing people! Having lived in a foreign country for three year I was not scared going over and thought I was prepared. Ha Ha!

  Back to the wonderful waking hours, we are back to a honeymoon stage! So fun to teach Ilia "William" how to use our stove ( it is just different from what he is used to) and let him cook himself breakfast! He knows how to cooked It is just  this is his home.  Lots of bike riding today. We sorted  hand me down clothes to evaluate what we need to shop for Monday. We did Massages, we set up my oldest daughter Massage table and I gave Ilia, Lydia, and Dannalee back rubs. They thought it was cool! Picking cabbage and tomatoes in the garden to make Borscht and of course a trip to the Market for food. Delanie is giggling at my different vocabulary! The borscht was not edible Sat night. I sat on the couch for a minute as I started  to boil water for spaghetti, plan B, for dinner and fell fast sleep
    . Sunday was great. Ilia loves to cook and eat! We got ready for church and the  kids came without complaint. In Ukraine Ilia would really complain when we went and at least they spoke Russian in Zap. I tried to find a translator but with less than 24 hour notice no luck. Ilia wanted to come with me to primary rather than with Derrick and in the end it was better. Lots of singing and games in primary.  He sat so quiet during my primary class what a trooper.  It was on Pentecost, how I was wishing for the gift of tongues! Lydia went with Delaine. Del used her phone to translate important parts so hopefully  she got something out of it.!  Zoey my 3 year old my granddaughter who came to church with us just instantly attached to Lydia.
   The afternoon with family, the picture show of the family in Ukraine, and now edible borscht! Our biggest laugh of the day was Zoey. Who is highly allergic to many foods, we are always reading labels and being so careful. We knew the borscht was OK for her to eat so she climbed on Lydia's lap to eat. Later she tells her Mom her tummy is full of soup and  "the bread Lydia gave  me, I am  not suppose to eat" We had rolls out and neither Del or I noticed Lydia feed her the rolls with soy in them . Zoey knows she 's not to eat it but ate it as her dear Lydia fed it to her.  We quickly translated Zoeys allergies for Lydia and Will. Thank heaven it was only soy and not NUTS she will only itch tomorrow.  Ilia and Lydia are being so good I am going to treasure these honeymoon days! I also treasure all the good people at church who tried so hard to welcome them  I hope the sense the love if not the words were felt by the kids!


Monday
My turn I'm the other half. What a Hoot it is having them home Will who wasn't very playful with me in the orphanage, attacks me on a regular schedule and we wrestle and I'm the target for the Nerf guns and we play chase. It is great to see the way Zoey has attached  to them. To see Lyda's wonderful full smile touches my heart strings and they sing. All of the kids except my daughter Dawn were here Sunday and of course there were the boys that our special daughters attract were here hanging out for a while. Also two of Deb's brothers and spouses came by and Grandma and Grandpa were here for dinner so it was a love filled day so fitting for the sabbath. As Deb said the honeymoon is great and we get ready to start school today. Will needs clothes so we have to shop today. There was another event yesterday that I think was significant, While the kids were here to visit last year, they would go with Derrick on his paper rout and when the time came yesterday everyone loaded into the van to run the papers. Today it will be on the bikes and I think at least Will is going.  I hope they will get over the Jetlag soon Derrick seems especially effected, I know I had a hard time when I returned home.

I am so thankful for Debbie's sacrifices in the Ukraine  especially in the orphanage it is gratifying to see her joy over the kids now they are here. Our love and thanks go out to all who Prayed for us and the kids. They were effectual for the Lord's hand and The Spirit were ever present making up the difference after we had done all we could. It has been a journey that has strengthened my faith and testimony and I know that our Heavenly Father will continue to bless us when the difficult times come for the challenges of life will come.

For any who read this, that do not believe in the existence, or the loving goodness and power of God to effect our lives, try an experiment. If you truly wish to know if I am a crazy fool! Pray every day for one week and ask God, Are You real?  If you have a burning in your heart it is His Spirit telling you He Is. Then act on the gift of this knowledge and contact the missionaries of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, LDS, at any listing in the Phone Directory on Sunday or on the net @ www.lds.org. Life can be filled with "Joy that surpasseth all understanding".

Leaving Ukraine!

I know this is a little over dramatic but today felt one of those movies where there is an explosion and the  heroes are running in front of it! This last week in Ukraine I have not slept much, 2 nights of trains rides and then worry over the embassy paperwork. so but last night I was a bundle of nerve function on adrenalin instead of normal pace. I even yelled at the kid because it took me over 2 hours to settle them down to go to sleep so we could get up @ 3 am. then I finally settle them down and their sister or friend kept texting the kids I did not dare turn off the phone as it is my alarm clock so needless to say another hard night.
      We make it to the airport my 4:15 and while were waiting to even know what line for our 6:45 flight. Ilia disappear for 10 min. He was finally found outside by our driver! As we got through the line to check paper work I had my experience with one last very rude Ukrainian As she scowl over the paper she ask me where is the permission from the parents, and that the Birth certificate is not right "How can you be listed as the mother? '" I explain I have adopted them after another 5 min I demand her supervisor. The Supervisor on the other hand was so kind and even smile at me as he took the paper work into an office. I was so glad when he smiling returned with their passport and important paper work. I was glad to leave on a happier note!
      I thought for how long the day was the kids where so good! I talked with a man from Richmod on the flight from Munich to DC he was so interested  as he as thought about to adopting so I hope he talks his wife into it. I so want to find homes for the children I left that  I love so much!
 Beautiful ending at the airport to see so many people I have grown to love and respect so much and the most wonderful family in the world include my parents, so glad they endured the long drive to come pick us up! So grateful all my kid's friend from the orphanage were there. I know they were so happy to see them all!
    The kids loved looking around "Doma" last night as this the first they have seen it. Ilia unpack so quick! So wonderful to be in the Promise land and among people I Love so much! There is no place like home!

VIsa!

Visa in hand will be home Friday night!

Embassy Day

I thought this part would be easier . David H tried to prepare me for this one parent adoption paperwork.  I thought I explained on the phone before David left to the embassy the one parent situation. The lady helping me  is so sweet but I am the most nervous I have been in a long time. So it has not been a fun afternoon working on paperwork. Realizing we are close to the "US poverty line". Funny how the Lord works" using the foolishness of man to confound the wise".Derrick asked me how we can be "poor" I explained we are spiritually rich and THE LORD make up the differences. so not a lot of fun today while mom does homework, just too much TV. I am looking forward to my "doma" with no TV! I have made us run around liberty square a few times. We will have a little fun tomorrow. Home stretch, "pant, pant"!

Trains

Tuesday 9/20/11

I only slept a couple of hour after our Monday night train ride so I was kind of “sulky” a term they used when you are grumpy here. The kids did no sleep in as long I had hoped. We found markets as our tummy were growling horribly. Then we made  arrangements with the missionaries to get our large suitcase back and feed them Big Macs I did not do well in the feeding missionary  area I only feed them home cooked once, one P&J  lunch and two trips to fast food. O well. We had a quick lesson from the strength of youth pamphlet . We then quickly packed for our dash to pick up passports and get on a train to Kiev. I wish  was the all night one but it was from 5 pm to 11 pm Whereas Monday night I had no food tonight I think I had too much.  I did not let them have cokes but the grape juice was as bad. It was a long 5 hour! I finally dozed off for an hour and woke up to the kids imitating my snoring. We when we all laugh and laugh and told sleep walking stories until we were giddy beyond words. I was afraid they would throw us off the train for all our laughter. Ilia loves having Derrick paly this little piggy with his toes.  We are so close to the final stretch. I am so homesick!