The Visionary Artist

The disparity between vision and realization
The now and the not yet
The real and the ideal
...Could lead to slight insanity
And despair
If it were not for God
If it were not for heaven

From where else do we derive this sense
Of perfect love
Perfect beauty
Perfect truth?

When I’m lost in a haze
Searching for peace
Wanting to find that place where earth and sky meet
He whispers in the still moments
At His feet
It’s through the humble door
Of My loving, boundless, extravagant grace

 

Myra Watkins 

Hosting Veronika!

Just a short update to let you all know that Veronika is doing well.  She is still waiting for "daddy" and "momma" to come to Ukraine.  They are waiting on a very SLOW social worker to finish the home study.  INS is waiting for this last piece of the puzzle as well.  So.... we are all waiting.

In the meantime, Veronika is being hosted by Nadia!  and me, of course.  She has been with us a little over a week.  This has been just long enough to be hit square in the face with her "teenage-ness".  We have had a few melt downs, but through some tough love she seems to be settling to an even pace.  For the last 4 days, we have heard a lot of "please", "thank-you", and "can I help you" coming from her.  Hopefully, it will last.

We spend our days learning English, watching DVD's together, cooking, and generally living like a family would.  She is helpful around the house when she knows what to do, and never complains about being asked to help.  With boundaries, she thrives!!!

We have learned the hard way that over stimulation--like shopping all day-- leads to melt downs often ending in tears.  We have learned that she is easily disappointed in people when she is hurt by them. (Thankfully this wasn't us....but we had to bear with the results.)  We have learned she has a quick humor and loves to laugh at silly cartoons and films.  We have learned that she is a quick study and can pick up English rather quickly.  We have learned that she loves to be loved.  And.... we still have 16 days to go....but who's counting.

Pray with us as the next two weeks pass.  Pray that we would be examples of unconditional love like the unconditional love of our Father.  Pray for our stamina and strength....it is hard having a teenager with no other teenagers around.  Pray for her "forever family" and their paperwork.  They are frustrated and the longer it takes the more unsure Veronika becomes.  Pray for quick INS approval and a quick appointment with the National Adoption Center in Ukraine.  

 More later....

Until then.... I am....

In His Hope!

About time, huh?

Well, I have put off blogging thinking that by now I could tell you that Veronika has a forever family.  So I waited and waited....!  Many of you wrote me, many of you sent the blog on to others.  In fact, I had people for weeks writing me about Veronika and the other girls like her here in the orphanage....people I didn't even know.

So, ok.....there is a family that IS in the process to become Veronika's "forever family".  I can't share more than that.  The family is in the final stages waiting for the approval of INS to travel to Ukraine.  Veronika knows about the family and they are all already in love with each other.  PLEASE PRAY that everything goes through in a quick manner.  Everyone is tired of waiting.  When the family gets here, I will share more.  For now.....just pray.  (And..no the family does not have a blog...in fact they are newbies to this world of adoption!)

More later this week on the Last Bell and orphan fun!!!

Until then... I am ...

In His Hope

Wait a minute.... I didn't sign-up for this!

Today I took two friends to the orphanage in Boyarka.  They were here a little over a year ago and adopted three siblings from the orphanage.  They are back to adopt again from another orphanage and their kids sent gifts to friends still in this orphanage.  I expected it to be a pleasant day.

When I began working at the orphanage a year ago, I never expected to have my heart so deeply moved by these children.  I was there to bring joy, light, kindness, etc to these poor orphans.  Instead, they have brought these things to my life and so much more.  I have learned to love each of them in a special way, but there are a few of the older girls that have just captured my heart... and today one of them broke it!

As we were looking at pictures and talking about children that had left the orphanage, I noticed a gray cloud forming over Veronica's head.  She is a precious, loving child, and is usually involved in the conversations we have.  But today, I watched her withdraw.  It was so obvious.  I watched this beautiful flower wilt and fade away before my very eyes.  I watched her animated, joyful eyes fill with sadness and despair....  And my heart broke with hers because I knew what was happening.

In May of this year, Veronica will turn 16.  Her chance at a family, her chance at a life full of unconditional love, her chance at being held when she is scared or lonely.....is slipping quickly away from her...right before her eyes.  And she is scared!  She has NO ONE!  No one to turn to when her time at the orphanage is up.  No one to cry or laugh with.  NO ONE!  She is all alone in the world and at 15+ she is terrified of what lies ahead.

I wish I could tell her everything will be ok and that her forever family is just around the corner.  But I couldn't.  All I could do was hold her tight, kiss her cheek, and tell her to never give up hope.  It was all I could do!!!!  And my heart broke.  Even now as I write this, I am holding back the tears when I think about where this precious, gentle child will be if someone does not act fast!!!

My heart hurts..... and I didn't sign up for this!