Thankfulness

This week in my English lessons at the Christian school I talked about Thanksgiving.  It was fun to teach these Ukrainian children about our celebration...not just the food and football part, but the real reason we have the holiday.  It was a great opportunity to have them share what they were thankful for, and it was a great opportunity to get me thinking about all my blessings.

This season is a little tougher than ones in the past--knowing that my dad is not around.  Although it has been many years since I was in the states for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I could always count on that afternoon phone call with the full description of the meal, the latest antics of the grandkids, or the newest joke.   I always felt a little bit like I was "home for the holidays'.

Even though it is tougher this year...I find many things that I am thankful for just the same.  I am thankful that I was loved and supported through the years by my mother and father.  I am thankful that I grew up in a family that went to church and taught me the importance of faith and hope.  I am thankful for a church that was (and is) strong in the word and evangelistic.  I am thankful for Godly men and women that encouraged me in my Christian walk.  I am thankful for feeling wanted, loved, and prayed for.

I am thankful that God has provided me with an opportunity to serve Him in Ukraine, and for the people that I have met because of this time....supporters, visitors, fellow missionaries, and Ukrainians.  I am thankful for the blessing of touching the lives of children that have not been as fortunate as I was growing up.  I am thankful for a God-given love and desire to see these children cared for and protected.

Don't let this holiday season pass without telling those that you love that you are thankful for them.  Too soon they may be gone.

So...I am thankful for you!!!  Whoever you are reading this right now--whether family, friend, or casual guest.  Thank you that you cared enough to stop for a moment to listen to my ramblings.  I wish you and yours a very thankful Thanksgiving Day!

In His Hope,
Becky

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him and bless His name."  Psalms 100:4

At long last....

Yes I am finally blogging again. So much has happened in the last month that I never had time to post about it before it happened. And now.... I have TOOOOO many things I want to post about.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day in the USA. I think this is a great day to celebrate those that gave us life and trained us up. I have a great mom....and I made sure I sent my gift to her in plenty of time for Mother's Day. On Sunday, I was struck by the fact that many of you reading my blog were celebrating your first Mother's Day or the first on with your new kids. What a joy that must have been. Along with this thought immediately came the thought of the kids left behind in the orphanages throughout the world. My heart breaks for them... especially those that I have had the priviledge of getting to know.

I wish I had the money to adopt 6-8 of them today!!! But, according to our US standards, I don't even make enough to adopt one! I wish that House of Hope could open today.... but there just isn't the money....YET!!!!

Now is prime time on the market. I could buy a house that would suit our needs for a lot less than I could a year ago....and there are many for sell. $300,000.00 today would buy me a house, and furnish it completely to house children. Since a couple of friends of mine (Felix and Heidi) have come back to the states after adopting, they have "advertised" for me and I have received 3 pledges to help in this project. That only leaves 997 more people to find that will pledge $300. OR.... 300 people that will pledge $997. I wait for God's hand to move!

In the meantime, we are having to move again. The house we presently rent is for sale and we don't know when that will happen. Our rental agreement is up next month, so we started looking about 2 weeks ago. And.... WE FOUND IT! We are thrilled. It is a little more than we are paying here (+$150), but has twice the room! We have rooms to have guests... so come on over. We will be moving in the next two weeks... PRAY FOR US!!!!

I am posting some new pics from the English class at the orphanage. I hope you enjoy them.

Until next time..... I am.....In His Hope!