Aging Out

It has been a year since I last blogged.  I am sorry for that, and probably lost a great deal of "readership".  Suffice it to say, it has been a year of ups and downs.

But.... I can't be silent any longer!  My heart is struggling with trying not to be hurt again and the need to locate families for some desperately needy children.  Many of the children I work with at the local orphanage are so close to aging out of the system forever.  For some of these, it means a younger brother or sister losing a chance as well, since they want to go together and won't go without the other.

PLEASE... if you are, or know someone who is, preparing to adopted..... PLEASE consider these children.  My heart breaks each time I see them and hear their desperate pleas to find them a family before it is too late.

Vanya and Natasha

There are two sibling sets that need YOU to move quickly.  Natasha and Vanya are a loving brother and sister that long for a loving mother and father to call their own.  Natasha is very studious, has a good grasp on English, and is quickly approaching a deadline!  Vanya is a sweet boy that loves his sister and any sport.  He is kind and caring.  He and Natasha will bless your family!

Valya

Valya and Katya are sisters that have watched so many others go to their families.  Katya begs me every time I see her to find her a family.  However, because of Valya's age, her chance may soon be gone.  Valya has a slight hearing impairment, but is attending regular school.  She reads lips and can be understood when she speaks.  She uses a telephone without assisted devices.  She is smart and a very gentle girl.  Katya is a born dancer.  She loves music and loves dancing.  She is also a very kind and gentle girl who would blossom in a family.

Katya

PLEASE... pass the word along about these two sets!  If someone doesn't step up to the plate, they will forever be lost.  Their time is running out quickly!!!  Pray that God will send their families to save them from a life on the streets.  Both sets have no contact with mother or father and are begging for a family.... is it YOURS?

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!