Homecoming #1

Mama and Daddy came home this week.  They have to wait several weeks for some medical test results, so they came home while they wait.  They intend to go back in a month and a half.  They picked a very excited Pasha up from the school bus stop on Friday. 

Hi "Ma" and "Da!"

Although excited, he was very confused when he didn't see his new brother and sister.  Despite our attempts at trying to explain to him, he had his mind made up that when he saw Mama and Daddy, that "Joy" and "Theodore" would be with them.

Looking for J and T.

But, finally, he gave Mama and Daddy bewildered bear hugs.

 

Then, being the little techie he is, he immediately asked Daddy for the iPad, because he knew there would be photos on it.  Here he sees some familiar faces, Theodore being on the far left of the iPad photo. 

 

Now, Mama and Daddy have explained more to him about the situation of going back over there in a few weeks, the thought has consumed him, and it is just about all you can get him to talk about.

On another note, we went out to dinner this night (Mama and Daddy, their kids, and grand kids).  We met a new deaf friend at the restaurant named Ryan, who as a child attended the same school Pasha now attends.  While Pasha was too distracted to talk with him much, Daddy had a very nice conversation with him.  It is amazing how God causes people's paths to cross.  Daddy felt very blessed at having met Ryan, and we hope that Ryan got a blessing from meeting us.

'Til next time,
~ Big Sister

Sonny with Showers of Blessings

Tuesday it was beautiful here in Eastern Europe, and we had to meet with the district board that is the equivalent of our DHR.  They asked us many questions about ourselves and about Pasha and why these children our reply was God.  After we had answered all of their questions we got a 100% vote from the board.  This means they have given their stamp of approval for us to move forward in the adoption of these two beautiful children.  So once again the Son shined down on us showers of blessings and has with each of our adoption journeys, and in our everyday lives.

 I don’t believe anything is by chance I believe when someone is put in our path either for us to help them or them help us for me it is divine intervention from the Heavenly Father.  You see God is omnificent knowing all things and if you study you will find this.  Take this example “And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"  And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us."  And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover” (Mark 14:12-16, ESV).

Jesus knew the servant and where he would be and who his master was so he told his disciples to look for him.  I believe that is how he does us because this year just like last year he has put us in the hands and care of many people.  It was not by chance I know it has been by divine intervention by God working in his wondrous way and using his Holy Spirit to speak to us and to them.  So many times I have turned around to ask for help and there was some who could speak some English and other times people would just hear us and step up to offer assistance.  So taking some words from Bro. Mark Lowery, “I just love it when God shows out.”

Because of the way God is helping and leading, I know we are doing God’s will in our lives and in the lives of these children.  For many years I did not understand why my hearing was getting so bad or why I had such deep desire to know American Sign Language, but now I do.  And if God sees the need to take all of my hearing then that is his will, and at the same time I know where my shepherd is leading me.  There are many of his sheep in the world and in our own State that have not been reached or had the Gospel explained to them.  A few years ago there were almost 100 ministers for the deaf according to one minister, who is deaf and pastors the largest deaf church in the state, this year there is less than half of that. 

Christ said look at the fields they are white unto harvest but where are the reapers.  Take whatever means you have; whatever gifts God has given; and go put them to use in the fields.  Just remember it does not take much, because if you are doing it for God he will bless you and he will provide your needs.   Remember he took a small stone in a boys sling shot and brought a mighty giant to his death. 

Communication between two continents...

Up until just a handful of decades ago, it took several weeks, or even months, to receive communication between continents. 

However, thanks to God for giving us the knowledge of technology.  With video chat, we have real time communication.  It allows Pasha to stay connected to Mama and Daddy. 

Showers of Blessing

Since last Thursday we have been spending time with the children back at the school.  Not just Joy and Theodore, but all of them.  There have been times I have counted as many as 15 children with us and one day one of the teachers came in an saw them all with us and asked if we wanted them to leave.  We told her we were fine and we were okay with all of them.  We had the two Kindles we brought for Joy and Theodore, my pad and Kathy’s kindle and both of our phones with games loaded on them.  And they were all enjoying these items. 

We had to make some rules that each would play for 30 minutes and then the pad or phone would be passed to another child.  That way everyone had an opportunity to play and the older children would not take away from the younger children.  They learned very fast we meant business because if they took away from someone else we made them give it back.  So all in all everything went very well and through it I discovered something.  Christ taught it is better to give than receive, but what I have learned is that by giving you do receive.  

Let me explain, as we sat there watching the children the past three plus weeks we have seen what a great joy these devices have been bringing them.  I mean they take these devices and they find the games and within a few minutes they have mastered it.  They are all so intelligent and gifted in so many ways and we get the privilege of seeing the joy and wonder on their faces.  So the next time you find an opportunity to practice the words of Christ remember you receive when you give.  It is kind of like paying it forward.

Like today we bought things to take to the school for a party.  We took some cookies, candy, chips, fruit, bread and Nutella, which was a huge number one home run score with all of the children.  They had a ball I wish you could have seen them all they truly loved it.  This was our farewell party for them and saying good bye to Joy and Theodore for 6 or more weeks.  It was so hard to say good bye, there we were all four of us hugged up together crying and so saddened and our hearts heavy for the love we have for these two children, and all of the others.  Joy’s heart was broken and she cried too, I know Theodore wanted to but he did not want to in front of the other boys. 

Our driver we have had for the last week has just been wonderful.  He has been here each morning right on time and he is waiting for us when it is time for us to leave.  He is just amazed how all of the children look for us and come out to greet us each day and he has been telling his family.  So today as we left with our hearts heavy and eyes full of tears his niece was with him and spoke English very well, (another blessing).  She told us her mother and grandmother wanted us to come and have lunch in their cafe.  Let me tell you when GOD pours out the blessings he Showers them down with people like our driver, his niece his sister and his mother.   God knew we would needed these people right then and he sent them just when our hearts and our spirit needed it most.

There shall be showers of blessing, and today by giving we received such a wonder blessing from the kindness of new found friends and a wonderful meal.  It was Sowers of blessings we needed right then sent at the right time and on us the blessings did fall.  

Meanwhile back at home...(2)

Pasha is getting new pets.  Look, Ma!

Understand the word Bittersweet

Have you ever just thought about the word, bittersweet and what it actually means?  One of the definitions states, “Arousing pleasure tinged with sadness or pain.”   Today that definition exactly describes the emotions we have right now.  Excited to return home to our family and friends and all that is familiar to us but very sad knowing we will be leaving behind two children who will be on our hearts and in our prayers until we return for them.  I know the time will pass and we have communicated this to them and they understand.  But still it is very bittersweet for us.

As I sat this week looking at signs, seeing letters that are the same shape as our US English letter; but at the same time different.  I have come to understand what Pasha has been going through and what Theodore and Joy will have to face.  As I was talking with Kathy today and I mentioned this to her and how I understand the road is not smooth but at least you can navigate it.   It has been a larger challenge to us this time because we are trying to handle as much as we can ourselves without calling our facilitator.  We have been able to use language interpreter applications on our phones to order our food.  Yes it takes longer but we have been doing well and have gotten to eat a larger variety of wonderful food.

Also yesterday we checked into a new hotel in the town we have been staying.  To other hotel was full when we arrived back this week so we checked into this one.  All I can say is WOW it is so nice.  We have a huge room with a very nice private bath and each room has its own Wi-Fi but most of all the bed is so comfortable and last night was probably the best night sleep we have had since we have been here. 

The restaurant is really nice and the waiter knows some English and you can tell they are doing everything they can to make our stay very comfortable.  The only drawback is we are on the top floor so there are many steps for Kathy to climb which is quite painful with her bad ankle.  Each day as she is standing there looking up at each flight of stairs I remind her that, “I can do all things through Christ which Strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13 KJV).

Hand of Help in Adoption Blog: I can't do this

Please read, this post then you to will understand why we are doing this. 



Hand of Help in Adoption Blog: I can't do this: I can't do this. That's what you're thinking, right? Their faces are so sweet, their need for love and a family so great- bu...

He's Already There

“But God chose what is foolish to shame3 the wise.” (1 Cor 1:27a ESV).  There have been so many times that God puts us at a place at just the right time when help was needed.  For example Tuesday I was at the market buy food for our trip back to the children’s school facility.  I was standing there looking at the water trying to figure out which one did not have gas.  There was a young lady there and I asked her, "Water No Gas."  God chose her to be there for me at that time, why this young lady she spoke English very well.  And again yesterday when we arrived back at the hotel we had been staying in we were told all rooms were booked for a wedding.

 

We did not know what to do and there was a young man there who heard us talking and came over and asked if we needed an interpreter.  He spoke English very well with no accent as though English was his first language.  This has happened to us so many times and all I can do is just stand there in awe of our omnipotent God.   I don’t need to worry about tomorrow because God is already there taking care of things for us.  What a great consolation to know he cares for his children that much.

We go so many places and we hear all of the people who are speaking a language we do not understand.  And then today it hit me, this how it is with Pasha, he is with many people he knows but he does not know their language and they do not know his.  And for those of you who don’t know American Sign Language is classified as an official language.  So unless he is with someone who understands his language he is just like we are now.  We are here and we are trying to communicate and there are some words we know but not enough to carry on a full conversation.  So the next time you see someone who might need a little help.  Please stop and help, who knows, you might just be the person God has chosen to be there tomorrow at just the right time to lend a helping hand to a stranger.

We had a great time today with the children and I saw the director again, the children really like him and he has been such a kind man.  And I tell the children to be good and obey Director because he is a good man and really cares for the children.  I know he feels like he is their Daddy because he is with them and makes sure their needs are met.  Next week we will be coming home for a few weeks waiting on our court date.  We will come back then and finish up everything and it is going to be so very hard leaving them behind.  I know it is for just a short time but it will seems much longer than that to me.

Meanwhile back at home...

Pasha is having lots of fun visiting his nieces and nephews on the weekend and attending school during the week. 

Pasha is sharpening his cooking skills. 

Creating Lego masterpieces (and messy rooms, along with G, IA and A).

Excited about the start of the new school year! (Note: these photos indicate the second week of school.  I had a dead camera battery the first and was unable to capture any photos of him last week).

Saying goodbye to his family.

And off he goes to school.

He's been making new friends at his sister's church.  Many of the families there knew he would be visiting and have learned a few basic signs to welcome him.  He has been able to video chat with Mama and Daddy and the children they are trying to adopt.  He has been appointing himself chores at our house (mostly feeding and watering the dogs, helping dress Asa, cooking, and dishes). 

He has been loving on his dogs at home and telling them he'll see them soon when we go to check on things at Mother and Daddy's house.  He checks for eggs in the chicken coop.  He snacks on whatever he can find of his familiar snacks (apparently I don't have the right snacks at my house).  He visits with Mawmaw. He gets his electronics fix by playing on his laptop and kindle.  He ALWAYS asks can he swim in the pool.

The biggest thing though, he tells everyone he meets about Mama and Daddy flying on an airplane across the ocean and about him getting a new brother and sister.  He is so excited and it's hard for him to understand why it's taking so long.  We all love to see his excitement every day!

Praying for expeditions,

~ Big Sister

Second Adoption Journey

One thing about this adoption journey is we had to leave Pasha behind because school started week before last.  And we have been missing him and all our children and grandchildren.    It’s amazing how much we talk about them while we are here and I suppose that keeps them close to us in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.  We have been skyping with our daughter as much as possible and we are hoping tomorrow we can skype with our son so he can meet the children.

Early Monday morning we got to let Pasha talk with his two friend that we are hoping soon will be his brother and sister.  One of his former teachers also got to see him and talk with him, it was wonderful to talk with Pasha, he was very sleepy, because his sister had to get him up so he could talk.  I know he is so excited and I hope he understands when we tell him we have to come back to finish up

.

I was talking with Kathy this morning and one thing we have noticed this time, everything seems to be more expensive.  I know the currency here is losing its value, and that concerns me for the children, but at the same time our cost for everything is greater, but I know God will provide for us this time like he always has in the past.  We have one day left in the city for medical testing then we will be taking the children back to their facility another 5 hour ride on bumpy roads.    Hopefully we will meet with the DAP office, (same as our DHR office), and hopefully get their approval to proceed with the adoption.  Either way we are hoping to fly home Saturday and come back in almost 2 months to finish.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue our adoption journey to bring Pasha’s hope to be brother and sister home.  

On a sad note, just like our last journey we had some friends to die while we were here for Pasha’s adoption.  Well Sunday evening we learned that one of my aunts has passed away.  It is such a bitter sweet time but she has been sick for so long and I know she is finally at peace and at home with God.  She will be truly missed but never forgotten.  Please keep her family and sisters in your thought and prayers in the coming days, weeks and months ahead because she will be truly missed.

And a Child Shall Lead Them

Since our arrival here almost two weeks ago I have been reading and re-reading the book of Philippians.  At the same time I am also looking at a new commentary “Cohick, Lynn H., Philippians, The Story of God Bible Commentary; Grand Rapids, MI; Zondervans 2013.”  After looking at the title I felt it was worth the read to see how much about the story of God can be gleaned from the book of Philippians with only four chapters.  I am not ready to give a final conclusion but I will say I have been enjoying reading  the book of Philippians and the commentary as well.

There is some text that keeps coming back to me and that is “³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV)” The reason for me is many people keep saying to us, “You all are special people who will take these children in and make them your own especially more with the children being deaf.”  I have to say it would be easy to become bloated with pride but that is not why we are doing this because if we were it would not be giving God any Glory and I do not want to rob God of any Glory.

As a minister I would not ask anyone to do something I would am not willing to do myself.  God and Christ commanded us to love one another because Love is of God.  Another thing God told us to do was to take care of the Widows and the fatherless.  If each person would really apply the teaching of the Bible to their own lives, I wonder how many orphans there would be today?  How many widows would be wondering where their next meal was coming from?  Be honest with yourself about this.  I am not boasting but these little children have really touched us here.  They all want a family and they are so starved for attention and we are getting such a joy and blessing doing what God has commanded us to do. To God be the Glory.

Please do not say we are special people because we are doing this.  We are just following the direction and leadership of God and doing what He has commanded us to do.  Sit beside one of these children and give them a toy or let them play a game on your pad.  It brings such joy to them and as we sit there we think of how much we have and how little they have and makes us want to cry.  

One young man today we let play on one of the Kindle’s we brought.  The other children were in the pool and because he is so young and has some developmental delay he does not get to get in the pool; however when we told him he was going to go with us and play on the kindle he got so excited because he got to play on the Kindle with no other children standing around competing for their turn and pushing him aside or taking it from him.  For an hour it was just him and that small item and it just made his day.

Sometimes it’s a little game or toy that will put a smile on a child face but always a kind word, some attention and a little love.  Try it out for yourself, but I warn you it is addictive.   Jesus love the little children of the world, red, yellow, black or white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the children of the world.  Being a Christian’s we are supposed to be Christ like and love all the children of the world they are our future.

Being Accepted

On one of my earlier blogs this week I stated as prospective parents we chose the children, but because of their age they have to accept us as their parents.  Well today they both had to write a document and sign it stating they accept us to be their parents.  This gives me better insight and a greater understanding of the verse “I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10 (ESV).  Well for Kathy and me we were rejoicing and Kathy had so many emotions she could hardly contain them.  I know this is how God must feel when we accept Him and His Son Jesus Christ.

We still have a couple of processes to go through and a couple of them could be quite lengthy and because of this we will come home for about 6 seeks and then come back and finish the process.  During one of these processes there will be a three day period that we will get to be with the children around the clock.  Then we will have to say goodbye for just a little time.  I know this is going to be hard because they want to go with us so bad this time too will pass quickly.

I was talking with one of the young men here this week and he told me that he wants to go and become a minister.  I told him this was great because there is great need for people who can minister to the deaf community.  I was speaking to the pastor of the Oxford Baptist Church for the deaf recently and he told me a few years ago there were about 90 ministers in the Alabama Baptist Conference for the Deaf but this year there were only 29.  This is so sad because there are almost 92% of the deaf community that have not been reached.  Like Jesus said “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2a NASB).

A Double Portion

If you will remember it was the prophet Elisha that ask for a double portion of what Elijah had.  Well today we received our double portion.  First, the swimming pool at the camp where the children currently are located was repaired and they put water in it Tuesday and today they allowed the children to get in and swim.  I will tell you this is single most highlight of their summer, they absolutely enjoyed it.  While Theodore and Joy did not stay with us, but went to the pool, we would not do anything to begrudge them of this joy.  They don’t have anything to do as this camp so this pool is a really big deal to them.  There were two smaller boys they would not allow to get in because they are too small so out came two pads loaded with games they got to play on all by themselves with no older children trying to take it from them or telling them what to do.  It was a small thing for us but a big thing to these two young boys.

The second was one of the nicest thing that has happened to us since we have been here.  The people who own the hotel we are staying at invited us to their home for dinner.  They came and picked us up in their car took us to their home, grilled some pork and chicken served with vegetables from their garden and some wonderful fruit.  I don’t know what they seasoned the meat with but I will tell you it was absolutely delicious.  They were so hospitable and even though our language and theirs is different we found a way to communicate.    

The hotel we are staying at this time is the same hotel we stayed in last year when we were here and we enjoyed it so much we knew we would stay here again for this adoption journey.  Also during our stay last year we became friends with them it was so good to see them again this year.  Their young son is such a well-mannered and talented young man and tonight during our visit we got a private concert from him.  He plays the saxophone and the song he performed for us was an old favorite by none other than Stevie Wonder, I just called. 

The only fear we had is this country enjoys their drinks and we knew we could not be a part of it and we just kept praying that God would help us get through this evening without offending our hosts.  Well it was God I know that helped in this matter because when they got here to pick us up this evening they asked us what we wanted to drink and they called off many things and we just said water.  They looked at us surprised but they honored our reply.   Some may think I am a long way from home and no one would know, but God would and for me that is all the reason for me to be faithful to him.  I want to stand blameless before him some day and I want to hear him say to me “Thou good and faithful servant, thou have fought a good fight and finished the course, enter ye in to the kingdom of heaven.” I pray that you have the same prayer and goal in your spiritual life.

Doing It For Them

I know there are many in our family and among our friends, co-workers and brothers and sister in Christ who are wondering why we would travel to a country that is in the midst of conflict and possibly put our lives in danger for what?  Our reply is what would you do for your child?   Yes we have our children back at home and we miss them all terribly every day.  But seeing the two we have come back for and having them lavish us with hugs every day reminds us why.  They want a family, and a home, and they are so starved from some genuine love and affection.  Not only the two we are hoping to adopt but all of the children.

There are so many small children who come up to us every day wanting to be near us and to touch us or us touch them, and some just can’t get enough.  It breaks my heart to know I have limitations and cannot bring all of the smaller guys back with us.  So please pray that God will move upon the heart of many people to adopt these children who need not just a home they need a family.

Since the children are at the summer camp, we have not had an opportunity to be alone with Theodore and Joy for some true bonding like we had with Pasha.  But if they were given the word and go ahead they would be with us now.  This is a wonderful feeling when you see a child who choses you as a parent and I thought it was us who were supposed to be choosing.  That is how God is with us He makes a choice and then allows us to decide if we want to be a part of his family.  Just like it is with these two children.  We made a choice, and they had to choose either to accept or reject us as parents.  I know how God feels when he is accepted by a child as his heavenly Father because we have been accepted by both of them as their parents.

These children have been on our hearts for over a year now.  Last year we had to walk away and leave them behind and that almost ripped our hearts out, but thanks be to Lord God almighty for allowing us to come back for them.  We have felt these were our children for over a year now and we have come to take them home.  Yes we may have to climb over some walls and stumbling blocks but the end result will finally be the day we get to bring our children home.

 

Same Shirt A Year Later

Have you ever dreamed or hoped for something and when it actually came to be it was better than you even imagined?  Well that would describe just how it was for us when we got to see the child yesterday.  When Theodore saw us he ran to us so fast I barely had time to get on my knee to greet him.  He hugged me so tight and I knew at that moment he knew we had come back for him.  I could tell from the look in his eyes he fully understood and I did not have to tell him.   The little girl, Joy was glad to see us but when we told her we had come to see her and Theodore her eyes lit up and the most beautiful smile came on her face and she grabbed Kathy and just hugged her.  Such emotions of joy we just can’t quite describe with mere words.

One thing I see from all the children here and that is they all crave the attention and affection.  It is so amazing how all of the children gather around just to be with us and they all want to hug us or just touch us so we just try to show each one some attention.  As I sit and ponder on these children I am reminded of the words of Christ.  “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 19:14 KJV).  Just as the song we were taught as children Jesus Loves the Little Children and Jesus Loves Me the Bible tells me so.  If the Son of God felt it necessary to remind us to let the children come to him we should be the same way.  Let the children come unto us but we need to show them love that only comes from Jesus and sharing His Gospel with them. 

What we have they can only imagine and hope for, and they are amazed when they look at the pictures our phones.  I see the wonder and the awe, and for them we have everything while they have nothing to call their own.   Last year when we adopted Pasha we brought underwear, socks, shoes and clothes for him to change into because the garments he had on belonged to the School.  And as I looked at Theodore, I kept thinking that shirt he had on looked familiar.  Then it hit me, last year on our Gotcha date for Pasha we took a picture of Pasha and Theodore together and the shirt he had on that day was the shirt he greeted us in a year later.

We were told this week the government may be closing this facility and combing the children with other facilities because of budget constraints.  It is sad in a way because this is the only home many of them know. And they have actually become an extended family.  But the director greeted us and allowed us to go visit the children.  He was especially interested in how well Pasha is doing and we had a video of him sending a message to Theodore and Joy asking them to please come to America and be his brother and sister.  As he watched he realized Pasha was using all ASL (American Sign Language).  He was impressed at how well he looked and at the progress he has made.

Please continue to pray for these children but most of all pray that some way I can share the Gospel of Jesus with them because they are not taught anything about God or Jesus Christ.   

Adoption Journey Number Two has Officially Begun.

The Adoption Journey for two more has begun and here we are again in EE just over a year since we came home with Pasha.  We are here to hopefully to make two more our children and give them a forever family.  We met with the Department of Adoption processing this morning and we now have their birth dates and they are all very close in age so.  Actually the boy we are hoping to adopt is actually the youngest of the three being 4 months to the day younger than Pasha. 

We saw a baby picture of the girl this morning and what a sweetheart, fat chubby cheeks and a head full of dark hair.  Cannot wait to see them again.  We will go back tomorrow at 4:00 PM to pick up our referrals and then Thursday morning we will leave around 5:00 AM and travel to the region.   I can’t wait to tell the children why we are here.  We have also brought some gifts for all of the children and I sure hope I have enough. 

Yesterday we just chilled out resting trying to recuperate from the long travel of 23 hours to get from home to here.   We were hoping to travel on a Sunday but it was all booked up so we had to travel on Saturday but hey it worked out well and gave us the extra day to recover which is something we really did not have last year.  So by the time we reached the region where Pasha was we were completely exhausted.  So all in all it worked out well and I am glad that we had the extra down time.

Right now we don’t know much except their birth dates but hopefully Thursday when get to their region we will find out more.  We are so looking forward to seeing many of the children and people we met last year and developed a good relationship with so check us out every day and we will try to make daily post to keep you informed of our progress.