Saying Good Bye

Saying good-bye was an emotional time. Our hearts are heavy for all the children who do not have a family. All the girls from Ana's group spent the day with us today. We made flowers, played Twister, played card games of concentration, practiced English, had snacks, took pictures with everyone and shared lots of hugs and kisses. Everyone wants to give us a gift from what very little they have as a rememberance of them. Something as simple as a compliment or a hug shared at one time has won us sweet friends that we will long remember and pray for. Four girls are missing from the group photo because they are in America on the hosting program, but the rest are present, this is Ana's family in the Ukraine. Russ wants to bring them all home. He is sad to say godd bye forever I will get to visit again 10 days after returning home. Ana was fine with us leaving she marked the calendar for when "sister" and mama will return to get her and also when she will leave for America. She realizes this is part of the process and she will count the days until she can come home to her new family in America. She is so full of joy and loves being the center of her groups attention. She is so happy, she finally has a forever family. Some of the girls in the group were crying as we left, but Ana was all smiles as we left to prepare to bring her home to America. The teacher and group of girls are planning a concert and party for when we return. I am going to bring pizza, Ana has never tried pizza and there is a great pizza shop not far from where we stay. I also want to get cross necklaces in America to bring back for the girls in Ana's group. The girls who are visiting America as part of the hosting program will return the day before Heather and I leave to come back, perfect timing, they can share all about America with Ana and help to calm any of her worries about the unknown. I know she is going to love her new life. God has blessed us so tremendously to choose us to be her parents.