Celebrations

First picture- Vika D.(my future grand daughter), Lena, Mama Laura, Nostya D., Kartya
Picture #2 - Full of life & giggles - Dema and the girls, he is so shy around Dusty and Tina when it comes to the girls, but I remember on our first trip he was always visiting the girls dorm LOL
Picture #3 - Friends- Lena, Kartya, Nostya P., Nostya D. (my future grandadughter)
Picture #4 - Artur teaching Papa Russ how to dance
Picture $5 - Skyping
Picture #6 - Denis proudly wearing his new hat from Mama in America

Today was Nostya D's birthday we had a party with all the gilrs in her group and Eddick, Dema and Artur. Syvette told us last night that birthdays are a huge celebration in the Ukraine. We ordered 10 pizzas, juice and 2 cakes for the celebration. We sang Happy birthday in English and Nostya cried. Lena said, "Thank you mom Nostya is so very happy." These kids are so precious and so little blesses their hearts. All the kids went around the table and took turns sharing something nice about Nostya, she was so touched by their words of kindness. The children have such servants hearts: they set up the tables and chairs, they helped serve the pizza, cake, and drinks, they cleaned up everything afterwards and not one would think about eating even a bite of their pizza before everyone was seated, we prayed and then gave permission to begin. They are all so appreciative of the smallest things. It melts my heart to know birthdays are such a huge celebration in the Ukraine, but this was this little girl's first party ever at the age of 14. She will never have to worry about missing a birthday again, because she has a family coming for her in January who just happens to be my son and his wife. I will then officially be Nostya and Vika's Babushca.Lol Vika says I'm her Babushca (which is grandmother in Russian) but Nostya says I will always be Laura.

After the party we called Russ and Cheri (Nostya and Vika's mama and papa in America)we called them on Skype and did a 3 way conference call with Lillian so she could translate. Nostya said it was the best birthday of her life, she had never had a birthday party before and she said talking to her family was the greatest gift she could have recieved.

When we adopted Ana we bought gifts for Ana to give the girls before she left. Today Lena ask, "Mom, please girls want to know if they can have no gifts for them, but rug for the groupa room." The concrete floors are very cold in their rooms, so tomorrow we are going shopping for rugs. We have permission to do an off site excursion, so we are taking Lena, Eddick, and Dema to the ice hockey ring skating, then we will shop for rugs, then visit McDonalds for dinner. When I told Lena she kept saying over and over, "Thank you mom, thank you girls very happy mom, thank you." The genuine appreciation and thankfulness is so sweet. It means so much to her to be able to do something to help her friends. These kids have big hearts and are willing to give anything they have, so since they have so little materialistically they give their hearts and they serve each other anyway they can. To be able to finally be able to give something tangible to help her friends means so much to Lena.

After the orphanage visit we had dinner and visited with Curtis and Adam and their missionary team. It was wonderful to share about the children with them and fellowship with them and hear about all they are doing. They love the kids and want also to see them find families. They do all they can to try to help make life at the orphanage a little better.

I look at these kids and I always am drawn to their eyes, the eyes are the window to our soul, there is so much that can be seen in someone's eyes. I look at their eyes and I see so much: the longing, the lonliness, the desire to belong and be loved, to be rescued, to be given hope. I wish I could bring them all home. Thank you to all of you who have opened your heart to these kids. God calls us to care for the fatherless. The only hope for these children lies in finding a family willing to share their hearts and family with them.

One of the missionaries shared a story with us about a 5 year old little boy that she loves deeply. She goes to the orphanage to visit him and she holds him on her lap. The orphanage worker gruffly told the little boy, " what are you doing sitting on her lap, you are not a baby you are five, get down, you are not a one year old anymore." Sadly their is no one and there has not been anyone to hold alot of these kids and they long for that physical touch. Their hugs are so full of meaning, emotion and depth. Even the teens hug with this starving desire to be filled. There is no embarassment about snuggling up beside you even by a 14 year old girl, or hugging with a deep embrace even from a 15 year old boy.

I remember so well the joy filled faces of the children who visited America. When we arrived here, some of the children had a vacant look in their eyes, as if hope had been lost, but the joy is being rekindled as the days go by. Smiles are getting broader and eyes are lighting up again.

When we leave I will miss these kids so much. There really isn't enough time to do all we would like to do while we are here. I can't imagine not coming back to the Ukraine orphanages, so I will. LOL David you need to come along, it has been a long time since you have visited the Ukraine.

Love you guys.