Joy in The Journey!

I have had a great time bonding with Elena and spending precious time with her.  With so many of the younger ones gone, I have had more focused time with her alone (although there are always other older children who hang around).  Elena has enjoyed learning to knit and is very determined to make it perfect! She has picked it up so fast!  Jane Griggs (the other family also adopting) has been so kind to teach her and I have learned a few things along the way also.   We are missing Jay however we are SO glad he is home with Hannah and Micah!  They are very excited to see him and be home again with him and Grandma Sharon!  Praise God for his safe journey home and sweet reunion with the children!

Remembering the old Michael Card song, "Joy in the Journey", it brings to mind to enjoy each passing moment.  This waiting time is precious and there is a distinct joy even in this part of the journey. 

Psalm 30 also comes to mind when reflecting upon Elena's life up to this point and knowing the bright hope she has now according to God's great grace. "I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up..................weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.............You have turned for me my mourning into dancing, you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.  O LORD, my God, I will give thanks to you forever"!

Elena is so happy with her hard work.  She did a great job for a new beginner!

Spending time together-more knitting

The main monument in Lutugino which is at the entrance of a park

A kids park in the center of Lutugino (Elena and her class went there one morning)

Elena focusing on her knitting project

We have been given more freedom since court is over.  The Griggs and one of their daughters and new daughter, our attorney, and Elena and I were able to go off the orphanage grounds to lunch for the first time on Friday.

Elena was moved to a new dorm since her peers are gone.  This is the dorm where older kids sleep (13 years and up).

Elena's bed in her room (the one she just moved out of).  It is a hard bed made out of particle board with little cushion on top.

Elena's new dorm (just for the waiting period).  This is where the older girls sleep and they are the nicest rooms in the orphanage.  Four girls share this room together.

A shower (suitcases are also stored in this small area).  This shower is just next to Elena's room.

Shared sink area

Elena's dresser

Elena and I spent a lot of time talking via google translate yesterday (Saturday).  One thing we talked about is the possibility of changing her name.  She liked her name (Elena) before and never expressed to us that she didn't like it until after court.  We went through some possible names and she picked one out that she likes the most!  So, at the right time, we will share that with you all but for now we will hold off until a later time.  We will continue to call her "Elena" for now though. 

The director of the orphanage has made a decision to allow Elena to attend camp from Wednesday June 30th through July 5th.  Our facilitator has informed us that she should know more details on Tuesday morning. I am hoping the camp isn't too far so I can continue to visit Elena in the mornings and continue helping the team the remainder of the day.  Elena will be having lots of fun with softball and other fun activities. Elena is very excited to go to camp and sleep there for nearly a week!  

Lauren has been sharing an apartment with the Grigg's Family since Thursday.  Very early tomorrow morning the Grigg's leave  until Jane returns late Thursday night.  I (Lauren) will be joining the family we know in Lutugino and the missionary team starting tomorrow.   I plan to continue to visit with Elena in the mornings and then from early afternoon through 11 pm join the adventures in missions team through Thursday night and stay the next few nights in their home (with lots of others).  On Friday, the team participates in the eyeglass clinic which I plan to participate in at least part of the day.  I will not plan to update the blog since this week will be nonstop on the go.  Sometime next weekend, I hope to have a new update completed.

Thanks for following our journey and for your support and prayers!

It's a Girl!

Mama, Papa and Elena just following court

Mama, Elena, Sergey, and the orphanage attorney

The official court in Lutugino

After moving out of our apartment early this morning, we were on our way to Lutugino and met Elena at the orphanage.  Due to some last minute re-arranging Lauren needed to move in with the Griggs so we were up late packing last night and got up early to finish packing and then move.  A few minutes later we were on our way to court.  We waited for our case for about 35 minutes and were given specific instructions regarding proper protocol.  After the series of questions by the judge, we were dismissed and the judge and jurors met privately  Then we were called back into the courtroom and were given the official statement that the petition to adopt Elena was officially accepted.  Glory to God!!!  Hallelujah! Elena should formally and officially be our daughter  11 days from now.  The judge extended it by one day since the 10th day was on a Sunday.  Immediately following court we signed papers at the notary and then Jay said goodbye and left for the airport.  Then Jane Griggs and I bought cake and arranged for the girls goodbye party.  The party turned into a time when all the children stood up and gave their farewell wishes, they sang songs and ate cake and special drinks.  It was a memorable time for all!

 Here is a snapshot of Jay and Elena just before Jay left for the airport

The goodbye party for Elena and Rita (the girl that the Grigg's Family are adopting)

Elena next to Rita and seveal of her classmates

Photo Gallery of the past two days

We thought to put up a photo gallery since the days are running into each other with the long hours at the orphanage every day.   We are gearing up for court and the many changes which follow.  The past few days have been full of playing with the kids as much as possible.  Many of the younger children left on Monday which gives us more focused time with Elena and the few children who remain.  The children remaining are being hosted for the summer and leave for the United States on Thursday to stay with their host families for approximately 5 weeks.  There are many more older kids and one older girl, Diana, has attached herself to Lauren.  Since she is 16, she cannot legally be adopted. 

Jay, Lauren and Elena on the play ground

Elena and Mama

Pizza restaurant near the orphanage

This sign shows the city of Lugansk on top where our apartment is (about 30 minutes away)

Walking back to the orphanage we see all kinds of interesting things including this car.

Elena eating Kielbasa meat (we know she doesn't eat much at the orphanage so we bring her food)

Elena playing with a friend

Lauren giving out wordless bracelets (Elena took this photo)

We explained the wordless bracelets on google translate and gave them out one at a time

4 More Days until Court!

 Papa holding Elena

 Elena's photo of herself (do you see that new knot on her forehead)!?

Just four more days until court! Slavabogu (Praise the Lord)!!!  The court date is set for Thursday June 24th at 11:00 am.  We are trusting God with the many details surrounding that big event!  We are savoring our time with Elena and enjoying the rare opportunity to spend most of the day with many other children also!  How thrilling to know God set this unique schedule so we would have such plentiful and unexpected time with Elena and many of her peers!  We can see they are loving the time and attention we give them.  As soon as siesta time is ended, the children flock around us and instantly engage us to play with them. Though scrawny and dirty their bright eyes and wide smiles radiate joy in spite of less than ideal circumstances. It will be very sad to leave them behind when in our hearts we want each of them to be in a loving home.  Will you join us in praying for each of these precious children?

 

Jay playing with some of the precious children

Immediately following court, Jay must leave to begin his journey home so he can get back to Hannah and Micah as soon as possible! First he will get another indescribable race car 2 hour ride from Lutugino to the Doneskt airport.  Following that he flies into Germany and then onto Charlotte, NC.  He and Grandma Sharon drive back to Atlanta for the last portion of his trip home.   Lauren will stay in the region for the 10 day waiting period and continue to visit Elena at the orphanage in the morning and then join the Adventures in Missions team from early afternoon through the night!  It is exciting to be able to pursue what is already in her heart to do!  We are in awe of how God worked out the timing perfectly and had it all set up before we even knew that was a possibility in this remote region of the world!!!

Our day started with a new adventure on Friday.  Our driver's (Oleg) car broke down on our way to the orphanage.

Our broken down car on the way to the orphanage

Scott trying to hitch us a ride to the orphanage

Since we arrived at the orphanage later than usual, Elena had been outside in the play yard looking for us. Even though the gate was closed, Elena saw us and before we got out of the car, she came running up  to the gate and ran into Mama's arms with her usual scream "MAMA"!~  Of course, she gave papa a huge hug and he lifts her up and spins her around. 

It wasn't long before Elena needed to join her class to eat lunch so we walked to town and called a local family who helped us find a local restaurant which sells pizza, kvass, salads, etc.   Definitely Ukrainian style and excellent (though very different) food! We enjoyed the fellowship and then returned to the orphanage refreshed.

We usually start in the  morning and leave the orphanage between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm.  Saturday we stayed until 7:30 pm.  We play games, do crafts, etc. with Elena and her friends for hours.  Jay and Scott were picking up the kids and hanging them upside down and spinning them -all in fun like any dad would do with his kids.  However, the caretakers didn't like that one bit.  She came over and "spanked" Scott on his bum with her empty water bottle.  She also gave Jay a stern reprimand!  So, we came up with other ideas to engage the kids and especially the boys who are starved for good male influences. Jay started thumb wrestling and arm wrestling with the boys and before long, all the boys and girls wanted to thumb wrestle with us both!  Then Jay took some of the kids and spun them around with their arms (instead of hanging them upside down).  This seemed to be acceptable and the caretakers didn't give him a "spanking"!  

 

 Jay and a boy arm wrestling (this is the strongest boy in Elena's group)

 

Scott with one of the boys

Before we knew several of the children were leaving tomorrow (Monday) for camp at the Black Sea, it was on our hearts to bring the fabric squares and fabric markers for Elena and her friends to each decorate a square in order to make a memory quilt for Elena.   What a blessing to have completed that especially while Elena's closest friends were still at the orphanage.  Those who are not leaving for camp at the Black Sea are leaving for America to be hosted through the New Horizons for Children hosting agency (the same one we hosted Elena through).   We tied the squares with colored ribbons and showed it to the children and caretakers.   The caretakers were nodding their heads with approval!  They LOVED it and even helped a few of the younger boys add nice details to their picture squares.   We look forward to completing this project in the future in order for Elena to have a memory quilt/decorative wall hanging with all her friends unique designs and names in Russian.

Elena and Mama holding up the memory quilt

"My Parents Told Me They Were Going To Visit Me..."

 Elena and her cousin Natasha playing cards

Yesterday we had another wonderful day with Elena and her friends.  We had several highlights:

Elena, Lauren and Jay spoke to our friend Natalia, who is from Ukraine, on skype from the orphanage (we have a wireless modem that works in very remote areas here).  Natalia has been a great blessing, helping us translate and communicate with Elena during the time we originally hosted her.  The first thing she told Natalia is that her parents (she meant us) said that they would visit her and now they are here.  Natalia told us that she clearly was talking about us.  This is a great blessing to us as we transition Elena from orphanage life to our family.  It is great to see that she considers herself as part of our family.

Elena and her "Mama"

We are continuing to bond well with Elena.  Everyday we spend about 5 hours with her at a lake or the outside area by the orphanage.  Since there is no school we are able to spend extra time with her.  In the morning she is waiting for us and runs up to Lauren and gives her a big hug.  When we leave in the late afternoon/early evening she asks us to stay longer.

The main orphanage building

We have been given a rare opportunity to interact with many of the kids here.  Yesterday we brought crafts over for the kids.  They enjoyed making necklaces, bookmarks and a special memory quilt for Elena.  Many of Elena's closest friends were given a white square piece of fabric to write their names on and draw a picture.  Lauren is going to assemble them together into a quilt for Elena to remember her friends.  This will also allow us to remember to pray for these precious kids after we leave.

The kids having fun making a memory quilt

Elena's friends making bookmarks

Sasha shows off his bookmark

 Kolya shows off his bookmark

Elena continues to surprise and bless us with her wonderful photography skills, she loves to take pictures and really seems to have an "eye" for good shots.

Picture of a flower that Elena took

Another flower picture

Kids playing football (soccer), taken by Elena

We Have Our Court Date

 Elena having fun with Mama and Papa

Yesterday we signed a few official papers at the notary office in Lutugino and found out our court date is Thursday, June 24th at 11:00 am.  Elena will also need to go before the judge and state that she wants to be adopted.  We will also be asked various questions.  After that time, there will be a 10 day waiting period. On the 11th day, July 5th (if all goes smoothly) then Elena will officially be our daughter!

Entrance to Notary Office

We went to the lake two times with Elena and her group of children yesterday.  We spent most of the time outdoors in extremely hot weather.  One of our main goals now is to bond well with Elena and spend as much with her as possible.  It is going really well and we are enjoying our time with Elena although we never have time with her alone at this point.   Elena prefers to sit with us instead of the large group of kids after their nap time. When it is time for us to leave, she gets sad (that is a good thing).

Elena and her friends at the Lake

While we are there, we can see how hungry ALL the children are for a loving family, so we try to dote on them as much as we can also. Several of the children surrounded Lauren on one bench and then a few others surrounded Jay in another part of the play yard.  Little nurturing gestures mean the world and any time a child is singled out, he or she feels like they are really special.  Elena is enjoying the unusual attention she is getting from us and from the other children.  

Elena's friends playing Bop-It

Yesterday late in the day we joined the children at the lake for the second time in one day.  It is a long walk especially when we have smaller children in the group and stop at the well for water and stop when anyone misbehaves (rare in this setting). However, one boy did act up and after a strong reprimand, the children were instructed to hold hands starting with hands together up high.  So we did the same thing as them side by side with them.  Then we held hands for a while and the children were so happy to see us walking hand in hand.  We think it gives them hope since there are not a lot of role models for whole family units.  Several of the children stared at us with hopeful smiles and eyes!

Today, the children had a hard work day around the orphanage.  We went to the lake first and were told Elena and her group of children were not there due to a new breakout of lice! We were able to spend a good amount of time with Elena before lunch and then again after her nap. When Elena was called in for lunch, we went in the building where they eat and sleep and waved to the children eating.  Then a caretaker insisted we eat some borscht with the kids. They were so kind to serve us borscht, bread and a milk product. The children thought it was funny when we ate their food.  Their giggles were echoing in the cafeteria. 

Borscht Soup at the Orphanage

Later in the day, we spent more time with Elena and called Hannah and Micah via Skype.  It was fun for the kids to see each other halfway around the world!  Micah had Elena laughing very hard (just with hand motions).  We played games and handed out cross necklaces to each child making sure they knew (in Russian) that Jesus loves them.   We also treated about 30 kids to their own ice cream stick or cone.  They had a hard day of work carrying heavy pails of water across the play yard in the 94 degree heat (and many did not get to swim at the lake today).   We are thankful for the special time we are having here with Elena and the other children.  Our hearts are breaking for these other children so if you have never considered hosting or adopting, please consider it!

 Jay playing games with the kids

Tank Monument on the way to the Lake