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!