We said our goodbyes!!

Has it really been 4 1/1 weeks.  Did she really spend the entire month of July with us.  I have so many thoughts running through my head since we have said goodbye to "our" Tanya (as the kids call her).   Will she keep in touch?  Can we keep in touch?  Would she want to come back at Christmas?  Can we afford to bring her back at Christmas?  Did we sow enough seeds in her heart?  Does she know that she is deeply cared for?  More importantly does she know that she has a Heavenly Father who cares for her?  Did we do enough?  I know we bought enough (she couldn't take it all back), but did we bless her enough?  The questions keep coming.

 I am so thankful that our friend reeled us in.  This whole process started with a midnight Facebook message from a friend I haven't talked to in years.  It started with a tiny seed that she planted...and it grew into an amazing experience for us, for our children, and hopefully for Tanya.  We weren't that family she was expecting to go to...I think it took her a while to get over that.  But in the end the surprising tears in her eyes as we hugged at the airport gave her away. She might miss her friends, but she did care, she did enjoy us, we did touch her heart.

  I have thought a lot about this amazing program...I started out with scrutiny, wondering if it was really "fair" to bring someone here just to send them home back to their life.  To literally drop them into paradise only to send them back to the lonely, survival of the fittest life?  Even after Tanya has come and gone I have questioned all of this...really wondering if our short period of time in her life will ever make a difference.  Then I read something that my friend wrote.  She and her husband have hosted 6 children over the last few years.  She is the one the Lord used to draw us in.  Her husband is deployed and she still hosted.  She gave me permission to share this and it really settled my spirit this morning as I think back over this last month...I hope it will touch your heart and encourage you to be willing to do what God has called you to do - whatever that may be!!

"As I sit here in the middle of the night with boarding passes printed, last minute instructions emailed, bags "almost" packed, I wonder in awe of how God has moved so mightily in the last 5 weeks, in all the volunteers, in all the families and children, and in all the preparation that has come before and during.

This program is complex. More complex than I knew even 6 months ago. The hours that... volunteers put in answering questions, trying to solve problems, mentoring, figuring out logistics of airports and bus terminals and coordinators, keeping track of 300+ passports and confirmation ‪#‎s‬, planning interview trips, traveling around the world twice a year, interviewing 500+ kids, being in compliance with foreign countries rules and regulations is stunning.

Did you know we have a coordinator that ONLY deals with chaperones? Or one who ONLY does airport and bus information? Or one who is our special needs coordinator? Or that ONLY LeAnn does all these flights and connections?

Then I think on the families. The families that give up vacations, fund raise even when its so uncomfortable, rearrange bedrooms, borrow beds, spend $100s on clothing and mp3s and suitcases and backpacks and toiletries and little gifts and tickets to events, make so many more phone calls than you can imagine to find dental care and eye doctors that will donate their services, and then....they bring in hurt children into their lives. They disrupt their own children's lives, they bring in uncomfortable situations, they bring in a language barrier, they bring in weariness.

Then I think on the children. Hurt children. Children with messy, volatile, uncertain pasts and lives. Children with no parents to tuck them in and protect them and teach them. These children get on buses and trains and planes and fly with people they don't know across the world. When they arrive they are literally thrust into the arms of perfect strangers who they can't communicate with. They smell weird things. They don't understand our culture and manners. The food tastes funny. Their favorite things aren't here. It's scary. And yet look how brave they are! They chose to come!

And then I think of Jesus. He has put these tuggings into the hearts of ALL the people involved. He has stirred something inside them to make them do these crazy ridiculous things. He does it on purpose. Seeds are planted. He woos hearts. He begins healing. He pours blessings out even in the midst of the worst day imaginable. He teaches. He shows how reliable He is. He shows us how much He loves us.

This program changes lives and hearts. Each one of my 6 host children has changed me, touched me, taught me, brought me closer to Jesus. They ARE my children. They are a part of my story, and I am a part of theirs. I love each and every one of them.

And so I sit here in the middle of the night in awestruck wonder at how big my God is and that He loves each one of us so much that He causes normal, everyday people to do crazy ridiculous things.

I hope I am always ready and willing to do those crazy ridiculous things for Him."

Fishing...

I haven't met a girl who loves fishing as much as Tanya!  You mention the word fishing and she breaks out in a huge smile.  For most things she is a bit slow to get ready.  She is ready in 10 seconds flat for fishing.  Justin has been great in getting she and the kids out to fish!  At this point, she has caught 34 fish.  They are little...but she is happy!!!!

Side story....the bat!!

I just need to tell a quick side story!  Most of you know we live in a 100 year old house on a military base.  Along with that comes some interesting things...this time of year that means bats.  We have been in our home for one year.  In that time, we have had two bats...one dead and one alive...now the count is three.

Well...I was getting ready to head to the rodeo!  I slipped my boot on and felt a little lump in the toe so took it off and did what any normal person does.  I stuck my hand in the bottom and tried to pull whatever Paige had stuck in it out!  It didn't come out but was fuzzy.  I quickly pulled my hand out and thought I must have a little mouse in the bottom of my boot.  I grabbed my boot, and shook it.  Nothing came out.  Zach was coming in the back door.  I said "Hey Zach, there is something fuzzy in my boot that I can't get out.  Can you help me out?"Zach bravely stuck his hand in my boot and out flew a bat!!!!!  He flew straight into the screen door, clung to it with wings spread out and teeth bared.  My heart has not ever beat that fast.  I was yelling.  Paige was doing some combination of shriek/cry/scream!  I trapped him in between the scream door and the door.  The neighbor boy quickly came to our rescue and contained the bat and killed him.

It's been a week and my heart still races a bit when I put on my boot.  Paige things everything in the dark is a bat...and has been waking up crying almost every night scared!  Hopefully this bat experience won't repeat itself anytime soon!!!

Cowboy up...

When I was little and growing up in Montana, I always wanted to be a cowgirl and I always wanted to marry a cowboy.  Now I get to be both for 2 weeks out of the year!!

The Rodeo...with my brother and his family, Tanya, and the Ukrainian chaperone Sergi.

It was Patriot Day at the Rodeo.  She proudly wore her "America dress!"

Championship Bull Riding

Having fun with my oldest niece, Emma.

Enjoying the Rodeo with Tanya

I really like this picture Justin took of the midway at night. 

Lovin' his rodeo look!

Heading out to the Rodeo

 

Frontier Days!!

Frontier Days is here...For 117 years Cheyenne has turned into a cowboy town.  Everyone breaks out their boots and hats for carnival rides, rodeo, concerts, and championship bull riding!   For people who are from Cheyenne this means...get out of town!  Its the time of year that the city's population almost quadruples.  For those of us not from Cheyenne, it means...invite your family and go have a blast.  This is exactly what we did.  My brother and his family came out from Oregon to experience the "Daddy of 'em all..." 



I am not sure I will have time to sort through the hundreds of pictures I took at Frontier Days...but here is day 1.  We hit an Alan Jackson concert, the rodeo, the carnival rides, and my personal favorite and evening of bull riding.  What a great time!!!

16 and 1/2 Birthday...

Tanya's birthday is January 25.  We decided to throw her a small 16 1/2 birthday party.  We invited several of the girls from our church youth group.  Makeovers, hair styling, food, and music made for a great evening. 

After all of the girls left, Tanya sorted through her gifts about ten times.  She kept eyeing herself in the mirror...checking her makeup and looking at her hair.  She was all smiles! 

Translation...

Technology is so amazing!  Tanya and I have been able to have several nice conversations thanks to an app that allows both of us to speak.  Most of the other apps I have found require her to type, and when you do not have a Ukrainian or Russian keyboard on your phone that makes it a bit difficult.  Here are a few things that we have learned about her!!

Her favorite color is green.  She enjoys school, especially history.  After school when most kids are playing and having fun, she spends her time in the library reading.  After I posted earlier that she doesn't know her older brother...she actually does.  Her brother lives in Moscow and visits her two times a month.  She sees her mom, but rarely.  The reason she is in the orphanage is a bit unclear.  She told us that her mom didn't work, and had no money to support her or her siblings.  Her brother actually supports her mom.  The Ukraine uses the orphanage as a foster care system....so I am not sure if that is reason enough to pull kids our of a home there?

She goes to an Orthodox church once a week.  Reads her Bible...only on Sundays when she doesn't have lessons.

She lives with three girls.  One of whom is currently being adopted as we speak.  Although I am very excited for this girl, I am sad for Tanya.  She and Vika have been best friends since they were little, and now Vika is coming back to America permanently.  Because of some delays in the adoption process, Tanya will at least be back in the Ukraine to say goodbye to her friend before she leaves. 

Her belongings finally arrived.  Her most cherished items in the bag...her photo album.  Tanya has been hosted before by a family in Minnesota.  Sadly, they had some marriage trouble and decided that they couldn't bring Tanya back again.  However they did financially contribute to the fees that needed to be paid to bring her here.  Tanya proudly showed me her album...my heart hurt for her.  It said "my family."  The pictures were labeled...brother, sister, mom....etc.!  She considers this family her family.  A few days later we talked a little more about this.  We wrote Tanya a welcome letter when we found out we were going to host her.  Along with all of the other children, she received her letter in the airport on her way to America. She said she was "surprised" she was coming to live with us instead of living with her other family.  She said in English..."I don't understand why."  I told her I didn't know details, but that I knew they cared for her a lot.  That they  wanted her to come to America.  I told her they wanted this so badly for her they paid for a big part of her trip here.  Again...my heart hurts for her!!

After several conversations...we know she is a pretty solid girl.  She has a good head on her shoulders and seems to be focused on the right things.  She is a bit shy and conservative.  This is a fantastic thing in a country where girls use their bodies every day to survive.  She doesn't talk about being sad or hurt, but behind her beautiful eyes, there is hurt!  We were so thankful to  not hear her talk about abuse, or things of that nature. 

She is such a sweet girl, with a very sweet and kind heart!! It has been such a blessing having her in our home!!

Busy busy busy....

Wow, the time is that we have Tetiana here is just flying by!!   We have been very busy squeezing as much in as possible...and that hasn't given me much time to sit down at the computer.  Last week, Justin was able to take some much needed vacation days and we headed down to Colorado Springs.  We have lived there twice, and love to take advantage of our time there.  Tanya (Tetiana informed us she prefers to be called Tanya) was pretty unsure of what we were doing.  I assumed I had been communicating really effectively.  I had told her numerous times where we were going, how long of a drive, and what we were doing.  When I brought her the suitcase to pack she just gave me a confused look and said "Where are we going?" Then to add to that miscommunication, I went through the list of what to bring...at least 3 or 4 times...along with charading all of the items on the list.  "Yeah" and "good" were her responses.  As we were ready to head out the door I went to grab her suitcase. You guessed it!  It was empty!!  That was a good indication that my communication really wasn't quite as effective as I thought.   Either way we headed first to Denver.  New Horizons put together a "Welcome" party for all of the Latvian and Ukrainian kids in the area.  I was quite sure that Tanya would LOVE this!  I was wrong.  She didn't hate it, but there appears to be a hierarchy among teens from these areas as well...and she either didn't feel like she fit it, or felt too good to try, I am not sure.  She spoke minimally...and really didn't seem interested to meet or talk to any of the other teen girls that were there.  She did however find her new love....fishing!!  Some ladies were there and were very willing to share their fishing poles.  She and Nikita fished most of the evening...

Seth found a friend. I am not sure what his name was, but he was either from the Ukraine or from Latvia. Seth thoroughly enjoyed being schooled in soccer!!
The next day was a full day at the zoo. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is amazing. I haven't been to a ton of zoos, but this one is by far my favorite!! Built right into the side of the mountain, so many of the animals are in their natural habitat. There is also many opportunities to interact with the animals! Tanya really seemed to love our time at the zoo!! The boys absolutely loved this Rhino statue. It was very anatomically correct, and pottied water on unsuspecting onlookers every minute. After realizing how often it "went," Eli and Seth decided to watch for it...

Photos....

I promised some photos...All in all, we have had a great week.  We have had a lot of fun, we have had some nice conversations, and we have seen Tetiana smile and laugh.  She is becoming more confident in her English.  However if she feels pressured, or nervous she immediately says "I not understand."  So we are all trying to give her a lot of time and encouragement to say what she is trying to say. 

 

 

Nikita came over so Richard and Toni could celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary.  He wanted to ride bikes, play Wii, jump on the trampoline, and harass Tetiana.  Justin took them all on a bike ride.  He is pulling Eli on a tag-a-long bike, and Paige in a trailer. 

 

Zach was teaching her how play Bocce Balls during our 4th of July BBQ.  She was excited to where her "America" t-shirt.  We also bought her a beach towel to bring home that she picked out.  It was a red, white, and blue flag towel. 

 

She and I painted our toe nails red, white, and blue.  She asked me to paint her finger nails for her. 

 

We found 16 video English lessons for her to watch.  Just a few minutes after I took this picture, she asked for a notebook and pen.  She furiously took notes.  Between these videos and a learning English App on my phone, she is picking up quite a bit of English.

 

The Museum...

 

Eli and Paige really enjoy her.  They talk to her like she completely understands...fast and furious! 

 

She usually just smiles and says "yeah."  I guess that is what I do most of the time too!!

Week 1...

First off I want to say thanks for the messages of encouragement, cards, and phone calls that we have received.  Fay...your card filled with goodies for the kids and verses for me was such a blessing...and thanks for the translation tip!

It has been a very busy week.  We have tried to fill up the week with a few experiences for Tetiana, all the while being careful not to overwhelm her, or exhaust her.  She doesn't seem to tolerate long periods of activity at this point.  She is probably still a bit jet lagged, and my guess is that she isn't super active at home.  We have been swimming, bowling, and to a discovery museum.  She appeared to enjoy most of it (not bowling), but promptly came home and slept.  I will again spare you of all of the details; and I will try to put some pictures on tomorrow.  

Our communication has improved a bit.  She and I sat and "talked" the other evening after dinner for about 30 minutes.  She tried extremely hard to understand and to talk in English to me.  I can't imagine what all of this is like for her.  I asked her a few questions and learned a few things.  She lives in Tulchyn, Ukraine.  She does not have a father, and does not see her mom.  She doesn't know her older brother, and her sister (9) is in the orphanage with her.  Her sister goes to Italy every summer with a family.  She likes Ukraine better than America, but she is "happy" she came.  Her best friend Vika did not get to come to America and she is very lonesome for her.   She didn't understand when I told her that she was brave to come here, so I told her she was very "strong."  She responded with a huge smile and blushing.  This conversation really has seemed to be a bit of a turning point for she and I.  Up until this point she has been in her room any time we are not going somewhere; but after this she has been just hanging out with us.  She helped me make dinner yesterday, read a book to Paige, and even tried to be with the teenagers who came over for dinner.  It was great to see her trying.  Justin and I tucked her in bed and complimented her on her efforts, and thanked her for being so helpful....we received an excited "Your Welcome!" 

Today is the 4th of July...we are having friends with teen girls over for a BBQ and city fireworks in the evening.  We really want today to be special for her.  We are hoping to have some games for everyone to play - volleyball,  Bocce balls, and crochet - that way she can engage with these girls, but not have to just sit and talk with them.  I can't imagine how uncomfortable she must feel. 

Please continue to pray for her heart.  We want her to love being here and to love all of the things we do, but more importantly we want to help her set out on a new path.  A path that once she leave the orphanage she won't head straight into drugs or prostitution.  We want her to know that she is special, that she is a child of God, and that there are great things she can do despite whatever her past has been.  

Thanks!!!!  Pictures to come tomorrow!!

Our First Weekend Together....

Baggage update:  A random woman in the New Horizon's Organization ended up with Tetiana's bag.  She had left an empty bag in the Ukraine a few months ago and was supposed to be getting it back when the children came.  Instead she received Tetiana's bag.  She is planning to send only the items in the mail, and we will be sending her back with a new bag. 

Tetiana and I headed out Saturday night after an already fun filled day to go shopping.  Let me just preface this by saying that I have not shopped with a teen girl before!!  I probably could just leave it at that and you could use your imagination.  I will give her props in that she leaned more to the modest end of the clothing (which is something I had been warned would be an issue).  It wasn't...thank goodness.  However she was extremely picky....for about the first hour all I heard was "no, no, no, no, no....and then finally one yeah..."  I think I might have done the happy dance in the middle of the store.  She couldn't tell me what she likes to wear at home, couldn't tell me her favorite color...or if she really needed something, so we just did our best.  I only let her go into the dressing room with items I deemed appropriate, because once in the dressing room she wouldn't let me see a thing.  I looked at her and said "If yes, then I see,"  or maybe I said it in charades...she still said "no."  After a couple of tedious hours we managed to squeak out a few shirts, shorts, swim shirt and shorts, and unmentionables.  We were told in our training that most of these kids are not grateful, and that they won't say "thanks" or anything of the sort.  They have "no well to draw from" nor do they have anything at home to be thankful for so they are not in the habit of saying "thanks."  I was pleasantly surprised when she gave me a big smile and said "Tanks for shop!"  Certainly made me thankful! 

With Sunday morning, came and opportunity to take her to church.  She stayed with us during the music and then went with Nikita and Toni to children's church.  She was smiley and extremely gracious to everyone that came to introduce themselves.  She completely blushed when the pastor introduced her and Nikita in front of the congregation - but with that blushing came an amazing genuine smile!!  Of course church isn't complete without a completely chaotic family meal at a restaurant.  We hit Old Chicago's pizza buffet.  She doesn't eat much, seems extremely un-picky, and says "good" and "yeah"  with basically every question about her food.  The boys have taken to asking her to translate different dinner table items into Ukrainian...then they ask her to say it in English.  I'm not sure if it irritates her, but she does play along. 

Our message yesterday really made me think about her.  Our pastor talked about our father's, what we received from our fathers, both good and bad.  He talked about the Lord being our Father...and all of the things we receive from our Heavenly Father.  I wanted to head home and google translate all sorts of questions to her - does she have a father?  Does she know about our Heavenly Father....my heart was full and I wished there was an easy way to communicate that with her.  Instead I have to hope and pray that somehow even without speaking our language, she can sense something and hear something with her heart!! 

I won't bore you with more detail about yesterday's activities, but we closed our day with a late dinner.  Justin was able to find a Ukrainian translation of Psalm 1.  She read it to us with a huge smile on her face...and then Justin read it to her in English.   I am quite sure that our hearts will be changed through having her in our home....I hope that her heart will change too!

 

She borrowed our neighbor's bike.  She said she could ride.  Her orphanage probably has one or two bikes.  She was extremely wobbly, but was all smiles!

 

Paige was giving her high 5's and saying "good job."

 

Biking with Seth...

Day 2....

Lamentations 3:22-23

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness."

This promise is especially sweet today...especially after a good night sleep!

We ended yesterday on a high note.  Our pastor and his wife, Richard and Toni, are on this adventure with us.  They are hosting a 15 year old boy from Lativia.  Tetiana and Nikita do not know each other, however they did fly in on the same plane; and they can both speak Russian.  Last night Richard and Toni invited us over for a Russian dinner compliments of a Russian lady who goes to church with us.  We enjoyed cabbage rolls, stew, and great conversation.  Russian is not Tetiana's primary language, but she can understand and speak it.  So we were able to have a great conversation with her about where she is from, what she is hoping to do here in America, and even what she likes to eat.  She also let Olga know that she was happy, liked our house, and was glad to be with here.  This was really what the doctor ordered for my heart!   It was wonderful to see her amazing smile, to see her laugh, and to see her, Nikita and our kids play basketball and chess together - with no language barrier. 

After a great evening, she and I made a quick run to Target to grab her a few essentials.  She came with one outfit...and since they still have not located her bag...she had NOTHING more!  After steering her away from the super short shorts, we settled on a few things to get her through another hot Wyoming day! 

Thank you for your continued prayers....we are all still fairly tired - Justin was called into work this morning at 4a.m. and has to work this afternoon as well; but with one great night sleep under the kids and my belt we are all a bit better today than yesterday!!

 

Paige moved out of her crib, and into Eli's bottom bunk (without any trouble I might add).  Tetiana will be using having Paige's room.  Our neighbors donated a beautiful desk, dresser, and bookshelf (in the corner) that are all matching and really helped the room feel bigger and finished.   The Zebra throw is something soft to send back with her.  One of the few things she will be allowed to keep when she gets back to the orphanage.  Almost everything else will end up in a pool for all kids to share.

 

 

Our Welcome Poster.  It says "Tetiana Welcome to America" in Ukrainian.  All the kid's names we wrote in Ukrainian as well.

 

 

At the airport.  Not too bad of a family picture considering it was 1:30 a.m.

 

 

 

Us Along with Richard and Toni...We are so excited to be doing this together with them!!!

 

 

 

After the boys' baseball game.  She just came to watch the last 30 minutes. 

 

 

Chess!  Seth versus Nikita...no language necessary.  Richard versus Tetiana.