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!!