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!!