Well today marks our 2 week venture here in the Ukraine. We've recently connected with another American couple from our church who are adopting from the same orphanage. We've had a ball with them, sharing taxi drivers, dinners and some lunch days as well as adopting a boy a couple years older than ours. It makes our time here more enjoyable and helps us with this long process.
Today Jeremy played soccer with Iliah and his brother and several other children at the camp. I can't believe how athletic Iliah is! Soccer is a must for him when we get back to the states! Every day we ask him if he needs anything, such as water, food clothing and every day he says no I'm fine. Well today he said he was hungry!!! We were so excited to buy him a hot dog and some chips. All of the other children beg for food attention and water, but him, never a complaint or asks us for anything. He ate his hot dog and said Thank you in English! What a precious spirit our son has. Although we are only adopting him, we feel closer and closer to his brother and sister. They call us mama and papa, and they call my mom Babushka, which means grandmother in Russian. Leza is Iliahs sisters name and Vladic is his brothers'. I can tell how much Leza longs for a mother the way she waits for me until I arrive at the camp, she is attached to me every where we go! She is very motherly with the children and looks out for her siblings as well as the younger children here! It's funny to here her discipline Iliah.
Later that day we ventured to the beach while Jeremy, who I call my fair feathered friend because he gets so burnt always, went swimming with the kids while Leza and I watched from a distance. Today the kids from the camp put on a seaside talent show consisting of dancing and small skits. It was really cute to see all of them participate.
We usually go to the camp from 10-12 noon then back again from 4-6. Those are the most convenient times to see him. Every day Iliah is less shy with us and more outgoing. He really likes calling us papa and mama. All of his friends a call us American papa and mama. Although the older boys really like to call Jeremy by his name while rolling the R.
For now that's it, we are doing fine through this very tough process, we will definitely learn a lot about our wants vs our needs when we return to America, which by the way I can't wait to sleep in my own bed, since we are sleeping in beds made for a smurf, I don't' know how tall people make it here.
And last but not least we really miss our London sooooooo much, we know that this is really hard on her being away for so long, but we pray for her every night and know that she is taken well taken care of by gugga (grandpa). We love you Lou!!!!!!!!
Today Jeremy played soccer with Iliah and his brother and several other children at the camp. I can't believe how athletic Iliah is! Soccer is a must for him when we get back to the states! Every day we ask him if he needs anything, such as water, food clothing and every day he says no I'm fine. Well today he said he was hungry!!! We were so excited to buy him a hot dog and some chips. All of the other children beg for food attention and water, but him, never a complaint or asks us for anything. He ate his hot dog and said Thank you in English! What a precious spirit our son has. Although we are only adopting him, we feel closer and closer to his brother and sister. They call us mama and papa, and they call my mom Babushka, which means grandmother in Russian. Leza is Iliahs sisters name and Vladic is his brothers'. I can tell how much Leza longs for a mother the way she waits for me until I arrive at the camp, she is attached to me every where we go! She is very motherly with the children and looks out for her siblings as well as the younger children here! It's funny to here her discipline Iliah.
Later that day we ventured to the beach while Jeremy, who I call my fair feathered friend because he gets so burnt always, went swimming with the kids while Leza and I watched from a distance. Today the kids from the camp put on a seaside talent show consisting of dancing and small skits. It was really cute to see all of them participate.
We usually go to the camp from 10-12 noon then back again from 4-6. Those are the most convenient times to see him. Every day Iliah is less shy with us and more outgoing. He really likes calling us papa and mama. All of his friends a call us American papa and mama. Although the older boys really like to call Jeremy by his name while rolling the R.
For now that's it, we are doing fine through this very tough process, we will definitely learn a lot about our wants vs our needs when we return to America, which by the way I can't wait to sleep in my own bed, since we are sleeping in beds made for a smurf, I don't' know how tall people make it here.
And last but not least we really miss our London sooooooo much, we know that this is really hard on her being away for so long, but we pray for her every night and know that she is taken well taken care of by gugga (grandpa). We love you Lou!!!!!!!!
Love you too. Tell Iliah I love him very much and can't wait to see him. Tell Leza and Vlady that I love them too and consider them as siblings too. Miss you lots and love you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the sound of "mama and papa" coming from Illiah is music to your ears. It is the faces of the ones who are left behind that will be forever etched on your memory. Praying for these kids really makes things happen though and by spreading the word around your new town perhaps someone will perk up and have an interest in Illiahs siblings. Would't that be cool? In the mean time enjoy your time and love on as many kids as possible. To some it may the only time they see how Jesus makes a difference in a life! Love you guys :)
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