MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
Our human Christmas Tree is the perfect representation of what this season is all about. The beautiful faces of a small segment of orphans in one little country on the other side of our world. Each and everyone of the children is becoming embedded into our brains so that we can pray for them and never get so comfortable in our life that we forget them. Jesus has not and will not ever forget these precious children.
As many of you already know we Americans are running around getting ready for Christmas 2007 that is celebrated on December 25th. In Ukraine we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas 2008 on January 7th. Rick and I are going to celebrate all of it. In fact we are starting a new tradition this year. We will celebrate Christmas as normal in the states and keep our tree up and celebrate the Ukraine Christmas as a celebration of receiving our daughters, Yana and Marina. What a gift from God. How I which we had a huge house, there are so many children I would love to take home. We are here with another couple adopting 3 beautiful boys, full of talent and life. They already have adopted 2 girls and 1 other boy from Berdyansk orphanage. What wonderful people they are. We have had many wonderful people cross our path. There is another couple that is adopting 3 beautiful sisters from the orphanage. What a Christmas! I couldn't ask for a better present then to be here witnessing all this. My heart leaps with Joy and yet I still have the sense of a heavy heart if I think of the day we leave and leave the others behind. I encourage all of you to pray for the orphans around the world, all 143 million. Speaking of which, I do not have the e-mail for you Lyn, but I got your blog. You are getting you baby from China, did I ever break down crying when I read your comment to me on my blog. We are so happy for you and can not wait to give you a hug. You got your miracle that you were praying for Addie in 2007. Praise God, Praise God.
Today we went Christmas shopping, a gift for each girl, decorations for our human tree, flowers for teachers, all in the open markets behind the hotel. This is a very foreign way of shopping for us. I am so fascinated with the markets. We started out by going to the bank to get money exchanged, on the way to the bank an older women comes up and gives me a hug and a kiss. I met her yesterday at church. This is cool, I am feeling more and more like a local. Even some of the homeless dogs follow us as we walk by. Some of the merchants that used to be so forceful, now know that I am just looking and never buy very much. It is so much fun being a local.
Before I sign off for the evening, I would like to ask our God, who gave us His precious son, Jesus, to deliver us from sin, so that we could have a personal relationship with Him, to bless you all in a real personal way on this Christmas day. My personal encounter with Him this year is beyond what I ever could be worthy of receiving. He is a fantastic God. Before you open your presents, eat your good food. and enjoy this holiday, take time to reflect on all that He has done for you and give Him all the glory.
Merry Christmas from all of us,
Papa, Mama, Yana and Marina
Peace be with you.
8 comments:
Rick & Fran . . . we are continuing to enjoy your postings and lifting you up . . . hope you sense it. Can hardly wait to hug you guys and the girls. Anxious to know if there is anything at all we can do at this end for you. Don't know how to pet a table saw but would volunteer for most anything else.
Love & Blessings . . .
Joe & Sheila
Whoops, Tony said I shouldn't have said "begging" especially since you made that wonderful trip here for his mom's birthday, that was VERY special of you. I meant for all four of you to stay with us, but you will have your hands full adjusting to life back in the states.
Tony and Gretchan
Whoops, I sent one but didn't click the submit so it was lost. We have been loving reading daily every entry, and seeing what God is doing that HE knew would happen before you even did. We are excited to have you back in the states, and all four of you visit us sometime , like we have been begging you to do (hence, the other anonymous note that is written before this one) Anyway, it is wonderful to see how changes are happening in all lives, and we are glad to see God's hand in every single detailed situation.
Love,
Tony and Gretchan
FRAN &RICK..CHRISTMAS EVE AS I SIT HERE WATCHING OUR NEW LITTLE ANGEL,ETHAN, MY HEART IS FILLED WITH SUCH HAPPINESS FOR YOU ALL..I AM WAITING TO LOG IN TO FIND THE WORDS WE HAVE MARINA TOO..I AM SO ANXIOUS TO MEET MY NIECES..HUGS&KISSES TO ALL YOUE FAMILY THIS MERRIEST CHRISTMAS..LOVE ANGIE
You guys definitely win the "coolest tree" award for the year! We check your blog everyday and are excited to see how God is moving over there. We just got news today that we're to write a letter for another appointment but to ask that we aren't given and appointment until they have a child that matches our request. We'll see how this one pans out! We're just trusting God that He has the details all worked out and somewhere along the way he'll deliver the info to us on a "need to know" basis.
Excited for you guys!
Your friends from TGI FRIDAYS-Kiev
Merry Christmas! We miss you guys so much and the boys ask all the time when you will be home with thier new friends.
Our family got the priviledge of lighting the Christ candle in the center of the advent wreath at the Christmas Eve service this evening. We did this in honor of you guys and your new daughters that as Christ came to the world to save us that you are over there saving them. There can be no higher calling than sharing the good news of Christ's birth with all those who will listen. You guys are awesome and we love you!
We're going to post a video for you on our blog Christmas day so be on the lookout for it.
Blessings,
Laura and Rob
Praise God for all He is blessing you with! Merry Christmas, and a very special one for you, Yana and Marina to always share. Irina is also enjoying your pictures and adoption journey. We love and miss you!
Debbie & Dale
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