What is missing from this picture? Fear, there is no fear.
The past 8 months have flown by, and Yana is adjusting so fast to her new life. She will be the first to admit that it is not
an easy adjustment, but she knows that it is all worth the
effort. The beginning of this school season was nothing like the first day of school in January. Yana was up early, excited, and ready to go. She knows that the challenges will be greater this year and that she has to work very hard. Yana had a full summer. Many trips to Busch Gardens, Water Country and visits to Kingsmill. Many friends came to visit, many sleep overs and girl parties. Lots and lots of movies (since we have no hook-up for television). She did find time to take summer school and prepare a little for the school year ahead. She shopped, rearranged her room (more then once or twice), and kept close contact with the friends she left behind in Berdyansk. We brought the summer to a close with a family trip to Lancaster, PA. to visit Amish country and most of all see the production of "In the Beginning" at the Sight and Sounds Theater in Strasburg, PA. It put a perfect closer on the summer. It gave us time to catch our breath and remember all of our blessings. We were hoping this trip would draw us closer together and that it did. Rick and I knew that Yana was at peace being in a family. She is looking forward to include her own brother in on the love of family.
The only news about Marina is that camp is over and she is now in trade school. We have not heard from her, and may never hear from her again. We all have moved forward and let the past just be the past. There are times that we find ourselves pondering, but we don't stay there for long. We have accepted that the story was written this way for a purpose. I am grateful for our time we all shared together and pray that God will father her into His hands of protection. We pray as a family nightly that Marina will see God's hands. May this all have a glorious finish.
Time to prepare for Hurricane Hanah that is coming past to visit this weekend. Lets pray that she is not as mean as she looks right now!
Fran
