Celebrating Life!

Let the partying begin!

I was reading earlier today about kids "graduating" from orphanages in Eastern Europe.  Got me thinking about what that means for them at 16 or 17 and with so little to support them as they make their way....  Reminded me too about what could be instead for the millions of children who wait for a family.

It is a season of celebrating for us right now.  Much to be thankful for!

 *Nate is graduating from high school and is headed to University of Maryland

 *Vitaly's 15th birthday - the first here in America

 *My mom's birthday 

 *A trip to Latvia to finalize V's adoption - praying for dates to come SOON!

 *End of the school year for all of us

 *Jordan finishes middle school, gets ready for high school

 *Andrew finishes sophomore year and is of driving age

 *Nate goes to the prom with a friend, gets chosen for the lacrosse all-star team, and wins an award for his

   spirit and character on and off the playing field

 *Bryan and I will be married for 21 years on 6/29

 *AND that is just over the next few weeks and months!

My point isn't to brag - though I am awfully proud of my loved ones! - but to just think about how different life is for so many children.

What is it like to have a birthday or graduation that isn't celebrated?  I can't even imagine :*(

How does it feel to have not one living person who loves you enough to give up everything for you?

When you see other children chosen by families, but yours hasn't come for you yet - what does that do to a child?

When you hit the "magical" age when you are no longer adoptable - a door closes that can't be opened ever again....

So, I am celebrating blessings beyond what will fit on this screen but I'm also grieving for those who desperately want a taste of this life but are powerless to change their circumstances.

I believe with all of my heart that there are families for every single waiting child.  Every single one!  Maybe someone just needs to hear a name or see a picture or watch another child's story unfold ...  I share our story for these reasons.  There is enough life to go around!

Bring on the celebrations!  Come and party with us :)

Afraid of the Dark?

Doesn't get much darker than this!

Sometimes I feel like this picture is where I am - like the last few days.  Can't see a blasted thing around me.  And I don't like it!  There could be ANYTHING hiding in the darkness, ready to pounce or bite or cause harm.  OR, there could be beauty and wonderful surprises.  For some reason, though, my default is the first reaction :P 

this was in the above picture too, just couldn't see it until there was a little light added :)

a little light to each of you today,
Sue

Words with Friends

My friends, here are the words that I'm thinking about these days...four in particular.

Debt      Value     Responsibility     Competition

Debt - Would I go into debt for a car, a house, an education?  How about for a child who needs a family?

Value - What if the cost of adoption is worth waaaaaay more than every penny of the seemingly high cost?

Responsibility - Am I a more responsible person if I die with lots of money left behind in the bank or lots of loved ones left behind in the world?

Competition - Why are so many of my hosting and adopting friends having to compete with each other for a very small number of grants and fundraising dollars?

Maybe we have been asking some of the wrong questions.  Maybe our understanding of certain words and how they affect real life needs to change.  Maybe individuals and faith communities should compare these questions and possible answers with how we live and preach and teach. Just wondering....

Hmmm, 

Sue

Blame it on Bev!

Who is Bev?  What am I suggesting that we blame on her?  Well, Bev is my mom. See the lovely lady in the photo below.  I'm suggesting that we blame, or better word thank her for our adoption of Vitaly.  Why?  Many reasons, but mainly:

My mom has struggled in many ways throughout her life.  Yet, I have spent 43 years watching her care for other people - my brother and me, especially after Dad died when she was in her 30s; aging parents, neighbors, and relatives who don't even realize how much she is helping; families in need at the holidays and year round; people that she hears about from others but she doesn't know personally....  I could go on forever.


There is not one living soul that I know who doesn't love my mom.  If there is, they need help.  Seriously!  She gives, gives, and gives some more.  Not perfect, but pretty close :)  Fighting cancer now, but still people are drawn to her and she doesn't turn away.

The reason that I "blame" her for V's adoption is this:  you can't spend 40 years watching someone give the way she does without it having an effect on you.  When adoption costs loom, well Mom has never had "enough" on paper, but it doesn't stop her from being generous.  She says that God will take care of it.

When I feel overwhelmed and in too deep, I remember how I've seen Mom in that situation over and over, sometimes a bit cranky (not often) and sometimes upset, but not for long.  Hope always returns and on she goes.

When others question our sanity or wisdom in adopting a teen from another country, I remember the conversations with Mom who never fails to encourage.

When I fear that my kids might not understand how important it is to hope and to give, I look at my brother - a big ole trucker with a soft heart for animals and those less fortunate.  He has embraced V 100% and they haven't even met yet. Texted and phoned (bit of a language challenge that is pretty amusing), but not in person so far.  Mom's example has touched him as well.  Maybe, just maybe, my boys will sift through my not-so-wonderful stuff and remember something important too one day.

So, thanks to Mom, V is with his second mother this Mother's Day I, that 2nd mom, am blessed to have him as one of my 4 unique young men of courage, strength, and purpose.

LOVE YA MOM xxxxxxxxoooooooo (includes Cinnamon and Sugar too, of course)

What a difference a year can make!

Last year at the end of April, I was struck by my friend's story of hosting and adoption.  Thanks Jamie!  That led to "just looking" at the New Horizons for Children photolisting.  Well, one look was all it took.  I'd heard plenty about the needs of orphans and foster kids, and Bryan and I had even begun to pursue adoption several years before.  At the time we were stuck on the good ole required income and savings issue so set the papers aside.  

Many years later, as I saw the faces of those kids, I knew.  They were no longer "orphans," but boys and girls. Children who just needed moms and dads, brothers, sisters, another chance.  I had no idea that you could "host."  We had never even thought about an older child.  Well, Jamie's story brought the possibility to my computer screen.  After a few days of discussion (I was ready, the guys in various stages of preparedness), we CHOSE Vitaly as our summer host child - or perhaps he was CHOSEN for us.  This is the first picture we ever saw of him.  There was something in his eyes that spoke of life and hope and joy despite the trials he'd endured.  I could see so much potential....

April's pre-application was the step off the cliff or out of the boat, whichever you prefer.  Both speak of giving up control and doing what looks impossible and non-sensical to some.  To others, it just looks like faith that God knows what is needed and will handle whatever comes. May brought paperwork.  June was full of preparing schedules and activities and clothes and lists.  V arrived the end of June, stayed through July, opened our eyes and hearts more fully, and we began the adoption process as soon as he left in August.  The rest was work and tears and love and joy and frustration and every other emotion that exists.  

This March we spent 2 weeks in Latvia to get permission to bring V home!  Last March we didn't even know he existed.  What a difference a year makes.  

Have to wonder what the year ahead holds :)

All of the children I am praying for on the photolisting for this summer have as much potential as V.  They are unique, strong, and brave.  They need a second chance.  They need someone who will be as strong and brave as they are.  Here are a few still not hosted.  They are from Ukraine. The deadline for them is 5/14.  A year from now maybe some will be home too.  When you look them in the eyes, what do you see?

$1500 Scholarship Roman and Viktoria are siblings who are very closes and supportive of each other. She likes chemistry (arrived to the interview in her lab coat!) and English and geometry in school. Her favorite sports are beach volleyball and basketball but she especially likes dance and is on the competition dance team. They had just returned from St Petersburg Russia where they took 2nd place in an international competition with 4 other countries! Roman likes PE, History, math and Ukrainian language. He plays on the school's competition and traveling soccer team and likes to draw, dance (he competed last year) and sing ballads and love songs. These kids were calm together and equally responded and were so easy to talk to. Viktoria wants to have a profession either drama or theater or perhaps become a dermatologist. Roman said his sister is the best student in her class and reads a lot. She said he doesn't really like TV but prefers to be outside fishing and playing with his friends.

 U115 $1050 Scholarship Vasyl and Viktor were happy brothers! They are both small for their age, Viktor, the smaller of the two, is actually the older one. He likes algebra, playing basketball, and drawing. We would love to learn how to draw or paint murals. When asked what he would change about his life, he said "I am happy with my life." His wish is to go to Disneyland, which he saw on TV once. Vasyl loves his brother, and repeated all the same answers! They both study English and understood parts of our interview without translation.

U114 $150 Scholarship Tatiana is a very beautiful girl both inside and out. She is tall for her age, and said she wants to be a supermodel! She loves ballroom dancing, and working with beads. She does embroidery and weaving, and cross stitch. She also loves sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track. She loves teddy bears, singing, and dancing. She was so excited about interviewing with us, and was encouraging the less outgoing children to talk to us

 U117 $1450 Scholarship Yulia and Andriy are easy going siblings who both took turns talking and opened up to our team very well. She likes computer class, Ukraine Language classes bes at school and also loves to sing and sings in the school's performing choir that also competes. She was calm, and very interested in our interview. She likes the TV music channel during her down time after school. He plays soccer on the school competition team and said his favorite soccer star is Chevchenko. He likes to play outside with his friends and doesn't watch TV much. He is also a calm boy who likes racing games on the computer if he has a chance. Both talked to us and easily answered questions. She said he is a leader in his class and likes to assist elderly people and small children when he sees a need. He says she likes to roller skate and has good friends (vs "not good friends). Their interaction with each other was good and they said they prefer a family without other kids at home if possible, but older ones who "already grew up" would be good too.

Strength and courage to you,

Sue

PS - All of the Latvian kids from my earlier blog post have been chosen except the two sets of twins.  :(  Trusting that there are families in Latvia or elsewhere for them.  Or maybe here at Christmas.  Hurray for the others though!  What a summer they will have and bring with them to the families who have stepped up :)