Seven quick takes on Lera, picnic, camp, etc

Since Brandy lists what her takes are about in the title, I should do that, too. It's a good idea if I'm going to do this with any regularity.

:: 1 ::

Little Lera came through surgery well and is recovering. I still haven't heard if the surgery was successful in correcting what was wrong with her heart, but I'm loving the updates and photos of her looking so good already! This is the most recent update. (Although, I just checked the auto translate, and it says that she's "in the House." Not quite. It means that she's in a regular hospital room.)

:: 2 ::

The annual orphanage picnic was yesterday, and it was WONDERFUL! It was a very wet, rainy day, but we stayed under shelter, and the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves. We did crafts, a Bible story, songs, games, food, and lots of playing together. Seventeen kids came: most of the ones I have regularly for Bible lessons, plus some from a group that gets out even less than "mine" do. Pray with us that none of them get sick now, after having been out all day in damp, cool weather.

:: 3 ::

Our older three children are going to camp tomorrow. Jaan and Raia went last year and loved it; they can't wait! Asya alternates between their same excitement and dread. She was really excited about it, so we signed her up, but then she decided that she just can't do it. So, we've come to the point where she'll go and try it out. If she can't handle it, we'll bring her home. I really think she'll love every minute of it, though. It's a small camp for kids from our church, so she knows everyone. They'll be sleeping in tents out on the property of the local Christian college, not far from us at all.

:: 4 ::

Electricity. It's really nice. There's a big construction project in our neighborhood that seems to go on and on. It's had our power off for the working hours of most days lately. At least we've (usually) had mornings and evenings to charge everything. But, I've probably been quieter online than usual, because of this.

:: 5 ::

On Monday we had a good trip out to Kakhovka to do paperwork for Oksana. I was really apprehensive about it, because last time was terrible. This time we dealt with the director of the institution, though, not the vice-director, and all went well. I had been praying that she would be there and that people would be nice, and God answered. On the way back I got to see a bird that I had just learned about at the museum, and it was way more beautiful in real life than stuffed in a glass case.

:: 6 ::

Museum... our family went to another great summer program on Friday. I assumed they would have a photographer there again, so I didn't take our camera. But there was no photographer. Boo. This would have been even more picturesque than before. The kids got a tour, focusing on the flora and fauna of Kherson region, had a little lesson in botanical and entomological drawing, and then they each got to choose a specimen to draw. Even Bogdan really got into the observing and drawing part.

:: 7 ::

Today we're on one down-day in the midst of a few very busy ones:
Friday--our last day of school, museum program, and Constitution Day celebration
Saturday--the picnic
Today--rest, pack
Monday--take everyone to camp
Tuesday--big trip to visit kids at post-Tsyurupinsk institutions
And then it's going to be very quiet around here. Bogdan thinks he will be bored. We'll see.