Monday, November 26, 2018

So thankful... and so overwhelmed

Thanksgiving week was really wonderful and really a lot to keep up with. After being sick for so long, I have been starting to get back on my feet. On Thursday the family currently adopting from Tsyurupinsk arrived to pick up their sons. We had them and their nurse practitioner over for dinner. I did a halfway Thanksgiving meal for them: turkey breast and pumpkin pie.




Then Friday, in addition to our usual orphanage visit, Jaan and I got to be there for some of the process of getting their boys out of the orphanage. They spent that night in a hotel in Kherson, and their little guy had a really rough first night and day out of the orphanage. We tried to help some, and Jaan rode his bike to get medicine for them and deliver it, but they had a really hard time of it. Please continue to pray for them. They're in Kyiv now, hoping to fly home soon.




Saturday was the wonderful expat Thanksgiving that has become such a wonderful part of our family traditions. We didn't take any photos at all, but Jennifer did, and she posted a few.

Then there's a new guy in Kherson, here to learn Russian, and Will's been helping him get set up. Our landladies are trying to sell our house. Both girls have had music contests to prepare for and do. Current events are overwhelming... but let's focus on the thankful part. I am so thankful that two more orphans have families, that we have such wonderful friends here, and that we can live this life.

Happy Thanksgiving! Even if it's a little late, we're still thankful.


And just one more photo of the two boys with their PARENTS:

Both boys have waited 16 years for this.

(Photos are not ours, but they're used with permission.)

2 comments:

Baba Julie said...

Praise the Lord! So many things for which to be thankful! The first being, that you are BETTER!! We have been PRAYING!! And, we are SO GRATEFUL to God for placing these boys in a family. We continue to pray as they try to get things finished in Kiev! And, we're so happy that you have your "ex-pat" family w/ whom to celebrate Thanksgiving! It makes it easier knowing you are so far away on Holidays. We are also thankful for the many gifts God has given you all - from such compassionate hearts to serve the orphans and those who are trying to adopt to the beautiful music our grandchildren make! You all are a GREAT BLESSING to us!! We love you! Julie/Mom/Baba Julie

Mom said...

"Ditto" to all Julie has eloquently stated above. We also love you.