My First Mother's Day...

"Praise the LORD!  Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!  Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore!  From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!  The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!  Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.  He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.  Praise the LORD!"  Psalm 113

Today has been a day of treasure piling, pondering, great joy and tears...  

Thank you, Lord, for our precious daughter - Angela Grace...   

Thank you, Lord, for our dear son - James Arthur...

Thank you, Lord, for our precious daughters - Jana Sophia and Victoria Joy...

Thank you, Lord, for my dear husband and best friend - Tony.... May You grant us wisdom, patience and understanding as we parent these precious four you have entrusted to us.... 

Thank you, Heavenly Father,  for another good visit with our children at the orphanage... May Tuesday be the day we can finally be a family.  To God be the glory!  Amen.

Thank you, dear family and friends, for the many Mother's Day wishes.  What a blessing!  Our Sovereign Lord is so gracious to us... Our days here are winding down as we eagerly await the day we can take our children out of the orphanage for good!  We are hopeful for Tuesday but understand it could be Wednesday.  Today we had a peaceful morning working on various things (Tony on sermons, Bible study and his book editing and me on Bible study and planning :).  We went out for an early afternoon walk and brief shopping trip.  We found some "Learn English" children's activity books, play dough, socks, bracelets and hair accessories which was quite fun.  After lunch, we were off to the orphanage...

After enjoying some puzzles and play dough with the kids, it was time to go - again.  Today was difficult.  When the announcement was made that it was time to clean up and prepare to say goodbye the disappointment and sadness was almost too much for me.  In fact, Victoria started crying, grabbed her things and ran to my arms.  I rocked her as she laid her head on my shoulder and cried.  I had to take her down the hall away from the other three in order to hide the flow of tears streaming down my face.  Once I got it together, we rejoined the others to say farewell until tomorrow.  We explained to them that it will not be much longer... hopefully only two more days.  We embraced a couple more times and surrendered them back to the orphanage... only a couple more days...

On our way back we met up with a journalist for Ukraine's "Saturday Plus" newspaper.  She had heard about some Americans in Zapporizhia who were adopting four kids and wanted to tell their story.  So, we joined her at a local cafe for an interview.  After the interview, she said that there were just over 55, 000 on their distribution list and she would get us a copy after it was finished.  We enjoyed our time together and pray that God would receive all the glory for the great things He has done!  

Blessings to all of you this Lord's day!  Happy Mother's Day!