tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47405849184057863602024-03-05T01:28:15.221-05:00The Story of UsRobert N. Landrumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150236985038443882noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-60730970466194042362010-12-10T06:27:00.009-05:002010-12-10T07:06:10.693-05:00Let's Hear it For the Boys<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKa6xcflMnZtkgHgIE-iRBPsH3f_9pHn85LzgPvnbpeRi-egeZb0bc3D77SfUVLqHHTBmPiYWtzvZlV8hu7HxLh8j3tMB4iQoqwOeheXO01PN_YqO7NwpSXnL1G67kV39G5mBb9HZkTsh/s1600/IMG_5262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKa6xcflMnZtkgHgIE-iRBPsH3f_9pHn85LzgPvnbpeRi-egeZb0bc3D77SfUVLqHHTBmPiYWtzvZlV8hu7HxLh8j3tMB4iQoqwOeheXO01PN_YqO7NwpSXnL1G67kV39G5mBb9HZkTsh/s400/IMG_5262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549019287942235298" /></a><br />They're sixteen today. When did that happen? They've grown into such tender hearted, strong young men. I can hardly stand it. Sixteen years ago we found ourselves standing over incubators in a neonatal intensive care unit trying not to tangle wires and set off moniter alarms just to get close to them. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfyEfIrqnz_oK2mbnvkfEn64Rbt7pXZJHueI4BdMkaVMPQpUh5c894FaqHFgQwO3NwsJ1Y_pepIskw4Mxl0luviBI6ndHyEsPzyRuepa-5_UZtVUXMkhuSXlw1Cy5kpGunrZKbsDl_vVi/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfyEfIrqnz_oK2mbnvkfEn64Rbt7pXZJHueI4BdMkaVMPQpUh5c894FaqHFgQwO3NwsJ1Y_pepIskw4Mxl0luviBI6ndHyEsPzyRuepa-5_UZtVUXMkhuSXlw1Cy5kpGunrZKbsDl_vVi/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549022454776728162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSsK3WhMyQFmq6HbL2FsR9LKPFtT93bUWywq6OnsOmA72afojVfxoiwG6BtKyotlf3Fj5myDdpBAQl3vAOnwbo4oFV9gCFF8AxkqUCwJ1meGJGF17jVNfjUhqxGxijMqEcQGsx9a6l-R0/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSsK3WhMyQFmq6HbL2FsR9LKPFtT93bUWywq6OnsOmA72afojVfxoiwG6BtKyotlf3Fj5myDdpBAQl3vAOnwbo4oFV9gCFF8AxkqUCwJ1meGJGF17jVNfjUhqxGxijMqEcQGsx9a6l-R0/s320/IMG_0052.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549023590908893250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2xqn8NfEn3Pdv8bA0aocXjijlGvDZAA75AUzQvcR6zphmmspViED64b3ObVv5omjKdDy931m3FeiVV8NkFSzNLZAO0fIPa9NvLUyHneT-CvnXqC92UInlhprbBMRQIZWcwmFS2W2Cuh8/s1600/IMG_0069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2xqn8NfEn3Pdv8bA0aocXjijlGvDZAA75AUzQvcR6zphmmspViED64b3ObVv5omjKdDy931m3FeiVV8NkFSzNLZAO0fIPa9NvLUyHneT-CvnXqC92UInlhprbBMRQIZWcwmFS2W2Cuh8/s320/IMG_0069.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549023493053809266" /></a><br /><br />They don't look so tiny and frail now. They're still best friends, Freshmen Class Reps, members of their high school's crew team, and most recently winners of the <a href="http://www.jeffersonawards.org/">Jefferson Award</a> for their service to homeless and ill veterans. Happy birthday, boys. We are so proud of you and we love you so much.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbiBRjINZAbQQGL2351s3Re2iOEXXZDMMcjLf19XWa-eM62qjaOPi8xBC3cvwyLOLIg4zj2k11IiU4q-HVgROLT0Pm99D8QTbjeujI1ntdNKPZPHwIw6BiE_rWwCK6Rj_yxo1Jw-UqMwl/s1600/IMG_4628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbiBRjINZAbQQGL2351s3Re2iOEXXZDMMcjLf19XWa-eM62qjaOPi8xBC3cvwyLOLIg4zj2k11IiU4q-HVgROLT0Pm99D8QTbjeujI1ntdNKPZPHwIw6BiE_rWwCK6Rj_yxo1Jw-UqMwl/s320/IMG_4628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549018508671655618" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAo8O0kJdPOTRxKb8XP-HOr50e8-lT9k8_ll-UQyiLeU6f-d1jFORPoIC5v0fvRt0-UJcr-hgcsoiiJLrsCRCqAJuhiNQ7pP6sxPHQx0L4aDfuOxt-xYpJaSsKTwC8PU_f7dUvP5iZZaaT/s1600/crew1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAo8O0kJdPOTRxKb8XP-HOr50e8-lT9k8_ll-UQyiLeU6f-d1jFORPoIC5v0fvRt0-UJcr-hgcsoiiJLrsCRCqAJuhiNQ7pP6sxPHQx0L4aDfuOxt-xYpJaSsKTwC8PU_f7dUvP5iZZaaT/s320/crew1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549018987295196610" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-47730629260663772212010-08-06T21:37:00.011-04:002010-09-01T22:51:19.619-04:00Excuse Me, but the Correct Idiom is "Fall off the Wagon"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGFLPRZeqjeLpqC2pPeICN1NEDxKCMejyht45Zgn4WJHEou3caKvB6riUIWagsx9NMEKdvc7yuX3-FPp2M-wEwOPT2iEkPqJU08ReVsmdlHWDmo65jQ-IAj9_iNxuc3t55YEPh7El0SaO/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGFLPRZeqjeLpqC2pPeICN1NEDxKCMejyht45Zgn4WJHEou3caKvB6riUIWagsx9NMEKdvc7yuX3-FPp2M-wEwOPT2iEkPqJU08ReVsmdlHWDmo65jQ-IAj9_iNxuc3t55YEPh7El0SaO/s200/cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502502040024250866" /></a>It happened when I least expected it but fully needed it. Shoes kicked off, one leg slung over the arm of the recliner, saucer perched in hand, butter cream frosted slice of cake in midbite - Sam sidled up to me and with genuine sympathy said, "What's wrong mom? Did you break the wagon?" Wow. Really? <br /><br />So here's my confession. Somewhere around the end of the school year, the running routine fell by the wayside. Along with it went all the good habits I had picked up. You know, the ones that were contributing to slow but steady weight loss, better eating habits, and greater confidence.<br /><br />I did try once earlier this summer to haul myself up on that wagon before it left me in the dust. A friend called and invited me to run with her running group one morning. I thought that might be just what I need to kick start my routine again. "Great!" she said, "I'll pick you up at 5 am."<br /><br />Five am? That was bound to be a committed group of women. Although I wasn't thrilled about the early hour, at least there would be a break from the draining heat of the day that had kept me at bay. But when I stepped out the door at 5am the next morning, it was as if I had donned a velvet sweatsuit dipped in warm water. Even at that early hour the heat was palpable. <br /><br />We pulled up to the track right before 5:30. Not ten, not twenty, but nearly 200 runners had gathered to train for everything from 5K races in the coming weeks to marathons at the end of the year. My friend was training for a marathon, so I encouraged her to run at her own pace and I'd meet her back by the bleachers in 45 minutes. I found camaraderie in a pace group that slowed down and walked with me when I needed a breather. It was a great experience and I wish I could tell you I went back . . . but I didn't. The fees for the running club weren't possible and I figured all I needed was to get out there and just do it.<br /><br />Fast forward six weeks and I don't have much to show for that pledge. About 10 days ago Robert rallied us and we started our early morning walks again. I hate starting over, but I know I'll feel better in a few weeks when I'm back in a routine. One of my dear friends from New York was in the area visiting family recently and spent the day with me. She's a runner. A darn good one. She's training for a marathon and was a great encouragement to me. <br /><br />It's important that I do this. Pray with me that I can stay motivated as the school year is quickly approaching. The boys will be conditioning for cross country after school this year, so I doubt they'll have the energy to go on runs in the evenings like we did last Spring. It's going to be up to me this time around!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-38235172283734227022010-07-30T13:55:00.018-04:002010-08-06T21:34:55.421-04:00Summer of ServiceHas it really been two months since our last post? I believe summer days pass quicker than any other time period. I swear I was just cleaning up my classroom and this week I found myself rearranging desks to try a new classroom layout. School will be here in a matter of a few weeks, but we've been redeeming the time during our time off.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3qj4NkoFWQIcnVjjXA5uDxpVn4aR1QJ8z83aaka0ckeSZufa4xJyvcpEV6WhsVf_9LxaASmSMbU_I-WOQE3REilrooZ41mlbzqFO0egIzd1HrkSmp4_M1-YJwikRXLO5_XenkOU5VlTb/s1600/IMG_4531.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499766044145932146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3qj4NkoFWQIcnVjjXA5uDxpVn4aR1QJ8z83aaka0ckeSZufa4xJyvcpEV6WhsVf_9LxaASmSMbU_I-WOQE3REilrooZ41mlbzqFO0egIzd1HrkSmp4_M1-YJwikRXLO5_XenkOU5VlTb/s320/IMG_4531.JPG" /></a><br /><center>Hannah loves on her favorite horse Prince.</center><br />Sam, Nate, Hannah, and Kristina spent their summer volunteering with an organization close to their hearts. I told you in an earlier post that Hannah spent quite a bit of time at the horse stables caring for the horses and working with the handicap children who came for therapy. It can be back breaking work, but her only complaint has been the heat. It has been sweltering here in Central Florida this summer! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7jXEgzt7vCSaj2bWl8onFM0UkUVddGNH-cHRtSP9zPs6iU8AYA5Nz3mFIgETlA5YD0xdJnBCLpZghWld8yXSckVkBxHcOgYKUOr5BKJ3thAhRXje9VXayYGe1eWZGzSh8xZ8wuayV7rH/s1600/IMG_4512.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499764226999468050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7jXEgzt7vCSaj2bWl8onFM0UkUVddGNH-cHRtSP9zPs6iU8AYA5Nz3mFIgETlA5YD0xdJnBCLpZghWld8yXSckVkBxHcOgYKUOr5BKJ3thAhRXje9VXayYGe1eWZGzSh8xZ8wuayV7rH/s320/IMG_4512.JPG" /></a><br /><center>Hannah grooming Prince.</center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4iM70wo8IoxcLKmsaX_CVEJTw5fTfQYoFOgk2Bb7YhgZfmvR8ls8mx6Dr8TdzSB7hPhlp6wUOKLdqGmpBRX1LvR9E4gAFQzlQ_DqJPRh76wEffOGnVnJlVdSkR9pNYXvDi-KfJ_OcK6q/s1600/IMG_4599.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499764994373744946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4iM70wo8IoxcLKmsaX_CVEJTw5fTfQYoFOgk2Bb7YhgZfmvR8ls8mx6Dr8TdzSB7hPhlp6wUOKLdqGmpBRX1LvR9E4gAFQzlQ_DqJPRh76wEffOGnVnJlVdSkR9pNYXvDi-KfJ_OcK6q/s320/IMG_4599.JPG" /></a><br /><center>Hannah having a heart to heart with Image about where they are and are not going to go.</center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8I2K3VwPMyIAXUu2VXvswdrZGgLesefW7vFAGrVSFJ6ld9ktQX9rGVcILkFidRNGBk6yHy7zPZO7C1iwKXMLt15ZM_sWAy3A0psTMvAecrK4f-oNo0ADWzo4w1QHVFvk48V0U9xOdV11/s1600/IMG_4550.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499766952840141410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8I2K3VwPMyIAXUu2VXvswdrZGgLesefW7vFAGrVSFJ6ld9ktQX9rGVcILkFidRNGBk6yHy7zPZO7C1iwKXMLt15ZM_sWAy3A0psTMvAecrK4f-oNo0ADWzo4w1QHVFvk48V0U9xOdV11/s320/IMG_4550.JPG" /></a><br /><center>Hannah returning Prince to his stall.</center><br />Kristina was quickly intrigued by Hannah's work at the stables and signed on to help out. I found it interesting that she gravitated towards a horse named Lucky. Contrary to his promising name, Lucky is blind in one eye and takes a little more patience and care than the other horses. Maybe that's what attracted Kristina to him in the first place. I don't know who is more excited to see whom on the days the girls serve at the stables! She is dwarfed by this gentle giant and it tickles me to see them together.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKBcD9LjfcX3nlW8Gjz58nciwD5cOq3pg2xm3rXFco_jghibxBWFQRiuZKKjtKHy1l2rN2c_B-q8LOG2Z33rFFDUR9UHBwBXeQXV_50aD0HaRWuN01-n8FtwjAL6a-J3cMJoSwAKCXdeA/s1600/IMG_4532.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKBcD9LjfcX3nlW8Gjz58nciwD5cOq3pg2xm3rXFco_jghibxBWFQRiuZKKjtKHy1l2rN2c_B-q8LOG2Z33rFFDUR9UHBwBXeQXV_50aD0HaRWuN01-n8FtwjAL6a-J3cMJoSwAKCXdeA/s320/IMG_4532.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499771385763152722" /></a><br /><center>When I showed up with my camera yesterday, Lucky had just peeked out of his stall to give Kristina a kiss.</center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7k2sZH1WU71NC4blcmqlDyauI0FWe5QSCr3XsBZmgSmXnSuUK12o-ZqqGzbnhu5f4avrytvBJ21AZknw1bHDJIFKl2RcqgwgyDONcpdZfgOsYp6IstWQxswsz3YI-1Y-S2mtA414Zykc/s1600/IMG_4528.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7k2sZH1WU71NC4blcmqlDyauI0FWe5QSCr3XsBZmgSmXnSuUK12o-ZqqGzbnhu5f4avrytvBJ21AZknw1bHDJIFKl2RcqgwgyDONcpdZfgOsYp6IstWQxswsz3YI-1Y-S2mtA414Zykc/s320/IMG_4528.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499773863324510658" /></a><br /><center>Walking and talking with her favorite.</center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jGAOhnq7_0QoUNxGqDVGG6XYq7uxn2PzLSmr-NrrUMEDskW-HYQppX1S68SQzvE7s9q9cv0va_GxAuB9xbeJzqAfxLVBtKskFjdy4qV7hC3OyIga3nPdanh4iztma0nrABHy1Z7XHFmo/s1600/IMG_4518.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jGAOhnq7_0QoUNxGqDVGG6XYq7uxn2PzLSmr-NrrUMEDskW-HYQppX1S68SQzvE7s9q9cv0va_GxAuB9xbeJzqAfxLVBtKskFjdy4qV7hC3OyIga3nPdanh4iztma0nrABHy1Z7XHFmo/s320/IMG_4518.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499775149169829634" /></a><br /><center>Obviously a hug is the finishing touch on Lucky's grooming regiment.</center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSUZqOrseiQiNHysuMGhPbrDLj3NTurS9QnUPdrSMEyqcm3cOZCv57OYGRfSuB5UQZvY2iuQVPjLEEsDoaeggGrBVnHmrHn0Oc9RUHpFsI80rn3U4sblByhlJ8vBGSFxwiV63BQChrUqb/s1600/IMG_4572.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSUZqOrseiQiNHysuMGhPbrDLj3NTurS9QnUPdrSMEyqcm3cOZCv57OYGRfSuB5UQZvY2iuQVPjLEEsDoaeggGrBVnHmrHn0Oc9RUHpFsI80rn3U4sblByhlJ8vBGSFxwiV63BQChrUqb/s320/IMG_4572.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499775949006576034" /></a><br /><center>And while she may have her favorite, she shares the love by stopping to have a conversation with Equity . . .</center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9_U6idHS364VXfwII6l1N2v1aPCLbqzhgM9x0gZMwkTs9Y9W0vpU41eybmh_sh-T3e263jUjUimBviT4ZxiFW9-CVXdYvoKXhU1TyliGfgc__dgCzAzFrTuCua_OwpxdRUnN9r8jZUBs/s1600/IMG_4538.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9_U6idHS364VXfwII6l1N2v1aPCLbqzhgM9x0gZMwkTs9Y9W0vpU41eybmh_sh-T3e263jUjUimBviT4ZxiFW9-CVXdYvoKXhU1TyliGfgc__dgCzAzFrTuCua_OwpxdRUnN9r8jZUBs/s320/IMG_4538.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499776544914017810" /></a><br /><center>and smooch on miniature horse Marshmallow.</center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdur5_XYtyuTc4T2RB6UDoAbjMluQTK2svOtakyfqYt5LpWdKaWDOrTW5R99AhWrKY3RnwdKd9sx7_SBNE5S_8GpwDcWt_fUDR7HdwFtRqVBW7B5SJxKwfCP5eRP6WawNh2adTL9Hw_L6f/s1600/IMG_4576.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdur5_XYtyuTc4T2RB6UDoAbjMluQTK2svOtakyfqYt5LpWdKaWDOrTW5R99AhWrKY3RnwdKd9sx7_SBNE5S_8GpwDcWt_fUDR7HdwFtRqVBW7B5SJxKwfCP5eRP6WawNh2adTL9Hw_L6f/s320/IMG_4576.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499781668299752242" /></a><br /><center>The Horse Whisperer. Who knows what she's telling these guys, but they sure do listen!</center><br /><br />In addition to her time at the stables, Kristina is also involved in something close to her heart. Reading! She volunteers twice a week as part of the Teen Library Corps by reshelving books, helping patrons find what they're looking for, and organizing as only our girl can. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lLu3-_SFkXYumz2MGMVV9X7KKBNOZff8Qu9sMIerTSwkYHCO4O52kF1DLRxAhlcUdpZ1eXIHaEDKuKEpEBQl2khwuU5cqRpk8pQ_2NFmKgShQiabL_kEcYgf4uezuaWJ-AaE6NNetpYw/s1600/IMG_4613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lLu3-_SFkXYumz2MGMVV9X7KKBNOZff8Qu9sMIerTSwkYHCO4O52kF1DLRxAhlcUdpZ1eXIHaEDKuKEpEBQl2khwuU5cqRpk8pQ_2NFmKgShQiabL_kEcYgf4uezuaWJ-AaE6NNetpYw/s320/IMG_4613.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499779362121078274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnLfyGxsRdvF0PvmidORqulnejnWc8qDnaZQRVkoYw7Q_pCkW5Za9x3W6LD44Z8v1W91LZkBCkjM4ha3QVU8_7cODC9C7DtrX-VrBlMBBFMyT0NNCU3HWn1wijgFAoDnC79PSoPrvp2ob/s1600/IMG_4619.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnLfyGxsRdvF0PvmidORqulnejnWc8qDnaZQRVkoYw7Q_pCkW5Za9x3W6LD44Z8v1W91LZkBCkjM4ha3QVU8_7cODC9C7DtrX-VrBlMBBFMyT0NNCU3HWn1wijgFAoDnC79PSoPrvp2ob/s320/IMG_4619.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499779594820880594" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO-xKfqI3LL1hlAbAPLwKU4NJMohNsO6E1KWZUNGQ2sc-_58ShRyDAlPm6IvhH7CVLtSTfzh-_XqpAL0p8h3uYZ6NMHP8js5EB9Zv9KtX4X5znyrNJWUvNev2wmjvZ2RhhQwhK0m9IywC/s1600/va_seal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO-xKfqI3LL1hlAbAPLwKU4NJMohNsO6E1KWZUNGQ2sc-_58ShRyDAlPm6IvhH7CVLtSTfzh-_XqpAL0p8h3uYZ6NMHP8js5EB9Zv9KtX4X5znyrNJWUvNev2wmjvZ2RhhQwhK0m9IywC/s320/va_seal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499786116328182226" /></a><br />Both of the boys wanted to be involved in serving soldiers in some way. I was glad when they settled on the Veterans Hospital here in Orlando. Both boys are hoping to join the military when they finish college, so I thought it would be good for them to see the less than romantic side of the service. They were assigned to the post-op surgery unit where they do everything from transporting patients to clerical work to running errands for doctors and nurses within the unit. They really enjoy ministering to the soldiers and their families. They've learned a lot from soldiers who are happy to share their war stories with two eager boys willing to listen. They've put in over 70 hours each this summer alone. I wish I had photos I could share of the guys on the job, but they work in a restricted surgery unit and patient confidentiality means a camera doesn't make it past those locked doors. Once I caught a glimpse of Nate wheeling a patient downstairs. He was dressed in his scrubs and I barely recognized him! I swear they've changed so much just in the last year. Sometimes I will hear a man's voice in the house and I have a moment of panic thinking someone has broken in . . . only to realize its just one of the boys. Like the summer, their childhood seems to have flown by too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIb7RtW3zsXZzSqWiP_kY6Na8fhV3sAC4qgF-GnH34gXwThWn9BnQPePe8YQzQvm9Ru5njyUvik_5P6TeNcIqPUaYKKInHVwTt5x1rytFTdeK_257SpTp5IetqJRQUZSRKu34GwCwp0IK/s1600/Run+for+Africa+Logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIb7RtW3zsXZzSqWiP_kY6Na8fhV3sAC4qgF-GnH34gXwThWn9BnQPePe8YQzQvm9Ru5njyUvik_5P6TeNcIqPUaYKKInHVwTt5x1rytFTdeK_257SpTp5IetqJRQUZSRKu34GwCwp0IK/s320/Run+for+Africa+Logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499792234400030306" /></a><br />Josh is already looking at his volunteer options for next year. He spent this summer taking an online course and getting ahead in school. He did volunteer at the <a href="http://www.cotni.org/">Run for Africa 5k</a> last Saturday morning. This was one of the races the boys and I considered running when we heard about it a few months back, but when I realized it was being held in late July I opted out! It was a worthwhile cause though, so we all chipped in to help the organization. All seven of us volunteered at the event and had a blast working the water stations and shouting encouragement to hundreds of runners wilting in the early morning heat. Running is one of things that has fallen off my radar this summer - more about that later.<br /><br />Okay that's enough for now - though there's lots more to share. Stay tuned!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-39652010186614337452010-05-29T08:30:00.009-04:002010-05-29T09:22:54.683-04:00Playing Catch UpI know, I know. It's been a month since we blogged. I blame it on the fact that I'm a school teacher. We're down to the wire here. Seven days left of school. My desk is a sea of ungraded papers and inventory sheets that mocks me everytime I step into my classroom. But apart from school, there have been some other things going on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLlCf191RSvvLn3v6w8vtQKoja_GirzS4xkCjXjqtay5dA4WYWsLd_URrYw0GtHU06u_K3GBRtIbYtqfZ5mu6RHs5DaVF1O3s8ZwvpM-J6DMch4q8DNokJpFrnCdZ0e6GFqsknt-qtFQU/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLlCf191RSvvLn3v6w8vtQKoja_GirzS4xkCjXjqtay5dA4WYWsLd_URrYw0GtHU06u_K3GBRtIbYtqfZ5mu6RHs5DaVF1O3s8ZwvpM-J6DMch4q8DNokJpFrnCdZ0e6GFqsknt-qtFQU/s320/IMG_4444.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476673898606737458" /></a><br />Sam participated in the annual JROTC district competition last weekend. Seven hours in the glaring sun and a mean sunburn were well worth it. Their school swept the competition taking more trophies in more categories than anyone else. Sam competed in personal inspection and the 100 meter dash for which his unit took first place. Hoo-ah! Exhibition/Rifle Team continues to be his passion though and both boys hope to attend The Nationals Drill Camp in Georgia one day for some real training from the top guys in the field. He and Nate are looking forward to being part of the high school unit next year. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJEeHAtjEKycFja3g6_KGFM5hvQsIjw1XtFzuZD680aAq1cVSm4hfvdnk0979XlXtmS47P7FRVzxgkBX0H09y_R6m_KmRqURf1HX9TMEe2w8o1TBcjv2RUCtRg03fRgt1XnL8oso3o8gp/s1600/IMG_4261.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJEeHAtjEKycFja3g6_KGFM5hvQsIjw1XtFzuZD680aAq1cVSm4hfvdnk0979XlXtmS47P7FRVzxgkBX0H09y_R6m_KmRqURf1HX9TMEe2w8o1TBcjv2RUCtRg03fRgt1XnL8oso3o8gp/s320/IMG_4261.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476674542521500162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmLFBnwFR0SMdokdHceZUAEE9aqCQswt5-o7AQecGPekygCIGa80vZcDFIaK02dMfISfIw63tBmBLeGOeDejHdgX2YFa3yjSAuVZfbJ2jpYWlaF1Sz_DRVDS6zICME2kRSoJf5VphCD4J/s1600/IMG_4359B.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmLFBnwFR0SMdokdHceZUAEE9aqCQswt5-o7AQecGPekygCIGa80vZcDFIaK02dMfISfIw63tBmBLeGOeDejHdgX2YFa3yjSAuVZfbJ2jpYWlaF1Sz_DRVDS6zICME2kRSoJf5VphCD4J/s320/IMG_4359B.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476678196585367218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXU9cEGUalnATbmDmh60pGht18H1_Qqo_wSkK6NlhlKU64dtNqI8vAMo6-jGgoVwjGWCc6ft2gDSuetpEjQ8f0g-A-NovooiEcT7KEglTXQVaEqdccEMUOfq7XDqivBclETbzU3I-KX0v/s1600/IMG_4449.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXU9cEGUalnATbmDmh60pGht18H1_Qqo_wSkK6NlhlKU64dtNqI8vAMo6-jGgoVwjGWCc6ft2gDSuetpEjQ8f0g-A-NovooiEcT7KEglTXQVaEqdccEMUOfq7XDqivBclETbzU3I-KX0v/s320/IMG_4449.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476678728013023810" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hannah has been volunteering at a nonprofit lately. She works with handicapp children and horses doing what is called hippotherapy or riding therapy. She LOVES it. She drives us nuts asking us to bring her to the stables more often. The child cleans stalls and grooms the horses without a bit of complaint. That's how we know how much she loves this! She insists on bringing the horses a treat almost every visit, so I have gotten in the habit of picking up an extra bag of carrots at the grocery store. I'll post some pics of her with her new friends soon.<br /><br />Nothing new on the adoption front. I am growing more content with the knowledge that everything is in God's timing and that makes it perfect. There's a chance the boys might be sent to the same "camp" this summer. That would be very comforting to know they're together again. Pray that this would be the case.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-67043967363936781932010-04-29T13:31:00.004-04:002010-04-29T14:16:07.967-04:00Who Do You Know?We are in chilly Minneapolis this morning attending the first day of the Christian Alliance for Orphans Conference. So far: incredible! We were able to hear <a href="http://tomdavis.typepad.com/">Tom Davis</a> speak at the opening session and he was part of the session I attended on engaging "Youth and College Age Students in Orphan Ministry". If you're unfamiliar with Tom, a great place to start is his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781448476/notefromthefi-20">Fields of the Fatherless</a>. God used this book to help focus my vision for orphan ministry many years ago. Robert attended a session on church ministry and 501c3 organization and leadership structure. <br /><br />The problem with conferences like this is there are 8-10 topic choices in each breakout session. I will have highlighted no less than four, yet I can't be in four places at one time. Thankfully the sessions are being recorded and will be available for sale. I'm sitting in the optional lunch session "International Adoption 2010: Challenges, Changes, and Difficult Questions" with a netbook perched precariously on my knees attempting to soak in and record as much as possible for our own adoption as well as the church that sent us. <br /><br />Walking through the vendor tables this morning, I heard my name called and looked up to find Colleen Stats, board member of <a href="http://www.frontierhorizon.org/">Frontier Horizon</a>, Facebook friend, and fellow Ukraine adopter. It's amazing to meet people who you have only known in cyberspace. I know there are many others here who I know from the blog world and I hope to cross paths with before the close of the conference. <br /><br />Robert and I are about the split up to attend the second breakout session. Robert will go to "Fundraising for Orphan Ministry" (which I'm sure will have a huge turnout) and I am headed to hear Traci Heim with <a href="http://projecthopeful.org/">Project Hopeful</a> who will address "Adoption of HIV Positive Orphans and Other Special Need Orphans".<br /><br />So much has been said this morning that strikes us deeply. The most provoking quote I would share is this question posed to a group of nearly 1300 individuals who call themselves servants of the King, "There are over 147 million orphans around the world today. Most Christians can't name 5. Why is that?"<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-57041960352437196022010-04-24T18:54:00.004-04:002010-04-24T20:41:11.989-04:00Love Hurts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GaYNLc2wwG2JChoPZoa26hZeMuvD1V9nviQVvqXUpnvuvXMoFkuFiK1_bmeLd5jN4G5tu6ioLPDKlRgnz6tfwDMWxN06uFyaU5jp8hOizWBSxelTVtfC7tOtNcuvtbfF_7J8QDVUNj8p/s1600/2010-04-02+08.20.39.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GaYNLc2wwG2JChoPZoa26hZeMuvD1V9nviQVvqXUpnvuvXMoFkuFiK1_bmeLd5jN4G5tu6ioLPDKlRgnz6tfwDMWxN06uFyaU5jp8hOizWBSxelTVtfC7tOtNcuvtbfF_7J8QDVUNj8p/s320/2010-04-02+08.20.39.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463842103427086098" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW9DeXFrCFaa8lxDTi29e2ujUMFg7pKaQ__g_2OBDfos5NdC3IB8qmMDHL5Jye7BxjvtSPcWYRHL-WkZfggustrhb_djhGEoPb-KTO1x2Edh1FSCZFcAouf0AS_8LuVbjfgjK9lRpB_sM/s1600/2010-04-02+08.12.18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW9DeXFrCFaa8lxDTi29e2ujUMFg7pKaQ__g_2OBDfos5NdC3IB8qmMDHL5Jye7BxjvtSPcWYRHL-WkZfggustrhb_djhGEoPb-KTO1x2Edh1FSCZFcAouf0AS_8LuVbjfgjK9lRpB_sM/s320/2010-04-02+08.12.18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463841774156189122" /></a><br /><br />We are making (very) slow progress, but determinedly moving forward with baby steps. We had our medicals done a few weeks ago. Poor Robert, the nurse had to stick him several times before she got a vein that would give up the juice. Fingerprints and background checks are officially done and in hand. The homestudy is a matter of one meeting and a big check, so we're holding off on that for now. In my time frame, I calculated having all the paperwork done by the end of school and (fingers crossed) a travel date by late summer. But things don't seem to be working out that way and I have to trust that God is behind the timing of all things. <br /><br />A few weeks ago we were discouraged by well meaning individuals who told us we needed to put the adoption on hold until our finances were all in place. If we had followed this advice, Kristina would still be languishing in an orphanage on the other side of the world. Yet, we want to be sensitive to wise counsel and humble to hearing those around us so we are moving slowly in the hopes that God will provide in a big way. <br /><br />We learned this week that Sasha has been approved to travel in the same <a href="http://www.frontierhorizon.org/">hosting program</a> Kristina came with three years ago. The thought of having him here for the entire summer and lavishing love on him is almost too much to bear, but we simply cannot afford the hosting fee and will have to learn patience in the process. <br /><br />Please continue to pray for wisdom on our part and for God's provision. Pray for Sasha and Vitalik too!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-5144217688760016682010-04-24T18:27:00.008-04:002010-04-24T19:47:24.364-04:00Running Here, Running There<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AqzMQZxvBbHcEUmFHE-eXHc51JOdBBpsX6pVsW-72qguZsgZyM3WLmWyrcPWa2pUtJEChZKn0p90oNIa0tPgtJm-1kkS-x7BGunjB_TdI9DQHN1OMkkFZIDkYa0S2p9PHogBDl1vUt9e/s1600/P4241196.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AqzMQZxvBbHcEUmFHE-eXHc51JOdBBpsX6pVsW-72qguZsgZyM3WLmWyrcPWa2pUtJEChZKn0p90oNIa0tPgtJm-1kkS-x7BGunjB_TdI9DQHN1OMkkFZIDkYa0S2p9PHogBDl1vUt9e/s320/P4241196.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463848215258090274" /></a><br /><br />Another blissfully busy weekend! Nate and I ran in the Run for the Trees 5K race in Winter Park, Florida early this morning. It was a harder run than I anticipated and I finished three minutes later than my last run, but it was a great experience nonetheless. The race path wound through beautiful Winter Park, around lakes, and eventually led to an off road wilderness path through private land that is only open to the public once a year during this race. We ran beneath a canopy of ancient trees and through orange groves as brilliantly colored wild peacocks eyed us from a few yards off. We received the traditional race shirt and goody bag, but we also were presented with two lovely Magnolia tree saplings at the end of the race. Nate has already scoped out the yard and found where he wants to plant his. <br /><br />Signing up for my second race has kept me motivated to put my running shoes on several times each week and hit the pavement. You see, I'm not a runner, but I am trying! You would be surprised by the spectrum of ages and shapes of people who participate in these runs. While there's the traditional gazelle types who mark their places at the starting line, no one raises an eyebrow when I make my way into the middle of the sea of runners and wait for the starting horn. At one point in today's race, a speed walker actually passed us and Nate and I had to laugh at the humbling episode. We caught and passed him later, but I'm sure there's a spiritual application there somewhere! And I am reaping the benefits of the exercise. I've lost 7 pounds thus far and I feel great. We've decided to sign up for the US Secret Service 5K Road Race later next month, so that's where our focus will be in the coming weeks.<br /><br /><br />Sam and Nate have been running with me throughout the week and that has afforded us unique bonding time. Have I mentioned how much I love having teenagers? I keep waiting for this horrible phase known as the "Teenage Years" and it has yet to show it's ugly face. Listen, I work with teenagers for a living, I know that phase first hand. Yet the boys and I continue to grow closer and closer. Every relationship has its ups and downs, but I am loving this time with my guys. <br /><br />Private First Class Sam had a JROTC competition this morning or he would have participated in our run. He has really found his niche in this group and loves every minute of it. His Exhibition Rifle Drill team took first place today and he will be receiving a special commendation for his participation. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_boD1gXRPc7znD6SCb-yuiIDmHuNt1wnaiCbpvWzrIfd7dDVWo-ARTnm0ZEKHqHkwSi6PEvUm5ASlC-au5aCwJB2j4LiXDkjzo0-KjQzV_58kqL7Mfv69fR0x68_TvilF3lwLEFP5tZe/s1600/IMG_4144.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_boD1gXRPc7znD6SCb-yuiIDmHuNt1wnaiCbpvWzrIfd7dDVWo-ARTnm0ZEKHqHkwSi6PEvUm5ASlC-au5aCwJB2j4LiXDkjzo0-KjQzV_58kqL7Mfv69fR0x68_TvilF3lwLEFP5tZe/s320/IMG_4144.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463845181424275346" /></a><br /><br />Hannah is our resident artist. When she was a little girl, she would sit at the kitchen table with blank paper and colored pencils and draw to her heart's content. She signed up for an acrylic art class at <a href="http://www.leugardens.org/">Leu Gardens </a>a few weeks ago to learn the medium. The melodies of Billie Holiday floated down the hallway where I found her in class today, chatting away with an artist in her 60's, and working on this piece of a Camellia she had plucked from the gardens earlier this morning. She is the only youth in a group of older, more experienced artists, but the instructor makes a point of telling me what a wonderful student Hannah is and how much they've enjoyed having her youthful energy in class. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94qMeUmoyjSdDMGFcLRMQofsfhRhoGMWvWfjT0B1vFf1j7vuxHZbiT7i5iBXEx5td9ZHllnlGwIS8N7PyYk_eu5aAK05FcNZOHLTnh6EKxVF5y92-l5tAbTktxKVzhq3KfwsQA-etERAR/s1600/IMG_4147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94qMeUmoyjSdDMGFcLRMQofsfhRhoGMWvWfjT0B1vFf1j7vuxHZbiT7i5iBXEx5td9ZHllnlGwIS8N7PyYk_eu5aAK05FcNZOHLTnh6EKxVF5y92-l5tAbTktxKVzhq3KfwsQA-etERAR/s320/IMG_4147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463842886897174578" /></a><br /><br />Kristina joined a friend and her youth group for a camp out at the beach last night. They awoke early this morning and participated in a clean up project along the shoreline. I'd give you more information, but she collapsed into bed shortly after returning home this afternoon and I have yet to hear the details other than, "fun, it was fun," murmured as I kissed her forehead as she pulled the covers up under her chin.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-20189714600879357122010-04-15T23:56:00.003-04:002010-04-16T05:35:24.662-04:00Blessed Assurance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJ-Y_byIwdyebSSM0AtZKQQSaDyOGOzcNZhZTmAW7xAF2GymMw_dBSShUWYHKQ4PUldBBQc-A8Go9q3sb330sCVAn8kHgqx_0kplUUyw8Ac2QbT3TCCfNzDsrBPFWiioEi9ucQF2qT4pI/s1600-h/compass.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJ-Y_byIwdyebSSM0AtZKQQSaDyOGOzcNZhZTmAW7xAF2GymMw_dBSShUWYHKQ4PUldBBQc-A8Go9q3sb330sCVAn8kHgqx_0kplUUyw8Ac2QbT3TCCfNzDsrBPFWiioEi9ucQF2qT4pI/s320/compass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177026162642486914" /></a><br /><div align="left">I've received many emails and been stopped quite a few times by coworkers, friends, and family who want to know my take on the little boy whose adoptive mother put him on a plane and sent him back to Russia recently. No one knows the details of the situation, and we may never know them, but I believe those details really aren't relevant to the question at hand. <br /><br />I posted this almost two years ago on <a href="http://www.kristinasstory.blogspot.com/">Kristina's adoption blog </a>and I think it reminds us of what our roles are in the Christian family, particularly when dealing with difficult situations: <br /><br />I hate confronting sin. Its an ugly, unpleasant task. Dealing with my own shortcomings has always keep me busy enough, but as a mom I have to deal with the sin nature of five other little people. Its my job to call them on the carpet when they make wrong choices. In that role, I try to emulate the Father as much as possible: confronting sin plainly, offering forgiveness freely, and reassuring love unconditionally.<br /><br />A situation arose with Kristina this week in which God called me to do all of these things. I learned she had done something and I was beyond disappointed. I dreaded the coming conversation in which I would have to confront her and hope that she would confess what I already knew.<br /><br />This afternoon I took up my usual position in the Adirondack chairs under the tree in the front yard. I attempted to focus on the book on my lap, but found myself straining to listen for the school bus. Eventually the sound of their chatter drifted towards me as they made their way down the street. Skipping up the drive in her <a href="http://kristinasstory.blogspot.com/2008/02/how-do-you-solve-problem-like-kristina.html">customized sneakers</a>, she plopped her book bag at my feet and fell into the empty chair next to me. I waited until the other children wandered off to begin their homework before I broached the dreaded conversation.<br /><br />I wish I could lead into a sweet anecdote about how she readily confessed the transgression, but that just isn't what happened. I asked. She denied. I asked again. She lied. I revealed the proof and she became speechless. Her eyes grew round and large and she seemed to shrink within the space of her chair. Once it was out in the open I explained that her choice was not one that we approved of and we were disappointed with her actions. It was clear she knew how serious the situation was as she glanced over her shoulder to the closed front door of the house and then back to me. I had never seen her look that way before. There was something about her face that made my heart sink before she even spoke the words. "Are you sending me back to Ukraine?" She sat motionless waiting for my answer as tears slipped silently down her cheeks.<br /><br />It was an unfathomable question. "There is nothing you could ever do that would separate you from this family. There is no lie you could ever tell that would make us love you any less. You are one of us and you will always be one of us." Her chest heaved a sigh as if she had been holding her breath. Her face softened as the terrified look melted away. She believed me.<br /><br />As she hugged me, I contemplated what would cause her to think such a thing. Obviously, her past. She had been forsaken for a lot less. Those she has counted on to love and protect her have abused and abandoned her. We discussed the consequences for her decision and she gathered her things from the lawn. She has spent the remainder of the afternoon grounded in her room. I swear I've never seen a happier punished kid in my life!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center><br /><br /><center><em>The LORD is compassionate and gracious,<br />Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.<br />He will not always strive with us,<br />Nor will He keep His anger forever.<br />He has not dealt with us according to our sins,<br />Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.<br />For as high as the heavens are above the earth,<br />So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.<br />As far as the east is from the west,<br />So far has He removed our transgressions from us.<br />Just as a father has compassion on his children,<br />So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him<br /><strong>-Psalm 103:8-13</strong></em></div></center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-14524933048349610902010-04-10T18:42:00.012-04:002010-04-16T00:07:43.339-04:00Wounded Warrior 5K<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUhi1ukZ61l640ZejMKbv6fXpg-3n39eEQt_EeiFMAs2eKEHRQoebSMscTT2JWo8lNulzBFoJalWXbVfNhhUZrvKQu1QsX0kiFrV_aVtYL6EAK2JsDzF2qpUcRQG2weAgvBcRj4pfKk9t/s1600/woundedwarrior.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUhi1ukZ61l640ZejMKbv6fXpg-3n39eEQt_EeiFMAs2eKEHRQoebSMscTT2JWo8lNulzBFoJalWXbVfNhhUZrvKQu1QsX0kiFrV_aVtYL6EAK2JsDzF2qpUcRQG2weAgvBcRj4pfKk9t/s320/woundedwarrior.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458653575452427826" /></a><br />Sam and I have been exercising together for the last few weeks. He's getting in shape for PT as part of his JROTC program and I'm . . . well . . . I'm just trying to get in shape. So Sam and I walk/jog together several days a week. It's humbling to have him jog backwards and carry on a conversation as I shuffle away. He says he's my trainer and takes great pride in this role!<br /><br />After three weeks we decided to test our stuff and signed up for the <a href="http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/">Wounded Warrior</a> 5k at Lake Baldwin Park. The race was sponsored by the Navy League and had a great turn out. About 550 runners gathered under perfect blue skies. There was a huge turnout of military personnel representing their divisions and friends who have fallen in battle. Many of the soldiers ran with their field backpacks which I know must have added at least 50 pounds. <br /><br />Nate decided to join us at the last minute and because he hadn't been training with us, commented several times how hard the course was. I looked like I was running with body guards with the twins flanking me! I'm really proud we were able to do the run and so glad the boys came with me. We finished the course in 35 minutes and 30 seconds. We didn't break any records, but I did prove someone wrong who said I couldn't do it! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA87ZyibXG6Ekcok4Ccw9mDuN3ojZT3alrcWwbg1GAvnaYEuI3kbnzz0Ss1BLjR4M4V_AGP5nVJS447OiYmzVVwm0ts5xDUnIMdq51tba3gT_xYRTMeGimQURyP8sAlLESoolujLWXI7GM/s1600/P4101150.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA87ZyibXG6Ekcok4Ccw9mDuN3ojZT3alrcWwbg1GAvnaYEuI3kbnzz0Ss1BLjR4M4V_AGP5nVJS447OiYmzVVwm0ts5xDUnIMdq51tba3gT_xYRTMeGimQURyP8sAlLESoolujLWXI7GM/s320/P4101150.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458657219207308162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4KFsQT0lXbPXR8hVHh4yyTOkkBidkGhPtAv8LNXwqWCZ9jkTryiKb0-m1T1pXlswvbCsN7ya7wp82IYcoGaulttm6Ui88wyeExHUzBmnE_Zg0lvCFrJm3m_-Vyj5sGUoFgywmMnpwLXV/s1600/P4101157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4KFsQT0lXbPXR8hVHh4yyTOkkBidkGhPtAv8LNXwqWCZ9jkTryiKb0-m1T1pXlswvbCsN7ya7wp82IYcoGaulttm6Ui88wyeExHUzBmnE_Zg0lvCFrJm3m_-Vyj5sGUoFgywmMnpwLXV/s320/P4101157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458654215317669586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumV6oIfRtIhXk4Ev5qDJjBhAEzEzmIu9eRepr7QoHcEr0IDmM87dYLgVNyGMzoRxW1EKEPyx1gyvHdG-3TiJyKLvILBs_BXubGiEHISRbYA7dpPdMS_NbtPBzl_myi_1FJ3feTqlUwyYq/s1600/P4101162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumV6oIfRtIhXk4Ev5qDJjBhAEzEzmIu9eRepr7QoHcEr0IDmM87dYLgVNyGMzoRxW1EKEPyx1gyvHdG-3TiJyKLvILBs_BXubGiEHISRbYA7dpPdMS_NbtPBzl_myi_1FJ3feTqlUwyYq/s320/P4101162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458657949727520338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKVzSppHAtTX_KuhIvtW7l8F4fNuLgtn5eKb9aUtWinLXQA8jmqgk8s5I3pcyi4fulqactaJ9-ElFwcSwlUTWUXbX3LBO5FNYuIFqhGIYF5KoHI_A-S5tcRgYxtMBfaAQ9iTv_lniOp3n/s1600/P4101165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKVzSppHAtTX_KuhIvtW7l8F4fNuLgtn5eKb9aUtWinLXQA8jmqgk8s5I3pcyi4fulqactaJ9-ElFwcSwlUTWUXbX3LBO5FNYuIFqhGIYF5KoHI_A-S5tcRgYxtMBfaAQ9iTv_lniOp3n/s320/P4101165.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458655965593666610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5wius-I_P6TjUJKV21UpAQ2RVN4lRyqTPZBWauhkAVvhdcWr3eQk659Sg7K7ZTQZxNWofgBqDXWcpbeWp63xTcvpNBKLC4xVu8e4B6Lt7ByVJBIpQhksuA1WcXveFWoW3MsGT0X06uyQ/s1600/P4101174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5wius-I_P6TjUJKV21UpAQ2RVN4lRyqTPZBWauhkAVvhdcWr3eQk659Sg7K7ZTQZxNWofgBqDXWcpbeWp63xTcvpNBKLC4xVu8e4B6Lt7ByVJBIpQhksuA1WcXveFWoW3MsGT0X06uyQ/s320/P4101174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458656312605145010" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQURq9ltOCD2Kl-iUO6UY8BY8ok6cj-U5ZnOqtR-phoMCj2I9EXef8pxsF4ODWV_Nlddiyt8RnLb9Tt4d8ilUEAUaNVBAUS7AVWWvz4y8zY9u9bWNf5sOtPqMZXWFiDyqTeP1zrZ3nycd/s1600/P4101171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQURq9ltOCD2Kl-iUO6UY8BY8ok6cj-U5ZnOqtR-phoMCj2I9EXef8pxsF4ODWV_Nlddiyt8RnLb9Tt4d8ilUEAUaNVBAUS7AVWWvz4y8zY9u9bWNf5sOtPqMZXWFiDyqTeP1zrZ3nycd/s320/P4101171.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458656824936742626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIF5riYDoax1t1hmH5fFOgSRfvYycTz5Uxj5NLBcab5OxtV5UT1ImY3kRvVvtd1h6nbOj9Gg-uNzmbYbKlxQMWCvWNgMF9ohLdGkWt1iAfZAl_ryjJCYU4V5Tyg3uPg6gNFlpyAvc1p6O/s1600/P4101177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIF5riYDoax1t1hmH5fFOgSRfvYycTz5Uxj5NLBcab5OxtV5UT1ImY3kRvVvtd1h6nbOj9Gg-uNzmbYbKlxQMWCvWNgMF9ohLdGkWt1iAfZAl_ryjJCYU4V5Tyg3uPg6gNFlpyAvc1p6O/s320/P4101177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458656643943049906" /></a><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-69206112638207942632010-03-13T14:54:00.008-05:002010-03-13T15:35:22.676-05:00Sowing and Reaping<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP6ARxVkjjn6f8QoSsaWjXc8vP7aQH1-0TskRXPHSCWwrlWuj7wgstc5B1h-DWsvc1YXrGz8EUGmia8mW4y_S2cSzk_VwJcwjTztQSlvVNN8CEELZusV4R1xTp__b_zIh6FVUj__FJwrE/s1600-h/P3131146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP6ARxVkjjn6f8QoSsaWjXc8vP7aQH1-0TskRXPHSCWwrlWuj7wgstc5B1h-DWsvc1YXrGz8EUGmia8mW4y_S2cSzk_VwJcwjTztQSlvVNN8CEELZusV4R1xTp__b_zIh6FVUj__FJwrE/s320/P3131146.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448216406534748642" /></a><br /><center><strong><em>Little children, let us love, <br />not in word or speech, <br />but in truth and action. </em> <br />1 John 3:18</strong></center><br /><br />I love spending time with my family. We laugh a lot and genuinely enjoy each other's company. We're always looking for fun things to do that don't cost anything so we visit many of the state parks and nature trails in our area. This morning we headed south where we spent the morning gleaning oranges in a Clermont, Florida grove. It was a perfect day with blue skies and a cool breeze blowing. We loaded bucket after bucket of sweet ripe oranges from the trees. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHmUrc5gf6J4o8WF5Tf_iUSZtqvBbgmjQ8DCUy_y9Mad7R-UALtzYAou5SQLPS41bPaRGJPME_7qFid95y3trRCPsYFIaIGf9hVQ9U6zY_Z9-3O6mDaf8K-d8MPTo2KlJmmKrLR4GBZIC/s1600-h/P3131175.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHmUrc5gf6J4o8WF5Tf_iUSZtqvBbgmjQ8DCUy_y9Mad7R-UALtzYAou5SQLPS41bPaRGJPME_7qFid95y3trRCPsYFIaIGf9hVQ9U6zY_Z9-3O6mDaf8K-d8MPTo2KlJmmKrLR4GBZIC/s320/P3131175.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448217458202177506" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5FYp2_XSVdKSEBX7ImN80URiT6q2KTrVxksGKP3EMshXfmwzMx1rQ3UKKNVfUbuP6ZayAMHrvQe0c2VNFQWFK8JKvbY4yGSW5h-IdWTHA3b_80GkbHBJfqHndJhFF18U3BpkTgWfKNWq/s1600-h/P3131149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5FYp2_XSVdKSEBX7ImN80URiT6q2KTrVxksGKP3EMshXfmwzMx1rQ3UKKNVfUbuP6ZayAMHrvQe0c2VNFQWFK8JKvbY4yGSW5h-IdWTHA3b_80GkbHBJfqHndJhFF18U3BpkTgWfKNWq/s320/P3131149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448217312958026978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rSQf9GwTWEus66irHZnVyuH4VhyXj8PGBrW6KLjYEJlPxHGp4ry6KcSP23lSs-G2tQB4aiFx4KoLyH3CSxLnTIgP8CrQKgYNQmTbSs1y7jcxJJ_jiyC76LgFMu_dUFfTOp0cIW_YnXap/s1600-h/P3131191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rSQf9GwTWEus66irHZnVyuH4VhyXj8PGBrW6KLjYEJlPxHGp4ry6KcSP23lSs-G2tQB4aiFx4KoLyH3CSxLnTIgP8CrQKgYNQmTbSs1y7jcxJJ_jiyC76LgFMu_dUFfTOp0cIW_YnXap/s320/P3131191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448218119956243154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76AqerarI_fYjPE2dOGlmRahVyMyDum7V-Z1WJiiLrURGXhoaokJUCtwkM-liHE2vjTaVaSEb6deB1rGg7bo81cxpfT6zBmsaMOax1WYKRtncGlg1bdmYD5I6zS4t2FX_lBVvZ0ZLitcH/s1600-h/P3131170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76AqerarI_fYjPE2dOGlmRahVyMyDum7V-Z1WJiiLrURGXhoaokJUCtwkM-liHE2vjTaVaSEb6deB1rGg7bo81cxpfT6zBmsaMOax1WYKRtncGlg1bdmYD5I6zS4t2FX_lBVvZ0ZLitcH/s320/P3131170.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448216721062576514" /></a><br /><br />It was a great opportunity for us to serve as a family. All of the fruit we gathered will be sent to local food banks to serve the poor and homeless in our area. The <a href="http://www.endhunger.org/">Society of St Andrew </a>works with farmers and land owners across the United States to gather produce that would go to waste. Last night's family devotion came from the book of Ruth, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2024:19-20&version=NIV">Deuteronomy 24</a>, and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=leviticus%2019:9-10&version=NIV">Leviticus 19 </a>where God provides for the poor, the stranger, the widow, and the orphan by commanding land owners to leave a portion of their field unharvested for those in need. It was a tangible way for our family to serve those in need and live out the Biblical mandate to provide for others. Sam decided to represent his JROTC unit and wore his uniform in the fields. There were several families there including ones with very small children who ran around excitedly picking up fruit shaken from the trees as it rained down to the ground. I even bumped into a few of my high school students in the field! If you ever get the opportunity to glean we would encourage you to do it. It made for great memories.<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KrnzvTO-s1eDUZkto95WPcH24Y7PqVInwyIAN-gzYCAL7P-4SqcxABnPn5OFEQeJf-_8nhyphenhyphenioe4mnTiVPbf6hYdGzr066CKp6-fTXrjaR_Z10OLff-fJVGSnBAwgZMldTdFhVyAjYVPE/s1600-h/P3131187.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KrnzvTO-s1eDUZkto95WPcH24Y7PqVInwyIAN-gzYCAL7P-4SqcxABnPn5OFEQeJf-_8nhyphenhyphenioe4mnTiVPbf6hYdGzr066CKp6-fTXrjaR_Z10OLff-fJVGSnBAwgZMldTdFhVyAjYVPE/s320/P3131187.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448217771691064722" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-55874559475203504872010-03-10T16:44:00.006-05:002010-03-10T16:51:19.917-05:00Sobering NumbersThere are 143 million orphans in the world.<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">143,000,000</span></div><br /><br />Can you fathom that number? Take a moment and let this video put it in perspective.<br /><br /> <object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g6WEcrfCIwI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g6WEcrfCIwI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-21690299038320042842010-03-10T14:31:00.003-05:002010-03-10T14:37:36.671-05:00Orphan Summit VI<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBuFzCJHbtZSn-L93EkIzM9kcWN9GGCBsXMTDFk1GCM-5FgJ0PThbQnZTSSmSbI0XA2PsLEUYtPB3_qArbZbg8-zc7G8cq6HwEWWWBB2cKMy8LPMQxuQGsczH276exxnndyR9JnPTli0R/s1600-h/SummitVI.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 117px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBuFzCJHbtZSn-L93EkIzM9kcWN9GGCBsXMTDFk1GCM-5FgJ0PThbQnZTSSmSbI0XA2PsLEUYtPB3_qArbZbg8-zc7G8cq6HwEWWWBB2cKMy8LPMQxuQGsczH276exxnndyR9JnPTli0R/s320/SummitVI.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447091111689642034" /></a><br />God answers prayers!!! Out wonderful church is sending BOTH Robert and me as delegates to the <a href="http://www.christian-alliance-for-orphans.org/summit/">conference in Minneapolis </a>next month! I literally did the happy dance when we got the phone call. We are so overwhelmed at God's graciousness towards us. The breakout sessions are unbelievable and we're having a real problem narrowing down which sessions to sign up for. We'd love to know if anyone else in the blog world is planning on attending. Drop me a comment and let me know if you'll be there! We'd love to meet you!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-78678421771109743442010-03-05T17:45:00.005-05:002010-03-05T18:44:35.918-05:00Warm Hands, Warm Hearts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NVDDjysvgVUtWk0r0OpXTBDKntzlwAe0HREWgaMDfkh8WEDV_s55OC-QW3IGQSJMUpOiin2vQikHaR_veFJ4MmRfJ4XjLyl4IOLULjU3Lvndwsqota8xBlXB7s4uR8XgLK_DEIHEnsKi/s1600-h/P2151031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NVDDjysvgVUtWk0r0OpXTBDKntzlwAe0HREWgaMDfkh8WEDV_s55OC-QW3IGQSJMUpOiin2vQikHaR_veFJ4MmRfJ4XjLyl4IOLULjU3Lvndwsqota8xBlXB7s4uR8XgLK_DEIHEnsKi/s320/P2151031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445298910301871714" /></a><br />A missionary friend recently shared that many orphans are without proper coats and winter wear in Ukraine. She sent out a Valentine challenge last month asking individuals, Sunday school groups, churches, and families to create Valentine cards for the children and include a small donation to go towards purchasing warm wear. We were able to share this need at the mission conference we spoke at and a church member shared the need with her middle school students who created 100 handmade cards! We were overwhelmed by the selfless act of these students and the messages of love and encouragement they wrote in their cards. Kristina set about translating all 100 cards with great joy and we were able to mail the cards and $200 to Ukraine! How can you, your family, and your church be involved in glorifying God through orphan ministry? Need some ideas? Sign up for our newsletter or drop us a line. Get involved!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-50621599503210950842010-03-04T15:59:00.011-05:002010-03-05T17:45:49.644-05:00Long Overdue Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmaqbKxR8WAAKVICeG2kQKqDrIKpHlIQDEiP5EE8fOywNEvNnP3WwyQfwCFQGfxWyHx3DzU2CECKIR5oFM7RaA1i2yut1oHwgkcAC0G9rrDFKDmUS3lrxW56M4AeSM4-4AXbhKV845g4W/s1600-h/SAM_1378.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmaqbKxR8WAAKVICeG2kQKqDrIKpHlIQDEiP5EE8fOywNEvNnP3WwyQfwCFQGfxWyHx3DzU2CECKIR5oFM7RaA1i2yut1oHwgkcAC0G9rrDFKDmUS3lrxW56M4AeSM4-4AXbhKV845g4W/s320/SAM_1378.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444924479594404594" /></a><br />Let me back up a little and tell what you what's been going on. Kristina and Robert arrived home safely at the end of January with lots of stories and pictures from their time with the orphans in Ukraine. It was a wonderful experience for both of them. They spent lots of time playing with kids, doing crafts, and just loving on the children. Kristina had the opportunity to meet with former caregivers and orphanage personnel to give her testimony of life with a family. We trust that those words will plant seeds that lead to change in perceptions concerning orphans and their potential. While there, she was interviewed by a film crew who are working on a documentary to be shown throughout Ukraine about orphans. It was an honor for her to be part of the project and we know God will use it to bring light to the good things that can happen as the result of adoption. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDhmgS2QGzrPqO8IOkEOyRrGjKryMNhWAgwZR8_fNwGOWw3f0U_4lXnuxf1uqBLMGn2vOvUVtbV-PsSUTLRb8msWh_UoEYoq6XmJWh80iWAbF271NBo5UT4wqHrYUyWwstAiZsvUs9_v0/s1600-h/SAM_1415.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDhmgS2QGzrPqO8IOkEOyRrGjKryMNhWAgwZR8_fNwGOWw3f0U_4lXnuxf1uqBLMGn2vOvUVtbV-PsSUTLRb8msWh_UoEYoq6XmJWh80iWAbF271NBo5UT4wqHrYUyWwstAiZsvUs9_v0/s320/SAM_1415.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444928111020464466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJR88oyDwtHFMRiC9DYXG25jHpQnfp2WOUCnrz2vv6jIlxkMgVoI-tskLguzxA7D9Nuw05Ev8-YN0mPSIYN3IuvwAZQPNhonHZ6NWoB1DZchTDNk-cDn-q8tYqcQeaXk7Oom1M1xGWhsm/s1600-h/SAM_1669.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJR88oyDwtHFMRiC9DYXG25jHpQnfp2WOUCnrz2vv6jIlxkMgVoI-tskLguzxA7D9Nuw05Ev8-YN0mPSIYN3IuvwAZQPNhonHZ6NWoB1DZchTDNk-cDn-q8tYqcQeaXk7Oom1M1xGWhsm/s320/SAM_1669.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444929898470066834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCJ12HfnhvzPl9zD1TPLjzSjqhpU7l8PPBCcIUDzGGJA_ggfkijMYnojWeUXKypO_yxzHd5lBKSNZvbaD-pfFFLLKAltIT7KNMCyoQJW7iw5yL4E3Rgy79z8uHag3cc3vHo5WX71vCq-z/s1600-h/SAM_1774.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCJ12HfnhvzPl9zD1TPLjzSjqhpU7l8PPBCcIUDzGGJA_ggfkijMYnojWeUXKypO_yxzHd5lBKSNZvbaD-pfFFLLKAltIT7KNMCyoQJW7iw5yL4E3Rgy79z8uHag3cc3vHo5WX71vCq-z/s320/SAM_1774.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444931145709950290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOPDyzSv8dEtm17fzO5QAwfhq-UHBi6X1_tVtNjV0wbqCbMGRFN0hCqZHMjS4a1hRY_zVk-jPl6h-OUesQs_gfjvhJVm3rF3ya4mbAouSCrA_Ry2iJy7CTlIgcZnQZ6SzYxnMh4tR-bdK/s1600-h/SAM_1993.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOPDyzSv8dEtm17fzO5QAwfhq-UHBi6X1_tVtNjV0wbqCbMGRFN0hCqZHMjS4a1hRY_zVk-jPl6h-OUesQs_gfjvhJVm3rF3ya4mbAouSCrA_Ry2iJy7CTlIgcZnQZ6SzYxnMh4tR-bdK/s320/SAM_1993.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444932162904230210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkrMMR9Fw1HzWMi6icGrtro5joIBOHkCEwZw7HZlmQq3h8Vg_6ShQG0TUHAYDy4OpEtidQDEldOKfb0evfQgZUZWmYyFGgWSkAi95Tv8cIdFB8OWVM6ZL6hvDDg2os1CtH4VZX3uRUxbq/s1600-h/SAM_1857.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkrMMR9Fw1HzWMi6icGrtro5joIBOHkCEwZw7HZlmQq3h8Vg_6ShQG0TUHAYDy4OpEtidQDEldOKfb0evfQgZUZWmYyFGgWSkAi95Tv8cIdFB8OWVM6ZL6hvDDg2os1CtH4VZX3uRUxbq/s320/SAM_1857.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444931524121235042" /></a><br /><br />One of the things we were looking forward to was meeting the boys we are hoping to adopt. Unfortunately, Vitalik had been sent to a sanatorium for rest so they weren't able to meet him. But they did meet Sasha briefly while visiting his orphanage. He is tiny even for a seven year old. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjld94aeVYvrh6zw2Oa1w7jN_ZBnQsn-KCFNj9o_oO7uxBr7n8yUn6vsCYUVyAzGCZHN4Rv2a1cBqV9BvCmZHBD5sq1Au5ICi5xUaC_Uun_WbsSt6TQh2TYl7pHPdS0VVKwWhf70Q4C34_D/s1600-h/SAM_1429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjld94aeVYvrh6zw2Oa1w7jN_ZBnQsn-KCFNj9o_oO7uxBr7n8yUn6vsCYUVyAzGCZHN4Rv2a1cBqV9BvCmZHBD5sq1Au5ICi5xUaC_Uun_WbsSt6TQh2TYl7pHPdS0VVKwWhf70Q4C34_D/s320/SAM_1429.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444924783884604018" /></a><br />There is some concern about how he is adjusting in his new orphanage. It is a rough environment and we would ask for your prayers for him at this time. Of course, that just spurs us on to get the paperwork rolling. We have spoken with the social worker who completed our home study for Kristina's adoption and she has agreed to do a new one for this adoption. We have the funds to cover that step and then we're back at square one financially. We trust that God will provide for this adoption as he did with Kristina's though. He is faithful and we look forward to watching Him work again!<br /><br />Our fifteen year old twins Sam and Nate want to travel with us to Ukraine for this adoption and I am really hoping they are able to do that. They'll be a tremendous help wrangling two little boys throughout the process! They also want to see the orphanage situation in Ukraine and I am thrilled that God has made their hearts sensitive to serving in this way. To that end, they've started a little yard work business in our area to help raise money for the process. I'm guessing they'll need to raise a little over a thousand dollars each to cover their airfare and in country costs, so remember them in your prayers too. And if you're in Central Florida and need your grass mowed, your driveway pressure washed, your yard raked, or your gutters cleaned - let us know!<br /><br />We were able to speak on orphan ministry at a missions conference recently and are so excited about sharing this mercy ministry with others. I am amazed at the clear commandments of God towards his people concerning caring for the orphan. The Bible is filled with instructions on how we are to minister to the least of these and we have found untold joy in following God's will in this area. We've recently started a newsletter to share news on orphans, the work of missionaries, and opportunities to practice this mercy ministry in your own life. If you're interested in receiving the newsletter by email, please add your email to the box in the top right corner of the blog.<br /><br />I'm praying about attending <a href="http://www.christian-alliance-for-orphans.org/summit/">Summit IV</a> in Minneapolis at the end of April. There are so many great resources at this conference. If anyone out there is planning to go, please let me know!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-17208396254669362062010-01-24T13:06:00.006-05:002010-01-24T14:07:33.941-05:00From the Frozen Tundra<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZetBmTQ85hhY5UYoLaiumQg4gIMpA_WUqhsk5kDpOh44jyaR57UfSQWNytDKMGwmLwRi3EQ0IKn2Tg5m7a_ywVnixBYXl7Aojql5gksrTHblqdo3sY0O8UyWiOFzqWnpeZZLye4zFZBF/s1600-h/snowstorm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZetBmTQ85hhY5UYoLaiumQg4gIMpA_WUqhsk5kDpOh44jyaR57UfSQWNytDKMGwmLwRi3EQ0IKn2Tg5m7a_ywVnixBYXl7Aojql5gksrTHblqdo3sY0O8UyWiOFzqWnpeZZLye4zFZBF/s320/snowstorm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430384987323487378" /></a><br />Robert happened to be online at the same time as me this morning and we were able to IM briefly. He said they are FREEZING because they're in a mountainous area now. I think -23 degrees was the last temp I heard. Unfathomable! He said he was wearing two pair of pants, two shirts, his jacket and gloves at all times. I asked him if his thermals were coming in handy. He said, "What thermals!?!?" Obviously he didn't check the front pocket of the suitcase! Hopefully he's a little toastier now.<br /><br />They were able to spend time with children at the village orphanage in Lutsk yesterday. Most of the children here have been removed from their homes because of neglect. The team attempted to teach the kids how to play football, but Robert said the rules didn't necessarily translate. Robert said he must have thrown the football a thousand times in the last few days as the team and the orphans ran around in the snow. What a wonderful image.<br /><br />Robert and the team are staying with missionaries in the area and I can't help but be warmed by the generosity of these servants of God to open their apartments to the American team. They have gained us access into orphanages and let us glimpse the ministry they have built for the glory of God. One of the goals of the team was to encourage these missionaries, but I think it's safe to say that THEY have been an encouragement to us. <br /><br />Wish I had pictures to share with all of you, but Robert said they are on dial up and are lucky to get an email out here and there. I'm sure there will much to say and pictures to post when they get home Thursday morning. until then I'll keep you posted with the latest!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-10220506512935505692010-01-23T09:20:00.004-05:002010-01-23T09:55:48.069-05:00Love Lost for Alaska<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAX7Q0HEbEoeL0G2DR3OUNFNCnz2o_ODsY3va1jzdDCNGQKDosST7su_mSv0VIuOG3LhLcPvP5-qzj3D2Qd1ajNHKYTtGHtzcl0f9MItZGZHP3W7DxYJa_zyy2V6TGXSJgTuCrZ1wGZp4/s1600-h/LutskCastle11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAX7Q0HEbEoeL0G2DR3OUNFNCnz2o_ODsY3va1jzdDCNGQKDosST7su_mSv0VIuOG3LhLcPvP5-qzj3D2Qd1ajNHKYTtGHtzcl0f9MItZGZHP3W7DxYJa_zyy2V6TGXSJgTuCrZ1wGZp4/s400/LutskCastle11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429948566973746194" /></a><br />Robert was able to send me a short email about their recent activities and new location. They took Erin to beautiful downtown Odessa and to see the Black Sea on their last day there. They also returned to Kristina's old orphanage for more time with the kids. I loaded a backpack full of snacks (beef jerky, Slim Jims, trail mix, granola bars) for Kristina and Robert before leaving because sometimes you don't know when you'll have a chance to stop and eat on these type of trips. Robert took the snacks to the orphanage. He said the meat sticks were a big hit and the kids ate everything he had. :) He briefly mentioned meeting Sasha, and this after I lectured him on wanting details about their first meeting! Leave it to a guy to provide only the basics. He was struck by how tiny Sasha was. And he made sure to give him chocolate. There is something about my husband that makes him want to feed every child he meets! I'm hoping for more details when he comes home.<br /><br />They have traveled overnight by train to Lutsk to visit some missionaries and orphanages. They are bringing a dozen warm coats they purchased in the market with funds from a donor. And it looks like that may be a valuable commodity in Lutsk. The high temperature today is supposed to be 1 degree. Yeah, 1 degree. No that's not Celsius and no I didn't leave off a digit. Robert said he has never been so cold. He's always talked about wanting to visit Alaska. He has now changed his mind. <br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-16776101387857900822010-01-21T16:04:00.008-05:002010-01-21T19:55:02.373-05:00From Kristina<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzBsF_5qI7G3zKu9jDkWddb0FrcVrrLldK2Tju6bGEgFgsewVZn6DERKdBW1oZnxp-a-WWFHsgLyy0TPB58_fm1SbLSIxnK7pqdFNRQ68MKtzIP2OODqDBMroa969RGsvvNtSYhyrIYhe/s1600-h/KristinaKarina"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzBsF_5qI7G3zKu9jDkWddb0FrcVrrLldK2Tju6bGEgFgsewVZn6DERKdBW1oZnxp-a-WWFHsgLyy0TPB58_fm1SbLSIxnK7pqdFNRQ68MKtzIP2OODqDBMroa969RGsvvNtSYhyrIYhe/s400/KristinaKarina" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429361147121234338" /></a><br /><br />Okay . . . . so here it goes.<br /><br />The first thing I want to do and tell is thanks to Mom and Erin and everybody that prayed for me and raised money for me that I could go on this trip to Ukraine.<br /><br />WHHOOOHOOO!!!!<br /><br />Mom, I love you and without you and everyone else I could not go to Ukraine with Dad, Karina, and her dad.<br /><br />Okay . . . so let's get to the flight!!! We flew from Orlando to Atlanta. We got to Atlanta at 10, but our next flight didn't leave until 3:35. So we waited and I didn't complain. I'm so happy for me!!! Karina, her dad, and Erin met us at the Atlanta airport and we flew to Paris. Here is something to make you laugh. You know how when you put all your stuff in the scanner to make sure you don't have weapons? Well you have to take your shoes off too. So I did that and I was watching my stuff and I realized only one of my boots came out and I was like, "Excuse me. I put two boots there and only one came out! Would you check for me and see if you can find it please?" Thank goodness they found it!!!<br /><br />From Paris we flew to Kiev. It was good except for the part when my ears were popping and I almost started crying. And Karina and I didn't get to sit together except on the last flight from Kiev to Odessa. That plane was really tiny too. We got to eat dinner AND breakfast on the plane! Dad was sleeping the whole time but I only slept on the last flight.<br /><br />So then we got to Odessa, waited in line, and got the luggage Karina and her Dad brought form their Sunday School to the children. M, V, and S met us at the airport and took us to A's house where we ate Ukrainian pizza (which I like better than American pizza). Then we took showers and rested after a long day. <br /><br />The next day we were allowed to go to Karina and my old orphanage. We were not allowed to do video but pictures were okay. Since I've left the orphanage two years ago I didn't see a lot of people I knew because many of them have been adopted! I'm so happy for them!!! The children left from my class were Vladik (he missed me so much he gave me a hug!), Edik (he looks the same), Jenya (looks just like I remember), Marat (he is so much taller!), and a new kid named Uri ( him and dad are best friends. He is sooo sweet and very nice to talk to). Uri wanted my dad to make sure he knew what the Bible was so he took his out to show him. He also offered to give his Bible to Dad. Dad showed him the verse John 3:16 and he knew what it was. I also saw Sasha and Andrey. Andrey wasn't in my class but he remembers me. He was a good friend to me and Karina. You heard me mention Erin. Well she prays for many of these children. <br /><br />I also met new friends like Luba and her sister. Luba liked to talk a lot and her sister was very sweet. The next day when we came to visit her sister gave me a hug. I enjoyed visiting them and sharing my love with them!!! While I was at the orphanage, I translated for my dad, Karina's dad, and Erin. I was happy to be able to do that for them. <br /><br />I also met with the orphanage director and talked about my new life with my family in America. I also got to see my favorite teacher Svetlana V. She's my favorite because she would take care of me like a mother is supposed to. When I had lice (which I don't anymore), she would help me. When it was my birthday she would come early before class and give me a little present. She called me ponytails because I always wore ponytails. She loved me and I was her favorite! We talked to many people and answered questions about our families. I showed Erin around the orphanage and she met the librarian. <br /><br />I also got to see my Natalia and Tatiana - my teachers from the orphanage! We talked, took pictures, hugged, and ate dinner. Natalia has a baby and he is so cute! I didn't hold him though. He looks like her. Tatiana gave us the pictures from a long time ago when I was little. I looked so cure! Maybe my mom can post them on the blog when I get back,<br /><br />The next day we went to the open air market. We bought some warm coats for the kids in the orphanage. I hope the kids like them. We used the money from Karina's church. And a big thanks to Christina Dent for helping out! <br /><br />After the market, we went to the orphanage where Sasha was moved to. I've taken many pictures so far. Some of you might have heard that we are trying to adopt two little cute boys. I wish my mom was with me, But I will tell her everything that happened and take many pictures of them and the other children. I think I might want to be a photographer. I know I'm not a better photographer than my mom, but I'm learning!!! We did crafts with the kids and spent time talking to them. Then me and my dad went to the cafeteria to meet Sasha. He was getting his food so we waited for him. When he came out, M gave me a present to give to him. It was colored pencils and a coloring book. My dad met him too. I took a picture with him and patted him on the head. We only got to spend 10 minutes together, but I thank God for that! He looks so much cuter in life than in the pictures! He is also very small for his age, but he is so cute! M said he likes to be cuddled and be tickled when he gets to know you. I'm thinking of sending him a package when I get back to America. I don't think we are going to be able to meet Vitalik on this trip. I'm upset, but I hope we can adopt them both. We looked around this orphanage and Erin and I talked with an 8th grade teacher. She was very sweet. I told Erin that if I was an orphan there, I would want this lady for a teacher. Karina's dad played football with the boys and they tackled each other. <br /><br />We went back to A's house and ate borscht. Woohoo!!! We've also eaten pelmeni and shishkabobs. We went ice skating with Tatiana and I fell once. I also made Karina fall! We couldn't stop laughing. Dad and Karina's dad didn't want to skate, so dad took pictures of us.<br /><br />Tomorrow we are going to downtown Odessa and back to my old orphanage. Then we are leaving Odessa to go to Luks to visit more orphanages. It is a 12 hour train ride. We're staying in a 2nd class car which is a small room with a door that can close and lock. We don't know if we will have internet, but I will try and write again soon.<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/54/269C40A2B872BAA7F199A892F3F0F0EA.png" /></a>Kristina Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875959241828006565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-17627169642375839222010-01-20T14:47:00.004-05:002010-01-20T15:22:35.222-05:00The Milkman Returneth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_xivUUxfIePdIRFJ3FYFuwde3mROZLMaWng8V38ujzhKLALV68B0cYh9_Jad1DNSXqT3Ab5DiKmzVmRdfFvn2zqXKjGhgk1J67WbmQk2qP7ZB3WdWEPSQoUutA0RIUU94VXPr4U-Zp4c/s1600-h/milk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_xivUUxfIePdIRFJ3FYFuwde3mROZLMaWng8V38ujzhKLALV68B0cYh9_Jad1DNSXqT3Ab5DiKmzVmRdfFvn2zqXKjGhgk1J67WbmQk2qP7ZB3WdWEPSQoUutA0RIUU94VXPr4U-Zp4c/s320/milk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428917963479425938" /></a><br />One of my favorite memories of our adoption trip was the day that <a href="http://kristinasstory.blogspot.com/2007/10/got-milk.html">Robert wiped out almost an entire milk section </a>at the local "Kopeka" to bring back to the orphanage. So it came as no surprise to receive this as the opening in Robert's email this afternoon:<br /><br /><em><strong>We went to the orphanage yesterday and I bought all of the milk in the store and brought it to them. I brought crab, ham, and caviar flavored chips and candy bars for them too. </strong></em> <br /><br />He kills me! Robert said Matthew brought footballs to play with the kids during their visit. This was Robert's highlight of the time:<br /><br /><strong><em>One of the boys, about fourteen or fifteen who had early on in life been badly burned and lost a few fingers, made friends with me. At first he was shy but we threw Matthew's football back and forth in the room and he opened up. I doubt that anybody has ever played catch with him before. He really enjoyed it. </em></strong><br /><br />I had the misfortune of being at my desk when I read that and it took a good deal to maintain my composure. I ached for this boy. Not necessarily because he carries the scars from a traumatic physical experience, but because he carries unseen scars that can be healed by the love and touch of another human being. <br /><br />According to Robert's report, they returned to the orphanage today to play with and love on the children some more. He tells of Matthew getting on the floor and wrestling with the boys. They had dinner with Kristina's orphanage caregivers and a girl who was in Karina & Kristina's class. She has since run away from the orphanage because of circumstances that are beyond her control. Robert was troubled to hear her talk about her situation. <br /><br />Kristina is obviously taking tons of photos that I can't wait to see. Robert reports she and Karina are sisters reunited and are having a wonderful time. He said she's not spending much time with him because she's so excited to see everyone. He understands though and is giving her space to reconnect. They plan on visiting another orphanage tomorrow and may get the chance to meet one of the boys. They're also taking the train to visit some of the more remote orphanages later in the week. I'll update you when I hear something again. You can also visit the <a href="http://nasekos.blogspot.com/">Naseoks's blog </a>and get a first hand update of what is happening on the trip!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-44222900128258335552010-01-19T15:45:00.005-05:002010-01-19T16:20:40.296-05:00Short & Sweet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdmVAbhabUI_V_18TIMvWYQAMhDddf5imCV3wO2BqWQVZbomLFrCrGylrHQQvTyPTcC8o7uOW9tKhyphenhyphenCRPhOF60zlMrQ_VrjRhXY52tUQe0w8H0fC11mdVswfv7kR0O4bYXGtaGpyYEGy9/s1600-h/snowodessa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdmVAbhabUI_V_18TIMvWYQAMhDddf5imCV3wO2BqWQVZbomLFrCrGylrHQQvTyPTcC8o7uOW9tKhyphenhyphenCRPhOF60zlMrQ_VrjRhXY52tUQe0w8H0fC11mdVswfv7kR0O4bYXGtaGpyYEGy9/s320/snowodessa.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428560143883897618" /></a><br />Matthew's wife Sheila was good enough to call yesterday and confirm that Robert & Kristina are alive and well in Ukraine. Although I stalked their flights online, it was good to hear another person confirm what the monitor was telling me. I breathed a little easier knowing they were okay, but I still would like to hear their voices. <br /><br />Just before midnight last night, my cell phone chimed to let me know a comment had been posted on the last blog entry. I was tickled to see that it was from Kristina who was wide awake and apparently looking for an nontraditional breakfast by both Ukrainian and American standards:<br /><br /><strong><em>Mom we travelled safe and we have Internet access - I might write on the family blog soon. We are going to the orphanage today and I am so excited!<br />We are going to see Alyona today! It is 6:30AM here and Karina and I might go eat some ice cream!!! Karina is hungry and won't let me sleep!! Karina had to take a freezing cold shower because I used all the hot water up. I cut my finger and it bled for a while but it is fine now. Karina and I talked to one of our supervisors and we hope to see them.<br />Bye, Mom! I love you!</em></strong><br /><br />This is the first time she and I have been separated since she came home two years ago and it's strange. We're so much alike that some days I long for a little distance, but after only 2 days apart I am really missing her. <br /><br />You know what struck me about the comment she left? The part where she says how excited she is to go to the orphanage. Understandably the orphanage holds a lifetime of memories for her, many bad. The fact that she is excited about returning confirms that she has claimed her place in our family and can face her past with new strength and even hope. Now for all I know, she may have had a meltdown when she got there today! I haven't received an update as of yet. But I think she will be fine. She knows that this trip wasn't really about her. It was about the orphans left behind. It was about bringing hope to those left behind.<br /><br />Robert was able to send me an email early this morning, and in a fashion matching his daughter's short and sweet update he wrote:<br /><br /><strong><em>When we found out that Matthew and Karina were delayed in Jackson due to weather, Kristina got worried and asked me if the planes would fly in the rain. On our fourth flight from Paris to Kiev we began to get a little excited. On our approach to Kiev we could see that the landscape was snow covered. When we landed we put on our coats and headed for the stairs. In an instant our faces were pelted by the snow flurries and our breath was as visible as smoke. It was freezing! The contrast was that we went from literally sweating in the Atlanta airport to stinging hands and faces. We love Odessa! Today we're go to the orphanage to visit the children. </em></strong><br /><br />Hopefully the two of them can manage to scratch together more than a few sentences on the next update. And hopefully they'll be able to access the blog and post some pics. Some of you have asked how short we were on having the funds for the trip. We were about $500 short of having what we needed and the team is helping to cover some of their costs, but some of the costs are a bit higher than they anticipated. So please pray that we can still find the funds to cover the deficit. And keep praying for all of them!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-56597049918805048072010-01-18T08:24:00.003-05:002010-01-19T16:07:18.867-05:00In Ukraine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dz8S-svGsRWuJVK_Z4LFp1htvA9hjZeo-iR7jQMDduxK_Xk7JlWSYn6GLrfK3-h39M6-iIhFrwxqywAlxdTJxCXI7hPL6z5mBDHkJBhjpXAGRlCwlAqZS3Rf1XVWKcfzIwjQMzaxFwps/s1600-h/P5020953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Dz8S-svGsRWuJVK_Z4LFp1htvA9hjZeo-iR7jQMDduxK_Xk7JlWSYn6GLrfK3-h39M6-iIhFrwxqywAlxdTJxCXI7hPL6z5mBDHkJBhjpXAGRlCwlAqZS3Rf1XVWKcfzIwjQMzaxFwps/s320/P5020953.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428075590567974194" /></a><br />Sorry for the delay in posting, but it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks. Robert AND Kristina are both in Ukraine this morning. They flew out yesterday and met up with the team in Atlanta where they caught their connecting flight. I am anxiously awaiting word that they are safe (and warm!) in Kiev and praying they had a uneventful crossing. Some of you may remember how much <a href="http://kristinasstory.blogspot.com/2008/04/scaredy-cat.html">Robert loathes flying</a>. Kristina was a bundle of energy on the way to the airport and I can only hope she calmed down a bit before being strapped in next to Robert for the twelve hour flight. <br /><br />We didn't know if this trip was actually going to happen, but last Monday we were only a few hundred short of having the funds necessary for both of them to go. Granted, we didn't even have a US passport for Kristina. When we made the leap of faith to move forward, I scheduled an appointment with the passport office in Miami to apply for the expedited passport. On Wednesday of last week, we made the four hour trip south and sat in a government building for most of the day waiting on clearance and for her passport to be printed. Add the influx of rescue and recovery workers applying for expedited passports to get into Haiti, and we were a little nervous about it happening. But happen it did and Wednesday night we headed back to Orlando with passport in hand. <br /><br />Please join me in praying for Robert, Kristina, and the rest of the mission team for the next 10 days. Pray for safety, wisdom, and favor with God and man. I'm not sure if they will have Internet access, but if they do you will likely see updates from them posted here soon enough. Check back!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-17062464564424987842010-01-03T08:46:00.013-05:002010-01-19T16:07:31.129-05:00Bok GardensThis weekend we visited <a href="http://www.boktowergardens.org/">Bok Tower Gardens </a>and wandered the estate to look at blooming flowers and listen to the bells ringing from the Singing Tower. The property offered stunning views from an elevation that I didn't know existed in mostly flat Florida. We even made a friend along the path as a squirrel ate right out of our hands!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABo2IEUFi1hK0W939Ksh-KCefNx4Cx2Hc5Pm2IJ5zJxVeiZKZ67TxUZEWLaoW-KZaPasrRoZ6hQwr1xJagV54oTNtbX2b69P2QeDVsdpAEaddfsOjSY6srrZhZs1-uFz7OHDij7NTiYkW/s1600-h/IMG_3643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABo2IEUFi1hK0W939Ksh-KCefNx4Cx2Hc5Pm2IJ5zJxVeiZKZ67TxUZEWLaoW-KZaPasrRoZ6hQwr1xJagV54oTNtbX2b69P2QeDVsdpAEaddfsOjSY6srrZhZs1-uFz7OHDij7NTiYkW/s320/IMG_3643.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422510474078953826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3JQsyVAkghozXPZphWCd3P3W07PLShT0szVluL0kX6NBSRjP0Ob82dAFb7uohkdt5QbyVYhfELNmByEWIJQse4Zxd71QYapFf3NcX9iH-aXpBozBei5Jbp3QCuDk-IAMpOjpjfOvmi2p/s1600-h/IMG_3650.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBb9GLhwfYpgXwmSD9fj1U6B2btdJfciEppZwGzgxtsAyQAnZBgtMse9-ULNUZtXniB-kiTie2ljVhjqOKbzpRcPc3kVU9uWCUIhx6gJ6RlZYESHtdAKi8TP0tPueAUisAlqnRjN6iA7c/s320/IMG_3725.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422514104461998690" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YRWM7pieOpdlr3rkGrfY2AcQg_zmzxYKPB_m3U34e7e07cguq2JGUU5gxJXV4tbnh7UB1f6M9e3f85bGF9pdvN_hq9Ry62gjdfnpsDARyGUqh9COIqoeob3oIfK0IATavhaHrI10ZY3U/s1600-h/IMG_3730.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YRWM7pieOpdlr3rkGrfY2AcQg_zmzxYKPB_m3U34e7e07cguq2JGUU5gxJXV4tbnh7UB1f6M9e3f85bGF9pdvN_hq9Ry62gjdfnpsDARyGUqh9COIqoeob3oIfK0IATavhaHrI10ZY3U/s320/IMG_3730.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422514412538948738" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTRgBSuIgWR_xxhcC1FPIlAOGtMmyw3fPlL9thTEnS5rrntN88p9OBIDNTLQM33zwM_TrqXrVX1eZuB9-MGAvRsD3k84QEi0_OBvYCp95Ro6ydTXGfgJCanf30H6de-Vr-pDVVm0whokG/s1600-h/IMG_3734.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTRgBSuIgWR_xxhcC1FPIlAOGtMmyw3fPlL9thTEnS5rrntN88p9OBIDNTLQM33zwM_TrqXrVX1eZuB9-MGAvRsD3k84QEi0_OBvYCp95Ro6ydTXGfgJCanf30H6de-Vr-pDVVm0whokG/s320/IMG_3734.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422514694736363106" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-40324303925033156302010-01-01T10:12:00.005-05:002010-01-19T16:07:42.131-05:00Orphan Mission Trip Update!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOu0gl0WqdzkceJSbsbo_rsLpomQP_Hsz2t-Epnf0loc1nu-o5gAdUJGI9178WqYpbD2JnTCHJ-XQOV0kuDWb41hyphenhyphen2g-F1aH_FlXC437oQgkzk_XgZAFEYKvx_E5kXY6nkzWzAHNtVG06/s1600-h/ukraine.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOu0gl0WqdzkceJSbsbo_rsLpomQP_Hsz2t-Epnf0loc1nu-o5gAdUJGI9178WqYpbD2JnTCHJ-XQOV0kuDWb41hyphenhyphen2g-F1aH_FlXC437oQgkzk_XgZAFEYKvx_E5kXY6nkzWzAHNtVG06/s320/ukraine.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421793520710832594" /></a><br />We have received $400 towards Robert's trip!!! We are so excited and so blessed to have you partnering with us! Thank you Stephanee and family! Thank you Lynn & Carmen! Robert spoke with a couple this morning that will match funds for him up to half the cost of the trip. So technically, he has $800 at this point!!! Praise God!!!<br /><br />Matthew called yesterday to let us know that he has already purchased his and Karina's ticket. Kristina decided that she needed to escort Robert on this trip since her best friend Karina was going with her dad Matthew. I would love for her to go back to Ukraine with Robert. She is as much a part of this vision of orphan ministry as any other part of our family, but of course she has been there and can minister in a poignant way. She wants to go and asked if we would pray with her. We agreed to do that. It will be another $1500, but if it is God's will it will come to pass. So please add that to the prayer requests we've asked of you already. We'll keep you posted!<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-65331084875601217022009-12-30T13:36:00.005-05:002009-12-30T16:10:19.440-05:00Going to UkraineI know, I know. We fell off the face of the planet for a little while. I started to tell the story of how our family came to be and two installments into things, I disappeared. There have been lots of changes happening with work, school, and family and we've had to make adjustments. Add to that the fact that both laptops died within a week of one another and the ability to blog came in at the bottom of our "to-do" list. But with a few days left in holiday break, I wanted to let you know what's going on. <br /><br />Those of you on our mailing list, or those who were able to read the previous post with our newsletter, already know about the upcoming trip to Ukraine. We are very excited about the possibility of Robert traveling to Eastern Europe in less than a month. If things work out, he will be leaving with <a href="http://nasekos.blogspot.com/">Matthew Nasekos</a> on January 17th. The Nasekos adopted Kristina's best friend Karina from orphanage #4 last year and the girls were able to <a href="http://thelandrumsblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/predestination.html">reunite</a> for the first time back in April of this year. The Nasekos have a real heart for missions and the orphan. Matthew and Robert will be traveling to Ukraine to visit several orphanages, meet with missionaries in the field, and assess how they can help meet the needs of both of these groups. <br /><br />It sounds very much like my <a href="http://ukraineorphans.blogspot.com/">first trip to Ukraine </a>back in the Spring of 2006. It was a life changing experience for me to see orphans in several orphanages and meet with individuals who were giving their lives to practice <a href="http://bible.cc/james/1-27.htm">pure religion</a>. It was on that trip that I met Kristina for the first time. And coincidentally enough, if Robert is able to go on this trip he will meet the two boys we are hoping to adopt. <br /><br />There, I said it. You wouldn't think saying that would be so hard, but it has been. We have really hesitated to share about our hopes of adopting two specific children for several reasons. We haven't received a lot of encouragement from those around us. Looking at surface circumstances, it isn't the best time to adopt. But we have faith that if God intends for these boys to be part of our family, then He will order things to that end. If not, then we will graciously accept His will and rest in the confidence of His perfect plan. We have been praying for the boys for several months and receiving updates on them periodically.<br /><br />Let me share what we know. We initially heard about Sasha back in April. It was his red hair and blue eyes that reminded us of our own three boys. We soon learned that while Sasha didn't have any biological siblings, he had the next best thing: Vitalik, his best friend. Both boys were abandoned at birth and have been together since the baby house. We couldn't stand the thought of separating the two of them, so we began praying about adopting both. It didn't take us long to wrap our hearts around the idea. <br /><br />Sasha is seven and Vitalik just turned eight and they share the same medical condition. I spoke with our pediatrician yesterday and he was able to give me the contact information for a specialist in our area that he recommended. In time, when we are further along in the process and are closer to the adoption coming to pass, I hope to share more about the boys' condition. But for now, I'd ask that you'd pray for them and pray for us that we would have wisdom.<br /><br />So if Robert is able to go on this trip, he will have the opportunity to meet the boys and spend a little time with them. Unfortunately, Sasha was moved to a different orphanage a few weeks ago. He is very sad at having been separated from the caregivers he knows and the best friend that he loves. We grieved over this news and wish that it had not happened, but we are confident that God has a reason for even this in Sasha's life. <br /><br />There is a long way to go in this journey. We've been down this road before and are excited to see God work again. Our immediate hope is that Robert can travel to Ukraine in a few short weeks and minister to Sasha, Vitalik, and hundreds of other orphans. Please pray that God will provide the funds necessary to do this.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciqUOBEW5F3yfA6YootOy05gqCioNwiwetHa73wXYPwphopWnSxlncWkapmsUyHLMXB5KVld4MKzvSUolsAwZFPsc29xJDx4lPZ7QQc02t8wfxdELJR2M5tsntHip0ZNKGMWzNX98hjGq/s1600-h/sasha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciqUOBEW5F3yfA6YootOy05gqCioNwiwetHa73wXYPwphopWnSxlncWkapmsUyHLMXB5KVld4MKzvSUolsAwZFPsc29xJDx4lPZ7QQc02t8wfxdELJR2M5tsntHip0ZNKGMWzNX98hjGq/s320/sasha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421136685013361170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-50CpxOE02-bX8EMx9YC6JvunxTUg0WYs7syNStkw0QHRoHKDe8nbjVWL_vaS8SsokOuwdkvntDHmX86pjy5KhdS6md5HaXAew6vWJWW3R7o5HWDnjRX1jlgmtbz5bzhbvuxZqQ36BGRN/s1600-h/vitalik3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-50CpxOE02-bX8EMx9YC6JvunxTUg0WYs7syNStkw0QHRoHKDe8nbjVWL_vaS8SsokOuwdkvntDHmX86pjy5KhdS6md5HaXAew6vWJWW3R7o5HWDnjRX1jlgmtbz5bzhbvuxZqQ36BGRN/s320/vitalik3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421136791027807906" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-47052939125708558392009-12-28T12:14:00.000-05:002009-12-28T12:15:03.191-05:00Christmas Newsletter<a title="View Newsletter 1209 on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/24566108/Newsletter-1209" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Newsletter 1209</a> <object codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="doc_27481184448155" name="doc_27481184448155" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" align="middle" height="500" width="100%" > <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=24566108&access_key=key-295apmjgx51j3vrsj6cz&page=1&version=1&viewMode=list"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="play" value="true"> <param name="loop" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="devicefont" value="false"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="menu" value="true"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="salign" value=""> <param name="mode" value="list"> <embed src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=24566108&access_key=key-295apmjgx51j3vrsj6cz&page=1&version=1&viewMode=list" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" play="true" loop="true" scale="showall" wmode="opaque" devicefont="false" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="doc_27481184448155_object" menu="true" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" salign="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" mode="list" height="500" width="100%"></embed> </object>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740584918405786360.post-58004103362275454392009-11-07T19:34:00.008-05:002009-11-07T20:01:46.357-05:00Pyromaniacs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJZqq1hfoo9oSWzQLn_G8XByRwAOftNOnRfHWz-lufsN9yeGpFQVJUR5UBRMM1LnHpO8UhWh5aqvptMsgvzlyONqD-y7lIdekVbzV1SQV4DmRb_NIoYJVaTc3FCTkxhrr_m4J516Fhe1q/s1600-h/IMG_3527.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJZqq1hfoo9oSWzQLn_G8XByRwAOftNOnRfHWz-lufsN9yeGpFQVJUR5UBRMM1LnHpO8UhWh5aqvptMsgvzlyONqD-y7lIdekVbzV1SQV4DmRb_NIoYJVaTc3FCTkxhrr_m4J516Fhe1q/s320/IMG_3527.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401527330414975954" /></a><br />Another minor cold front passed through this weekend. Highs were only in the 70's and the evenings have been cool enough to cut off the A/C and enjoy the breeze coming through the open doors. Robert has been itching for a project and today we decided to build a fire pit area in the backyard. The kids helped level the ground, lay the foundation stones, and assemble the fire bowl. Calling on his boy scout days, Robert took some time showing the kids how to build a proper fire. We spent a wonderful evening roasting hot dogs and making smores. Kristina (and Robert!) had never had smores. Kristina was convinced that they sounded yucky, but after her first one she was hooked. Eventually the Hershey's chocolate ran out and the fire died down, but it's a sure bet you'll find us in the backyard next weekend again.<br /><center><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/395/B07769E9F6C95F70DB5DA000EA0B52AD.png" /></a> </center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNxQRONTZtx8E-Cs969rQXeaM4tPU-Fo8WeNR_7JcsIhctP-x2bKxYR_Ghh8TURuXeP3qQPcuoCJhk8stkqcjWuN_SPJoibjiambjg1V89c0fq_xpxsc55GJFQ4Unrh6EH42g51Bnat7n/s1600-h/IMG_3534.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNxQRONTZtx8E-Cs969rQXeaM4tPU-Fo8WeNR_7JcsIhctP-x2bKxYR_Ghh8TURuXeP3qQPcuoCJhk8stkqcjWuN_SPJoibjiambjg1V89c0fq_xpxsc55GJFQ4Unrh6EH42g51Bnat7n/s320/IMG_3534.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401528023730855794" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsL7z2DS5p5wMujjtjce0rm7kcxmWhLrzzsK4lgmswCEHpuGuTW2_2aLsYfQwelWz1vs2x3PbKGVXodhKrshYWZZtBmotOeoolAXOwLT74QIQV9RAAOEwvAoXNwBWVx39lwd4mBNFx-0qQ/s1600-h/IMG_3552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsL7z2DS5p5wMujjtjce0rm7kcxmWhLrzzsK4lgmswCEHpuGuTW2_2aLsYfQwelWz1vs2x3PbKGVXodhKrshYWZZtBmotOeoolAXOwLT74QIQV9RAAOEwvAoXNwBWVx39lwd4mBNFx-0qQ/s320/IMG_3552.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401528972449383282" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2htuFT4GNukkK-2Jr9c7OYIuM_AcBye8VMyjK8KVsBTCXvAzFCiyykLY23jMohgLfmcPad8CTOMzvWd4DfN_4QyfR18OHtshekvNVYQdqRgUPXkTBGeZRTceV20QgdmsvU3z9_0TDk7D/s1600-h/IMG_3541.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2htuFT4GNukkK-2Jr9c7OYIuM_AcBye8VMyjK8KVsBTCXvAzFCiyykLY23jMohgLfmcPad8CTOMzvWd4DfN_4QyfR18OHtshekvNVYQdqRgUPXkTBGeZRTceV20QgdmsvU3z9_0TDk7D/s320/IMG_3541.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401529447488720946" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11942021817609798741noreply@blogger.com0