Ending summer 09

The girls are safe back in Ukraine.

We all had a great time at Trussville Playstation before they left. It was good to see them laughing and having fun before they left. Thank you to those that came out to join us.

We will be praying about how long and who to host next year.

I thank God for His strenght, compassion and provision to take care of 9 children all summer. God's not done with me yet. To God be the glory for all this summer.

The last day is tomorrow. We will be packing.

Tomorrow night from 6-9 we will be at Trussville Playstation.
Skating $4.00
3 things: skate, cars, laser tag, etc is $14.00
Please come join us.

We will drive them to Atlanta Friday. We will get there in time to meet the other orphans and spend a few minutes with them. We are looking forward to seeing children we met in Ukraine.

The end of summer is coming

Soon the girls will be returning to Ukraine. 12 days left before the go. They will have one day off and then back to school.
We will be getting them luggage, candy, school clothes and small items to take home with them. They have asked for the candy to take to their friends. We will probably need 50--60 goody bags.
Most of our friends have started school. We have not made a schedule for the next few days. We will plan things on a daily basis. The children do not handle cancelation well. So for the last few weeks I have tried to not tell them the plans unless they are certain. They are asking to go to the beach. If you would like to see the girls before they leave, call me. We would love for you to visit with them.
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. I John 3:18 I hope they know we have tried to love them as our own; that families have rules for a reason; that in life you can't alway have what you want and you have to work for what you want; that their are Christian people who care about them and love them.

Leaving soon

The girls leave August 28th.
We have had many host home days the last few weeks.
We have taken them to McDonalds (upon their request) and the dollar movies.
They are getting a real view of a family with 8 kids waiting on one playing volleyball or one doing gymnastics. Not fun but real life.
We are already saddend by their time to leave. We pray for them as they return to the orphanage.

Schedule part 2

July 18 Girls window shop
July 19 TN Aquarium
July 20 (birthday party for friend) Pump it Up (all 9 invited!)
July 21 Swimming with Suzi and girls
Evening - The Basement

Our schedule changes. Changes are updated under the schedule heading. Ira ran a fever the night they were to spend the night with friends. We hope to reschedule it soon. She had still not completely recovered. Thankfully Rita and the rest of the children have not gotten sick.
The girls have been with us 3 weeks. They are blending in with the family. We have had some great times.

Sponsor?

We would like the girls to go to an aquarium, zoo, muesum, and other outings while they are here. They have requested a water park. If anyone would like to sponsor the girls or a girl for and outing please let me know.
We did receive donations to bring the girls here. We have not received any other donations for the hosting program this year.
If you would like to sponsor and outfit: shorts and a tank $20. We have bought them swimsuits, sweater, belt, earings and etc. They need a carry on suitcase (the largest allowed).
We have recently adopted 3 children. We have 4 biological. Now we are hosting 2 orphans. Yes, we have 9 children living in the house for summer.
Ephesians 2:10
We truly believe God called us to do this. From all we have been through we have even more faith in God. We do not doubt He will provide.
Our God is amazing. His blessings are endless.

They are here: schedule

Ira and Rita are in our home for the summer!
We are working on the schedule.
Any suggestions are appreciated.

June 28 Church - Grace Chapel
5:00 Fish fry - Palmerdale Baptist
June 29 Host Home
June 30 Free Movie and shopping
July 1 Pic nic and firworks at The Church at Bradford Road
July 2 Swim at The Gardens
July 3 Swim at Z
July 4th Celebrate the 4th at Dr Dean and Tina Naden's -Smith Lake
July 5 Church - Grace Chapel -Dinner with Nanny
July 6 AL Adventure
July 7 Rest day
July 8 Free movie at 10 a.m. (Heather 12)
July 9 (Heather party)
July 10 craft day
July 11 Rest day host home
July 12-17 Vacation Bible School - Palmerdale Baptist - evening
July 12 Church - Grace Chapel - evening Shaw's home
July 13 Ice cream outing. Visit friend.
July 14 Dr Dean and Tina Naden's
July 15 Dollar Movies and Galleria
July 16 Host Home
July 17 Swim Z

Orphans In Alabama

They are here in Alabama!!! The two orphans, we are hosting for the summer, arrived tonight. Tanya (the other host mom), Jordan(her daughter), Heather and I drove to Atlanta to pick them up! We stopped, on the way, to get them a few needed items for tomorrow. We were all very excited.
No problems finding the airport. We had the perfect parking place. We were able to take goody bags to the 10 orphans and guardian. We were able walk them to their next gate and buy them burgers and fries. We sat with them until they boarded. They allowed them to board the plane first. God is good.
We saw Tanya and Leeza that we hosted last year. They have been brought in hopes to correct Tanya's eye problems. We are thrilled she will be getting the medical attention she needs.
I saw several of the orphans that I met on our last mission trip to Ukraine. It was great to see them. We enjoyed spending the few minutes with the worker, I had met before.
God blessed us much today. I truly love spending time with the children. Hugs were many of the blessings we received.
Anyone willing to help buy clothes, sponsor a trip, bring meals or fruit: please email me at Hollieeholmes@aol.com Gift cards or money would be a blessing.
To date we have had their fee to come here donated. God's perfect provision.
I have faith God will provide for these children. We are blessed to be serving God by working with the orphans. We pray for God's will in their schedule and provision. Blessings

Summer Hosting

Ira and Rita will be coming this summer!!! They will arrive around June 6. We will be co-hosting this summer with another family. We are looking forward to seeing the children. We will be making a schedule for summer soon.
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
We have returned home with 3 adopted children from Ukraine. Due to the new children in the home we felt we could only host a few this summer. I could not bear to host no children this summer. There are many others we would like to bring. One boy sticks out in our minds. His name is Vlad.

Please pray for the orphans in Ukraine. Pray for safe travel for those coming on hosting programs. Pray for the workers at the orphanages. Pray for God's will in all their lives.

We would again love to have volunteers! We would love for some to help plan events this summer. If you have suggestions or contacts please email me and let me know. We would love invitations to swim days, park days, church outings etc.

The cost to host is $2,500 per child. Again God is stretching us and we have received no money at this point for hosting this summer. If you would like to help bring the orphans here for summer it would be a blessing. (An answer to prayer). Plane tickets will be bought in the next few days.

Again thank you for your prayers and support!

Hosting this summer

At this time we are planning on hosting 2 girls this summer from Sumi, Ukraine.
We are praying for God's provision for the $2,500 hosting fee per child. We are praying about their timing in arriving to the USA.
God's plans are perfect. We are to simply obey.

We are in the process of adopting three children from Ukraine. We leave for the adoption this month. Your prayers are a blessing to us. Thank you.

Changed dreams

Ricky and I have been together for 20 years. We usually do not do much for our anniversaries. Dinner out is our usual thing and often with kids. For our 10 year anniversary we did not celebrate with a trip or anything. We had 3 young children at that time. I thought well in 10 years they will be old enough for us to leave for a week. They are old enough and there are 4 not 3.
Our 20th anniversary is in September. But with 3 more on the way there is no way I would leave them to go on a trip. Now my week long vacation with just my husband is again out of the question. (I could not even come up with a weekend before we go get them.) The money will be used for adoption.
Reality is a dream is shattered. It was post poned for 10 years. Now it is not possible again.
Reality is the kids are so worth it. We had told our 4 they would be giving up things because of the adoption. Well, this dream of mine is another thing we will be giving up. I'll admit shedding some tears over it. But I can't wait to see my Ukrainian kids again. Nothing is more important than getting them home, our home, their home.
It is so sweet to get a letter from them. Just a hello. We ocasionally call and just tell the oldest "hello, good night, how are you and that we love her". We will have to work on their English.
On Valentines 20 years ago Ricky proposed to me. He is a very loving husband. We have had a great time together. I can honestly say I married who I felt God wanted me to marry. What an awesome thing to know.
My new dream is to soon hug my Ukrainian kids that give the best, tightest, bear hugs around.
"Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do." Romans 12:2

Praying

We are praying about hosting this summer.
Our family is in the process of adopting three children.
Join us as we pray for God's leadership in deciding if we will host this year.
We do not plan on hosting 8 but possibly 2-4 children.
Thank you for your prayers.