At the airport in Munich on our way to Alabama..The house is full! It is great. The welcome mat is out.
We went to church and on the way home we were passing McDonalds. So yes, I gave in. They were asking, in Ukrainian and talking about how good it was. A quick call to Ricky in the other car and to McDonalds for lunch. They fixed their own fountain drink for the first time all by themselves. They were very excited. This was their treat for sitting through church, in English, they understood very little, if any.
Two of the boys had stuffed themselves so full the other night that they were moaning as they ate their cake. No saving it for later. Their fear someone might get it compelled them to finish it then. We bought Andrey and Dennis 2 McDoubles! They finished them, their fries and my fries too. Smiling faces! Unbelief they could have a second. No asking Dima if he wanted a second he had already eaten one of the girls and some of the other children's fries.
I was trying to find out what one of the boys wanted to be called. Many of them have long names like Tetyana which is Tanya for short. Now many of them are picking what they consider to be pretty names instead of their Ukrainian names. We were just getting the short version down pat! New names? We will see.
Ricky goes back to work tomorrow. Rachel will help drive. Candace is here and helped drive them to church this morning. She offered to help tomorrow too. Her mom Ida and dad Jimmy both died in a motorcycle crash. Ida is the one who first invited me to join the orphans on a lake day. Little did she know that simple invitation would lead to 4 years of hosting, mission trips and camp in Ukraine. Take note: Obedience brings blessing. We do not know how God will use the little things we say or do to His glory.
Sunday of rest....Ricky is napping in the midst of 20 kids! Amazing. More amazing that I am typing too. Uno and Spoons are being played today. The 2 youngest girls are having a nap. Boys are playing video games.
Christine Hansen is home and in the house! Her mom is still in Ukraine adopting 2 and trying to get Alona here on a school visa. Craig, Christine and Benji returned yesterday after a long trip. They were able to join us the second week of camp Hope in Ukraine. So glad they did.
My heart is full. Many blessings. Just driving in my 9 passenger Yukon is a blessing with them. Last night most of them fell asleep on the way home. They were exhausted from a full day of swimming. So sweet to see them all asleep and happy. Today they were talking and laughing. Serving God is fun, hard, blessed, work, a blessing, crazy, loud, and what I love doing.
