14,418 teenagers needing a family

I hope that some of you went over to Doctor David's blog yesterday and considered their thoughts on older child adoption. I love my boys so much. I am so thankful God gave them to me. They take up so much of my time and so many of my thoughts. And yet, always in the back of my mind, are thoughts of the children still in Ukraine. So many of them that I know personally. As Doctor David writes:

Cindie and I came specifically to adopt kids that were aging out, the ones that were not going to have another chance, it was going to be us, or no one else. Our new daughters, Nastya and Anya sat in this orphanage year, after year, after year, and no one has come for them, no one. No one. Why do people like us have to be coming for them now, finally, at the very last moment? And, I wonder, why does any orphan in this world, have to sit so long in an orphanage, alone, without a family, when there are so many Christians in this world? That sounds so very harsh, not Christian-like at all. I’ve been feeling harsh lately.

I got an email today regarding some information put out by the SDA, the governmental agency in charge of adotpions in Ukraine. According to the SDA, there are 14,418 children aged 12-17, in Ukraine right now available for adoption. 14,418. Fourteen thousand four hundred and eighteen. Let that number sink in for a moment. 14,418 teenagers no one wants. 14,418 boys and girls for whom the Lord our God promises to execute justice. (Deut. 10:17-78) 14,418 cries heard daily by our God. (Ex.22-23). 14,418 chances for us, as Christians, to worship our God. (Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27, NIV) This number has overwhelmed me today and it does not even take into consideration the remaining 6,068 children under the age of 12. I have thought to myself, what if I could put a ticker of some sort here on my blog and everytime an older child was adopted, we could see that number go down......14,417; 14,416; 14,415. But that would not work; for every time a child were adopted, certainly another one would be abandoned. The need, the crisis, is so very great.

I have no solution. I can issue no loud call to arms. There are already many organizations out there trying to help; many families already heeding the call and going to adopt. And yet, today, as I sit here, there are 14,418 teenagers in Ukraine who need a family. 14,418.

Deja Vu

The night before we were to fly out of Kyiv, finally to America, back in July, Eli got into my bed to sleep. Vitalik pulled his air mattress as close to the bed as he could get it and, together, we worked through our fears without a word. We are in the process of moving. Gabe was not home last night; things are all in disarray and today we are taking most of our things to our new house. So last night at bed time, Eli got into my bed to sleep. Vitalik got out an air mattress and pulled it as close to my bed as he could get it. And together we worked through our fears, this time with words. I asked my boys "why do I feel like I am in Ukraine?" Eli, who has an answer for every question, replied with certainty, "the air mattress."

As we talked last night, Eli asked what he would have done in 3 years if we had not come to adopt him. He would have only been 13 years old in 3 years but he would have graduated fom the orphanage because he had been accelerated up to 6th grade when he was only 10. The last grade at the orphanage is 9th and then the children must leave. This morning, I looked down at Vitalik, who is so peaceful as he sleeps and I thought, too, of his graduating from the orphanage and how God intervened on his behalf. It is so hard for me to find the time to blog about serious subjects but daily as I live with these children, God shows me so much of Himself and so much of our calling as believers. Maybe I will find time to ponder some of these things more deeply and share them here but for today I would like to refer you to David and Cindi's blog and ask you to think about what they say about older child adoption. They are in Ukraine right now adopting two girls who were aging out. You can read their blog at www.doctordavid.wordpress.com.

Celebrating Alexandra's Birthday

My sweet baby girl turned 15 on Friday. Alexandra has become such a beautiful godly young woman. She loves the New York Giants and Gabe was able to get her an autographed jersey from Eli Manning for her birthday. He, Vitalk and Eli made the birthday cake as well and, much to my surprise, it turned out to be delicious. We went over to Atlanta Friday and enjoyed Six Flags. Eli got to ride his first Roller Coaster. Two was enough he told me. Vitalik had ridden one the summer he was hosted but he was thrilled to partake in the bungee jump with Alexandra and Luke. We all had a great time; Eli pouted a little the first time he had to pass up a ride because he was too short; but the Superman and Bat Man capes more than made up for it. I give God all the praise and glory for giving me such precious children and a husband who gives top priority to his family.

Playing Catch Up

Last week, I believe, we went to Birmingham to see Shane and Marilyn Duke, missionaries from Louisianna, currently serving in Ukraine. They serve in the region where Eli lived prior to joining our family. I thank God every day for Shane and Marilyn. Through their love and self-sacrifice, God poured his Word into my son's heart. Shane and Marilyn lead a camp every summer for the children in the surrounding villages. Many are hearing the gospel for the first time in that camp. Pray for them as they continue to share the love of Christ with Ukraine.




Also, one weeekend recently (I lose track) we went to Thomasville where Vitalik and Eli got to meet many of their extended family for the first time. We saw a high school football game and spent the day on "the farm" riding 4-wheelers and such. The boys enjoyed the visit and, to the best of my recollection, behaved very well. Sometimes when the usual routine is interrupted they get a little unsettled but lately they have been more flexible and able to enjoy going to new places and even meeting new people.







Lastly, I don't think I have mentioned the fact that Vitalik decided to start attending youth group on Wednesday nights at church. He looks forward to this time every week. I remember when we were in Ukraine and he would insist that he did not like church and would always balk at attending. I am amazed at the work God is doing in Him. Not only does he enjoy going to church on Sundays and Wednesdays, he is actually learning so much. Considering the language issue, I find this so remarkable. Earlier this week the whole family went to see Fireproof together. I worried Vitalik and Eli would not enjoy it, too much dialogue, etc. Not only did they enjoy it, they understood it. God is so very good.

Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

I have always wanted to go to a corn maze and I finally found one only 15 miles from home! If you live in the Montgomery area, check out www.dreamfieldfarms.com. Dream Fields is run by a homeschooling mom and it is great place to take your family. We had lots of fun; it brought out the kid in all of us!

Church Picnic

Recent comment by Vitalik: "One thing I have learned in the two months I have been here is that Moms are better with girls and Dads are better with boys." Could this have something to do with football?

New Haircut

Eli's take on the new haircut he chose: "We could not get our hair cut like this at the orphanage. Thats what I like about a family. I can cut my hair like this."

Fields of the Fatherless

I came across this today and just had to share it.

I am waiting...somewhere far...far...away
on the other side of the world.
I may not know who you are
or what you look like, but somehow deep in my heart
I know you are out there.
That one day you will come
and find me.
It's a long journey,
and it takes a lot of time... I wish it could be easier.
But I know that the ones who come for me will not count the cost.
They will only see the joy of finding me.
For now I abide in the fields of the fatherless.
Day by day wondering why I was born here and not somewhere else?
Asking....why my life couldn't have been different.
It is so lonely...
Even though I am surrounded by hundreds of other children,
I know something is missing...
I know in my heart I need a place to call home.
My arms long to be wrapped in a father's embrace..
I long to be saved by a mother's love...
Gazing out the orphanage window I offer a prayer of hope,
"Oh, God, please help them come quickly."
Even as I lay there in the darkness each night
somehow I feel assured, that no matter how lost I appear
I am not alone, Holy hands guard my steps,
sacred fingers wipe my tears,
touching my lonely heart.
The one who made me,
the God that knew me before I was born,
hears me every time I call.
He whispers his promises in my ear.
I listen with hope to His voice.
But what I worry about most is that
no one wants to look for me.
The fields are vast
and there are so many scattered all over the earth.
I wonder how one little child,
so lost can be found?
Yet he calms my heart and assures me,
that He will find you.
That he will make sure that you hear His voice clearly.
He has promised me that He will make a way through the fields.
That he will personally cut a path,
nd lead you right to my orphanage door.
My prayer is... When he speaks... Please don't forget to listen...
When he calls don't be too afraid to go.
For I am waiting somewhere, far,...far...away,
on the other side of the world...
TO COME HOME.
-by Jan Beazely