Dogs & Firewood: Lost in Translation?

Picture two children living with you for the summer. There are "house rules", right? That's what I'm told I have to write and translate for them. Think of all the rules your current children have ---- you know... turn off the light when you leave a room, close the door so mosquitoes don't get inside, etc.

I'm currently writing and translating the "battle rhythm" of our house. This is how we live. These are things we do. I'm currently working on the dog section. As I was "explaining", I found myself concerned. These kids are going to think we're CRAZY!!!! We are. Am I really going to translate this?
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HOUSE DOGS
We have 2 very sweet dogs. They are big, but gentle.

Kogi is our Great Dane puppy.  Even though he's nearly 130 pounds, he's not even a year old yet. He was named after Korean barbecue. Kogi enjoys singing, sleeping and drinking from the septic sprinklers.

 Kogi collects firewood from the backyard and walks up 14 stairs with it, daily. He keeps a firewood collection on a couch in the sun room. Stay clear when he's carrying wood. He might drop a log on your foot.

Teething Kogi, with his floppy ear

When he's not busy chewing on firewood, he spends his days "teething" on walls. That is why there are currently 8 holes in the walls in the sun room. Why haven't we fixed them? He's not finished teething yet. Why is he doing it? We don't know. We are home when he does it. He doesn't seem distressed. He just walks up to a wall and starts chewing. 

This is our other dog, Crockett. You might see his name on local streets and buildings. He was found digging in trash cans when he was younger. We adopted him when he was 2 years old. He loves toys, but will rip through stuffed animals in under a minute. He destroys anything with stuffing. Therefore, he chooses to cuddle with the logs his brother brings in.  

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As I'm writing this, I'm starting to question my sanity. Should I even give them detailed, translated information about the dogs? 

Here's my question: Which is scarier? Reading this information before meeting my dogs or not having the information; but having a wet, giant dog drop a log on your big toe?  Decisions. Decisions.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2

Crossing Cultures

As I mentioned before, I'm not allowed to post pictures of the Eastern European children who will be staying with us this summer. I'm not allowed to even mention the country. Apparently, it infringes on their government's rights. I am told that someone is monitoring the web closely. 

I can definitely show you pictures of the children if you are with me. I am allowed to make posters, handouts, etc. for local distribution. We can post an occasional family photo, including the host children, which doesn't single them out or refer to their country. Let me know if you want to see these awesome kids!

We learned about their culture in our training. Here are some of the things we learned. Most of it is already what we do with our kids -

They cannot have cell phones here.

They cannot see Rated R movies or TV.

Their video game time should be limited and age appropriate.

They are not allowed to change their appearance drastically, while here. That means no shaved/dyed hair or piercings. 

designer jeans at Russian market

Materialism is huge in Eastern Europe and they might desire brand names or expensive things. We are encouraged not to give in to that. If they obtain expensive things here, they might be a target with other orphans back in Eastern Europe.

Those five things would slide into our lives, perfectly. The first three are already rules here, and the last one... I don't even think my kids would know what a name brand is... unless you count Minecraft.

Then there are these cultural differences in which we need to prepare:

Pornography is a rampant problem in Europe. We need to monitor all their computer activity. We are to block their access to Facebook. By the way, they have Facebook in that country ... although it's called something different. (I can't mention the name, because it's country specific.) We should be present with them whenever they are on our computers. There are many reasons why they shouldn't use computers, but a big one is that it protects the kids from others back home who can influence them negatively. That makes a whole lot of sense. Another host mom mentioned that her host daughter would get really upset when she spoke with other kids back home. It took a while to calm her down. These kids will be calling their house parents each week, as well as a chaperone from their country. 

Then there are the bathroom cultural differences. Thankfully, I've been on mission teams in many countries that don't have toilets or toilet paper. Ray has spent 3 1/2 years in Kosovo, Bosnia and Iraq, so he has seen/used some interesting bathrooms. It's our little boys who might not understand how a person doesn't know how to use a first-world toilet.

They're not accustomed to bathing or changing their clothes daily.

Baths are a luxury.

We have to demonstrate how to use wash cloths and an overhead shower. We have to show them how to use a shower or bath. They do not have hot water where they are from, so we need to make sure they don't get burned.

Toilet paper is uncommon in some orphanages. We have to teach them that toilet paper goes into the toilet. We have to explain exactly what goes into the toilet.


Our host daughter might "blossom" upon coming to America, because her body will finally be getting nutrient rich food. She might not speak up, so I am to be on the lookout for that happening. 

As you can see, there are a number of things we need to know/do for these cultural differences. Have I mentioned that we don't speak their language and they don't speak English? {prayers, please}

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Break My Heart

It's raining. Again. It seems that we're either in a drought or we're flooding around here. So sad, but glad that so many rain prayers have been answered.

A rainy day is a perfect day to do more "orphan prep".  We bunked some beds, sorted clothes, and cleaned. I started my list of all we need... to go from housing 2 kids upstairs, to 4 kids.

When I wasn't doing that, I was glued to the computer, researching. Our little hosting community pages are buzzing, because the earliest orphan flights are just a few weeks away. I'm learning all about adoption rules today. I wish I wasn't. I've been trying to not let my heart go there, as the children we are hosting aren't technically available for adoption. There are many families who have already started the adoption process for the kids they are hosting. I found my curious mind researching the costs and logistics. Some of these countries require both parents to spend anywhere from 3 weeks to 5 months in that country!  After that, they have to return to that country 2 other times. How do people do it with jobs and other children back in America? How do they find the funds? Such sacrifice. Such love.

The song that has been going through my head for the past 2 days has the lyrics, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours". That is the prayer for my family. That is my desire. I want us to see God's heart regarding these host children. I hope we show them the Love that transcends continents!  I feel that if we continue to read the word and learn more about Him, we'll know what breaks His heart. We'll know which direction to go and what to do.

To answer the many, many questions I've been asked regarding whether we will adopt these children who stay with us: 
I believe God will make it more clear than He has ever made a single thing in my life. And, for those who know me, God has gone over and beyond with confirmations in my life. There are hurdles. So many "reasons not to". I believe He will remove those... if His plan is for us to adopt these 3 siblings. 

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" Psalm 73:25,26

Change Their Minds?

People have been asking how they can pray for our family, in regards to our summer guests. Well, we have needs! Many of them are financial and logistical. Yesterday, I realized something else that needs prayer.

The agency didn't speak of it in training. I had no idea that this was even on the radar. I knew that there were occasional cases where orphans became ill at the last minute and they weren't allowed to get on a plane and come. If that happens, our money is transferred over to the winter season and we'd host a child/children December and January.

But, what if our orphans change their mind? What if they decide they don't want to come to America, after all?

{crush}

That was the sound of hearts cracking in my family. 

The other day, my son had show-in-tell at school. They were supposed to bring something to represent summer. He brought a picture of the kids we'll be hosting.

the boys researching the other country

There isn't a day that goes by when we don't talk about and pray for the brother and sister who'll be joining us from across the globe. I pray they don't change their minds. I know it's a selfish desire, but I've spent so much time explaining to my children the life that these kids have on another continent. They have asked me what happens to them when they age out of the foster system over there. It's grim. My sons certainly wouldn't understand why they'd choose it over coming over here. 

Thankfully, we believe in a God who already knows what will happen. We continue to ask for His will to be done.  

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 59:9
 

24 Hours

We were given a little bit of information about our host children. We know that they're active and like to be outside. We know that the host daughter loves to swim and her brother loves to ride bikes. From what I know about them, I think they'll fit in with our family swimmingly!

One thing I did find out is that they have never been on an airplane. To be honest, I would have thought it strange if they had, since they are orphans... but you never know. Some of the orphans had been hosted from other countries and have traveled before. 

Please pray with me for their travels. I couldn't imagine what it would be like for your first trip to be SO LONG! We received their flight information yesterday. Their first fight will be a couple hours, to an international hub. Then they will have a layover and another approximately 7 hour flight to Texas. 

After they arrive, we are told they will have 1 1/2 -2 hours in customs. Then they do the big introduction where we're supposed to have signs, balloons, and gifts for them and each family introduces themselves, one at a time, and gets their picture with them so their chaperones have it.  Then we drive 3 hours home (unless we hit Houston rush hour traffic, making it 4 hours). Nevertheless, these poor kids will be traveling for approximately 22 1/2 hours before coming into our house!! Crazy!

Oops... I forgot about travel to the airport in their city. There will be at least 24 hours between the time they leave their home and get to our home.

I'm seeking prayer for their health (colds, communicable airplane diseases) and any fears they might experience. I pray for no motion sickness and a peace that passes all understanding! 

I am giddy to meet these children!

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25

500 Cookies

Hosting orphans costs money. People say it is comparable to a mission trip price. Airfare is the most costly item, as you can imagine. {airfare for two} We did raise some money through a garage sale. Last week, I started thinking about another fundraiser and I decided I should try baking cookies.

A pretty incredible thing happened as I was planning a cookie fundraiser. A complete stranger saw my website and decided to order 500 graduation cookies. Wow! Now, do I enjoy baking, decorating and packaging 500 cookies the last week of school? Not especially. However, this was a very quick turnaround and my kitchen would only be bathed in sugar for about a week. All cookies are identical. What a blessing this is. I believe this would be less time consuming than a fundraiser where folks might order a half dozen watermelon cookies plus a dozen Minecraft cookies plus some princess crowns. Easy.

Bake cookie.
Place fondant on top.
Place edible image on top.
Pipe royal icing border.
Cover with sugar sprinkles.
Place in bag.
Tie with ribbon.
Curl ribbon.
Voila.

500 cookies are due tomorrow. I will be glad to get them out of here because a downside to a 500 cookie order, without additional staff/help? The family laundry. Laundry around here seems to be the last priority.

Remember how I mentioned our new capsule wardrobes? A couple weeks ago, I downsized to just a few shirts and bottoms in my closet. I stuffed everything else I owned into 2 big Rubbermaid containers, because I had no desire/time to go through it all. I really think that capsule wardrobes can work well...when life is not hot and humid and covered in powdered sugar. I had to go digging in a Rubbermaid to find something clean today. Capsule Wardrobe Fail.

Oh well, cookies will be gone tomorrow and then I shall perfect my wardrobe system!! (or at least wash, dry and put away some clothes!)

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.   Proverbs 14:23

Orphan Love = Brain Size

I spend a great deal of time helping Dr. C., my son's cognitive therapist. I produce marketing materials and event brochures for her. Even though it is a multitude of work, she is worth it. Currently, I'm working on a very lengthy presentation on information processing and memory. I am also drafting worksheets for the presentation, as well as brochures that might help parents and teachers understand why children are not remembering things. 

As I was researching the amygdala and hippocampus {parts of the brain}, I saw many different pictures. This one caught my eye. I already know the difference in size of brains with dyslexia or alzheimers, but it was fascinating to see a picture of this Romanian orphan's brain. The scientists who produced this image are conducting experiments to see if providing these kids with parents and loving care will affect the brain. I don't know that much about the brain, but I would think those factors would affect the entire child. We all have needs and these orphans would benefit from love!

It's easy to say a kid is "bad" or "rotten" or even {hate this one!} "unlovable". I often have to find myself analyzing my son to see if a specific issue is neurological or behavioral/disobedience. Dr. C. has taught me a great deal about separating the two... even though it all seems to be intertwined with that dang amygdala! 

Kid's Company chief executive, Camila Batmanghelidjh said, "If the maltreatment of children is altering their developmental pathways then we are not dealing with children who are morally flawed."

Not morally flawed... just deprived. 

Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17

 

(Re)learning History

I like a lot of things. I like snow. I like puppies. I like listening to live music. I like snowmobiling and jet skiing. The list could go on and on.

Why am I telling you this? Well... because I'm about to tell you something else I never liked in school and I don't want you to think I'm entirely too negative. In this case, it was something I hated, but then married someone who loved it; so I'm neutral now.

What is it? History. For some reason, it wasn't as easy a subject to memorize as my others were. I'm a classic "memorizer". That is how I aced school. History involves years and places and people. Those people and places have obscure names. This is the reason it was not my favorite subject.

Then I met my husband. He has been in the Armed Forces for nearly 25 years and his dream is to be a history teacher when he retires. While I would never, ever want to visit a museum for any reason, he enjoys frequenting them. When he, and all of the historical movies you could imagine entered my life, my views began to change. Ask me about WW2. Dare I say I might be "extremely knowledgeable" now? {he might not} 

Our host children live somewhere on this map.

Hosting an orphan from an Eastern European country has opened my eyes to that part of the world. I have always wanted to visit Russia. I have been reading history of the region! This is stuff that I might have learned in school, but it went out the other ear pretty quickly. I've been (re?)learning about those little countries that made up the former U.S.S.R. It is fascinating. I am also researching the recent orphans statistics since Russia decided to go after the Ukraine. Sad. I've heard of orphans not even getting blankets or food because the money has to go toward the war effort. That part of the world needs prayer. It causes me hurt. Countries I never knew or cared about when I studied history in school are now in the forefront of my mind. Will Putin dare attack another country? I don't know.  What does it look like over there for our host children? 

Today, a friend told me that there are rumors/grumblings about Russia invading the country our host children are coming from. I don't know if this is true, but if you Google it, it sounds like a number of those countries around Russia are thinking they might find themselves at war with Putin soon. I pray for peace. 


Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Outstanding!

A week ago I wrote my thoughts about teaching. I wish I had the opportunity to send both my children to the school that my mother faithfully started in 1978. It's a great school where most kids thrive. I would drop my children off at 8am and pick up at 3:30pm. I'd have my days to work and actually have a break from children. If I had wanted to teach, I would have obtained a degree in it. If I had wanted to be around kids all day, you would have found me working in the church nursery or babsitting. The truth is that I didn't want to spend my life around kids. I crave for adult conversations. I am selfish that way. I admit it.

When life took its toll on this household, the day came for me to be around children... or at least one child... at all times. I struggled. It hurt. I hated who I was and where my patience seemed to go. I cringed at the thought of working through math with a child who's brain refused to compute! I didn't look forward to the constant questioning or wasting time that my child likes to do. It has been hard. This year has been hard.

Yesterday, we had our school awards ceremony. Guess who got "Outstanding Teacher of the Year"? That would be me. Ironic, right? I guess not, since I've been called "overachiever" once or a hundred times in life. The emotions that swelled within me were so many, as I walked up to receive my award. There were thoughts like, "Heck, yeah! I worked my butt off this year for this!" and "What in the world? Were people actually noticing all the work I was putting in to these kids?" and "Um. I'm NOT a teacher!" and "I can't believe people recommended me for this." and "I feel more honored than any award I have received." Most importantly, my thought was that God is so faithful. He knows that I have some extremely tough times with Jared's diagnosis. He knows that this is the most difficult job I have had in my life. He knows that I'm sweating about teaching my host children English this summer.

One of the parents who recommended me for the award said that I don't teach like anyone she has seen. I find the root of each kid's needs and teach toward that. Another mom told me that her daughter said that I make every single kid feel loved and valuable. You won't ever feel stupid in my classroom. {gush}

I would not have done well going to school for a degree in education. I don't like the "norm". I probably wouldn't do well with certain rules for teaching. I look at each child in my classroom as a person... as someone who is going to be a grown up and needs specific tools to get through life.  That's how Dr. Champagne has taught my child and she has taught me so many techniques that truly help children. She taught me that a child's brain will shut down, due to emotions... like stress or sadness or feeling stupid. Her ideas and information have filled my brain and oozed into my classroom!

I am so thankful for the direction that my life has taken. I'm so thankful to see God in all of it.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philipians 4:13

News to Smile About

During our training, we learned that we are responsible for providing our host children with a doctor's eye exam and a trip (or multiple trips) to the dentist. We were told these are our expenses, as the host parents, but we should try asking professionals to donate services. If our orphans come with any medications, we are responsible for continuing to purchase that medication while they are here. We don't have any information on whether these kids wear glasses or have teeth problems. There are so many uncertainties, but I get a little excited with all the unknowns! Sometimes I like being on my toes!

Today, we went to my sons' dentist appointment. When we were driving there, I asked my sons to pray that we'd have an opportunity to talk to someone about giving our host children free dental exams this summer. We prayed. While speaking with each person at the dental office, I prayed for an opportunity. My kids had a new dentist today. I had never seen him before. The hygeinist said that he taught at the UT Dental school for years. I thought that might be my "in". I was hoping the dental school might want to provide some free dental care for the orphans. 

my squinty boys and their squeaky clean teeth

It doesn't hurt to ask.

I asked. He was confused. 

I asked again, trying to better articulate asking if the dental school might give free dental exams and x-rays. He said, "I'll take care of you". He said he'd examine the kids at our very own, local dental office. Wow! What a blessing! I will be sending a formal letter over to Dr. Henson.

Now, if only coming up with my fundraising plan to pay for hosting expenses was only this simple!

And so, our God, we are giving you thanks, and we are praising your wonderful name! 1 Chronicles 29:13

Stealing my Orphan Joy

Teachers.

I never desired to be a school teacher. My close friends know how I feel about school. I never liked it. When I graduated from college at 21, I was trying to get out of there so fast that I never even went to my college graduation. Nearly every one of my friends was continuing on for a Masters Degree. "See ya!" was the only thought in my head.  School wasn't difficult, but I just would rather be out in the world, doing things. Adventure. Don't stick me in a classroom.

When Jared's difficult diagnosis led me to home school, it was a struggle. When we joined a very "school like" co-op, it was a struggle. When I saw my roster of sixteen 3rd grade students at the beginning of the year, I was ready to run. If it wasn't for my son, I might have.

As the school year is coming to an end, all I can think of is "See ya"! I am struggling to have any excitement about finishing strong. I'm keeping these feelings away from my son, as we still have many, many more weeks to finish off his math curriculum for the year. I realized, this morning, that I'm oozing with that end-of-school-exhaustion. It is consuming me. And, to be honest, I'm allowing it to steal my orphan joy.

When I was praying and working on my weekly Bible study assignment this morning, it was very clear that the physical and mental fatigue of school was clouding so much. I AM excited about these kids coming here. I AM excited for my entire family to share love with these kids, like they may have never known. I AM excited to have this adventure. 

The book study has this great quote that resonated in me this morning: "Sometimes when we choose to praise, we feel better. Our spirits lift. Heaviness fades. The spring returns to our step."

Today this teacher is choosing praise. 

Your words were found, and I consumed them. Your words were joy and my heart's delight, because I bear your name, Lord God of the Heavenly Armies. Jeremiah 15:16

Have it Together?

"Do you consider me organized?" I just asked my husband.

"You are organized in your head. You are not materially organized, beyond what you need to do in order to deliver what you need. You are mentally organized."

He knows me well. I can be organized when I need to be. I grew up in a very successful household. I'm sure you could have substituted our last name for "has it together". Mom "has it together" worked very long hours creating things that most people can only dream about. Dad "has it together" was hardly ever home, because he was working 2-3 jobs, revolving around the law. The "has it together" family was extremely active in church. The "have it together" kids made straight A's and excelled at all their extracurricular activities. The family entertained often and well. The "has it together" family was known for having the best parties around! We were usually known as the ones smiling in the pictures exactly when the unsuspecting camera clicks.

you can't take the "pose" out of the girl, even when husband is unprepared

It's no surprise that I still have some of that in me. Some. This "has it together" sister has enjoyed letting things go... all over the world! There are more important things in life.  I do what I need to do to get things done. In my personal life, however, you will always find numerous crumpled up papers, clothes on closet floors, and medical records shoved into cabinets with margarita glasses. My husband calls it "cluttered". I will just say, "I'm a mess."

For some reason, people tend to think the opposite of me. They think I'm organized and on top of things. I guess I have to be WHEN I have to be. If others are depending on me, I'm your gal! I'm the best employee you'll ever have. I am an incredible research specialist for a son who has particular neurological needs because I'll do what I need to do and go over and beyond to make sure that he has every opportunity I can give him. Make no mistake; I don't enjoy having it together. It's tedious!

This orphan hosting process has shown me how much I don't have together. My house is beyond unorganized. The notes from that training are jumbled and scribbled, reflecting what my brain feels like. I found out that I have to write and turn in a weekly report to the agency. It cannot be late. I also have to call the kids' chaperone weekly, as well as their foster parents in Eastern Europe each Monday. We were told to limit the kids' calls to around 30 minutes. This paperwork and calls are required by the government. This means you get in serious trouble if you do not comply. 

My summer vacation just added some more rules and paperwork to it! Ask my husband how much I like paperwork. I'm sure he'll also let you know how much I like rules during designated fun time. A "normal" gal might not bat an eye at this. It's probably no big deal. However, the training also mentioned that these orphans tend to walk off or get lost in crowds. Making dog tags or an information bracelet was suggested.

You mean, I have to keep up with non-English speaking children, who tend to run away, as well as paperwork and phone calls?

This "does not have it together" gal needs some prayers!

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Luke 14:28-30

Lice & Vomit

Can I have a better blog title?

I am not gonna lie. Pretty much everything I thought about hosting might've just been thrown out the window. 

Yesterday was our mandatory, four hour training. You know what rhymes with training? Draining. I feel exhausted.

I have a new respect for families who have adopted older children from other countries. I could not imagine going through that. I never thought we would, but this hosting experience is a little window into that possibility. After yesterday's training, I realized that I might be a little scared. I'm sure they had to tell us the worse case situations, so that we'd know what to do. However, I am hoping that 90% of all that was mentioned will not happen. Actually I'd love for 100% to not happen and these children would be absolutely fine once they got here.

I'm going to write a series of blog posts about some things we learned. There was plenty of information. I'll definitely share more later. But... how about I share what might happen within that first hour of meeting our hosted children?

Lice check.

Yes. That's what I wrote. I'm the kid who got lice from her best friend in the third grade. My mom sent me to stay with my 3rd grade teacher for a week so she could deal with it. I'm not lying. There is proof of this and my mom would not deny it either. She shipped me and my lice-filled hair away. I don't know if the apple falls far from the tree on this one, folks. I immediately thought about my house {that's already too big} being infiltrated by tiny insects. My dogs. My cat. My kids. Me.  

This is where I feel completely convicted. Those should NOT be my thoughts. Nothing has ever stopped me from playing with or touching orphans! I even contracted impetigo in Guatemala in January! Thankfully I wasn't told, before hand, "Hey, you'll be playing at orphanages and you're going to contract this bizarre, extremely contagious skin condition on your face. Don't worry. There will just be red, crusty sores around your lips and nose when you return. The sores are hard to get rid of, but you'll survive. Hope your kids don't get them." I might never have flown to Guatemala, due to fear. And, that was one of the best trips I've ever taken in my 40 years. I wouldn't trade that impetigo for anything! {Thank God for essential oils so that I don't have to look at that anymore!}

The truth is I don't know much about lice. {Thankfully} It's probably not all that bad. I will be learning all about lice, though. You want to know why? We were told the FIRST thing we should do when meeting our kids was to perform a lice check "WITHOUT THEM REALIZING"! That's what we were told. What?! 

"Hello, orphan children. Here are your host parents. In America, parents greet you with balloons, signs, a gift, AND rubber gloves. It's a custom to run their fingers over every centimeter of your head before they even say 'hello'." One host mother said that one of her hosted kids actually just offered her head to the mom and told her to check. The training suggested we not be overt, but possibly ask to braid our hosted child's hair. When? In the car on the way home? If I wait until we get home, it might already be too late. Do I rent a car so that Hertz has to deal with lice for the summer?

Speaking of cars... we were told there is a HUGE chance of our hosted kids being so motion sick that they are {pretty much} guaranteed to throw up all over everything and everyone on the car ride home from the airport.The training mentioned even getting a car detailed after the ride. 
 
Vomit and lice are the minor things that were mentioned in the training. I'm not even going to mention the pornography, stealing, bedwetting, risque clothing, or lying right now. Again, I hope they are preparing us for the worst. It sounds like we need to start preparing our boys for the possibilities we might encounter this summer.

I need to pray. These, and many, many more things are swirling around in my brain. Yesterday morning was filled with excitement. I'm praying and hoping for the excitement to return and knock out all these other thoughts!

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philipians 4:8

From Another Perspective

Each day I find out new things about orphan hosting. I still really don't know much about it, but I will find out a lot in a 4 hour mandatory training tomorrow. 

Today, I decided to look on YouTube for any videos about it. I found an interesting one from the actual orphans' perspectives. They like all the fun in America. It's a good thing we live an active summer lifestyle and our host children love to be active. I just hope they can survive the heat here. One of my translation flash cards for them might need to be, "Help, I'm melting!"

Before I share the video, I wanted to mention some things that stood out. These orphans said they are chosen by their attitudes. That's good to know. It sounds like the two kids we'll be hosting are helpful, nice children, according to their bios. The children in the video also mentioned that they liked the hugs from host parents. That's pretty cool. I hope our host kids think like that, because I'm pretty affectionate with my sons! Who knows?

Another thing that stood out is that they seemed to speak good English. I have no idea if our kids will even be able to speak one word of English. I get asked that question a bunch. The kids in the video have probably been in America for a long time, but it is nice to see how quickly they have learned English. One child didn't even seem to have an accent! I am really nervous about our ride home from the Houston airport that first day. I have read that it is the most awkward time of the hosting experience.

Jared yesterday

So, here's the video. I've never heard of the hosting organization that posted this. There are a number of hosting organizations, but this is not the one we're using. One of the kids in this video looks very similar to the boy we are hosting. Actually, my son got a haircut yesterday and he looks similar to many of these Eastern European orphans I've been seeing lately. I was staring at Jared's nose today, thinking that the orphans we are hosting have the exact same nose! Is this from lack of sleep or is there something to it? I guess we'll have to see in 8 weeks!

 For he has absolutely no knowledge what will happen, since who can declare to him when it will come about? Ecclesiastes 8:7